Battery manufacturing device

Abstract

To more surely discard a defective electrode and separator at one place on a manufacturing line.SOLUTION: A battery manufacturing device includes: a disposal box that is disposed at one place of a manufacturing line of a battery having a structure using an electrode and a separator, and houses a defective electrode and a defective separator; and a defective product lead-out unit for leading the defective electrode and the defective separator to the disposal box. The defective product lead-out unit includes first means for guiding the defective electrode to the disposal box by using gravity, and second means for guiding the defective separator to the disposal box by using suction force.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a manufacturing technique for a battery having a multi-layer structure in which a separator is disposed between a positive electrode and a negative electrode. [Background technology]

[0002] An electrode inspection device used in battery manufacturing is described in Patent Document 1. The electrode inspection device described in Patent Document 1 includes a disposal box that stores electrodes that are determined to be NG (defective) by an inspection unit.

[0003] The disposal box is placed below the belt conveyor that transports the inspected electrodes. The electrode inspection device applies force from above to the defective electrodes, causing them to be placed in the disposal box. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-101075 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When batteries in which electrodes (positive and negative electrodes) and separators are arranged alternately are manufactured on a production line, defective electrodes (including defective electrodes with separators) that are transported must be discarded, as well as defective separators (including unnecessary separators).

[0006] However, electrodes and separators differ in weight and hardness, and it was not possible to discard defective electrodes and unnecessary separators at one point on the production line, as in conventional techniques including Patent Document 1.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a battery manufacturing apparatus that more reliably discards defective electrodes and separators at a single location on the manufacturing line. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The battery manufacturing apparatus of the present invention is arranged at one location in a manufacturing line for batteries having a structure using electrodes and separators, and includes a waste box for accommodating defective electrodes and defective separators, and a defective product discharge section for guiding the defective electrodes and defective separators to the waste box. The defective product discharge section includes a first means for guiding the defective electrodes from vertically above the waste box into the interior, and a second means for guiding the defective separators to the waste box by using suction force.

[0009] In this configuration, the electrodes, which are heavier and less likely to deform than the separators, are discarded by utilizing the weight of the electrodes, and the separators, which are lighter and more likely to deform than the electrodes, are discarded by suction force. This allows the electrodes and separators to be discarded according to the difference in physical properties between them.

[0010] In addition, the configuration in which defective products are introduced (e.g., dropped) into a waste box from vertically above and the configuration in which suction force is used are each relatively simple and easy to miniaturize, and the waste boxes can be consolidated in one location on the manufacturing line. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, defective electrodes and separators can be more reliably disposed of at one point on the production line. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a part of a battery production line according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the disposal device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3]FIG. 3(A) is a plan view of a disposal device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3(B) is a side view of the disposal device. [Figure 4] 4(A) and 4(B) are side cross-sectional views of a disposal device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 5(A) and 5(B) are partial cross-sectional side views showing various states in the operation of discarding defective electrodes. [Figure 6] 6(A), 6(B), 6(C), 6(D) and 6(E) are partial cross-sectional side views showing various states in the operation of discarding defective electrodes. [Figure 7] 7(A) and 7(B) are partial cross-sectional side views showing various states during the operation of discarding defective separators. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a side view of a disposal device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 9(A), 9(B), and 9(C) are partial cross-sectional side views showing various states in the operation of discarding defective electrodes. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] [First embodiment] A battery manufacturing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The battery manufacturing apparatus according to each embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus including a part for discarding defective electrodes and defective separators in a battery manufacturing line. The battery manufactured by the battery manufacturing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is a battery having a configuration in which a flat membrane positive electrode and a flat membrane negative electrode are arranged with an insulating membrane separator having ion conductivity sandwiched therebetween, such as a lithium ion secondary battery.

[0014] (Battery production line) 1 is a diagram showing an example of a part of a battery production line according to an embodiment of the present invention, which shows the steps from the transport step of the formed positive and negative electrodes to the stacking step of stacking the positive electrodes, separators, and negative electrodes in the battery production line.

