Electrolyte impregnation method and electrolyte impregnation device

Abstract

To provide an electrolyte impregnation method capable of grasping the amount of electrolyte impregnated in each electrochemical element while performing an impregnation process of impregnating electrochemical elements with electrolyte in a batch process.SOLUTION: In an electrolyte impregnation method, capacitor elements 11 (electrochemical elements) are transported along a predetermined transport path 21, the weight of each capacitor element 11 before impregnation is measured in a first weight measuring portion 3, a plurality of the transported capacitor elements 11 are immersed together in an electrolyte tank 42 in an electrolyte impregnation portion 4 to impregnate the capacitor elements 11 with an electrolyte 19, and the weight of each capacitor element 11 after impregnation is measured in a second weight measuring portion 5. Then, the amount of the electrolyte 19 impregnated in each capacitor element 11 is obtained from the difference between the weight after impregnation and the weight before impregnation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrolyte filling method and an electrolyte filling device for filling an electrochemical element with an electrolyte.

[0002] An electrolyte impregnation method for impregnating an electrochemical element such as a capacitor element with an electrolyte is described in Patent Document 1. In the electrolyte impregnation method of this document, a plurality of electrochemical elements are carried into an electrolyte impregnation chamber equipped with an electrolyte tank, and the pressure in the electrolyte impregnation chamber is reduced to a first pressure value lower than atmospheric pressure. Next, the electrochemical element is immersed in the electrolyte tank. Then, after a predetermined time has elapsed, the pressure in the electrolyte impregnation chamber is increased to atmospheric pressure. As a result, the impregnation of the electrolyte into the electrochemical element proceeds all at once. Then, the electrochemical element is pulled out of the electrolyte tank. Further, after the electrochemical element is pulled out of the electrolyte tank, the pressure in the electrolyte impregnation chamber is reduced to a second pressure value higher than the first pressure value and lower than atmospheric pressure. As a result, a part of the electrolyte impregnated in the electrochemical element drips from the electrochemical element.

[0003] In Patent Document 1, the amount of the electrolyte impregnated into the electrochemical element is defined by the difference or ratio between the first pressure value and atmospheric pressure. Also, when the pressure in the electrolyte impregnation chamber is maintained at the second pressure value after the electrochemical element is pulled out of the electrolyte tank, an amount of electrolyte corresponding to the difference or ratio between atmospheric pressure and the second pressure value drips from the electrochemical element. Therefore, a predetermined amount of electrolyte can be impregnated into the electrochemical element.

[0004] An electrolytic solution impregnation device for impregnating an electrochemical element with an electrolytic solution is described in Patent Document 2. In the electrolytic solution impregnation device of this document, the electrochemical element is conveyed by a conveying mechanism through an electrolytic solution impregnation chamber. The conveying mechanism includes an endless chain wound around a plurality of sprockets and jigs fixed to the endless chain at predetermined intervals. The jig is composed of a holding body and an elastic member, and by sandwiching the lead wire of the electrochemical element between the holding body and the elastic member, the element body is suspended downward. In the electrolytic solution impregnation chamber, an electrolytic solution tank is approached from below to a plurality of electrochemical elements conveyed in a suspended posture by the conveying mechanism, and the plurality of electrochemical elements are immersed in the electrolytic solution at once. Then, the electrolytic solution tank is lowered to pull up the plurality of electrochemical elements from the electrolytic cell. The conveying mechanism intermittently conveys the electrochemical elements at intervals corresponding to the time when the electrochemical elements are immersed in the electrolytic solution tank.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In Patent Documents 1 and 2, the impregnation treatment for impregnating an electrochemical element with an electrolytic solution is performed by a batch process in which a plurality of electrochemical elements are collectively immersed in an electrolytic solution tank. Thereby, since a large number of electrochemical elements can be impregnated with the electrolytic solution at once, the tact time for impregnating each individual electrochemical element with the electrolytic solution can be shortened. However, in the batch process, for each of the plurality of electrochemical elements impregnated with the electrolytic solution, the impregnation amount of the electrolytic solution is not grasped.

[0007] In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an electrolytic solution impregnation method and an electrolytic solution impregnation apparatus capable of grasping the impregnation amount of the electrolytic solution impregnated in each electrochemical element while performing batch processing of immersing a plurality of electrochemical elements in the electrolytic solution at once.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, the electrolytic solution impregnation method of the present invention conveys an electrochemical element along a conveyance path passing through a first weight measurement unit including a first weighing instrument, an electrolytic solution impregnation unit including an electrolytic solution tank in which the electrolytic solution is stored, and a second weight measurement unit including a second weighing instrument in this order. In the first weight measurement unit, the weight before impregnation of each electrochemical element is measured, and the specific information for identifying each electrochemical element and the weight before impregnation are stored and held in a first memory in a form associated with each other. In the electrolytic solution impregnation unit, a plurality of the conveyed electrochemical elements are immersed in the electrolytic solution tank together to impregnate the electrolytic solution into the electrochemical elements. In the second weight measurement unit, the weight after impregnation of each electrochemical element is measured, and the specific information of each electrochemical element and the weight after impregnation are stored and held in a second memory in a form associated with each other. Based on the specific information, the impregnation amount of the electrolytic solution impregnated in each electrochemical element is obtained from the difference between the weight after impregnation and the weight before impregnation by referring to the first memory and the second memory.

[0009] In the present invention, the impregnation process of impregnating the electrochemical element with the electrolytic solution is performed by batch processing in which a plurality of electrochemical elements are immersed in the electrolytic solution tank together in the electrolytic solution impregnation unit. Thereby, since a large number of electrochemical elements can be impregnated with the electrolytic solution at once, the tact time for impregnating each electrochemical element with the electrolytic solution can be shortened. Further, in the present invention, the weight before impregnation and the weight after impregnation of each electrochemical element are measured before and after the electrochemical element is conveyed to the electrolytic solution impregnation unit. Therefore, the impregnation amount of the electrolytic solution impregnated in each electrochemical element can be obtained from the difference between the weight after impregnation and the weight before impregnation. Thus, while performing batch processing of immersing a plurality of electrochemical elements in the electrolytic solution at once, the impregnation amount of the electrolytic solution impregnated in each electrochemical element can be grasped.

[0010] In the present invention, the electrolytic solution impregnation section includes an electrolytic solution impregnation chamber in which the electrolytic solution tank is installed inside, and a pressure adjustment mechanism for adjusting the pressure in the electrolytic solution impregnation chamber. The transport path passes through the electrolytic solution impregnation chamber. In the electrolytic solution impregnation section, after reducing the pressure in the electrolytic solution impregnation chamber to a first air pressure lower than the atmospheric pressure, a plurality of the electrochemical elements are collectively immersed in the electrolytic solution tank. When the elapsed time after immersing the plurality of the electrochemical elements in the electrolytic solution tank has passed the set time, the pressure in the electrolytic solution impregnation chamber is set to a second air pressure higher than the first air pressure, and then the plurality of the electrochemical elements are collectively pulled up from the electrolytic solution tank. By doing so, by increasing the pressure in the electrolytic solution impregnation section to a second air pressure higher than the first air pressure, the electrolytic solution can be instantaneously impregnated into the electrochemical elements. Therefore, the impregnation of the electrolytic solution into the electrochemical elements can be performed in a short time. Here, when the impregnation amount of the electrolytic solution into the electrochemical elements is managed by air pressure, even if the immersion time for immersing the electrochemical elements in the electrolytic solution is a predetermined time, the impregnation amount may change depending on the weather. In contrast, in the present invention, before and after transporting the electrochemical elements to the electrolytic solution impregnation section, the weight before impregnation and the weight after impregnation of each electrochemical element are measured to obtain the impregnation amount of the electrolytic solution impregnated into each electrochemical element. Therefore, the content of the electrolytic solution in each electrochemical element can be grasped by the weight that is not affected by the fluctuation of the air pressure.

