Manufacturing apparatus of electrode body and manufacturing method of electrode body

Abstract

To provide a manufacturing apparatus of an electrode body, capable of suppressing the generation of cracks, and provide a manufacturing method of the electrode body.SOLUTION: A manufacturing apparatus 10 of an electrode body, comprises: a foil conveyance machine that continuously conveys electrode foil FF having a first main surface FS1 and a second main surface FS2 on the side opposite to the first main surface FS1; a coating machine 3 that intermediately forms, on the first main surface FS1, a coating region FC which is coated with the electrode material FA and an uncoated region FU which is not coated with the electrode material FA by intermittently coating the first main surface FS1 of the electrode foil FF continuously conveyed with the electrode material FA; an acquisition part that acquires a position of the uncoated region FU; a laser irradiation device 1 that irradiates the first main surface FS1 of the electrode foil FF with a laser beam LL; an air blower machine 7 that is arranged on a second main surface FS2 side of the electrode foil FF; and a control device 5 that controls the air blower machine 7.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus and an electrode assembly manufacturing method. [Background technology]

[0002] The electrode manufacturing apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 has two gas discharge units. One gas discharge unit is disposed opposite to the electrode slurry applied to one surface of the current collector, and discharges high-temperature gas. This discharged high-temperature gas is sprayed toward the electrode slurry. The other gas discharge unit is disposed opposite to the other surface of the current collector on which the electrode slurry is not applied, and discharges low-temperature gas. This discharged low-temperature gas is sprayed toward the other surface of the current collector. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-032466 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present inventors have discovered the following problems. In some cases, such an electrode manufacturing apparatus is used to dry a current collector having a coating region where the electrode material is coated and a non-coating region where the electrode material is not coated. In such cases, the coating region and the non-coating region are heated and cooled in the same manner in the drying oven, which may cause cracks.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and provides an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus and an electrode assembly manufacturing method that can suppress the occurrence of cracks. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The manufacturing apparatus for an electrode assembly according to the present disclosure includes: a foil conveyor that continuously conveys an electrode foil having a first main surface and a second main surface opposite to the first main surface; a coater that intermittently coats the first main surface of the electrode foil being continuously transported with an electrode material to intermittently form a coated region coated with the electrode material and an uncoated region not coated with the electrode material on the first main surface; An acquisition unit that acquires the position of the uncoated region; a laser irradiator that irradiates the first main surface of the electrode foil with laser light; A blower disposed on a second main surface side of the electrode foil; A control device for controlling the blower, The control device controls the air blower to blow air to the second main surface of the electrode foil during a period in which the uncoated region is included in the irradiation range of the laser light.

[0007] The above-mentioned electrode body manufacturing apparatus may further include a temperature measuring unit that measures the temperature of the uncoated area, and the control device may determine the temperature, speed, and time of the air blown by the blower according to the temperature of the uncoated area measured by the temperature measuring unit.

[0008] A method for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to the present disclosure includes the steps of continuously transporting an electrode foil having a first main surface and a second main surface opposite to the first main surface, intermittently applying an electrode material to the first main surface of the electrode foil being continuously conveyed, thereby intermittently forming a coated region where the electrode material is applied and an uncoated region where the electrode material is not applied on the first main surface; obtaining a position of the uncoated area; irradiating the first main surface of the electrode foil with laser light from a laser irradiator; and blowing air onto the second main surface of the electrode foil during a period in which the uncoated region is included in the irradiation range of the laser light. A method for manufacturing an electrode assembly.

[0009] The above-mentioned method for manufacturing an electrode body may further include a step of measuring the temperature of the uncoated area, and in the step of blowing air onto the second main surface of the electrode foil, a step of determining the temperature, speed and time of the air blowing depending on the measured temperature of the uncoated area. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present disclosure, the occurrence of cracks can be suppressed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 4 is a flowchart showing a method for manufacturing the electrode assembly according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] 3 is a schematic diagram showing a method for manufacturing the electrode assembly according to the first embodiment. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, specific embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. In addition, the following description and drawings are appropriately simplified for clarity of explanation.

[0013] <Embodiment 1> The first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG.

[0014] Naturally, the right-handed XYZ coordinate system shown in FIG. 1 and other drawings is for the convenience of explaining the positional relationship of the components. Usually, the positive direction of the Z axis is vertically upward, and the XY plane is a horizontal plane, which is common to all the drawings. The positive direction of the X axis is the feed direction of the electrode foil FF, which will be described later. Also, the Y axis direction is the width direction of the electrode foil FF.