[0015] (negative electrode side) The individual negative electrodes 71 are transported using a conveyor 791 (transport C11 in FIG. 1). When the negative electrodes 71 reach a predetermined position near the end of the conveyor 791, they are picked up and transported onto a table 792 (transport P12 in FIG. 1). The table 792 is capable of moving and rotating within a plane. This allows the negative electrodes 71 to be transported to a reference position for mounting on the separator 81 (transport S13 in FIG. 1).

[0016] The separator 81 stored in a roll is guided onto the conveyor 891 by pulling out one end of the separator 81, and is then transported.

[0017] The negative electrode 71 transported to the mounting reference position is picked up (transportation P14 in FIG. 1) and placed at a predetermined position on the separator 81 on the conveyor 891.

[0018] The inspection section for determining whether a separator 81 is good or bad is arranged in the production line at a step prior to the step in which the negative electrode 71 is placed on the separator 81. The negative electrode 71 is not placed on a portion of the separator 81 that is defective.

[0019] Separators 81 on which negative electrodes 71 are placed or not placed are transported to a predetermined position near the end of the conveyor 891 (transport C21 in FIG. 1). In this state, the separators 81 with the negative electrodes 71 or the separators 81 alone (separators 81 without the negative electrodes 71) are cut by the cutting device 881 into individual separators 81 in a shape for stacking. Also, when the transport of the separators 81 starts, unnecessary separators 81 not used for stacking at the leading end are cut off.

[0020] The individual separators 81 are picked up and transported onto a table 892 (transportation P22 in FIG. 1). The table 892 is capable of moving and rotating in a plane. As a result, the separators 81 with the negative electrodes 71 and the individual separators 81 are transported to the reference position for stacking (transportation S23 in FIG. 1).

[0021] The inspection section for inspecting whether the negative electrodes 71 are good or bad is disposed at a predetermined position on the production line until the electrodes are transported to the lamination reference position.

[0022] (Positive electrode side) The individual positive electrodes 72 are transported using a conveyor 793 (transport C31 in FIG. 1). When the positive electrodes 72 reach a predetermined position near the end of the conveyor 793, they are picked up and transported onto a table 794 (transport P32 in FIG. 1). The table 794 is capable of moving and rotating within a plane. This allows the positive electrodes 72 to be transported to a reference position for mounting on the separator 82 (transport S33 in FIG. 1).

[0023] The separator 82 stored in a roll is guided onto the conveyor 893 by pulling out one end of the separator 82, and is then transported.

[0024] The positive electrode 72 transported to the mounting reference position is picked up (transportation P34 in FIG. 1) and placed at a predetermined position on the separator 82 on the conveyor 893.

[0025] The inspection section for determining whether the separator 82 is a pass / fail product alone is arranged in the production line at a process before the process in which the separator 82 is placed with the positive electrode 72. The positive electrode 72 is not placed on the portion of the separator 82 where the separator 82 is defective.

[0026] Separators 82 on which positive electrodes 72 are or are not placed are transported to a predetermined position near the end of the conveyor 893 (transport C41 in FIG. 1). In this state, separators 82 with positive electrodes 72 or single separators 82 (separators 82 without positive electrodes 72) are cut by a cutting device 882 into individual separators 82 shaped for stacking. Also, when the transport of separators 82 starts, unnecessary separators 82 not used for stacking at the leading end are cut off.

[0027] The individual separators 82 are picked up and transported onto a table 894 (transportation P42 in FIG. 1). The table 894 is capable of moving and rotating in a plane. As a result, the separators 82 with the positive electrodes 72 and the individual separators 82 are transported to the reference position for stacking (transportation S43 in FIG. 1).

[0028] The inspection section for inspecting whether the positive electrodes 72 are good or bad is positioned until the electrodes 72 are transported to the lamination reference position.

[0029] (Transporting and stacking good products) The transport device 91 is a device that performs pick-up transport and performs transport by a rotational motion (P transport in FIG. 1). The transport device 91 corresponds to the "transport means" of the present invention.

[0030] The transport device 91 acquires the inspection results from the inspection unit for the negative electrode 71 and the inspection results from the inspection unit for the separator 81. The transport device 91 transports the separator 81 with the non-defective negative electrode 71 to the stacking unit 92. The inspection results include not only whether the product is good or defective, but also information about the transported product, such as whether it is a separator, an electrode, or an electrode with a separator, and are linked to information about whether the product is good or defective.

