Cell-stacking system for stacking segments of energy cells, method for controlling such a cell-stacking system, sub-device of or in a cell-stacking system, and sub-method in the production of cell stacks in a cell-stacking system

Abstract

The invention relates to a cell-stacking system (1) for stacking segments (16) of energy cells, having - a feed device (2) that continuously feeds the segments (16) at a feed speed, and - at least one cell-stacking device (11) that receives the segments (16) from the feed device (2) and stacks said segments one on top of the other to form stacks, wherein - the cell-stacking device (11) has at least one takeoff device (111) and one depositing element (112), wherein - between the takeoff device (111) and the depositing element (112), there is a deflector (117) that has a guide contour that specifies the direction of movement of the segments (16) from the takeoff device (111) to the depositing element (112).

Description

[0001] Cell stacking system for stacking segments of energy cells, method for controlling such a cell stacking system, sub-device of or in a cell stacking system and sub-method for producing cell stacks in a cell stacking system

[0002] The present invention relates to a cell stacking system having the features of the preamble of claim 1, a method for controlling such a cell stacking system having the features of the preamble of claim 15, a sub-device of or in a cell stacking system having the features of the preamble of claim 19 and a sub-method for producing cell stacks in a cell stacking system having the features of the preamble of claim 24.

[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 the applied anode or cathode sheets and a second continuous layer of separator material with the applied anode or cathode sheets.This "four-layer" continuous web is then cut into segments using a cutting device. In this case, these segments are formed in four layers, consisting of a first separator sheet, an anode sheet, a second separator sheet, and a cathode sheet lying on top of it. The advantage of this solution is that one cut is eliminated. Segments within the meaning of this invention are therefore single-layer segments of a separator material, anode material, or cathode material, double-layer segments, or even four-layer segments of the structure described above.

[0004] Devices for producing battery cells are known, for example, from WO 2016 / 041713 A1 and DE 10 2017 216 213 A1.

[0005] 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 certain 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.

[0006] Another well-known approach is a machine with continuously running material webs and timed tools, such as cutting knives or tools for changing the pitch.

[0007] 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.

[0008] 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.

[0009] In a preliminary manufacturing step, the segments are stacked on top of one another to form what are known as monocells, consisting of a first separator sheet, an anode sheet arranged thereon, a second separator sheet arranged thereon, and a cathode sheet arranged thereon. Alternatively, the separator sheets can initially be fed 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 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.The monocells are then cut from the composite sheet by cutting through the gaps between the consecutive anode sheets and / or cathode sheets. Alternatively, the continuous sheets of separator material with the anode sheets and cathode sheets arranged thereon can also be cut, with the monocells then being manufactured by a subsequent bonding process, each of which combines a first cut separator sheet with an anode with a second cut separator sheet with a cathode.

[0010] 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 of the plurality of mono cells and the final cell is then characterized in that it has a separator sheet on its top and bottom, and the anode sheets and cathode sheets are thus covered by separator sheets on the top and bottom and are not in contact with each other.

[0011] In order to achieve very high production rates of the energy cells and / or energy storage devices, it is desirable to stack the manufactured segments at the highest possible production rate with the highest possible positional accuracy.

[0012] Against this background, the object of the invention is to provide a cell stacking system, a method for operating such a cell stacking system, a dividing device and a dividing method which should enable stacking of the segments at the highest possible production rate without this having a detrimental effect on the positional accuracy of the segments stacked relative to one another.

[0013] To achieve this object, a cell stacking system having the features of claim 1 and a method for controlling a cell stacking system having the features of claim 15 are proposed. Furthermore, a partial device according to claim 19 and a partial method according to claim 23 are proposed to achieve this object. Further preferred developments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims, the figures, and the associated description.

[0014] According to claim 1, to achieve the object, a cell stacking system for stacking segments of energy cells is provided, with

[0015] -a feeding device which continuously feeds the segments at a feeding speed, and

[0016] -at least one cell stacking device which takes the segments from the feed device and stacks them on top of each other, whereby

[0017] -the cell stacking device comprises at least one removal device and one storage member, in which

[0018] -a scraper is provided between the removal device and the depositing member, which has a guide contour that determines the direction of movement of the segments from the removal device to the depositing member.

[0019] The scraper, with its guide contour and the resulting guidance of the segments from the removal device to the depositing device, reduces the forces acting on the segments during transfer. The segments are taken over by the scraper from the removal device and then guided in their movements to the depositing device, so that the transfer can be carried out reliably even at high conveying rates. This allows the transfer and subsequent stacking of the segments to be carried out with improved precision and, at the same time, high stacking and conveying rates. In addition to its function of taking over the segments, the scraper also forms a transition surface between the removal device and the depositing process, against which the segments rest during the further movement process and which, through its guide contour, determines the direction of movement of the segments.

[0020] The guide contour can preferably have a stop that limits the movement of the segments in at least one direction, so that the movement is not only guided but also stopped at a predefined position. The stop is dimensioned and arranged such that the segments, when placed against it, are automatically deposited into the receiving area of ​​the depositing process, e.g., by the force of gravity.

[0021] A particularly smooth transfer of the segments can be achieved in that the guide contour has a guide section which, at its end facing a transfer point of the removal device, has an inlet section which has a shape directed in the direction of movement of the segment transported by the removal device to a transfer point. Due to the proposed shape of the guide contour, the segments are taken over by the stripper at the transfer point in exactly the direction in which they are transported by the removal device to the transfer point. The segments are thus taken over by the stripper from the removal device without being deflected or changing direction. The inlet section of the guide section is thus specifically shaped to ensure the smoothest possible transfer of the segments.

[0022] It is further proposed that the guide section have a discharge section extending from the inlet section toward the depositing member. The discharge section serves to discharge the segments after they enter the inlet section to the subsequent depositing member. For this purpose, the discharge section can have a shape directed toward the depositing member.

[0023] It is further proposed that the removal device be formed by a rotatably driven drum. Rotatable drums are preferably suitable for transporting the segments at a high conveying rate with the lowest possible forces acting on the segments. Furthermore, the segments are fed to the stripper in a rotary motion along a specific transport circuit, which in turn makes it particularly easy to remove the segments at the transfer point, as the stripper extends into the transport circuit of the segments and thus intersects the segments' movement curve.

[0024] It is further proposed that the drum have at least one, preferably three, transfer dies arranged at equal angles to one another for receiving the segments. The plurality of transfer dies can increase the rate at which the drum transfers the segments and / or, conversely, reduce the required rotational speed of the drum for a given number of segments to be transferred per unit of time.

[0025] According to a further preferred development, it is proposed that the number of transfer punches be odd. This allows the transfer position of the segments from the feed device and the transfer position to the depositing element to be arranged opposite one another, i.e., at an angle of 180 degrees with respect to the rotational axis of the drum. One transfer punch is always in the transfer position without another transfer punch being in the transfer position and vice versa. The proposed development allows the transfer position and the transfer position to be arranged opposite one another, thus enabling a structurally simple design of the cell stacking system without two transfer punches passing through the transfer point and the transfer point simultaneously.It is further proposed that the transfer dies each have a transfer surface shaped like a circular arc in the cross-section of the drum, and that the transfer dies be arranged at the same diameter in cross-section. The transfer dies thus form a transfer radius and thus pass through the transfer point and transfer point at the same diameter relative to the drum.

