Electrode manufacturing equipment and associated manufacturing process

Abstract

The invention relates to a method of manufacturing electrodes for battery cells by manufacturing equipment (10) comprising conveying means (12) configured to convey along a conveying path (W) a battery component of the type comprising a current collector strip (A0) from a supply area (100) of bare current collector strip (A0) to a storage area (300) of an electrode strip comprising the current collector strip (A0), the manufacturing method comprising an assembly step (E3) of a first strip from among the current collector strip (A0) and a separate heating strip (B0) with a second strip from among the current collector strip (A0) and the heating strip (B0) such that the first strip replaces the second strip along the conveying path (W) when they are conveyed by the conveying means (12). (Fig. 1)

Description

Title of the invention: Electrode manufacturing equipment and associated manufacturing process. Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates, in general, to the field of non-destructive testing of materials.

[0002] The invention relates more specifically to equipment for manufacturing electrodes for battery cells and to an associated process. Prior art

[0003] Motor vehicles with electric or hybrid traction or propulsion include one or more battery modules connected to a power network to supply an electric motor (traction or propulsion).

[0004] The battery modules are grouped in a casing and together form a battery block, also often referred to by the English expression "battery pack", this casing generally containing a mounting interface and connection terminals.

[0005] Each battery module is an assembly comprising several electrochemical cells generating current by chemical reaction, for example of lithium-ion (or Li-ion), Ni-Mh, Ni-Cd or lead type.

[0006] An electrochemical cell comprises, in particular, a stack of positive electrodes connected to each other and a stack of negative electrodes connected to each other, separated by a separator, known as a "stack". The positive electrodes are connected to each other at a positive terminal, and the negative electrodes are connected to each other at a negative terminal.

[0007] To obtain the electrodes for the electrode stack, there are various electrode manufacturing processes. In particular, these processes can be divided into two categories: wet coating with solvents and so-called "dry" manufacturing, i.e., without the use of organic solvents. While the first option requires the preparation and use of a liquid ink that must subsequently undergo a solvent drying step, the second option eliminates this step and thus offers advantages, particularly in terms of reducing manufacturing time, production costs, energy consumption, and the environmental impact of the process.

[0008] In the case of "dry" manufacturing, the electrode manufacturing process generally includes: • a step of preparing a dry powder of active electrode material, the step consisting of mixing dry particles of active electrode material and dry particles of binder material; • a calendering step, allowing the dry powder of active electrode material to be compressed by passing it through one or more openings formed between calendering rollers with opposite directions of rotation in pairs, the calendering step allowing a film of active electrode material to be obtained from the dry powder of active material; • a step of cutting the film into a plurality of strips, so as to divide the film into strips configured to equip an electrode, said strips being obtained by cuts made in the direction of movement of the film; • a step of rolling the strips of active electrode material onto at least one side of a current collector strip, to form an electrode strip comprising the current collector and the plurality of strips of active electrode material rolled onto the collector; • a step of cutting the electrode strip with the active material strips so as to obtain a plurality of unit electrodes of battery cells, which will have to be stacked.

[0009] In the other category of manufacturing process, namely the "wet process", the electrode manufacturing process generally comprises: • a step of preparing an ink comprising a solvent and a dry powder of active electrode material, the step consisting of mixing dry particles of active electrode material with the solvent; • a step of spraying ink onto the current collector strip, so as to form an ink-coated current collector strip comprising the active electrode material and the solvent; • a heating step of the coated current collector to dry the ink by evaporation of the solvent, resulting in a current collector strip coated with a layer of active electrode material; • a calendering step of the current collector strip coated with the active electrode material layer, allowing the current collector strip and the active electrode material layer to be compressed to obtain a desired density and porosity, forming an electrode strip; • a step of cutting the electrode strips to obtain a plurality of unit electrodes of battery cells, which will have to be stacked.

[0010] Regardless of the manufacturing process used, the current-collecting strip travels along a predetermined conveyor path, driven by conveying means from a source formed by a supply roller of a bare strip to a storage roller of the electrode strip in which the strip is integrated.

[0011] In practice, there are operating phases that differ from the production phases where the strip is conveyed at a predetermined nominal speed. For example, prior to the production phases, a start-up phase is carried out during which the current-collecting strip is manually fed between the conveyor rollers of equipment implementing the manufacturing process. This phase is delicate because the current-collecting strip is thin and long. This process is therefore often time-consuming and frequently leads to overconsumption of current-collecting strip when it is damaged, resulting in scrap.

[0012] It is also known that the strip is heated locally on its conveying path by heating elements. These elements are subject to prolonged localized heating of the strip during phases of reduced speed or static conditions, resulting in regular deterioration, including breakage. This is particularly the case during the start-up phase, during which the heating elements are preheated to reach a predetermined temperature.