[0031] The transport device 91 obtains the inspection results from the inspection unit for the positive electrodes 72 and the inspection results from the inspection unit for the separators 82. The transport device 91 transports the separators 82 with the positive electrodes 72 that are good products to the stacking unit 92. The inspection results include not only whether the product is good or defective, but also information about the transported product, such as whether it is a separator, an electrode, or an electrode with a separator, and are linked to information about whether the product is good or defective.

[0032] The conveying device 91 conveys the separator 81 with a good negative electrode 71 and the separator 82 with a good positive electrode 72 to the stacking unit 92 so that the negative electrodes 71 and the positive electrodes 72 are arranged alternately with the separator therebetween.

[0033] (Disposal of defective products) The transport device 91 obtains the inspection results from the inspection unit. The transport device 91 transports the separator 81 with the negative electrode 71 that is a defective product and the separator 81 that is a single defective product to the disposal device 10. The inspection result does not only indicate whether the product is good or defective, but also includes information about the transported product, such as whether it is a separator, an electrode, or an electrode with a separator, and is linked to information about whether the product is good or defective.

[0034] The transport device 91 transports the defective separators 82 with positive electrodes 72 and the individual defective separators 82 to the disposal device 10. The disposal device 10 acquires the inspection results from the inspection section. The inspection results include not only whether the product is good or defective, but also information about the transported product, such as whether it is a separator, an electrode, or an electrode with a separator, and are linked to information about whether the product is good or defective.

[0035] The disposal device 10 has a sorting unit, and can select the means and box to be disposed of based on the inspection results (based on both whether the product is defective and whether the defective product includes electrodes). The sorting unit is, for example, a microcomputer, and is built into the main body of the disposal device 10 (not shown).

[0036] (Configuration and Operation of Disposal Device 10) FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of a disposal device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3(A) is a plan view of a disposal device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3(B) is a side view of the disposal device. FIG. 4(A) and FIG. 4(B) are side cross-sectional views of a disposal device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4(A) and FIG. 4(B) show different states of the lid member. In each figure, DIRvu indicates the vertically upward direction, and DIRvd indicates the vertically downward direction.

[0037] As shown in Figures 2, 3(A), 3(B), 4(A) and 4(B), the disposal device 10 comprises a cylindrical body 11, a cover member 12, a duct pipe 13, a storage box 14 and a storage box 15. The portion consisting of the cylindrical body 11, the cover member 12 and the duct pipe 13 corresponds to the "defective product discharge section" of the present invention. The storage box 14 corresponds to the "first storage box" of the present invention, and the storage box 15 corresponds to the "second storage box" of the present invention. The storage box 14 and the storage box 15 constitute the "disposal box" of the present invention.

[0038] The cylindrical body 11 includes a cylindrical side wall 11SW and a bottom wall 11BW. The cylindrical body 11 has a cylindrical shape with an upper opening Uo11 at the top in the vertical direction, and has an internal space SP11.

[0039] The bottom wall 11BW has a lower opening Ud11. The bottom wall 11BW closes the lower side of the side wall 11SW except for the portion of the lower opening Ud11. The side wall of the cylindrical body 11 is provided with a suction port 113 for compressed air.

[0040] Although the detailed configuration of the cylinder 11 is omitted, it generates a large volume of airflow from the upper opening Uo11 toward the lower opening Ud11 in the internal space SP11 by using compressed air sucked in from the suction port 113. As a result, air outside the disposal device 10 is sucked in from the upper opening Uo11 of the cylinder 11, passes through the internal space SP11, and is discharged from the lower opening Ud11. Therefore, the cylinder 11 functions as the "suction member" of the present invention.

[0041] An intake auxiliary member 112 is disposed in the upper opening Uo11 of the cylindrical body 11. The intake auxiliary member 112 has a cone shape (tapered shape) whose opening area increases as it gets farther away from the upper opening Uo11 of the cylindrical body 11.

