Laminating device for laminating multilayer endless webs for producing energy cells

Abstract

The invention relates to a laminating device for a multilayer endless web (3), which is made of at least one separator web (4, 6) and at least one electrode (5), for producing energy cells, comprising a press device which laminates the multilayer endless web (3) while exerting a compressive force. The press device has a press surface with at least one recess which is arranged such that when the compressive force is being exerted via the press surface, the recess overlaps with at least one of the edges (14, 15, 16, 17) of the electrodes (5, 7).

Description

[0001] Laminating device for laminating multi-layer continuous webs for the production of energy cells

[0002] The present invention relates to a laminating device for

[0003] Laminating of multi-layer continuous webs for producing energy cells having the features of the preamble of claim 1.

[0004] 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 must be stored over longer periods of time.

[0005] For this purpose, such energy cells can have a structure consisting of a plurality of segments stacked together. These segments are each formed from alternating anode sheets and cathode sheets, separated from each other by separator sheets, also manufactured as segments. The segments are pre-cut during the manufacturing process and then stacked in a predetermined order and bonded together by lamination. The anode sheets and cathode sheets are first cut from a continuous web and then individually placed at intervals onto a continuous web of separator material.This subsequently formed "double-layered" continuous web of separator material with the applied anode or cathode sheets is then cut into segments again in a second step using a cutting device. In this case, the segments are formed in a double layer by a separator sheet with an anode or cathode sheet arranged on top. If this is technically feasible or necessary from a manufacturing perspective, the continuous webs of separator material with the applied anode or cathode sheets can also be placed on top of one another before cutting, thus forming a continuous web with a first continuous layer of separator material with anode or cathode sheets applied thereon and a second continuous layer of separator material with anode or cathode sheets applied thereon.This "four-layer" continuous web is then cut into segments using a cutting device. In this case, these segments are formed in four layers, comprising a first separator sheet, an anode sheet, a second separator sheet, and a cathode sheet lying on top of it. The advantage of this solution is that one cut can be eliminated. Furthermore, the cut electrodes can also be placed on a continuous separator sheet and stacked on top of each other by another continuous separator sheet to form a three-layer continuous web, from which three-layer segments comprising a separator sheet, an electrode sheet, and another separator sheet are then cut. Segments within the meaning of this invention are therefore single-layer segments of a separator material, anode material, or cathode material, or double-layer, three-layer, or four-layer segments of the structure described above.

[0006] Furthermore, the "double-layer" or "four-layer" continuous webs described above can also be supplemented by placing another separator web on the electrodes to form a "three-layer" or "five-layer" continuous web, which then has a separator web on each side. Alternatively, the electrodes can also be present as continuous webs, i.e. uncut, in the "double-layer", "three-layer", "four-layer" or "five-layer" continuous webs, which are then cut to considerably longer lengths and then wound up, for example. Alternatively, the continuous webs can also be wound first and then cut after winding is complete. In this case, the electrodes in the continuous webs are not present as spaced-apart segments, but instead in a single segment that extends uninterruptedly into the space between the separator webs.

[0007] Furthermore, an electrode in the form of a copper track or copper foil or a comparable carrier material with an intermittent coating can also be provided in the endless track, in which the coatings each form sectional, spaced-apart elevations in the electrode.

[0008] To laminate the "double-layer," "three-layer," "four-layer," or "five-layer" continuous webs, they are passed between two pressing devices that exert a compressive force on the continuous webs. In this process, the electrodes are pressed together with the separator webs in these continuous webs. Essentially, the electrodes and separator webs are bonded and laminated using a pressing device by exerting a compressive force. Lamination can also be assisted by the generation of heat caused by the compressive force. Furthermore, additional heating or cooling zones can be provided to regulate the temperature of the continuous webs during lamination. To achieve a high-quality bond, it is desirable that the continuous webs be subjected to as uniform a compressive force as possible across their longitudinal and transverse extensions.