[0013] Finally, when the start-up phase is complete, that is, when the current-collecting strip is correctly positioned between the conveyor rollers and the preheating means reach the predetermined preheating temperature, the production phase begins. During this phase, the current-collecting strip is conveyed by the conveyor means toward the electrode strip storage roller. At start-up, the current-collecting strip undergoes an additional mechanical variation beyond all the aforementioned stresses, namely a voltage variation, increasing the risk of damaging the strip.

[0014] There is therefore a need, on the one hand, to simplify the installation of the current-collecting strapping within the equipment, and on the other hand, to reduce the exposure of the strapping to the various stages that weaken it, so as to reduce the costs associated with strapping waste. Description of the invention

[0015] The invention aims to remedy all or part of the disadvantages of the prior art by proposing in particular a solution to reduce strip waste, production time, and associated costs, while simplifying the manufacturing process for a production agent.

[0016] To this end, according to a first aspect of the invention, a method for manufacturing electrodes for battery cells is proposed by manufacturing equipment comprising conveying means configured to convey along a conveying path a battery component of the type comprising a current collector strip from a supply area of ​​bare current collector strip to a storage area of ​​an electrode strip comprising the current collector strip, the manufacturing method comprising a step of assembling a first strip from among the current collector strip and a separate heating strip with a second strip from among the current collector strip and the heating strip such that the first strip replaces the second strip along the conveying path when they are conveyed by the conveying means.

[0017] In this way, such a process employs two separate strips: a current-collecting strip for manufacturing the electrodes, and a heating strip used particularly during phases of lower conveying speed and which is likely to be subjected to greater stresses. This heating strip can thus be configured to be more resistant without impacting the dimensions and quality of the current-collecting strip used for electrode production. Thanks to the invention, the first strip, beginning its conveying along the conveying path, is then driven by the second strip, which continues its conveying along said conveying path, and by the conveying means.

[0018] According to one embodiment: • the current collector strip extends between a front end portion and a rear end portion, the rear end portion being intended to be positioned behind the front end portion relative to the conveying path; • the heating band extends between a front end portion and a rear end portion, the front end portion being intended to be positioned in front of the rear end portion relative to the conveying path; the assembly step being configured to assemble the front end portion of the first strip to the rear end portion of the second strip.

[0019] Two strips are thus made to travel alternately along the conveyor path, the strips being joined at a distinct end portion of each of the two strips. This end portion must be large enough to ensure that the joint is resistant to the forces that can be applied to the two strips, and small enough to reduce the amount of material used.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the assembly step includes a step of cutting the second strip in an area of ​​the second strip located behind an assembly area of ​​the first and second strip with respect to the conveyor path.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the assembly step is carried out prior to an ink coating step.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the assembly means comprise at least one assembly roller configured to press one of the two end portions of the first strip against one of the two end portions of the second strip, in particular the front end portion of the first strip against the rear end portion of the second strip. The assembly means comprise two assembly rollers separated by a gap between which the two end portions to be assembled, pressed against each other, circulate. In such a configuration, the two assembly rollers of this pair of rollers rotate about parallel axes, in opposite directions of rotation and at substantially equal speeds.

[0023] During the manufacturing of electrodes by the manufacturing equipment, three distinct manufacturing phases are distinguished in particular: • a start-up phase for the equipment; • an electrode production phase using the equipment: during this production phase, the various steps directly related to the production of electrodes are implemented, the only current collector strip being used and the conveying means allow the current collector strip to be conveyed at a predetermined nominal conveying speed; and • an equipment shutdown phase.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the manufacturing process includes a start-up phase configured to initiate at least one production step of the process and associated means, for example, heating and / or coating means. In one embodiment, the assembly step is carried out after the start-up phase and before the production phase, the first strip being preferably the current-collecting strip. Thus, the production phase follows the start-up phase, the heating strip being used for the start-up phase and then replaced by the current-collecting strip to produce the electrodes.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the manufacturing process includes a stop phase configured to stop at least one production step of the process and associated means, for example, heating means and / or coating means. According to one embodiment, the assembly step is stopped implemented directly before the shutdown phase, the first strip being preferably the heating strip. Thus, the shutdown phase follows the production phase, with the heating strip being used for the shutdown phase and replacing the current-collecting strip once the production phase is complete.

[0026] Furthermore, it should be noted that during a start-up phase following a shutdown phase, the equipment is powered by the heating strip. It is then no longer necessary to manually supply the conveyor path with strip between the different shutdown phases, which usually involve prior total consumption of the current-collecting strip or its deterioration, potentially leading to a break in said current-collecting strip, requiring in both cases the manual supply of a new strip along the conveyor path.