[0026] It is further proposed that the depositing device have a linearly movable holder that transports the stacks away from the removal device in the direction of the surface normal of the segments. The holder, which can be moved linearly in the proposed direction, transports the stacks and / or the segments stacked therein without exerting transverse forces. This prevents the segments and / or stacks from losing their precise positioning during removal.

[0027] It is further proposed that the storage device comprise a lifting device which, when activated, moves the holder along a linear guide device. The linear guide device and the associated lifting device transport the holder and the stack held therein along a predetermined path, and the holder can be returned to the transfer point of the removal device in a very precisely controlled movement after the stack has been released.

[0028] In this case, it is further proposed that at least one sensor device is provided in the region of the lifting device, which sensor device detects a property of the stack or the holder. The travel path of the holder realized by the lifting device can hereby be used in addition to the arrangement of a sensor device, wherein the guide device precisely defines the travel path of the holder and enables precise alignment of the sensor device with the stack held therein moving past it. In this case, the sensor device can detect, for example, the position of the holder or the passing of a predetermined position by the holder. Furthermore, properties of the stack such as the stack height, the side surfaces of the stack or even the arrangement and orientation of the stack can be detected so that these can be documented or faulty stacks can be rejected before further processing.

[0029] It is further proposed that the depositing member comprise a transfer means which can be moved from a standby position to a holding position and which is arranged in the holding position during the movement of the receiving means for transporting the stack and forms an intermediate support for depositing the segments. The transfer means provided enables the segments to be deposited even when the receiving means, filled with the previously completed stack, is moved from the removal device to a delivery location for transferring the stack and is therefore not available to receive the segments in the transfer position of the removal device. This enables uninterrupted, i.e. continuous, delivery of the segments from the removal device to the depositing member, thereby enabling a high stacking rate.To ensure that the segments are only placed on the transfer unit when the holder is not in the transfer position of the removal device, the transfer unit is moved from the stop position back to the ready position as soon as the holder has been moved back to the transfer point of the removal device. This means that the stacking process and in particular the movement of the holder from the transfer position is not disrupted or restricted by the transfer unit. The transfer unit is then moved from the ready position to the stop position when a predetermined number of segments have been stacked in the holder and / or when a predetermined stack height has been reached, immediately after the last segment has been placed on the stack. The transfer unit is moved into the deposit path of the segments so that the deposit of the next segment onto the stack is interrupted and the next segment is deposited on the transfer unit instead.The converter thus temporarily takes over the function of the recording by forming an intermediate storage area until the recording is moved back to the transfer point.

[0030] It is further proposed that the receptacle and the transfer device each have a support surface formed by the surfaces of a plurality of webs arranged parallel and equidistant from one another, and that the transfer device and the receptacle engage with one another via their webs during their movements to transfer the stack of segments. Due to the proposed design of the support surfaces, the receptacle can be moved back to the transfer point after the stack has been transferred without colliding with the transfer device. During movement to the transfer point, the receptacle is moved with the webs of its support surface between the webs of the support surface of the transfer device, thus supplementing the support surface of the transfer device to form an enlarged receptacle surface.Once the receiving unit is returned to the transfer point, the transfer unit is moved from the holding position back to the ready position, transferring the already stacked segments to the receiving unit. The stack is essentially "transferred."

[0031] It is further proposed that a discharge device be provided with a plurality of individually movable transport receptacles into which the depositing element deposits the stacks. The individually movable transport receptacles serve to transport the stacks away for further processing. Since the segments and stacks are checked for compliance with predetermined quality criteria during the preceding transport and / or stacking process using one or more sensor devices and are removed from the production process if the quality criteria are not met, the stacking processes and the frequency of the stacks being transported away can vary. This change in the transport frequency of the stacks being transported away can be taken into account by the individual mobility of the transport receptacles in conjunction with an appropriate control system.

[0032] It is further proposed that the removal device and / or the receptacle of the depositing member comprise one or more vacuum lines which can be subjected to negative pressure and which, by applying negative pressure, support the transfer of the segments by the removal device from the feed device and / or by the depositing member from the removal device as well as the transport on the removal device. By means of the vacuum lines which can be subjected to negative pressure, the transfer of the segments as well as the transport of the segments on the removal device can be achieved with very low forces acting on the segments. Furthermore, the forces exerted on the segments can be controlled very easily by switching the negative pressure in the vacuum lines on and off. For example,The transfer of the segments by the removal device from the feed device can be very easily controlled by switching on the vacuum in the vacuum lines of the removal device and switching off the vacuum in the vacuum lines of the feed device at a transfer point. The transfer of the segments from the removal device to the storage device then takes place in a similar way by switching off the vacuum in the vacuum lines of the removal device and switching on the vacuum in the vacuum lines of the storage device's receiving device.

[0033] Furthermore, to achieve the object, a method for controlling a cell stacking system for stacking segments of energy cells according to claim 15, with

[0034] -a feeding device which continuously feeds the segments at a feeding speed, and

[0035] -at least one cell stacking device which takes the segments from the feed device and stacks them on top of each other, whereby

[0036] -the cell stacking device has at least one removal device and one storage member, in which

[0037] -a scraper is provided, the movement of which is controlled as a function of the movement of the removal device and / or the movement of the depositing member.

[0038] The advantage of the proposed method is that the segments are taken over by the removal device in a continuous feed at the feed speed of the feed device, transported further by the removal device, and finally delivered to the depositing element via the stripper in a controlled discharge movement. This enables the segments to be transported as gently as possible, thereby enabling precise stacking of the segments in the depositing element, even at high segment conveying rates. By taking over the segments at the feed speed of the feed device, on the one hand, an uninterrupted removal of the segments from the feed device at a high transport speed can be achieved, and on the other hand, the segments can be transferred to the depositing element with the lowest possible load on the segments during takeover.The reduced transverse forces during the delivery of the segments to the stacking device are particularly important here, as they allow the segments to be stacked more precisely in the stacking device. Thanks to the proposed control system, the cell stacking system forms an interface between the continuous feeding of the segments via the feed device and the stacking of the segments, which takes place at a lower or, ideally, no transverse speed of the segments, i.e., without any additional transport speed.

[0039] It is further proposed that the removal device be formed by a rotating body driven by the drive device to perform a rotary movement, and that the movement of the stripper be controlled as a function of the rotational angle of the rotating body. By designing the removal device as a rotatably driven rotating body, the segments can be transported at a high conveying rate with particularly low forces. Furthermore, the removal device can thereby be specifically designed to receive the segments from a feed device formed by a drum run. By controlling the movement of the stripper as a function of the rotational angle of the rotating body, the drum, the removal movement of the segments caused by the stripper can be particularly easily synchronized with the feed movement of the segments via the removal device.

[0040] It is further proposed that the depositing member have a linearly movable holder, and that the linearly movable holder is moved from a receiving position to a delivery position when it is detected that the stack in the holder has reached a predetermined stack height. The holder is used to transport the fully formed stack from the receiving position to the delivery position and is moved linearly to ensure that the forces acting on the segments are as low as possible. Reaching the predetermined stack height, which can also be represented by a predetermined number of segments in the stack, can be determined from the data of the machine control system or by detecting the stack using a sensor device. If a sensor device is already provided for detecting certain properties, such as the position of the stack or the segments, its signal can also be used here.