[0009] One problem is that the electrode(s) are narrower than the continuous web(s) of separator material, so the separator material extends laterally beyond the electrode(s). This results in the electrodes having free edges at their edges, while the separator material overlaps the electrodes laterally.

[0010] If the electrodes in the continuous webs are already arranged at intervals in the form of cut segments, the electrodes form additional gaps in the continuous webs due to their spacing. Due to their thickness, the electrodes additionally keep the separator webs at a distance from each other in the gaps. Thus, the electrodes have additional free edges on the edges bordering the gaps.

[0011] Since the pressing force can only be increased to a limited extent so that the functionality of the electrodes is not impaired by excessive compaction, and damage to the energy cells in the area of ​​the edges of the electrodes is detrimental to the quality of the energy cells and should therefore be avoided if possible, the lamination of the continuous webs in the edge sections and, if present, in the areas of the spaces between the electrodes is problematic due to the free edges of the electrodes present there.

[0012] Against this background, the object of the invention is to provide a laminating device which enables laminating of the continuous webs with a reduced probability of damage to the electrodes in the region of the edges.

[0013] According to the invention, a laminating device having the features of claim 1 is proposed to solve the problem. Further preferred developments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims, the figures and the associated description.

[0014] According to the basic idea of ​​the invention, it is proposed that the pressing device has a pressing surface with at least one recess, which is arranged such that when the pressure force is exerted over the pressing surface, it comes to cover at least one of the edges of the electrodes.

[0015] The recess provided on the pressing surface in the proposed arrangement creates a contour of the pressing surface which enables the electrodes to be relieved in the area of ​​the edges. The pressing surface thus has a contour which is specifically shaped by the recess so that the continuous web is not subjected to any compressive force in the area of ​​the edges during lamination. Conversely, this means that the compressive force for laminating the continuous webs can be increased without increasing the compressive force in the area of ​​the edges of the electrodes and thus increasing the likelihood of damage to the electrodes in the area of ​​their edges. Due to the possible increase in compressive force, the separator webs can also be better connected to one another in the area between the electrodes, so that the electrodes are subsequently better fixed to one another in the finished laminated continuous web and cannot slip.The same applies to the electrodes in the segments cut from the continuous web, especially during subsequent operation of the energy cell. The proposed solution is particularly advantageous when the electrode is narrower than the separator web, and the separator web extends laterally beyond the electrode.

[0016] It is further proposed that the pressing device laminate the multilayer continuous web in the lamination device by applying heat. The lamination, i.e., the bonding of the continuous webs of separator material to one another and to the electrodes, occurs when polymers penetrate from one layer into the other, which in turn is caused by the adhesion forces acting at the interfaces. These very adhesion forces can be achieved more easily by applying heat. However, care must be taken to ensure that the material at the interfaces is not compressed to such an extent by applying heat and the applied pressure that the ion exchange, which is essential for the function of the energy cell, is inhibited.

[0017] It is further proposed that at least one first and one second recess be provided on the pressing surface, which extend in the longitudinal direction of the continuous web and are arranged at a distance from one another that is smaller than the distance between the edge sides of the electrode extending in the longitudinal direction of the continuous web. The first and second recesses also relieve the load on the electrode during lamination in the region of its front and rear edges in the feed direction. The distance between the first recess and the second recess is the distance between the facing edge sides of the recesses.It is further proposed that a plurality of regularly spaced electrodes be provided in the endless web, and that at least one third recess and one fourth recess be provided on the pressing surface, and that the fourth recess is spaced from the third recess by a smaller distance than the length of the electrodes in the longitudinal direction of the endless web. The third and fourth recesses have the same function as the first and second recesses and are arranged such that they cover the front and rear edges of the electrode in relation to the longitudinal direction of the endless web during lamination. The distance between the third recess and the fourth recess is deliberately chosen to be smaller than the length of the electrodes, so that the third recess and the fourth recess always cover the edges when the movement of the pressing surface is appropriately synchronized with the endless web.The distance between the third and fourth recesses is the distance between the facing edges of the two recesses. If the continuous track has an intermittent coating, the coated sections correspond to the electrodes, and the distances between the coatings correspond to the distances between the electrodes.

