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

Abstract

The invention relates to a cell-stacking device (1) for stacking segments (16) of energy cells, said device comprising: - a feed device (2) which continuously feeds the segments (16) at a feed speed, and - at least one cell-stacking device (11) which receives the segments (16) from the feed device (2) and stacks said segments one on top of the other to form stacks, wherein - the cell-stacking device (11) has at least one removal device (111) and one depositing element (112), wherein - the removal device (111) is driven to perform a repeating alternating movement consisting of an acceleration and a deceleration, and - the removal device (111) receives the segments (16) at the feed speed from the feed device (2) and transfers said segments in a decelerated movement or at a standstill to the depositing element (112).

Description

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

[0002] The present invention relates to a cell stacking system having the features of the preamble of claim 1 or claim 16, a method for controlling such a cell stacking system having the features of the preamble of claim 23, a sub-device of or in a cell stacking system having the features of the preamble of claim 35 and a sub-method for producing cell stacks in a cell stacking system having the features of the preamble of claim 39.

[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, triple-layer, or even quadruple-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 spaces between the consecutive anode sheets and / or cathode sheets.Alternatively, the continuous sheets of separator material with the anode sheets and cathode sheets arranged thereon can also be cut, 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 sides, and thus the anode sheets and cathode sheets are each covered by separator sheets on the top and bottom sides and are not in contact with each other.

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

[0012] Against this background, the object of the invention is to provide a cell stacking system, a method for controlling 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 the object, a cell stacking system having the features of claim 1 or 16 and a method for controlling a cell stacking system having the features of claim 23 are proposed. Furthermore, to achieve the object, a partial device according to claim 35 and a partial method according to claim 39 are proposed. Further preferred developments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims, the figures and the associated description.

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

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

[0016] -at least one cell stacking device which directly or indirectly receives the segments supplied by the feeding device and stacks them on top of each other, whereby

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

[0018] -the removal device is driven to a repetitive alternating movement consisting of acceleration and deceleration, and

[0019] -the removal device takes the segments from the feeding device at the feeding speed and transfers them to the depositing device in a delayed movement or at a standstill.

[0020] The advantage of the proposed solution is that the segments are taken over by the removal device at the feed speed of the feeder and then, by decelerating the movement of the removal device, are transferred to the depositing element at a lower speed or even while stationary. This allows, on the one hand, the segments to be taken over at the feed speed of the feeder to be uninterruptedly from the feeder at a high transport speed with the lowest possible load on the segments during transfer. On the other hand, the delayed speed of the removal device or the standstill of the removal device allows the segments to be transferred to the depositing element with lower transverse forces acting on the segments.The reduced transverse forces during the transfer of the segments to the stacking device are particularly important here, as they allow the segments to be stacked more precisely in the stacking device. This minimizes, in particular, abrasive relative movements between a segment already deposited and the segment currently being deposited.

[0021] It is further proposed that the removal device be formed by a rotatably driven rotary body, and that the repetitive alternating movement of acceleration and deceleration be formed by an accelerated and decelerated rotary movement of the rotary body. Implementing the removal device as a rotatably driven rotary body has the advantage of a very high takeover speed of the segments from the removal device in a continuous feed movement. Furthermore, the use of the rotatably driven rotary body has the advantage of a very compact design of the cell stacking system. Furthermore, a drum run in the form of several drums connected in series can be used as the feed device, which enables the segments to be fed at a very high feed rate.

[0022] It is further proposed that the rotating body have at least one, preferably two, three, or more than three transfer dies arranged at identical angles to one another for receiving the segments, and that the rotating body is decelerated and accelerated during one revolution in accordance with the number of transfer dies. The plurality of transfer dies can increase the rate of segment transfer by the rotating body and / or, conversely, reduce the required rotational speed of the rotating body for a given number of segments to be transferred per unit of time.

[0023] According to a further preferred development, it is proposed that the number of transfer punches is odd. As a result, the transfer station for the segments from the feed device and the transfer station to the depositing element can be arranged opposite one another, i.e. at an angle of 180 degrees in relation to the rotational axis of the drum, and there is no other transfer punch in the transfer station when one transfer punch is arranged in the transfer station. The same applies to the reverse case. The proposed development allows the transfer station and the transfer station to be arranged opposite one another, thereby enabling a structurally simple design of the cell stacking system without two transfer punches passing through the transfer station and the transfer station at the same time.

