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

Abstract

The invention relates to a cell stacking system (1) for stacking segments (16) of energy cells, comprising - a supply device (2) which continuously supplies the segments (16) at a supply speed, - a discharge device (3) which discharges the segments (16) in stacks, and - at least one cell stacking device (11) which receives the segments (16) from the supply device (2) and transfers the segments to the discharge device (3) in a stacked manner, wherein - the cell stacking device (11) has at least one removal device (111) and a depositing element (112), - the depositing element (112) has a transferring device (114), a depositing lever (117), and a receiving area (115) which can be moved from a receiving position into a dispensing position and vice versa, - the dispensing lever (117) removes the segments (16) from the removal device (111) and transfers the segments into the receiving area (115) arranged in the receiving position, - the transferring device (114) can be moved from a ready position into a holding position, and - the transferring device (114) is arranged in the holding position when the receiving area (115) is being moved from the receiving position into the dispensing position and forms an intermediate support for depositing the segments (16).

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 18, a sub-device of or in a cell stacking system having the features of the preamble of claim 31 and a sub-method for producing cell stacks in a cell stacking system having the features of the preamble of claim 35.

[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, the segments are formed in four layers, comprising a first separator sheet, an anode sheet, a second separator sheet, and a cathode sheet lying thereon. Alternatively, the segments can also be formed from a first separator sheet, a cathode sheet, a second separator sheet, and a lying thereon anode sheet. The advantage of this solution is that a cut can be 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 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.

[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 laid out 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.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 single lamination process, so that the monocell is produced in a solid formation while the continuous webs are still in existence, i.e., before cutting. The monocells are then cut from the composite web by cutting through the gaps between the consecutive anode sheets or cathode sheets.Alternatively, the continuous sheets of separator material with the anode sheets and cathode sheets arranged thereon can also be cut, whereby the monocells are then produced by a downstream composite process of 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 energy cells 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 18 are proposed. Furthermore, a partial device according to claim 31 and a partial method according to claim 36 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] -a discharge device which discharges the segments in stacks, and

[0017] -at least one cell stacking device which takes the segments from the feed device and transfers them in stacked form to the discharge device, wherein it is proposed that

[0018] -the cell stacking device has at least one removal device and one storage device, and

[0019] -the depositing member comprises a converter, a depositing lever and a receptacle movable from a receiving position to a delivery position and vice versa, wherein

[0020] -the storage lever removes the segments from the removal device and places them in the holder arranged in the receiving position, and

[0021] -the converter can be moved from a standby position to a holding position, whereby

[0022] -The transfer device is arranged in the holding position during the movement of the holder from the receiving position to the delivery position and forms an intermediate support for depositing the segments. The advantage of the proposed solution is that the segments are taken over by the removal device at the feed speed of the feed device and then, in a smooth transfer movement, are taken over by the depositing element with the depositing lever, stacked, and passed on to the discharge device. The reduced transverse forces acting on the segments when the segments are taken over by the depositing lever are of particular importance here, as this allows the segments to be stacked more precisely in the depositing element.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 hold position when a predetermined number of segments have been stacked in the holder or when a predetermined stack height is 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.

[0023] It is further proposed that the removal device be formed by a rotatably driven drum. Implementing the removal device as a rotatably driven drum has the advantage of a very high transfer speed of the segments from the removal device in a continuous feed movement. Furthermore, the use of the rotatably driven drum has the advantage of a very compact design for the cell stacking system. Furthermore, a drum conveyor can be used as the feed device, which enables the segments to be fed at a very high feed rate.

[0024] It is further proposed that the drum have at least one, preferably three, transfer rams arranged at identical angles to one another for receiving the segments, from which the deposit lever removes the segments. The transfer rams allow the segments to be transported and transferred very smoothly. If multiple transfer rams are provided, this can additionally increase the rate at which the segments are transferred by the drum, or conversely, reduce the required rotation 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 having to pass through the transfer point and the transfer point simultaneously.

[0026] 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 an identical diameter relative to the drum.

[0027] It is further proposed that the removal device be periodically decelerated and accelerated during the feeding of the segments. By accelerating and decelerating the removal device, the segments can be picked up from the feed device and transferred to the depositing device at different speeds. The segments are preferably picked up at a high speed to achieve a high conveying capacity of the feed device, and the transfer takes place at a lower speed to make the transfer smoother and, in particular, to enable precise stacking of the segments.

[0028] It is further proposed that the depositing device have a linearly movable support that feeds the stacks to the discharge device in the direction of the surface normal of the segments. The support, which can be moved linearly in the proposed direction, transports the stacks or the segments stacked therein without any transverse forces acting on them. This prevents the segments or stacks from losing their precise positioning during removal.

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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.

[0031] It is further proposed that, after a segment has been deposited, the lifting device moves the holder away from the removal device by a distance corresponding to the thickness of the deposited segment plus a predetermined additional distance. This ensures, firstly, that there is sufficient clearance between the end face of the stack and the removal device for the next segment to be deposited. This allows the next segment to be deposited without exerting a compressive force on the segment. Furthermore, the holder is moved by a predetermined additional distance so that the necessary clearance is created in each case, also taking into account manufacturing tolerances of the segment or tolerances in the movement sequence.Furthermore, the additional path created adds up to an increased free space over the number of deposited segments, which then enables or simplifies the insertion of the transfer device after the predetermined stack height has been reached in the holder. It is further proposed that the holder 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 holder 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 holder can be moved back to the transfer point after the stack has been deposited without colliding with the transfer device.As the holder moves into the transfer point, the webs of its support surface are moved between the webs of the transfer unit's support surface, thus supplementing the transfer unit's support surface to create an enlarged support surface. Once the holder 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 holder. The stack is essentially "transferred."

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] It is further proposed that the storage lever be driven by a drive device to perform a periodic removal movement from the removal device. The periodic drive of the storage lever allows the segments to be removed from the removal device and stacked in the receptacle of the storage element in a repeating sequence of movement of the storage lever.

[0035] Furthermore, a particularly smooth transfer and stacking of the segments can be achieved by implementing a linear lifting movement for the removal movement of the stacking lever. The movement of the stacking lever is aligned so that the segments are removed in the direction of their surface normal or in the radial direction of a removal device formed by a drum, as this prevents any transverse forces acting on the segments. The lifting movement of the stacking lever can be implemented, for example, by an eccentric drive, a linear drive, or similar.

