Apparatus and method for forming and conveying cell stacks formed by segments for the energy cell producing industry

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus (100) for forming and conveying cell stacks (3) formed by segments (2) for the energy cell producing industry, said apparatus comprising - at least two cell stacking devices (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) which are designed to place the segments (2) on top of each other to produce cell stacks (3), and - at least one feed device (5), each of which is designed to feed the segments (2) to the cell stacking devices (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d), wherein - a transport system (6) is provided with a plurality of individually movable transport units (7) which are designed to convey the cell stacks (3) produced by the cell stacking devices (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) from a pick-up area (8) into a delivery area (9) that is spatially remote from the pick-up area (8), wherein - each of the cell stacking devices (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) forms a cell stack (3) in or on one of the transport units (7), and - the transport units (7) in the pick-up area (8) can be removed from the transport system (6) in order to form the cell stack (3).

Description

[0001] Device and method for forming and conveying cell stacks formed by segments for the energy cell producing industry

[0002] The present invention relates to a device for forming and conveying cell stacks formed by segments for the energy cell producing industry with the features of the preamble of claims 1 and 9. Furthermore, the invention relates to a corresponding method.

[0003] Energy cells or energy storage devices within the meaning of the invention are used, for example, in motor vehicles, other land vehicles, ships, aircraft or also in stationary systems such as photovoltaic systems in the form of battery cells or fuel cells, in which very large amounts of energy have to be stored over longer periods of time. For this purpose, such energy cells have a structure made up of a large number of segments stacked together to form a stack. These segments are each alternating anode sheets and cathode sheets, which are separated from one another by separator sheets that are also manufactured as segments. The segments are pre-cut in the manufacturing process and then stacked in the predetermined order and joined together by lamination. The anode sheets and cathode sheets are first cut from a continuous web and then individually placed at intervals onto a continuous web of separator material.This subsequently formed "double-layered" continuous web of separator material with the applied anode or cathode sheets is then cut into segments again in a second step using a cutting device. In this case, the segments are formed in a double layer by a separator sheet with an anode or cathode sheet arranged on top. If this is technically feasible or necessary from a manufacturing perspective, the continuous webs of separator material with the applied anode or cathode sheets can also be placed on top of one another before cutting, thus forming a continuous web with a first continuous layer of separator material with anode or cathode sheets applied thereon and a second continuous layer of separator material with anode or cathode sheets applied thereon.This "four-layer" continuous web is then cut into segments using a cutting device. In this case, the segments are formed in four layers, consisting of a first separator sheet, an anode sheet, a second separator sheet, and a cathode sheet lying thereon. Such a solution is known, for example, from WO 2020 / 192845A1. The four-layer web can also be formed by the arrangement of a first separator sheet, a cathode ball, a second separator sheet, followed by an anode sheet.

[0004] Segments within the meaning of this application are therefore single-layer segments of a separator material, anode material or cathode material, double-layer or four-layer segments of the structure described above.

[0005] Devices for producing battery cells are known, for example, from WO 2016 / 041713 A1 and DE 10 2017 216 213 A1.

[0006] Furthermore, WO 2019 / 048589 A1 discloses a device for producing an electrode stack. For this purpose, a transport system with carriages is provided on which electrode and separator layers can be stacked. There are stacking stations where only separator layers are deposited, stacking stations where only cathode layers are deposited, and stacking stations where only anode layers are deposited. Thus, by appropriately moving the carriage to the stacking stations on the carriage's depositing surface, a cell stack can be stacked in the desired sequence.

[0007] US 2002 / 0007552 A1 also discloses a device for producing a battery cell. After the battery cell has been manufactured, it is transferred to a conveyor belt using the so-called "pick and place" principle.

[0008] The production of battery cells, for example for electromobility, currently takes place on production lines with an output of 100 to 240 monocells per minute. These operate in some areas or continuously with timed, discontinuous movements, such as back-and-forth movements, and are therefore limited in terms of production output. The majority of existing machines operate using single-sheet stacking methods (e.g., "pick and place"), with the disadvantage of slower processing. Laminating cell formations is not possible here.

[0009] Another well-known approach is a machine with continuously running material webs and timed tools, such as cutting knives and tools for changing the pitch.

[0010] In principle, machines with synchronized movements are limited in terms of performance. Mass-bearing parts, such as fixtures and tools, must be constantly accelerated and decelerated. These processes determine the timing, and a lot of energy is consumed. The mass of the moving parts cannot be reduced arbitrarily. Faster-moving parts often have to endure greater loads and therefore become even more complex and heavier.

[0011] To reduce the production costs of battery manufacturing, among other things, the production output of the machines must be increased. One prerequisite for high production output is a high production rate of the energy cell stacks, which are formed from several stacked segments of the type described above.

[0012] In a preliminary manufacturing step, the segments are stacked on top of each other to form the so-called monocells, consisting of a first separator sheet, an anode sheet arranged thereon, a second separator sheet arranged thereon, and a cathode sheet arranged thereon; the monocell can also have the following layer sequence: first separator sheet, cathode sheet arranged thereon, second separator sheet arranged thereon, and an anode sheet arranged thereon.

[0013] Alternatively, the separator sheets can initially be laid as two continuous webs, with the pre-cut segments in the form of the anode sheets being placed on one of the continuous webs, and the pre-cut segments in the form of the cathode sheets being placed on the other continuous web, and then bonded together in a lamination process. The prefabricated composite sheets are then bonded together in a further lamination process to form a four-layer composite sheet. It is also possible in principle to place the first cut electrode in the form of the cathode or anode between the separator sheets in the form of the continuous webs, and to place the second cut electrode in the form of the anode or cathode on or under one of the separator sheets.The four-layer web is then laminated in a common lamination process so that the monocell is produced in a fixed formation while the continuous webs are still in existence, i.e. before cutting.

[0014] Regardless of whether the monocells are manufactured using a one- or two-stage lamination process, the monocells are then cut from the composite sheet by cutting through the spaces between the successive anode sheets or cathode sheets.

[0015] Alternatively, the continuous sheets of separator material with the anode sheets and cathode sheets arranged thereon can also be cut first, whereby the monocells are then produced by a downstream composite process of a first cut separator sheet with an anode and a second cut separator sheet with a cathode.

[0016] The segments are then stacked on top of each other to form a stack of multiple segments. If the segments are monocells or separator sheets with anode or cathode sheets arranged on them, a cathode or anode is located on a free side of the stack, which is then covered by a so-called end cell. The end cell comprises a first separator sheet, an anode or cathode sheet arranged on top of it, and a second separator sheet arranged on top of it, but without a cathode or anode sheet. Thus, the end cell can also be considered a monocell without a cathode or anode sheet.The finished stack comprising the plurality of monocells and the terminal cell is then characterized in that it has a separator sheet on its top and bottom, and the anode sheets and cathode sheets are each covered by separator sheets on the top and bottom and are not in contact with each other. Alternatively, the terminal cell can also be formed by an electrode, for example in the form of an anode. If the monocell is formed from the layer sequence of a first separator sheet, a cathode sheet arranged thereon, a second separator sheet arranged thereon, and an anode sheet arranged thereon, then by arranging the terminal cell in the form of the anode, both side surfaces of the formed cell stack can be terminated with an anode. The cell stack, which terminates with two electrodes, here in the form of two anodes, is then wrapped with an insulator.

[0017] However, delays can occur during cell stack formation for various reasons. However, there are no known solutions from the current state of the art for dealing with these delays without negatively impacting production performance.

[0018] Against this background, the invention is based on the object of providing an improved device for forming and conveying cell stacks for the energy cell production industry, which enables a more reliable provision of cell stacks, as well as a corresponding method. This object is achieved by the features of the independent claims. Further preferred embodiments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims, the figures, and the associated description.

[0019] According to a first aspect of this application, the object is achieved by a device for forming and conveying cell stacks formed by segments for the energy cell production industry, comprising at least two cell stacking devices, each of which is configured to stack the segments on top of one another to form cell stacks, and at least one feed device configured to feed the segments to the cell stacking devices, wherein a transport system is provided with a plurality of individually movable transport units configured to convey the cell stacks produced by the cell stacking devices from a collection area to a delivery area spatially remote from the collection area, wherein each of the cell stacking devices forms a cell stack in or on one of the transport units, and the transport units can be removed from the transport system in the collection area to form the cell stack.

[0020] Individually movable transport units mean that the movement of individual transport units, for example, the speed or route, can be adjusted separately, at least in certain areas of the transport system. The individual mobility of the transport units can be achieved, for example, using transport vehicles designed to transport the transport units. The transport vehicles can be moved, for example, on a rail system. Furthermore, it is also possible, for example, for the transport units to be formed by transport vehicles. The individual mobility of the transport units offers considerable optimization potential when removing the transport units from the transport system and subsequently returning them.For example, withdrawals and / or returns can take place in parallel or handover times can be calculated in advance and taken into account early on when planning transport orders.

[0021] Removing the transport units from the transport system for forming cell stacks from segments means that the formation of the cell stacks can be decoupled from the transport process of the cell stacks between the pick-up area and the delivery area. This allows the segments to be reliably stacked into cell stacks by the respective cell stacking device, regardless of any constraints on the transport system. The temporal decoupling of cell stack formation from the transport system's timing offers the advantage that the cell stacks can be completed with virtually no time constraints. This is particularly important considering any defective segments, as these can delay the completion of the cell stacks.

