Transport unit and method for providing a battery material for battery manufacture, manufacturing unit, and manufacturing system

Abstract

The invention relates to a transport unit (100, 100', 120) for providing a battery material (102, 102', 122) for battery manufacture, comprising a housing (104, 124) that can be sealed in a fluid-tight manner, an interior space (106, 134) formed within the housing (104, 124) for the arrangement of the battery material (102, 102', 122), and also a handling interface (108, 136) for loading battery material (102, 102', 122) into and unloading it from the interior space (106, 134), wherein the handling interface (108, 136) is arranged and designed to couple the transport unit (100, 100', 120) to a manufacturing unit designed for battery manufacture, in such a way that a battery material (102, 102', 122) arranged within the interior space (106, 134) can be removed, irrespective of an atmosphere surrounding the transport unit (100, 100', 120), in order to be provided to the manufacturing unit.

Description

[0001] Transport unit and method for providing a battery material for battery production as well as production unit and production system

[0002] The invention relates to a transport unit and a method for providing a battery material for battery production, a production unit for processing a battery material, and a production system for producing batteries and / or battery semi-finished products. Transport units for providing a battery material for battery production are generally known. Battery material is generally processed within a clean and / or dry room, the atmosphere of which, in particular the air in the clean and / or dry room, has a predetermined purity class on the one hand and a low humidity on the other. Low humidity is particularly necessary when processing battery material, for example an electrode material, in order to meet the stringent requirements placed on batteries, for example in the automotive industry.

[0003] The requirements regarding residual moisture and the particles still contained in the clean and / or dry room are continuously increasing.

[0004] The investment costs for such cleanrooms and dryrooms are high. Furthermore, these requirements entail high costs and considerable technical effort to maintain the functionality of such a cleanroom and / or dryroom.

[0005] Battery production can be divided into electrode production, cell assembly, and cell finalization. Electrode production involves a dry and wet mixing process in which various components are prepared into a paste, a so-called slurry. The paste is applied to current collector foils, then dried and compacted in a so-called calendering process. These coated, dried, and compacted foils are then usually wound into a coil and cut to a specific width. Finally, the resulting electrodes are dried under vacuum.

[0006] Cell assembly involves assembling the battery components, particularly the electrodes, into a functional battery cell. The assembly steps are designed depending on the cell format. The electrodes, particularly the anodes and cathodes, are placed in a housing along with other components, such as separators and conductor tabs. The housing is then filled with an electrolyte and sealed. Finally, the cell finalization process follows, in which the cell is charged and discharged. Furthermore, the cell's functionality is tested during cell finalization.

[0007] The quality of the manufactured battery cells is determined primarily by the manufacturing technology used and the atmosphere during electrode production and cell assembly. A requirement for battery cell production is a clean and dry production environment due to the sensitive cell materials involved. Two parameters of the production environment are cleanliness, particularly freedom from particles, and air humidity. Since the humidity values ​​to be achieved are low, the dew point is usually specified, for example, -20 °C, -40 °C, or -60 °C. Oxygen and / or CO2 reduction may also be necessary.

[0008] Moisture ingress can lead to surface passivation and electrolyte decomposition, resulting in the formation of toxic hydrofluoric acid, which negatively impacts cell performance. Furthermore, this leads to increased gas formation within the cell, degradation effects, and thus safety risks for operation. Another aspect of producing high-quality battery cells is that electrode production and cell assembly are essentially contamination-free.

[0009] Moisture can enter battery cell production in various ways. To maintain the required dew point while minimizing energy consumption, moisture ingress should be prevented.

[0010] The largest moisture input is caused by humans and represents a critical moisture source for the process. People release water into the environment through their breathing, perspiration, or moisture in their clothing. In particular, the local moisture influence through exhalation in the product or process environment represents a critical and uncontrollable factor. Further moisture input occurs at airlocks when personnel and / or material are transferred through them.

[0011] JP6897654B2 discloses a transport box for individual, layered electrodes, designed to shield them from the atmosphere. The transport box has a device that uses dry air to maintain a higher air pressure inside the transport box than atmospheric pressure, preventing air from the surrounding atmosphere from entering the transport box. One disadvantage of this transport box is that it can be contaminated from the outside, and this contamination and / or adhering moisture can be introduced into the battery cell production process.

[0012] DE 10 2021 004 571 A1 discloses a method for cleaning exhaust air generated during a processing process in a cleanroom or dry room, as well as a system for carrying out the method. However, contamination is not prevented during the inward and outward transfer of semi-finished products and / or personnel.

[0013] CN112193597A discloses a transport box for batteries with a protective housing. This transport box also does not allow for contamination- and / or moisture-free transfer of batteries within a battery cell production facility.

[0014] US2022140435A1 discloses a container for transporting and / or storing batteries, wherein openings are provided on a lid for flushing high-pressure gas into the storage space of the container. This container also has the disadvantage that battery cell production would be contaminated by the introduction of the transport container.

[0015] There is a need in industry for ultra-pure battery cell production that can be carried out independently of the humidity and contamination of the atmosphere surrounding battery cell production. In particular, the expected ever-increasing requirements for dew point and contamination-free air within battery cell production require concepts that go beyond the use of conventional clean and / or dry rooms.

[0016] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a transport unit, a manufacturing unit, a manufacturing system, and a method that reduce or eliminate one or more of the aforementioned disadvantages. In particular, it is an object of the invention to provide a solution that enables improved battery cell production. Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide a solution that enables a more stable battery manufacturing process at lower costs.