[0036] It is further proposed that the deposit lever executes a constant stroke or a stroke that increases by a predetermined additional travel while the segments are deposited in the holder. The identical stroke can simplify the movement sequence of the deposit lever. If an adverse influence of the stack height on the depositing process is to be avoided, this can be avoided by controlling the stroke of the holder as described above. Alternatively, the deposit lever can also execute a stroke that increases by a predetermined additional travel from the deposit of one segment to the deposit of the next segment. In this way, the stroke of the deposit lever is adapted to the stroke of the holder, which executes a stroke corresponding to the thickness of a segment plus the travel of an additional travel.The deposit lever thus follows the pick-up and the increase in the distance between the surface of the stack and the previous deposit point due to the pick-up moving by the additional travel can be at least partially compensated. Ideally, the additional travel of the pick-up and the additional travel of the deposit lever stroke are the same, so that the deposit point of the segments relative to the surface of the stack is always the same. The deposit point is selected in relation to the surface of the stack so that the segments only perform the smallest possible falling movement, ideally no falling movement at all. This further reduces the forces acting on the segments. In addition, possible relative movements between the segments can be reduced to the smallest possible extent, which in turn reduces abrasive wear and the release of particles from the segments in general.

[0037] It is further proposed that the deposit lever executes a stroke which decreases by at least the thickness of the segments when the segments are deposited on the transfer device arranged in the holding position. The proposed decreasing stroke makes it possible to avoid a compressive force being exerted on the segment which is subsequently to be deposited on the transfer device, without the transfer device having to execute any movement. This is particularly advantageous because the transfer device is already specifically designed for the movement sequence from the ready position to the holding position and vice versa by means of a suitable mechanism and a suitable drive, so that the movement of the transfer device in a pure lifting movement in the direction of the segments to be deposited represents a completely new movement which, if at all, can only be implemented with a very great deal of effort in addition to the actual movement. If the movement sequence of the transfer device from the ready position to the holding position orConversely, if this were used to compensate for the stack height, precise stacking of the segments in a block with vertical sides would not be possible unless the movement is purely a lifting movement. For this reason, it is preferable for the transfer unit to not move during the segment deposit, and for the stack height compensation in this case to be achieved by changing the stroke of the deposit lever.

[0038] Furthermore, to achieve the object, a method for controlling a cell stacking system for stacking segments of energy cells according to claim 18, with

[0039] -a feeding device which continuously feeds the segments at a feeding speed, and

[0040] -at least one cell stacking device which takes the segments (16) from the feed device and stacks them on top of each other, wherein

[0041] -the cell stacking device has at least one removal device and one storage device, and

[0042] -the depositing member comprises a converter, a depositing lever and a receptacle movable from a receiving position to a delivery position and vice versa, wherein

[0043] -the storage lever removes the segments from the removal device and places them in the holder arranged in the receiving position, and

[0044] -the converter is moved from a ready position to a holding position while the holder is moved from the receiving position to the delivery position and vice versa and in the holding position forms an intermediate support for depositing the segments.

[0045] 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 feeder. They are then transferred and stacked as gently as possible thanks to the proposed design of the depositing element with the deposit lever, the transfer device, and the movable holder. Due to the proposed control system, the cell stacking system forms an interface between the continuous feeding of the segments via the feeder and the stacking of the segments, which takes place at a lower or, ideally, without any transverse speed of the segments, i.e., without any additional transport speed.

[0046] It is further proposed that the removal device comprise a controllable drive device, which is controlled in such a way that the removal device is accelerated to receive the segments from the feed device and decelerated to transfer the segments to the depositing device. The proposed control of the drive movement of the removal device allows the removal device to be very easily designed to receive the segments at the high feed speed of the feed device while simultaneously ensuring the smoothest possible transfer of the segments to the depositing device.

[0047] It is further proposed that the removal device be formed by a drum driven by the drive device in a rotary motion, and that the drive device controls the rotary motion of the drum in such a way that the drum receives the segments from the feed device in a rotary motion and transfers them to the depositing element while stationary or in a delayed rotary motion. The proposed development allows the removal device to be specifically designed to receive the segments from a feed device formed by a drum run, which in turn enables high transport capacities while simultaneously ensuring smooth transport of the segments.It is further proposed that the depositing member has a linearly movable holder, and that the linearly movable holder is moved from a receiving position to a delivery position when a sensor device detects that a predetermined stack height has been reached in the holder. The holder is used to transport the fully formed stack from the receiving position to the delivery position and is moved linearly in order to ensure that the forces acting on the segments are as low as possible. The holder is preferably moved linearly in the direction of the surface normal of the segments stacked in the holder, so that the lowest possible transverse forces act on the segments during removal via the holder. This linear travel path of the holder represents an inventive concept that is independent of the transfer device and can be used to improve the stacking process and the removal process, even independently of the transfer device.

[0048] It is preferred that, after a segment has been deposited, the lifting device moves the holder away from the removal device by a distance corresponding to the thickness of the deposited segment plus a predetermined additional distance. Regarding the resulting advantages, reference is made to the description above.

[0049] It is further proposed that the transfer unit be moved from a standby position to a holding position before the movable support is moved from the receiving position to the delivery position. The movement of the transfer unit and the support overlap during this phase, so that the transfer unit forms a storage area for the subsequent segments before the support is moved from the receiving position to the delivery position.

[0050] It is further proposed that the transfer unit be moved from the holding position to the ready position after the movable holder has been moved from the delivery position to the pick-up position. The movement of the transfer unit and the holder overlap during this phase as well, so that the transfer unit is only moved back to the ready position once the holder is in the pick-up position and can pick up the subsequent segments.

[0051] It is further proposed that the movement of the transfer device be controlled as a function of the movement and / or position of the holder. This can prevent a collision between the transfer device and the holder during their movement sequences. Furthermore, the overlapping movement can be controlled particularly easily in that the movement of the transfer device into the ready position or the movement of the holder into the delivery position is only activated when the other part has completed the previous movement process. For the most effective interaction between holder and transfer device, the movements of the holder and the transfer device are preferably controlled in relation to one another in such a way that at least the holder or the transfer device is always arranged in the receiving position and forms a deposit area for the segments to be deposited. This makes it possible to achieve uninterrupted deposit of the segments.

[0052] 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 each other via their webs during their movements to transfer the stacks of segments. The proposed further development allows the receptacle to be very easily moved into the receiving position while the transfer device is still in the holding position by inserting the receptacle and its webs between the webs of the transfer device without colliding with the latter.

[0053] It is further proposed that the storage lever be driven by a drive device to perform a periodic removal movement from the removal device. This periodic removal movement allows the segments to be removed from the removal device consecutively in an identical removal movement. The periodic removal movement is preferably a linear lifting movement with the lowest possible transverse forces acting on the segments.

[0054] It is further proposed that the removal movement be formed by a linear lifting movement. This proposed refinement allows the segments to be deposited in the holder with the lowest possible compressive forces acting on the segments. The lifting movement can be implemented very simply, for example, using a controllable eccentric drive with a variable stroke or a controllable linear drive device.