[0042] The cover member 12 includes a flat main body 121 and a rotation mechanism 122. The rotation mechanism 122 is disposed on one side of the main body 121 when viewed from above.

[0043] The cover member 12 is disposed at a position vertically above the cylindrical body 11. More specifically, the cover member 12 is disposed rotatably by a rotation mechanism 122 with respect to the end portion on the upper opening Uo11 side of the cylindrical body 11 (more specifically, the outer opening end portion of the suction auxiliary member 112).

[0044] As shown in FIG. 4(A), in the first state of the cover member 12, the cover member 12 overlaps with and closes the upper opening Uo11 of the cylindrical body 11 and the outer opening of the suction auxiliary member 112 in a plan view.

[0045] 4(B), in the second state of the cover member 12, in a plan view, the cover member 12 does not overlap with and does not cover the upper opening Uo11 of the cylindrical body 11 and the outer opening of the suction assist member 112. The main body 121 of the cover member 12 extends in the vertically upward direction DIRvu from the outer opening of the suction assist member 112 and is approximately parallel to the vertically upward direction DIRvu.

[0046] The duct pipe 13 is disposed at a position in the vertical downward direction DIRvd of the cylindrical body 11.

[0047] The duct pipe 13 has a cylindrical wall 13SW and has an internal space SP13. The wall 13SW is connected to a bottom wall 11BW of the cylindrical body 11. The internal space SP13 of the duct pipe 13 communicates with a lower opening Ud11 of the cylindrical body 11 and communicates with the internal space SP11 of the cylindrical body 11.

[0048] The storage box 15 is disposed at a position vertically below the cylindrical body 11 and the duct pipe 13 in the direction DIRvd.

[0049] The storage box 15 is a box body including a top wall 15UW, a bottom wall 15BW, and a side wall 15SW, and has an internal space SP15. The top wall 15UW is connected to a wall 13SW of the duct pipe 13. An opening is formed in the top wall 15UW, and the opening of the top wall 15UW communicates with the internal space SP13 of the duct pipe 13. The bottom wall 15BW has a mesh structure and allows air to pass through.

[0050] The storage box 14 is disposed on the outer surface of the cylindrical body 11. More specifically, the storage box 14 is disposed on the outer surface of the cylindrical body 11 on which the rotation mechanism 122 of the lid member 12 is provided.

[0051] The storage box 14 has a rectangular cylindrical side wall 14SW and a bottom wall 14BW. The storage box 14 is a box body having an upper opening Uo14 and has an internal space SP14.

[0052] The storage box 14 includes an inclined member 149. The inclined member 149 contacts the side wall 14SW and the bottom wall 14BW. The inclined member 149 is flat and contacts a portion of the circumferential side wall 14SW on the cylindrical body 11 side.

[0053] The inclined member 149 has an inclined surface F149 that intersects with the surface of the bottom wall 14BW at an angle that is not perpendicular to the surface of the bottom wall 14BW. The inclined surface F149 has a shape in which the center portion bulges out more than the upper and lower ends.

[0054] (Disposal of defective electrodes) Figures 5(A), 5(B), 6(A), 6(B), 6(C), 6(D), and 6(E) are partial cross-sectional side views showing various states in the operation of discarding a defective electrode. Note that each figure shows an example of a single defective electrode 70NG (a defective negative electrode 71 or a defective positive electrode 72), but a defective electrode with a separator can also be discarded in the same manner.

[0055] 5(A), when the disposal device 10 acquires information about a defective electrode 70NG, it sets the lid member 12 to the first state and closes the upper opening Uo11 of the cylindrical body 11. When the transport device 91 acquires the information about the defective electrode 70NG, it places the defective electrode 70NG on the top surface UF12 of the lid member 12.

[0056] When the defective electrode 70NG is placed on the top surface UF12 of the lid member 12, the disposal device 10 rotates the lid member 12 and controls it to the second state. As a result, the lid member 12 becomes approximately vertical as shown in Fig. 5(B). Note that the placement of the defective electrode 70NG on the top surface UF12 can be detected, for example, by providing an electrode detection sensor on the top surface UF12, or by the operation start time and operation speed of the transport device 91, etc.