[0022] The proposed solution allows the cell stack formation process to be parallelized by using at least two cell stacking devices. Preferably, exactly four cell stacking devices are provided so that any delay in cell stack formation at one of the cell stacking devices can be compensated for by the remaining three cell stacking devices. However, the degree of parallelization in cell stack formation is further scalable, so that more than four cell stacking devices can be provided. After the segments have been stacked on top of one another to form a cell stack of a predefined cell stack height, i.e. after the cell stack has been completed, the transport unit is returned to the transport system together with the finished cell stack so that the cell stack, together with the transport unit, can be transported by the transport system from the pick-up area to the delivery area.The process of cell stack formation and transfer to the transport system can take place in parallel at each of the cell stacking devices.

[0023] Preferably, the segments stacked by the cell stacking devices are monocells.

[0024] Preferably, at least one changing device is provided, with which a transport unit filled with a cell stack by one of the cell stacking devices can be replaced with an empty transport unit. The transport units replaced by the changing device are in a state removed from the transport system. The changing device thus assumes the function of feeding the transport unit to one of the cell stacking devices and removing the transport unit together with the finished cell stack from the respective cell stacking device. The changing device thus allows the transport units to be conveyed when they are decoupled from the transport system due to their removal from the latter. Preferably, the changing device has a frame-like structure, so that the at least one transport unit can be stored inside the frame; it is then referred to as a changing frame.Furthermore, the changing device is designed and movable in such a way that it can be moved between at least two, preferably exactly two, positions. Preferably, each of the cell stacking devices is assigned its own changing device.

[0025] It is further proposed that the at least one changing device has a first and a second storage position for storing one of the transport units each, wherein the at least one changing device is configured to transfer the transport unit from the first storage position to the second storage position. For example, this is achieved by the transport units being displaceably mounted in the preferably frame-like changing device. In this way, the changing device can accommodate the transport unit in the first storage position in a first position, while in the second storage position a further transport unit is arranged opposite the cell stacking device in such a way that the segments are already placed on top of one another to form a cell stack there.Subsequently, by moving the changing device in a first direction, the first storage position with the empty transport unit can be positioned opposite the cell stacking device such that the cell stack can be formed there; the changing device is then in the second position. At the same time, this movement of the changing device in the first direction shifts the second storage position such that the transport unit, including the cell stack, is positioned for transfer to the transport system.Once the second storage position has been released again by the transport unit being transferred to the transport system, the changing device can be moved in a second direction opposite to the first direction, while the transport unit remains in the position in which it is loaded with segments by the cell stacking device. For this purpose, a holding element that holds the transport unit in position can be provided, for example. The changing device is now back in the first position. By moving the changing device relative to the transport unit, the transport unit changes from the first storage position to the second storage position, so that the first storage position is freed up again and can thus accommodate an unloaded transport unit.As soon as the first storage position is refilled with a transport unit, the changing device is moved back in the first direction so that the empty transport unit can be supplied with segments by the cell stacking device. This process can then be repeated continuously. By changing the transport unit from the first storage position to the second storage position, the cell stack formation process can be decoupled from the transfer of the transport units. This means that an empty transport unit can be picked up in the first storage position, parallel to the formation of the cell stack in the second storage position.By decoupling the transfer of the transport units to and from the transport system from the formation of the cell stack on the transport unit, these process steps can take place in parallel, resulting in a larger time window for the transfer of the transport units from the transport system to the changing device and vice versa. Furthermore, in this way the changing device can serve three positions, although it only moves in two positions. These are the following three positions: In a first position (pick-up position), the changing device picks up the transport unit from the transport system. In a second position (stacking position), the cell stack is formed on the transport unit by the cell stacking device. In a third position (discharge position), the changing device releases the transport unit back to the transport system.Preferably, the at least one changing device is movable in a plane that is arranged above or below a transport system plane in which the transport units are removed from the transport system and / or transferred back to the transport system. This ensures that the transport system is arranged below or above the changing device, at least in the pick-up area. By arranging the planes in this way, a physical decoupling of the conveying movement of the transport system from the conveying movement of the changing device can be achieved in a simple manner. Alternatively, it is of course also possible to achieve the physical decoupling by arranging the changing device laterally next to the transport system. The changing device preferably performs a linear movement to convey the transport unit.

[0026] It is further proposed that each of the cell stacking devices be assigned a first and / or a second lift, with which the transport units can be conveyed between the level of the changing device and the transport system level. The first and / or second lift can transfer the transport unit from the transport system to the changing device, and vice versa. The lifts thus form a simple mechanical solution for the transfer process. Preferably, the first lift is configured to lift one of the transport units from the transport system into the changing device. Further preferably, the second lift is configured to lower the transport unit from the changing device to the transport system below.Preferably, the transport units are transported by the transport system between the pick-up area and the delivery area in a horizontal plane, whereas the lifts transport the transport units vertically. If the design of the exchange device with two storage positions is used as described above, the first lift can, for example, transfer the transport unit to the first storage position of the exchange device when the latter is in a first position. Furthermore, the transport unit can be transferred to the second lift when the transport unit to be transferred is in the second storage position and the exchange device is in the second position.

[0027] Furthermore, it is advantageous if each cell stacking device is assigned its own changing device, and accordingly, each changing device is assigned a first and second lift. This allows the removal and return of transport units between the transport system and the respective cell stacking device to take place independently of the other cell stacking devices. The system reliability of the device can thus be further increased.

[0028] The transport system preferably comprises a plurality of transport vehicles which are configured to individually move the transport units in the transport system, wherein the respective transport vehicle, after the transfer of one of the transport units to the at least one exchange device in a first transfer position, can be moved in an unloaded state to a second transfer position in order to pick up a ready transport unit with a finished cell stack. The transport vehicle with the unloaded transport unit is preferably only moved to the first transfer position when a transport unit loaded with a finished cell stack is already ready at the second transfer position. In the first transfer position, the unloaded transport unit can thus be transferred to the exchange device via the first lift.In the second transfer position, the second lift transfers the transport unit, loaded with the cell stack, back to the waiting transport vehicle. The transport vehicles thus do not have to be permanently assigned to the transport units. Furthermore, this preferred embodiment allows the transport vehicles to transport the cell stacks serially without interfering with one another.

[0029] Preferably, the segments are stacked on top of each other to form a cell stack on a height-adjustable base in or on one of the transport units. For example, the height-adjustable base can be part of the transport unit itself. Alternatively, the height-adjustable base can also be formed entirely or partially by elements that are not part of the transport unit but are part of the rest of the device. The height-adjustable base allows the height at which each segment is delivered to the stack to be kept constant. This offers the advantage that the cell stacking device can deposit the segments with greater precision and reliability.

[0030] It is further proposed that the transport units each have a storage surface with recesses for the cell stack, wherein the device comprises webs which are arranged such that they protrude into the recesses of the storage surface when one of the transport units is in a position in which the transport unit is filled with segments by one of the cell stacking devices, wherein an adjusting device is provided with which the degree of engagement of the webs in the recesses can be adjusted such that the webs form the height-adjustable floor for the transport unit. The height-adjustable floor is thus formed by a component which is not part of the transport unit, namely by the webs which protrude into the recesses of the transport unit in the stacking position. The adjusting device preferably comprises an actuator for moving the webs which is arranged stationary on the device.This eliminates the need to install corresponding drives and mechanical components on the transport units. The transport units can thus be lighter and manufactured more cost-effectively. To prevent the changing device from moving, the bars can be fully retracted from the recesses in the transport unit's storage area after the cell stack has been formed.

[0031] For example, the webs can also serve as a holding element for holding the transport unit when they are engaged with the recess. Thus, when the changing device moves in the second direction, the transport unit, which is secured by the webs, can be moved from the first storage position to the second storage position.

[0032] According to a second aspect of this application, to achieve the object, a device for forming and conveying cell stacks formed by segments for the energy cell producing industry is proposed, comprising at least two cell stacking devices, each of which is configured to stack the segments on top of one another to form cell stacks, and a feed device configured to feed the segments to the cell stacking devices, wherein a transport system is provided with several individually movable transport units configured to receive the cell stacks produced by the cell stacking devices in a collection area and to deliver them again in a delivery area, wherein each of the cell stacking devices stacks the segments on top of one another in a magazine of a rotatable magazine drum to form the cell stack, wherein the magazine has a lifting device,with which the depth of the magazine can be adjusted depending on the increasing stack height of the segments in the magazine.,

[0033] With this solution, cell stacks can also be formed in parallel by the multiple cell stacking devices. Furthermore, by forming the cell stacks in the magazines of the magazine drums, cell stack formation is decoupled from the timing of the transport system. The lifting device ensures that the topmost segment can be placed on the cell stack at a constant height, allowing the cell stack to be formed reliably and with high quality. Each of the magazine drums preferably comprises two or four magazines. Each cell stacking device is preferably assigned its own magazine drum.

[0034] The magazine drum preferably comprises pivotable gripping elements with which the cell stack can be secured or released in the magazine depending on the pivoting position of the gripping elements, wherein the pivotable gripping elements are coupled to the lifting device in such a way that the lifting device performs a lifting movement together with the gripping elements. The magazine is preferably filled with the segments by the cell stacking device with an upwardly directed magazine opening. For delivery to the transport unit, the magazine drum preferably rotates through 180° so that the respective magazine opening points downwards and the cell stack would fall out without being secured. The gripping elements, which are coupled to the lifting device, can reliably hold the cell stack in the magazine by applying a clamping force.