[0024] It is further proposed that the transfer dies each have a transfer surface shaped like a circular arc in the cross-section of the rotating body, and that the transfer dies are arranged at the same diameter in cross-section. The transfer dies thus form a transfer radius and thus traverse the transfer station and transfer station at an identical diameter relative to the rotating body.

[0025] It is further proposed that the depositing device have a linearly movable holder that transports the stacks away from the removal device in the direction of the surface normal of the segments. The holder, which can be moved linearly in the proposed direction, transports the stacks and / or the segments stacked therein without exerting transverse forces. This prevents the segments and / or stacks from losing their precise positioning during removal.

[0026] It is further proposed that the depositing device comprise a lifting device which, when activated, moves the receptacle along a linear guide device. The linear guide device and the associated lifting device transport the receptacle and the stack held therein along a predetermined path. The receptacle can thus be returned to the transfer station of the removal device in a very precisely controlled movement after the stack has been released.

[0027] 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. The guide device 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 alignment of the stack can be detected so that these can be documented or faulty stacks can be rejected before further processing.

[0028] It is further proposed that the depositing member comprise a transfer device which can be moved from a ready position to a holding position. The transfer device is arranged in the holding position during the movement of the receiving device for the removal of the stack and forms an intermediate support for the depositing of the segments. The transfer device provided enables the segments to be deposited even when the receiving device, which is filled with the previously completed stack, is moved to a delivery location for the transfer of the stack from the removal device and is therefore not available to receive the segments in the transfer position of the removal device. This enables an 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 holding position back to the ready position as soon as the holder has been moved back to the transfer station of the removal device. This means that the stacking process and in particular the movement of the holder out of the transfer station is not disrupted or restricted by the transfer unit. The transfer unit is then moved from the ready position to the holding position when a predetermined number of segments have been stacked in the holder and / or when a predetermined stack height has been reached, immediately after the last segment has been placed on the stack. The transfer unit is moved into the deposit path of the segments so that the deposit of the next segment onto the stack is interrupted and the next segment is deposited on the transfer unit instead.The converter thus temporarily takes over the function of the recording by forming an intermediate storage area until the recording is moved back to the transfer station.

[0029] It is further proposed that the holder and the transfer device each have a support surface which is formed by the surfaces of profiles made of webs and spaces arranged therebetween, wherein the transfer device and the holder engage with their webs in the spaces between the other part 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 station after the stack has been transferred without colliding with the transfer device. During movement into the transfer station, the holder is moved with the webs of its support surface between the webs of the support surface of the transfer device and thus supplements the support surface of the transfer device to form an enlarged holder surface.Once the receiver is returned to the transfer station, the transfer unit is moved from the holding position back to the ready position, transferring the already stacked segments to the receiver. The stack is essentially "transferred" and transferred from the intermediate storage area on the transfer unit to the receiver. The bars can be aligned equidistantly and parallel to each other. Furthermore, the bars can also have different spacing and / or a different orientation, if required for the transfer and acceptance of the segments, and in particular for the engagement movement.

[0030] 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.

[0031] 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.In a further embodiment, a holding vacuum is applied to one or each vacuum line of the removal device leading into a support zone, which is switched off with a delay during or during the transfer of the segment to the depositing element and a segment to be transferred is withdrawn against the still at least partially applied holding vacuum, which ensures a fixed, precisely positioned holding of the segment to be transferred and helps prevent position changes due to any floating or falling movements.

[0032] Furthermore, to achieve the object, a cell stacking system with the features of the preamble of claim 16 is proposed, wherein at least one cell stacking device is arranged in the cell stacking device, which stacks the segments on top of one another to form stacks, wherein the cell stacking device has at least one removal device and a depositing member arranged at a transfer station, and the removal device has a rotary body which can be driven to rotate and has at least two support zones which are arranged spaced apart from one another in the direction of rotation (and fixed in the direction of rotation) and extend over a length Y in the direction of rotation for receiving the segments at a receiving station.The proposed solution enables stacking of the segments at a very high unit rate, as the removal device, designed as a rotating body with the support zones and the free zones, takes over the segments in a continuous rotating movement over the support zones in the receiving station.

[0033] 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.

[0034] In this case, free zones are preferably provided between the support zones, extending in the direction of rotation over a length Z, wherein the support zones and the free zones are arranged in such a way that the removal device passes the depositing element with a free zone in a takeover phase at the takeover station during which a segment is taken over by a support zone.