[0027] Of course, during the first use, the process includes a preliminary step of setting up the heating strip upstream of a start-up phase, and prior to the assembly step, the preliminary step including at least one step, for example manual, of setting up the heating strip along at least part of the conveyor path, the heating strip being configured to initiate the conveying of the current collector strip positioned upstream of the heating strip on the conveyor path and to which it is intended to be assembled during the assembly step.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the conveying means are capable of operating during all phases of the process. The conveying means, including, for example, conveying rollers, allow the battery component to be transported along the conveying path. The conveying means are preferably activated as soon as an equipment start-up phase begins and deactivated as soon as an equipment shutdown phase ends. In this way, the current collector strip is not subjected to the stresses of the start-up and shutdown phases. In other words, the heating strip travels along the conveying path only during the shutdown and start-up phases. The current collector strip winds along the conveying path only during the production phase.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the assembly step includes a joining step using joining means to join the first and second strips, the joining means preferably comprising at least one adhesive strip configured to join the end portions of the corresponding first and second strips. The joining means are chosen to have a relatively small thickness so as not to obstruct the conveying of the strip along the conveyor path.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the heating foil is configured to withstand temperatures of at least 200°C, preferably at least 210°C, and even more preferably at least 260°C.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the heating strip is configured to withstand pressure variations of at least 200 Pa in absolute value, preferably of at least 210 Pa in absolute value, and even more preferably of at least 260 Pa.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the heating strip is configured to withstand a tension of at least 400 N, preferably of at least 410 N, and even more preferably of at least 460 N.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the heating strip is configured to withstand predetermined temperatures and / or pressure variations and / or stresses over a period of at least 3 hours, preferably at least 3.5 hours, and even more preferably at least 5 hours.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the heating strip comprises, preferably is made of, copper and / or aluminum. According to another embodiment, the heating strip is made of a non-electrostatic material.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the current collector strip comprises, preferably is made of, aluminium and / or copper.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the manufacturing process includes a sorting step to separately store the electrode strip comprising the current collector strip and a heating strip comprising the heating strip on separate storage elements.

[0037] All of the aforementioned characteristics allow the heating strip to withstand variations in physical quantities applied to it over long periods, particularly more than 3 hours. The heating strip is therefore not damaged and can thus fulfill its function of initiating the conveying of the current-collecting strip along the conveyor path, or initiating the stopping of the conveyor. The heating strip can then be recycled.

[0038] These characteristics of the heating strip enable it to withstand the stresses during the initial stages of the electrode manufacturing process, which are generally prolonged in time.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the electrode manufacturing process includes a heating step of at least one side of the current-collecting strip to heat one of the two opposite faces of the current-collecting strip. The heating step is implemented by heating means arranged along at least a portion of the conveyor path, the initialization step comprising a heating initialization step configured to allow the heating means to reach a predetermined temperature.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the heating initialization step has a duration of at least 3h30, preferably at least 5h.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the heating initialization step is implemented later than the heating strip placement step along the conveyor path.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the initialization step includes a step of initiating the path of the current collector strip along the conveying path implemented by the conveying means and the heating strip, this step being carried out after the step of assembling the first strip which is then the current collector strip with the second strip which is in this case the heating strip, so that the first strip (current collector) replaces the second strip (heating) along the conveying path when they are conveyed by the conveying means.

[0043] According to one embodiment, the step of initiating the path of the current collector strip is subsequent to the heating initialization step

[0044] According to one embodiment, the manufacturing process constitutes a dry or wet manufacturing process.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the heating strip has a thickness strictly greater than the thickness of the current collector strip.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the heating strip has a thickness, measured between two opposite faces, greater than the thickness of the current collector strip by at least 120%, preferably by at least 130%, and / or by at most 280%, preferably by at most 250%.

[0047] According to another aspect, the invention relates to manufacturing equipment for the manufacture of electrodes for battery cells, the equipment being characterized in that it is configured to implement the electrode manufacturing process as described above.

[0048] According to one embodiment, the equipment includes conveying means configured to convey along a conveying path a battery component of the type comprising a current collector strip from a supply area of ​​bare current collector strip to a storage area of ​​an electrode strip comprising the current collector strip, the equipment further comprising assembly means to implement an assembly step as described above.

[0049] According to one embodiment, the assembly means are located upstream, relative to the conveying path, of coating means configured to coat the current collector strip with ink in a coating zone, the assembly means preferably being located in the supply zone.

[0050] According to one embodiment, the equipment includes a supply station in the supply area, the supply station being configured to implement the assembly step.

[0051] According to one embodiment, the equipment includes a storage station in a storage area, the storage station being configured to implement the sorting step and comprising the separate storage elements. Brief description of the figures

[0052] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, with reference to the accompanying figures, which illustrate: • [Fig.1]: a schematic view of equipment for implementing a process for manufacturing electrodes for battery cells according to the invention; • [Fig. 2]: A schematic view of the equipment implementing the process in a start-up or shutdown phase of the process; • [Fig.3]: a schematic view of the equipment implementing the process in a production phase of the process; • [Fig.4]: a flowchart of the steps implemented during the process.

[0053] For clarity, identical or similar elements are identified by identical reference symbols throughout the figures.