[0011] In the present invention, in the electrolytic solution impregnation section, after pulling up a plurality of the electrochemical elements from the electrolytic solution tank, the pressure in the electrolytic solution impregnation chamber can be reduced to a third pressure higher than the first air pressure and lower than the second air pressure. Thereby, a part of the electrolytic solution impregnated in the electrochemical element can be made to drip out from the electrochemical element. Therefore, it is easy to make the impregnation amount of the electrolytic solution impregnated in the electrochemical element the specified impregnation amount.

[0012] In the present invention, it is possible to determine whether or not the impregnation amount of each electrochemical element is within a specified range, and when the impregnation amount is not within the specified range, the electrochemical element can be discharged to a discharge section. By doing so, for example, an electrochemical element with an impregnation amount of zero due to a problem caused by the electrochemical element can be discharged.

[0013] In the present invention, it is possible to determine whether or not the impregnation amount of each electrochemical element with the impregnation amount within the specified range has reached a specified impregnation amount, and when the impregnation amount has not reached the specified impregnation amount, the electrochemical element can be conveyed to an electrolytic solution filling section, and in the electrolytic solution filling section, a filling amount corresponding to the difference between the specified impregnation amount and the impregnation amount can be filled into the electrochemical element. By doing so, the impregnation amount of an electrochemical element that could not be impregnated with an electrolytic solution having a specified impregnation amount in the electrolytic solution impregnation section can be made the specified impregnation amount.

[0014] The electrochemical element can be for an electrolytic capacitor, an electric double layer capacitor, or a battery.

[0015] Next, the electrolyte impregnation device of the present invention includes a first weight measurement unit having a first weighing instrument, an electrolyte impregnation unit having an electrolyte tank in which the electrolyte is stored, a second weight measurement unit having a second weighing instrument, and a transport mechanism that intermittently transports the electrochemical element along a transport path passing through the first weight measurement unit, the electrolyte impregnation unit, and the second weight measurement unit in this order, and a calculation unit. The first weight measurement unit takes out the electrochemical elements from the transport mechanism one by one in the transport order and delivers them to the first weighing instrument, and returns the electrochemical element for which the weight measurement by the first weighing instrument has been completed to the transport mechanism while maintaining the transport order. The first weight measurement unit includes a first delivery mechanism, and a first recording unit that associates the pre-impregnation weight of each electrochemical element measured by the first weighing instrument with specific information for identifying each electrochemical element and stores the information in a first memory. The electrolyte impregnation unit includes a lifting mechanism that immerses a plurality of the electrochemical elements in the electrolyte by bringing the electrolyte tank close to the plurality of the electrochemical elements suspended in the transport mechanism from below, and then raises the plurality of the electrochemical elements from the electrolyte by lowering the electrolyte tank. The second weight measurement unit takes out the electrochemical elements from the transport mechanism one by one in the transport order and delivers them to the second weighing instrument, and returns the electrochemical element for which the weight measurement by the second weighing instrument has been completed to the transport mechanism while maintaining the transport order. The second weight measurement unit includes a second delivery mechanism, and a second recording unit that associates the post-impregnation weight of each electrochemical element measured by the second weighing instrument with the specific information of each electrochemical element and stores the information in a second memory. The calculation unit refers to the first memory and the second memory based on the specific information, and acquires the impregnation amount of the electrolyte impregnated in each electrochemical element from the difference between the post-impregnation weight and the pre-impregnation weight.

[0016] According to the present invention, the electrolyte impregnation unit approaches an electrolyte bath from below to immerse a plurality of electrochemical elements being conveyed in a suspended posture by a conveying mechanism in the electrolyte bath at once. That is, the impregnation process of impregnating the electrolyte is performed by a batch process for the plurality of electrochemical elements. Thereby, since a large number of electrochemical elements can be impregnated with the electrolyte at once, the tact time for impregnating each electrochemical element with the electrolyte can be shortened. On the other hand, before the electrochemical elements are conveyed to the electrolyte impregnation unit, the impregnation-before weight of each electrochemical element is measured by the first weight measurement unit. Further, after the electrochemical elements are impregnated with the electrolyte, the impregnation-after weight of each electrochemical element is measured by the second weight measurement unit. Therefore, the calculation unit can acquire the impregnation amount of the electrolyte impregnated into each electrochemical element from the difference between the impregnation-after weight and the impregnation-before weight. Thus, while performing a batch process of immersing a plurality of electrochemical elements in the electrolyte at once, the impregnation amount of the electrolyte impregnated into each electrochemical element can be grasped.

[0017] In the present invention, it has a timer for measuring the elapsed time after a plurality of the electrochemical elements are immersed in the electrolyte, the electrolyte impregnation unit includes an electrolyte impregnation chamber in which the electrolyte bath is installed inside, and a pressure adjustment mechanism for adjusting the indoor pressure of the electrolyte impregnation chamber, the conveying mechanism passes through the inside of the electrolyte impregnation chamber, and in the electrolyte impregnation unit, after the pressure adjustment mechanism reduces the electrolyte impregnation chamber to a first air pressure lower than the atmospheric pressure, the lifting mechanism moves the electrolyte bath to immerse a plurality of electrochemical elements in the electrolyte bath together, and when it is measured by the timer that the elapsed time has reached the set time, by the pressure adjustment mechanism The inside of the electrolytic solution impregnation chamber is set to a second air pressure higher than the first air pressure, and then the electrolytic solution tank is moved by the elevating mechanism to lift the plurality of electrochemical elements from the electrolytic solution. In this way, by increasing the pressure inside the electrolytic solution impregnation part to a second air pressure higher than the first air pressure, the electrolytic solution can be instantaneously impregnated into the electrochemical elements. Therefore, the impregnation of the electrolytic solution into the electrochemical elements can be performed in a short time. Here, when the impregnation amount of the electrolytic solution into the electrochemical elements is controlled by air pressure, even if the immersion time for immersing the electrochemical elements in the electrolytic solution is a predetermined time, the impregnation amount may change depending on the weather. In contrast, in the present invention, before and after transporting the electrochemical elements to the electrolytic solution impregnation part, the weight before impregnation and the weight after impregnation of each electrochemical element are measured to obtain the impregnation amount of the electrolytic solution impregnated into each electrochemical element. Therefore, the content of the electrolytic solution in each electrochemical element can be grasped by the weight that is not affected by the fluctuation of the air pressure.

[0018] In the electrolytic solution impregnation part, after lifting the electrochemical element from the electrolytic solution, the pressure in the electrolytic solution impregnation chamber can be reduced by the pressure regulating mechanism to a third pressure higher than the first pressure and lower than the second air pressure. Thereby, a part of the electrolytic solution impregnated in the electrochemical element can be drained out of the electrochemical element. Therefore, it is easy to make the impregnation amount of the electrolytic solution impregnated in the electrochemical element the specified impregnation amount.