[0017] This object is achieved with a transport unit, a production unit, a production system, and a method according to the features of the independent patent claims. Further advantageous embodiments of these aspects are specified in the respective dependent patent claims. The features disclosed in the patent claims, the description, and the drawings can be combined individually in any technologically expedient manner, with further embodiments of the invention being shown.

[0018] According to a first aspect, the object mentioned at the outset is achieved by a transport unit for providing a battery material for battery production, comprising a fluid-tight sealable housing, an interior space formed within the housing for arranging the battery material, a handling interface for loading and unloading the interior space with battery material, wherein the handling interface is arranged and designed to couple the transport unit to a production unit designed for battery production in such a way that a battery material arranged within the interior space can be removed independently of an atmosphere surrounding the transport unit in order to provide it to the production unit.

[0019] The invention is based on the finding that battery cell production arranged exclusively within a clean and / or dry room does not meet current and, in particular, future requirements with regard to dew point and purity, or only meets them to a limited extent. Therefore, production units are further atmospherically decoupled from the clean and / or dry room, so that optimized conditions prevail within the production unit to ensure a specified material quality compared to the clean and / or dry room. Such atmospherically decoupled production units are also referred to as mini and / or micro environments. In order to effectively provide the battery material to the production units within battery cell production, the atmospheric difference between the production unit and the clean and / or dry room must be taken into account during the transfer.

[0020] The transport unit addresses these requirements. Namely, with this transport unit, the battery material can be transported into the clean and / or dry room and also within the clean and / or dry room between different production units and made available to the individual production units contamination-free and independent of the humidity within the clean and / or dry room. Thus, the battery material can be transported independently of the atmosphere of the clean and / or dry room and subsequently processed within the production unit. The statements regarding clean and / or dry rooms apply analogously to clean and / or gray rooms, which are particularly encompassed by the terms clean and / or dry room. The transport unit is designed to provide battery material for battery production. Provision is preferably also understood to include storage and intermediate buffering.The battery material can, for example, be a semi-finished product. The battery material can also relate to electrode foils, solid electrolytes, substrate foils, separators, intermediately manufactured products, preferably intermediate products that are transported batchwise in magazines, for example, or housing elements. In particular, the transport unit is designed such that it is movable within a clean and / or dry room. Furthermore, the transport unit is preferably designed to be moved within the clean and / or dry room to one, two, or more production units. Furthermore, the transport unit is designed in particular such that the battery material can be arranged within the interior space, wherein it must be taken into account that the battery material is provided in the form of large-volume coils.

[0021] The transport unit comprises the fluid-tight, sealable housing. A fluid-tight, sealable housing is understood in particular to mean that an atmosphere can be formed within the housing that is essentially unaffected by the atmosphere surrounding the transport unit. Fluid-tight can also mean particle-tight.

[0022] The interior space is formed within the housing. The housing preferably encloses the interior space, particularly in sections. The interior space is designed for arranging the battery material.

[0023] The transport unit further comprises the handling interface for loading and unloading the interior with battery material. The housing preferably has the handling interface. It is preferred that the handling interface be the only opening in the housing. Alternatively, the housing may also have additional closable openings.

[0024] The handling interface is provided for loading and unloading the interior with battery material. The handling interface preferably has a closable opening through which the battery material can be moved. The handling interface preferably has an openable closing element, for example a gate. The openable closing element is preferably arranged and designed such that it can be opened and / or closed vertically and / or horizontally. The openable closing element can, for example, be designed to be rollable. The openable closing element preferably has a hydrophobic surface. The handling interface preferably has a rolling unit that is arranged and designed to roll up and / or unroll the rollable closing element. The rolling unit preferably has a drive.

[0025] Furthermore, the handling interface is arranged and configured to couple the transport unit to a manufacturing unit configured for battery production. This coupling is effected such that a battery material arranged within the interior space can be removed independently of the atmosphere surrounding the transport unit in order to make it available to the manufacturing unit. The fact that the battery material is removable preferably also means that the battery material can be moved into the interior space independently of the atmosphere surrounding the transport unit. The handling interface preferably comprises coupling means with which the transport unit can be coupled to a closable opening of a manufacturing unit, for example a lock. Such opening units on manufacturing units are known to those skilled in the art.

[0026] The handling interface is particularly arranged and designed such that the battery material is accessible after coupling to a production unit, allowing it to be moved out of the transport unit. Different technical design variants are presented below that enable handling of the battery material from the transport unit.

[0027] A preferred embodiment of the transport unit is characterized in that the handling interface is formed by a detachable housing element, and the detachable housing element is arranged and designed such that it can be removed from the transport unit after coupling to the production unit. Furthermore, the handling interface can be the detachable housing element. The detachable housing element can be a complete side of the housing or a side section of the housing. The side or this side section can be aligned horizontally, vertically, or obliquely during normal operation. Removing the detachable housing element can be removing or moving the detachable housing element. Moving can be, for example, folding, pivoting, or moving it together.

[0028] In a further preferred embodiment of the transport unit, the handling interface is designed such that, after removal of the detachable housing element, the housing can be connected to the production unit in a fluid-tight manner. Alternatively or additionally, the connection between the housing and the production unit can also be established before removal of the detachable housing element.

[0029] For example, the housing not having the detachable housing element can be arranged on the production unit with a sealing element. It is particularly preferred that the sealing element is arranged such that the connection between the housing and the production unit is independent of the detachable housing element, so that the latter can be removed without affecting the atmosphere within the housing and / or the production unit. The sealing element is preferably inflatable. The sealing element can be designed as a flat seal. The sealing element can have a cross-section of more than 5 mm.