[0035] The free zones are deliberately not designed for the transfer of segments and allow passing through the transfer station while a segment is being transferred at the transfer station without dropping off a segment at the transfer station. The advantage of the proposed solution is that the proposed design of the cell stacking device enables improved transfer and transfer of the segments, and thus improved stacking of the segments.Since the takeover and transfer of the segments does not take place simultaneously in a single position of the removal device due to the proposed support zones, free zones and their arrangement, the removal device can be optimized in its movement behavior when taking over and transferring the segments in order to optimize an improved takeover of the segments from the feed and an optimized delivery and stacking of the segments by individually designing its movement behavior in the positions when it passes the transfer station and the takeover station with the support zones.

[0036] It is further proposed that the length Y of one or each support zone be less than, equal to, or greater than the length Z of one or each free zone. If the length Y of the support zone is less, this is advantageous for the transfer of the segments, since in this case the greater length of the free zone provides a larger angle of rotation for adapting the movement behavior of the removal device until the segment is taken over and transferred. If the length Y of the support zones is equal to the length Z of one or each free zone, the advantage of a change in the movement behavior that is as uniform as possible can be achieved, in particular with identical accelerations and decelerations of the removal device.If the length Y of the support zones is greater than the length Z of the free zones, this is advantageous with regard to the capacity of the removal device, since the outer surface of the rotating body can be designed to receive and transfer a larger number of segments.

[0037] It is further proposed that the lengths Z of the free zones between the support zones be either the same or different. If the length Z of the free zones is the same, this allows for repetitive, as similar as possible, movement processes of the rotating body between the takeover and transfer of a segment, and vice versa. If the length Z of the free zones is different, this allows for individually different movement processes, which, for example, allows for deviations in the feed movements or the discharge movements of the segments to be taken into account.

[0038] It is further proposed that one or each support zone have a transfer surface. This transfer surface allows the segments to be held flat against the support zones and transported by the rotating body from the transfer station to the transfer station. This allows for particularly gentle transport of the segments with the lowest possible local, area-related maximum forces acting on the segments.

[0039] It is further proposed that one or each clearance zone be formed by a radially inwardly extending recess on the rotating body. The proposed design of the clearance zones creates free spaces on the rotating body, which enable collision-free, overlapping relative movement, e.g., of the storage element or the feed device, to the rotating body. Furthermore, this allows for a reduction in the mass of the rotating body to be moved, which in turn simplifies motion control and reduces the energy required to drive the rotating body.

[0040] It is further proposed that one or each free zone have a boundary offset radially inward from one or each support zone. This radially inward offset boundary creates a clearly defined spatial separation of the free zone from the support zone, which, for example, enables simplified detection of the rotational movement of the rotating body.

[0041] Furthermore, to achieve the object, a method for controlling a cell stacking system for stacking segments of energy cells according to claim 23, with

[0042] -a feeding device which continuously feeds the segments at a feeding speed, and

[0043] -at least one cell stacking device which takes the segments from the feed device and stacks them on top of each other, whereby

[0044] -the cell stacking device has at least one removal device and one storage member, in which

[0045] -the removal device has 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.

[0046] The advantage of the proposed method is that the segments are taken over by the removal device in a continuous feed at the feed speed of the feed device and then, by decelerating the movement of the removal device, are transferred to the storage device for stacking the segments at a lower speed or even while stationary. By taking over the segments at the feed speed of the feed device, on the one hand, an uninterrupted removal of the segments from the feed device at a high transport speed with the lowest possible load on the segments during transfer can be achieved. On the other hand, by decelerating the speed of the removal device or by the standstill of the removal device, a transfer of the segments to the storage device can be achieved with lower transverse forces acting on the segments.The reduced transverse forces during the delivery of the segments to the stacking device are particularly important here, as they allow the segments to be stacked more precisely in the stacking device. Thanks to the proposed control system, the cell stacking system forms an interface between the continuous feeding of the segments via the feed device and the stacking of the segments, which takes place at a lower or, ideally, no transverse speed of the segments, i.e., without any additional transport speed.

[0047] It is further proposed that the removal device be formed by a drum driven in a rotary movement by the drive device, and that the drive device controls the rotary movement of the drum in such a way that the drum receives the segments from the feed device in a rotary movement and transfers them to the depositing element when stationary or in a delayed rotary movement. By designing the removal device as a rotatably driven drum, the deceleration and acceleration of the removal device can be achieved very simply by decelerating and accelerating the rotary movement of the drum, which can be carried out, for example, by means of a controlled drive via an electric motor. Furthermore, the removal device can thereby be specially designed to receive the segments from a feed device formed by a drum run.