[0019] In the present invention, it can be configured to have a discharge part, a first determination part that determines whether or not the impregnation amount of each electrochemical element is within a specified range, and a discharge mechanism that discharges the electrochemical element from the transport mechanism to the discharge part on the downstream side in the transport direction of the second weight measurement part when the impregnation amount is not within the specified range. In this way, for example, an electrochemical element with an impregnation amount of zero can be discharged.

[0020] In the present invention, there are provided an electrolytic solution filling section, a second determination section that determines whether or not the impregnation amount has reached a specified impregnation amount for each electrochemical element whose impregnation amount is within the specified range, and a second conveyance mechanism that conveys the electrochemical element from the conveyance mechanism to the electrolytic solution filling section on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the second weight measurement section when the impregnation amount has not reached the specified impregnation amount. The electrolytic solution filling section is provided with a dispenser, and can fill the electrochemical element with a filling amount that is the difference between the specified impregnation amount and the impregnation amount. In this way, for an electrochemical element that could not be impregnated with the electrolytic solution having the specified impregnation amount in the electrolytic solution impregnation section, the impregnation amount can be made the specified impregnation amount.

[0021] The electrochemical element can be for an electrolytic capacitor, an electric double layer capacitor, or a battery.

Advantages of the Invention

[0022] According to the electrolytic solution impregnation method and the electrolytic solution impregnation device of the present invention, while performing the impregnation process of impregnating the electrochemical element with the electrolytic solution as a batch process, the impregnation amount of the electrolytic solution impregnated into each electrochemical element can be grasped.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0024] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, an electrolytic solution impregnation apparatus and an electrolytic solution impregnation method to which the present invention is applied will be described.

[0025] FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of an electrochemical element to be processed by the electrolytic solution impregnation apparatus. FIG. 1(a) is a cross-sectional view of an electrolytic capacitor. FIG. 1(b) is an explanatory view of a capacitor element. FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the electrolytic solution impregnation apparatus to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of a first weight measuring unit and a second weight measuring unit. FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of a gripping portion of a first weighing instrument. FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of the impregnation process of the electrolytic solution in the electrolytic solution impregnation section. FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of the impregnation process of the electrolytic solution in the electrolytic solution impregnation section. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the electrolytic solution impregnation operation by the electrolytic solution impregnation apparatus.

[0026] (Electrochemical element) With reference to FIG. 1, an electrochemical element to be processed by the electrolytic solution impregnation apparatus will be described. In this example, the electrochemical element is a capacitor element used in an electrolytic capacitor. As shown in FIG. 1(a), the electrolytic capacitor 10 generally includes a capacitor element 11 and a case 12 in which the capacitor element 11 is housed inside.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 1(b), the capacitor element 11 includes a winding portion 16 formed by winding an anode foil 13 and a cathode foil 14 around an electrolytic paper 15 in a cylindrical shape, and two lead wires 17 drawn out from the anode foil 13 and the cathode foil 14 and protruding from the winding portion 16. After the electrolytic solution 19 is impregnated into the gap between the anode foil 13 and the cathode foil 14, the winding portion 16 is housed in the case 12. The opening of the case 12 is sealed by a sealing body 18 having elasticity such as rubber. The lead wire 17 is drawn out to the outside through a through hole provided in the sealing body 18.

[0028] The electrolytic solution 19 is formed by mixing, for example, ethylene glycol or a solvent containing water as needed with boric acid or an ammonium salt of an organic acid. Further, the electrolytic solution 19 is formed by mixing an ammonium salt or an amine salt of an organic acid with an organic solvent such as γ-butyrolactone. Such an electrochemical element is used for an electric double layer capacitor or a battery.

[0029] (Electrolytic solution impregnation device) Next, the electrolytic solution impregnation device will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 7. As shown in FIG. 2, the electrolytic solution impregnation device 1 of this example includes a transport mechanism 2 for transporting the capacitor element 11, a first weight measurement unit 3, an electrolytic solution impregnation unit 4, and a second weight measurement unit 5. The electrolytic solution impregnation device 1 also includes a timer 6 and a calculation unit 7.

[0030] The transport mechanism 2 transports the capacitor element 11 along a transport path 21 that passes through the first weight measurement unit 3, the electrolytic solution impregnation unit 4, and the second weight measurement unit 5 in this order. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the transport mechanism 2 includes an endless chain 23 wound around a plurality of sprockets 22 and a jig 24 fixed to the endless chain 23 at predetermined intervals. As shown in FIG. 3, the jig 24 holds each lead wire 17 of the capacitor element 11. Thereby, the capacitor element 11 is suspended from the jig 24 with the winding portion 16 facing downward. Therefore, the transport mechanism 2 transports the capacitor element 11 in a suspended state. The transport mechanism 2 also includes a drive mechanism 25 that drives the sprocket 22 to move the endless chain 23. As shown in FIG. 2, the drive mechanism 25 is a motor. The drive mechanism 25 intermittently drives the sprocket 22 at predetermined intervals. Therefore, the transport mechanism 2 intermittently transports the capacitor element 11 along the transport path 21. Such a transport mechanism 2 is a well-known technique.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 3, the first weight measurement unit 3 includes a first weighing instrument 31, a first delivery mechanism 32, and a first recording unit 33. The first weighing instrument 31 is an electronic balance and includes a holding unit 35 that can detachably hold the capacitor element 11 and a load cell 34.

[0032] The holding part 35 of the first weighing device 31 has the same configuration as the jig 24 of the transfer mechanism 2. As shown in FIG. 4, the holding part 35 includes a main body part 70 extending in the vertical direction, a pair of leaf springs 71 extending in the vertical direction with the main body part 70 interposed therebetween, and an O-ring 72 pressing each leaf spring 71 against the main body part 70. The main body part 70 includes, from above downward, a fixing part 70a, a plate part 70b extending downward from the fixing part 70a, and a spreading part 70c spreading in the thickness direction of the plate part 70b from the lower end of the plate part 70b downward. The fixing part 70a is a part for connecting the holding part 35 to the load cell 34.

[0033] Each leaf spring 71 includes an extended part 71a extending along the side surface of the plate part 70b, and an inclined part 71b inclined in a direction away from the plate part 70b downward from the lower end of the extended part 71a. The inclined part 71b extends along the upper surface of the spreading part 70c. The O-ring 72 surrounds the plate part 70b and the extended part 71a from the outer peripheral side and presses each leaf spring 71 against the main body part 70. Here, the spreading part 70c includes two through holes 70d penetrating in the vertical direction. The lower end of each through hole 70d opens on the lower end surface of the spreading part 70c. The upper end of each through hole 70d opens at the boundary part between the plate part 70b and the spreading part 70c in the main body part 70.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 3, the first delivery mechanism 32 includes a gripping mechanism 38 including a gripping part 36 capable of gripping the lead wire 17 and a gripping part lifting mechanism 37 for lifting and lowering the gripping part 36. The gripping part lifting mechanism 37 includes a robot cylinder. Further, the first delivery mechanism 32 includes a gripping mechanism moving mechanism 39 for moving the gripping mechanism 38 in the horizontal direction. The gripping mechanism moving mechanism 39 includes a robot cylinder. The first delivery mechanism 32 picks up the capacitor elements 11 one by one in the transfer order from the jig 24 of the transfer mechanism 2 and delivers them to the first weighing device 31. Further, the first delivery mechanism 32 returns the capacitor element 11 for which the measurement of the pre-impregnation weight by the first weighing device 31 has been completed to the transfer mechanism 2 while maintaining the transfer order.

