Battery manufacturing device, and manufacturing method of battery

Abstract

To provide a battery manufacturing device capable of preventing welding failure in the welding of the terminal and the film at the end of the electrode.SOLUTION: A posture correction member 120 is configured to correct the posture of a terminal 16 electrically connected to at least one end of an electrode 12. A terminal pressing member 150 is configured to press the end face of the terminal 16 opposite to the electrode 12 toward the electrode 12 in a state where the posture of the terminal 16 is corrected. A welding material 140 is configured to weld a film 18 to the terminal 16 with the end face of the terminal 16 pressed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a battery manufacturing apparatus and a battery manufacturing method, and more particularly to a battery manufacturing apparatus and a battery manufacturing method for manufacturing a battery in which electrodes are wrapped in a film. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a method for manufacturing a laminated battery that can appropriately weld a laminated exterior body with terminals protruding outward from the inside. In the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, an assembly is prepared in which a power generating element is arranged with terminals protruding outward. In addition, in the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, a heated compression member is brought into contact with the assembly to weld at least the edge of the laminated exterior body in the assembly that sandwiches the terminals. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-128919 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 does not have a configuration that prevents the power generating element (electrode) and the terminal from separating during welding. Therefore, if the power generating element (electrode) and the terminal are welded while separated, the position of the terminal relative to the power generating element (electrode) becomes unstable, which may result in poor welding.

[0005] The present disclosure provides a battery manufacturing apparatus and a battery manufacturing method that are capable of suppressing the occurrence of welding defects when welding a terminal and a film at the end of an electrode. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The battery manufacturing apparatus according to the present disclosure is a battery manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing batteries in which electrodes are packaged in a film, and includes: a posture correction member configured to correct the posture of a terminal electrically connected to at least one end of the electrode; a terminal pressing member configured to press an end face of the terminal opposite the electrode toward the electrode when the posture of the terminal is corrected; and a welding member configured to weld the film to the terminal when the end face of the terminal is pressed.

[0007] The battery manufacturing method disclosed herein is a battery manufacturing method for manufacturing a battery in which electrodes are packaged in a film, and includes an attitude correction step of correcting the attitude of a terminal electrically connected to at least one end of the electrode, a terminal pressing step of pressing an end face of the terminal opposite the electrode toward the electrode while the attitude of the terminal is corrected, and a welding step of welding the film to the terminal while the end face of the terminal is pressed. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a battery manufacturing apparatus and a battery manufacturing method that are capable of suppressing the occurrence of welding defects in welding between a terminal and a film performed at the end of an electrode. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a battery manufacturing apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a battery manufacturing apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a battery manufactured by the battery manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a process diagram showing a battery manufacturing method performed by the battery manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] 1 is a process diagram showing a battery manufacturing method performed by the battery manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment. In addition, the following description and drawings are appropriately simplified for clarity of explanation.

[0011] (Embodiment 1) Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a battery manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration of the battery manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. The battery manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment manufactures batteries in which electrodes are packaged with a film such as a laminate film. The configuration of the battery manufacturing apparatus 100 will be described in detail later.

[0012] 3 is a diagram showing a battery 10 manufactured by the battery manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. The battery 10 has an electrode 12, at least one electrode tab 14, at least one terminal 16, and a film 18. The battery 10 is, for example, a laminate-packaged battery (laminated battery). That is, in the battery 10, the electrode 12 is packaged with a film 18 such as a laminate film. The electrode 12 is formed, for example, in a rectangular sheet shape, that is, in a plate shape.

[0013] The electrode tab 14 is made of a conductor such as a metal. The electrode tab 14 may be formed in a plate shape with a very thin thickness. The electrode tab 14 is provided on at least one end of the electrode 12. In the first embodiment, the electrode tab 14 is connected to the first end 12a and the second end 12b of the electrode 12, respectively.

[0014] The terminal 16 is formed, for example, in a U-shaped plate shape. The terminal 16 is formed of a conductor such as metal. The terminal 16 is electrically connected to at least one end of the electrode 12 via an electrode tab 14. In the first embodiment, the terminal 16 is connected to each of the first end 12a and the second end 12b of the electrode 12. The terminal 16A (first terminal) is connected to the electrode tab 14A provided at the first end 12a of the electrode 12. The terminal 16B (second terminal) is connected to the electrode tab 14B provided at the second end 12b of the electrode 12. The terminal 16 may not be provided at both ends of the electrode 12. The terminal 16 may be provided at only one end of the electrode 12.