[0018] The first recess, the second recess, the third recess, and the fourth recess can be shaped and arranged such that they complement each other to form a closed, annular recess whose shape corresponds to the shape of the outer edge of the electrodes. The annular shape of the recess can be rectangular, oval, or any other shape, depending on the shape of the electrodes. Since the recess has a closed annular shape, the entire edge of the electrode is covered by the recess on one surface, thus relieving stress during lamination.

[0019] It is further proposed that the pressing device comprise two pressing rollers with a circular cross-section, which are arranged such that a gap is provided between their outer surfaces through which the continuous web passes. The advantage of the proposed solution is that by using pressing rollers in the proposed arrangement, lamination can be achieved preferably in a drum run with a very high production capacity, i.e., transport speed of the continuous web.

[0020] It is further proposed that the gap be smaller than the thickness of the continuous web. The proposed gap dimensioning allows the press rollers to apply the compressive force required for lamination by transporting the continuous web through the gap. A special feed movement of the press rollers is thus no longer necessary.

[0021] The first and / or second recess and / or the third recess and / or the fourth recess can preferably be arranged in a section of the outer surface(s) of one or both press rollers. By forming the recess(es) in the outer surface(s) of the press roller(s), the latter directly forms the pressing surface adapted to the contour of the electrodes arranged in the endless web.

[0022] It is further proposed that the first recess and the second recess be arranged at the edges of the lateral surface. As a result, they come into contact with the edge sections of the endless track as the press rollers roll along the endless track. The first recess and the second recess can be implemented in the form of circumferential, closed rings on the lateral surface, so that the first and second recesses are continuously in contact with the endless track and provide pressure relief in the area of ​​the lateral edges of the electrodes.

[0023] It is further proposed that the third recess and the fourth recess are arranged parallel to the axes of rotation of the press roller and each deepen a section of the outer surface, which, when viewed along the arc length of the outer surface, are spaced from one another by a distance that is smaller than the length of the electrodes in the longitudinal direction of the endless web. As a result of the proposed solution, with appropriate synchronization of the rotational movements of the press rollers and the transport movement of the endless web, the press roller with its third and fourth recesses always precisely covers the front and rear edges of the electrodes in the feed direction of the endless web. The distance between the third and fourth recesses is the developed length of the outer surface between the mutually facing edge sides of the recesses.

[0024] The press rollers are preferably arranged such that their axes of rotation are aligned parallel to one another. The proposed arrangement of the press rollers allows them to be coupled and / or synchronized particularly easily using a simply constructed gear mechanism. Furthermore, this enables a particularly compact design of the lamination device to be achieved. It is further proposed that the pressing device have at least one press belt which is arranged such that it comes into contact with one of the surfaces of the continuous web. The press belt can even out the pressing force acting on the continuous web. The press belt can preferably have an identical or greater width transverse to the feed direction of the continuous web so that the continuous web is exposed to the pressing force across its entire width and is thus laminated.The press belt can be designed in such a way that it generates the compressive force itself or is subjected to a compressive force via a separate pressure-generating device such as a press roller. In the latter case, the compressive force is transferred from the press belt to the endless web. The press belt itself can be in the form of a flexible fiber-reinforced textile belt, a steel belt, a very fine link chain, or the like. The press belt can be designed as a driven endless belt or as a stationary press belt with a friction-reduced surface. If the press belt is designed as a driven endless belt, this can also be used to transport the endless web. If, on the other hand, the press belt is formed by a stationary press belt, an additional device is required to transport the endless web. In this case, the endless web is actively pulled past the press belt.

