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) made of at least one separator web (4, 6) and at least one electrode (5) for producing energy cells. The laminating device has 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 elevation which protrudes outwards and which is arranged so as to come into contact with a portion of the endless web (3) while the compressive force is being exerted, said portion adjoining an edge side of the electrode (5).

Description

[0001] Laminating device for laminating multilayer 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 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. Generally, the electrodes and separator webs are bonded and laminated using a pressing device by applying 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 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 improved lamination of the continuous webs in the edge zones adjacent to the electrodes with a reduced probability of damage to the electrodes in the area 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 outwardly projecting elevation, which is arranged such that when the pressure force is exerted, it comes into contact with a section of the endless web which borders on an edge side of the electrode.

[0015] The elevation provided on the pressing surface in the proposed arrangement creates a contour of the pressing surface that relieves the adjacent edge of the electrode during lamination by adapting the pressing surface to the contour of the electrode in the area of ​​the edge of the electrode. The free edge of the electrode is thus practically absorbed into the pressing surface, or in other words, encompassed by it. In extreme cases, the height of the first elevation can be dimensioned such that, if a predetermined compressive force is exceeded during lamination of the continuous web, it rests against the separator web, thus limiting a further increase in the load exerted on the electrode in the area of ​​the edge.The elevation has the advantage that it allows a sufficient pressing force for lamination to be exerted in the spaces between the electrodes or on the lateral edges of the electrodes without having to increase the overall pressing force. The pressing device presses the separator webs of the continuous web together like a stamp through the elevation in the spaces between the electrodes and / or in the area of ​​the edges of the electrodes, penetrating into the spaces between the electrodes and / or into the edges of the continuous web adjacent to the electrodes. The pressing force exerted on the electrodes can thus remain unchanged or even be reduced.This is particularly advantageous because, although the electrodes and separator webs need to be securely bonded to one another during lamination, they need to be subjected to the lowest possible compressive force to prevent unnecessary compaction of the material, and the ion exchange between the electrodes through the separator layer, which is important for the function and efficiency of the energy cell, is not reduced or even interrupted. A further advantage of the proposed solution is that the electrodes are additionally fixed in their alignment to the separator web during lamination because the elevations form a lateral contact surface for the electrodes during lamination. The proposed solution is particularly advantageous when the electrode is narrower than the separator web and the separator web projects 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 a first and a second elevation be provided on the pressing surface, which elevations extend in the longitudinal direction of the continuous web and are arranged at a distance from one another which is greater than the distance between the edge sides of the electrode extending in the longitudinal direction of the continuous web. The first and second elevations improve the fixing of the electrode during lamination by fixing them to both edge sides of the continuous web running in the longitudinal direction parallel to the feed direction. The fixing of the electrodes does not have to take place simultaneously. However, the fixing of the electrodes at their edge sides can take place simultaneously, so that the electrodes are secured against slipping during lamination simultaneously and on both sides by the first elevation and the second elevation.The distance between the first elevation and the second elevation is the distance between the facing edges of the elevations, i.e. the width of the free recess between the two elevations.

[0018] It is further proposed that a plurality of electrodes arranged at regular intervals from one another are provided in the endless web, and that at least a third elevation and a fourth elevation are provided on the pressing surface, and the fourth elevation is at a distance from the third elevation corresponding to the length of the electrodes in the longitudinal direction of the endless web. The third and fourth elevations have the same function as the first and second elevations and are arranged such that they extend into the spaces between the successive electrodes. The distance between the third elevation and the fourth elevation is specifically selected according to the length of the electrodes, so that the third elevation extends into one space and the fourth elevation extends into the subsequent space with appropriate synchronization of the movements of the pressing surface relative to the endless web.The distance between the third and fourth elevations is the distance between the facing edges of the two elevations. 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.

[0019] The first elevation, the second elevation, the third elevation, and the fourth elevation can preferably be shaped and arranged such that they complement each other to form a recess that corresponds to the outer shape of the electrodes. This secures the electrode on all sides at its edges during lamination, so that it is secured relative to the separator web during lamination both in the feed direction or longitudinal direction of the continuous web and perpendicular thereto.