[0041] It is further proposed that the removal device and the stripper each have a support surface formed by the surfaces of a plurality of webs arranged parallel and equidistant from one another, and that the stripper and the removal device engage with each other with their webs during their movements for transferring the stacks of segments. Due to the proposed further development, the removal device can be moved very easily into the transfer position without colliding with the stripper by inserting the removal device with its webs between the webs of the stripper. Furthermore, to achieve the object, a sub-device of or in a cell stacking system for segments of energy cells according to one of claims 1 to 14 is proposed, wherein

[0042] - the feeding device is designed and arranged to feed segments of energy cells in a number A per unit of time,

[0043] - a first conveyor unit for segments is provided, which is arranged downstream of the feeding device,

[0044] - a second conveyor unit for segments is provided, which is arranged downstream of the first conveyor unit, wherein

[0045] - the first conveyor unit is designed and configured to receive the number A per unit of time of the segments from the feed device and to transport a number B per unit of time of the segments to a first delivery area and a number C per unit of time of the segments to a second delivery area, wherein

[0046] - the number B per unit of time of the segments is provided so as to be transportable in the direction of the second conveyor unit and transferable to the second conveyor unit in the delivery area, and wherein

[0047] - the number C per unit of time of the segments in the second delivery area is provided to be transferable, in particular to a cell stacking device, or to a cell stacking device, or to one or more removal devices of a cell stacking device, and

[0048] - in particular, the sum of the number B per unit time of the segments and the number C per unit time of the segments is less than or equal to the number A per unit time of the segments.

[0049] Furthermore, to achieve the object, a partial method for producing cell stacks in a cell stack system for segments of energy cells according to one of claims 1 to 14 is proposed, in which

[0050] - by means of the feeding device, which is designed and arranged to feed segments of energy cells in a number A per unit of time, a number A of segments is fed per unit of time,

[0051] - a first conveyor unit for segments is provided, which is arranged downstream of the feed device, which conveys segments,

[0052] - a second conveyor unit for segments is provided, which is arranged downstream of the first conveyor unit, which conveys segments, whereby

[0053] - the first conveyor unit receives the number A per unit time of the segments from the feed device and transports a number B per unit time of the segments to a first delivery area and a number C per unit time of the segments to a second delivery area G2, wherein

[0054] - the number B per unit of time of the segments is transported in the direction of the second conveyor unit and is transferred to the second conveyor unit in the first delivery area, and wherein

[0055] - the number C per unit of time of the segments in the second delivery area is transferred, in particular to a cell stacking device, or to a cell stacking device, or to one or more removal devices of a cell stacking device and in particular

[0056] -the sum of the number B per unit time of the segments and the number C per unit time of the segments is less than or equal to the number A per unit time of the segments.

[0057] It is further proposed that the second conveyor unit is operated as a rotationally drivable conveyor unit, in particular in the form of a transfer drum or as an operatively connected combination of a first rotationally drivable conveyor unit, in particular in the form of a reversing drum, and a second rotationally drivable conveyor unit, in particular in the form of a transfer drum.

[0058] The advantage of the proposed dividing device and the proposed dividing method is that the cell stacking devices and / or removal devices are stacked at a lower stacking rate than the number A due to the distribution of the supplied segments of number A between the two conveyor units corresponding to the smaller number B and C. Thus, the conveying rate of the feed device can be designed accordingly high, and the stacking rate can simultaneously be designed accordingly low for a high positioning accuracy of the stacked segments and thus of the stack itself.

[0059] The second conveyor unit is preferably designed as a rotationally driven conveyor unit, in particular in the form of a transfer drum or as an operatively connected combination of a first rotationally driven conveyor unit, in particular in the form of a reversing drum, and a second rotationally driven conveyor unit, in particular in the form of a transfer drum, which in themselves enable very high conveying capacities of the segments. In particular, the design of the first conveyor unit as a rotationally driven conveyor unit enables continuous feeding and removal of the segments to and from the conveyor unit. Due to the rotary movement of the conveyor unit, the forces acting on the segments, in particular in the transverse direction, can be reduced to the lowest possible level, which in turn enables very precise transport of the segments and thus also the formation of very precise stacks.The invention is explained below using preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures.

[0060] Fig. 1 shows a manufacturing machine with a cell stacking system according to the invention; and

[0061] Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of the cell stacking system with a cell stacking device and several cell stacking devices according to a second embodiment.

[0062] Figure 1 shows a manufacturing machine with a cell stacking system 1 according to the invention, comprising a first feed device 2, a discharge device 3, an upstream cutting device 4, and a cell stacking device 7 arranged between the feed device 2 and the discharge device 3. Furthermore, the manufacturing machine comprises a feed device for four continuous webs (E1-E4), two of the continuous webs E1 and E3 being formed from a separator material, one continuous web E2 from an anode material, and one continuous web E4 from a cathode material. The continuous webs E2 and E4 of the cathode material and the anode material are each cut by a cutting device into anodes and cathodes of a predetermined length and / or width, which are then placed onto one of the continuous webs E1 and E3 of the separator material, respectively, after cutting.The joining takes place by first placing the anodes or cathodes cut from the bottommost continuous web E4 individually onto a conveyor belt T, then placing the overlying continuous web E3 of separator material on top, and then placing the anodes or cathodes cut from the continuous web E2 individually onto the continuous web E3 of separator material, which are then covered by the topmost continuous web E1 of separator material on top to form a four-layer continuous web EG. This four-layer continuous web EG with the anodes or cathodes on one side is then fed to a lamination unit L, where they are bonded together to form a solid composite by applying thermal and / or mechanical energy.

[0063] The laminated four-layer continuous web EG is then fed into the production machine of the cell stacking system 1 and cut into segments 16 of a predetermined length and / or width, also referred to as monocells, in the cutting device 4. However, it is also conceivable to feed double-layer segments 16 consisting of only one layer of separator material and an anode or cathode, and / or single-layer segments 16, to the cell stacking system 1 in the production machine, provided that these are to be further processed in a stacked manner.

[0064] The cutting device 4 is formed here by a pair of drums consisting of a cutting drum with cutting knives and a counter drum with counter knives. It cuts the four-layer continuous web EG guided onto the cutting drum or the counter drum by shearing the cutting knives on the counter knives into segments 16 of a predetermined length, which is defined by the spacing of the cutting knives or the counter knives, depending on whether the continuous web is guided onto the cutting drum or the counter drum. Starting from the cutting device 4, the cut segments 16 are fed to the feed device 2. The feed device 2 is formed by a drum track with several transport drums, on which the segments 16 are held, for example, by vacuum. If the fed continuous web is a four-layer continuous web EG, the segments 16 cut from it then correspond to the monocells described above.