[0025] In this case, the first recess and / or second recess and / or the third recess and / or the fourth recess can also be arranged in the surface of the press belt, which is advantageous because the press belt rests against the surface of the endless web and thus directly exerts or transmits the pressing force. Thus, the contour of the press belt is adapted to the shape and geometry of the endless web and the electrode arranged thereon by the arrangement of the recess therein.

[0026] It is further proposed that two press belts be provided, which are arranged such that a gap is provided between their opposite surfaces facing the endless web, through which the endless web passes. The endless web can thus be subjected to a compressive force and pressed from both sides.

[0027] The gap width is preferably slightly smaller than the thickness of the continuous web, so that the continuous web is automatically exposed to the pressing force for lamination when it passes through and is supported accordingly by the press belts.

[0028] It is further proposed that the pressing device has two oppositely arranged pressing surfaces with which it comes into contact with different sides of the endless web, and that first recesses and / or second recesses and / or third recesses and / or fourth recesses are provided on the pressing surfaces, and that the first recesses, second recesses, third recesses and / or fourth recesses of the pressing surfaces have different distances from one another and / or different depths and / or shapes.

[0029] The different spacing of the recesses allows the pressing surfaces in the mold to be individually designed in relation to the contour of both sides of the continuous web. If the continuous web, for example, is a four-layer or five-layer continuous web with cathodes and anodes arranged therein according to the structure described above, this allows for the fact that the anodes are generally larger than the cathodes and thus the edges of the anodes to be protected are further apart than the edges of the cathodes to be protected. Furthermore, the recesses can have different depths so that the distribution and magnitude of the exerted compressive forces can be adapted differently to the surfaces of the continuous webs. Furthermore, the different shapes of the recesses allow for different courses of the edges of the electrodes to be taken into account.

[0030] It is further proposed that the press surface be adjustable in width. The width of the press surface allows the laminating device to be adjusted for laminating continuous webs of different widths. The width of the press surface is the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the continuous web in the plane of the continuous web.

[0031] Furthermore, the pressing surface can preferably have a width that corresponds to the width of the continuous web or a multiple thereof. With the proposed solution, the laminating device is specifically designed for laminating a continuous web of a specific width, or a plurality of continuous webs of a specific width can be laminated in a parallel arrangement. If the pressing surface is adjustable, predetermined positions of the widths of the pressing surface can also be provided for this purpose, so that the pressing surface can be adjusted with little effort from a position for laminating a single continuous web to a position for two or more parallel continuous webs. The invention is explained below using preferred embodiments with reference to the attached figures.

[0032] Fig. 1 : a section of a lamination device with a three-layer continuous web and a pressing device with two press rollers; and

[0033] Fig. 2: a section of a lamination device with a three-layer continuous web and a pressing device with two press rollers and two press belts.

[0034] Fig. 3: a section of a lamination device with a four-layer continuous web and a pressing device with two press rollers.

[0035] Figure 1 shows a section of a laminating device according to the invention. The laminating device comprises a pressing device with two press rollers 1 and 2, which are designed as cylindrical drums with a circular cross-section. The press rollers 1 and 2 are aligned with their axes of rotation parallel to each other and arranged such that a gap S with a constant gap width SW in the direction of the axes of rotation, i.e., perpendicular to the plane of the illustration, exists between their lateral surfaces 12 and 13.

[0036] Furthermore, a continuous web 3 to be laminated is provided, which runs through the gap S and has a thickness D. The continuous web 3 is formed by a "three-layer" continuous web 3 with a separator web 4 on the top side and a separator web 6 on the bottom side, with electrodes 5 arranged therebetween. The electrodes 5 are arranged with gaps 8 at identical distances A from one another and have a smaller width than the separator webs 4 and 6, so that the separator webs 4 and 6 project laterally beyond the electrodes 5.