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] The first and / or second elevation and / or the third elevation and / or the fourth elevation can preferably be arranged on a section of the outer surface(s) of one or both press rollers. By forming the elevation(s) on the outer surface(s) of the press roller(s), the roller(s) directly form the press part adapted to the contour of the electrodes arranged in the endless web.

[0023] It is further proposed that the first elevation and the second elevation be arranged on the edge sides of the lateral surface. As a result, they come into contact with the edge sections of the endless web as the press rollers roll along the endless web. The first elevation and the second elevation can be implemented in the form of circumferential closed rings on the lateral surface, so that they rest continuously against the endless web with the first and second elevations and, in addition to improved lamination, also form a guide for the endless web. It is further proposed that the third elevation and the fourth elevation be arranged parallel to at least one of the axes of rotation of the press roller and each raise a section of the lateral surface, which, when viewed along the arc length of the lateral surface, are at a distance from one another that is greater than the length of the electrodes in the longitudinal direction of the endless web.With 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's third and fourth protrusions always penetrate precisely into the spaces between the consecutive electrodes without damaging the edge zones of the electrodes by rolling on their edges. The distance between the third and fourth protrusions is the unwound length of the lateral surface between the facing edges of the protrusions.

[0024] The press rollers are preferably arranged so that their axes of rotation are aligned parallel to each other. The proposed arrangement of the press rollers allows the rotational movements of the press rollers to be coupled and synchronized with each other using a very simple gear system, without redirecting the rotational movements.

[0025] It is further proposed that the pressing device comprise at least one pressing belt which is arranged such that it comes into contact with one of the surfaces of the endless web. The pressing belt can uniform the pressing force acting on the endless web. The pressing belt can preferably have an identical or greater width transverse to the feed direction of the endless web so that the endless web is subjected to the pressing force across its entire width and is thus laminated. The pressing belt can be designed such that it generates the pressing force itself or is subjected to a pressing force via a separate pressure generating device such as a pressing roller. In the latter case, the pressing force is generated by the pressing roller and transferred by the pressing belt to the endless web.The press belt itself can be designed 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 low-friction surface. If the press belt is designed as a driven endless belt, it can also be used to transport the endless web. If, however, 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.

[0026] In this case, the first elevation and / or the second elevation and / or the third elevation and / or the fourth elevation can also be arranged on 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, by arranging the elevation on it, the contour of the press belt itself is adapted to the shape and geometry of the endless web and the electrode(s) arranged on it.

[0027] 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 via a respective press belt.

[0028] The gap width is preferably slightly smaller than the thickness of the continuous web, so that the continuous web is automatically subjected to a pressing force for lamination when it passes through and is supported accordingly by the press belts.

[0029] 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 elevations and / or second elevations and / or third elevations and / or fourth elevations are provided on the pressing surfaces, and that the first elevations, second elevations, third elevations and / or fourth elevations of the pressing surfaces have different distances from one another and / or different heights and / or different shapes.

[0030] By varying the spacing of the raised portions, the pressing surfaces in the mold can be individually designed to match the contours 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 spaced further apart than the edges of the cathodes to be protected. Furthermore, the raised portions can have different heights, allowing the distribution and magnitude of the exerted compressive forces to be adapted differently to the surfaces of the continuous webs.If two opposing pressing surfaces with corresponding elevations are provided, the pressing plane can be specifically designed in relation to the endless track by dimensioning the opposing elevations at different heights, and in particular, asymmetrically designed relative to the center plane of the endless track. Furthermore, the different shapes of the recesses can accommodate different electrode edge contours.

[0031] 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.

[0032] 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 laminating two or more parallel continuous webs.

[0033] It is further proposed that at least one elevation be heatable. Heating the elevation(s) can provide additional local support for the lamination process in addition to the applied compressive force. The shape of the heatable elevation(s) and the temperature can be specifically adapted to the shape of the surface to be laminated.

[0034] The invention will be explained below using preferred embodiments with reference to the attached figures.