[0065] The cell stacking system 1 with the cell stacking device 7 is shown enlarged in Figure 2. The feed device 2 comprises two transfer drums 5 and a reversing drum 6 arranged between the transfer drums 5. The cell stacking device 7 further comprises two cell stacking devices 11, each with a removal device 111 and an associated depositing element 112. The removal device 111 is designed as a rotating body in the form of a drum driven to rotate and has three transfer dies 113 aligned at angles of 120 degrees to one another. The transfer dies 113 have an outer surface whose outer dimensions at least correspond to the outer shape of the segments 16 or can also be larger than these.The transfer punches 113 have, in their cross-section perpendicular to the rotational axis of the removal device 111, an outer contour in the shape of a circular arc, each with identical radii, so that they complement each other to form a virtual circle. Furthermore, the removal devices 111 with their transfer punches 113 are arranged and their radii are dimensioned such that, during the rotational movement, the outer surfaces of the transfer punches 113 touch the outer surfaces of the transfer drum 5 with a gap corresponding at least to the thickness of the segments 16. The rotational movement of the removal device 111 is controlled relative to the respective transfer drum 5 such that the transfer punches 113 each take over exactly one segment 16 from the transfer drum 5 during rotation.For this purpose, the movement of the removal device 111 is controlled such that the lateral surfaces of the transfer punches 113 at the point of shortest distance to the transfer drum 5, which corresponds to the transfer point I, have a circumferential speed corresponding to the circumferential speed of the segments 16 held on the transfer drum 5, and the segments 16 are ideally taken over by the transfer punches 113 without a relative speed in the circumferential direction.

[0066] The lateral surfaces of the transfer dies 113 have at least one circular arc length in the circumferential direction, which corresponds to the width of the segments 16 in the circumferential direction of the transfer drum 5, so that the segments 16 are transferred over their entire surface by the transfer dies 113. Furthermore, the transfer dies 113 also have a length in the axial direction of the removal device 111 that corresponds at least to the length of the segments 16 in the axial direction of the removal drum 5.

[0067] The transfer dies 113 have a comb-like structure with a plurality of parallel and circumferentially oriented webs, between which gaps of constant and equal width are arranged. The end faces of the webs together form the lateral surfaces of the transfer dies 113.

[0068] Vacuum lines are provided in the webs of the transfer dies 113, which can be subjected to negative pressure and whose openings open into the end-side lateral surfaces of the webs and / or transfer dies 113. Furthermore, corresponding openings of vacuum lines capable of being subjected to negative pressure can also be provided in the lateral surfaces of the transfer drums 5. The segments 16 are then held to the lateral surfaces of the transfer drums 5 by applying negative pressure in the vacuum lines and are taken over by the removal device 111 by switching off the negative pressure in the vacuum lines of the transfer drum 5 and by switching on the negative pressure in the vacuum lines of the transfer die 113 passing through the transfer point I.

[0069] Individual separator sheets or monocells with separator sheets can be considered as segments 16, with one or each separator sheet having a thickness of 8 to 25 μm, preferably 10 to 15 μm. With such thin separator sheets, very high specific energies and energy densities can be achieved while simultaneously achieving a very compact structure. Furthermore, the cell stacking system 1 can be used to stack anodes and / or cathodes and / or segments 16 or monocells with one anode, one cathode and two separator sheets with an electrode area of ​​2 x 4 cm for the production of microcells, in particular micropouch cells. The cell stacking system 1 can also be used to stack anodes and / or cathodes and / or segments 16 or monocells with one anode, one cathode and two separator sheets with an electrode area of ​​15 x 40 cm for the production of larger-area cells.The transfer surfaces 123 of the transfer dies 113 are dimensioned such that the segments 16 or the monocells can be transferred and transported over their entire surface or partially. Example dimensions of the anodes and / or cathodes range from 100 x 50 mm to 200 x 100 mm, in particular from 120 x 60 mm to 180 x 90 mm with electrode surfaces of 800 mm. 2 up to 80000 mm 2 , especially in the range of 1200 mm 2 up to 60000 mm 2 or 1800 mm 2 up to 36000 mm 2. The webs 118 preferably form, with their surfaces, a surface area of ​​30 to 70% of the surface of the receiving surfaces 123 of the receiving stamps 113, so that a segment 16 held thereon rests flatly against a receiving surface 123 with an area of ​​30 to 70% of its surface. The segment 16 can be fixed to the receiving surfaces 123 via the negative pressure in the vacuum lines 122. The proposed surface area is preferred in that it enables gentle receiving and gentle transport of the segments 16 while simultaneously fixing the segments 16 in a precisely positioned manner and enabling engagement of the deposit lever 117 through the gaps between the webs 118, thereby enabling a lifting movement.

[0070] The rotational movement of the removal devices 111 and thus of the transfer punches 113 is controlled such that they receive the segments 16 in a predetermined sequence from the transfer drums 5. In the present exemplary embodiment, two cell stacking devices 11 are provided in the cell stacking device 7, so that each of the cell stacking devices 11 receives segments 16 in a fixed sequence in a two-by-two rhythm from the feed device 2. Thus, the first removal device 111 of the first cell stacking device 11 assigned to the first transfer drum 5 receives the first segments 13 of a group of two from the first transfer drum 5 during one rotation with one of its transfer punches 113 in a rhythm. Subsequently, the segments 16 of the groups of two remaining on the first transfer drum 5 are received by the first reversing drum 6 and transferred further to the second transfer drum 5.Due to the transfer of the segments 16 via the reversing drum 6 to the second transfer drum 5, the segments 16 are rotated once about their longitudinal axes, which are parallel to the axes of rotation of the transfer drum 5 and the reversing drum 6, so that on the second transfer drum 5 they are facing outwards with the same upper side as on the first transfer drum 5. The second cell stacking device 11 then removes the second segments 16 of the groups of two from the second transfer drum 5 in the same way using the transfer punches 113 of the second removal device 111, as can be seen in Figure 2. Since each of the removal devices 111 has three transfer punches 113, the segments 16 are removed from the feed in three groups of two by the transfer punches 113 until all of the segments 16 have been removed after the transfer by the second transfer drum 5.

[0071] The removal devices 111 are each arranged between a transfer drum 5 and a storage member 112 and receive the segments 16 from the transfer drum 5 according to the sequence described above. The removal devices 111 are driven to rotate counterclockwise, as can also be seen from the direction of the arrow in Figure 2. While each of the segments 16 is being received from a transfer drum 5, the removal device 111 is located with one of its receiving stamps 113 in the "12 o'clock position" and passes with it through the receiving point I. This position of the removal device 111 with a receiving stamp 113 arranged in the "12 o'clock position" is also referred to in the sense of the invention as the receiving position of the removal device 111. The receiving stamp 113, which has received the segment 16 of the previous group of four from the removal drum 5, is located in the "8 o'clock position" in this position.In this takeover position, the removal device 111 rotates at a circumferential speed of the outer surfaces of the takeover punches 113 which corresponds to the circumferential speed of the segments 16 on the transfer drum 5 and takes over a segment 16 with the takeover punch 113 arranged in the "12 o'clock position". Another takeover punch 113 is located in the "4 o'clock position", which does not carry a segment 16 and therefore has a free outer surface, since it has just delivered a segment 16 to the depositing member 112.

[0072] To transfer the segment 16 from the takeover stamp 113 located in the "8 o'clock position" in the takeover position of the removal device 111, the removal device 111 continues to rotate until the removal device 111 with the takeover stamp 113 previously arranged in the "8 o'clock position" is arranged in the "6 o'clock position" and passes through the transfer point II.