[0035] More specifically, after the first delivery mechanism 32 grips the lead wires 17 of the capacitor element 11 held by the jig 24 of the transport mechanism 2 with the gripping part 36, it drives the gripping part lifting and lowering mechanism 37 to lower the gripping part 36. As a result, the first delivery mechanism 32 pulls out the capacitor element 11 downward from the jig 24. Thereafter, the gripping mechanism moving mechanism 39 moves the gripping mechanism 38 to place the capacitor element 11 directly below the holding part 35 of the first weighing device 31. After that, the gripping mechanism 38 drives the gripping part lifting and lowering mechanism 37 to move the gripping part 36 upward, and the tip portions of the respective lead wires 17 gripped by the gripping part 36 are passed through the respective through holes 70d of the gripping part 36. As a result, the tips of the respective lead wires 17 are sandwiched between the main body part 70 and the respective leaf springs 71, so that the capacitor element 11 is held by the holding part 35.

[0036] When returning the capacitor element 11, for which the measurement by the first weighing device 31 has been completed, from the holding part 35 to the jig 24 of the transport mechanism 2, first, the gripping part 36 grips the respective lead wires 17 of the capacitor element 11. After that, the gripping part lifting and lowering mechanism 37 is driven to lower the gripping part 36. As a result, the tips of the respective lead wires 17 come out from between the main body part 70 and the respective leaf springs 71. Therefore, the capacitor element 11 is delivered from the holding part 35 to the gripping part 36. Next, the gripping mechanism moving mechanism 39 moves the gripping mechanism 38 to place the capacitor element 11 directly below the jig 24 from which the capacitor element 11 has been pulled out. After that, the gripping mechanism 38 drives the gripping part lifting and lowering mechanism 37 to move the gripping part 36 upward, and the tip portions of the respective lead wires 17 gripped by the gripping part 36 are passed through the respective through holes 70d of the gripping part 36. As a result, the tips of the respective lead wires 17 are sandwiched between the main body part 70 of the jig 24 and the respective leaf springs 71, so that the capacitor element 11 is held by the jig 24.

[0037] When picking up the capacitor element 11 from the jig 24 of the transport mechanism 2, when holding the respective lead wires 17 of the capacitor element 11 held by the jig 24 are gripped by the gripping part 36. After that, the gripping part lifting and lowering mechanism 37 is driven to lower the gripping part 36. As a result, the capacitor element 11 is delivered from the holding part 35 to the gripping part 36.

[0038] The first recording unit 33 stores in the first memory 40 by associating the pre-impregnation weight of each capacitor element 11 measured by the first weighing device 31 with the specific information for identifying each capacitor element 11. The specific information is, for example, the order in which the capacitor elements 11 are conveyed along the conveyance path 21. In this example, the first weighing unit 3 includes a plurality of sets of the first weighing device 31 and the first delivery mechanism 32. Therefore, the first weighing unit 3 measures the pre-impregnation weights of a plurality of capacitor elements 11 in parallel.

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the electrolytic solution impregnation unit 4 includes an electrolytic solution tank 42 in which the electrolytic solution 19 is stored, and a lifting mechanism 43 for lifting and lowering the electrolytic solution tank 42. The lifting mechanism 43 approaches the electrolytic solution tank 42 from below to a plurality of capacitor elements 11 that are intermittently conveyed in a posture suspended from the conveying mechanism 2, and immerses the plurality of capacitor elements 11 in the electrolytic solution 19. Further, when the immersion time reaches the set time, the lifting mechanism 43 lowers the electrolytic solution tank 42 to pull up the plurality of capacitor elements 11 from the electrolytic solution 19. Here, the timer 6 measures the immersion time after the plurality of capacitor elements 11 are immersed in the electrolytic solution 19, and the lifting mechanism 43 acquires that the immersion time has reached the set time based on the measurement by the timer 6.

[0040] Further, the electrolytic solution impregnation unit 4 includes an electrolytic solution impregnation chamber 45 in which the electrolytic solution tank 42 is installed, and a pressure adjustment mechanism 46 for adjusting the indoor pressure of the electrolytic solution impregnation chamber 45. As shown in FIG. 2, the conveyance path 21 through which the conveying mechanism 2 conveys the capacitor elements 11 passes through the electrolytic solution impregnation chamber 45. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the pressure adjustment mechanism 46 includes a vacuum pumping device 47, a pipe 48 connecting the vacuum pumping device 47 and the electrolytic solution impregnation chamber 45, and an electromagnetic valve 49 for opening and closing the pipe 48. The vacuum pumping device 47 includes a vacuum pump. Further, the pressure adjustment mechanism 46 includes an air release pipe 50 connected to the electrolytic solution impregnation chamber 45, and an electromagnetic valve 51 for opening and closing the air release pipe 50. By setting the electromagnetic valve 51 to the open state, the electrolytic solution impregnation chamber 45 in the depressurized state can be returned to the atmospheric pressure (second atmospheric pressure).

[0041] As shown in FIG. 5(a), in the impregnation process of the electrolytic solution 19 in the electrolytic solution impregnation section 4, first, the vacuum device 47 of the pressure adjustment mechanism 46 is driven to reduce the pressure in the electrolytic solution impregnation chamber 45 to a first pressure lower than the atmospheric pressure. Next, as shown in FIG. 5(b), the lifting mechanism 43 immerses a plurality of electrochemical elements in the electrolytic solution 19 and then immerses the plurality of electrochemical elements in the electrolytic solution tank 42 together. Further, when it is measured by the timer 6 that the elapsed time has reached the set time, the electromagnetic valve 51 of the pressure adjustment mechanism 46 is driven to make the pressure inside the electrolytic solution impregnation chamber 45 a second pressure higher than the first pressure. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 5(c), the lifting mechanism 43 moves the electrolytic solution tank 42 to lift the plurality of capacitor elements 11 from the electrolytic solution 19. In this example, the second pressure is the atmospheric pressure.

[0042] Also, in the impregnation process of this example, as shown in FIG. 6(a), after the capacitor element 11 is lifted from the electrolytic solution tank 42, the pressure inside the electrolytic solution impregnation chamber 45 is reduced to a third pressure higher than the first pressure and lower than the second pressure. That is, after the capacitor element 11 is lifted from the electrolytic solution tank 42, the vacuum device 47 of the pressure adjustment mechanism 46 is driven to reduce the pressure in the electrolytic solution impregnation chamber 45 to a third pressure lower than the atmospheric pressure. Thereby, a part of the electrolytic solution 19 impregnated in the capacitor element 11 drips from the capacitor element 11.

[0043] Also, as shown in FIG. 6(b), after a part of the electrolytic solution 19 impregnated in the capacitor element 11 drips from the capacitor element 11, in the electrolytic solution impregnation section 4, the electromagnetic valve 51 of the pressure adjustment mechanism 46 is driven to return the pressure inside the electrolytic solution impregnation chamber 45 to the atmospheric pressure. Thereafter, the transfer mechanism 2 carries out the plurality of capacitor elements 11 from the electrolytic solution impregnation chamber 45. The transfer mechanism 2 intermittently transfers the electrochemical elements at intervals longer than the time during which these impregnation processes are performed. processing is carried out.