[0055] It is further proposed that the deposit lever executes an identical stroke or a stroke increased by a predetermined additional distance during the depositing of the segments into the holder. It is further proposed that the deposit lever be driven to a lifting movement with a stroke that decreases by at least the thickness of the segments as the segments are deposited onto the transfer device arranged in the stop position.

[0056] The proposed process features of the movement of the deposit lever during the deposit of the segments onto the transfer unit and into the holder enable particularly gentle deposit of the segments. The transfer unit remains stationary during the deposit of the segments and forms a solid support surface. This builds up the stack while reducing the distance between the stack surface and the deposit lever. To ensure that the deposit point of the segments is always the same and as close as possible to the surface of the stack, the deposit lever executes a stroke during this deposit that decreases from the deposit of one segment to the deposit of the next segment, with the stroke ideally being reduced by the thickness of one segment. When the segments are deposited in the holder, the stroke can be constant, provided that the holder executes a lifting movement with a stroke that increases by the thickness of one segment after each segment has been deposited.However, it is preferred that after a segment has been deposited, the holder performs a stroke corresponding to the thickness of a segment plus a predetermined additional travel. As a result, after the predetermined number of segments have been completely stacked, the holder is moved away from the deposit lever or the removal device by a distance corresponding to the number of segments times the additional travel, so that a free space is created into which the transfer device can immediately move without the holder having to perform a further movement. To ensure that the deposit point of the segments is not increased by the additional travel during this lifting movement of the holder, the deposit lever also performs a lifting movement with a stroke that increases by one additional travel, whereby the additional travel of the deposit lever and the holder are ideally the same.

[0057] Furthermore, to achieve the object, a sub-device of or in a cell stack system for segments of energy cells according to one of claims 1 to 17 is proposed, wherein

[0058] - the feeding device is designed and arranged to feed segments of energy cells in a number A per unit of time,

[0059] - a first conveyor unit for segments is provided, which is arranged downstream of the feeding device,

[0060] - a second conveyor unit for segments is provided, which is arranged downstream of the first conveyor unit, wherein

[0061] - 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

[0062] - 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

[0063] - 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

[0064] - 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.

[0065] 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 17 is proposed, in which

[0066] - 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,

[0067] - a first conveyor unit for segments is provided, which is arranged downstream of the feed device and conveys segments,

[0068] - a second conveyor unit for segments is provided, which is arranged downstream of the first conveyor unit and conveys segments, whereby

[0069] - 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

[0070] - 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

[0071] - 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

[0072] -the sum of the number B of segments per unit time and the number C of segments per unit time is less than or equal to the number A of segments per unit time. Both the dividing device and the dividing method comprise two conveyor units and a division of the supplied segments into two partial streams. If the capacity of the system is to be increased or the number of segments transported in the partial streams is to be reduced, additional conveyor units arranged parallel or in series with the first two conveyor units can be provided according to the same principle.

[0073] 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.

[0074] The advantage of the proposed dividing device and the proposed dividing method is that the cell stacking devices 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. This allows the conveyor rate of the feed device to be designed accordingly high, and the stacking rate can simultaneously be designed accordingly low for a high positional accuracy of the stacked segments and thus of the stack itself.

[0075] 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.

[0076] The invention will be explained below using preferred embodiments with reference to the attached figures.

[0077] Fig. 1 : a manufacturing machine with an inventive

[0078] cell stacking system; and

[0079] Fig. 2: an enlarged view of the cell stacking system with a cell stacking device and several cell stacking devices in perspective view; and

[0080] Fig. 3: an enlarged view of the cell stack system in

[0081] Cross section with the direction of rotation of the drums indicated; and

[0082] Fig. 4 shows two perspective views of a cell stacking device, each with a removal device arranged in a receiving position and a removal device arranged in a transfer position; and

[0083] Fig. 5 a removal device in the takeover position with a converter in a holding position in a sectional view; and

[0084] Fig. 6 a removal device in the takeover position with a converter in a holding position in a perspective view; and

[0085] Fig. 7 a removal device in the transfer position with a converter in a ready position in a sectional view; and

[0086] Fig. 8 a removal device in the transfer position with a converter in a standby position in a perspective view; and

[0087] 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 after cutting.The joining takes place in such a way that first the anodes or cathodes cut from the bottommost continuous web E4 are individually placed on a conveyor belt T, then the overlying continuous web E3 of separator material is placed on top, and finally the anodes or cathodes cut from the continuous web E2 are individually placed on the continuous web E3 of separator material, which are then covered on top by placing 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 top side is then fed to a lamination unit L, in which they are bonded together to form a solid composite by the application of thermal and / or mechanical energy. If the four-layer continuous web EG is to have a different structure, the continuous webs E1 to E4 can also be arranged differently.

[0088] 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.

[0089] 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.

[0090] The cell stacking system 1 with the cell stacking device 7 is shown enlarged in Figure 2. The feed device 2 comprises four transfer drums 5 and three reversing drums 6 arranged between each pair of transfer drums 5, although only two of these can be seen in the detail of Figure 2. Furthermore, the cell stacking device 7 comprises four cell stacking devices 11, each with a removal device 111 and an associated depositing element 112, of which only two can be seen in the detail of Figure 2. The removal device 111 is designed as a rotating body driven to rotate, e.g., in the form of a drum, and has three support zones in the form of 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 a circular arc-shaped contour in their cross-section perpendicular to the rotational axis of the removal device 111, each with the same 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 station XA, 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.

[0091] 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 directed 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. The transfer dies 113 have a comb-like structure with a plurality of webs directed parallel to one another and in the circumferential direction, between which gaps with a constant and identical width are arranged. The end faces of the webs then together form the lateral surfaces of the transfer dies 113.

[0092] The receiving stamps 113 each form a receiving area 123 on their outer sides, which are separated from each other by free zones 124 due to the majority of receiving stamps 113

[0093] Vacuum lines 122 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 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 122 of the transfer die 113 passing through the transfer station XA, as can be seen in the left-hand illustration of Figure 4.

[0094] 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, four 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 rhythm of four 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 four 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 group of four 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 group of four 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. This process is repeated until finally the fourth cell stacking device 11 removes the last segments 16 of the group of four from the fourth transfer drum 5 and all segments 16 of the group of four have been taken over by the cell stacking devices 11.Since each of the removal devices 111 has three takeover punches 113, the segments 16 are removed from the feeder in three groups of four by the takeover punches 113 until all segments 16 have been removed after transfer by the last transfer drum 5.