[0073] Transfer point II is the point of shortest distance between the outer surface of the transferring receiving punch 113 and the depositing member 112. Since the number of receiving punches 113 is odd, transfer point II can be arranged in the "6 o'clock position" opposite transfer point I in the "12 o'clock position" without two of the receiving punches 113 passing through transfer point I and transfer point II at the same time. The position of the removal device 111 with the receiving punch 113 arranged in the "6 o'clock position" is also referred to in the context of the invention as the transfer position of the removal device 111.

[0074] The removal device 111 can be decelerated during this rotational movement to such an extent that the removal device 111 rotates at a lower peripheral speed in the transfer position to simplify the release of the segment 16. In the transfer position of the removal device 111, the segment 16 is released by the receiving punch 113 arranged in the "6 o'clock position" to the depositing member 112, which will be explained in more detail below.

[0075] Furthermore, in this position of the removal device 111, i.e., the transfer position, the third free transfer ram 113 is located in the "2 o'clock position" and at an angle of 60 degrees to the transfer point I of the transfer drum 5 in the "12 o'clock position." The removal device 111 is then rotated further until the free transfer ram 113, previously located in the "2 o'clock position," passes the transfer point I in the "12 o'clock position" and takes over a segment 16. If the removal device 111 was decelerated to deliver the segments 16 at the transfer point II, the removal device 111 is then accelerated again to take over the segment 16 until the segment 16 is taken over by the transfer ram 113 at the peripheral speed of the transfer drum 5.The movement of the removal device 111 is controlled in such a way that the removal device 111 as a whole is decelerated and accelerated without changing the distances between the transfer dies 113. The removal device 111 is formed here by a drum driven to rotate, so that the transfer dies 113 are arranged at constant angles to each other during the rotational movement. The transfer dies 113 are arranged equidistant from each other and are driven together with the base body of the removal device 111.The advantage of this solution is that the acceleration and deceleration of segments 16 described above into transfer point II and transfer point I is realized solely by a single control of the movement of the removal device 111, while the transfer rams 113 themselves do not perform any individually controlled movement, but are instead decelerated and accelerated as an assembly. This simplifies the entire control system and structural design. In particular, the transfer rams 113 do not require any separate movable bearings on the removal device 111.

[0076] The storage member 112 has a receptacle 115 that can be moved linearly by means of a lifting device. The movement of the receptacle 115 is triggered by activation of the lifting device and guided by a guide device, e.g., a guide rod. The receptacle 115 can be moved linearly between a receiving position and a delivery position. The receiving position of the receptacle 115 is arranged as close as possible to the transfer point II of the segments 16, while the delivery position of the receptacle 115 corresponds to a more distant position of the receptacle 115, assigned to the discharge device 3.

[0077] Furthermore, the depositing member 112 has a stripper 117 with a comb-like structure with a plurality of webs directed parallel to one another, which are dimensioned in width and arrangement such that, as the removal device 111 rotates, they engage in the gap between the webs of the receiving punches 113 of the removal device 111 due to their position or through an active movement and, in the transfer point II, passively and / or actively comb out the segment 16 held thereon from the receiving punch 113 through their own movement and / or the movement of the removal device 111. If the receiving punches 113 rotate at a lower peripheral speed in the transfer point II or, in extreme cases, are even stationary, it is advantageous for the stripper 117 itself to carry out the movement towards the receiving punches 113 and actively comb out the segments 16 from the lateral surfaces of the receiving punches 113.

[0078] The removal device 111 is formed by a rotating body with an outer diameter defined by the lateral surfaces of the transfer dies 113, and the stripper 117 is arranged at a distance from the rotational axis of the rotating body that is slightly smaller than the radius of the outer diameter. As a result, the stripper 117 protrudes through the outer diameter of the rotating body. Since the distance is only slightly smaller than the radius, the stripper 117 only engages over a very small portion of the radius. In other words, the stripper only slightly "scrapes" the surface of the rotating body, to the extent that it strips the segments 16 held thereon in accordance with its function.Due to the arrangement of the wiper 117 and the very small engagement thereof in the rotating body, the rotating body itself can be constructed in a simplified manner, since it only has to allow a very small engagement of the wiper 117.

[0079] The receptacle 115 can also have vacuum lines that can be subjected to negative pressure, the openings of which are arranged such that, when negative pressure is applied, they generate a suction force on the segments 16 to be transferred. The segments 16 can then be transferred at the transfer point II by switching off the negative pressure in the vacuum lines of the transfer ram 113 arranged in the "6 o'clock position" and by sucking the segments 16 from the vacuum lines of the receptacle 115 from the removal device 111 into the receptacle 115 of the depositing member 112, in addition to the combing process described above by the stripper 117.

[0080] This process of transferring the segments 16 from the receiving plunger 113 of the removal device 111 into the receptacle 115 of the depositing member 112 is repeated until a suitable sensor device detects that a predetermined height of the stack of segments 16 built up in the receptacle 115 has been exceeded or that a predetermined number of segments 16 stacked in the receptacle 115 has been reached. Depending on the signal from the sensor device, the lifting device is then activated, and the receptacle 115 with the stack of segments 16 is moved linearly from the receiving position to the discharge position to the removal device 3.

[0081] The strippers 117 are arranged stationary relative to the removal devices 111. Additionally or alternatively, the strippers 117 can also be designed such that they can perform slight movements relative to the removal device 111 and the transfer dies 113, and thus also relative to the depositing member 12 and its receptacle 115, particularly when the transfer dies 113 pass the transfer point II to deliver the segments 16.

[0082] In addition to their comb structure with the webs, the wipers 117 have a guide contour 118 and a stop 119, which can be formed by the shape of the webs themselves. However, the guide contour and the stops can also be formed by separate guide webs and stops, separated from the webs, so that the webs have the exclusive function of triggering the combing out of the segments 16, while the course of the removal movement of the segments 16 is determined by the guide contour and the stop. However, implementing both functions in the webs of the wiper 117 has the advantage of a compact design and lower manufacturing costs.

[0083] In the present exemplary embodiment, the webs of the stripper 117 themselves have a shape which can be seen in the side view of Figure 2. The stripper 117 has a guide contour in the form of a guide section 118 running obliquely away from the removal device 111 and a stop 119 adjoining the end of the guide section 118. Thus, after being gripped by the stripper 117 and the start of the combing-out process, the segments 16 are removed in a gentle removal movement with the lowest possible transverse forces acting on the segments 16 in the direction of the receptacle 115 of the depositing member 112. The stop 119 then defines the end position of the removal movement of the segment 16 and thereby enables very precise positioning of the segment 16 to be deposited in the receptacle 115. This enables the stacking of very precisely shaped stacks of segments 16.The guide section 118 has, at its end facing the removal device 111, an inlet section 118a, which is shaped and oriented in the direction of movement of the segments 16 in the transfer point II. This further reduces the forces acting on the segments 16 during transfer, since the segments 16 are taken over exactly in their previous direction of movement during transfer. Furthermore, the guide section 118 of the stripper 117 has a discharge section 118b extending from the inlet section 118a toward the depositing member 112, which, through its shape and direction, defines the discharge direction of the segments 16 toward the depositing member 112 and / or toward the receptacle 115.