[0044] Here, after the capacitor element 11 is lifted from the electrolytic solution tank 42, if a part of the electrolytic solution 19 impregnated in the capacitor element 11 is allowed to drip from the capacitor element 11 by reducing the pressure in the electrolytic solution impregnation chamber 45 to a third pressure lower than the second pressure (atmospheric pressure), it is easy to make the impregnation amount of the electrolytic solution 19 impregnated in the capacitor element 11 the specified impregnation amount.

[0045] The second weight measurement unit 5 has the same configuration as the first weight measurement unit 3. Therefore, in the description of the second weight measurement unit 5, the corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first weight measurement unit 3, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted. As shown in FIG. 2, the second weight measurement unit 5 includes a second weighing instrument 31, a second delivery mechanism 32, and a second recording unit 33. The second weighing instrument 31 is an electronic balance and includes a holding unit 35 that can detachably hold the capacitor element 11 and a load cell 34. The second delivery mechanism 32 sequentially picks up the capacitor elements 11 one by one from the jig 24 of the transfer mechanism 2 and delivers them to the second weighing instrument 31. Further, the second delivery mechanism 32 returns the capacitor element 11, after the measurement of the weight after impregnation by the second weighing instrument 31 is completed, to the transfer mechanism 2 while maintaining the transfer order.

[0046] The second recording unit 33 stores, in the second memory 40, in association with each other, the weight after impregnation of each capacitor element 11 measured by the second weighing instrument 31 and the specific information for identifying each capacitor element 11. Here, also in the second weight measurement unit 5, a plurality of sets of the second weighing instrument 31 and the second delivery mechanism 32 are provided. Therefore, in the second weight measurement unit 5, the weights after impregnation of a plurality of capacitor elements 11 are measured in parallel.

[0047] The calculation unit 7 refers to the first memory 40 of the first weight measurement unit 3 and the second memory 40 of the second weight measurement unit 5 based on the specific information. Further, the calculation unit 7 obtains the impregnation amount of the electrolytic solution 19 impregnated in each capacitor element 11 based on the difference between the weight after impregnation and the weight before impregnation acquired from the first memory 40 and the second memory 40.

[0048] Next, as shown in FIG. 2, the electrolyte impregnation device 1 includes a first determination unit 61 that determines whether the impregnation amount of each capacitor element 11 is within a specified range, and a discharge mechanism 63 that discharges the capacitor element 11 from the transport mechanism 2 to the discharge unit 62 when the impregnation amount is not within the specified range. The discharge mechanism 63 is provided on the downstream side in the transport direction of the second weight measurement unit 5. Here, the specified range of the impregnation amount is 20% or more and 105% or less of the specified impregnation amount when the target impregnation amount to be impregnated into each capacitor element 11 is defined as the specified impregnation amount. Note that the specified range of the impregnation amount varies depending on the electrolytic capacitor element to be manufactured, and this value is merely an example. The discharge mechanism 63 picks up the capacitor element 11 with an impregnation amount not within the specified range from the jig 24 of the transport mechanism 2 and moves it to the discharge unit 62.

[0049] Furthermore, the electrolyte impregnation device 1 includes a second determination unit 65 that determines whether the impregnation amount of each capacitor element 11 with an impregnation amount within the specified range has reached the specified impregnation amount. The electrolyte impregnation device 1 also has an electrolyte filling unit 66 and a second transport mechanism 67 that transports the capacitor element 11 whose impregnation amount has not reached the specified impregnation amount to the electrolyte filling unit 66. The second transport mechanism 67 picks up the capacitor element 11 whose impregnation amount has not reached the specified impregnation amount from the transport mechanism 2 on the downstream side in the transport direction of the second weight measurement unit 5 and the discharge mechanism 63 and transports it to the electrolyte filling unit 66.

[0050] The electrolyte filling unit 66 includes a dispenser 69. The electrolyte filling unit 66 fills the capacitor element 11 with the electrolyte 19 in the filling amount that is the difference between the specified impregnation amount and the impregnation amount of the transported capacitor element 11 using the dispenser 69.

[0051] (Electrolyte Impregnation Method) FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the impregnation operation of the electrolytic solution performed by the electrolytic solution impregnation apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. 7, in the impregnation operation of the electrolytic solution, the capacitor element 11 is intermittently conveyed along the conveyance path 21 passing through the first weight measurement unit 3 including the first weighing device 31, the electrolytic solution impregnation unit 4 including the electrolytic solution tank 42 in which the electrolytic solution 19 is stored, and the second weight measurement unit 5 including the second weighing device 31 in this order (step ST1). Then, in the first weight measurement unit 3, the pre-impregnation weight of each capacitor element 11 is measured by the first weighing device 31, and the first memory 40 stores and holds the identification information of each capacitor element 11 and the pre-impregnation weight in an associated form (step ST2).

[0052] Next, in the electrolytic solution impregnation unit 4, the conveyed capacitor elements 11 are collectively immersed in the electrolytic solution tank 42 for a set time to perform an impregnation process of impregnating the electrolytic solution 19 into the capacitor elements 11 (step ST3).

[0053] In step ST3, first, the pressure regulating mechanism 46 is driven and controlled to reduce the pressure in the electrolytic solution impregnation chamber 45 to a first air pressure lower than the atmospheric pressure (step ST31). Then, the lifting mechanism 43 and the pressure regulating mechanism 46 are driven and controlled to collectively immerse the plurality of capacitor elements 11 in the electrolytic solution tank 42 (step ST32). And when the elapsed time after the plurality of capacitor elements 11 are immersed in the electrolytic solution tank 42 reaches the preset set time, the pressure in the electrolytic solution impregnation chamber 45 is set to a second air pressure higher than the first air pressure. Thereby, the capacitor element 11 is impregnated with the electrolytic solution 19 all at once. After that, the lifting mechanism 43 is driven to collectively lift the plurality of capacitor elements 11 from the electrolytic solution tank 42 (step ST33).

[0054] Thereafter, the pressure regulating mechanism 46 is driven and controlled to reduce the pressure in the electrolytic solution impregnation chamber 45 to a third air pressure higher than the first air pressure and lower than the second air pressure to allow a part of the electrolytic solution 19 impregnated in the capacitor element 11 to drip from the capacitor element 11, and then the pressure in the electrolytic solution impregnation chamber 45 is returned to the atmospheric pressure (step ST34). The operations from step ST31 to step ST34 are performed while the conveyance mechanism 2 is stopped from conveying.

[0055] Next, in the second weight measurement unit 5, the post-impregnation weight of each capacitor element 11 is measured by the second weighing instrument 31, and is stored and held in the second memory 40 in a form associating the identification information for identifying each capacitor element 11 with the post-impregnation weight (step ST4). Thereafter, the calculation unit 7 refers to the first memory 40 and the second memory 40, and obtains the impregnation amount of the electrolytic solution 19 impregnated into each capacitor element 11 from the difference between the post-impregnation weight and the pre-impregnation weight (step ST5).