[0035] Fig. 1: a section of a laminating device according to the invention with a continuous web and a pressing device with two press rollers; and

[0036] Fig. 2: a section of a lamination device according to the invention with an endless web and a pressing device with two pressing rollers and two pressing belts.

[0037] 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 of the press rollers 1 and 2, i.e., perpendicular to the plane of the illustration, is present between their lateral surfaces 12 and 13.

[0038] 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 and 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. Since the anodes are generally larger than the cathodes in the energy cell, but the separator webs 4 and 6 are identical and serve to arrange both the anodes and the cathodes, the distances A of the gaps 8 and the free lateral edge zones are particularly large when the electrodes 5 are the cathodes.Conversely, the distances A between the spaces 8 and the free edge sides are smaller when the electrodes 5 and the anodes are involved.

[0039] 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 3, 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. 150 to 400 pm.Furthermore, the spaces 8 have a length in the feed direction T of the endless web 3 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 rate of the endless web 3 and the number of electrodes 5 in a predetermined length of the endless web 3.

[0040] 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.

[0041] Third elevations 10 and fourth elevations 11 are provided on the two press rollers 1 and 2 in the form of cams or surface sections protruding radially outwards from the lateral surfaces 12 and 13, which, in the developed circumferential section relative to the axes of rotation of the press rollers 1 and 2, are narrower than the distances A of the electrodes 5 in the intermediate spaces. Insofar as the invention is described in relation to the third and fourth elevations 10 and 11 and subsequently in relation to the first and second elevations, the designations first, second, third and fourth do not imply any order or hierarchy. Thus, the designations “third” and “fourth” do not necessarily presuppose the existence of a first and second elevation and vice versa. The designations serve merely to distinguish the elevations, whereby the elevations are each defined by their orientation and arrangement relative to one another.The third and fourth elevations 10 and 11 have a height H1 and H2 emanating from the lateral surfaces 12 and 13, the sum of which corresponds to a maximum of the thickness D1 of the electrodes 5, i.e., depending on the thickness D of the electrodes 5, between 150 pm and 400 pm. The third and fourth elevations 10 and 11 are arranged on the press rollers 1 and 2 in such a way that, during the transport movement of the endless web 3 and the rotational movements of the press rollers 1 and 2, they come into contact with the endless web 3 in the area of ​​the gaps 8 and press the separator webs 4 and 6 together in the area of ​​the gaps 8. The heights H1 and H2 of the third and fourth elevations 10 and 11 can be designed specifically for the endless web 3 to be laminated and taking into account the distances A of the gaps, the thicknesses D2 of the separator webs 4 and 6, and the thicknesses D1 of the electrodes 5.The third and fourth elevations 10 and 11 can deliberately have different heights H1 and H2, preferably between 0 and 400 pm, so that they dip into the gaps to different depths and a separation plane that is asymmetrical with respect to the center plane of the electrode 5 results between the third and fourth elevations 10 and 11.

[0042] Furthermore, the third and fourth elevations 10 and 11 additionally form a positive connection between the press rollers 1 and 2 and the endless web 3, so that the press rollers 1 and 2 are connected to the endless web 3 in an improved manner with regard to power transmission for an active drive of the endless web 3. The same applies, of course, in the case where the press rollers 1 and 2 are not actively driven and are driven by the endless web 3.It is important for the solution according to the invention that the width of the third and fourth elevations 10 and 11 formed by developing the arc length of the radially outer end faces of the third elevations 10 and fourth elevations 11 in the circumferential direction of the press rollers 1 and 2, taking into account the thicknesses D2 of the separator tracks and the distances A of the electrodes, is dimensioned such that the separator tracks 4 and 6 are pressed onto one another in the area of ​​the intermediate spaces 8, in that the third and fourth elevations 10 and 11 are supported on the separator tracks 4 and 6.