[0030] A further preferred development of the transport unit is characterized in that the detachable housing element forms a bottom, a lid and / or a side of the housing.

[0031] A housing element forming the base has the advantage that the transport unit can be arranged vertically above the production unit, so that contact pressure is exerted between the transport unit and the production unit by gravity. This advantageously enables a seal between the transport unit and the production unit.

[0032] A detachable housing element designed as a side of the housing has the

[0033] The advantage is that the transport unit can be moved to the intended position of the production unit with little effort, for example, by placing it to the side of the production unit. In this case, it is preferred that the transport unit be pulled and / or pushed toward the production unit using pressure elements.

[0034] A similar advantage arises when the detachable housing element forms a cover of the housing. The fact that the detachable housing element forms a base, a cover, and / or a side of the housing means, in particular, that it forms part of the base, the cover, and / or the side of the housing. Preloading and pre-alignment of the detachable housing element can be provided by peripheral units or by the drive unit.

[0035] It is preferred that the detachable housing element comprises, on a side facing away from the interior, a sealing unit that is arranged and designed to interact with a production system, in particular a removal element of a production system. Furthermore, it is preferred that the transport unit has a movable, in particular foldable, cover element that is arranged and designed to cover the sealing unit in order to protect the sealing unit from contamination. The cover element is preferably arranged and designed such that it releases the sealing unit before the transport unit is coupled to a production system, so that it can interact with the production system, in particular the removal element.

[0036] The transport unit preferably comprises at least one closing element which is arranged and designed to connect the detachable housing element to the housing in a substantially fluid-tight manner. It is preferred that the at least one closing element is arranged outside the atmosphere formed for the battery material. The closing element is preferably arranged on an outer wall of the housing. Alternatively, the closing element can be arranged on the detachable housing element. Furthermore, it can be preferred that the closing element is arranged within the detachable housing element. A further preferred embodiment of the transport unit comprises a second housing which is detachably arranged within the housing, wherein the second housing is fluidically separated from the housing, wherein the housing is preferably designed to be particle-tight and the second housing is designed to be fluid-tight.

[0037] The fact that the second housing is fluidically separated from the housing means, in particular, that a different atmosphere prevails in the second housing than in the housing, for example, a third atmosphere. The fact that the second housing is detachably arranged within the housing means, in particular, that the second housing can be removed from the housing and / or moved into the housing during normal operation.

[0038] The second housing has the advantage of further isolating the battery material from the environment of the transport unit. In particular, the housing and the second housing can provide different functions. Furthermore, loading and unloading can be made more contamination-free, for example, through airlocks.

[0039] In a further preferred embodiment of the transport unit, it is provided that the second housing is arranged fixedly within the housing.

[0040] An intermediate chamber is preferably formed between the second housing and the housing. The transport unit is preferably designed such that a controlled atmosphere can be formed in the intermediate chamber. This controlled atmosphere is formed, in particular, with an inert gas, for example, nitrogen and / or argon. The second atmosphere preferably has an overpressure relative to the ambient atmosphere, so that essentially no particles and / or moist air can penetrate into the intermediate chamber.

[0041] The intermediate chamber preferably has a smaller volume than the interior space. The volume of the intermediate chamber is preferably many times smaller than the volume of the interior space. The atmosphere to be controlled within the intermediate chamber can therefore have a small volume, thereby reducing the media requirement. A targeted overflow into the interior space can be achieved from the intermediate chamber. It is preferred that a vacuum prevails in the interior space and an overpressure in the intermediate chamber, in particular with an inert gas, for example nitrogen and / or argon. Furthermore, an overpressure can be created in the interior space and in the intermediate chamber, wherein the pressure in the interior space is preferably greater than the overpressure in the intermediate chamber.

[0042] The detachable housing element is preferably double-walled, so that it also forms an intermediate chamber. It is preferred that the intermediate chamber between the first housing and the second housing, as well as the intermediate chamber of the detachable housing element, are fluidically coupled to one another. It is further preferred that the first housing and / or the second housing and the detachable housing element have corresponding fluid channels, for example, bores, which are arranged and designed to fluidically couple them to one another.

[0043] A further preferred embodiment of the transport unit comprises a holding device for holding the battery material within the interior space, wherein the holding device is connected to the detachable housing element and can be removed with the housing element. The holding device can be designed, for example, as a suspension.

[0044] In a further preferred embodiment, the holding device for holding the battery material is arranged with a first end on the housing, in particular an inner wall of the housing, and a second end forms a fixed and / or loose mounting with the detachable housing element, so that the battery material is securely held during normal operation of the transport unit. When the detachable housing element is detached from the housing, the fixed and / or loose mounting is canceled.

[0045] Furthermore, it is preferred that the holding device is designed such that the battery material can be provided automatically, in particular with a handling unit, for example a gantry crane unit and / or an articulated-arm robot. Furthermore, the holding device can be a manipulator of a handling unit. If the holding device is connected to the detachable housing element, there is the advantage that the battery material can be moved directly with the housing element into the production unit. This reduces the required handling steps, since the unit consisting of or comprising the holding device, housing element, and battery material is moved.