[0056] When the impregnation amount of the electrolytic solution 19 impregnated into the capacitor element 11 is obtained, the first determination unit 61 determines whether the impregnation amount of the capacitor element 11 is within a specified range (step ST6). And when the impregnation amount is not within the specified range (step ST6: No), the capacitor element 11 is discharged to the discharge unit 62 (step ST7).

[0057] When the impregnation amount is within the specified range (step ST6: Yes), the second determination unit 65 determines whether the impregnation amount of the capacitor element 11 has reached the specified impregnation amount (step ST8). Here, when the impregnation amount has not reached the specified impregnation amount (step ST8: No), the second transfer mechanism 67 picks up the capacitor element 11 from the transfer mechanism 2 and transfers it to the electrolytic solution filling unit 66 (step ST9). In the electrolytic solution filling unit 66, the filling amount of the difference between the specified impregnation amount and the impregnation amount of the capacitor element 11 is directly filled into the capacitor element 11 using the dispenser 69 (step ST10). The capacitor element 11 after being filled with the electrolytic solution 19 is subjected to the next processing step.

[0058] Also, when the impregnation amount has reached the specified impregnation amount in step ST8 (step S T8: Yes), the capacitor element 11 is subjected to the next processing step. In the next processing step, the winding portion 16 of the capacitor element 11 is inserted into the case 12, and the opening of the case 12 is sealed with the sealing body 18.

[0059] (Function and Effect) The electrolyte impregnation device 1 of this example includes a first weight measurement unit 3 equipped with a first weighing instrument 31, an electrolyte impregnation unit 4 equipped with an electrolyte tank 42 in which the electrolyte 19 is stored, a second weight measurement unit 5 equipped with a second weighing instrument 31, a transport mechanism 2 that intermittently transports the capacitor element 11 along a transport path 21 passing through the first weight measurement unit 3, the electrolyte impregnation unit 4, and the second weight measurement unit 5 in this order, and a calculation unit 7. The first weight measurement unit 3 takes out the capacitor elements 11 from the transport mechanism 2 one by one in the transport order and delivers them to the first weighing instrument 31, and returns the capacitor elements 11 for which the weight measurement by the first weighing instrument 31 has been completed to the transport mechanism 2 while maintaining the transport order. The first weight measurement unit 3 also includes a first delivery mechanism 32 and a first recording unit 33 that stores in the first memory 40 the pre-impregnation weight of each capacitor element 11 measured by the first weighing instrument 31 in association with the specific information for identifying each capacitor element 11. The electrolyte impregnation unit 4 includes a lifting mechanism 43 that approaches the electrolyte tank 42 from below to immerse the plurality of capacitor elements 11 in the electrolyte 19 to impregnate the capacitor elements 11 with the electrolyte 19 while the plurality of capacitor elements 11 are being transported in a posture suspended from the transport mechanism 2, and then lowers the electrolyte tank 42 to lift the plurality of capacitor elements 11 out of the electrolyte 19. The second weight measurement unit 5 takes out the capacitor elements 11 from the transport mechanism 2 one by one in the transport order and delivers them to the second weighing instrument 31, and returns the capacitor elements 11 for which the weight measurement by the second weighing instrument 31 has been completed to the transport mechanism 2 while maintaining the transport order. The second weight measurement unit 5 also includes a second delivery mechanism 32 and a second recording unit 33 that stores in the second memory 40 the post-impregnation weight of each capacitor element 11 measured by the second weighing instrument 31 in association with the specific information for identifying each capacitor element 11. The calculation unit 7 refers to the first memory 40 and the second memory 40 based on the specific information, and obtains the impregnation amount of the electrolyte 19 impregnated into each capacitor element 11 from the difference between the post-impregnation weight and the pre-impregnation weight.

[0060] Further, the electrolyte impregnation method of this example conveys the capacitor element 11 along the conveyance path 21 passing through the first weight measurement unit 3 including the first weight measuring instrument 31, the electrolyte impregnation unit 4 including the electrolyte tank 42 in which the electrolyte 19 is stored, and the second weight measurement unit 5 including the second weight measuring instrument 31 in this order. Further, in the first weight measurement unit 3, the weight before impregnation of each capacitor element 11 is measured, and the specific information identifying each capacitor element 11 and the weight before impregnation are stored and held in the first memory 40 in an associated form. In the electrolyte impregnation unit 4, a plurality of the conveyed capacitor elements 11 are collectively immersed in the electrolyte tank 42 to impregnate the capacitor elements 11 with the electrolyte 19. In the second weight measurement unit 5, the weight after impregnation of each capacitor element 11 is measured, and the specific information of each capacitor element 11 and the weight after impregnation are stored and held in the second memory 40 in an associated form, and the impregnation amount of the electrolyte 19 impregnated into each capacitor element 11 is obtained from the difference between the weight after impregnation and the weight before impregnation.

[0061] According to this example, the electrolyte tank 42 is brought close to a plurality of capacitor elements 11 conveyed in a suspended posture by the conveyance mechanism 2 from below, and the plurality of capacitor elements 11 are immersed in the electrolyte tank 42 at once. Thereby, the impregnation process of impregnating the capacitor element 11 with the electrolyte 19 is performed by batch processing. Thereby, since a large number of capacitor elements 11 can be impregnated with the electrolyte 19 at once, the tact time for impregnating each capacitor element 11 with the electrolyte 19 can be shortened. On the other hand, before conveying the capacitor element 11 to the electrolyte impregnation unit 4, the weight before impregnation of each capacitor element 11 is measured in the first weight measurement unit 3. Further, after impregnating the capacitor element 11 with the electrolyte 19, the weight after impregnation of each capacitor element 11 is measured in the second weight measurement unit 5. Therefore, the impregnation amount of the electrolyte 19 impregnated into each capacitor element 11 can be obtained from the difference between the weight after impregnation and the weight before impregnation. Thus, while performing batch processing of immersing a plurality of capacitor elements 11 in the electrolyte 19 at once, the impregnation amount of the electrolyte 19 impregnated into each capacitor element 11 can be grasped.

[0062] Next, in the electrolyte impregnation device 1 of this example, the electrolyte impregnation section 4 includes an electrolyte impregnation chamber 45 in which an electrolyte tank 42 is installed inside, and a pressure adjustment mechanism 46 for adjusting the indoor pressure of the electrolyte impregnation chamber 45. The transport mechanism 2 passes through the inside of the electrolyte impregnation chamber 45. In the electrolyte impregnation section 4, after the pressure adjustment mechanism 46 reduces the pressure of the electrolyte impregnation chamber 45 to a first air pressure lower than the atmospheric pressure, the lifting mechanism 43 moves the electrolyte tank 42 to immerse a plurality of capacitor elements 11 in the electrolyte 19 together into the electrolyte tank 42. Then, when it is measured by the timer 6 that the elapsed time has reached the set time, the pressure adjustment mechanism 46 sets the inside of the electrolyte impregnation chamber 45 to a second air pressure higher than the first air pressure, and then the lifting mechanism 43 moves the electrolyte tank 42 to pull up the plurality of capacitor elements 11 from the electrolyte 19. In this example, the second air pressure is the atmospheric pressure.