[0035] It is further proposed that, through a joint lifting movement of the lifting device and the gripping elements, the cell stack can be transferred to one of the transport units in a state clamped between the lifting device and the gripping elements. This allows the lifting device to serve not only to keep the height of the top layer of the cell stack constant for the stacking process, but also to transfer the cell stack to the transport unit. By coupling the lifting device with the gripping elements, the cell stack can be transferred from the magazine drum to the transport unit under the application of a clamping force. The correct arrangement and alignment of the individual segments of the cell stack can thus be maintained even during transfer to the transport unit, because the segments forming the cell stack are reliably held together by the clamping force.

[0036] The preferred embodiments proposed below are compatible with both the solution according to the first and second aspects of this application. A corresponding combination is explicitly included in the disclosure content of this application.

[0037] The transport units are preferably containers that are open on one side. The container preferably forms a receptacle that corresponds to the shape of the cell stack. This design of the transport unit allows the cell stack to be precisely positioned and stored in the container; in particular, displacement of the individual segments relative to one another can be prevented to a certain extent.

[0038] According to a further preferred embodiment, it is proposed that the transport units each comprise one or more gripper arms with which the cell stack can be secured to the transport unit. This ensures that the arrangement and alignment of the individual segments of the cell stack relative to one another can be maintained even during transport of the transport devices through the transport system. Preferably, the gripper arms can be actuated by an actuating device of the device, which, however, is not part of the respective transport unit.

[0039] According to a further preferred embodiment, it is proposed that an unloading device be provided in the delivery area, with which the cell stacks are removed from the transport units, and that the unloaded transport units can be made available again at the cell stacking devices by the transport system. Preferably, a waiting area can be provided in which the transport units are parked until an unloaded transport unit is needed at one of the cell stacking devices and is retrieved from the waiting area. Such control or regulation of the transport units can be carried out by means of a central or decentralized control unit.

[0040] According to a further preferred embodiment, it is proposed that the feed device comprises at least one transfer drum, wherein each of the cell stacking devices comprises at least one segment drum, by means of which the segments are picked up from the transfer drum at a transfer speed and delivered at a delivery speed, wherein the transfer speed is greater than the delivery speed. The transfer speed preferably corresponds to the peripheral speed of the transfer drum. The delivery speed is preferably zero, so that the transfer of the segments to the transport unit or to the magazine drum takes place at a standstill. This delay is made possible by dividing the segments across several segment drums. The stacking process is thus parallelized, and the delay enables the formation of the cell stack to be carried out with higher quality.With this solution, the segments do not have to be assigned to a specific segment drum from the outset.

[0041] Furthermore, it may be necessary that after picking up the segment at the transfer speed, the speed is increased again and only then a deceleration to zero takes place. In the same way, after the segments have been delivered to the transport unit, an acceleration to a speed greater than the transfer speed can be carried out, followed by a deceleration to the transfer speed. The appropriate speed of the segment drum is set by adjusting the angular velocity of the segment drum. The interim increase in speed starting from the transfer speed and the subsequent reduction in the speed of the segment drum is necessary, especially in the case of segment drums with only a single picking punch that is set up to pick up a segment, in order to reach the delivery position within one cycle.If, however, a segment drum with two independent receiving dies or three receiving dies for each segment is used, this interim acceleration and deceleration based on the transfer speed is not necessary or is only required to a lesser extent. In practice, a segment drum with three receiving dies aligned at an angle of 120 degrees to each other has proven particularly advantageous.

[0042] If each of the segment drums comprises several receiving dies, in particular three receiving dies, the movement of the segment drums is preferably controlled such that one of the segment drums is decelerated and accelerated overall, without changing the distances between the receiving dies. Each of the segment drums is formed by a drum driven for rotation, so that the receiving dies are arranged at fixed angles to one another during the rotational movement. The receiving dies are arranged equidistant from one another and are driven together with the base body of their segment drum.The advantage of this solution is that the acceleration and deceleration of the segments at the transfer points described above is achieved solely by a single control of the movement of the segment drum, whereas the receiving punches themselves do not carry out an individually controlled movement, but are instead decelerated and accelerated as an assembly. This simplifies the entire control system and structural design. In particular, the receiving punches do not require any separate movable bearings on the respective segment drum. Individual control of the receiving punches, for example by means of a control contour, is also not necessary. The segment drums can preferably also be designed as double-segment drums, i.e. two removal punches rotate on a rotation axis and are designed to pick up a segment from the transfer drum and release it again with a delay.The two sections of the double-segment drum can, for example, have separate drives, meaning they operate independently of each other, or they can use the same drive profile but operate cyclically offset. The use of double-segment drums allows the segment removal to be spread even further, giving the individual segments more time to decelerate and accelerate.

[0043] According to a further preferred embodiment, it is proposed that at least one comb-like storage element is provided with a plurality of struts arranged parallel to one another, wherein the struts extend from a common base part, wherein the struts engage in corresponding recesses of one of the segment drums during a circular movement of the segment drum, wherein the comb-like storage element is mounted so as to be translationally movable or rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the base part for detaching the segments from the respective segment drum. The lever-like movement of the struts, which results from a rotation of the base part about its longitudinal axis, allows the segments to be removed from the segment drum in an efficient manner. The rotational movement of the base part can, for example, be carried out by a separate actuator.If the comb-like deposit element is mounted so as to be movable in translation, it has proven advantageous if it can be moved in a purely vertical lifting movement. The deposit lever preferably has at least one contact opening to which a negative pressure can be applied to receive the segment. When the segment is picked up from the segment drum by the deposit lever, a negative pressure is applied to its at least one contact opening, so that the segment is additionally attached to the deposit lever by the effect of the negative pressure. If the segment drum is also subjected to a negative pressure to hold the segments, the negative pressure that holds the segment about to be transferred is deactivated.If the segment combed out by the deposit lever is to be transferred from the deposit lever to a downstream device, then the negative pressure applied to at least one contact opening of the deposit lever is deactivated again.

[0044] According to a further preferred embodiment, it is proposed that a control device is provided which is configured to individually control and / or regulate the movement speed and / or the movement route of the transport units loaded with the cell stacks between the pick-up area and the delivery area in such a way that a delayed completion of the cell stack at one of the cell stack devices can be compensated in a compensation area between the pick-up area and the delivery area.

[0045] The individual control or regulation of the movement, i.e. the movement speed and / or the movement route, of the transport vehicles means that the arrival time of each individual transport unit in the delivery area can be influenced. By reducing the movement speed, the arrival time in the delivery area can be delayed; by increasing the movement speed, an earlier arrival time can be achieved. If it is possible to change the movement route, the arrival time can be delayed by lengthening the movement route; by shortening the movement route, an earlier arrival time can be achieved. Thus, the temporal sequence of the transport units arriving in the delivery area can be adjusted so that it is ideally coordinated with the subsequent process.Furthermore, unforeseeable disruptions to the production process can be compensated for, thus increasing overall system reliability during cell stack production. In particular, any delays in the completion of the cell stacks can be compensated for in such a way that the transport units can be made available in the delivery area at a predetermined production rate. Production processes subsequent to the cell stack process are therefore not negatively affected by any delays in the cell stack formation process. The use of such a flexibly controllable or adjustable transport system also offers the advantage that downstream process steps can be adapted. Furthermore, the storage positions of the segments or cell stacks can be corrected by positioning the transport units.Finally, time-critical processes can be parallelized and / or the transport rate can be temporarily slowed down.

[0046] The control unit intended for controlling or regulating the movement can, for example, be a central control unit. However, it can also be a decentralized control unit, whose components are assigned to the individual transport units or transport vehicles, for example. Furthermore, the control unit can, for example, be a combination of centrally and decentrally arranged components.

[0047] As an alternative to using a linear rail system with transport units and / or transport vehicles, the transport system can be defined, for example, by a movement surface, preferably a planar movement surface, on which corresponding transport vehicles can move. The transport vehicles can, in principle, be moved in any direction on this movement surface, thus providing greater degrees of freedom compared to a linear transport system. Transport systems with switches or similar elements can also be used to define or set different movement routes.

[0048] The transport system can preferably also be constructed in two parts. In a first part, the transport units can be moved flexibly and individually. This section is preferably assigned to the part of the transport system from the pick-up area to the delivery area. In a second part of the transport system, however, the transport units can no longer be moved individually, but are transported at a uniform speed and / or along a uniform route. This second part is preferably assigned to the delivery area. To implement the two-part transport system, it can, for example, have subdivided guides and / or drive elements; completely independent transport systems for the first and second subsystems are also conceivable, so that a transfer device for the cell stacks, transport units and / or transport vehicles must be available.Furthermore, it is also conceivable to design the two-part transport system in such a way that a common guide is provided for the transport vehicles or transport units, and the drive elements are designed differently depending on whether they belong to the first or second part. In this case, the transfer takes place via overlapping drive elements with a corresponding transfer of the transport unit or transport vehicles.

[0049] According to a further preferred embodiment, it is proposed that a processing unit for processing the cell stacks be provided between the collection area and the delivery area, or within the delivery area. The cell stacks are fed to the processing unit by the transport system with the transport device. For example, the processing unit is configured to add further material layers, such as an anode. The processing unit can be arranged, for example, in the compensation area. Preferably, the control device is then configured to compensate for any delays that may arise during the processing of the cell stacks. Alternatively, the processing unit can also be arranged in the delivery area. This is advantageous because the compensation has already taken place there, so that the processing unit can also operate at the production rate set by the control device.