[0048] It is further proposed that the removal device and / or the storage lever each have vacuum lines which hold the segments by applying negative pressure to the removal device and / or to the storage lever, and that the negative pressure in the vacuum lines of the removal device and in the vacuum lines of the storage lever is controlled in an overlapping manner for transferring the segments. Due to the overlapping application of the negative pressure in the vacuum lines of the removal device and the storage lever, the segments are continuously subjected to a suction force during the transfer by the application of negative pressure, so that they cannot perform any uncontrolled movements. The segments are held on the removal device by the negative pressure in the vacuum lines until the storage lever, with its vacuum lines with negative pressure, also rests against the segments and takes over the segments.The negative pressure in the vacuum lines of the removal device is practically only switched off when the segments have been actively taken over by the deposit lever due to the negative pressure in the vacuum lines of the deposit lever. The vacuum in the vacuum lines of the removal device is preferably maintained long enough for the deposit lever to pull the segments from the removal device against a still existing holding force. The transfer of the segments therefore never occurs without controlled forces being exerted on the segment. The movement of the segment is thus controlled in every movement phase by the movement of the removal device and the deposit lever through the applied vacuum, and the segment cannot perform any uncontrolled movements.

[0049] It is further proposed that the storage element comprise 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 the stack in the holder has reached a predetermined stack height. The holder serves to transport the fully formed stack from the receiving position to the delivery position and is moved linearly to minimize the forces acting on the segments.

[0050] It is further proposed that a transfer device be provided, which is moved from a ready position to a holding position by means of a controllable drive device to receive the segments. The transfer device creates a second storage area for the segments, which is used as an intermediate storage area in the holding position while the holder is not arranged in the receiving position and / or the transfer station of the removal device.

[0051] The transfer unit is preferably moved from the ready position to the holding position between the transfer of two segments. The proposed movement of the transfer unit creates a storage area for the subsequent segments, and the holder can be moved from the storage position to the delivery position, where the stack arranged in the holder is transferred to the discharge device. The proposed solution provides a virtually uninterrupted storage area for the segments, allowing the stacking process to continue even during the movement of the holder.

[0052] It is further proposed that the converter be moved from the holding position to the standby position after the movable holder has been moved from the delivery position to the pick-up position. The movement of the converter and the holder overlap during this phase as well, so that the converter is only moved back to the standby position once the holder is in the pick-up position and can pick up the subsequent segments.

[0053] 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. 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.

[0054] It is further proposed that the receptacle and the transfer device each have a support surface formed by the surfaces of a plurality of parallel and equidistant webs, 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.

[0055] It is further proposed that the depositing device include a depositing lever that removes the segments from the removal device and feeds them to the depositing device. The depositing lever takes the segments from the removal device and actively guides them into the receptacle of the depositing device, so that the transfer of the segments from the removal device to the receptacle is controlled and guided accordingly. The forces acting on the segments during transfer can also be controlled and minimized by a corresponding course of the removal movement. Furthermore, this allows for a more reliable transfer of the segments.

[0056] It is further proposed that the deposit lever be driven by a drive device to perform a periodic removal movement from the removal device. Due to the periodic removal movement, the segments can be removed successively 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. Furthermore, to achieve the object, a dividing device of or in a cell stacking system for segments of energy cells according to one of claims 1 to 22 is proposed, in which

[0057] - the feeding device is designed and arranged to feed segments of energy cells in a number A per unit of time,

[0058] - a first conveyor unit for segments is provided, which is arranged downstream of the feeding device,

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

[0060] - 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

[0061] - 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

[0062] - the number C per unit of time of the segments in the second delivery area is provided so as 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

[0063] - 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.

[0064] 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 22 is provided, in which

[0065] - 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,

[0066] - a first conveyor unit for segments, which is arranged downstream of the feed device, conveys segments,

[0067] - a second conveyor unit for segments, which is arranged downstream of the first conveyor unit, conveys segments, whereby

[0068] - 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

[0069] - 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

[0070] - 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

[0071] -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.

[0072] Both the dividing device and the dividing process comprise two conveyor units and a division of the supplied segments into two substreams. If the system's capacity is to be increased or the number of segments transported in the substreams is to be reduced, additional conveyor units can be provided, arranged parallel or in series with the first two conveyor units, using 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 and / or removal devices are stacked at a lower stacking rate than the number A due to the distribution of the supplied segments of number A between the two conveyor units corresponding to the smaller number B and C. Thus, the conveying rate of the feed device can be designed accordingly high, and the stacking rate can simultaneously be designed accordingly low for a high positioning accuracy of the stacked segments and thus of the stack itself.