[0063] Also, in the electrolyte impregnation method of this example, the electrolyte impregnation section 4 includes an electrolyte impregnation chamber 45 in which an electrolyte tank 42 is installed inside, and a pressure adjustment mechanism 46 for adjusting the pressure of the electrolyte impregnation chamber 45. The transport path 21 passes through the electrolyte impregnation chamber 45. In the electrolyte impregnation section 4, after reducing the pressure inside the electrolyte impregnation chamber 45 to a first air pressure lower than the atmospheric pressure, a plurality of capacitor elements 11 are immersed in the electrolyte tank 42 together, and the pressure inside the electrolyte impregnation chamber 45 is increased to the atmospheric pressure (second air pressure) higher than the first air pressure to impregnate the capacitor elements 11 with the electrolyte 19. When the set time has elapsed after immersing the plurality of capacitor elements 11 in the electrolyte tank 42, the pressure inside the electrolyte impregnation section 45 is set to the second air pressure, and then the plurality of capacitor elements 11 are pulled up from the electrolyte tank 42 together.

[0064] According to this example, by increasing the pressure inside the electrolytic solution impregnation chamber 45 to a second pressure (atmospheric pressure) higher than the first pressure, the electrolytic solution 19 can be instantaneously impregnated into the capacitor element 11. Therefore, the impregnation of the electrolytic solution 19 into the capacitor element 11 can be performed in a short time. Here, when the impregnation amount of the electrolytic solution 19 into the capacitor element 11 is controlled by pressure, even if the immersion time for immersing the capacitor element 11 in the electrolytic solution 19 is a predetermined time, the impregnation amount may change depending on the weather. In contrast, in this example, before and after transporting the capacitor element 11 to the electrolytic solution impregnation section 4, the weight before impregnation and the weight after impregnation of each capacitor element 11 are measured to obtain the impregnation amount of the electrolytic solution 19 impregnated into each capacitor element 11. Therefore, the content of the electrolytic solution 19 in each capacitor element 11 can be grasped by the weight that is not affected by the pressure fluctuation.

[0065] Also, in the impregnation process of this example, as shown in FIG. 7(a), after pulling up the capacitor element 11 from the electrolytic solution tank 42, the pressure inside the electrolytic solution impregnation chamber 45 is reduced to a third pressure that is higher than the first pressure and lower than the second pressure. That is, in the electrolytic solution impregnation method, after pulling up the capacitor element 11 from the electrolytic solution tank 42, the vacuum device 47 of the pressure regulating mechanism 46 is driven to reduce the pressure in the electrolytic solution impregnation chamber 45 to a third pressure lower than the second pressure. According to this example, after pulling up the capacitor element 11 from the electrolytic solution tank 42, by reducing the pressure in the electrolytic solution impregnation chamber 45 to a third pressure lower than the second pressure, a part of the electrolytic solution 19 impregnated into the capacitor element 11 can be made to drip from the capacitor element 11. Therefore, it is easy to make the impregnation amount of the electrolytic solution 19 impregnated into the capacitor element 11 the specified impregnation amount.

[0066] Next, in the electrolyte impregnation device 1 of this example, there are a discharge unit 62, a first determination unit 61 that determines whether the impregnation amount of each capacitor element 11 is within a specified range, and a discharge mechanism 63 that discharges the capacitor element 11 from the transport mechanism 2 to the discharge unit 62 on the downstream side in the transport direction of the second weight measurement unit 5 when the impregnation amount is not within the specified range. Also, in the electrolyte impregnation method of this example, it is determined whether the impregnation amount of each capacitor element 11 is within a specified range, and when the impregnation amount is not within the specified range, the capacitor element 11 is discharged to the discharge unit 62. Therefore, for example, due to problems caused by the capacitor element 11, the capacitor element 11 with an impregnation amount of zero can be discharged.

[0067] Next, the electrolyte impregnation device 1 of this example has an electrolyte filling unit 66, a second determination unit 65 that determines whether the impregnation amount of each capacitor element 11 with an impregnation amount within a specified range has reached a specified impregnation amount, and a second transport mechanism 67 that transports the capacitor element 11 from the transport mechanism 2 to the electrolyte filling unit 66 on the downstream side in the transport direction of the second weight measurement unit 5 when the impregnation amount has not reached the specified impregnation amount. The electrolyte filling unit 66 includes a dispenser 69 and fills the capacitor element 11 with a filling amount that is the difference between the specified impregnation amount and the impregnation amount. Also, in the electrolyte impregnation method of this example, it is determined whether the impregnation amount of each capacitor element 11 with an impregnation amount within a specified range has reached a specified impregnation amount, and when the impregnation amount has not reached the specified impregnation amount, the capacitor element 11 is transported to the electrolyte filling unit 66, and the electrolyte filling unit 66 fills the capacitor element 11 with a filling amount that is the difference between the specified impregnation amount and the impregnation amount. Therefore, for the capacitor element 11 that could not be impregnated with the electrolyte 19 having the specified impregnation amount in the electrolyte impregnation unit 4, the impregnation amount can be made the specified impregnation amount.

[0068] (Modification example) In the electrolyte filling section 66, the case 12 is prepared, and the electrolyte 19 with a filling amount equal to the difference between the specified impregnation amount and the impregnation amount of the capacitor element 11 is injected into the case 12 using a dispenser 69. Then, the wound portion 16 of the capacitor element 11 may be inserted into the case 12. Even in this way, the electrolyte 19 with a filling amount equal to the difference between the specified impregnation amount and the impregnation amount of the capacitor element 11 can be impregnated into the capacitor element 11. Also, in this case, the capacitor element 11 proceeds to the next processing step with the wound portion 16 inserted into the case 12.

[0069] Here, the electrochemical elements that require electrolyte impregnation include those for electric double layer capacitors or batteries.

[0070] Note that in the impregnation process in the electrolyte impregnation section 4, after the capacitor element 11 is lifted from the electrolyte tank 42, the pressure in the electrolyte impregnation chamber 45 is reduced to a third pressure that is higher than the first pressure value and lower than the second atmospheric pressure in step ST34, and after step ST34, the pressure in the electrolyte impregnation chamber 45 is returned to the second atmospheric pressure in step ST35 can be omitted. Also, the impregnation process in the electrolyte impregnation section 4 can also be performed by controlling the immersion time in the second atmospheric pressure (atmospheric pressure) without changing the pressure in the electrolyte impregnation chamber 45.