[0054] In the description and claims, to clarify the description and claims, the terminology longitudinal, transverse, and vertical shall be adopted without limitation, with reference to the X, Y, Z trihedron shown in the figures. Detailed description of an embodiment

[0055] Figure 1 illustrates equipment 10 configured for manufacturing electrodes, in particular electrode strips A2. Cutting steps for the resulting electrode strips A2 are generally implemented subsequently. Each electrode strip A2 is intended to be cut into a plurality of electrodes for battery cells. The manufacturing of these electrode strips A2 is carried out here according to a so-called "wet" process, in which a conductive element, and more particularly a current-collecting strip A0 or production strip, travels along a conveyor path W along which it is coated with an active electrode material in the form of ink, the current-collecting strip A0 and the active electrode material forming the electrode strip A2.The manufacturing equipment 10 thus includes conveying means 12 configured to convey along the conveying path W a battery component of the type comprising the current collector strip A0 from a supply area 100 in. bare current collector strip AO up to a storage area 300 of an electrode strip obtained including the current collector strip AO.

[0056] In order to optimize certain operating phases of the equipment 10, in particular a start-up phase<pl et une phase d’arrêt q> In step 3 of the manufacturing process, the process includes a substitute strip for the current-collecting strip A0, called the heating strip B. The heating strip B is not intended to form a strip of electrodes A2, but serves as an interlayer between two current-collecting strips during an inactive phase of the equipment 10, so that the heating strip B locally replaces the current-collecting strip A0 during operating phases that do not correspond to a production phase q>2, for example when the equipment is shut down (shutdown phase q>3) or starting up (start-up phase). <pl). Dans la suite de la description, il sera appelé « premier feuillard » le feuillard se substituant au feuillard serpentant le long du chemin de convoyage W qui sera appelé « deuxième feuillard ».

[0057] Depending on a given state of the equipment 10, the assembly step can consist of assembling the heating strip B0 to the current collector strip A0 so that the heating strip B0 replaces the current collector strip A0 along the conveying path W when they are conveyed by the conveying means 12. Such an assembly step is implemented for example when it is necessary to anticipate a stopping phase q>3.

[0058] In another given state of the equipment 10, the assembly step may consist of assembling the current-collecting strip A0 to the heating strip B0 so that the current-collecting strip A0 replaces the heating strip B0 along the conveyor path W when they are conveyed by the conveying means 12. Such an assembly step is implemented, for example, following a start-up phase<pl et au début de la phase de production q> 2.

[0059] More generally, according to the invention, the manufacturing process includes an assembly step E3 of a first strip from among the current collector strip A0 and a separate heating strip B0 with a second strip from among the current collector strip A0 and the heating strip B0 such that the first strip replaces the second strip along the conveying path W when they are conveyed by the conveying means 12.

[0060] For the implementation of the process, the equipment 10 comprises a supply zone 100 forming a starting point of the conveyor path W, a storage zone 300 forming an ending point of the conveyor path, and a production zone 200 located between the supply zone 100 and the storage zone 300, with respect to the conveyor path W. The equipment 10 also comprises conveying means 12 distributed along the conveyor path. W on the three aforementioned zones, namely from the supply zone 100, through the production zone 200 to the storage zone 300.

[0061] The conveying means 12 are configured to convey the battery component, whether it be the current collector strip A0, the heating strip B, and / or the electrode strip A2. The conveying means 12 are mainly composed of conveying rollers, the conveying rollers being able to perform other functions in addition to conveying the corresponding battery component. For example, one conveying roller may, in conjunction with another roller, allow for calendering the electrode strip A2. Each conveying roller has a main body. The main body is generally cylindrical with a circular base. Each conveying roller extends along a transverse axis parallel to a transverse reference axis Y and extends between two ends along a central elongation axis of the main body parallel to the transverse reference axis Y.The conveying means 12 may also include guide ramps to guide the corresponding battery component along the conveying path W, drive motors, etc.

[0062] The supply zone 100 defines the starting point of the conveyor path and includes a supply station 102. The supply station 102 is configured to supply strip to all the equipment 10 along the conveyor path. To do this, the supply station 102 includes a movable support capable of rotating in a controlled manner about a transverse axis of the station 16 parallel to the transverse reference axis Y. The supply station 102 has supply means comprising rolls of bare strip 14, 16 supported by the movable support. More specifically, the supply means include at least one roll of bare current collector strip 14 and one roll of bare heating strip 16.The two rolls of strip 14, 16 extend transversely along a transverse axis parallel to the central reference axis Y, and are located equidistant from the transverse axis of station 16, diametrically opposite each other with respect to this transverse axis of station 16.