[0057] The individual negative electrode 71 and the individual positive electrode 72 are heavier and less likely to deform than the individual separators 81 and 82. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 5(B), the defective electrode 70NG falls in the vertically downward direction DIRvd due to its own weight.

[0058] The drop start position of the defective electrode 70NG is the vertically upper side of the storage box 14. Therefore, the internal space SP14 of the storage box 14 exists in the vertically downward direction DIRvd to which the defective electrode 70NG drops. As a result, the defective electrode 70NG is stored in the storage box 14. This series of operations corresponds to the "first means" of the present invention.

[0059] By mainly using gravity (by free fall) to accommodate the defective electrodes 70NG in the accommodation box 14, and further by not using suction force to accommodate the defective electrodes 70NG, the structure for discarding and accommodating the defective electrodes 70NG can be realized to be simple and compact.

[0060] As shown in FIGS. 6(A) and 6(B), the defective electrode 70NG that has dropped into the containing box 14 slides down along the inclined surface F149.

[0061] The defective electrode 70NG is less likely to deform than the separator, but it is possible for it to deform to a certain degree. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 6(C), when the lower end of the defective electrode 70NG comes into contact with the surface of the bottom wall 14BW, the defective electrode 70NG bends along the inclined surface F149 due to its own weight.

[0062] As shown in Figures 6(D) and 6(E), since the previous defective electrode 70NG has a shape that follows the inclined surface F149, the next defective electrode 70NG that falls into the storage box 14 slides down along the surface of the previous defective electrode 70NG.

[0063] As a result, the previously dropped defective electrode 70NG is less likely to hinder the next defective electrode 70NG from falling into the storage box 14. Therefore, the disposal device 10 can more reliably store a plurality of defective electrodes 70NG in the storage box 14.

[0064] Although it is possible to omit the inclination member 149, it is preferable to provide the inclination member 149 for the reasons described above.

[0065] In addition, since the inclined surface F149 has a structure in which the center is bulged, the vicinity of the upper end of the defective electrode 70NG accommodated along the inclined surface F149 becomes more horizontal. This makes it difficult for the next defective electrode 70NG to fall to get caught on the upper end of the defective electrode 70NG already accommodated. Therefore, the disposal device 10 can more reliably accommodate multiple defective electrodes 70NG in the accommodation box 14.

[0066] (Disposal of defective separators) 7(A) and 7(B) are partial cross-sectional side views showing various states during the operation of discarding defective separators.

[0067] 7(A), when the disposal device 10 acquires information about the defective separator 80NG, it puts the cover member 12 in the second state, thereby exposing the upper opening Uo11 of the cylindrical body 11 upward.

[0068] Furthermore, the disposal device 10 introduces compressed air from the intake port 113, and generates an air flow that flows from the cylinder 11 through the duct pipe 13 to the storage box 15, as shown by the arrow in Fig. 7(A). This generates an air flow that is sucked in from above the cylinder 11 and sent downward through the mesh holes in the bottom wall 15BW of the storage box 15.

[0069] When the conveying device 91 acquires information about the defective separator 80NG, it drops the defective separator 80NG above the cylindrical body 11.

[0070] Separators 81 and 82 are lighter and more easily deformed than negative electrode 71 and positive electrode 72. Therefore, the dropped defective separator 80NG is carried by the air current and sucked into the internal space SP11 through the upper opening Uo11 of the cylindrical body 11, as shown in FIG.

[0071] Furthermore, the defective separator 80NG, while being deformed by the pressure of the air flow, is sent from the internal space SP11 of the cylinder 11 through the internal space SP13 of the duct pipe 13 into the internal space SP15 of the storage box 15. The defective separator 80NG inserted into the internal space SP15 of the storage box 15 is captured by the bottom wall 15BW of the storage box 15.

[0072] As a result, the defective separator 80NG is stored in the storage box 15. This series of operations corresponds to the "second means" of the present invention.