[0050] According to a further preferred embodiment, it is proposed that the feed device comprise a reject device with which defective segments can be removed from the device. The reject device preferably comprises a testing drum which is designed to detect defective segments, as well as an ejection drum by means of which the defective segments can be removed into a reject reservoir. The at least one reject device can ensure that only perfect segments are used to form the cell stacks. Since the segments are distributed across several, for example four, cell stacking devices, the sorting out of individual segments by the reject device at the cell stack where the segment is missing leads to a delay in the completion of the cell stack.The predefined cell stack height is therefore only reached later at the respective cell stacking device, resulting in irregular delivery of the cell stack to the transport units or delayed completion of the cell stack on or in the transport units in the collection area. However, the individual control or regulation of the transport units or transport vehicles in the transport system by the control unit makes it possible to compensate for this irregularity, so that the cell stacks can be made available in the delivery area at a specified production rate. In summary, product quality can be increased without negatively impacting the production rate.

[0051] To achieve the object, according to a third aspect of this application, a method for forming and conveying cell stacks formed by segments for the energy cell producing industry is proposed, comprising the following steps: a) moving a plurality of transport units between a pick-up area and a delivery area by a transport system; b) removing one or more of the transport units from the transport system in a pick-up area of ​​the transport system; c) parallel stacking of segments to form cell stacks of predefined cell stack height on the removed transport units by at least two cell stacking devices; d) returning the removed transport unit(s) together with the cell stack arranged on the transport unit to the transport system as soon as the cell stack on the respective transport unit has reached the predefined cell stack height.

[0052] With regard to the technical effects and advantages associated with this method, reference is made to the preceding statements in connection with the device according to the first aspect of this application.

[0053] Preferably, method step d) is followed by the following method step: e) Compensating for any time delays in the formation of the cell stacks by controlling and / or regulating the movement speed and / or the movement route of the transport unit in a compensation area arranged between the collection area and a delivery area, so that the cell stacks reach the delivery area within a predefined time interval. This method can be carried out, for example, using the device according to the first aspect of this application. The disclosure of this application therefore also explicitly includes the implementation of this method using the previously explained device according to the first aspect of this application.

[0054] To achieve this object, according to a fourth aspect of this application, a method for forming and conveying cell stacks formed by segments for the energy cell producing industry is proposed, comprising the following steps: a) parallel stacking of segments to form cell stacks of predefined cell stack height by at least two cell stacking devices, wherein the cell stacks are formed in magazines of several magazine drums; preferably, each magazine drum is assigned to a cell stacking device; b) adjusting the depth of the magazines during the cell stacking process to the height of the cell stack located in the respective magazine, so that the segments to be placed are placed on the cell stack at a constant height; c) clamping the cell stack in the magazine after reaching the predefined cell stack height;d) Transferring the cell stack in a clamped state to one of several individually movable transport units of a transport system in a collection area; e) Compensating for any delays in the formation of the cell stacks by controlling and / or regulating the movement speed and / or the movement route of the transport unit in a compensation area arranged between the collection area and a delivery area, so that the cell stacks reach the delivery area at a predefined time interval.

[0055] With regard to the technical effects and advantages associated with this method, reference is made to the preceding statements in connection with the device according to the second aspect of this application.

[0056] This method can be carried out, for example, using the device according to the second aspect of this application. The disclosure content of this application therefore also explicitly includes the implementation of this method using the above-described device according to the second aspect of this application.

[0057] The invention is explained below using preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures.

[0058] Fig. 1 shows a device according to a first embodiment;

[0059] Fig. 2 is a detailed view of a device according to a first embodiment;

[0060] Fig. 3 shows a device according to a first embodiment during a first method step; Fig. 4 shows an angle-time diagram of a segment drum;

[0061] Fig. 5 is an angular velocity-time diagram of a segment drum;

[0062] Fig. 6 shows a device according to a first embodiment in a second method step;

[0063] Fig. 7 shows a device according to a first embodiment in a third method step;

[0064] Fig. 8 shows a device according to a first embodiment in a fourth method step;

[0065] Fig. 9 shows a device according to a first embodiment in a fifth method step;

[0066] Fig. 10 is a path-time diagram of a changing device;

[0067] Fig. 11 is a speed-time diagram of a changing device;

[0068] Fig. 12 shows a device according to a first embodiment in a sixth method step;

[0069] Fig. 13 is a perspective view of a device according to a first embodiment;

[0070] Fig. 14 shows a distance-time diagram of a transport vehicle in a pickup area; Fig. 15 shows a speed-time diagram of a transport vehicle in a pickup area;

[0071] Fig. 16 is a speed-time diagram of a transport vehicle in a delivery area;

[0072] Fig. 17 shows a device according to a first embodiment with a processing device;

[0073] Fig. 18 shows a first method for forming and conveying cell stacks;

[0074] Fig. 19 shows a device according to a second embodiment;

[0075] Fig. 20 is a detailed view of a device according to a second embodiment;

[0076] Fig. 21 shows a device according to a second embodiment in a first method step;

[0077] Fig. 22 shows a device according to a second embodiment in a second method step;

[0078] Fig. 23 shows a device according to a second embodiment in a third method step;

[0079] Fig. 24 shows a device according to a second embodiment in a fourth method step; Fig. 25 shows a device according to a second embodiment in a perspective view;

[0080] Fig. 26 shows a device according to a second embodiment with a processing device;

[0081] Fig. 27 shows a second method for forming and conveying cell stacks;

[0082] Fig. 28 shows a device according to a first or second embodiment comprising a transport system with a compensation region;

[0083] Fig. 29 a detailed view of a processing device;

[0084] Fig. 30 shows a device according to a second embodiment with segment drums in the form of double segment drums;

[0085] Fig. 31 shows a device according to a variant of a first embodiment with segment drums each comprising three segment receptacles;

[0086] Fig. 32 shows a device according to a second embodiment with a two-part transport system; and

[0087] Fig. 33 shows a device according to a second embodiment with a planar transport system.

[0088] Figure 1 shows a device 100 for forming and transporting cell stacks 3 formed by segments 2 for the energy cell production industry. The device 100 comprises a feed device 5, four cell stacking devices 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, and a transport system 6.

[0089] A cutting device 34 for cutting an endless web 35 is provided upstream of the feed device 5.

[0090] A continuous web 35 consisting of two continuous webs of separator material with anode sheets arranged between them in the longitudinal direction of the continuous web 35 and cathode sheets resting on one side of one of the continuous webs of separator material, also spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the continuous web, is fed to the cutting device 34. It goes without saying that it is also possible, in principle, to interchange the arrangement of the anode sheet and the cathode sheet in the continuous web 35. If the continuous web has spaced-apart electrode sheets, the cut in the cutting device 34 is made through the separation points between the electrode sheets. The supplied continuous web 35 is a four-layer web, so that the segments 2 cut from it correspond to the monocells described above. Segments 2 of other types are, of course, also possible.

[0091] The cutting device 34 is formed here by a pair of drums consisting of a cutting drum 36 with cutting blades and a counter drum 37 designed as a suction roller with counter blades. It cuts the endless web 35 guided onto the cutting drum 36 or the counter drum 37 into segments 2 of a predetermined length, which is defined by the spacing of the cutting blades, by shearing the cutting blades on the counter blades. Starting from the cutting device 34, the cut segments 2 are fed to the feed device 5.

[0092] The feed device 5 further comprises a reject device comprising an inspection drum 27, an ejection drum 38, and a reject reservoir 39 (see Figure 2). The inspection drum 27 is configured to detect defective segments 2, for example, using an electrical inspection instrument. From the inspection drum 27, both the undamaged and the defective segments 2 are transferred by means of a transport drum 40 to the ejection drum 38, where the defective segments 2 are removed from the production process and fed to the reject reservoir 39.

[0093] In this exemplary embodiment, the feed device 5 comprises four transfer drums 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d for transferring segments 2 to the four cell stacking devices 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d. The ejection drum 38 transfers the undamaged segments 2 to the first transfer drum 14a, from which a subset of the segments 2 is transferred to the further transfer drums 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d by means of additional transport drums 40.

[0094] It goes without saying that the feed device 5 can also comprise further components or assemblies not shown in Figure 1. These include, for example, devices for aligning intermediate products, such as a device for web edge control after lamination of the monocells, which is arranged downstream of the reject device. Since a web edge control can only be used to control an endless web, it is arranged upstream of the cutting and upstream of the reject device in the production process. Each of the cell stacking devices 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d comprises a segment drum 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d in the form of a removal punch driven by a rotary motion. The segment drums 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d are designed to remove the segments 2 from a respective transfer drum 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d assigned to it and to stack them into a cell stack 3.

[0095] The rotational movement of the segment drums 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d is controlled such that they receive the segments 2 in a predetermined sequence from the transfer drums 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d. In the present embodiment, four segment drums 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d are provided, so that each of the segment drums 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d receives the segments 2 in a fixed sequence in a four-cycle rhythm from the transfer drums 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d. Thus, the segment drum 15a assigned to the first transfer drum 14a receives one segment 2 from the circumference of the first transfer drum 14a during one rotation. The rotational movements of the segment drum 15a are coordinated with the rotational movement of the first transfer drum 14a in such a way that, when the first transfer drum 14a is fully occupied, it takes over a total of one quarter of the segments 2 held on the first transfer drum 14a.It goes without saying that the first transfer drum 14a is only fully occupied if none of the segments 2 have been ejected by the ejection drum 38. The segments 2 remaining on the first transfer drum 14a are then taken over by a transport drum 40 and transferred to the second transfer drum 14b, from which a portion of the segments 2 is then removed by the second segment drum 15b. In a corresponding manner, the segments 2 are then transferred by further transport rollers 40 to the third and fourth transfer drums 14c and 14d, so that the segments 2 are also removed from the third and fourth segment drums 15c and 15d and stacked into cell stacks 3. In this way, the segments 2 can be evenly distributed to the segment drums 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d.The segments 2 are thus fed by the feed device 5 in a continuous inflow and are discharged from there in a successive transfer for parallel stacking to the cell stacking device 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d.