[0015] <Manufacturing equipment> 1, the electrode body manufacturing apparatus 10 includes a laser irradiator 1, a foil conveyor 2, a coater 3, a sensor 4, a control device 5, and a blower 7. The electrode body manufacturing apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment may further include at least one of a first temperature measuring unit 6A and a second temperature measuring unit 6B.

[0016] The electrode foil roll FR is formed into a roll shape by winding the electrode foil FF. The electrode foil roll FR is rotatably arranged at a predetermined position. The electrode foil roll FR can rotate to send out the electrode foil FF in the sending direction (here, the X-axis positive direction). A winding roll (not shown) may be arranged in the sending direction. This winding roll (not shown) winds up the electrode foil FF sent out by the electrode foil roll FR. The electrode foil FF is made of, for example, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, nickel, iron, titanium, carbon, or the like. The electrode foil FF has a first main surface FS1 and a second main surface FS2. The second main surface FS2 is provided on the opposite side of the first main surface FS1. An example of the first main surface FS1 shown in FIG. 1 faces upward (here, the Z-axis positive direction), and the second main surface FS2 shown in FIG. 1 faces downward (here, the Z-axis negative direction).

[0017] The foil conveyor 2 continuously conveys the electrode foil FF in the sending direction. The foil conveyor 2 may convey the electrode foil FF using a roll-to-roll method. The foil conveyor 2 includes, for example, a plurality of rolls 2A. The plurality of rolls 2A may be arranged between the electrode foil roll FR and the winding roll side FW on which the above-mentioned winding roll is arranged. Furthermore, the plurality of rolls 2A may be arranged at predetermined intervals below the electrode foil FF. A driving source (not shown) applies a rotational driving force to the plurality of rolls 2A, causing the plurality of rolls 2A to rotate. This allows the electrode foil FF to be conveyed in the sending direction.

[0018] The coater 3 intermittently coats the first main surface FS1 of the electrode foil FF, which is continuously conveyed by the foil conveyer 2, with the electrode material FA. This intermittently forms coated regions FC and uncoated regions FU on the first main surface FS1 of the electrode foil FF. The length of the coated regions FC in the feed direction and the length of the uncoated regions FU in the feed direction may be set in advance. On the first main surface FS1, the coated regions FC and the uncoated regions FU are alternately arranged in the feed direction. The coated regions FC are coated with the electrode material FA. The uncoated regions FU are not coated with the electrode material FA. In other words, in the coated regions FC, the electrode material FA covers the first main surface FS1 of the electrode foil FF. In the uncoated regions FU, the electrode material FA does not cover the first main surface FS1 of the electrode foil FF, and the first main surface FS1 of the electrode foil FF is exposed.

[0019] The electrode material FA includes an electrode active material. The electrode active material is a positive electrode active material or a negative electrode active material.

[0020] The electrode material FA containing the positive electrode active material constitutes the positive electrode. The positive electrode active material is, for example, lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2), lithium nickel oxide (LiNiO2), lithium manganese oxide (LiMn2O4), LiCo 1 / 3 Ni 1 / 3 Mn 1 / 3 O2, Li 1+x Mn 2-x-y M y The Li-Mn spinel is substituted with different elements and has a composition represented by O4 (M is one or more metal elements selected from Al, Mg, Co, Fe, Ni, and Zn).

[0021] The electrode material FA containing the negative electrode active material constitutes a negative electrode. The negative electrode active material is, for example, a material capable of absorbing and releasing metal ions such as metallic lithium and lithium ions. The material capable of absorbing and releasing metal ions such as lithium ions is, for example, an alloy-based negative electrode active material or a carbon material. The alloy-based negative electrode active material is, for example, a Si alloy-based negative electrode active material or a Sn alloy-based negative electrode active material. The Si alloy-based negative electrode active material is silicon, silicon oxide, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, or a solid solution thereof. The Si alloy-based negative electrode active material may contain elements other than silicon, such as Fe, Co, Sb, Bi, Pb, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ge, In, Sn, Ti, etc. The Sn alloy-based negative electrode active material is tin, tin oxide, tin nitride, or a solid solution thereof. The Sn alloy-based negative electrode active material may contain elements other than tin, such as Fe, Co, Sb, Bi, Pb, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ge, In, Ti, Si, etc. The carbon material is, for example, hard carbon, soft carbon, graphite, or the like.

[0022] The electrode material FA may contain, as optional components, a conductive assistant, a binder, and even a solid electrolyte. The conductive assistant may be, for example, a carbon material such as VGCF (Vapor Grown Carbon Fiber) or carbon nanofiber, or a metal material. The binder may be, for example, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVdF), carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), butadiene rubber (BR), styrene butadiene rubber (SBR), or a combination thereof.