[0046] In a further preferred embodiment of the transport unit, it is provided that it comprises a media supply unit which is arranged and designed to create an overpressure, in particular in a micro-overpressure range, in the interior space, so that contamination particles and / or a moist fluid can be conveyed out of the interior space and / or contamination particles and / or a moist fluid can be kept away from the interior space. For this purpose, the media supply unit preferably comprises a particle chamber in which the contamination particles and / or the moist fluid and / or a fluid separated from the moist fluid are stored. It is preferred that the overpressure is created using an inert gas. The media supply unit preferably comprises a fluid container, in particular for an inert gas, for example nitrogen and / or argon.

[0047] In a further preferred development of the transport unit, the fluid container has a refilling interface arranged and configured such that the fluid container can be refilled via the refilling interface. The refilling interface is configured, in particular, such that the fluid container can be refilled automatically. For example, the transport unit can be moved to a fluid refilling nozzle, in particular by means of the drive unit, which interacts with the refilling interface such that the fluid container can be refilled with the fluid.

[0048] In a further preferred embodiment of the transport unit, the media supply unit is alternatively or additionally arranged and configured to apply a fluid flow to the battery material arranged in the interior space in such a way that particles are removed from the battery material and to feed the fluid flow containing particles to a filter so that the particles are separated. Alternatively or additionally, the filter or an additional filter can be configured to dry the fluid flow. The fluid flow influenced in this way is preferably fed to the interior space. The filter or filters are preferably arranged in the particle space.

[0049] A further preferred embodiment of the transport unit comprises a drive unit which is arranged and designed to move the transport unit and which has a fluid reservoir, and a coupling interface which is arranged and designed to position the housing on the drive unit and / or to fluidically connect the fluid reservoir to the interior space. The coupling between the drive unit and the housing can be direct or indirect. Alternatively or additionally, the fluid reservoir can be enclosed by the housing and / or fluidically coupled to the housing. The fluid reservoir is preferably arranged outside the interior space. Furthermore, the fluid reservoir is preferably arranged on an outer wall, in particular on a lateral outer wall, of the housing. The fluid reservoir can be cylindrical and / or prismatic.

[0050] The drive unit can be fixedly or detachably connected to the transport unit. It is further preferred that the transport unit and the drive unit be designed and arranged such that the drive unit can be moved beneath the transport unit and coupled to it.

[0051] The drive unit is designed, for example, to be rail- or vehicle-guided.

[0052] A further preferred development of the transport unit comprises a control device that is signal-coupled to the drive unit and configured to receive a positioning command characterizing a position to be approached by the transport unit and to control the drive unit based on the positioning command. The drive unit is controlled based on the positioning command, in particular, in such a way that the position to be approached is approached.

[0053] In a further preferred embodiment of the transport unit, it is provided that it comprises a movement device that is arranged and designed to move the battery material and / or the holding device out of the interior space and / or into the interior space. The movement device can be designed, for example, as a linear unit. The movement device can, for example, have rails on which the battery material and / or the holding device can be movably arranged. The movement device can preferably be actuated by means of a medium, in particular compressed air and / or electrical power. The medium is preferably provided by the media supply unit.

[0054] Furthermore, the transport unit preferably comprises a media interface for coupling the transport unit to the production unit. The media interface is particularly designed to receive the medium. The media interface is preferably designed to receive compressed air of up to 10 bar. Furthermore, it is preferred that the media interface is arranged and designed such that, after coupling the transport unit to a production unit, pressure equalization occurs between the interior space and the production unit.

[0055] In a further preferred embodiment of the transport unit, it is provided that it has a fluid unit with a desiccant, which is arranged and designed to generate a dried fluid flow. The desiccant is arranged and designed to dry the fluid. The desiccant is or comprises preferably a water-binding material. The desiccant is or comprises, for example, silica gel and / or a molecular sieve. The desiccant is preferably integrated into an exchangeable drying module. The fluid from the fluid unit and / or the fluid reservoir is preferably provided as needed. The fluid unit and / or the desiccant, in particular the drying module, is / are preferably arranged outside the interior. Furthermore, it is preferred that the fluid unit and / or the desiccant, in particular the drying module, is / are arranged on an outer wall, in particular an upper outer wall.

[0056] In a further preferred embodiment of the transport box, it is provided that it comprises at least one fluid flow guide element arranged and configured to guide the fluid flow within the interior according to a predefined flow pattern. In particular, it is preferred that the fluid flow is directed toward the detachable housing element in such a way that contamination upon removal of the housing element is avoided or reduced. Furthermore, it is preferred that the fluid flow is directed in such a way that an air wall is formed adjacent to the detachable housing element. Furthermore, air slots can be provided to form an air curtain.

[0057] A preferred development of the transport unit comprises a dew point sensor and / or a pressure sensor, which are arranged and designed to measure the dew point and / or the pressure in the interior.

[0058] According to a further aspect, the object mentioned at the outset is achieved by a production unit for processing a battery material, comprising a removal unit for removing a detachable housing element, a transport unit, in particular a transport unit according to one of the embodiments described above, so that a battery material arranged in the transport unit and / or on the housing element can be removed, and / or a handling unit which is arranged and designed to remove the battery material.

[0059] The manufacturing unit can be designed for processing and / or storing the battery material. The manufacturing unit preferably comprises a manufacturing space and / or storage space in which the battery material can be processed and / or stored. The manufacturing space and / or storage space is preferably fluid-tight with respect to the surroundings of the manufacturing unit.

[0060] Removing the detachable housing element from the transport unit involves, in particular, moving or moving the housing element away from the transport unit. "In the transport unit" means, in particular, "in an interior space of a housing of the transport unit."