[0096] In the first embodiment shown in Figure 1, the cell stacks 3 are formed on transport units 7 of the transport system 6, which were previously removed from the transport system 6. The transport unit 7 is removed from the transport system 6 by means of a lift 13a, which transports the respective transport unit 7 from a transport system level 12 to a level 11 of a changing device 10 arranged above it. By means of the changing device 10, the empty transport unit 7 is then positioned in relation to the respective cell stacking device 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d in such a way that the segments 2 can be placed on top of one another on the transport unit 7 to form cell stacks 3. The transport unit 7, with the cell stack 3 arranged thereon, is then fed by means of the changing device 10 to a second lift 13b, with which the transport unit 7, together with the cell stack 3, can be moved back to the transport system level 12.

[0097] The transport system 6 is configured to transport the transport units 7 loaded with cell stacks 3 from a collection area 8 to a delivery area 9, where the cell stack 3 is removed from the transport unit 7 by means of an unloading device 26. The empty transport units 7 are then made available again for loading in the collection area 8 via a return line 44. Figure 2 shows a detailed view of the device 100 according to the first embodiment. The cutting device 34, to which the endless web 35 is fed, can be seen in detail. Furthermore, the reject reservoir 39, into which defective segments 2 are ejected, is schematically shown. If defective segments 2 are ejected at the ejection drum 38, the first transfer drum 14a cannot be completely filled with segments 2.Depending on where segment 2 is missing, the previously ejected segment 2 is missing during the formation of cell stack 3 by the first, second, third, or fourth segment drum 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d. Consequently, cell stack 3 can only reach the predefined cell stack height with a time delay. How this time delay is compensated for will be explained later.

[0098] Figure 3 shows the state of removal of the segments 2 from the first and second transfer drums 14a and 14b by means of the first and second segment drums 15a and 15b. Removal by the third and fourth segment drums 15c and 15d follows exactly the same principle. To avoid repetition, however, only the cell stacking process up to the transfer to the transport system 6, starting with the removal of the segments 2 from the first transfer drum 14a, is described.

[0099] Figure 3 shows that the segment drums 15a extend towards the transfer drum 14a to receive the segment 2 (not shown) to be transferred. The segment drum 15a rotates at a speed such that the segment 2 can be picked up at a transfer speed that corresponds to the peripheral speed of the transfer drum 14a. This means that the segment 2 can be transferred to the segment drum 15a without braking. To pick up the segments 2, a vacuum is applied to the segment drum 15a. After the segments 2 have been picked up, the segment drum 15a is braked to a delivery speed of zero so that the respective segment 2 can be stacked on a transport unit 7 to form a cell stack 3 while stationary. After the segment 2 has been delivered to the transport unit 7, the segment drum 15a is accelerated back to the transfer speed.

[0100] The diagram in Figure 4 shows the temporal progression of the angle of one of the segment drums 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d. The abscissa represents time in seconds; the ordinate represents the angle of rotation of the segment drum 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d in degrees.

[0101] Figure 5 shows the temporal progression of the angular velocity for the movement in Figure 4. The abscissa represents time in seconds; the ordinate represents the angular velocity of the segment drum 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d in degrees per second.

[0102] Figures 4 and 5 show that during the interval 50 in which segment 2 is picked up by the transfer drum 14a-14d, the speed, namely the transfer speed, is kept constant; in this case, it is 600 µs. In a subsequent acceleration interval 51, the speed is increased to more than 1,600 µs. Subsequently, in an interval 52, deceleration to an angular velocity of 0 µs occurs. This is followed by a relatively short standstill interval 53, in which segment 2 is transferred to the transport unit 7 to form the cell stack 3. After the transfer of segment 2, the segment drum 15a-15d is accelerated again to more than 1 µs in a further interval 54.600 7s and then decelerated in a further interval of 55 to the transfer speed, so that the segment drum 15a-15d can again pick up a new segment 2 from the transfer drum 14a-14d in the pick-up interval of 50. The process then repeats. The angular velocities and accelerations depend, among other things, on the path speed, the diameter of the segment drums 15a-15d, the number of pick-up rams, and the acceleration ramps of the drives. Accordingly, the values ​​may differ from those stated here.

[0103] Figure 6 shows the placement of the segment 2 on one of the transport units 7. It can be seen that the transport unit 7 is formed by a container that is open at the top and in which the cell stack 3 can be formed. In Figure 6, the segment drum 15a is rotated downwards with the receptacle for the segment 2. The segment 2 is delivered to the transport unit 7 by means of a depositing element 16 comprising several parallel struts 17 that extend from a base part 18. In the position of the segment drum 15a shown, the struts 17 engage in corresponding recesses 19 in the segment drum 15a. Furthermore, the comb-like depositing element 16 is mounted so as to be rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the base part 18, so that the segment 2 can be combed out by the struts 17 through a corresponding rotation.Alternatively, the storage element 16 can also deposit the segment 2 in or on the transport unit 7 by a purely vertical lifting movement. The storage element 16 can be actuated, for example, by means of an actuator (not shown). Figure 7 shows that the transport unit 7 has a storage surface 21 with recesses 22. In the position in which the transport unit 7 is loaded with the segments 2, webs 20 protrude into the recesses 22, wherein the degree of engagement of the webs 20 in the recesses 22 can be adjusted by means of an adjustment device 45. Due to this adjustability, the webs 20 can form the height-adjustable floor for the transport unit 7.

[0104] Furthermore, Figure 7 shows the position of the changing device 10 immediately before the transfer of an empty transport unit 7 from the schematically illustrated transport system 6 to the changing device 10 arranged above it. The changing device 10 comprises a frame which is designed to store two transport units 7. Figure 7 shows an empty first storage position 41, into which the unloaded transport unit 7 can be conveyed by means of the first lift 13a. A second storage position 42 is occupied by a transport unit 7. The transport unit 7 in the second storage position 42 is positioned by the changing device 10 in such a way that the cell stack 3 can be formed thereon by the segment drum 15a.

[0105] Figure 8 shows the changing device 10, in which both the first and the second storage position 41, 42 are each occupied by a transport unit 7. On the transport unit 7, which is located in the second storage position 42, a defined number of segments 2 is reached, so that by means of an actuator 47 several gripper arms 46 of the transport unit 7 are closed so that they come into contact with the uppermost segment 2 of the cell stack 3 and thus fix it in the transport unit 7. In this case, the actuator is not part of the transport unit 7. Figure 8 shows the displacement of the changing device 10, so that the transport unit 7 located in the second storage position 42 can be conveyed by the second lift 13b back to the transport system level 12 (cf. Figure 1).To move the changing device 10 from the first position, shown in Figures 6 and 7, to this second position, the webs 20 must be fully extended from the recesses 22 of the storage surface 21 (see Figure 7). In this second position of the changing device 10, the loaded transport unit 7 is in the second storage position 42, ready for collection by the second lift 13b. In this position, the transport unit 7 in the first storage position 41 can be filled with segments 2 by the segment drum 15a to form the cell stack 3.

[0106] Figure 9 shows that the changing device 10 can be moved translationally back and forth by a rotary drive 48 in plane 11 (see Figure 1) of the changing device 10, whereby the direction of rotation of the rotary drive 48 changes to effect the back and forth movement. For this purpose, the changing device 10 is kinematically connected to the rotary drive 48 by means of a corresponding motion converter 49.

[0107] Figure 10 illustrates the movement of the changing device 10 in a time-distance diagram. The time is plotted in seconds on the abscissa; the displacement distance in meters on the ordinate. In Figure 11, the same movement of the changing device 10 is plotted in a speed-time diagram. The time is plotted in seconds on the abscissa; the speed in m / s on the ordinate. From the diagrams in Figures 10 and 11, it can be seen that in a first interval 60, the changing device 10 is at a standstill. In this interval 60, the cell stack 3 is formed on the transport unit 7, which is movable by the changing device 10 and is located in the second storage position 42. Furthermore, in this interval 60, an empty transport unit 7 can be picked up in the first storage position 41. This is followed by an interval 61 in which the changing device 10 is constantly accelerated to a value of 0.7 m / s.This is followed by a constant deceleration of the changing device 10 to a speed of 0 m / s in an interval 62. In a subsequent standstill interval 63, for example, the transfer of the transport unit 7 with the cell stack 3 in the second storage position to the transport system 6 can take place by means of the second lift 13b, while a new cell stack 3 can already be formed on the transport unit 7 in the first storage position. The changing device 10 is then moved back at the same speed profile. However, when the changing device 10 moves back, the transport unit 7 on which the cell stack 3 is formed is held in position, so that this transport unit 7 is moved from the first storage position 41 to the second storage position 42.The transport unit 7 is held in position during the sliding movement by the webs 20, which project into the recesses 22 of the transport unit 7.

[0108] Figure 12 shows the transfer of the transport unit 7 with the cell stack 3 formed thereon to the schematically illustrated transport system 6. For this purpose, the changing device 10 is in the second position, so that the transport unit 7 with the cell stack 3 can be lowered by the lift 13b into the transport system level 12 (see Figure 1). The transport system 6 comprises, for example, individually movable transport vehicles with which the transport units 7 can then be transported. While the transport unit 7 is removed from the transport system 6, the corresponding transport vehicle (not shown) is in a parked position ready to receive the transport unit 7 loaded with the cell stack 3. After the transport unit 7 has been received by the transport system 6, the latter cycles the cell stack 3 into subsequent process steps.