[0015] The film 18 is formed of, for example, a thermoplastic resin. The film 18 covers the electrode 12 and a part of the terminal 16. More specifically, the film 18 covers the electrode 12 and the terminal 16 with the end face 16a of the terminal 16 opposite to the electrode 12 exposed. Here, as shown in FIG. 2, one or more folds 18f are formed in the film 18. With the electrode 12 placed on the film 18, the film 18 is folded at the fold, so that the electrode 12 is wrapped in the film 18 with the end face 16a of the terminal 16 exposed. Then, the vicinity of the end of the film 18 is welded to the terminal 16. In the first embodiment, the vicinity of the end 18a of the film 18 on the terminal 16A side is welded to the terminal 16A. Also, the vicinity of the end 18b of the film 18 on the terminal 16B side is welded to the terminal 16B.

[0016] In addition, the electrode tab 14 does not have enough rigidity to support the terminal 16. Therefore, in a state where the film 18 is not welded to the terminal 16, unless the terminal 16 is restrained (supported) in some way, the terminal 16 may become unstable, moving away from the end of the electrode 12 due to its own weight and tilting downward relative to the electrode 12. As shown in FIG. 1, when the film 18 is not welded to the terminal 16, the terminal 16A hangs down away from the first end 12a of the electrode 12, and the terminal 16B hangs down away from the second end 12b of the electrode 12. Then, the film 18 is welded to the terminal 16, so that the terminal 16 becomes stable at the end of the electrode 12.

[0017] Here, in the battery 10, the dimension between the end faces of the terminals 16 provided at both ends of the electrode 12 is defined as L1. The dimension between the end face 16a of the terminal 16B and the first end 12a of the electrode 12 opposite the terminal 16B side is defined as L2. The dimension between the end face 16a of the terminal 16B and the end 18a of the film 18 opposite the terminal 16B side is defined as L3. The dimension of the height difference between the bottom face of the terminal 16 and the bottom face of the electrode 12 is defined as L4. The dimension of the height difference between the bottom face of the terminal 16 and the bottom face of the film 18 is defined as L5.

[0018] In manufacturing the battery 10, it is necessary that the dimensions L1 to L5 are each highly accurate. To achieve this, it is necessary to stabilize the position of the terminal 16 relative to the electrode 12 when the film 18 is welded to the terminal 16. As described below, the battery manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment can weld the film 18 to the terminal 16 with the position of the terminal 16 relative to the electrode 12 stabilized. This makes it possible to suppress the occurrence of welding defects.

[0019] The battery manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment includes a welding unit 110, a terminal pressing member 150, a jig 160, a drive mechanism 170, and a control device 200. The jig 160 supports the workpiece 30 in a state where the film 18 is not welded to the battery 10. That is, the workpiece 30 is composed of the electrode 12, the terminal 16 electrically connected to the electrode 12, and the film 18 covering both sides of the electrode 12. Therefore, the workpiece 30 is generally configured in a plate shape. The jig 160 is movable toward and away from the terminal pressing member 150.

[0020] Here, for convenience of explanation, the following three-dimensional coordinate system of XYZ is assumed. The direction along which the jig 160 moves toward and away from the terminal pressing member 150 is the X-axis direction. The direction in which the jig 160 moves away from the terminal pressing member 150 (leftward in FIG. 1) is the +X direction, and the direction in which the jig 160 moves toward the terminal pressing member 150 (rightward in FIG. 1) is the -X direction. The direction along a direction approximately perpendicular to the surface of the workpiece 30 (electrode 12) supported by the jig 160 is the Z-axis direction, the upward direction of the workpiece 30 (upward direction in FIG. 1) is the +Z direction, and the downward direction of the workpiece 30 (downward direction in FIG. 1) is the -Z direction. In other words, when the workpiece 30 is supported by the jig 160, the surface of the workpiece 30 on the +Z direction side is the upper surface 30a, and the surface of the workpiece 30 on the -Z direction side is the lower surface 30b. Moreover, the direction perpendicular to the X-axis and Z-axis is the Y-axis direction, and the left side when looking in the +X direction (the front side of the paper in FIG. 1) is the +Y direction. Moreover, when the workpiece 30 is supported by the jig 160, the plate-like electrode 12 is approximately parallel to the XY plane.