[0061] The removal unit is preferably designed for translational movement of the housing element. In particular, the removal unit is designed for vertical translational movement of the housing element. The handling unit can be, for example, a gantry crane unit and / or an articulated-arm robot and / or a linear unit. Furthermore, it may be preferred for the handling unit to be translationally movable, so that it can be moved, for example, through a lock unit described below. Furthermore, a translationally movable handling unit can serve multiple production lines, so that only one interface is required for multiple production lines. The handling unit is preferably designed to move the battery material into the production area and / or storage area.

[0062] In a preferred embodiment of the production unit, the removal unit comprises a removal element corresponding to the detachable housing element, in particular to an outer side of the detachable housing element, for coupling to the detachable housing element. Such a removal element minimizes contamination by the housing of the transport unit. This is achieved, in particular, by covering a large portion of the contaminated surface of the housing element by the removal element.

[0063] In a further preferred embodiment of the production unit, the removal unit is arranged and configured for coupling to the detachable housing element in such a way that contaminated surfaces of the housing element are covered. The removal unit can, for example, have sleeves, in particular rubber sleeves, into which the housing element can be inserted in sections, so that contaminated surfaces of the housing element do not cause contamination of the production unit. Contaminated surfaces are understood to mean, in particular, those surfaces that face outwards during normal operation of the transport unit and thus come into contact with the atmosphere surrounding the production unit, for example, a clean and / or dry room. An outwards-facing surface of the production unit or the lock unit can also be a contaminated surface.The transport unit and / or the production unit preferably have a coupling to connect them to one another. Furthermore, the coupling is preferably mechanical. Mechanical couplings particularly comprise physical connections such as screws, bolts, or springs. Furthermore, the coupling is preferably magnetic. Magnetic couplings have magnets to connect the transport unit to the production unit in a contamination-free manner. Furthermore, the coupling can be pneumatically and / or electrically operated. Pneumatic couplings are arranged and designed to provide compressed air such that the transport unit can be connected to the production unit in a contamination-free manner.

[0064] The coupling can also be designed as a flange coupling. Flange couplings use flanges to connect the transport unit to the production unit without contamination. Furthermore, the coupling can be designed as a quick-action coupling. Quick-action couplings comprise locking elements to connect the transport unit to the production unit without contamination.

[0065] In a further preferred embodiment of the production unit, the removal unit is arranged with the detachable housing element so that it can move from a coupling position, in which the removal unit can be coupled to the detachable housing element, to a transfer position, in which the battery material can be removed using the handling unit. For example, the coupling position can be vertically spaced from the transfer position. Preferably, the coupling position is vertically above the transfer position.

[0066] In a further preferred embodiment of the production unit, it comprises a lock unit with a lock chamber having a first closable side and a second closable side. The transport unit can be coupled to the production unit at the first closable side, and the second closable side adjoins a production chamber. The atmosphere of the lock chamber can be adjusted using a fluid device. The lock unit preferably comprises a fluid overflow unit arranged and configured to create a fluid barrier to prevent or reduce contamination. The fluid barrier can be, for example, an air bulkhead or an air blade.

[0067] According to a further aspect, the object mentioned at the outset is achieved by a production system for producing batteries and / or battery semi-finished products, comprising a production unit according to one of the embodiments described above and / or a transport unit according to one of the embodiments described above.

[0068] Such a manufacturing system has the advantage that battery production can take place in an environment that meets even higher standards than battery production that takes place exclusively in a clean and / or dry room. Furthermore, the manufacturing system eliminates the need for all production units to be located in a clean and / or dry room, thus avoiding or mitigating the disadvantages of a clean and / or dry room described above.

[0069] In particular, it is preferred that the transport unit comprises the detachable housing element, and the production unit comprises the removal unit for removing the detachable housing element, so that a coupling between the transport unit and the production unit for removing the battery material is advantageously possible. Preferably, the removal unit is connectable to the detachable housing element by means of a removal element, so that the detachable housing element can be removed from the housing, thus making the battery material accessible.

[0070] In a preferred embodiment of the manufacturing system, the manufacturing unit is arranged within a clean and / or dry room and has a manufacturing space configured such that a first atmosphere in the manufacturing space is independent of a second atmosphere of the clean and / or dry room, and the first atmosphere prevails in the interior of the transport unit, so that the battery material can be moved from the transport unit to the manufacturing space by means of the handling interface without being influenced by the second atmosphere. During normal operation of the manufacturing system, persons who introduce moisture and / or particles may be present in the second atmosphere of the clean and / or dry room.

[0071] According to a further aspect, the object mentioned at the outset is achieved by a method for providing a battery material for battery production, comprising the steps of: arranging a battery material within a housing of a transport unit and fluid-tightly closing the housing, moving the transport unit to a production unit for processing the battery material, fluid-tightly coupling the transport unit to the production unit by means of a handling interface and opening the handling interface, so that the battery material is provided to the production unit independently of an atmosphere surrounding the transport unit.

[0072] The arrangement of the battery material within the housing can take place during electrode production and / or cell assembly. For example, the arrangement takes place after preprocessing of the battery material, in particular into a coil. The battery material was preferably preprocessed in a clean room and / or dry room atmosphere, with the final process step being vacuum drying.

[0073] In a preferred embodiment of the method, the handling interface is formed by a detachable housing element of the housing, and opening the handling interface comprises the step of removing the detachable housing element so that the battery material is accessible and can be provided to the production unit. Removal is preferably carried out using a removal device, comprising the step of moving the housing element into an interior space of the production unit. The housing element is preferably moved vertically.