[0084] If necessary, the guide section 118 and the stop 119 can be designed to be adjustable for stacking different segments 16 or for forming stacks of different shapes. Furthermore, the stripper 117 can be designed to perform slight movements during the removal movement for a further improved smooth removal movement of the segments 16. The stripper 117 can be driven to perform both a lifting and a pivoting movement. The movement of the stripper 117 is preferably controlled as a function of the movement of the removal device 111 and / or as a function of the movement of the depositing member 112 and / or its receptacle 115, so that the movement sequences can be coordinated and synchronized with one another, which in turn can further improve the acceptance and transfer of the segments 16 overall.

[0085] The scraper 117 practically forms a movement-related interface between the removal device 111 and the depositing member 112. It is particularly advantageous to arrange the transfer point II in the "6 o'clock position", i.e. below the removal device 111, since the transfer of the segments 16 does not take place against the acting force of gravity and is even supported by it.

[0086] In the present exemplary embodiment, the removal device 111 is formed by a rotary body that can be driven to rotate and has at least two support zones that are spaced apart from one another in the direction of rotation (and fixed in the direction of rotation) and extend a length Y in the direction of rotation for receiving the segments 16 at the receiving point I. The support zones are formed here by the receiving surfaces 123 of the receiving punches 113. Between the support zones, free zones 124 are provided that extend a length Z in the direction of rotation, which in the present exemplary embodiment are each formed by a radially inwardly extending recess and thus form a free space.The support zones are specifically designed to receive one segment 16 each, while the free zones are not designed to receive segments 16 and merely deliberately form unused intermediate zones between the support zones, which are important for implementing the different movement states of the removal device 111 and for receiving and transferring the segments 16. For this purpose, the support zones and the free zones 124 are arranged such that the removal device 111 passes the depositing element 112 with a free zone 124 during a transfer phase at the transfer point I, during which a segment 16 is received from a support zone.

[0087] The free zones 124 are implemented here by recesses. Alternatively, they can also be formed by passive surfaces of the rotating body in general, which do not have vacuum lines and are therefore not designed to receive segments 16. The free zones are characterized by the fact that they do not carry any segments 16 and therefore do not release any segments 16 at transfer point II. It is therefore not necessary for the removal device 111 to fulfill special movement conditions during the transfer phase, in which it passes transfer point II with the free zones, and its movement behavior can be designed solely to receive segment 16 at transfer point XA.

[0088] The support zones and the free zones 124 are arranged such that while a support zone passes the takeover point I, a free zone passes the transfer point II, and while a support zone is aligned with the transfer point II, a free zone is aligned with the takeover point I. In this case, the free zones 124 can have a greater length Z in the circumferential direction of the rotary body than the support zones, so that the angles of rotation during which the free zones 124 pass the transfer point II and the takeover point II are greater than the angles of rotation during which the support zones pass the transfer point II and the takeover point I. As a result, the angles of rotation available for the acceleration and deceleration of the removal device 111 are greater than the angles of rotation required for the takeover and transfer of the segments 16.Due to the larger angle of rotation, the maximum acceleration and deceleration for switching between the two specified speeds can be reduced. Free zone 124 has a length Z spanning the receiving point I and the transfer point II.

[0089] The length Y of one or each support zone can be smaller, equal to, or greater than the length Z of one or each free zone 124. Furthermore, the lengths Z of the free zones 124 between the support zones can also be the same or different, whereby the advantages described above can be achieved.

[0090] Suitable rotating bodies are drums with a cylindrical outer surface, in which the load-bearing zones and the free zones 124 are formed by zones that are deliberately designed to carry or receive segments 16, while the free zones are not designed for this purpose and can also be referred to as passive zones. Furthermore, all bodies that receive the segments 16 in a rotary motion at the receiving point I, transport them further to the transfer point II through the rotary motion, and deliver them there as described above, are also suitable rotating bodies.

[0091] The rotating body can also be designed as a rotor with multiple rotor arms, wherein one or each rotor arm can have a receiving surface at its free ends. Furthermore, one or each rotor arm can be provided with vacuum channels that can open into the free ends of the rotor arms and, in particular, into the receiving surfaces arranged thereon. The rotor arms of the rotor are positioned fixedly relative to one another in the direction of the rotor's orbit, in particular, their distance from one another in the direction of the orbit is fixed, in particular, their distance from one another in the direction of the orbit is unchangeable.

[0092] The discharge device 3 can further comprise a plurality of individually movable transport receptacles, which receive the stacks from the receptacles 115 and discharge them in a correspondingly controlled manner. The individually movable transport receptacles serve to transport the stacks away for further processing. Since the segments 16 and the stacks are checked for compliance with predetermined quality criteria during the preceding transport and / or stacking process by means of one or more sensor devices and are removed from the production process if the quality criteria are not met, the stacking processes and the frequency of the stacks to be transported away from the receptacles 115 can vary. This change in the transport frequency of the stacks to be transported away can be taken into account by the individual mobility of the transport receptacles in conjunction with an appropriate control system.

[0093] An important and independently inventive aspect of the present invention further consists in a partial device of or in a cell stacking system and a partial method for producing cell stacks in a cell stacking system, according to claim 19 and claim 24, respectively.

[0094] In this way, it is possible to process a high flow of segments 16, for example, segments cut online from an endless web EG, immediately after cutting, whereby the cut segments 16 are virtually no longer released from the hand and can be continuously made available for stacking. In a sense, the segments 16 are no longer released, which makes it possible to maintain the position of the segments 16 and their alignment in a processing line / chain and to use this to control further downstream processing units. Repeated alignment processes, such as those usually required when segments 16 are temporarily deposited, an interruption of the material flow and a subsequent retrieval, can be reduced or even largely or completely eliminated. Alignment can be carried out very effectively when aligning the web from which the segments 16 are cut.If necessary, corrections to the positioning and / or alignment of the segments can also be made in the feed device, the conveyor unit F1 and / or the conveyor unit F2. The supplied segments 16 of energy cells in a number A per unit of time are cleverly split into a number B per unit of time and a number C per unit of time. The number B per unit of time can be advantageously transported further in a certain way, essentially passed through and discharged from the number A, after which the number C is already significantly reduced compared to the number A. Thus, the number C is more easily accessible for orderly and precise stacking without hindering the material flow. The number B is then, in turn, also significantly reduced compared to the number A and more easily accessible for orderly and precise stacking.In a sense, a continuous, delay-free feeding of divided partial streams to a cell stacking device 7 is enabled. If the cell stacking device 7 is equipped with appropriate access points for the partial streams, stacking can be carried out in parallel to a certain extent, allowing high throughput rates to be achieved. An endless web EG of uncut segments 16 can be fed at high speed, and the segments 16 cut from it can be further processed and stacked online. A high flow of segments 16 can be transported reliably and effectively in an orderly manner, virtually without stops or interruptions, and can be advantageously divided into partial streams.