[0021] The control device 200 is, for example, a computer. The control device 200 has a processing device such as a processor, and a storage device such as a memory. The control device 200 operates when the processing device executes a program stored in the storage device. The control device 200 controls the operation of each component of the battery manufacturing apparatus 100 so as to manufacture batteries 10 having predetermined dimensions. The control device 200 may be, for example, a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller).

[0022] The welding units 110 are respectively disposed above (+Z direction) and below (-Z direction) the workpiece 30 supported by the jig 160. That is, the battery manufacturing apparatus 100 has an upper welding unit 110A and a lower welding unit 110B. Each welding unit 110 has a support member 112, elastic members 114, 116, a posture correction member 120, a film pressing member 130, and a welding member 140. The elastic members 114, 116 are, for example, springs, but may be other elastic members.

[0023] The support member 112 supports the welding member 140. The support member 112 also supports the posture correction member 120 via the elastic member 114. The support member 112 also supports the film pressing member 130 via the elastic member 116. Therefore, the posture correction member 120 and the welding member 140 are integrally configured via the elastic member 114. The support member 112 moves in the direction along the Z axis by a drive mechanism (not shown) such as a motor or a servo motor that operates under the control of the control device 200. When the support member 112 moves in the direction along the Z axis by the drive mechanism, the posture correction member 120, the film pressing member 130, and the welding member 140 of the welding unit 110 move in the direction along the Z axis. The posture correction member 120 may protrude from the film pressing member 130 to the opposite side to the support member 112.

[0024] Here, the welding unit 110A and the welding unit 110B are moved toward each other and away from each other by the driving mechanism. In other words, the welding unit 110A and the welding unit 110B are moved in opposite directions. That is, when the welding unit 110A moves in the -Z direction, the welding unit 110B moves in the +Z direction, so that the welding unit 110A and the welding unit 110B approach each other. On the other hand, when the welding unit 110A moves in the +Z direction, the welding unit 110B moves in the -Z direction, so that the welding unit 110A and the welding unit 110B move away from each other. Note that the support members 112 of the welding unit 110A and the welding unit 110B may be connected to one driving mechanism via left-right screws. This makes it possible to link the welding unit 110A and the welding unit 110B with one driving mechanism. It should be noted that the welding units 110A and 110B do not necessarily have to operate in conjunction with each other.

[0025] The posture correction member 120 is configured to correct the posture of the terminal 16 that is in an unstable posture. Specifically, when the film 18 is welded to the terminal 16, the posture correction member 120 corrects the posture of the terminal 16 so that it is in a posture along the surface of the electrode 12. More specifically, the posture correction member 120 corrects the posture of the terminal 16 so that it is in a posture along the XY plane from a drooping state. This allows the film 18 to be welded to the terminal 16 in a state in which the terminal 16 is in an appropriate posture. In addition, the posture correction member 120 of the upper welding unit 110A corrects the posture of the terminal 16 from above the terminal 16, and the posture correction member 120 of the lower welding unit 110B corrects the posture of the terminal 16 from below the terminal 16.

[0026] The film pressing member 130 is configured to press the film 18 in the vicinity of the terminal 16 so as to prevent the film 18 from floating up when the film 18 is welded to the terminal 16. As shown by the dashed line in FIG. 1, when the work 30 is supported by the jig 160, the film 18 may be separated from the electrode 12 and the terminal 16 at both ends of the electrode 12. If welding is performed in this state in which the film 18 is separated from the terminal 16, there is a risk that welding cannot be performed properly. Therefore, the film pressing member 130 presses the film 18 in the vicinity of the terminal 16 so as to prevent the film 18 from floating up. In addition, the film pressing member 130 of the upper welding unit 110A presses the film 18 in the vicinity of the terminal 16 from above, and the film pressing member 130 of the lower welding unit 110B presses the film 18 in the vicinity of the terminal 16 from below.