[0063] The current-collecting strip A0 extends between two end portions: a front end portion and a rear end portion, the rear end portion being intended to be positioned behind the front end portion relative to the conveyor path W. The current-collecting strip A0 is intended to form, by association with other elements such as an active electrode material, an electrode following the various stages to which it will be subjected. For this reason, the current-collecting strip A0 is preferably composed made of aluminum and / or copper. The current collector strip AO has a thickness measured between its two opposite faces which is: • less than or equal to 9 qm, preferably less than or equal to 8.5 qm, preferably still less than or equal to 8 qm and greater than or equal to 3 qm, preferably greater than or equal to 3.5 qm, preferably still greater than or equal to 4 qm when it is made of copper; • less than or equal to 16 sqm, preferably less than or equal to 15.5 sqm, preferably still less than or equal to 15 pm and greater than or equal to 9 pm, preferably greater than or equal to 9.5 pm, preferably still greater than or equal to 10 pm when it is made of aluminium.

[0064] The current-collecting strip AO is driven by the conveying means 12 along the conveying path W at a speed greater than or equal to 5 m per minute, preferably greater than or equal to 5.5 m per minute, preferably even greater than or equal to 6 m per minute, and / or less than or equal to 11 m per minute, preferably less than or equal to 10.5 m per minute, preferably even less than or equal to 10 m per minute. Such speeds correspond to the tensile strength of the current-collecting strip A0.

[0065] The heating strip B extends between a front end portion and a rear end portion, the front end portion being intended to be positioned in front of the rear end portion relative to the conveyor path W. The heating strip B is intended to form a link between two current-collecting strips and thus allow it to be conveyed along the conveyor path W in place of the current-collecting strip A0 in different phases of the production phase <p2 de l’équipement 10.

[0066] The supply station 102 also includes connecting means 130. The connecting means 130 are configured to implement a connecting step E1 for joining two strip portions together, and more specifically the front end portion of one of the two strips and the rear end portion of the other strip, between the current collector strip A0 and the heating strip B. The connecting means 130 include an adhesive strip configured to join the end portions together. Such an adhesive strip may have an adhesive material on: • only one of its faces if the connection is intended to be made by overlapping the adhesive strip on the two end portions of the adjacent strips to be bound; • two of its faces (so-called "double-sided" adhesive tape) if the connection is intended to be made by overlapping the two end portions of the straps to be bound, the adhesive strip being inserted between the two corresponding end portions.

[0067] The bonding means 130 include at least one bonding roller 134, configured to constrain the front end portion of the first strip against the rear end portion of the second strip.

[0068] The bonding means 130 include an upstream applicator finger 132, supplied with adhesive tape, allowing said adhesive tape to be applied to the appropriate end portion.

[0069] The supply station 102 includes cutting means 120 configured to implement a cutting step E2 for cutting transversely, i.e., across its width, the second strip corresponding to the strip to be replaced. These cutting means 120 thus make it possible to separate a portion of said second strip traveling along the conveyor path W from another portion of the same second strip stored by winding onto the associated bare strip roll. The cutting means 120 include, for example, a blade or knife 124 extending along a transverse axis and, preferably, a cutting support 122 against which the blade abuts during the cutting step E2. The cutting support 122 has a cutting surface against which the blade abuts, this cutting surface preferably being flat and extending in a plane parallel to the transverse reference axis Y, in particular here a horizontal plane.

[0070] The bonding step El is carried out before the cutting step E2, these two steps El, E2 forming the assembly step E3 of the two strips following one another securely along the conveying path W thus ensuring continuity to the conveyed component strip.

[0071] The rotating mobile support 110 of the supply station 102 allows the relative position of the two current collector strips A0 and heating strip B to be adjusted so that the bonding steps E1 and cutting steps E2 are correctly performed. To achieve this, the position of each of the two rolls of bare strip 14, 16 is configured so that they are each located within a predetermined angular sector of the mobile support 110.

[0072] According to one embodiment, the supply station 102 comprises several rolls of the same bare strip. This embodiment would, for example, allow the production of electrode strips to continue even when a first roll of bare current collector strip 14 is exhausted. In this embodiment, the connecting means 130 ensure the connection of two identical strips from two separate rolls. More specifically, the connecting means 130 connect the rear end portion of the second strip to be replaced from the roll arriving at exhaustion and the front end portion of the first strip from the new roll supplied in bare strip.

[0073] Thus, the supply station 102 allows for the continuous feeding of a strip to the production zone 200. The strip supplied by the supply station 102 to the supply zone 100 consists of either the heating strip B0 or ​​the current-collecting strip A0, or very occasionally a combination of the two, before the cutting step is implemented.

[0074] The production zone 200 is adjacent to the supply zone 100 along the conveyor path W, and is also disposed downstream or following it with respect to the conveyor path W. The production zone 200 includes electrode strip production elements A2 including ink coating means 210 configured to implement a coating step E4 to coat the current collector strip A0 with a layer of electrode active material, for example distributed in the form of one or more strips of electrode active material ink.

[0075] The production elements also include heating means 220 configured to implement a heating step E5 for drying the ink applied to the current collector strip A0. The heating means 220 are arranged downstream of the coating means 210 with respect to the conveyor path W. To implement the heating step E5 during the production phase q>2, the heating means 220 must reach a predetermined setpoint temperature so that the drying is uniform. Once the drying step E5 is complete, the current collector strip forms a coated strip A1 with a layer of active electrode material.