[0109] Figure 13 shows a perspective view of the device 100 according to the first embodiment. Furthermore, an arrow 56 represents the ejection of defective segments 2 into a reject reservoir 39. Further arrows 57, 58, of which only two are provided with reference symbols for the sake of clarity, schematically represent the removal (arrow 57) of the transport unit 7 from the transport system 6 and its return (arrow 58). Due to the ejection of the defective segments 2, the cell stacks 3 can sometimes only be completed with a time delay, so that the finished cell stacks 3 cannot be transferred to the transport system 6 in the pick-up area 8 at a fixed time. In order to compensate for any gaps between the transport units 7 in the transport system 6, the transport units 7 can be moved individually in the transport system 6. Further details will be explained below with reference to Figure 28.The transfer of the transport units 7 from the transport vehicles (not shown) takes place in such a way that the respective transport vehicle is moved into a first transfer position, in which the transport unit 7 is transferred to the interchangeable frame 10 in the direction of arrow 57. Immediately after this transfer, the transport vehicle (not shown) moves to a second transfer position, in which an already formed cell stack 3 can be taken over on a transport unit 7. The transport vehicle is only moved to the first transfer position, i.e. to the lift 13a, when a finished cell stack 3 is ready for transfer to a transport unit 7 at the second transfer position, i.e. at the lift 13b. In this way, the cell stacks 3 can be transported away serially without the transport vehicles (not shown) hindering each other.

[0110] The movement of the transport vehicles in the collection area 8 is illustrated in Figures 14 and 15. Figure 14 shows a distance-time diagram, with the time in seconds on the abscissa and the distance in meters on the ordinate. Figure 15 shows a speed-time diagram, with the time in seconds on the abscissa and the speed in m / s on the ordinate. In a first interval 70, the transport vehicle is accelerated from a standstill and decelerated again until it reaches the first transfer position; there, in the subsequent interval 71, the empty transport unit 7 is transferred from the transport vehicle to the exchange device 10 while stationary.Immediately after the transfer, the transport vehicle without the transport unit 7 is accelerated and decelerated again in an interval 72, so that the transport vehicle is stationary in an interval 73, ready to receive the transport unit 7 loaded with the cell stack 3. In a subsequent interval 74, the transport vehicle with the transport unit 7 and the cell stack 3 is accelerated again in order to be moved into the delivery area 9 (see Figure 13).

[0111] Figure 16 shows the movement profile of the transport vehicles or transport units 7 in the delivery area 9 using a speed-time diagram. The time is plotted in seconds on the abscissa; the speed in m / s on the ordinate. It can be seen that acceleration-deceleration intervals 75 alternate with standstill intervals 76, so that a predefined production cycle is set in the delivery area 9. The production cycle here, for example, is 1.8 seconds and includes the acceleration-deceleration interval 75 with a duration of 0.8 seconds and the standstill interval 76 with a duration of 1 second. However, the production cycle depends on the path speed of the segments 2 and the number of segments 2 in a stack 3. The production cycle can be adjusted accordingly.The intervals 76 of standstill can be used for further processing or for removing the cell stack 3 from the transport unit 7.

[0112] Figure 17 shows the device 100 comprising a processing device 25 in the form of a reloading device 59 for reloading an additional anode layer. In principle, it is also possible to place this layer into the transport unit 7 before the cell stack 3 is formed. Furthermore, a further processing device 25 is provided, which can be used, for example, for taping, welding, and / or punching the cell stack 3.

[0113] Figure 18 schematically shows a method 300 for forming and conveying cell stacks 3 formed by segments 2 for the energy cell producing industry, comprising the following steps: In a method step a), a plurality of transport units 7 are moved between the collection area 8 and the delivery area 9 by a transport system 6. In a method step b), one or more of the transport units 7 are removed from the transport system 6 in a collection area 8 of the transport system 6. In a method step c), segments 2 are stacked in parallel to form cell stacks 3 of predefined cell stack height on the removed transport units 7 by four cell stacking devices 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d.In a method step d), the removed transport unit(s) 7 are returned to the transport system 6 together with the cell stack 3 arranged on the transport unit 7 as soon as the cell stack 3 has reached the predefined cell stack height on the respective transport unit 7. It has proven advantageous to carry out the method 300 with the device 100 described in Figures 1 to 17.

[0114] Figure 19 shows a device 200 for forming and conveying cell stacks 3 from segments 2 according to a second embodiment. To avoid repetition, only the differences compared to the device 100 will be discussed below. In this embodiment, the segments 2 are also transferred to the four cell stacking devices 4a-4d by transfer drums 14a and 14b. However, in this case, only two transfer drums 14a and 14b are provided, from which the segments 2 are removed. The cell stacking devices 4a-4d are each formed by a segment drum 15a-15d. The first two segment drums 15a and 15b receive the segments 2 from the first transfer drum 14a; the third and fourth segment drums 15c and 15d receive the segments 2 from the second transfer drum 14b.The segments 2 are stacked into cell stacks 3 in magazine drums 29, which will be explained in more detail below, and then delivered to the transport system 6 comprising individually movable transport units 7. In this embodiment, the transport units 7 are formed by transport vehicles. Figure 20 shows a section of the device 200, in which the structure of the first magazine drum 29a can be seen. The remaining three magazine drums 29b-29d have an identical structure. The segments 2 are deposited from the segment drums 15a-15d into four parallel magazine drums 29a-29d, in which the segments 2 are stacked on top of one another to form four cell stacks 3 and then delivered to the transport system 6. In this embodiment, the magazine drum 29a has two magazines 28 arranged on its outer circumference, which are open towards the outside. The cell stacks 3 formed in the magazines 28 are then delivered to the transport units 7.

[0115] The transfer of segments 2 and the formation of cell stacks 3 starting from the transfer drum 14a are described below. However, the formation of the remaining cell stacks 3 starting from the transfer drum 14b follows the same principle and is therefore not explained further.

[0116] Figure 21 shows in detail the pickup of the segments 2 from the transfer drum 14a by the segment drums 15a and 15b. The segment drums 15a and 15b take over the segments 2 from the transfer drum 14a without a relative speed, i.e. at the same peripheral speed as the transfer drum 14a, and then brake to a standstill so that the segments 2 can be transferred from the segment drums 15a and 15b to the respective magazine 28 while stationary. The transfer to the magazines 28 of the magazine drums 29a and 29b is shown in Figure 22. With regard to the movement and speed profile of the segment drums 15a-15d, reference is made to Figures 4 and 5 and the associated description. In the position of the segment drum 15a shown in Figure 22, one of the segments 2 is delivered to the magazine 28 of the magazine drum 29a.By means of a storage element 16, which has a base part 18 and struts 17 projecting therefrom and arranged parallel to one another, the segment 2 can be taken over from the segment drum 15a. For this purpose, a vacuum is additionally switched off on the segment drum 15a and switched on on the storage element 16. The storage element 16 is rotatably mounted about the longitudinal axis of its base part 18, so that a corresponding rotational movement of the base part 18 causes the struts 17 to deposit the segment 2 into the magazine 28 of the magazine drum 29a. Alternatively, the storage element 16 can also deposit the segment 2 into the magazine 28 through a purely vertical lifting movement. For this purpose, the struts 17 of the storage element 16 engage in corresponding recesses 19 of the segment drum 15a. Furthermore, the magazine 28 has a lifting device 30 with which the depth of the magazine 28 can be adjusted depending on the increasing stack height of the segments 2 in the magazine 28.The lifting device 30 thus comprises an adjustable base on which the segments 2 can be stacked to form the cell stack 3. The lifting device 30 can be operated by an actuator of the magazine drum 29a itself or by an external actuator, which, however, is part of the device 200.

[0117] Figure 23 shows the securing of the fully formed cell stack 3 in the magazine 28. This occurs as soon as the cell stack 3 is fully formed, i.e., a predefined number of segments 2 have been placed on top of one another. The securing is carried out by means of gripping elements 31, which are pivotably arranged on the magazine drum 29a. Six gripping elements 31 are provided per magazine 28, which engage the uppermost layer of the cell stack 3. Furthermore, the gripping elements 31 are coupled to the lifting device 30, so that the distance between the adjustable base of the magazine 28 and the surface with which the gripping elements 31 rest against the cell stack 3 can be kept constant even when the lifting device 30 is adjusted. After the cell stack 3 has been fixed in the magazine, the magazine drum 29a is rotated by 180° within a storage cycle so that the finished cell stack 3 can be fed to the transport system 6 arranged below the magazine drum 29a.After this 180° rotation, the magazine drum 29a is again at a standstill, so that the transfer of the cell stack 3 from the lower magazine 28 to the transport system 6 can take place while stationary. As soon as a finished cell stack 3 is ready for collection at the lower magazine 28, a transport unit 7 moves to a corresponding collection position to receive the cell stack 3. At the same time, a new cell stack 3 can be formed in the upper magazine 28 of the same magazine drum 29a.

[0118] The actual transfer of the cell stack 3 to the transport system 6 is shown in Figure 24. The gripping elements 31 fix the cell stack 3 to the base of the magazine 28. The base, as a component of the lifting device 30, is then moved in the direction of the transport unit 7 located below the magazine drum 29b. For the purpose of better representation of the lifting movement, no transport unit 7 is shown below the magazine drum 29a, which is why reference is made here to the transport unit 7 located below the magazine drum 29b. Since the gripping elements 31 are coupled to the lifting device 30, the cell stack 3 can be transferred to the transport unit 7 in a fixed state. After the cell stack 3 has been transferred to the transport unit 7, the lifting device 30, i.e. the empty base, is retracted into the magazine drum 29b.The cell stack 3, which has now been transferred to the transport system 6, is now clocked by the transport system 6 into subsequent process steps.