[0027] The welding member 140 is configured to weld the film 18 to the terminal 16. At least the tip of the welding member 140 is heated to an extent that the film 18 is heated when it comes into contact with the film 18 and melts. The welding member 140 presses the film 18 and heats the film 18 in a state where the film 18 is in contact with the terminal 16, so that the welding member 140 adheres the film 18 to the terminal 16. The welding member 140 is configured to weld the vicinity of the ends 18a, 18b of the film 18 to the terminal 16 in a state where the end face 16a of the terminal 16 is pressed by the terminal pressing member 150 described later. In other words, the welding member 140 welds the vicinity of the end 18a of the film 18 to the terminal 16A in a state where the end face 16a of the terminal 16A is pressed by the terminal pressing member 150. Furthermore, the welding member 140 welds the vicinity of the end 18b of the film 18 to the terminal 16B while the end face 16a of the terminal 16B is pressed by the terminal pressing member 150. Furthermore, the welding member 140 of the upper welding unit 110A welds the film 18 to the terminal 16 from above, and the welding member 140 of the lower welding unit 110B welds the film 18 to the terminal 16 from below.

[0028] The terminal pressing member 150 is configured to press the end surface 16a of the terminal 16 toward the electrode 12 in a state in which the posture of the terminal 16 is corrected by the posture correction member 120. The terminal pressing member 150 may be fixedly disposed in the battery manufacturing apparatus 100. In this case, the terminal pressing member 150 may press the end surface 16a of the terminal 16 toward the electrode 12 by a jig 160 supporting the work 30 moving toward the terminal pressing member 150.

[0029] The jig 160 is configured to support the workpiece 30. The jig 160 is configured to support the workpiece 30 so that it can be transported. The jig 160 can transport the workpiece 30 in a state in which the workpiece 30 is positioned. The jig 160 has a workpiece support portion 162 and a film holding portion 164. The workpiece support portion 162 is configured to support the workpiece 30. The workpiece support portion 162 has a shape like a table or a stand. The workpiece support portion 162 supports the workpiece 30 substantially horizontally on its upper surface. The film holding portion 164 is configured to hold the film 18 so that it does not separate from the surface of the electrode 12. The film holding portion 164 may hold the film 18 so that it does not separate from the surface of the electrode 12 by making the film holding portion 164 and the workpiece support portion 162 sandwich (hold) the workpiece 30 together.

[0030] The jig 160 is configured to carry out the work 30 to a post-process. The "post-process" is a process subsequent to the welding process of the film 18 to the terminal 16, which is performed by the battery manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment in the manufacturing process of the battery. The post-process is, for example, a vacuum welding process in which the film 18 is welded under vacuum to seal the electrode 12 inside the film 18, but is not limited thereto. The jig 160 is arranged to be movable relative to the terminal pressing member 150. That is, the jig 160 is a movable jig that can be moved to a work area where the post-process is performed. The jig 160 may be moved by the control of the control device 200. The jig 160 may be moved by being suspended in the air by, for example, an electromagnetic force. Alternatively, the jig 160 may be moved by being guided by a guide mechanism. Alternatively, the jig 160 may be moved by the rotation of a ball screw.

[0031] The driving mechanism 170 is configured to drive the jig 160. The driving mechanism 170 may, for example, but is not limited to, levitate and move the jig 160 in the air by electromagnetic force. The driving mechanism 170 may be a motor or a servo motor. The driving mechanism 170 is configured to translate the jig 160 along the X-axis direction. Furthermore, the driving mechanism 170 is configured to rotate (pivot) the jig 160 around a rotation axis along the Z-axis. The driving mechanism 170 drives the jig 160 under the control of the control device 200.

[0032] 4 and 5 are process diagrams showing the battery manufacturing method performed by the battery manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. The jig 160 moves the work 30 in the direction indicated by the arrow A1 (step S102). Specifically, under the control of the control device 200, the drive mechanism 170 moves the jig 160 carrying the work 30 in the direction indicated by the arrow A1 with the terminal 16A facing the terminal pressing member 150. As a result, the terminal 16A enters a position between the welding units 110A and 110B and approaches the terminal pressing member 150.

[0033] The posture correction member 120 corrects the posture of the terminal 16A (step S104; posture correction step). Specifically, the welding unit 110A moves in the direction indicated by the arrow B1 under the control of the control device 200. The welding unit 110B moves in the direction indicated by the arrow B2 under the control of the control device 200. As a result, the posture correction member 120 of the welding unit 110B presses the vicinity of the end face 16a of the terminal 16A upward (+Z direction), and the terminal 16A is raised as indicated by the arrow C1. As a result, the posture of the terminal 16A is corrected from a state in which it hangs down from the electrode 12 to a state along the surface of the electrode 12 (a state along the horizontal plane). Note that the jig 160 may move in the +X direction (the direction opposite to the direction indicated by the arrow A1) so that the end of the terminal 16A does not hit the terminal pressing member 150 while the posture of the terminal 16A is changing as indicated by the arrow C1.