[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 shows a removal device in the receiving position with a converter in a holding position in a sectional view; and Fig. 6 shows a removal device in the receiving position with a converter in a holding position in a perspective view; and

[0084] Fig. 7 a removal device in the transfer position with a converter in a ready position in a sectional view; and

[0085] Fig. 8 a removal device in the transfer position with a converter in a standby position in a perspective view; and

[0086] Figure 1 shows a manufacturing machine with a cell stacking system 1 according to the invention, comprising a first feed device 2, a discharge device 3, an upstream cutting device 4, and a cell stacking device 7 arranged between the feed device 2 and the discharge device 3. Furthermore, the manufacturing machine comprises a feed device for four continuous webs (E1-E4), two of the continuous webs E1 and E3 being formed from a separator material, one continuous web E2 from an anode material, and one continuous web E4 from a cathode material. The continuous webs E2 and E4 of the cathode material and the anode material are each cut by a cutting device into anodes and cathodes of a predetermined length and / or width, which are then placed onto one of the continuous webs E1 and E3 of the separator material, respectively, after cutting.The joining takes place in such a way that first the anodes or cathodes cut from the lowest continuous web E4 are individually placed on a conveyor belt T, then the above-lying 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 uppermost 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.

[0087] 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.

[0088] 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.

[0089] 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 two transfer drums 5, only two of which 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, only two of which 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 punches 113, aligned at angles of 120 degrees to one another. The transfer punches 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.

[0090] The lateral surfaces of the transfer dies 113 have at least one circular arc length in the circumferential direction, which corresponds to the width of the segments 16 in the circumferential direction of the transfer drum 5, so that the segments 16 are transferred over their entire surface by the transfer dies 113. Furthermore, the transfer dies 113 also have a length in the axial direction of the removal device 111 that corresponds at least to the length of the segments 16 in the axial direction of the removal drum 5. 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.The acceptance stamps 113 each form a acceptance area 123 on their outer sides, which are separated from each other by free zones 124 due to the majority of acceptance stamps 113.

[0091] 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 circumferential surfaces of the webs and / or transfer dies 113 and can be seen in Figure 6 and Figure 4. Furthermore, corresponding openings of vacuum lines that can be subjected to negative pressure can also be provided in the circumferential surfaces of the transfer drums 5. The segments 16 are then held on the circumferential surfaces of the transfer drums 5 by the application of 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.

[0092] 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 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.

[0093] 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 in this position in the "4 o'clock 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 in the "8 o'clock position," which 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 with its parts can carry out movements towards the removal device 111.

[0094] In order to transfer the segment 16 from the take-over punch 113 located in the "4 o'clock position" in the take-over position of the removal device 111, the removal device 111 is decelerated during the further rotational movement until the removal device 111 with the take-over punch 113 previously arranged in the "4 o'clock position" is arranged in the "6 o'clock position" and passes through the transfer station XB, as can be seen in the right-hand illustration of Figure 4.

[0095] The transfer station XB is the point of the shortest distance between the outer surface of the transferring receiving stamp 113, i.e., a receiving surface 123, 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. 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.

[0096] 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.

[0097] 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.

[0098] The removal device 111 in the form of a rotating body driven to a rotary motion with the three transfer stamps 113 arranged at an angle of 120 degrees to each other is thus 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 stamps 113. The removal device 111 can also have an even number of transfer stamps 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 the same 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 achieved 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.

[0099] 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.

[0100] 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, the width and arrangement of which are dimensioned such that, as the removal device 111 rotates, they engage in the gaps 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 stroke 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, in that it decreases with the increasing number of stacked segments 16. Alternatively, after a segment 16 has been deposited, the holder 115 can also be driven to perform a lifting movement by means of a linear drive device, wherein the stroke in this case corresponds at least to the thickness of the segment 16. As a result, the stroke of the deposit lever 117 can be selected to be constant. However, it is preferred that the holder 115 is moved away from the removal device 111 by a stroke corresponding to the thickness of the segment 16 plus a slight additional distance 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 is driven in this case 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. The proposed solution additionally moves the holder 115 away from the removal device 111 by a factor corresponding to the number of stacked segments 16 times the additional travel, thus creating an additional free space into which the transfer unit 114, described in more detail below, can move without requiring any further movement of the holder 115.If the additional travel is 1 millimeter and the number of segments 16 in the stack is twenty, the holder is then moved an additional twenty millimeters away from the removal device 111, i.e. away from the transfer station XB, and the transfer unit 114 can be moved into the transfer station XB without any further movement of the holder 115 to deposit the subsequent segments 16.