[0119] Figure 25 shows a perspective view of the device 200 according to the second embodiment. Furthermore, the ejection of defective segments 2 into the reject reservoir 39 is illustrated by arrow 56. Further arrows 64, of which only two are provided with reference numerals for the sake of clarity, schematically illustrate the transfer of the finished cell stacks 3 to the transport units 7 of the transport system 6. Due to the ejection of the defective segments 2, the cell stacks 3 can sometimes only be completed with a time delay, so that the finished cell stacks 3 are not transferred to the transport system 6 in the pick-up area 8 at a fixed time. As soon as a cell stack 3 is ready, a transport unit 7 can be requested to receive the finished cell stack 3.In order to compensate for any gaps between the transport units 7 in the transport system 6, the transport units 7 can be moved individually in the transport system 6. Further details will be explained below with reference to Figure 28.

[0120] Figure 26 shows a device 200 with a reloading device 59 for reloading an additional anode layer. In principle, it is also possible for these to be placed in the transport unit 7 before the cell stack 3 is formed. The test drum 27 (see Figure 20) is not shown in Figure 26 for clarity.

[0121] Figure 27 schematically illustrates a method 400 for forming and conveying cell stacks 3 formed by segments 2 for the energy cell production industry. It comprises the following steps: In a method step a), the parallel stacking of segments 2 to form cell stacks 3 of predefined cell stack heights takes place by at least two cell stacking devices 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, wherein the cell stacks 3 are formed in magazines 28 of a plurality of magazine drums 29a, 29b, 29c, 29d, wherein each magazine drum 29a, 29b, 29c, 29d is assigned to a cell stacking device 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d. In a method step b), the depth of the magazines 28 is adjusted during the cell stacking process to the height of the cell stack 3 located in the respective magazine 28, so that the segments 2 to be placed are placed on the cell stack 3 at a constant height.In a method step c), the cell stack 3 is clamped in the magazine 28 after reaching the predefined cell stack height. In a method step d), the cell stack 3 is transferred in the clamped state to one of several individually movable transport units 7 of a transport system 6 in a pick-up area 8. In a method step e), any time delays in the formation of the cell stacks 3 are compensated for by controlling and / or regulating the movement speed and / or the movement route of the transport unit 7 in a compensation area 24 arranged between the pick-up area 8 and a delivery area 9, so that the cell stacks 3 reach the delivery area 9 at a predefined time interval. It has proven advantageous to carry out the method 400 with the device 200 described in Figures 19 to 26.

[0122] Method step e) can also follow method 300 described with reference to Figure 18, because delays can also occur during the formation of the cell stacks 3 in the transport unit 7 positioned by the changing device 10 (see, for example, Figure 3) due to segments 2 being ejected beforehand. The embodiments described below with reference to Figures 28 to 32 are, in principle, compatible with both the device 100 and the device 200. A corresponding combination with the devices 100 and 200 is intended to be an explicit part of the disclosure content of this application.

[0123] Figure 28 shows a schematic representation of the transport system 6, which, due to the individual mobility of the transport units 7, enables compensation of any gaps between the transport units 7, so that they can be made available in the collection area 9 at a predetermined interval.

[0124] Four cell stacking devices 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d are provided, on which cell stacks 3 can be formed in parallel, and the cell stacks 3 can be transferred to the transport system 6 as described above. Furthermore, the transport units 7 are shown, which can be moved on a rail system that defines transport paths 65, 66. The transport units 7 can be transported, for example, by means of transport vehicles that travel on the rail system. In principle, however, other options for transporting the transport units 7 are also conceivable.

[0125] The transport units 7 or transport vehicles are driven, for example, by stationary motor modules (not shown) arranged along the rail system. Alternatively, the transport units 7 or transport vehicles can each have their own drive, for example, in the form of an electric motor. For simplicity, we will refer only to transport units 7 below, even if they are moved by transport vehicles.

[0126] Figure 28 shows two empty transport units 7, i.e., loaded without cell stacks 3, positioned in a waiting area 32. These can be called to the collection area 8 as needed to pick up finished cell stacks 3 or so that the cell stack 3 can be formed on the transport unit 7.

[0127] The cell stacks 3 are then brought by means of the transport units 7 along the transport path 65 into the delivery area 9, where, for example, a processing unit 25 for processing the cell stacks 3 and an unloading device 26 for unloading the cell stacks 3 from the transport unit 7 are provided.

[0128] Furthermore, a control unit 23 is provided with which the movement of the transport units 7 can be individually controlled and / or regulated.

[0129] As already explained above, it may happen that defective segments 2 have to be removed from the production process by means of the reject drum 38 (see Figure 1 or Figure 19). This has the consequence that the cell stacks 3 cannot always be provided at the cell stacking devices 4a-4d at a predetermined rate. On the other hand, for reliable further processing of the cell stacks 3, it is advantageous if they are provided in the delivery area 9 at a predefined production rate, i.e. at predefined, constant time intervals. A compensation area 24 is therefore provided in which the movement speed can be adjusted by means of the control device 23 such that the transport units 7 reach the delivery area 9 at a predetermined production rate.This means that the transport units 7 can be moved equidistantly from one another at a constant speed in the delivery area 9. Due to this regular and continuous movement of the transport units 7 in the delivery area 9, the cell stacks 3 can be easily removed from the transport unit 7 using the unloading device 26 and thus fed to a downstream process. The empty transport units 7 are then moved via the transport path 66 back to the waiting area 32, where they are ready for further loading in the pick-up area 8. In this exemplary embodiment, the waiting area 32 is provided upstream of the curve over which the transport units 7 are moved into the pick-up area 8. By arranging the waiting area 32 upstream of the curve, the transport units 7 can wait while suspended from the rail system.If the waiting area 32 were to extend into the curve, the transport units 7 would have to be held against the force of gravity, which would lead to increased energy consumption. In the pickup area 9, the transport units 7 would then move according to the stop-and-go principle.

[0130] Figure 29 shows a processing unit 25 in detail, which can be arranged, for example, in a delivery area 9. By means of the transport system 6, the individually movable transport units 7 loaded with the cell stacks 3 are fed at equidistant intervals to the processing unit 25. The processing unit 25 comprises a fixing device 67 and various processing stations. The fixing device 67 comprises an endless drive device 68 in the form of an endless belt, an endless band, or an endless chain, or a combination of several of these elements, and a drive device (not shown) which drives the endless drive device 68 in a circular movement. A plurality of fixing elements 69 in the form of fixing stamps are provided on the endless drive device 68.Furthermore, control projections 80 are provided, which are directly or indirectly coupled in terms of movement to the fixing elements 69 and, during the rotation of the fixing elements 69, run on a control device 81 in the form of a fixed control contour. Furthermore, the processing device 25 includes several processing stations, such as several taping devices 77, punching devices 78, and welding devices 79 for processing the segments 2 or the cell stacks 3. By means of the fixing elements 69, the segments 2 or the cell stacks 3 can be fixed in the transport units 7 while passing through the processing stations and during the mechanical forces exerted thereby.

[0131] Figure 30 shows segment drums 15a-15d, which are designed as double-segment drums, i.e., two removal rams each rotate on a rotational axis, each configured to pick up a segment 2 from the respective transfer drum 14a and 14b and release it again with a delay. The two sections of the double-segment drum can, for example, have a separate drive, thus operating independently of each other, or operate with the same drive profile but cyclically offset. The double-segment drums are, of course, also compatible with the device 100 in a corresponding manner.

[0132] Figure 31 shows a modification of the device 100 in which, instead of the segment drums 15a-15d having only one receiving punch, each of the segment drums 15a-15d is now provided with three receiving punches 33. The segment drums 15a-15d, of which only the two segment drums 15a and 15b are shown for clarity, can also be driven to rotate in this embodiment. The segment drums 15a-15d each have three receiving punches 33 arranged at angles of 120 degrees to one another, the external dimensions of which can be at least corresponding to the external shape of the segments 2 or even larger than these. In their cross-section perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the segment drums 15a-15d, the receiving punches 33 have a contour in the shape of a circular arc, each with identical radii, so that they complement each other to form a virtual circle.

[0133] The movement of the segment drums 15a-15d is controlled in such a way that each of the segment drums 15a-15d is decelerated and accelerated overall, without changing the distances between the receiving dies 33. Each of the segment drums 15a-15d is formed by a drum driven for rotation, so that the receiving dies 33 are arranged at constant angles to each other during the rotational movement. The receiving dies 33 are arranged equidistant from each other and are driven together with the base body of their segment drum 15a-15d.

[0134] The transfer process is described below using the segment drum 15a shown in Figure 15. However, the transfer at the segment drum 15b and at the segment drums 15c and 15d (not shown) (see Figure 1) follows the same principle.