[0037] The gap width SW of the gap S is smaller than the thickness D of the endless web 3, so that the endless web 3 is slightly compressed and laminated as it passes through the gap S. The thickness D2 of the separator webs 4 and 6 is each 15 to 25 pm, while the electrodes 5 have a thickness D1 of 150 to 400 pm. In the present exemplary embodiment, this results in a thickness D of the electrode web 3 of approximately 180 pm to 450 pm. The gap width SW is 20 to 100 pm, preferably 40 to 60 pm, smaller than the thickness D of the endless web, so that the endless web 3 is slightly compressed as it passes through the gap S. The intermediate spaces 8 are formed by the spacing of the electrodes 5 and have a height which corresponds to the thickness D1 of the electrodes 5, i.e. 180 to 400 pm.Furthermore, the gaps 8 have a length in the feed direction corresponding to the distance A of the electrodes 5 of 3 mm between the anodes and 6 mm between the cathodes, wherein it is desirable to dimension the distances A between the electrodes 5 as small as possible in order to increase the material utilization factor of the endless web 3 and the number of electrodes 5 in a predetermined length of the endless web 3.

[0038] The endless web 3 is transported in the feed direction T and pulled through the gap S. The press rollers 1 and 2 can themselves be actively driven, e.g., by individual drives in the form of servomotors, to rotate in opposite directions in the direction of the arrows P, so that they additionally actively transport the endless web 3 through frictional engagement. Alternatively, the press rollers 1 and 2 can also be mounted so that they are themselves driven by the endless web 3 through frictional engagement to rotate it. In this case, the press rollers 1 and 2 only roll passively along the surfaces of the endless web 3.

[0039] Third recesses 10 and fourth recesses 11 in the form of radially inwardly directed depressions in the lateral surfaces 12 and 13 are provided on the two press rollers 1 and 2, which are arranged such that they cover at least one of the edges 14, 15, 16 or 17 of the electrodes 5 during the rotational movement of the press rollers 1 and 2. Furthermore, the third recesses 10 and the fourth recesses 11 are longer in the developed circumferential section relative to the axes of rotation of the press rollers 1 and 2 than the distances A between the electrodes 5, so that they each cover two edges 14 and 16 and 15 and 17 of two opposite electrodes 5 on one side.The third recesses 10 and the fourth recesses 11 are arranged on the press rollers 1 and 2 in such a way that they are positioned in the region of the edges 14, 15, 16 and 17 during the transport movement of the endless web 3 and the rotational movements of the press rollers 1 and 2 on the endless web 3 and thus relieve the electrodes 5 in the region of the edges 14, 15, 16 and 17.

[0040] Furthermore, in addition to the third recesses 10 and the fourth recesses 11, further recesses (not shown) can be provided on the press rollers 1 and 2, which are arranged on the lateral surfaces 12 and 13 such that the length of the development of the arc segment in the direction of rotation of the press rollers between the third recesses 10 and the fourth recesses 11 and the further recesses each corresponds at most to the length of the electrodes 5. Thus, the third recesses 10, the fourth recesses 11 and the further recesses always cover the edges 14, 15, 16 and 17 of the electrodes 5 at an intermediate space 8. Insofar as the invention is described in relation to the third and fourth recesses 10 and 11 and subsequently in relation to the first and second recesses, the designations first, second, third and fourth do not imply any order or hierarchy.Thus, the designations "third" and "fourth" do not necessarily imply the existence of a first and second recess, and vice versa. These designations merely serve to distinguish the recesses, each of which is defined by its orientation and arrangement relative to one another.

[0041] The lateral surfaces 12 and 13 here form the pressing surfaces of the pressing device, which are individually contoured for the continuous web 3 to be laminated by the formation of the third recesses 10 and the fourth recesses 11 and, if present, by the additional recesses. The first recesses 10 and the fourth recesses 11 and the intermediate spaces 8 are exaggerated for clarity.