[0034] The welding units 110A and 110B cooperate to temporarily hold the terminal 16A of the workpiece 30 and its vicinity (step S106; temporary holding step). Specifically, the welding unit 110A moves further in the direction indicated by the arrow B1 under the control of the control device 200. Similarly, the welding unit 110B moves further in the direction indicated by the arrow B2 under the control of the control device 200. Thus, the terminal 16A is sandwiched between the welding units 110A and 110B. As a result, the attitude of the terminal 16A is reliably corrected to a state in which it is aligned with the surface of the electrode 12. In this state, the attitude correction members 120 of the welding units 110A and 110B are lightly abutting the upper and lower surfaces of the terminal 16A. In this state, the film pressing members 130 of the welding units 110A and 110B are lightly abutting the vicinity of the end 18a of the film 18. Therefore, in this state, the work 30 (terminals 16A) is not restricted in the horizontal direction (X-axis direction), and if the jig 160 moves in the horizontal direction (X-axis direction), the work 30 (terminals 16A) can also move in the horizontal direction (X-axis direction). In this state, the welding members 140 are not in contact with the film 18 of the work 30.

[0035] The jig 160 moves, and the terminal pressing member 150 presses the end face 16a of the terminal 16A (step S108; terminal pressing step). Specifically, under the control of the control device 200, the drive mechanism 170 moves the jig 160 on which the workpiece 30 is mounted in the direction indicated by the arrow A2. As a result, the end face 16a of the terminal 16A abuts against the terminal pressing member 150. As a result, in a state in which the posture of the terminal 16A is corrected by the posture correction member 120, the terminal pressing member 150 presses the end face 16a of the terminal 16A toward the electrode 12. At this time, the posture and position of the terminal 16A relative to the jig 160 and the electrode 12 are also determined.

[0036] The welding member 140 welds the film 18 to the terminal 16A (step S110; welding step). Specifically, the welding unit 110A moves in the direction indicated by the arrow B1 under the control of the control device 200. The welding unit 110B moves in the direction indicated by the arrow B2 under the control of the control device 200. At this time, in each of the welding units 110A and 110B, the support member 112 moves toward the terminal 16A against the elastic forces of the elastic members 114 and 116. As a result, the welding member 140 presses the film 18 toward the terminal 16A while heating the film 18. As a result, the welding member 140 welds the film 18 to the terminal 16A in a state in which the end face 16a of the terminal 16A is pressed by the terminal pressing member 150. Then, the welding unit 110 returns to its original position (step S112). Specifically, welding unit 110A moves in the direction indicated by arrow B3 under the control of control device 200. Also, welding unit 110B moves in the direction indicated by arrow B4 under the control of control device 200. In this manner, the vicinity of end 18a of film 18 is welded to terminal 16A. Then, jig 160 returns to its original position (step S114). Specifically, drive mechanism 170 moves jig 160 carrying workpiece 30 in the direction indicated by arrow A3 under the control of control device 200. As a result, terminal 16A moves away from terminal pressing member 150.

[0037] The jig 160 rotates along a horizontal plane (XY plane) (step S116). Specifically, the drive mechanism 170 rotates the jig 160 180 degrees as indicated by the arrow D1 under the control of the control device 200. In other words, the jig 160 rotates so that the second end 12b of the electrode 12 faces the terminal pressing member 150. After the film 18 is welded to the terminal 16A, the jig 160 rotates so that the positions of the terminal 16A and the terminal 16B are interchanged. As a result, the terminal 16B faces the terminal pressing member 150.

[0038] As in step S102, the jig 160 moves the work 30 in the direction indicated by the arrow A1 (step S122). Specifically, under the control of the control device 200, the drive mechanism 170 moves the jig 160 carrying the work 30 in the direction indicated by the arrow A1 with the terminal 16B facing the terminal pressing member 150. As a result, the terminal 16B enters a position between the welding units 110A and 110B and approaches the terminal pressing member 150.