[0101] 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.

[0102] The deposit lever 117 contains several vacuum lines 120, 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 receiving surface 123 of the receiving punch 113, so that the webs of the storage lever 117 and the receiving punch 113 complement each other in the engaged position of the storage lever 117 to form an enlarged, homogeneous, curved contact surface.

[0103] 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 picked up. The segments 16 can then be transferred in the transfer station XB by switching off the negative pressure in the vacuum lines of the pick-up ram 113 arranged in the "6 o'clock position" and by sucking the segments 16 from the vacuum lines of the receptacle 115 from the removal device 111 into the receptacle 115 of the depositing member 112, in addition to the combing-out process described above by the depositing lever 117.

[0104] This process of transferring the segments 16 from the receiving stamp 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.

[0105] The depositing member 112 further comprises a transfer device 114 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 receptacle 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 transfer device 114 provided enables the segments 16 to be deposited even when the receptacle 115, filled with the previously completed stack, is moved into the delivery position for transferring the stack from the removal device 111 and is therefore not available for receiving the segments 16 in the transfer station XB. This enables an uninterrupted, i.e. continuous, delivery of the segments 16 from the removal device 111 with the high stacking rate thereby enabled.

[0106] 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.Once the transfer device 114 has been 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 vertically downwards in a linear movement from the receiving position into a delivery position assigned to the removal device 3. The holder 115 is moved linearly in the direction of the surface normal of the segments 16 stacked to form the stack, so that as few transverse forces as possible act on the stack and the segments 16 during this movement. This ensures that the precisely stacked 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 fixed to one another using tape.

[0107] To ensure that the segments 16 are only deposited on the transfer unit 114 when the receptacle 115 is not located in the transfer station XB, the transfer unit 114 is moved from the holding position back into the standby position shown in the right-hand illustration of Figure 4 as soon as the receptacle 115 has been moved back to the transfer station XB. The receptacle 115 and the transfer unit 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 unit 114 and the receptacle 115 engage with one another 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 doing so, its webs 118 engage between the webs 118 of the transfer device 114.In this position, the holder 115 and the transfer unit 114 briefly form a common support surface for the stack of segments 16 to be stacked. The transfer unit 114 is then moved from the holding position back to the ready position by moving laterally parallel to the webs 118 and thereby disengaging from 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.

[0108] 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 delivered 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. The webs of the transfer dies 113, the transfer device 114, and the holder 115 each form a profiled surface with a structure that enables mutual engagement of the transfer device 114 with the transfer die 113 and the holder 115. For this purpose, the webs of one part are arranged to correspond to the gaps in the other part.To ensure reliable engagement, the gaps and webs are dimensioned to allow for a certain amount of clearance. Furthermore, the webs and gaps are aligned in the direction of the engagement movement of the parts.

[0109] 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, each free zone is formed by a recess extending radially inwardly and thus forms 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.

[0110] 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, and its movement behavior can be designed solely to receive segment 16 at the transfer station XA.

[0111] 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.

[0112] The length Y of one or each support zone can be smaller, equal to, or greater than the length Z of one or each free zone 124. Furthermore, the lengths Z of the free zones 124 between the support zones can also be the same or different, whereby the advantages described above can be achieved.

[0113] 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.

[0114] 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, which 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 stationary 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. 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 holder 115, in the depositing position, to insert its webs 118 between the webs 118 of the transport holder 119 and deposit the stack onto the support surface of the transport holder 119. The individually movable transport holders 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 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 to be transported away from the holders 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 holders 119 in conjunction with an appropriate control system.

[0115] 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.

[0116] 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 .

[0117] 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.

[0118] 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 35 and claim 39, respectively.

[0119] 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 in 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.

[0120] 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.

[0121] 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.

[0122] Splitting the segment flow of number A from the feed device 2 into two partial flows with numbers B and C enables an increase in the number A of supplied segments 16 per unit of time, given a predetermined and limited stacking capacity of a cell stacking device 11, 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. 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 numbers D, E, F, etc. and then stacked in parallel in further cell stacking devices 11.The basic idea of ​​dividing the inflow of segments 16 between several cell stacking devices 11 thus enables a significantly higher conveying capacity of the segments 16 while simultaneously stacking the segments 16 in the cell stacking devices 11 with precise positioning, since the stacking speed can be designed to be correspondingly lower than the feed rate of the segments 16 via the feed device 2 in order to achieve precise positioning.