[0095] Figure 4 shows an enlarged view of a cell stacking device 11 according to the invention with a depositing member 112 according to the invention in two different positions. The removal device 111 is arranged between the transfer drum 5 and the depositing member 112 and receives the segments 16 from the transfer drum 5 according to the process described above. The removal device 111 is driven to rotate clockwise, as can also be seen from the direction of the arrow in Figures 3 and 4. While each of the segments 16 is being received, 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 station XA, as can be seen in the left-hand illustration of Figure 4.This position of the removal device 111 with a transfer punch 113 arranged in the "12 o'clock position" is also referred to in the invention as the transfer position of the removal device 111. The transfer punch 113, which has taken over the segment 16 of the previous group of four of the removal drum 5, is located in the "4 o'clock position" in this position. The removal device 111 rotates in this transfer position at a circumferential speed of the outer surfaces of the transfer punches 113 that corresponds to the circumferential speed of the segments 16 on the transfer drum 5 and, with the transfer punch 113 arranged in the "12 o'clock position", is currently taking over a segment 16. Another transfer punch 113 is located in the "8 o'clock position" and does not carry a segment 16, i.e., has a free outer surface, since it has just delivered a segment 16 to the depositing member 112.The removal device 111 is in a position in which it passes the depositing member 112 with a free zone 124 in the form of a free space, so that in this transfer position a collision of the removal device 111 with the depositing member 112 is excluded and / or the depositing member 112 can execute movements with its parts towards the removal device 111. To transfer the segment 16 from the transfer stamp 113, which is in the "4 o'clock position" in the transfer position of the removal device 111, the removal device 111 is decelerated during its further rotational movement until the removal device 111, with the transfer stamp 113 previously arranged in the "4 o'clock position", is arranged in the "6 o'clock position" and passes through the transfer station XA, as can be seen in the right-hand illustration of Figure 4.

[0096] The transfer station XB is the point of shortest distance between the outer surface of the transferring receiving stamp 113 and the depositing member 112. Since the number of receiving stamps 113 is odd, the transfer station XB can be arranged in the "6 o'clock position" opposite the receiving station XA in the "12 o'clock position" without two of the receiving stamps 113 simultaneously passing through the receiving station XA and the transfer station XB II. The position of the removal device 111 with the receiving stamp 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.

[0097] The removal device 111 was decelerated during this rotational movement to such an extent that the removal device 111 rotates at a much lower peripheral speed in the transfer position or even stands still for a very brief moment. In the transfer position of the removal device 111, the segment 16 is transferred from the transfer punch 113 arranged in the "6 o'clock position" to the depositing element 112, which will be explained in more detail below. Since the transfer punch 113 rotates at a much lower peripheral speed in this position or, ideally, is even stationary, the segment 16 is transferred with much lower transverse forces than would be possible without a deceleration of the removal device 111. In the event that the removal device 111 is stationary, the segment 16 is transferred to the depositing element 112 without any transverse forces at all, solely in a movement in the direction of the surface normal of the segment 16.As a result, the segments 16 are subjected to the lowest possible transverse forces during transfer and can therefore subsequently be stacked into a stack with a very high positional accuracy.

[0098] Furthermore, in this position of the removal device 111—i.e., the transfer position—the third free transfer ram 113 is located at a standstill and / or at the low rotational speed in the "10 o'clock position" and at an angle of 60 degrees to the transfer station XA of the transfer drum 5 in the "12 o'clock position." Since the free transfer ram 113 in the transfer position of the removal device 111 must again have the peripheral speed of the segments 16 on the transfer drum 5, the removal device 111 is subsequently accelerated again until the free transfer ram 113, previously located in the "10 o'clock position," passes through the transfer station XA in the "12 o'clock position" at the peripheral speed of the segments 16 fed on the transfer drum 5 and takes over a segment 16.

[0099] The removal device 111 in the form of a rotating body driven to rotate with three transfer dies 113 arranged at an angle of 120 degrees to each other is accelerated and decelerated in a repeating sequence, whereby the rotating body is decelerated and accelerated three times during one revolution according to the number of transfer dies 113. The removal device 111 can also have an even number of transfer dies 113, in which case the transfer station XA and the transfer station XB must be positioned differently, e.g.into the "12 o'clock position" and the "4 o'clock position", since due to the different requirements regarding the movement states of the removal device 111 during the acceptance and transfer of the segments 14, it is not possible for one segment 16 to be transferred at the same time as a second segment 16, i.e., two acceptance stamps 113 cannot pass through the acceptance station XA and the transfer station XB at the same time. Therefore, it is advantageous to provide an odd number of removal stamps 113, since the acceptance station XA and the transfer station XB can thereby be arranged opposite one another, i.e., in the "12 o'clock position" and the "6 o'clock position", and thus at an angle of 180 degrees to one another, as can be seen in the two illustrations in Figure 4.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 rotating body in the form of a drum that is 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 equidistantly at identical angles to 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 the segments 16 into the transfer station XB and the receiving station XA described above is realized solely by a single control of the movement of the removal device 111, while the receiving rams 113 themselves do not perform 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 rams 113 do not require any separate movable bearings on the removal device 111. It is particularly advantageous to arrange the transfer station XB in the "6 o'clock position," i.e., below the removal device 111, since the transfer of the segments 16 does not occur against the acting force of gravity and is even assisted by it.

[0100] The storage member 112 has a receptacle 115 that can be moved linearly by means of a lifting device 116. The movement of the receptacle 115 is triggered by activation of the lifting device 116 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, wherein the receiving position of the receptacle 115 is arranged as close as possible to the transfer station XB 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.

[0101] Furthermore, the depositing member 112 has a depositing lever 117 with a comb-like structure with a plurality of webs 118 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 118 of the receiving punches 113 due to their position or through an active movement and passively or actively comb out the segment 16 held thereon from the receiving punch 113 in the transfer station XB. If the receiving punches 113 are stationary in the transfer station XB, it is advantageous for the depositing lever 117 itself to move towards the receiving punches 113 and actively comb out the segments 16 from the lateral surfaces of the receiving punches 113. The depositing lever 117 is driven by a drive device to perform a periodic linear lifting movement.During the movement of a transfer ram 113 into the transfer station XB, the deposit lever 117, with its webs, moves into the spaces between the webs of the transfer ram 113 under the segment 16 held thereon. To remove the segment 16, the deposit lever 117 then performs a linear lifting movement in the radial direction of the removal device 111, thereby taking the segment 16 along in the direction of its surface normal. Due to the direction of the removal movement of the segment 16, the smallest possible forces act on the segment 16, and a particularly smooth removal movement of the segment 16 can be achieved. The linear lifting movement of the storage lever 117 ends with the storage of the segment 16 in the holder 115 of the storage member 112. The stroke of the lifting movement of the storage lever 117 is controlled such that the segment 16 is deposited in the holder 115 without a falling movement and with the lowest possible pressure force.For this purpose, the stroke is controlled as a function of the increasing stack height of the segments 16 stacked in the holder 115, by decreasing with the increasing number of stacked segments 16. Alternatively, the holder 115 can also be driven to a lifting movement by means of a linear drive device after a segment 16 has been deposited, wherein the stroke in this case corresponds at least to the thickness of the segment 16.