[0073] At this time, the flow passage cross-sectional area of ​​the duct pipe 13 (the area of ​​the surface perpendicular to the extension direction of the duct pipe 13 in the internal space SP13) is smaller than the flow passage cross-sectional area of ​​the cylindrical body 11 (the area of ​​the surface perpendicular to the extension direction of the cylindrical body 11 in the internal space SP11). This increases the flow rate of the air flow when passing through the duct pipe 13, improving the suction force. Therefore, the disposal device 10 can more reliably store the defective separators 80NG in the storage box 15.

[0074] At this time, the defective separator 80NG is compressed by the air flow. Therefore, the three-dimensional dimensions (for example, the total value of the dimensions in three orthogonal directions) of the defective separator 80NG stored in the storage box 15 are reduced. This allows the defective separator 80NG to be stored in a small space within the storage box 15, and for example, the space utilization efficiency of the storage box 15 can be improved.

[0075] As described above, the disposal device 10 can more reliably dispose of defective electrodes 70NG and defective separators 80NG.

[0076] Furthermore, the storage box 14 that stores the defective electrodes 70NG is disposed along the side of the cylinder 11 that generates a suction force for storing the defective separators 80NG in the storage box 15. This allows the disposal device 10 to more reliably dispose of the defective electrodes 70NG and the defective separators 80NG in one small location on the production line.

[0077] At this time, the defective electrodes 70NG are not stored horizontally, but are stored substantially vertically. This allows the planar area of ​​the storage box 14 that stores the defective electrodes 70NG to be reduced. Therefore, the disposal device 10 can be made smaller (space-saving) in plan view.

[0078] Further, the storage box 15 that stores the defective separator 80NG is disposed in the vertically downward direction DIRvd of the cylindrical body 11 and overlaps the cylindrical body 11 in plan view. This allows the disposal device 10 to be further miniaturized (space-saving) in plan view.

[0079] Furthermore, in the above-described configuration, non-defective products and defective products are sorted and transported by one transport device 91. This makes it possible to reduce the number of devices constituting the production line, thereby realizing space saving and a simplified configuration of the production line.

[0080] [Second embodiment] A battery manufacturing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The battery manufacturing apparatus according to the second embodiment differs from the battery manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment in that the disposal device 10 is replaced with a disposal device 10A. Other configurations of the battery manufacturing apparatus according to the second embodiment are similar to those of the battery manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment, and descriptions of similar parts will be omitted.

[0081] Fig. 8 is a side view of a disposal device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 8, the disposal device 10A is different from the disposal device 10 according to the first embodiment in that a pushing mechanism for the defective electrodes 70NG is added. The other configurations of the disposal device 10A are the same as those of the disposal device 10, and the description of the similar parts will be omitted.

[0082] The pushing mechanism of the disposal device 10A includes a pushing member 16, a slide guide 162, and a support column 169.

[0083] The support pillar 169 is erected adjacent to the storage box 14. The height of the support pillar 169 is greater than the height of the storage box 14.

[0084] The pushing member 16 is a plate material and has a predetermined rigidity. Specifically, the predetermined rigidity is a rigidity that allows the pushing member 16 to deform the defective electrode 70NG and push it into the storage box 14. The pushing member 16 has a tip portion 160. The tip portion 160 has a tapered shape in side view.

[0085] The pushing member 16 is installed on a support 169 using a slide guide 162. At this time, the tip portion 160 is installed so as to be the lowest end of the pushing member 16 in the vertical downward direction DIRvd.

[0086] The slide guide 162 is a mechanical member that can move the push-in member 16 along the vertically downward direction DIRvd and the vertically upward direction DIRvu. This allows the push-in member 16 to move along the vertically downward direction DIRvd and the vertically upward direction DIRvu.

[0087] When the push-in member 16 is at the upper end in the movement direction, the tip 160 is near the upper opening Uo14 of the storage box 14. That is, in this case, the tip 160 is in a position that does not hinder the drop of the defective electrode 70NG into the storage box 14.

[0088] When the push-in member 16 is at the bottom end in the moving direction, the tip 160 is inside the internal space SP14 of the storage box 14 and reaches a position a predetermined distance from the bottom wall 14BW. That is, in this case, the tip 160 is in a position capable of contacting the defective electrode 70NG stored in the storage box 14 and applying a predetermined pressing force to the defective electrode 70NG.