[0095] A stream of segments 16, for example cut online from a continuous web EG, with a number A per unit of time can be split up in such a way that every second segment 16 is taken from the stream and a stream of segments 16 with the number B per unit of time is formed from the taken-off second segments 16 and a stream of segments 16 with the number C per unit of time is formed from the remaining segments 16. In the stream of segments 16 with the number B, the distance between two segments 16 can be greater than or approximately equal to the length of a segment 16. In the stream of segments 16 with the number C, the distance between two segments 16 can be greater than or approximately equal to the length of a segment 16.A spacing B of segments 16 formed in the stream between two consecutive segments 16 makes it possible to provide a sequence of segments 16 during further processing, in which the spacing and an associated time interval can be used to access a segment 16 during conveying of the stream of segments 16. For example, one or more removal devices 111 of a cell stacking device 11 can be granted sufficient time in the time interval between the end of a first conveyed segment 16 and the beginning of a second conveyed segment 16 to be moved back into the receiving position, in particular from a delivery or waiting position.The splitting process is somewhat similar to opening a zipper, where, when closed, all elements lie next to one another with virtually no gap, and after opening, they are spaced approximately the size of one element apart. However, it is advantageous for the invention if, in contrast to the zipper comparison, the segments 16 in which a stream of A flows per unit of time have a certain distance between them, and in particular, they are not positioned edge to edge or end to end. The splitting can also be imagined as follows: in the stream of segments 16 with the number A, the segments 16 of the stream with the number B and the segments 16 of the stream with the number C lie alternately one behind the other, for example, "yellow" and "red" segments 16.In a delivery area, for example G1, the stream is split into segments 16 with the number A, and the segments 16 of the stream with the number B and the segments 16 of the stream with the number C are transferred or allowed to pass according to their alternating sequence. Taking up the color example, a stream of “yellow” segments 16 with the number B per unit of time and a stream of “red” segments 16 with the number C would then be generated. For both streams “B” and “C,” the segments 16 would each have a distance from one another that is greater than or approximately equal to the length of a segment 16. With this configuration, the transport speed of the streams at segments 16 with the number A per unit of time, the number B per unit of time, and the number C per unit of time can be kept at least approximately the same.Advantageous distances between the segments 16 in the streams “B” and “C” can be achieved in a simple manner without having to change the position of the segments 16 in the streams “B” and / or “C”, which ensures particularly gentle handling of the segments 16 and allows high throughput rates.

[0096] The splitting of the segment flow of number A starting from the feed device 2 into the two partial flows with numbers B and C enables an increase in the number A of supplied segments 16 per unit of time with a predetermined and limited stacking capacity of a cell stacking device 11, in that the number A of supplied segments 16 are stacked in two separate and parallel operating cell stacking devices 11 with a correspondingly lower stacking rate.

[0097] If the conveying rate of the supplied segments 16, i.e. the number A, is to be further increased, the inflow of segments 16 in number A can be divided into further partial flows of number D, E, F, etc. and then stacked in parallel in further cell stacking devices 11. The basic idea of ​​dividing the inflow of segments 16 between several cell stacking devices 11 thus enables a significantly higher conveying capacity of the segments 16 while simultaneously stacking the segments 16 in the cell stacking devices 11 with precise positioning, since the stacking speed can be designed to be correspondingly lower than the feed rate of the segments 16 via the feed device 2 in the sense of precise stacking.

[0098] The number B of segments 16 that are fed into the first transfer area G1 of the second conveyor unit F2 is greater than the number C of segments 16 that are discharged into the second discharge area G2. During the conveying process, the segments 16 are subjected to various quality checks and checks of the correct arrangement of the parts of the segments 16 to one another, such as contact tabs, fixing devices, etc. If non-compliance with the quality specifications is detected, the segments 16 that are found to be "out of order" are removed from the conveying process. This means that the number of segments 16 that are ultimately stacked is always slightly smaller than the number of segments 16 that are fed in. The segments 16 discharged into the second discharge area G2 have already been fully checked, e.g.also by means of a sensor device arranged between the first delivery area G1 and the second delivery area G2, so that the number C of the removed segments 16 are completely stacked without further segments 16 being discharged. However, the segments 16 transferred in the second delivery area G2 subsequently undergo another transport path, so that they can still slip slightly or be influenced in some other way, so that further checks and the associated discharge of the segments 16 may subsequently be necessary. It is therefore advisable to dimension the number B of segments 16 transferred to the second conveyor unit F2 in the first delivery area G1 to be larger than the number C of segments 16 discharged in the second delivery area G2.

[0099] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the number B of segments corresponds to a multiple of the number C. This allows a structurally simple design with correspondingly simple stacking to be achieved by providing a plurality of identical cell stacking devices 11. In the present case, four cell stacking devices 11 are provided, as can be seen in Figure 1, so that the number B of segments 16 transferred in the first delivery area G1 corresponds to three times the number C of segments 16 transferred in the second delivery area G2.The manufacturing machine shown in Figure 1 can be operated by the proposed dividing device and / or the proposed dividing method with a high conveying rate of the segments 16 in the feed device 2 and, at the same time, with precise positioning of the segments 16 in the cell stacking devices 11, since the stacking rate of the segments 16 in the cell stacking devices 11 is considerably lower than the feed rate of the segments 16 in the feed device 2 due to the solution according to the invention. If the feed rate of the segments 16 in the feed device 2 therefore corresponds to the number A, for example 400 segments 16 per unit of time, for example per minute, the number C in this case would be 100 segments per minute and the number B 300 segments per minute. The reduction in the number of segments 16 due to rejections due to quality defects is not taken into account here.

[0100] The proposed dividing device can be further improved as desired using the features of the proposed cell stacking system 1, with the parallel arrangement of the cell stacking devices 11 and their assignment to the four transfer drums 5 being particularly important, as this enables precise stacking of the product streams of the segments 16 divided by the dividing device. Similarly, the proposed dividing method can also be further improved by combining it with the features of the proposed method for controlling a cell stacking system 1, as the proposed method contains essential suggestions for improving the control of the cell stacking system 1 for stacking the partial streams formed by the dividing method.

[0101] It has been found that the use of exactly two cell stacking devices 11, each with a removal device 111 and a storage device 112 for stacking the segments 16, is particularly preferred and sufficient, wherein the segments 16 can be stacked in parallel and / or simultaneously in the cell stacking devices 11, i.e., or successively, i.e., chronologically in the two cell stacking devices 11. By using exactly two cell stacking devices 11, a cell stacking system 1 with a reduced space requirement and reduced manufacturing costs can be realized.

[0102] List of reference symbols

[0103] 1 cell stacking system

[0104] 2 Feeding device

[0105] 3 discharge device

[0106] 4 Cutting device

[0107] 5 Transfer drum

[0108] 6 reversing drum

[0109] 7 Cell stacking device

[0110] II Cell stacking device

[0111] 16 segments

[0112] III Removal device

[0113] 112 filing organ

[0114] 113 Acceptance stamp

[0115] 114 converters

[0116] 115 recording

[0117] 116 Lifting device

[0118] 117 Storage lever

[0119] 118 Guide Section

[0120] 118a entry section

[0121] 118b discharge section

[0122] 119 attack

[0123] 124 Free Zone

[0124] A,B,C,D,E,F Number

[0125] E1-E4 endless tracks

[0126] EG four-layer continuous web

[0127] F1 first conveyor unit

[0128] F2 second conveyor unit

[0129] G1 first delivery area

[0130] G2 second delivery area I collection point

[0131] II Transfer point

[0132] Y Length

[0133] Z Length

Claims

Claims:

1. Cell stacking system (1) for stacking segments (16) of energy cells, with -a feeding device (2) which continuously feeds the segments (16) at a feeding rate, and -at least one cell stacking device (11) which takes the segments (16) from the feeding device (2) and stacks them on top of each other, wherein -the cell stacking device (11) has at least one removal device (111) and one depositing device (112), characterized in that -a scraper (117) is provided between the removal device (111) and the depositing device (112), which has a guide contour that defines the direction of movement of the segments (16) from the removal device (111) to the depositing process (112).