[0102] This allows the stroke of the deposit lever 117 to be selected to be constant. However, it is preferred that the holder 115 be moved away from the removal device 111 by a stroke corresponding to the thickness of the segment 16 plus a slight additional travel of, for example, one millimeter. To ensure that the segments 16 are always deposited at a constant and as small a distance as possible from the stack surface, the deposit lever 117 is driven to perform a lifting movement in which the stroke is increased by the additional travel, ideally one millimeter, each time a segment 16 is deposited.With the proposed solution, the holder 115 is additionally moved away from the removal device 111 by a factor corresponding to the number of stacked segments 16 times the additional travel, so that an additional free space is created into which the transfer device 114, described in more detail below, can move without any further movement of the holder 115 being required. If the additional travel is 1 millimeter and the number of segments 16 in the stack is twenty, the holder 115 is then moved an additional twenty millimeters away from the removal device 111, i.e. away from the transfer station XB, and the transfer device 114 can be moved into its holding position in the transfer station XB without any further movement of the holder 115 to support the subsequent segments 16.

[0103] A vacuum channel system extends within the storage lever 117. The vacuum channel system has a supply channel. Several branch channels branch off from the supply channel. The branch channels are arranged to lead away from the supply channel and toward a free surface of the storage lever 117.

[0104] A plurality of vacuum lines 120 are provided in the deposit lever 117, which can be seen in Figure 7. The vacuum lines 120 open with their openings into the underside of the deposit lever 117 into a receiving surface provided thereon. In addition, the vacuum lines 120 are connected to an external, inherently flexible line of an external vacuum supply 121. The vacuum supply 121 with negative pressure in the vacuum lines 120 of the deposit lever 117 is controlled such that the negative pressure in the vacuum lines 120 is already present when a segment 16 is fed into the receiving station XA via a receiving stamp 113, and the segment 16 is still held on the receiving stamp 113 by the negative pressure acting in the vacuum lines 122 of the receiving stamp 113.In the transfer station XA, the underside of the deposit lever 117 rests against the top side of the segment 16, which at this time is still being sucked onto the same surface via the vacuum lines 122 of the transfer ram 113. Segment 16 is thus briefly sucked onto its top side by the negative pressures acting in the vacuum lines 120, 122 of the transfer ram 113 and the deposit lever 117, simultaneously and in the same direction, in this case. Only when the deposit lever 117 holds the segment 16 via the negative pressure in its vacuum lines 120 is the negative pressure in the vacuum lines 122 of the transfer ram 113 switched off. The vacuum in the vacuum lines 122 of the transfer stamp 113 and the movement of the deposit lever 117 overlap, so that the segment 16 is pulled off the deposit lever 117 against the vacuum still present in the vacuum lines 122 of the transfer stamp 113.The segment 16 is thus permanently subjected to a suction force, first from the removal device 111 and then from the deposit lever 117. This completes the transfer of the segment 16 from the removal device 111 to the deposit lever 117, and the deposit lever 117 deposits the segment 16 in a linear lifting movement into the receptacle 115 of the deposit member 112. So that the deposit lever 117 can perform the linear lifting movement and the segment 16 continues to be held on the deposit lever 117 by a vacuum, the vacuum lines 120 are connected to an external vacuum supply via a flexible line 121. The flexible line allows the vacuum supply to also be implemented across the interface between the parts moving relative to one another. The deposit lever 117 has a curved receiving surface on its upper side facing the segment 16 to be transported away, which is formed by the end faces of the webs of the deposit lever 117.The curvature of the surface corresponds to the curvature of the take-over surface 123 of the take-over stamp 113, so that the webs of the storage lever.

[0105] 117 and the transfer stamp 113 in the engaged position of the storage lever 117 to form an enlarged homogeneous curved contact surface.

[0106] As a result, the webs 118 of the storage lever 117 complement the webs

[0107] 118 of the transfer punches 113 form an almost continuous, homogeneous support surface when, in the engaged position, they engage in the spaces between the webs of the transfer punches 113. Due to the identical curvature, the transfer punch 113 with the segment 16 held thereon moves tangentially along the curved surface of the deposit lever 117, and the deposit lever reaches an engaged position in the spaces of the transfer punch 113 between the segment 16 and the base body of the removal device 111. The segments 16 are sucked in during the rotary movement of the removal device 111 by the negative pressure acting in the compressed air lines 122 of the transfer punches 113 and are held in a curved position on the surface of the transfer punches. In the storage lever 117, air lines 120 are also provided, which are also subjected to negative pressure when the storage lever 117 is in contact with the surface of the segment 16.Thus, segment 16 is simultaneously activated and secured for a very short period of time by the negative pressure acting in the pressure lift lines 120 of the deposit lever 117 and the negative pressure acting in the compressed air lines 122 of the transfer ram 113. Only when the deposit lever 117 has taken over due to the negative pressure acting in its compressed air lines 120 is the negative pressure in the compressed air lines 122 of the transfer ram 113 deactivated, and the deposit lever 117 can transport the segment 16 away. The negative pressure in the transfer ram 113 can persist for a short period of time, so that the deposit lever 117 must pull the segment 16 from the transfer surface 123 of the transfer ram 113 against the force exerted by the negative pressure acting in the vacuum lines 122.

[0108] 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 .

[0109] 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 dies 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.

[0110] If the transfer punches 113 in the transfer station XB are stationary or rotating at a slower speed, it is advantageous for the deposit lever 117 itself to move toward the transfer punches 113 and actively comb the segments 16 out of the lateral surfaces of the transfer punches 113. The deposit lever 117 is driven by a drive device to perform a periodic linear lifting movement. During the movement of a transfer punch 113 into the transfer station XB, the deposit lever 117, with its webs 118, moves into the spaces between the webs 118 of the transfer punch 113 under the segment 16 held thereon. To remove the segment 16, the deposit lever 117 then performs a linear lifting movement in the radial direction of the removal device 111, taking the segment 16 with it in the direction of its surface normal.Due to the direction of the removal movement of segment 16, the lowest possible forces act on segment 16, and a particularly smooth removal movement of segment 16 can be realized. The linear lifting movement of the storage lever 117 ends with the storage of segment 16 in the receptacle 115 of the storage member 112. The stroke of the lifting movement of the storage lever 117 is controlled such that segment 16 is deposited in the receptacle 115 with as little falling movement as possible and with the lowest possible pressure force.