[0076] The production elements include calendering means 230 comprising calendering rollers configured to implement a calendering step E6 of the coated current collector strip A1 of the electrode active material strip. This step compresses the current collector strip A0 and the electrode active material layer to obtain an electrode strip A2 having a predetermined density and porosity. The calendering means 230 are arranged downstream of the heating means 220 with respect to the conveyor path W.

[0077] The heating steps E5 and calendering steps E6 can be carried out during the operation of the equipment 10, regardless of the strip being conveyed. These steps E5 and E6 do not damage the heating strip B0. The coating step E4, on the other hand, is preferably deactivated when the heating strip B0 is conveyed along the conveyor path W since, not being intended to form an electrode, This step E4 carried out on this heating strip BO would generate ink losses and therefore economic and ecological losses, and an additional difficulty for the recycling of this heating strip B 0.

[0078] The storage area 300 is located downstream of the production area 200 with respect to the conveying path W. Depending on the assembly step implemented and the strip conveyed from the supply area 100, the strip conveyed to the storage area 300 corresponds overall to the electrode strip A2 normally produced for the manufacture of electrodes, or to a heating strip B 1 including the heating strip B 0 as well as the connecting areas on either side of the end portions of the heating strip B 0 including the connecting means 130.

[0079] The storage area 300 includes a storage station 302, the storage station 302 having storage elements configured to store the electrode strip A2 and the heating strip B0 by winding. More specifically, the storage elements include a storage roll 20 of electrode strip A2 and a storage roll 22 of heating strip B1, these storage rolls 20 and 22 being separate. The storage station 302 implements a sorting step E7 and a cutting step E8, so as to store each strip A2 and B1 on its associated roll. To carry out these steps E7 and E8, the storage station 302 includes sorting means 310 and cutting means 320.

[0080] The sorting step E7 allows for the distinction between these electrode strips A2 and heating strips Bl, and is carried out by the sorting means 310. The sorting means 310 are configured to sort in order to store separately, on the one hand, the electrode strip A2 comprising the current-collecting strip A0, and on the other hand, the heating strip Bl comprising, in particular, at least the heating strip B0. The heating strip Bl is mainly composed of the heating strip B0 and may have, on opposite end portions, other elements such as a front end portion of the current-collecting strip A0 and one or more adhesive strips. The sorting means 310 include, for example, optical sensors, preferably optical cameras. Naturally, other sorting means 310 can be used as alternatives or complements.For example, sorting means 310 may also include means for checking the basis weight, preferably X-ray, Beta, Gamma or Terahertz sensors. Similarly, for example, the checking means may include means for checking the thickness, preferably Terahertz sensors or confocal sensors.

[0081] Depending on the composition of the strip (electrode strip A2 or heating strip Bl), the sorting means allow said strip to be directed towards separate storage elements, namely towards the associated storage roll.

[0082] In order to mechanically separate the heating strip B1 from the electrode strip A2, whose corresponding strips have been previously assembled, the storage station 302 includes cutting means 320. The cutting means 320 are configured to perform the cutting step E8 to mechanically separate portions of strips A2 and B1 by successive transverse cuts (along an axis parallel to the transverse reference axis Y). The cutting means 320 include, in particular, a blade 324 extending along a transverse axis and, preferably, a cutting support 322 against which the blade abuts during the cutting step E8. The cutting support 322 has a cutting surface against which the blade abuts, this cutting surface preferably being flat and extending in a plane parallel to the transverse reference axis Y, in particular here a horizontal plane.

[0083] The storage area also includes guiding means 330 which include at least one guide roller 334, to guide the corresponding strip towards the cutting means 320.

[0084] In general, the entire set of rollers and cutting supports extend transversely, so as to allow the path of the strips along the conveyor path W.

[0085] The equipment 10 may also include means for adjusting the tension of the current collector strip A0 and / or the heating strip B0 and / or the electrode strip A2. These tension adjustment means may be controlled by control means of the equipment 10. The adjustment means may take into account various external parameters such as data from a voltage measuring device (not shown) configured to measure the tension of the current collector strip A0 and / or the heating strip B0 and / or the laminated electrode strip A2.

[0086] In practice, the process includes the start-up phase <pl de production dans laquelle l’équipement 10 et les différents moyens qu’il comprend se mettent en état de fonctionnement de sorte à atteindre un rendement prédéterminé. Par exemple, les moyens de chauffe 220 sont fonctionnels lorsque leur température de consigne prédéterminée est atteinte, et ne peuvent mettre en œuvre l’étape de chauffe E5 en dessous de cette température de consigne. A partir du début de la phase de démarrage <pl, une étape de préchauffage par les moyens de chauffe 220 est mise en œuvre jusqu’à ce que cette température de consigne soit atteinte.