[0123] 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.

[0124] 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.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.

[0125] List of reference symbols

[0126] 1 cell stacking system

[0127] 2 Feeding device

[0128] 3 discharge device

[0129] 4 Cutting device

[0130] 5 Transfer drum

[0131] 6 reversing drum

[0132] 7 Cell stacking device

[0133] II Cell stacking device

[0134] 16 segments

[0135] III Removal device

[0136] 112 filing organ

[0137] 113 Acceptance stamp

[0138] 114 converters

[0139] 115 recording

[0140] 116 Lifting device

[0141] 117 Storage lever

[0142] 118 bridges

[0143] 119 Transport recording

[0144] 120 vacuum line

[0145] 121 Vacuum supply

[0146] 122 Vacuum line

[0147] 123 takeover area

[0148] 124 Free Zone

[0149] A,B,C,D,E,F Number

[0150] E1-E4 endless tracks

[0151] EG four-layer continuous web

[0152] F1 first conveyor unit

[0153] F2 second conveyor unit G1 first delivery area

[0154] G2 second delivery area

[0155] XA transfer station

[0156] XB transfer station

[0157] Y length

[0158] Z length

Claims

Claims:

1. Cell stacking system (1) for stacking segments (16) of energy cells, with -a feeding device (2) which continuously feeds the segments (16) at a feeding rate, and -at least one cell stacking device (11) which directly or indirectly receives the segments (16) fed by the feeding device (2) and stacks them on top of each other, wherein -the cell stacking device (11) has at least one removal device (111) and one depositing device (112), characterized in that -the extraction device (111) is driven to a repeating alternating motion of acceleration and deceleration, and -the removal device (111) takes the segments (16) from the feeding device (2) at the feeding speed and transfers them to the depositing device (112) in a delayed movement or at a standstill.

2. Cell stacking system (1) according to claim 1 , characterized in that -the extraction device (111) is formed by a rotatably driven rotating body, and the repetitive alternating motion is formed by acceleration and deceleration through an accelerated and decelerated rotational motion of the rotating body.

3. Cell stacking system (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that -the rotating body has at least one, preferably two, three or more than three receiving dies (113) arranged at equal angles to each other for receiving the segments (16), and -the rotating body is decelerated and accelerated during one revolution according to the number of transfer dies (113). 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 acceptance stamps (113) each have an acceptance surface (123) in the cross-section of the body of revolution shaped like a circular arc segment, and -the transfer surfaces (123) of the transfer dies (113) are arranged on the same diameter in cross-section. Cell stacking system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that -the depositing element (112) has a linearly movable receptacle (115) which transports the stacks away from the removal device (111) in the direction of the surface normals of the segments (16). Cell stacking system (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that -the storage device (112) has a lifting device (116) which, when activated via a left- near guide device. Cell stacking system (1) according to claim 7, 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 device (115). Cell stacking system (1) according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that -the depositing device (112) has a transfer unit (114) that can be moved from a ready position to a holding position, which is arranged in the holding position during the picking-up process (115) for transporting the stacks and forms an intermediate support for depositing the segments (16). Cell stacking system (1) according to claim 9 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 profiles made of webs and spaces arranged between them, wherein -the transfer unit (114) and the receiving unit (115) engage with their webs in the spaces between the respective other part during their movements to transfer the stacks of segments (16). Cell stacking system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that -a discharge device (3) with a plurality of individually movable transport receivers (119) is provided, in which the storage device (112) places the stacks.

12. 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 (120, 122) which can be pressurized with vacuum, which, by applying vacuum, 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).

13. Cell stacking system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that -the storage device (112) has a storage lever (117) which removes the segments (16) from the removal device (111) and feeds them to the storage device (112).