[0111] 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 stamp 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 depositing lever 117.

[0112] 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 116 is then activated, and the receptacle 115 with the stack of segments 16 is moved linearly from the receiving position to the delivery position to the discharge device 3.In principle, the number of segments 16 fed in and the number of segments 16 removed in previous ejection devices are also known in the machine control of the manufacturing machine and the cell stacking system, so that the lifting device 116 can also be activated when the reaching of the predetermined number of segments 16 to be stacked is detected on the basis of the number of stacked segments 16 known in the machine control.

[0113] During the deposition of the segments 16 in the holder 115, the lifting device 116 is controlled such that, after each deposition of a segment 16, the holder 115 is moved away from the removal device 111 by a distance corresponding to the thickness of a segment 16 plus a small additional distance. This allows for very gentle deposition of the segments with the lowest possible drop height by selecting the delivery point of the segments 16 as close as possible to the surface by switching off the negative pressure in the vacuum lines 120 of the deposition lever 117. Furthermore, the holder 115 with the stack held therein is moved gradually away from the removal device 111 with each deposition of a segment 16 by controlling the lifting movement, so that new free space is created for the deposition of the subsequent segment 16. This prevents the storage lever 117 from exerting a compressive force on the segment 16 the next time a segment 16 is stored.Firstly, the additional travel provided provides a certain safety reserve to compensate for tolerance deviations in the thickness of the segments 16 and in the movement sequence, and secondly, the sum of the additional travels provides a clearance after the target stack height has been reached, which simplifies or enables the transfer of the transfer device 114 into the holding position.

[0114] When the segments 16 are deposited in the holder 115, the deposit lever 117 executes a stroke which is increased by an additional travel after each deposit of a segment 16, which ideally corresponds to the additional travel of the stroke of the holder 115, and deposits the segment 16 by switching off the negative pressure in its vacuum lines 120 in a position as close as possible to the surface of the stack held in the holder 115.

[0115] This allows the impulse acting on the segment 16 during depositing to be kept as low as possible. Furthermore, the deposit lever 117 has a curved outer surface, adapted to the outer surfaces of the receiving punches 113, on which the segment 16 is held, while it has a flat, level orientation when stacked in the holder 115. The segment 16 must therefore additionally perform a movement from the curved position to the flat position during depositing, which in turn requires the edge sections to travel a slightly greater distance during depositing. This uneven movement leads to the segment 16 tending to exhibit a "fluttering" movement during depositing.To counteract this tendency, it is advisable for the deposit lever 117 to deposit the segment 16 as close as possible above the surface of the stack and then to be held above the deposited segment 16 for a short period of time in order to dampen possible fluttering movements of the segment 16. The deposit member 112 further comprises the converter 114, which can be moved from a ready position to a holding position and which is arranged in the holding position during the movement of the holder 115 for transporting the stack and forms an intermediate support for depositing the segments 16, as can be seen in the left-hand illustration of Figure 4.The provided transfer device 114 enables the segments 16 to be deposited even when the receptacle 115, filled with the previously completed stack, is moved from the removal device 111 to the delivery position for transferring the stack and is thus not available for receiving the segments 16 in the transfer station XB. This enables uninterrupted, i.e., continuous delivery of the segments 16 from the removal device 111 with the resulting high stacking rate.

[0116] If the sensor device detects the target height of the stack and / or the target number of segments 16 in the stack of the holder 115, the transfer unit 114 is moved from the ready position to the holding position, utilizing the free space created by the movement of the holder 115 and / or the free spaces existing between the transfer dies 113. The transfer unit 114 is moved with its support surface into a space between the holder 115 and / or the stack of segments 16 built up therein and the imaginary outer diameter of the transfer dies 113, so that the next segment 16 from the next transfer die 113 is not deposited onto the stack in the holder 115, but instead onto the support surface of the transfer unit 114. In the holding position, the transfer unit 114 then forms an intermediate holder for depositing the segments 16.After the converter 114 is arranged with its support surface in the holding position, the lifting device 116 is activated and the holder 115 with the stack of segments 16 is moved in a linear movement vertically downwards from the receiving position into a discharge position assigned to the discharge device 3.

[0117] The segments 16 to be deposited subsequently are then not deposited in the holder 115, but instead on the transfer device 114, which is arranged in the holding position and remains stationary during this phase. To ensure that no compressive force is exerted on the segments 16 during depositing, the stroke of the deposit lever 117 is controlled depending on the increasing stack height of the segments 16 on the transfer device 114, decreasing with the increasing number of stacked segments 16. The transfer device 114 is specially designed, by means of a joint mechanism, to move from the ready position to the holding position and vice versa.Since, however, a pure lifting movement is useful for compensating the stack height of the segments 16, which is different from the movement of the converter 114 so that the stack is stacked in a precise position with the side surfaces arranged at right angles to one another, the compensation of the stack height is preferably realized here by the described control of the lifting movement of the deposit lever 117, while the converter 114 is deliberately fixed in order to realize a support surface that cannot be changed in position during this phase.

[0118] The holder 115 is moved linearly in the direction of the surface normal of the segments 16 stacked to form the stack, so that during this movement, as few transverse forces as possible act on the stack and the segments 16. This ensures that the precisely positioned segments 16, individually and the precisely positioned stack as a whole, do not slip laterally. If appropriate, the segments 16 stacked to form the stack can also be additionally secured to one another using tape.

[0119] In order that the segments 16 are only placed on the converter 114 when the holder 115 is not arranged in the transfer station XB, the converter 114 is moved from the holding position back into the ready position shown in the right-hand illustration of Figure 4 as soon as the holder 115 has been moved back to the transfer station XB.

[0120] The receptacle 115 and the transfer device 114 each have a support surface formed by the surfaces of a plurality of identical webs 118 arranged parallel and equidistant from one another. The transfer device 114 and the receptacle 115 engage with each other with their webs 118 during their movements to transfer the stacks of segments 16. Thus, after the stack has been delivered to the discharge device 3, the holder 115 is moved back into the receiving position and in the process comes into engagement with its webs 118 between the webs 118 of the transfer device 114. In this position, the holder 115 and the transfer device 114 briefly form a common support surface for the stack of segments 16 to be stacked. The transfer device 114 is then moved from the holding position back into the ready position by being moved laterally parallel to the webs 118 and in the process coming out of engagement with the webs 118 of the holder 115.The stack is then supported exclusively by the support surface of the holder 115, and the additional segments 16 are stacked onto the stack held in the holder 115 until the intended stack height is reached, and the process is repeated. Due to the proposed design of the support surfaces of the holder 115 and the transfer device 114 with the webs 118, the holder 115 can be moved back into the receiving position after the stack has been released without colliding with the transfer device 114 and / or without disrupting the deposition of the segments 16 onto the transfer device 114 that is currently taking place. Furthermore, the transfer device 114 can thereby be moved from the holding position back into the ready position without the stack losing its support.