[0087] During the first use of the invention, an initiation step E0 should be implemented, consisting of deploying the heating strip B0, for example manually, along the conveyor path W before the start-up phase <pl. La phase de démarrage <pl peut débuter dès que le feuillard de chauffe B 0 est déployé depuis la zone d’approvisionnement 100, et plus particulièrement depuis le rouleau of heating band 14, up to storage zone 300, preferably up to storage roll 22 of heating band Bl. During the start-up phase <pl comme illustré sur la [Fig.2], le feuillard de chauffe B 0 est stationnaire, c’est-à-dire qu’il ne chemine pas le long du chemin de convoyage W. Cet état stationnaire sans détérioration du feuillard de chauffe B0 est rendu possible par les caractéristiques techniques intrinsèques du feuillard de chauffe B0.

[0088] More specifically, the heating strip B0 is made of a material having properties that give the heating strip B0: • resistance to temperatures of at least 200°C, preferably at least 210°C, and even more preferably at least 260°C; • resistance to pressure variations of at least 200 Pa in absolute value, preferably of at least 210 Pa in absolute value, preferably even more of at least 260 Pa; • a resistance to a voltage of at least 400 N, preferably at least 410 N, preferably even more preferably at least 460 N; • resistance to predetermined temperatures and / or pressure variations and / or stresses over a period of at least 3 hours, preferably at least 3.5 hours, and preferably even more at least 5 hours.

[0089] Preferably, the material forming the heating strip B0 is copper, aluminum or a compound comprising copper and / or aluminum, the latter preferably corresponding to the same material as the associated current collector strip A0.

[0090] Generally, these characteristics are obtained thanks to the material(s) constituting the heating strip B0 and the thickness of said heating strip B0, the latter having a thickness, measured between two opposite faces of the strip, greater than or equal to, preferably strictly greater than, the thickness of the current-collecting strip A0 by at least 120%, preferably at least 130%, and at most 280%, preferably at most 250%. In practice here, the heating strip B0 has a thickness measured between its two opposite faces which is: • less than or equal to 16 qm, preferably less than or equal to 15.5 qm, preferably still less than or equal to 15 qm and greater than or equal to 9 qm, preferably greater than or equal to 9.5 qm, preferably still greater than or equal to 10 qm when it is made of copper; • less than or equal to 21 qm, preferably less than or equal to 20.5 qm, preferably still less than or equal to 20 qm and greater than or equal to 14 qm, preferably greater than or equal to 14.5 qm, preferably still greater than or equal to 15 qm when it is made of aluminium.

[0091] According to one variant, the current collector strip AO comprises, preferably is made of, aluminium and / or copper.

[0092] As soon as the various means of the equipment 10 reach the predetermined setpoint efficiency, the start-up phase<pl est terminée et débute alors une phase de production q> 2 (illustrated in [Fig.3]). At the beginning of this production phase q>2, the supply area 100 implements the assembly step E3 (see [Fig.4]), the first strip being the current collector strip A0 and the second strip being the heating strip B0. The second strip travels along the track, carrying the first strip along said conveyor track W.

[0093] When the production phase q>2 must be stopped, for maintenance reasons for example, the equipment 10 is commanded to begin the shutdown phase q>3. During this shutdown phase q>3, the production equipment ceases to operate actively but can still exert an influence on the strip moving along the conveyor path. For example, switching off the heating elements 220 results in a reduction of the heat emitted but not a complete and instantaneous cessation of heat emission by these elements.

[0094] As a precaution during the start-up phase <pl ultérieure de l’équipement 10 et afin de ne pas avoir à déployer le feuillard de chauffe B 0, par exemple manuellement, le long du chemin de convoyage W avant cette prochaine phase de démarrage <pl, il est utile de mettre en œuvre, durant la phase d’arrêt q>3, an assembly step E3 at the beginning of the stopping phase q>3, so that the heating strip B 0 forming the first strip replaces the current collector strip A0 forming the second strip along the conveying path W as they are conveyed by the conveying means 12.

[0095] During the shutdown phase q>3, the heating strip B0 is subjected to all the voltage variations induced by the stoppage of the conveyor path and the temperature variations induced by the shutdown of the heating elements 220. The heating strip B0 remains in place, i.e., remains static, throughout the entire period of inactivity of the equipment 10 once the shutdown phase q>3 is complete. In this way, the heating strip B0 is already in place in the equipment 10 and deployed along the conveyor path W in preparation for a start-up phase. <pl ultérieure.

[0096] In summary, the invention makes it possible to use a heating strip that is separate from and more resistant than the current-collecting strip used for production, particularly during transition phases different from the production phase. This heating strip has greater resistance than the production element, allowing it to withstand, without deterioration, stresses different from those experienced during production and related to the start-up and shutdown of the equipment 10. During the nominal operation of the equipment, during the production phase, the physical quantities applied along the bearing path on the battery component are stabilized, the heating strip gives way to the current collector strip as the E3 assembly step is implemented.