14. Cell stacking system (1) according to claim 13, 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 according to claim 14, characterized in that -the removal movement is formed by a linear lifting movement. Cell stacking system (1) for stacking segments (16) of energy cells, with -a cell stacking device (7) and -a feeding device (2) which feeds the segments (16) to the cell stacking device (7), characterized in that -in the cell stacking device (7) at least one cell stacking device (11) is arranged which stacks the segments (16) on top of each other to form stacks, wherein -the cell stacking device (11) has at least one removal device (111) and a storage device (112) arranged at a transfer station (XB), and -The removal device (111) comprises a rotating body driven to a rotary motion, with at least two support zones spaced apart from each other in the direction of rotation (and fixed in the direction of rotation) and extending in a length Y in the direction of rotation for receiving the segments (16) at a receiving station (XA), wherein -free zones (124) extending in a length Z in the direction of rotation are provided between the support zones, and -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 receiving phase at the receiving station (XA) during which a segment (16) is received from a support zone. Cell stacking system (1) according to claim 16, characterized in that -the length Y of one or each load-bearing zone is less than, equal to or greater than the length Z of one or each free zone (124). Cell stacking system (1) according to one of claims 16 or 17, characterized in that -the lengths Z of the free zones (124) between the support zones are the same or different. Cell stacking system according to one of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that one or each support zone has a transfer surface (123). Cell stacking system (1) according to one of claims 16 to 19, characterized in that -one or each free zone (124) is formed by a radially inwardly extending recess on the rotating body. Cell stacking system (1) according to one of claims 16 to 20, characterized in that -one or each free zone (124) has a radially inwardly offset boundary to one or each support zone. Cell stacking system (1) according to one of claims 16 to 21, characterized in that the cell stacking system (1) is configured according to one of the features of dependent claims 2 to 15. Method for controlling a cell stacking system (1) for stacking segments (16) of energy cells, with -a feeding device (2) which continuously feeds the segments (16) at a feeding rate, and -at least one cell stacking device (11) which takes the segments (16) from the feeding device (2) and to stacks on top of each other, whereby -the cell stacking device (11) has at least one removal device (111) and one depositing device (112), characterized in that -the removal device (111) has a controllable drive device which is controlled in such a way that the removal device (111) is accelerated to take over the segments (16) from the feed device (2) and decelerated to transfer the segments (16) to the storage device (112).

24. Method according to claim 23, characterized in that the removal device (111) is formed by a drum driven to a rotary motion by the drive device, and -the drive device controls the rotary movement of the drum in such a way that the drum takes over the segments (16) from the feed device (2) in a rotary movement and transfers them to the depositing device (112) when stationary or in a delayed rotary movement.

25. Method according to one of claims 23 or 24, 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.

26. Method according to one of claims 23 to 25, characterized in that -a converter (114) is provided which is moved from a ready position to a holding position by means of a controllable drive device to receive the segments (16). Method according to claim 26, characterized in that -the converter (114) is moved from the ready position to the holding position between the transfer of two segments (16). Method according to one of claims 26 or 27, characterized in that -the converter (114) is moved from the holding position to the ready position after the movable receptacle (115) has been moved from the dispensing position to the receiving position. Method according to one of claims 26 to 28, characterized in that -the movement of the converter (114) is controlled depending on the movement and / or position of the receiver (115). Method according to one of claims 26 to 29, 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 webs interlock. Method according to one of claims 23 to 30, characterized in that -a discharge lever (117) is provided which receives the segments (16) from the removal device (111) in a discharge movement and feeds them to the discharge element (112). Method according to claim 31, characterized in that -the discharge lever (117) is driven by a drive device to perform a periodic discharge movement from the removal device (111). Method according to one of claims 31 or 32, characterized in that - the removal device (111) and the placement lever (117) each have vacuum lines (120, 122) which hold the segments (16) by applying vacuum to the removal device (111) and the placement lever (117), and - the vacuum in the vacuum lines (122) of the removal device (111) and in the vacuum lines (120) of the placement lever (117) is controlled in an overlapping manner for the transfer of the segments (16). Method according to one of claims 31 to 33 and according to one of claims 20 to 25, characterized in that - the removal movement is formed by a linear stroke movement, and -the stroke of the lifting movement depending on the stacking height of the segments (16) in the receptacle (115) and / or the number of segments (16) stacked in the receptacle (115)- is controlled. Sub-device of or in a cell stacking system (1) for segments (16) of energy cells according to one of claims 1 to 22, 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 segments (16) and the number C per time unit of segments (16) is less than or equal to the number A per time unit of segments- mente (16) is. Sub-device according to claim 35, 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 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 device according to one of claims 35 or 36, characterized in that -the number C is smaller than the number B. Sub-device according to one of claims 35 to 37, characterized in that -the number B is a multiple of the number C. 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 22, 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), where - the first conveying unit (F1) takes over the number A per time unit of segments (16) from the feeding device (2) and transports 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 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 39, 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 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.

41. Partial method according to one of claims 39 or 40, characterized in that -the number C is less than the number B.

42. Partial method according to one of claims 39 to 41, characterized in that -the number B is a multiple of the number C.

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