[0121] The webs of the transfer punch 113, the transfer device 114, and the receptacle 115 each form a profiled surface with a structure that enables mutual engagement of the transfer device 114 with the transfer punch 113 and the receptacle 115. For this purpose, the webs of one part are arranged corresponding to the gaps of the other part. To ensure reliable engagement, the gaps and the webs are dimensioned such that they interlock with a certain amount of play. Furthermore, the webs and the gaps are aligned in the direction of the engagement movement of the parts.

[0122] 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 arranged at a distance from one another in the direction of rotation (and fixed in the direction of rotation) and extending a length Y in the direction of rotation for receiving the segments 16 at the receiving station XA. 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. In the present exemplary embodiment, these free zones 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 station XA, during which a segment 16 is received from a support zone.

[0123] 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 the transfer station XB. It is therefore not necessary for the removal device 111 to fulfill special movement conditions during the transfer phase, in which it passes the transfer station XB with the free zones 124, and its movement behavior can be designed solely to receive the segment 16 at the transfer station XA.

[0124] The support zones and the free zones 124 are arranged such that while a support zone passes the receiving station XA, a free zone passes the transfer station XB, and while a support zone is aligned with the transfer station XB, a free zone is aligned with the receiving station XA. 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 station XB and the receiving station XA are greater than the angles of rotation during which the support zones pass the transfer station XB and the receiving station XA. 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 receiving 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 station XA and the transfer station XB.

[0125] The length Y of one or each support zone can be less than, 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. The length Y of one or each support zone extending in the circumferential direction is greater than or equal to 20 mm, 50 mm, 60 mm, 90 mm, or 100 mm. The length Y of one or each support zone extending in the circumferential direction is less than or equal to 200 mm, 180 mm, 150 mm, 120 mm, 100 mm, 80 mm, or 60 mm. The extension of one or each support zone transverse to the length Y is greater than or equal to 40 mm, 50 mm, 60 mm, 80 mm, 90 mm, 100 mm, 150 mm, 180 mm, or 300 mm. The extension of one or each load-bearing zone transverse to the length Y is less than or equal to 400 mm, 350 mm, 300 mm, 250 mm, 200 mm, 150 mm, 130 mm, 120 mm, 110 mm, 100 mm, 90 mm, 80 mm, 50 mm or 40 mm.

[0126] Suitable rotating bodies are drums with a cylindrical outer surface, in which the support zones and the free zones 124 are formed by zones that are deliberately designed to support 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 station XA, transport them further to the transfer station XB by means of the rotary motion, and deliver them there as described above, are also suitable rotating bodies.

[0127] 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.

[0128] The discharge device 3 has a plurality of individually movable transport receptacles 119, which also have a support surface with identically designed webs 118 arranged parallel and equidistant from one another, the spacing of which corresponds at least to the width of the webs 118 of the receptacle 115. This allows the receptacle 115, in the deposit position, to insert its webs 118 between the webs 118 of the transport receptacle 119 and deposit the stack onto the support surface of the transport receptacle 119. 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 119 in conjunction with a corresponding control system.

[0129] An important and independently inventive aspect of the present invention further consists in a partial device of or in a cell stacking system described above and a partial method for producing cell stacks in a cell stacking system described above, according to claim 31 and claim 35, respectively.

[0130] In this way, it is possible to process a high flow of segments 16, for example, segments cut online from a four-layer continuous 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.

[0131] 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, in a certain way, be advantageously transported further and, so to speak, channeled through and out of 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 impeding the material flow. The number B is then, in turn, also significantly reduced compared to the number A and is more easily accessible for orderly and precise stacking. In a certain way, a continuous, delay-free supply 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 performed 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 stopping or interruption, and can be advantageously divided into partial streams.

[0132] A stream of segments 16, for example cut online from an endless 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.

[0133] Splitting the segment flow of number A from the feed device 2 into two partial flows with numbers B and C allows, with a predetermined and limited stacking capacity of a cell stacking device 11, an increase in the number A of supplied segments 16 per unit of time by stacking the number A of supplied segments 16 in two separate and parallel operating cell stacking devices 11 at a correspondingly lower stacking rate.

[0134] 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 with precise positioning in the cell stacking devices 11, 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 order to ensure precise stacking.

[0135] 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.

[0136] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the number B of segments corresponds to a multiple of the number C. A structurally simple design with correspondingly simple stacking can 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.

[0137] 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.

[0138] List of reference symbols

[0139] 1 cell stacking system

[0140] 2 Feeding device

[0141] 3 discharge device

[0142] 4 Cutting device

[0143] 5 Transfer drum

[0144] 6 reversing drum

[0145] 7 Cell stacking device

[0146] II Cell stacking device

[0147] 16 segments

[0148] III Removal device

[0149] 112 filing organ

[0150] 113 Acceptance stamp

[0151] 114 converters

[0152] 115 recording

[0153] 116 Lifting device

[0154] 117 Storage lever

[0155] 118 bridges

[0156] 119 Transport recording

[0157] 120 vacuum line

[0158] 121 Vacuum supply

[0159] 122 Vacuum line

[0160] 123 takeover area

[0161] 124 open space

[0162] A,B,C,D,E,F Number

[0163] E1-E4 endless tracks

[0164] EG four-layer continuous web

[0165] F1 first conveyor unit

[0166] F2 second conveyor unit G1 first delivery area

[0167] G2 second delivery area

[0168] XA transfer station

[0169] XB transfer station

Claims

Claims: 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 -a discharge device (3) which discharges the segments (16) in stacks, -at least one cell stacking device (11) which takes the segments (16) from the feed device (2) and transfers them stacked to the discharge device (3), characterized in that -the cell stacking device (11) has at least one removal device (111) and a depositing element (112), and -the depositing element (112) comprises a transfer device (114), a depositing lever (117) and a receptacle (115) that can be moved from a receiving position to a dispensing position and vice versa, wherein -the storage lever (117) removes the segments (16) from the removal device (111) and places them in the receptacle (115) arranged in the receiving position, and -the converter (114) is movable from a ready position to a holding position, wherein -the transfer unit (114) is arranged in the holding position during the traversing movement of the pickup (115) from the pickup position to the delivery position and forms an intermediate support for depositing the segments (16). Cell stacking system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that -the extraction device (111) by means of a rotatably driven- The cell stacking system (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that it is formed in a drum. -the drum has at least one, preferably three, receiving dies (113) arranged at identical angles to each other for receiving the segments (16), from which the release lever (117) removes the segments (16). Cell stacking system (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that -the number of acceptance stamps (113) is odd. Cell stacking system (1) according to one of claims 3 or 4, 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 transfer surfaces of the transfer dies (113) are arranged on the same diameter in cross-section. Cell stacking system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that -the removal device (111) is periodically decelerated and accelerated during the feeding of the segments (16). Cell stacking system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that -the storage device (112) has a linearly movable receptacle (115) which moves the stacks in the direction of the surface normal- painting the segments (16) of the discharge device (3).