[0039] As in step S104, the posture correction member 120 corrects the posture of the terminal 16B (step S124; posture correction step). Specifically, the welding unit 110A moves in the direction indicated by the arrow B1 under the control of the control device 200. Moreover, the welding unit 110B moves in the direction indicated by the arrow B2 under the control of the control device 200. As a result, the posture correction member 120 of the welding unit 110B presses the vicinity of the end face 16a of the terminal 16B upward (in the +Z direction), causing the terminal 16B to rise as indicated by the arrow C1. As a result, the posture of the terminal 16B is corrected from a state in which it hangs down from the electrode 12 to a state in which it is aligned with the surface of the electrode 12 (a state in which it is aligned with the horizontal plane).

[0040] Thereafter, substantially similarly to step S106 described above, the welding units 110A and 110B cooperate to temporarily hold the terminals 16B and their vicinity of the workpiece 30. As a result, the posture of the terminals 16B is corrected to a state along the surface of the electrodes 12. In this state, the workpiece 30 (terminals 16B) is not restricted in the horizontal direction (X-axis direction), and if the jig 160 moves in the horizontal direction (X-axis direction), the workpiece 30 (terminals 16B) can also move in the horizontal direction (X-axis direction).

[0041] As in step S108, the jig 160 moves and the terminal pressing member 150 presses the end face 16a of the terminal 16B (step S128; terminal pressing step). Specifically, under the control of the control device 200, the drive mechanism 170 moves the jig 160 carrying the workpiece 30 in the direction indicated by the arrow A2. As a result, the end face 16a of the terminal 16B abuts against the terminal pressing member 150. As a result, in a state in which the posture of the terminal 16B is corrected by the posture correction member 120, the terminal pressing member 150 presses the end face 16a of the terminal 16B toward the electrode 12. At this time, the posture and position of the terminal 16B relative to the jig 160 and the electrode 12 are determined.

[0042] As in step S110, the welding member 140 welds the film 18 to the terminal 16B (step S130; welding step). Specifically, the welding unit 110A moves in the direction indicated by the arrow B1 under the control of the control device 200. The welding unit 110B moves in the direction indicated by the arrow B2 under the control of the control device 200. At this time, in each of the welding units 110A and 110B, the support member 112 moves toward the terminal 16B against the elastic forces of the elastic members 114 and 116. As a result, the welding member 140 presses the film 18 toward the terminal 16B while heating the film 18. As a result, the welding member 140 welds the film 18 to the terminal 16B in a state in which the end face 16a of the terminal 16B is pressed by the terminal pressing member 150. Then, the welding unit 110 returns to its original position (step S132). Specifically, welding unit 110A moves in the direction indicated by arrow B3 under the control of control device 200. Also, welding unit 110B moves in the direction indicated by arrow B4 under the control of control device 200. In this manner, the vicinity of end 18b of film 18 is welded to terminal 16B. Then, jig 160 returns to its original position (step S140). Specifically, drive mechanism 170 moves jig 160 carrying workpiece 30 in the direction indicated by arrow A3 under the control of control device 200. As a result, terminal 16B moves away from terminal pressing member 150. In this manner, workpiece 30 is formed in which film 18 is welded to terminals 16A and 16B.

[0043] If the film 18 is to be welded to the terminal 16 in a state where the terminal 16 is not corrected in position and is separated from the end of the electrode, there is a risk that welding will be performed without maintaining the proper position and attitude of the terminal 16 relative to the electrode 12. Therefore, there is a risk of welding defects occurring. In contrast, in the above-mentioned first embodiment, the attitude correction member 120 is configured to correct the attitude of the terminal 16 electrically connected to at least one end of the electrode 12. In addition, the terminal pressing member 150 is configured to press the end face of the terminal 16 opposite to the electrode 12 side toward the electrode 12 in a state where the attitude of the terminal 16 is corrected. In addition, the welding member 140 is configured to weld the film 18 to the terminal 16 in a state where the end face of the terminal 16 is pressed. With this configuration, welding can be performed in a state where the attitude and position of the terminal 16 relative to the electrode 12 are proper. Therefore, the battery manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment can suppress the occurrence of welding defects in welding of the terminal 16 and the film 18 performed at the end of the electrode 12. This effect is particularly noticeable when the welding of the film 18 and the terminals 16 is automated.

[0044] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the terminal pressing member 150 is configured to press the end face of the terminal 16 toward the electrode 12 by moving the jig 160 toward the terminal pressing member 150. This allows the terminal pressing member 150 to press the end face of the terminal 16 toward the electrode 12 even if the terminal pressing member 150 is arranged in a fixed state. Therefore, the structure of the battery manufacturing apparatus 100 can be simplified.