[0074] For further advantages, design variants, and details of the individual aspects and their possible refinements, please refer to the description of the additional aspects, the corresponding features, and refinements. Preferred embodiments are illustrated by way of example in the accompanying figures. They show:

[0075] Figure 1 : a schematic, three-dimensional view of an exemplary

[0076] Embodiment of a manufacturing system;

[0077] Figure 2: a schematic, two-dimensional sectional view of the manufacturing system shown in Figure 1;

[0078] Figure 3: a schematic, two-dimensional side view of the manufacturing system shown in Figure 1;

[0079] Figure 4: a schematic, two-dimensional view of an exemplary

[0080] Embodiment of a manufacturing system;

[0081] Figure 5: a schematic, two-dimensional view of an exemplary

[0082] Embodiment of a production unit with a transport unit;

[0083] Figure 6: a schematic, two-dimensional view of an exemplary

[0084] Embodiment of a production unit with a transport unit;

[0085] Figure 7: a schematic, two-dimensional view of an exemplary

[0086] Embodiment of a production unit with a transport unit;

[0087] Figure 8: a schematic, two-dimensional view of an exemplary

[0088] Embodiment of a transport unit;

[0089] Figure 9: a schematic, two-dimensional view of an exemplary

[0090] Embodiment of a transport unit;

[0091] Figure 10: a schematic view of an exemplary process.

[0092] In the figures, identical or essentially functionally identical or similar elements are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0093] The exemplary embodiments explained below are preferred embodiments of the invention. In the exemplary embodiments, the described components of the embodiments each represent individual, independently considered features of the invention, which also further develop the invention independently of one another and are thus also to be considered as components of the invention, either individually or in a combination other than that shown. Furthermore, the described embodiments can also be supplemented by further features of the invention already described.

[0094] Figures 1, 2, and 3 show a manufacturing system 1 for producing batteries and / or battery semi-finished products. The manufacturing system 1 comprises a manufacturing unit 200 to which two transport units 100, 100' are coupled. The manufacturing unit has the manufacturing space 201, in which a laser separation unit is shown as an example. The manufacturing system 1 is arranged within a clean and / or dry room 208. Alternatively, the manufacturing system 1 can be arranged partially or entirely in an environment that is not a clean and / or dry room.

[0095] The transport unit 100 comprises a housing 104 enclosing an interior space 106. A battery material 102, which may be, for example, an electrode material, is arranged within the interior space 106. Figure 2 shows, by way of example, a second housing 118 that is detachably arranged within the housing 104. The second housing 118 is fluidically separated from the housing 104.

[0096] The transport unit 100 further includes the handling interface 108. The handling interface 108 enables the housing 104 to be opened, allowing a removal unit 202 and / or a handling unit 206 to reach the transport unit 100. The removal unit 202 and / or the handling unit 206 can be configured as a pivoting robot system on a linear axis. The battery material 102 is arranged on a mounting device 110.

[0097] Furthermore, the transport unit 100 comprises a drive unit 112, which can be configured as an AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle, also known as a driverless transport system). The housing 104 is arranged on the drive unit 112. Furthermore, the drive unit 112 comprises a control device 114 configured to receive a positioning command characterizing a position to be approached by the transport unit 100 and to control the drive unit 102 based on the positioning command.

[0098] The transport unit 100 further comprises a media supply unit 116, which is arranged and configured to maintain an atmosphere, for example, the first atmosphere, in the interior space 106. The media supply unit 116 can, for example, form an air valve and / or an airlock. For example, the media supply unit 116 can create an overpressure in the interior space 106 so that contaminant particles and / or a moist fluid can be conveyed out of the interior space 106. The transport unit 100' has a similar structure. The media supply unit 116 is fluidically coupled to the interior space 106 by means of a valve 148 and a quick-coupling unit 150. Furthermore, the media supply unit and / or the control device 114 are supplied with electrical power by a power supply unit 146. Parameters of the atmosphere in the interior space 106 can be determined by means of a sensor unit 152.

[0099] Figure 4 shows a sectional drawing detailing the coupling of the transport unit 100 to the production unit 200. After the transport unit 100 is coupled to the production unit 200, the handling interface 108 can open. The battery material 102 can then be removed using the handling unit 206.

[0100] The handling unit 206 is arranged within a lock unit with a lock chamber 209. The lock unit comprises a first lockable lock 210 and a second lockable lock 212. After the handling unit 206 has removed the battery material 102, the handling unit 206 is moved by the movement unit 214 toward the second lock 212. Subsequently, the battery material 102 is introduced into the production chamber 201 of the production unit 200 by the handling unit 206. In the state shown, the battery material 102' is arranged in the production chamber 201.

[0101] The lock chamber 209 can be cleaned with a fluid device 216. For this purpose, the fluid device 216 comprises a fresh air inlet 218, a filter 220, a drying, inert gas, and / or vacuum unit 222, another filter 224, a fluid supply 226, and a fluid discharge 228. Thus, residual particles or residual moisture that have entered the lock chamber 209 despite the handling interface 108 can be disposed of.

[0102] Figures 5 to 7 show an alternative variant in which the handling interface 136 has a detachable housing element 132 designed as a base element 130. Analogous to the previously described transport unit 100, the transport unit 120 has a housing 124, an interior space 134, a holding device 138, and a media supply unit 140.