[0089] (Pushing in defective electrodes) 9(A), 9(B), and 9(C) are partial cross-sectional side views showing various states in the operation of discarding defective electrodes.

[0090] 9(A), when the defective electrode 70NG is accommodated in the internal space SP14 of the storage box 14, the push-in member 16 descends. This descent may be triggered manually or automatically. In the case of an automatic trigger, for example, a detection sensor for the defective electrode 70NG may be provided at a predetermined height position of the storage box 14, and the automatic trigger may be the detection of the introduction of the defective electrode 70NG or the insufficient fall of the detection sensor.

[0091] 9(B) and 9(C), the pushing member 16 further descends. As a result, the pushing member 16 comes into contact with the defective electrode 70NG from the tip end 160 side, and pushes in the defective electrode 70NG. As a result, the defective electrode 70NG is crushed and accumulated on the bottom wall 14BW side of the storage box 14.

[0092] By pushing in this way, the disposal device 10A can forcibly accommodate (dispose of) the defective electrode 70NG caught near the upper opening Uo14 of the internal space SP14 of the storage box 14 on the bottom wall 14BW side of the storage box 14.

[0093] It is preferable that the pushing mechanism is provided with a torque limiter for pushing, which can prevent the pushing mechanism from being broken or damaged due to excessive pushing.

[0094] Furthermore, the shape of the tip 160 of the pushing member 16 is not limited to a tapered shape and can be appropriately adopted.

[0095] <1> A waste box is disposed at one location in a production line for batteries having a structure using electrodes and separators, and stores defective electrodes and defective separators; a defective product discharge section that discharges the defective electrodes and the defective separators to the waste box; Equipped with The defective product extraction unit includes: a first means for guiding the defective electrodes into the waste box from vertically above; a second means for directing the defective separator to the waste box using suction; A battery manufacturing apparatus comprising:

[0096] <2> The defective product extraction unit further includes a sorting unit, The sorting unit sorts out whether or not a defective product includes an electrode, The defective product including the electrode is guided to the waste box using the first means, A defective product not including an electrode is guided to the waste box by the second means. <1> Battery manufacturing equipment.

[0097] <3> The waste box includes a first storage box for storing the defective electrodes and a second storage box for storing the defective separators. <1> or <2> Battery manufacturing equipment.

[0098] <4> The defective product extraction unit includes: A cylindrical body having an opening at the top; A cover member for opening and closing an upper opening surface of the cylindrical body; Equipped with The first storage box is disposed on a side surface of the cylindrical body, The second storage box is disposed below the cylindrical body, the first means is a mechanism for guiding the defective electrode placed on the lid member to the first housing box, The second means is a mechanism for increasing the falling speed of the defective separator falling from above the cylindrical body and guiding the defective separator to the second storage box. <3> Battery manufacturing equipment.

[0099] <5> the first means includes a rotation mechanism for the lid member that switches the lid member from a closed state to an open state, The second means is disposed on the cylindrical body and includes a suction member that generates a suction force below the cylindrical body. <4> Battery manufacturing equipment.

[0100] <6> A duct pipe is provided to connect the cylindrical body and the second housing box, The flow passage cross-sectional area of ​​the duct pipe is smaller than the flow passage cross-sectional area of ​​the cylindrical body. <5> Battery manufacturing equipment.

[0101] <7> The first storage box is A box having an upper opening and a bottom wall, The inner surface of the box is provided with an inclined member having an inclined surface that intersects with the surface of the bottom wall at an angle that is not perpendicular to the surface of the bottom wall. <3> ~ <6> Battery manufacturing equipment.

[0102] <8> The inclined member is disposed on the inner surface of the box body on the side of the cylinder body. <7> Battery manufacturing equipment.

[0103] <9> The inclined surface has a shape in which the center portion bulges out more than the upper end and the lower end. <8> Battery manufacturing equipment.

[0104] <10> a conveying means for conveying the defective electrode and the defective separator for use in the manufacture of the battery, The conveying means is conveying the defective electrode and the defective separator to the defective discharge section; conveying the non-defective electrode and the non-defective electrode with separator to a lamination device of the production line; <1> ~ <9> Battery manufacturing equipment.