[0023] The sensor 4 detects the uncoated region FU. Specifically, the sensor 4 detects the position, size, etc. of the uncoated region FU. The sensor 4 may be provided at a distance from the coater 3 in the sending direction. The sensor 4 may be disposed, for example, above the first main surface FS1 of the electrode foil FF. For example, a line scan camera may be used as the sensor 4.

[0024] The laser irradiator 1 irradiates the laser light LL to a predetermined irradiation range. Specifically, the laser irradiator 1 may constantly irradiate the laser light LL uniformly to the predetermined irradiation range. The laser irradiator 1 is, for example, a semiconductor laser. The laser irradiator 1 is disposed above the first main surface FS1 of the electrode foil FF. The laser irradiator 1 irradiates the electrode foil FF with the laser light LL in response to a signal from the control device 5. Note that, although the example of the electrode body manufacturing apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes one laser irradiator 1, the electrode body manufacturing apparatus 10 may include multiple laser irradiators 1.

[0025] The first temperature measuring unit 6A is disposed above the first main surface FS1 of the electrode foil FF. The first temperature measuring unit 6A is disposed between the sensor 4 and the laser irradiator 1. The first temperature measuring unit 6A faces the first main surface FS1 of the electrode foil FF and measures the temperature of the first main surface FS1. Specifically, the temperature of the first main surface FS1 to be measured is the same as the temperature of the exposed first main surface FS1 or the temperature of the electrode material FA on the first main surface FS1. The range of the first main surface FS1 of the electrode foil FF in which the first temperature measuring unit 6A measures the temperature is on the sensor 4 side from the irradiation range of the laser light LL. The first temperature measuring unit 6A is, for example, a radiation thermometer or a thermograph.

[0026] The second temperature measurement unit 6B is disposed below the second main surface FS2 of the electrode foil FF. The second temperature measurement unit 6B may be disposed so that the first temperature measurement unit 6A and the second temperature measurement unit 6B sandwich the electrode foil FF. The second temperature measurement unit 6B faces the second main surface FS2 of the electrode foil FF and measures the temperature of the second main surface FS2. The range of the second main surface FS2 of the electrode foil FF in which the first temperature measurement unit 6A measures the temperature may be located on the surface opposite to the first main surface FS1 of the electrode foil FF in which the first temperature measurement unit 6A measures the temperature. The second temperature measurement unit 6B may have the same configuration as the first temperature measurement unit 6A.

[0027] The control device 5 can be configured with a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). In other words, the control device 5 can have a function as a computer. The control device 5 can execute a program stored in a storage device (not shown) and perform various processes.

[0028] Moreover, the control device 5 executes this program to realize the functions of the components for performing the necessary operations as the electrode body manufacturing apparatus 10 as appropriate. For example, the control device 5 acquires various information from each component of the electrode body manufacturing apparatus 10, such as the coater 3, the sensor 4, the first temperature measurement unit 6A, the second temperature measurement unit 6B, and the like. The control device 5 may store the acquired various information in a storage device. The various information is, for example, the completion of coating of the electrode material FA on the first main surface FS1 of the electrode foil FF by the coater 3, the position and size of the uncoated area FU detected by the sensor 4, and the like. The control device 5 may store information such as the conveying speed of the electrode foil FF by the foil conveyer 2, the distance between the coater 3 and the irradiation range of the laser light LL, and the irradiation range of the laser light LL in the storage device. The control device 5 can calculate the position of the uncoated area FU based on the stored information. The control device 5 functions as an acquisition unit that acquires the position of the uncoated area FU. Furthermore, the control device 5 determines whether the uncoated area FU is included in the irradiation range of the laser light LL based on the acquired position of the uncoated area FU. The control device 5 sends a signal to the blower 7 to control the blowing of air by the blower 7, depending on whether the uncoated region FU is within the irradiation range of the laser light LL. The control device 5 may determine the temperature, speed, and time of the air blown by the blower 7, depending on the temperature of the uncoated region FU measured by the first temperature measurement unit 6A and the second temperature measurement unit 6B. The control device 5 sends a signal specifying the determined temperature, speed, and time of the air blown to the blower 7. This may make it possible to change the cooling effect of the blower 7 on the electrode foil FF in real time, depending on the temperature of the uncoated region FU.