[0043] Furthermore, in addition to the third elevations 10 on the press rollers 1 and 2, fourth elevations 11 or further elevations of identical or different shapes can be provided, which are arranged on the lateral surfaces 12 and 13 such that the distance U to the third elevations 10, formed by the length of the development of the arc segments in the direction of rotation of the press rollers 1 and 2, corresponds in each case to the length of the electrodes 5 plus a tolerance value in the longitudinal direction of the endless web 3. Thus, the press rollers 1 and 2 with the third elevations 10 always dip into one of the gaps 8 and the fourth elevations 11 always dip into the subsequent gaps 8 of the endless web 3 between the electrodes 5 and laminate the endless web 3.

[0044] 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 elevations 10 and fourth elevations 11 and, if present, by the additional elevations. The third elevations 10 and fourth elevations 11 and the intermediate spaces 8 are exaggerated for clarity.

[0045] Figure 2 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention. In addition to the two press rollers 1 and 2, the pressing device here also comprises two press belts 20 and 21, which rest on the top and bottom of the endless web 3. The press rollers 1 and 2 are designed and arranged identically to the press rollers 1 and 2 in Figure 1 and differ only in that they are designed as cylindrical drums with a jacket surface 12 and 13 with an identical radius over the circumference. The press rollers 1 and 2 rest on the free surfaces of the two press belts 20 and 21. The press belts 20 and 21 are provided here with the third elevations 10 and fourth elevations 11 on their surfaces facing the endless web 3 and thus form the pressing surface of the pressing device that acts on the endless web 3.However, the press rollers 1 and 2 can also have different diameters and radii, provided that this is advantageous for lamination.

[0046] The third elevations 10 and fourth elevations 11 of the press belts 20 and 21 are dimensioned and arranged corresponding to the third elevations 10 and fourth elevations 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. Furthermore, further elevations can be arranged on the press belts 20 and 21, which are spaced from one another by a distance greater than the length of the electrodes 5 in the feed direction T of the endless web 3. The spacing of the elevations is the distance between the facing edge sides of the elevations.

[0047] Alternatively or additionally, in addition to the third and fourth elevations 10 and 11 on the edge sides of the press belts 20 and 21 or the press rollers 1 and 2 in the embodiment of Figure 1, further first and second elevations can be provided, which press the separator webs 4 and 6 together in the edge sections and border on the edge sides of the electrodes 5 running in the feed direction T.

[0048] If both third and fourth elevations 10 and 11 and first and second elevations are provided, the third and fourth elevations 10 and 11 can complement the first and second elevations and / or the further elevations to such an extent that they form recesses which correspond to the outer shape of the electrodes 5, so that the press rollers 1 and 2 or the press belts 20 and 21 laminate the endless web 3 in a stamp-like manner without exerting an increased compressive force on the electrodes 5.

[0049] The pressing surfaces form, through the third and fourth elevations 10 and 11 and the first and second or, if present, through the further elevations, a contour surface individually adapted in its shape to the endless web 3 to be laminated, by means of which the endless web 3 can be laminated in an improved manner, also taking into account the intermediate spaces 8 and the edge sections of the separator webs 4 and 6 projecting beyond the electrodes 5.

[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 distances 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 elevations 10 and 11 are omitted and only the first and second elevations are provided in the region of the edge sides of the pressing surfaces. The first and second elevations are designed, corresponding to the overlapping edges of the separator webs 4 and 6, as continuous upstanding edges in the case of the pressing surfaces on the pressing belts 20 and 21 or as protruding rings on the edge sides of the outer surfaces 12 and 13 in the case of the pressing surfaces on the pressing rollers 1 and 2.

[0052] The first elevations and second elevations run in the longitudinal direction of the pressing surfaces, the continuous web 3 to be laminated, and the feed direction T and can thus also be regarded as longitudinal ribs, which are arranged parallel to one another and have a distance from one another that corresponds at least to the width of the electrodes 3. The third elevations 10 and fourth elevations 11 run transversely to the pressing surfaces, the continuous web 3 to be laminated, and the feed direction T and can thus also be regarded as transverse ribs, each of which has a distance from one another that is greater than the length of the electrodes 5 in the longitudinal direction of the continuous web 3.