2. Cell stack system (1) according to claim 1 , characterized in that -the guide contour has a stop (119) that limits the movement of the segments (16) at least in one direction.

3. Cell stacking system (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that -the guide contour has a guide section (118) which at its end facing a transfer point (II) of the withdrawal device (111) has an entry section (118a) which extends in the direction of the movement of the material being withdrawn from the withdrawal device (111) at a transfer point (II) transported segment (16) exhibits directed shaping.

4. Cell stacking system (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that -the guide section (118) has a discharge section (118b) extending from the inlet section (118a) towards the depositing organ (112).

5. Cell stacking system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that -the extraction device (111) is formed by a rotatably driven drum.

6. Cell stacking system (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that -the drum has at least one, preferably three, receiving dies (113) arranged at equal angles to each other for receiving the segments (16).

7. Cell stacking system (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that -the number of acceptance stamps (113) is odd.

8. Cell stacking system (1) according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that -the transfer dies (113) each have a transfer surface in the cross-section of the drum that is arc-shaped, and -the takeover areas of the takeover stamps (113) in cross-sections arranged on the same diameter. Cell stacking system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that -the depositing element (112) has a linearly movable receptacle (115) which transports the stacks away from the removal device (111) in the direction of the surface normals of the segments (16). Cell stacking system (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that -the storage device (112) has a lifting device which moves the receptacle (115) via a linear guide device upon activation. Cell stacking system (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that -at least one sensor device is provided in the area of ​​the lifting device which detects a property of the stack or the receiving device (115). Cell stacking system (1) according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that -the receptacle (115) has a support surface formed by the surfaces of a plurality of parallel and equidistant ribs. Cell stacking system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that -a discharge device (3) is provided with a plurality of individually movable transport receptacles into which the depositing device (112) deposits the stacks. Cell stacking system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that -The extraction device (111) and / or the receiving (115) of the depositing element (112) have one or more vacuum lines that can be pressurized, which, by applying negative pressure, assist the transfer of the segments (16) by the extraction device (111) from the feeding device (2) and / or by the depositing element (112) from the extraction device (111) and their transport on the extraction device (111). Method for controlling a cell stacking system (1) for stacking segments (16) of energy cells, with -a feeding device (2) which continuously feeds the segments (16) at a feeding rate, and -at least one cell stacking device (11) which takes the segments (16) from the feeding device (2) and stacks them on top of each other, wherein -the cell stacking device (11) has at least one removal device (111) and one depositing device (112), characterized in that -a scraper (117) is provided, the movement of which is controlled depending on the movement of the removal device (111) and / or the movement of the depositing element (112). Method according to claim 15, characterized in that -the removal device (111) is driven by a drum to a rotary movement by the drive unit is educated, and -the movement of the scraper (117) is controlled depending on the rotational angle of the drum.

17. Method according to one of claims 15 or 16, characterized in that -the storage device (112) has a linearly movable receptacle (115), and -the linearly movable receptacle (115) is moved from a receiving position to a discharge position when the reaching of a predetermined stack height of the stack in the receptacle (115) is detected.

18. Method according to any one of claims 15 to 17, characterized in that -the removal device (111) and the scraper (117) each have a support surface which is formed by the surfaces of a plurality of parallel and equidistant ribs, and -the scraper (117) and the removal device (111) engage with each other with their webs during their movements to transfer the stacks of segments (16).

19. Sub-device of or in a cell stacking system (1) for segments (16) of energy cells having the features according to one of claims 1 to 14, wherein -the feeding device (2) is designed and equipped to feed segments (16) of energy cells in a number A per unit of time, - a first conveying unit (F1) for segments (16) is provided, which is downstream of the feeding device (2), - a second conveying unit (F2) is provided for segments (16), which is subordinate to the first conveying unit (F1), wherein - the first conveying unit (F1) is designed and set up to take over the number A per time unit of segments (16) from the feeding device (2) and to transport a number B per time unit of segments (16) to a first delivery area (G1) and a number C per time unit of segments (16) to a second delivery area (G2), wherein - the number B per unit of time of the segments (16) is transportable towards the second conveying unit (F2) and is provided to be transferable to the second conveying unit (F2) in the delivery area (G1), and wherein - the number C per unit of time of the segments (16) in the second delivery area (G2), in particular to a cell stacking device (7), or to a cell stacking device (11), or to one or more removal devices (111) of a cell stacking device (7) is provided to be transferable, and - in particular, the sum of the number B per time unit of the segments (16) and the number C per time unit of the segments (16) is less than or equal to the number A per time unit of the segments (16). Sub-device according to claim 19, characterized in that -the second conveying unit (F2) as a rotary conveying unit, in particular in the form of a transfer drum (5) or as a combination of a first rotary conveying unit, in particular in the form of a reversing drum (6) and a second rotary conveying unit, in particular in the form of a transfer drum (5), in operative connection is designed. Sub-device according to one of claims 19 or 20, characterized in that -the number C is smaller than the number B. Sub-device according to one of claims 19 to 21, characterized in that -the number B is a multiple of the number C. Sub-device according to one of claims 19 to 22 with a cell stacking system (1) having the features of the preamble of claim 1 or with the features according to one of claims 1 to 14. Sub-method for producing cell stacks in a cell stacking system (1) for segments (16) of energy cells according to one of claims 1 to 14, wherein - the feeding device (2), which is designed and equipped to feed segments (16) of energy cells in a number A per time unit, feeds a number A per time unit of segments (16), - a first conveying unit (F1) for segments (16) is provided, which is downstream of the feeding device (2) which conveys segments (16), - a second conveying unit (F2) is provided for segments (16), which is subordinate to the first conveying unit (F1) which conveys segments (16), wherein - the first conveying unit (F1) takes over the number A per time unit of segments (16) from the feeding device (2) and a number B per time unit of segments (16) to a first delivery area (G1) and a number C per time unit of the segments (16) are transported to a second delivery area (G2), wherein - the number B per unit of time of the segments (16) is transported towards the second conveying unit (F2) and is transferred to the second conveying unit (F2) in the first delivery area (G1), and wherein - the number C per unit of time of the segments (16) in the second delivery area (G2), in particular to a cell stacking device (7), or to a cell stacking device (11), or to one or more removal devices (111) of a cell stacking device (7), and in particular - the sum of the number B per unit of time of the segments (16) and the number C per unit of time of the segments (16) is less than or equal to the number A per unit of time of the segments (16). Partial method according to claim 24, characterized in that -the second conveying unit (F2) is operated as a rotary conveying unit, in particular in the form of a transfer drum (5), or as a operatively connected combination of a first rotary conveying unit, in particular in the form of a reversing drum (6), and a second rotary conveying unit, in particular in the form of a transfer drum (5). Partial method according to one of claims 24 or 25, characterized in that -the number C is smaller than the number B.

27. Partial method according to one of claims 24 to 26, characterized in that -the number B is a multiple of the number C.

Images