[0103] The battery material 122 is held by the holding device 138. The housing 124 comprises four side walls 126, a cover 128, and a base element 130. The base element 130 is designed as the detachable housing element 132. The base element 130 is arranged, in particular, in an exchangeable manner. Furthermore, the base element 130 can be designed in a modular and adaptable manner. The base element 130 can be designed in multiple parts so that contaminated surfaces can be kept away from the first atmosphere.

[0104] During normal operation, the transport unit 120 is arranged on the production unit 200. Subsequently, the removal unit 202 with the removal element 204 is moved toward the base element 130, so that the removal unit 202 is in a coupling position. A mechanism (not shown) decouples the base element 130 from the remaining housing 124, so that the base element 130 with the removal element 204 can be moved downwards in a vertical direction. This state is shown in particular in Figure 6. The production unit 200 can be designed to be openable with a lock element (not shown).

[0105] Furthermore, Figure 6 shows a sleeve 142 that covers the contaminated surfaces of the housing element 132. Furthermore, the housing 124 includes seals 144 to form a fluid-tight coupling with the manufacturing unit 200.

[0106] Figure 7 shows the transfer position of the removal unit 202. Using the handling unit 206, the battery material 122, optionally with the holding device 138 and the production unit 200, can now be prepared for further processing.

[0107] Figures 8 and 9 show further preferred embodiments of a transport unit 100. Figure 8 shows that the transport unit 100 comprises an outer housing 104 and an inner, second housing 118. A first intermediate chamber 154 is formed between the housings 104 and 118. The transport unit 100 further comprises the detachable housing element 129, which has an outer housing element 129a and an inner housing element 129b. A second intermediate chamber 156 is formed between the outer housing element 129a and the inner housing element 129b. The intermediate chambers 154, 156 enable the maintenance of a predefined atmosphere, wherein the volume for this predefined atmosphere is small compared to the interior space 106. Thus, the predefined atmosphere can be maintained more reliably and with less effort.The predefined atmosphere is maintained and formed, among other things, by the prismatic media supply unit 140. Furthermore, the transport unit 100" comprises a fluid unit 166 for forming a fluid flow and a drying agent 168 for drying the fluid flow.

[0108] Figure 9 shows that a mandrel 164 is arranged within the interior space 106. A battery material coil can be arranged on the mandrel 164 in a particularly preferred manner. To enable particularly secure transport of the battery material coil, the mandrel 164 cooperates with a mandrel bearing 162. The mandrel bearing 162 is arranged on the detachable housing element 129. The fluid channel couplings 158, 160 are arranged and designed for the exchange of fluid between the intermediate chambers 154, 156.

[0109] The method in Figure 10 comprises six main steps. In step 300, the battery material 102, 102', 122 is arranged within the housing 104, 124 of the transport unit 100, 100', 120. In step 302, the housing 104, 124 is sealed in a fluid-tight manner.

[0110] In step 304, the transport unit 100, 100', 120 is moved to a manufacturing unit 200 for processing the battery material 102, 102', 122. In step 306, the transport unit 100, 100', 120 is fluid-tightly coupled to the manufacturing unit 200 by means of the handling interface 108, 136.

[0111] In step 308, the handling interface 108, 136 is opened so that the battery material 102, 102', 122 is provided to the manufacturing unit 200 independently of an atmosphere surrounding the transport unit 100, 100', 120.

[0112] In step 310, the detachable housing element 132 is removed so that the battery material 102, 102', 122 is accessible and can be provided to the manufacturing unit 100.

[0113] The transport unit 100, 100', 120, the manufacturing unit 200, the manufacturing system 1, and the method described above enable higher-quality and energy-efficient battery production, since the battery material 102, 102', 122 processed into the batteries has lower levels of contamination and is handled in an atmosphere with a lower dew point. Thus, generally higher-quality batteries can be produced, and rejects and subsequent testing steps are reduced.

[0114] REFERENCE SYMBOL

[0115] manufacturing system

[0116] 100, 100', 100" transport unit

[0117] 102, 102' Battery material

[0118] 104 housings

[0119] 106 Interior

[0120] 108 Handling interface

[0121] 110 Mounting device

[0122] 112 drive unit

[0123] 114 Control device

[0124] 116 Media supply unit

[0125] 118 second housing

[0126] 120 transport units

[0127] 122 Battery material

[0128] 124 housings

[0129] 126 side wall

[0130] 128 lids

[0131] 129 removable housing element

[0132] 129a outer housing element

[0133] 129b inner housing element

[0134] 130 floor element

[0135] 132 Housing element

[0136] 134 Interior

[0137] 136 Handling interface Mounting device Media supply unit Sleeve Seal Power supply unit Valve Quick coupling unit Sensor unit First intermediate chamber Second intermediate chamber First fluid channel coupling Second fluid channel coupling Mandrel bearing Mandrel Fluid unit Desiccant Manufacturing unit Manufacturing room Removal unit Removal element Handling unit Clean and / or dry room Lock chamber First lock 212 Second lock

[0138] 214 movement unit

[0139] 216 Fluid device

[0140] 218 Fresh air intake 220 Filter

[0141] 222 Drying, inert gas and / or vacuum unit

[0142] 224 filters

[0143] 226 Fluid supply

[0144] 228 Fluid drainage

[0145] 300-310 process steps

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Transport unit (100, 100', 120) for providing a battery material (102, 102', 122) for battery production, comprising a fluid-tight sealable housing (104, 124), an interior space (106, 134) formed within the housing (104, 124) for arranging the battery material (102, 102', 122), a handling interface (108, 136) for loading and unloading the interior space (106, 134) with battery material (102, 102', 122), wherein the handling interface (108, 136) is arranged and designed to couple the transport unit (100, 100', 120) to a production unit designed for battery production in such a way that a arranged battery material (102, 102', 122) can be removed independently of an atmosphere surrounding the transport unit (100, 100', 120) in order to make it available to the production unit.