[0045] Moreover, in the first embodiment, the jig 160 is configured to rotate after the film 18 is welded to the terminal 16A, and then the film 18 is welded to the terminal 16B. With this configuration, the film 18 can be efficiently welded to the terminals 16 provided on both ends of the electrode 12.

[0046] In addition, in the welding unit 110 of the first embodiment, the posture correction member 120 and the welding member 140 are integrally configured via an elastic member. With this configuration, the posture correction member 120 and the welding member 140 can be operated by one driving mechanism. Therefore, the posture correction and welding of the terminal 16 can be performed efficiently and reliably in a small space. In addition, in the welding steps of S110 and S130, the posture correction members 120 of the welding units 110A and 110B press the upper and lower surfaces of the terminal 16 by the elastic force of the elastic member 114. Therefore, the welding member 140 can weld the film 18 to the terminal 16 in a state in which the posture of the terminal 16 is more stable. That is, since the posture correction member 120 and the welding member 140 are integrally configured via the elastic member 114 in the welding unit 110, the posture correction and welding can be performed efficiently and reliably. Therefore, welding defects can be further suppressed.

[0047] Furthermore, in the welding steps S110 and S130, the film pressing members 130 of the welding units 110A and 110B press the film 18 onto the upper and lower sides of the terminals 16 by the elastic force of the elastic member 116. Therefore, the welding member 140 can weld the film 18 to the terminals 16 while the film 18 is in reliable contact with the terminals 16A. That is, since the film pressing member 130 and the welding member 140 are integrally configured via the elastic member 116 in the welding unit 110, welding can be efficiently performed while preventing the film 18 from being separated from the terminals 16. Therefore, welding defects can be further suppressed.

[0048] (Modification) The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the process diagrams of Figures 4 to 5, the order of steps S102 to S114 and steps S122 to S140 may be reversed. Furthermore, when terminal 16 is connected to only one end of electrode 12, steps S116 to S140 may be omitted.

[0049] Also, the terminal pressing member 150 may move by itself to press the end face 16a of the terminal 16. However, since the jig 160 moves toward the terminal pressing member 150 and the terminal pressing member 150 presses the end face 16a of the terminal 16, it becomes unnecessary to provide a mechanism for moving the terminal pressing member 150. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 10 battery, 12 electrode, 14 electrode tab, 16 terminal, 18 film, 30 workpiece, 100 battery manufacturing device, 110 welding unit, 112 support member, 114 elastic member, 116 elastic member, 120 posture correction member, 130 film pressing member, 140 welding member, 150 terminal pressing member, 160 jig, 162 workpiece support portion, 164 film holding portion, 170 drive mechanism, 200 control device

Claims

1. A battery manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a battery having an electrode wrapped in a film, comprising: a posture correcting member configured to correct the posture of a terminal electrically connected to at least one end of the electrode; a terminal pressing member configured to press an end face of the terminal opposite to the electrode side toward the electrode while the attitude of the terminal is corrected; a welding member configured to weld the film to the terminal while the end surface of the terminal is pressed; A battery manufacturing apparatus comprising:

2. a jig configured to transportably support a workpiece including the electrode, a terminal connected to the electrode, and the film covering both sides of the electrode; and The terminal pressing member presses the end surface of the terminal toward the electrode by the jig supporting the workpiece moving toward the terminal pressing member. The battery manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 .

3. the terminal is connected to a first end of the electrode and a second end of the electrode opposite to the first end, the welding member welds the film to the first terminal while the terminal pressing member presses the first terminal connected to the first end portion toward the first end portion; the jig is rotated so that the second end faces the terminal pressing member after the film is welded to the first terminal; the welding member welds the film to the second terminal while the terminal pressing member presses the second terminal connected to the second end of the electrode toward the second end. The battery manufacturing apparatus according to claim 2 .

4. The posture correcting member and the welding member are integrally formed via an elastic member. The battery manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 .

5. A battery manufacturing method for manufacturing a battery having an electrode wrapped in a film, comprising the steps of: a posture correcting step of correcting the posture of a terminal electrically connected to at least one end of the electrode; a terminal pressing process for pressing an end face of the terminal opposite to the electrode side toward the electrode while the attitude of the terminal is corrected; a welding step of welding the film to the terminal while the end face of the terminal is pressed; A battery manufacturing method comprising the steps of:

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