[0042] Figure 2 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention. The pressing device comprises, in addition to the two pressing rollers 1 and 2, two additional pressing belts 20 and 21, which rest on the top and bottom of the endless web 3. The pressing rollers 1 and 2 are designed and arranged identically to the pressing rollers 1 and 2 of Figure 1 and differ only in that they are designed as cylindrical drums with a shell surface 12 and 13 with an identical radius, i.e., without recesses over the circumference. The pressing rollers 1 and 2 rest on the free surfaces of the two pressing belts.

[0043] 20 and 21. The press belts 20 and 21 are provided with the third recesses 10 and fourth recesses 11 on their surfaces facing the endless web 3, thus forming the pressing surface of the pressing device acting on the endless web 3. However, the press rollers 1 and 2 can also have different diameters and radii, provided this is advantageous for lamination.

[0044] The third recesses 10 and the fourth recesses 11 of the press belts 20 and 21 are dimensioned and arranged corresponding to the third recesses 10 and the fourth recesses 11 on the press rollers 1 and 2 of the first exemplary embodiment. The relevant gap S and the gap width SW for laminating the endless web 3 are defined in this case by the spacing of the press belts 20 and 21, so that the press rollers 1 and 2, with their outer surfaces 12 and 13, have a distance increased by the sum of the thicknesses of the press belts 20 and 21. The third and fourth recesses 10 and 11 have a distance U between the mutually facing edges, which is smaller than the length of the electrodes 5 in the transport direction T. Furthermore, further recesses can be arranged on the press belts 20 and 21, which also have a distance from one another that is smaller than the length of the electrodes 5 in the feed direction T of the endless web 3.The distance between the recesses is the distance between the facing edge sides of the recesses.

[0045] Alternatively or additionally, in addition to the third and fourth recesses 10 and 11 on the edge sides of the press belts 20 and

[0046] 21 or the press rollers 1 and 2 in the embodiment of Figure 1, further first and second recesses may be provided, which are arranged such that they cover the lateral edges of the electrodes 5 directed in the feed direction T of the endless web 3. Thus, these lateral edges of the electrodes 5 in the endless web 2 are also relieved of stress during lamination.

[0047] If both third and fourth recesses 10 and 11 as well as first and second recesses are provided, the third recesses 10 and fourth recesses 11 and the first and second recesses can complement each other to form a recess with a closed ring shape, wherein the ring shape corresponds to the edge profile of the electrodes 5. If the electrodes 5 are rectangular, for example, the recess is preferably designed in the form of a closed rectangular ring and completely covers the edge of the electrode 5 on one side.

[0048] The third and fourth recesses 10 and 11 can be provided on the press rollers 1 and 2 or on the press belts 20 and 21 in a repeating regular arrangement which, when developed, corresponds to the pattern of the edges of the electrodes 5 in the endless web 3.

[0049] Figure 3 shows an embodiment of the invention in which the endless web 3 is formed by a “four-layer” endless web 3 with a separator web 4 on the top side and a separator web 6 in the middle, a plurality of anodes 18 arranged between the separator webs 4 and 6, and a plurality of cathodes 7 arranged below the central separator web 6. The anodes 18 are larger than the cathodes 7, so that the anodes 18, when arranged in pairs with the cathodes 7, have a smaller end-to-end distance A from one another than the cathodes 7. Thus, the third and fourth recesses 10 and 11 in the lower press roller 1, which comes to rest on the cathode side of the endless web 3, have a greater length in the development in the circumferential direction of the press roller 1 than the third and fourth recesses 10 and 11 in the upper press roller 2, which comes to rest on the anode side of the endless web 3.The third and fourth recesses 10 and 11 on the upper press roller 2 have, in the developed view of the recessed outer surface 12 in the direction of rotation P of the press roller 2, a length which is dimensioned such that, when in contact with the upper separator track 4, they cover the intermediate space 8 between the anodes 18 and the edges 14 and 16 of the two adjacent anodes 18. The third and fourth recesses 10 and 11 on the lower press roller 1 have, in the developed view of the recessed outer surface 13 in the direction of rotation P of the press roller 1, a length which is dimensioned such that, when passing the endless track 3, they cover the intermediate space 8 between the cathodes 7 and the edges 15 and 17 of the two adjacent cathodes 7.