[0097] The heating strip B0 is conveyed along the conveyor path W only during the stopping phase q>3 and the starting phase <pl. Le feuillard collecteur de courant AO est convoyé le long du chemin de convoyage W uniquement durant la phase de production q> 2.

[0098] The invention thus makes it possible to reduce / eliminate the losses (scrap) of AO current collector strip during the start-up phases <pl, durant lesquelles il est manipulé. l’ajout du feuillard de chauffe b 0 permet faciliter ces phases démarrage <pl tout en réduisant supprimant le rebut collecteur courant ao.

[0099] According to one variant, the invention can be integrated into a so-called "dry" electrode manufacturing process.

[0100] Naturally, the examples shown in the figures and discussed above are given by way of illustration only and are not intended to be limiting. It is explicitly intended that the different embodiments illustrated may be combined to propose others.

Claims

Demands

1. A method for manufacturing electrodes for battery cells by manufacturing equipment (10) comprising conveying means (12) configured to convey along a conveying path (W) a battery component of the type comprising a current collector strip (AO) from a supply area (100) of bare current collector strip (AO) to a storage area (300) of an electrode strip comprising the current collector strip (A0), the manufacturing method comprising an assembly step (E3) of a first strip from among the current collector strip (A0) and a separate heating strip (B0) with a second strip from among the current collector strip (A0) and the heating strip (B0) such that the first strip replaces the second strip along the conveying path (W) when conveyed by the conveying means (12).

2. Method for manufacturing electrodes according to claim 1, characterized in that: - the current collector strip (A0) extends between a front end portion and a rear end portion, the rear end portion being intended to be positioned behind the front end portion relative to the conveyor path (W); - the heating strip (B0) extends between a front end portion and a rear end portion, the front end portion being intended to be positioned ahead of the rear end portion relative to the conveyor path (W); the assembly step (E3) being configured to assemble the front end portion of the first strip to the rear end portion of the second strip.

3. Method of manufacturing electrodes according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the assembly step (E3) includes a cutting step (E2) of the second strip in an area of ​​the second strip located behind an assembly area of ​​the first and second strip with respect to the conveyor path (W).

4. Method for manufacturing electrodes according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the assembly step (E3) is carried out prior to an ink coating step (E4).

5. A method for manufacturing electrodes according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a start-up phase (q> 1) configured to start at least one production step (E4,E5,E6) of a production phase (q>2) of the process and associated means, for example heating means (220) and / or coating means (210), the assembly step (E3) being carried out after the end of the start-up phase (q> 1) and before the production phase (q>2), the first strip preferably being the current collector strip (AO).

6. Method for manufacturing electrodes according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a stop phase (q>3) configured to stop at least one production step (E4,E5,E6) of a production phase (q>2) of the process and associated means, for example heating means (220) and / or coating means (210), the assembly step being carried out directly before the stop phase (q>3), the first strip preferably being the heating strip (B0).

7. Method for manufacturing electrodes according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the conveying means are capable of operating during all phases of the process (q> 1, q>2, q>3).

8. Method for manufacturing electrodes according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the assembly step (E3) includes a bonding step (E1) by bonding means (130), to bond the first and second strip, the bonding means (130) preferably comprising at least one adhesive strip configured to connect the end portions of the corresponding first and second strips.

9. Method for manufacturing electrodes according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a sorting step (E7) for separately storing the electrode strip (A3) comprising the current collector strip (A0) and a heating strip (Bl) comprising the heating strip (B0) on separate storage elements (20,22).

10. Method for manufacturing electrodes according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heating strip (B0) has a thickness strictly greater than a thickness of the current collector strip (AO).

11. Method for manufacturing electrodes according to claim 10, characterized in that the heating strip (B0) has a thickness, measured between two opposite faces, greater than the thickness of the current collector strip (AO) by at least 120%, preferably at least 130%, and / or at most 280%, preferably at most 250%.

12. Manufacturing equipment (10) for manufacturing electrodes for battery cells, the equipment (10) being characterized in that it is configured to implement the electrode manufacturing process according to any one of the preceding claims.

13. Manufacturing equipment (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises conveying means (12) configured to convey along a conveying path (W) a battery component of the type comprising a current collector strip (A0) from a supply area (100) of bare current collector strip (A0) to a storage area (300) of an electrode strip comprising the current collector strip (A0), the equipment (10) further comprising assembly means for implementing an assembly step (E3) according to any one of the preceding claims.

14. Manufacturing equipment (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the assembly means are located upstream, relative to the conveying path (W), of coating means (210) configured to coat the current collector strip (A0) with ink in a coating zone, the assembly means being preferably located in the supply zone (100).

15. Manufacturing equipment (10) according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that it comprises a supply station (102) in the supply area (100), the supply station (102) being configured to implement the assembly step (E3).

16. Manufacturing equipment (10) according to any one of claims 12 to 15 in combination with claim 9, characterized in that it comprises a storage station (302) in a storage area (300), the storage station (302) being configured to implement the sorting step (E7) and comprising the separate storage elements (20,22).

Images