[0053] If the electrodes 5 are arranged uncut in the endless web 3, i.e., arranged in a single piece, the gaps 8 and thus also the third and fourth elevations 10 and 11 are omitted, and only the first and second elevations are provided. Furthermore, the first and second elevations in the edge sides of the pressing surfaces can also 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 fourth elevations 10 and 11 can be provided.

[0054] In general, the load on the endless web 3 during lamination in the region of the edges of the electrodes 5 is reduced by the pressing surfaces enclosing the electrodes 5 in the region of the edges. If the pressure on the endless web 3 increases, e.g. due to shape inaccuracies of the endless web 3 in its thickness, the pressing movement of the endless web 3 is limited by the pressing device being supported on a separator web 4 or 6 via the first, second, third and / or fourth elevations 10 and 11. The compressive force exerted by the pressing device on the endless web 3 and in particular on the electrodes 5 in the region of the edges is thus limited to a maximum value. Furthermore, the elevations simultaneously form a form-fitting contact surface which fixes the electrodes 5 in one direction during lamination.This is particularly advantageous if the electrodes 5 are already cut into the endless web 3 and the third and fourth elevations 10 and 11 dip into the gaps 8, thereby fixing the electrodes 5 in their alignment to one another to create a gap 8 with a minimum distance. Furthermore, the heights H1 and H2 of the third and fourth elevations 10 and 11 can be specifically selected such that the endless web 3 is laminated in a defined pressing plane in the edge sections adjacent to the electrodes 5. The same naturally also applies to the heights of the first and second elevations not shown in the figures.

[0055] The designation of the elevations as first, second, third, and fourth elevations merely serves to distinguish them. It is not necessary for the implementation of the inventive concept that if the third and fourth elevations 10 and 11 are implemented, the first and second elevations must also necessarily be implemented. In this case, the first elevation according to claim 1 would be implemented 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.

[0056] Both the first and second elevations, as well as the third and fourth elevations 10 and 11, can be heated individually or as a whole, allowing their temperature to be individually adjusted for improved lamination. However, it is also conceivable to design the elevations purely passively, meaning they cannot be heated, and to achieve lamination solely through the applied pressure.

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 outwardly projecting elevation which is arranged such that when the pressure force is exerted it comes into contact with a section of the endless web (3) which adjoins an edge side of the electrode (5).

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 or 2, characterized in that -at least one first and one second elevation 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 greater 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) are provided, and -at least one third elevation (10) and one fourth elevation (11) are provided on the pressing surface, and -the fourth elevation (11) has a greater distance (II) from the third elevation (10) than the length of the electrodes (5) in the longitudinal direction of the continuous web (3). Laminating device according to claims 3 and 4, characterized in that -the first survey, the second survey, the third survey (10) and the fourth elevation (11) are shaped and arranged such that they complement each other to form an elevation whose shape corresponds to the outer shape 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 survey and / or the second survey and / or the third elevation (10) and / or the fourth elevation (11) are arranged on a section of the lateral surface (12, 13) of one of the or both of the press rollers (1, 2).

9. Laminating device according to claim 8, characterized in that -the first elevation and the second elevation are arranged on the edge sides of the lateral surface (12, 13).

10. Laminating device according to one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that -the third elevation (10) and the fourth elevation (11) are arranged parallel to at least one of the axes of rotation of the press rollers (1, 2), and -the third elevation (10) and the fourth elevation (11) in the development of the arc length of the lateral surface (12, 13) have a distance (U) from one another which is greater than the length of the electrodes (5) in the longitudinal direction of the endless track (3). 11 . 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.

12. Laminating device according to one of claims 1 to 11, 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 elevation(s) 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 elevations and / or second elevations and / or third elevations (10) and / or fourth elevations (11) are provided on the pressing surfaces, and -the first elevations, second elevations, third elevations (10) and / or fourth elevations (11) of the pressing surfaces have different distances from one another and / or different heights 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 continuous web (3) or a multiple thereof.

19. Laminating device according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that -at least one elevation is heatable.

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