[0029] The blower 7 blows air in response to a signal from the control device 5. When the uncoated region FU is included in the irradiation range of the laser light LL, the blower 7 blows air to the second main surface FS2 of the electrode foil FF. The blower 7 may change the speed and time of the air blown by the blower 7 upon receiving a signal from the control device 5 specifying the determined speed and time of the air blowing.

[0030] The example of the blower 7 shown in FIG. 1 includes, for example, an air temperature control device 7A and an air nozzle 7B.

[0031] It is preferable that the blown air temperature control device 7A receives a signal designating the temperature of the air blown by the blower 7 from the control device 5, and adjusts the temperature of the air blown by the blower 7.

[0032] The air nozzle 7B has a flow path through which air can flow, and the flow path is provided inside the air nozzle 7B. The air nozzle 7B may be capable of adjusting the air flow rate by narrowing the flow path. In addition, the air nozzle 7B may be capable of adjusting the air flow rate at regular intervals in the width direction of the electrode foil FF.

[0033] <Manufacturing method> Next, a method for manufacturing an electrode body using the above-mentioned electrode body manufacturing apparatus 10 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. For ease of understanding, in Figure 3, the illustration of each component such as the foil conveyor 2, coater 3, sensor 4, control device 5, first temperature measuring unit 6A, and second temperature measuring unit 6B has been omitted as appropriate.

[0034] The foil conveyor 2 continuously conveys the electrode foil FF (step ST1). The coater 3 intermittently coats the first main surface FS1 of the continuously conveyed electrode foil FF with the electrode material FA (step ST2). As a result, coated regions FC coated with the electrode material FA and uncoated regions FU not coated with the electrode material FA are intermittently formed on the first main surface FS1 of the electrode foil FF. Note that steps ST1 and ST2 may be started substantially simultaneously, or may be performed simultaneously in parallel with the next step ST3.

[0035] Next, the control device 5 acquires the position of the uncoated area FU1 (step ST3). Specifically, the control device 5 calculates the position of the uncoated area FU based on the uncoated area FU1 detected by the sensor 4, the conveying speed of the electrode foil FF by the foil conveyor 2, etc.

[0036] Next, the temperature of the uncoated region FU1 is measured (step ST4). Specifically, the first temperature measurement unit 6A measures the temperature of the first main surface FS1 or the electrode material FA on the first main surface FS1. Also, the second temperature measurement unit 6B measures the temperature of the second main surface FS2. The control device 5 acquires the temperature of the first main surface FS1 or the electrode material FA on the first main surface FS1 measured by the first temperature measurement unit 6A, and the temperature of the second main surface FS2 measured by the second temperature measurement unit 6B.

[0037] Next, the control device 5 determines whether or not the irradiation range of the laser light LL includes the uncoated area FU1 (step ST5). The control device 5 makes such a determination based on the position of the uncoated area FU1, the irradiation range of the laser light LL, etc.

[0038] When the control device 5 determines that the irradiation range of the laser light LL does not include the uncoated area FU (step ST5: NO), the laser irradiator 1 irradiates the laser light LL to the coated area FC1 (step ST62). The electrode material FA in the coated area FC1 is supplied with a necessary amount of heat and is sufficiently heated.

[0039] On the other hand, when the control device 5 determines that the irradiation range of the laser light LL includes the uncoated region FU (step ST5: YES), the laser irradiator 1 irradiates the laser light LL to the uncoated region FU1 while the blower 7 blows air to the second main surface FS2 of the electrode foil FF (step ST61). When the air blown by this air comes into contact with the second main surface FS2 of the electrode foil FF, heat is transferred from the electrode foil FF to the air. The second main surface FS2 of the electrode foil FF that comes into contact with the air is on the opposite side of the uncoated region FU1. Heat can be transferred from the second main surface FS2 on the opposite side of the uncoated region FU1 irradiated by the laser irradiator 1 with the laser light LL to this air, thereby cooling it. Therefore, the temperature of the uncoated region FU1 is less likely to rise than the temperatures of the coated regions FC1 and FC2.

[0040] Note that step ST61 may further include a step of determining the temperature, speed, and time of air blowing according to the temperature of the uncoated area FU measured in step ST4. Specifically, the control device 5 determines the temperature, speed, and time of air blowing by the air blower 7 according to the temperature of the uncoated area FU1 measured by the first temperature measurement unit 6A and the second temperature measurement unit 6B. The air blower 7 receives a signal from the control device 5 and blows air according to the temperature, speed, and time of air blowing determined by the control device 5.