8. Cell stacking system (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that -the storage device (112) has a lifting device (116) which moves the receiving device (115) via a linear guide device when activated.

9. Cell stacking system (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that -in the area of ​​the lifting device (116) at least one sensor device is provided which detects a property of the stack or the receiving (115).

10. Cell stacking system (1) according to one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that -the lifting device (116) moves the receiving device (115) away from the removal device (111) after the placement of a segment (16) by a distance which corresponds to the thickness of the placed segment (16) plus a predetermined additional distance.

11. Cell stacking system (1) according to claim 9 or 10 and according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that -the receiver (115) and the converter (114) each have a bearing surface formed by the surfaces of a plurality of parallel and equidistant ribs, and -the converter (114) and the receiver (115) during their movements to transfer the stacks of segments (16) with their bridges interlock.

12. 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 (119) into which the depositing device (112) deposits the stacks.

13. Cell stacking system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that -the removal device (111) and / or the receiving (115) of the depositing element (112) have one or more vacuum lines which can be subjected to negative pressure and which, by applying negative pressure, support the transfer of the segments (16) by the removal device (111) from the feeding device (2) and / or by the depositing element (112) from the removal device (111) and the transport on the removal device (111).

14. Cell stacking system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that -the storage lever (117) is driven by a drive device to perform a periodic removal movement from the removal device (111).

15. Cell stacking system (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that -the removal movement is formed by a linear lifting movement. Cell stacking system (1) according to one of claims 14 or 15, characterized in that -the placement lever (117) executes an identical stroke or a stroke increasing by a predetermined additional distance during the placement of the segments (16) into the receptacle (115). Cell stacking system (1) according to one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that -the placement lever (117) performs a stroke decreasing by at least the thickness of the segments (16) during the placement of the segments (16) onto the converter (116) arranged in the holding position. 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 feeder (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 -the storage process (112) comprises a converter (114), a storage lever (117) and a receiving position (115) that can be moved from a receiving position to a delivery position and vice versa, wherein -the storage lever (117) removes the segments (16) from the removal device (111) and places them in the receptacle (115) arranged in the receiving position, and -the converter (114) from a standby position into a The holding position is moved while the receiving position (115) is moved from the receiving position to the dispensing position and vice versa, and in the holding position forms an intermediate support for depositing the segments (16). Method according to claim 18, characterized in that the removal device (111) has a controllable drive unit which is controlled such that the removal device (111) is accelerated to take the segments (16) from the feeding device (2) and decelerated to transfer the segments (16) to the depositing element (112). Method according to claim 19, characterized in that the removal device (111) is formed by a drum driven by the drive unit to a rotary motion, and - the drive device controls the rotational movement of the drum such that the drum receives the segments (16) from the feed device (2) in a rotational movement and transfers them to the depositing element (112) at standstill or in a delayed rotational movement. Method according to one of claims 18 to 20, 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 a sensor device detects that the stack in the receptacle (115) has reached a predetermined stack height.

22. Method according to claim 21, characterized in that the lifting device (116) moves the receiving device (115) away from the removal device (111) after the depositing of a segment (16) by a distance which corresponds to the thickness of the deposited segment (16) plus a predetermined additional distance.

23. Method according to one of claims 18 to 22, characterized in that -the converter (114) is moved from the ready position to the holding position before the movable receiver (115) is moved from the receiving position to the delivery position.

24. Method according to one of claims 18 to 23, characterized in that -the converter (114) is moved from the holding position to the ready position after the movable receiver (115) has been moved from the delivery position to the receiving position.

25. Method according to one of claims 18 to 24, characterized in that -the movement of the converter (114) is controlled depending on the movement and / or position of the receiver (115).

26. Method according to one of claims 18 to 25, characterized in that -the receiver (115) and the converter (114) each have a bearing surface which is formed by the surfaces of a It is formed by a majority of parallel and equidistantly arranged webs, and -the transfer unit (114) and the receiving unit (115) engage with each other with their webs during their movements to transfer the stacks of segments (16). Method according to one of claims 18 to 26, characterized in that -the depositing lever (117) is driven by a drive device to perform a periodic removal movement from the removal device (111). Method according to claim 27, characterized in that -the removal movement is formed by a linear stroke. Method according to claim 28, characterized in that -the depositing lever (117) performs an identical stroke or a stroke increasing by a predetermined additional distance during the deposit of the segments (16) into the receptacle (115). Method according to claim 28 or 29, characterized in that -the depositing lever (117) is driven to a lifting movement during a deposit of the segments (16) onto the converter (116) arranged in the holding position, with a stroke decreasing by at least the thickness of the segments (16) in the sequence of segments (16). Partial device of or in a cell stacking system (1) for segments (16) of energy cells according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that - 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).

32. Sub-device according to claim 31, characterized in that -the second conveying unit (F2) is designed 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.

33. Sub-device according to one of claims 31 or 32, characterized in that -the number C is smaller than the number B.

34. Sub-device according to one of claims 31 to 33, characterized in that -the number B is a multiple of the number C.

35. Partial method for manufacturing cell stacks in a cell stacking system (1) for segments (16) of energy cells according to one of claims 1 to 17, wherein - by means of the feeding device (2), which is designed and equipped to feed segments (16) of energy cells in a number A per time unit, a number A per time unit of segments (16) is fed, - a first conveying unit (F1) for segments (16), which is downstream of the feeding device (2), conveys segments (16), - a second conveying unit (F2) for segments (16), which is subordinate to the first conveying unit (F1), conveys segments (16), wherein - the first conveying unit (F1) the number A per unit of time of the segments (16) are taken from the feeder (2) and a number B per time unit of the segments (16) are transported to a first delivery area (G1) and a number C per time unit of the segments (16) 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 35, 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 35 or 36, characterized in that -the number C is smaller than the number B. Partial method according to one of claims 35 to 37, characterized in that -the number B is a multiple of the number C.

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