2. Transport unit (100, 100', 120) according to claim 1, wherein the handling interface (108, 136) is formed by a detachable housing element (132), and the detachable housing element (132) is arranged and designed such that it can be removed from the transport unit (100, 100', 120) after coupling to the production unit.

3. Transport unit (100, 100', 120) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the handling interface (108, 136) is designed such that after removal of the detachable housing element (132), the housing (104, 124) can be connected to the production unit in a fluid-tight manner.

4. Transport unit (100, 100', 120) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the detachable housing element (132) forms a bottom (130), a cover (128) and / or a side (126) of the housing (104, 124).

5. Transport unit (100, 100', 120) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a second housing (118) which is detachably arranged within the housing (104, 124), wherein the second housing (118) is fluidically separated from the housing (104, 124), wherein preferably the housing (104, 124) is particle-tight and the second housing (118) is fluid-tight.

6. Transport unit (100, 100', 120) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a holding device (110, 138) for holding the Battery material (102, 102', 122) within the interior space (106, 134), wherein the holding device (110, 138) is connected to the detachable housing element (132) and is removable with the housing element (132).

7. Transport unit (100, 100', 120) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a media supply unit (116, 140) arranged and designed to maintain an atmosphere in the interior space (106).

8. Transport unit (100, 100', 120) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a drive unit (112) which is arranged and designed to move the transport unit (100, 100', 120) and which has a fluid reservoir, and a coupling interface which is arranged and designed to position the housing (104, 124) on the drive unit (112) and / or to fluidically connect the fluid reservoir to the interior space (106, 134).

9. Transport unit (100, 100', 120) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a control device (114) which is signal-coupled to the drive unit (112) and which is configured to receive a positioning command characterizing a position to be approached by the transport unit (100, 100', 120) and to control the drive unit (112) based on the positioning command.

10. A manufacturing unit (200) for processing a battery material (102, 102', 122), comprising a removal unit (202) for removing a detachable housing element (132) of a transport unit (100, 100', 120), in particular a transport unit (100, 100', 120) according to one of the preceding claims 1-9, so that a battery material (102, 102', 122) arranged in the transport unit (100, 100', 120) and / or on the housing element (132) can be removed, and / or a handling unit (206) which is arranged and designed to remove the battery material (102, 102', 122).

11. Manufacturing unit (200) according to the preceding claim 10, wherein the removal unit (202) has a removal element (204) corresponding to the detachable housing element (132) for coupling to the detachable housing element (132).

12. Manufacturing unit (200) according to one of the preceding claims 10-11, wherein the removal unit (202) is arranged and designed for coupling to the detachable housing element (132) such that contaminated surfaces of the housing element (132) are covered.

13. Manufacturing unit (200) according to one of the preceding claims 10-12, wherein the removal unit (202) with the detachable housing element (132) is arranged to be movable from a coupling position in which the removal unit (202) can be coupled to the detachable housing element (132), to a transfer position in which the battery material (102, 102', 122) can be removed with the handling unit (206).

14. Manufacturing unit (200) according to one of the preceding claims 10-13, comprising a lock unit with a lock chamber (209) which has a first closable side (210) and a second closable side (212), wherein the transport unit (100, 100', 120) can be coupled to the manufacturing unit at the first closable side and the second closable side adjoins a manufacturing chamber (201), and wherein an atmosphere of the lock chamber (209) can be adjusted with a fluid device (216).

15. Manufacturing system (1) for producing batteries and / or battery semi-finished products, comprising a manufacturing unit (200) according to one of the preceding claims 10-14, and / or a transport unit (100, 100', 120) according to one of the preceding claims 1-9.

16. Manufacturing system (1) according to the preceding claim 15, wherein the manufacturing unit (200) is arranged within a clean and / or dry room (208) and has a manufacturing space (201) which is designed such that a first atmosphere in the manufacturing space (201) is independent of a second atmosphere of the clean and / or dry room (208), and the first atmosphere prevails in the interior (106, 134) of the transport unit (100, 100', 120) such that the battery material (102, 102', 122) can be moved by means of the handling interface (108, 136) from the transport unit (100, 100', 120) to the manufacturing space (201) without being influenced by the second atmosphere.

17. A method for providing a battery material (102, 102', 122) for battery production, in particular with a transport unit according to one of the preceding claims 1-9, comprising the steps: - arranging a battery material (102, 102', 122) within a housing (104, 124) of a transport unit (100, 100', 120) and fluid-tightly closing the housing (104, 124), moving the transport unit (100, 100', 120) to a manufacturing unit for processing the battery material (102, 102', 122), fluid-tightly coupling the transport unit (100, 100', 120) to the manufacturing unit by means of a handling interface (108, 136), and Opening the handling interface (108, 136) so that the battery material (102, 102', 122) is provided to the manufacturing unit independently of an atmosphere surrounding the transport unit (100, 100', 120).

18. Method according to the preceding claim 17, wherein the handling interface (108, 136) is formed by a detachable housing element (132) of the housing (104, 124) and opening the handling interface (108, 136) comprises the step: Removing the detachable housing element (132) so that the battery material (102, 102', 122) is accessible and can be provided to the manufacturing unit.

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