[0041] The above steps ST5, ST61, ST62 and ST7 are repeated until the irradiation of the laser light LL is completed (step ST7: NO). For example, the irradiation of the laser light LL may be completed when all of the coating regions FC, FC1 and FC2 to be irradiated with the laser light LL pass through the irradiation range of the laser light LL. After the uncoated region FU1 passes through the irradiation range of the laser light LL, the uncoated region FU1 portion of the electrode foil FF may be wound up on a winding roll (not shown). Various treatments may be performed on the electrode foil FF as necessary.

[0042] In this manner, the electrode assembly can be manufactured.

[0043] According to the configuration of the manufacturing method of the electrode body described above, when it is determined that the irradiation range of the laser light LL includes the uncoated region FU, the laser light LL is irradiated to the uncoated region FU1 while air is blown to the second main surface FS2 of the electrode foil FF. This air blowing brings the air into contact with the second main surface FS2 of the electrode foil FF. The second main surface FS2 that is in contact is on the opposite side of the uncoated region FU1 irradiated with the laser light LL by the laser irradiator 1. Therefore, the uncoated region FU1 irradiated with the laser light LL by the laser irradiator 1 can be cooled by the air. This suppresses heat transfer from the uncoated region FU1 to the ends of the coated regions FC1 and FC2 adjacent to the uncoated region FU1, and suppresses drying of the ends of the coated regions FC1 and FC2. As a result, the electrode materials FA1 and FA2 at the ends of the coated regions FC1 and FC2 are less likely to crack. Therefore, the coating regions FC1 and FC2 and the uncoated region FU1 are cooled according to the coating regions FC1 and FC2 and the uncoated region FU1, and the occurrence of cracks can be suppressed. In addition, there is no need to extend the drying process and drying time in the entire process to suppress the occurrence of cracks. Therefore, the length of the drying process line and the number of laser irradiators 1 can be reduced.

[0044] Furthermore, according to the configuration of the manufacturing method of the electrode body described above, the temperature, speed, and time of the air blown by the blower 7 may be determined according to the temperature of the uncoated region FU1 measured by the first temperature measurement unit 6A and the second temperature measurement unit 6B. By such determination, the cooling effect of the blower 7 on the electrode foil FF can be changed in real time according to the temperature of the electrode foil FF, which is the workpiece, and the electrode foil FF can be appropriately cooled.

[0045] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In addition, the present invention can be implemented by appropriately combining the above-described embodiment and examples thereof. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 10. Electrode body manufacturing equipment 1 Laser irradiator 2 Foil conveyor 2A Roll 3 Coating machine 4 Sensors 5. Control device 6A First temperature measurement unit 6B Second temperature measuring unit 7. Blower 7A Air temperature control device 7B Air nozzle LL Laser light FF electrode foil FS1 First main surface FS2 Second main surface FA, FA1, FA2 electrode materials FR electrode foil roll FW Winding roll side FC, FC1, FC2 application area FU, FU1 Uncoated area

Claims

1. a foil conveyor that continuously conveys an electrode foil having a first main surface and a second main surface opposite to the first main surface; a coater that intermittently coats the first main surface of the electrode foil being continuously transported with an electrode material to intermittently form a coated region coated with the electrode material and an uncoated region not coated with the electrode material on the first main surface; An acquisition unit that acquires the position of the uncoated region; a laser irradiator that irradiates the first main surface of the electrode foil with a laser beam; A blower disposed on a second main surface side of the electrode foil; A control device for controlling the blower, The control device controls the blower to blow air to the second main surface of the electrode foil during a period in which the uncoated region is included in the irradiation range of the laser light. Electrode body manufacturing equipment.

2. A temperature measuring unit for measuring the temperature of the uncoated area is further provided. The control device determines the temperature, speed, and time of the air blowing by the air blower according to the temperature of the uncoated area measured by the temperature measuring unit. An apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to claim 1 .

3. Continuously conveying an electrode foil having a first main surface and a second main surface opposite the first main surface; a step of intermittently applying an electrode material to the first main surface of the electrode foil being continuously conveyed, thereby intermittently forming a coated region where the electrode material is applied and an uncoated region where the electrode material is not applied on the first main surface; obtaining a position of the uncoated area; irradiating the first main surface of the electrode foil with laser light from a laser irradiator; and blowing air onto the second main surface of the electrode foil during a period in which the uncoated region is included in the irradiation range of the laser light. A method for manufacturing an electrode assembly.

4. measuring the temperature of the uncoated area; In the step of blowing air onto the second main surface of the electrode foil, a step of determining a temperature, a speed, and a time of the air blowing according to the measured temperature of the uncoated area is further provided. The method for producing the electrode assembly according to claim 3 .

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