[0050] The press rollers 1 and 2 form a pressure generating device, which exerts a compressive force on the press belts 20 and 21. However, a rod carpet, a stamping unit with corresponding pressure cylinders, pneumatic pressure generating devices with, for example, inflatable cushions, or the like can also be used as the pressure generating device, provided they are suitable for applying the necessary pressure evenly to the press belts 20 and 21.

[0051] In the exemplary embodiments, the lamination of a continuous web 3 with cut electrodes 5, which are arranged at intervals A from one another, was described. However, it is also conceivable to laminate a continuous web 3 with an endless electrode web using the lamination device. In this case, the third and fourth recesses 10 and 11 are omitted, and only the first and second recesses are provided in the region of the edge sides of the pressing surfaces. The first and second recesses are arranged according to the course of the two longitudinal edges of the electrode web and overlap them during lamination, providing the desired relief effect.

[0052] The first and second recesses run in the longitudinal direction of the pressing surfaces and the endless web 3 to be laminated and the feed direction T and can thus also be regarded as longitudinal grooves in the pressing surfaces, which are arranged parallel to one another and have a distance from one another that is smaller than the width of the electrode web, wherein the distance between the first and second recesses is the distance between the mutually facing edge sides of the recesses.

[0053] The third and fourth recesses 10 and 11 run transversely to the pressing surfaces and the continuous web 3 to be laminated and the feed direction T and can therefore also be regarded as transverse grooves, each of which has a distance (U) from one another that is smaller than the length of the electrodes 5 in the longitudinal direction of the continuous web 3. If the third and fourth recesses 10 and 11 are formed on the pressing rollers 1 and 2 according to Figures 1 and 3, the distance U corresponds to the length of the developed arc length of the lateral surfaces 12 and 13 between the mutually facing edge sides of the third and fourth recesses 10 and 11.

[0054] Due to the smaller dimensions of the cathodes and the resulting larger distances A between the electrodes 5 on the lower cathode side in the illustration in Figure 3 compared to the electrodes on the upper anode side in the illustration in Figure 3, the third and fourth recesses 10 and 11 of the press roller on the cathode side have smaller distances U from one another and are themselves designed to be larger in order to cover the larger intermediate spaces 8 than the third and fourth recesses 10 and 11 on the press roller 2, which comes to rest on the anode side of the endless web 3.

[0055] If the electrodes 5 are arranged uncut in the endless web 3, i.e. arranged in a single piece, the intermediate spaces 8 and thus also the third and fourth recesses 10 and 11 are omitted, and only the first and second recesses are provided. Furthermore, the first and second recesses in the edge sides of the pressing surfaces can be omitted individually or both, provided that corresponding relief of the edges is not required here, so that in this case only the third and / or the fourth recesses 10 and 11 can be provided. If an intermittent coated endless web is provided in the endless web 3, the intermediate spaces 8 are arranged between the coated sections, and the first, second, third and / or fourth recesses 10, 11 serve in this case to relieve the load on the endless web 3 during lamination in the region of the lateral edges of the coated sections.

[0056] In general, the load on the endless web 3 during lamination in the area of ​​the edges of the electrodes 5 is reduced by the pressing surfaces not touching the electrodes 5 in the area of ​​the edges due to the recesses. Furthermore, the depths, shapes, and arrangements of the recesses can be selected and individually designed to achieve an optimized pressure force distribution. The designation of the recesses as first, second, third, and fourth recesses merely serves to differentiate between the recesses. In order to implement the inventive concept, it is not necessary that the first and second elevations must also be provided if the third and fourth recesses 10 and 11 are provided. In this case, the first elevation according to claim 1 would be provided by the third or fourth elevation 10 or 11.The same applies to the reverse case, if no third and fourth elevations 10 and 11 are provided but instead only the first and second elevations on the edge sides of the pressing surfaces.