[0135] During the transfer of one of the segments 2 from the transfer drum 14a, one of the receiving punches 33 is in the "12 o'clock position." The receiving punch 33, which received the previous segment 2 from the transfer drum, is now in the "4 o'clock position." In this transfer position, the segment drum 15a rotates at a circumferential speed of the outer surfaces of the receiving punches 33 that corresponds to the circumferential speed of the segments 2 on the transfer drum 14a and, with the receiving punch 33 in the "12 o'clock position," is currently receiving a segment 2. Another receiving punch 33 is in the "8 o'clock position." This one does not carry a segment 2 and has a free outer surface because it has just transferred a segment 2 to the transport unit 7 located in the changing device 10.In order to transfer the segment 2 from the receiving stamp 33 located in the “4 o’clock position” to the transport unit 7, the segment drum 15a is delayed until the segment drum 15a with the receiving stamp 33 previously arranged in the “4 o’clock position” is arranged in the “6 o’clock position”, in which a delayed delivery of the segment 2 to the transport unit 7 is possible.

[0136] The three receiving stamps 33 ensure that the segment 2 is transferred in a timely manner to the transport unit 7 in the “6 o’clock position” even without accelerating the segment drum 15a, starting from the transfer speed (see Figure 5).

[0137] In principle, it is also possible for the segment drum 15a to rotate at a constant speed, so that the segment 2 is stripped off by the storage element 16 during the rotation of the segment drum 15a. It goes without saying that the embodiment of the segment drums 15a-15d described in Figure 31, each with three segment receptacles 33, is also compatible with the embodiment of the device 200 comprising the magazine drum 29 (see Figures 19 to 26).

[0138] Figure 32 shows a transport system 6 constructed in two parts. In a first part 6a, the transport units 7 can be moved flexibly and individually. This section is preferably assigned to the pick-up area 8. In a second part 6b of the transport system 6, however, the transport units 7 can no longer be moved individually, but are transported at a uniform speed and / or along a uniform route. This second part is preferably assigned to the delivery area 9. The transport units 7 or the transport vehicles are therefore controlled in the first part 6a in such a way that any gaps are compensated for before reaching the second part 6b. The two-part transport system 6a, 6b is of course also compatible with the device 100 in a corresponding manner.

[0139] Figure 33 shows a transport system 6 in which the transport units 7 are not moved on a closed track, but on a planar movement surface 43. The transport units 7 can be moved more flexibly on the movement surface 43 compared to a track, allowing for greater degrees of freedom. This allows for increased use of the movement route to compensate for gaps. For example, switches or similar elements can also be implemented to define the movement route.

Claims

Claims:

1. Device (100) for forming and conveying cell stacks (3) formed by segments (2) for the energy cell manufacturing industry, comprising - at least two cell stacking devices (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) which are configured to stack the segments (2) on top of each other to form cell stacks (3), and - at least one feeding device (5) which is configured to feed the segments (2) to the cell stacking devices (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d), characterized in that - a transport system (6) with several individually movable transport units (7) is provided, which are designed to transport the cell stacks (3) produced by the cell stacking devices (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) from a pickup area (8) to a delivery area (9) spatially remote from the pickup area (8), wherein - each of the cell stacking devices (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) forms a cell stack (3) in or on one of the transport units (7), and - the transport units (7) in the pickup area (8) can be removed from the transport system (6) to form the cell stack (3).

2. Device (100) according to claim 1 , characterized in that at least one exchange device (10) is provided with which a transport unit (7) filled with a cell stack (3) by one of the cell stacking devices (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) can be replaced by an empty transport unit (7).

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that - which has at least one exchange device (10) comprising a first and a second storage position (41, 42) for storing one of the transport units (7) each, wherein - which is equipped with at least one transfer device (10) to transfer the transport unit (7) from the first storage position (41) to the second storage position (42).

4. Device (100) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that - the at least one exchange device (10) is movable in a plane (11) that is arranged above or below a transport system plane (12) in which the transport units (7) are removed from the transport system (6) and / or transferred back to the transport system (6).

5. Device (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that - each of the cell stacking devices (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) is assigned a first and / or a second lift (13a, 13b) with which the transport units (7) can be transported between the level (11) of the exchange device (10) and the transport system level (12).

6. Device (100) according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that - the transport system (6) comprises a plurality of transport vehicles which are equipped to move the transport units (7) individually in the transport system (6), wherein - the respective transport vehicle after the handover of one of the Transport units (7) to which at least one exchange device (10) can be moved in a first transfer position in an unloaded state to a second transfer position in order to receive a ready transport unit (7) with a finished cell stack (3). Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the segments (2) are placed on top of each other on a height-adjustable base in or on one of the transport units (7) to form a cell stack (3). Device (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that - the transport units (7) each have a storage area (21) with recesses (22) for the cell stack (3), wherein - the device (100) comprises ribs (20) arranged such that they project into the recesses (22) of the storage surface (21) when one of the transport units (7) is in a position in which the transport unit (7) is filled with segments (2) by one of the cell stacking devices (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d), wherein - an adjusting device (45) is provided with which the degree of engagement of the webs (20) in the recesses (22) can be adjusted such that the webs (20) form the height-adjustable base for the transport unit (7). Device (200) for forming and transporting cell stacks (3) formed by segments (2) for the energy cell manufacturing industry, comprising - at least two cell stacking devices (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) each configured to stack the segments (2) into cell stacks (3) to place one on top of the other, and - a feeding device (5) configured to feed the segments (2) to the cell stacking devices (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d), characterized in that - a transport system (6) with several individually movable transport units (7) is provided, which are designed to receive the cell stacks (3) produced by the cell stacking devices (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) in a pick-up area (8) and to deliver them again in a delivery area (9), wherein - each of the cell stacking devices (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) places the segments (2) in a magazine (28) of a rotatable magazine drum (29) on top of each other to form the cell stack (3), wherein - the magazine (28) has a lifting device (30) with which the depth of the magazine (28) can be adjusted depending on the increasing stacking height of the segments (2) in the magazine (28).

10. Device (200) according to claim 9, characterized in that - the magazine drum (29) comprises pivotable gripping elements (31) with which the cell stack (3) can be fixed or released in the magazine (28) depending on the pivoting position of the gripping elements (31), wherein - the pivotable gripping elements (31) are coupled to the lifting device (30) in such a way that the lifting device (30) a lifting movement together with the gripping elements (31) completes.

11. Device (200) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that a common lifting movement of the The lifting device (30) and the gripping elements (31) of the cell stacks (3) can be transferred to one of the transport units (7) in a state clamped between the lifting device (30) and the gripping elements (31). Device (100, 200) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the transport units (7) are each containers open on one side. Device (100, 200) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the transport units (7) each comprise one or more gripping arms (46) with which the cell stack (3) can be fixed to the transport unit (7). Device (100, 200) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - in the delivery area (9) an unloading device (26) is provided with which the cell stacks (3) are removed from the transport units (10), and - the unloaded transport units (7) can be made available again at the cell stacking devices (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) by the transport system (6). Device (100, 200) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the feeding device (5) comprises at least one transfer drum (14a, 14b, 14c, 14d), wherein - each of the cell stacking devices (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) comprises at least one segment drum (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d), by means of de- the segments (2) are picked up from the transfer drum (14a, 14b, 14c, 14d) at a transfer speed and are delivered at a delivery speed, wherein - the transfer speed is greater than the delivery speed. Device (100, 200) according to claim 15, characterized in that - at least one comb-like storage element (16) with a plurality of parallel struts (17) is provided, wherein - the struts (17) extend from a common base part (18), wherein - the struts (17) engage in corresponding recesses (19) of one of the segment drums (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d) during a rotational movement of the segment drum (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d), wherein - the comb-like storage element (16) for detaching the segments (2) from the respective segment drum (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d) is mounted to be translationally movable or rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the base part (18). Device (100, 200) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - a control device (23) is provided which is designed to individually control and / or regulate the speed and / or route of the transport units (7) loaded with the cell stacks (3) between the pickup area (8) and the delivery area (9) in such a way that a delayed completion of the cell stack (3) at a the cell stacking devices (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) can be compensated in a compensation area (24) between the pickup area (8) and the delivery area (9).

18. Device (100, 200) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the feeding device (5) includes a reject device with which defective segments (2) can be removed from the device (100, 200).

19. Method (300) for forming and transporting cell stacks (3) formed by segments (2) for the energy cell manufacturing industry, comprising the following steps: a) moving several transport units (7) between a pickup area (8) and a delivery area (9) by a transport system (6); b) removing one or more of the transport units (7) from the transport system (6) in a pickup area (8) of the transport system (6); c) stacking segments (2) in parallel to form cell stacks (3) of a predefined cell stack height on the removed transport units (7) by at least two cell stacking devices (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d); d) returning the removed transport unit(s) (7) together with the cell stack (3) arranged on the transport unit (7) to the transport system (6) as soon as the cell stack (3) is on the respective transport unit (7). a method (400) for forming and conveying cell stacks (3) formed by segments (2) for the energy cell manufacturing industry, comprising the following steps: a) parallel stacking of segments (2) to form cell stacks (3) of predefined cell stack height by at least two cell stacking devices (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d), wherein the cell stacks (3) are formed in magazines (28) of several magazine drums (29a, 29b, 29c, 29d); b) adjusting the depth of the magazines (28) during the cell stacking process to the height of the cell stack (3) located in the respective magazine (28), so that the segments (2) to be placed are placed on the cell stack (3) at a constant height; c) clamping the cell stack (3) in the magazine (28) after reaching the predefined cell stack height;d) Transfer of the cell stack (3) in a jammed state to one of several individually movable transport units (7) of a transport system (6) in a pickup area (8); e) Compensation for any time delays in the formation of the cell stacks (3) by controlling and / or regulating the speed and / or route of movement of the transport unit (7) in a space arranged between the pickup area (8) and a delivery area (9); ten compensation area (24), so that the cell stacks (3) reach the delivery area (9) in a predefined time interval.

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