[0105] <11> an inspection device for determining whether the electrode is a non-defective or defective product, the inspection device being disposed at a position upstream of the conveying means in the manufacturing line; The conveying means and the defective product extraction unit operate based on the inspection result by the inspection device. <10> Battery manufacturing equipment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0106] 10, 10A: Disposal device 11: Cylinder 11BW:Bottom wall 11SW: Side wall 12: Lid component 13: Duct pipe 13SW: Wall 14: Storage box 14BW:Bottom wall 14SW: Side wall 15: Storage box 15BW:Bottom wall 15SW: Side wall 15UW: Ceiling wall 16: Push-in member 162: Slide guide 169: Post 70NG: Defective electrode 71: Negative electrode 72: Positive electrode 80NG: Defective separator 81, 82: Separator 91:Transportation equipment 92: Laminated section 112: Inhalation auxiliary parts 113: Intake port 121: Subject 122: Rotation mechanism 149: Inclined member 791, 793, 891, 893: Conveyor 792, 794, 892, 894: Table 881, 882: Cutting device DIRvd: Vertical downward direction DIRvu: Vertical up direction F149: Inclined surface SP11, SP13, SP14, SP15: Internal space Ud11: Lower opening UF12: Top Uo11, Uo14: Upper opening

Claims

1. A waste box is disposed at one location in a production line for batteries having a structure using electrodes and separators, and stores defective electrodes and defective separators; a defective product discharge section that discharges the defective electrodes and the defective separators to the waste box; Equipped with The defective product extraction unit includes: a first means for guiding the defective electrodes into the waste box from vertically above; a second means for directing the defective separator to the waste box using suction; Equipped with Battery manufacturing equipment.

2. The defective product extraction unit further includes a sorting unit, The sorting unit sorts out whether or not a defective product includes an electrode, The defective product including the electrode is guided to the waste box using the first means, The defective product not including the electrode is guided to the waste box by the second means. The battery manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 .

3. The waste box includes a first storage box for storing the defective electrodes and a second storage box for storing the defective separators. The battery manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 .

4. The defective product extraction unit includes: A cylindrical body having an opening at the top; A cover member for opening and closing an upper opening surface of the cylindrical body; Equipped with The first storage box is disposed on a side surface of the cylindrical body, The second storage box is disposed below the cylindrical body, the first means is a mechanism for guiding the defective electrodes placed on the lid member to the first storage box, the second means is a mechanism for increasing the falling speed of the defective separator falling from above the cylindrical body and guiding the defective separator to the second storage box; The battery manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3 .

5. the first means includes a rotation mechanism for the lid member that switches the lid member from a closed state to an open state, The second means includes a suction member disposed on the cylindrical body and configured to generate a suction force below the cylindrical body. The battery manufacturing apparatus according to claim 4 .

6. A duct pipe is provided to connect the cylindrical body and the second housing box, The flow passage cross-sectional area of ​​the duct pipe is smaller than the flow passage cross-sectional area of ​​the cylindrical body. The battery manufacturing apparatus according to claim 5 .

7. The first storage box is A box having an upper opening and a bottom wall, The inner surface of the box is provided with an inclined member having an inclined surface that intersects with the surface of the bottom wall at an angle that is not perpendicular to the surface of the bottom wall. The battery manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3 .

8. The inclined member is disposed on a cylindrical body side surface of the inner surface of the box body. The battery manufacturing apparatus according to claim 7.

9. The inclined surface has a shape in which the center portion bulges out more than the upper end and the lower end. The battery manufacturing apparatus according to claim 8 .

10. a conveying means for conveying the defective electrode and the defective separator for use in the manufacture of the battery, The conveying means is conveying the defective electrode and the defective separator to the defective discharge section; conveying the non-defective electrode and the non-defective electrode with separator to a lamination device of the production line; The battery manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 .

11. an inspection device for determining whether the electrode is a non-defective or defective product, the inspection device being disposed at a position upstream of the conveying means in the manufacturing line; The conveying means and the defective product extraction unit operate based on the inspection result by the inspection device. The battery manufacturing apparatus according to claim 10.

Images