Claims

Claims:

1. Laminating device for a multi-layer continuous web (3) comprising at least one separator web (4, 6) and at least one electrode (5) for producing energy cells, with - a pressing device which laminates the multi-layer continuous web (3) by exerting a compressive force, characterized in that -the pressing device has a pressing surface with at least one recess which is arranged such that when the pressure force is exerted over the pressing surface it comes to cover at least one of the edges (14, 15, 16, 17) of the electrodes (5, 7).

2. Laminating device according to claim 1, characterized in that -the pressing device laminates the multi-layer continuous web (3) by applying heat.

3. Laminating device according to claim 1, characterized in that -at least one first and one second recess are provided on the pressing surface, which extend in the longitudinal direction of the endless web (3) and are arranged at a distance from one another which is smaller than the distance between the edge sides of the electrode (5) extending in the longitudinal direction of the endless web (3) 4. Laminating device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that -in the endless track (3) a plurality of spaced-apart regularly arranged electrodes (5), and -at least one third recess (10) and one fourth recess (11) are provided on the pressing surface, and -the fourth recess (11) has a smaller distance (II) from the third recess (10) than the length of the electrodes (5) in the longitudinal direction of the endless web (3). Laminating device according to claims 3 and 4, characterized in that -the first recess, the second recess, the third recess (10), and the fourth recess (11) are shaped and arranged such that they complement each other to form a recess whose shape corresponds to the shape of the outer edge of the electrodes (5). Laminating device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that -the pressing device comprises two pressing rollers (1, 2) with a circular cross-section, which are arranged such that a gap (S) is provided between their lateral surfaces (12, 13), through which the endless web (3) runs. Laminating device according to claim 6, characterized in that -the gap (S) has a gap width (SW) which is smaller than the thickness (D) of the continuous web (3). Laminating device according to one of claims 3 to 5 and according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that -the first recess and / or the second recess and / or the third recess (10) and / or the fourth recess (11) are arranged on a portion of the lateral surface(s) (12, 13) of one or both press rollers (1, 2). Laminating device according to claim 8, characterized in that -the first recess and the second recess are arranged on the edge sides of the lateral surface (12, 13). Laminating device according to one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that -the third recess (10) and the fourth recess (11) are arranged parallel to the axes of rotation of the press rollers (1, 2), and -the third recess (10) and the fourth recess (11) have a distance (U) from each other in the development of the arc length of the lateral surface (12, 13) that is smaller than the length of the electrodes (5) in the longitudinal direction of the endless web (3). Laminating device according to one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that -the press rollers (1, 2) are arranged such that their axes of rotation are aligned parallel to each other. Laminating device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that -the pressing device comprises at least one pressing belt (20, 21) which is arranged such that it comes into contact with one of the surfaces of the endless web (3). Laminating device according to claim 12, characterized in that -the recess(es) is / are arranged on the surface (18, 19) of the press belt (20, 21). Laminating device according to one of claims 12 or 13, characterized in that -two press belts (20, 21) are provided, which are arranged such that between their opposite surfaces (18, 19) facing the endless web (3) a gap (S) is provided through which the endless web (3) runs. Laminating device according to claim 14, characterized in that -the gap width (SW) of the gap (S) is slightly smaller than the thickness (D) of the continuous web (3). Laminating device according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that -the pressing device has two oppositely arranged pressing surfaces with which it comes into contact with different sides of the endless web (3), and -first recesses and / or second recesses and / or third recesses (10) and / or fourth recesses (11) are provided on the pressing surfaces, and -the first recesses, second recesses, third recesses (10) and / or fourth recesses (11) of the pressing surfaces have different distances from one another and / or different depths and / or different shapes.

17. Laminating device according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that -the pressing surface is adjustable in width.

18. Laminating device according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that -the pressing surface has a width which corresponds to the width of the endless web (3) or a multiple thereof

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