Explanation of symbols

[0071] 1... Electrolyte impregnation device, 2... Conveyor mechanism, 3... First weight measurement unit, 4... Electrolyte impregnation unit, 5... Second weight measurement unit, 6... Timer, 7... Calculation unit, 10... Electrolytic capacitor, 11... Capacitor element, 12... Case, 13... Anode foil, 14... Cathode foil, 15... Electrolytic paper, 16... Winding unit, 17... Lead wire, 18... Sealing body, 19... Electrolyte, 21... Conveyor path, 22... Sprocket, 23... Endless chain, 24... Fixture, 25... Drive mechanism, 31... First weighing instrument · Second weighing instrument, 32... First delivery mechanism · Second delivery mechanism, 33... First recording unit · Second recording unit, 34... Load cell, 35... Holding unit, 36... Gripping unit, 37... Gripping unit lifting mechanism, 38... Gripping mechanism, 39... Gripping mechanism moving mechanism, 40... First memory · Second memory, 42... Electrolyte tank, 43... Lifting mechanism, 45... Electrolyte impregnation chamber, 46... Pressure regulating mechanism, 47... Vacuum suction device, 48... Pipe, 49... Electromagnetic valve, 50... Atmosphere release pipe, 51... Electromagnetic valve, 61... First determination unit, 62... Discharge unit, 63... Discharge mechanism, 65... Second determination unit, 66... Electrolyte filling unit, 67... Second conveyor mechanism, 69... Dispenser, 70... Main body unit, 70a... Fixed part, 70b... Plate part, 70c... Flaring part, 70d... Through hole, 71... Leaf spring, 71a... Extended part, 71b... Inclined part, 72... O-ring

Claims

1. An electrochemical element is conveyed along a conveyance path passing through a first weight measurement unit including a first weight measuring device, an electrolytic solution impregnation unit including an electrolytic solution tank storing an electrolytic solution, and a second weight measurement unit including a second weight measuring device, in this order. In the first weight measurement unit, the weight before impregnation of each electrochemical element is measured, and the first memory stores and holds the specific information identifying each electrochemical element and the weight before impregnation in a related form. In the electrolytic solution impregnation unit, a plurality of the conveyed electrochemical elements are collectively immersed in the electrolytic solution tank to impregnate the electrolytic solution into the electrochemical elements. In the second weight measurement unit, the weight after impregnation of each electrochemical element is measured, and the second memory stores and holds the specific information of each electrochemical element and the weight after impregnation in a related form. An electrolytic solution impregnation method, characterized in that based on the specific information, the first memory and the second memory are referred to, and the impregnation amount of the electrolytic solution impregnated into each electrochemical element is obtained from the difference between the weight after impregnation and the weight before impregnation.

2. The electrolytic solution impregnation unit includes an electrolytic solution impregnation chamber in which the electrolytic solution tank is installed, and a pressure adjustment mechanism for adjusting the pressure in the electrolytic solution impregnation chamber. The conveyance path passes through the electrolytic solution impregnation chamber. In the electrolytic solution impregnation unit, after reducing the pressure in the electrolytic solution impregnation chamber to a first air pressure lower than the atmospheric pressure, a plurality of the electrochemical elements are collectively immersed in the electrolytic solution tank. When the elapsed time after immersing the plurality of electrochemical elements in the electrolytic solution tank has passed the set time, the pressure in the electrolytic solution impregnation chamber is set to a second air pressure higher than the first air pressure, and then the plurality of electrochemical elements are collectively pulled up from the electrolytic solution tank. The electrolytic solution impregnation method according to claim 1, characterized by this.

3. In the electrolytic solution impregnation unit, after pulling up a plurality of the electrochemical elements from the electrolytic solution tank, the pressure in the electrolytic solution impregnation chamber is reduced to a third pressure higher than the first air pressure and lower than the second air pressure. The electrolytic solution impregnation method according to claim 2, characterized by this.

4. It is determined whether or not the impregnation amount of each electrochemical element is within a specified range. When the impregnation amount is not within the specified range, the electrochemical element is discharged to a discharge unit. The electrolytic solution impregnation method according to claim 1, characterized by this.

5. For each of the electrochemical elements in which the impregnation amount is within a specified range, it is determined whether or not the impregnation amount has reached a specified impregnation amount. When the impregnation amount has not reached the specified impregnation amount, the electrochemical element is conveyed to an electrolytic solution filling section, The electrolytic solution impregnation method according to claim 4, characterized in that, in the electrolytic solution filling section, an amount of the electrolytic solution corresponding to the difference between the specified impregnation amount and the impregnation amount is filled into the electrochemical element.

6. The electrolytic solution impregnation method according to claim 1, characterized in that the electrochemical element is for an electrolytic capacitor, an electric double layer capacitor, or a battery.

7. A first weight measurement section including a first weight measuring device, An electrolytic solution impregnation section including an electrolytic solution tank in which an electrolytic solution is stored, A second weight measurement section including a second weight measuring device, A conveying mechanism that intermittently conveys an electrochemical element along a conveying path passing through the first weight measurement section, the electrolytic solution impregnation section, and the second weight measurement section in this order, An arithmetic section, and The first weight measurement section takes out the electrochemical elements from the conveying mechanism one by one in the conveying order and delivers them to the first weight measuring device, and returns the electrochemical element for which the weight measurement by the first weight measuring device has been completed to the conveying mechanism while maintaining the conveying order, A first recording section that associates the pre-impregnation weight of each electrochemical element measured by the first weight measuring device with specific information for identifying each electrochemical element and stores the association in a first memory, The electrolytic solution impregnation section includes a lifting mechanism that immerses a plurality of the electrochemical elements in the electrolytic solution by bringing the electrolytic solution tank close to the plurality of the electrochemical elements suspended in a posture by the conveying mechanism from below, and then raises the plurality of the electrochemical elements from the electrolytic solution by lowering the electrolytic solution tank, The second weight measurement section takes out the electrochemical elements from the conveying mechanism one by one in the conveying order and delivers them to the second weight measuring device, and returns the electrochemical element for which the weight measurement by the second weight measuring device has been completed to the conveying mechanism while maintaining the conveying order, and a second recording section that associates the post-impregnation weight of each electrochemical element measured by the second weight measuring device with the specific information of each electrochemical element and stores the association in a second memory, The calculation unit refers to the first memory and the second memory based on the specific information, and acquires the impregnation amount of the electrolytic solution impregnated in each electrochemical element from the difference between the weight after impregnation and the weight before impregnation. An electrolytic solution impregnation device characterized by the above.

8. It has a timer that measures the elapsed time since a plurality of the electrochemical elements were immersed in the electrolytic solution. The electrolytic solution impregnation unit includes an electrolytic solution impregnation chamber in which the electrolytic solution tank is installed inside, and a pressure adjustment mechanism that adjusts the indoor pressure of the electrolytic solution impregnation chamber. The transport mechanism passes through the electrolytic solution impregnation chamber. In the electrolytic solution impregnation unit, after the pressure adjustment mechanism reduces the pressure of the electrolytic solution impregnation chamber to a first atmospheric pressure lower than the atmospheric pressure, the lifting mechanism moves the electrolytic solution tank to immerse a plurality of electrochemical elements in the electrolytic solution tank at once. When it is measured by the timer that the elapsed time has reached the set time, the pressure adjustment mechanism sets the pressure inside the electrolytic solution impregnation chamber to a second atmospheric pressure higher than the first atmospheric pressure. Thereafter, the electrolytic solution impregnation device according to claim 7, characterized in that the lifting mechanism moves the electrolytic solution tank to lift a plurality of the electrochemical elements from the electrolytic solution.

9. In the electrolytic solution impregnation unit, after pulling up the electrochemical element from the electrolytic solution, the pressure adjustment mechanism reduces the pressure inside the electrolytic solution impregnation chamber to a third pressure higher than the first pressure and lower than the second atmospheric pressure. The electrolytic solution impregnation device according to claim 8, characterized in that.

10. A discharge unit; A first determination unit that determines whether or not the impregnation amount is within a specified range for each electrochemical element; A discharge mechanism that discharges the electrochemical element from the transport mechanism to the discharge unit on the downstream side in the transport direction of the second weight measurement unit when the impregnation amount is not within the specified range. The electrolytic solution impregnation device according to claim 7, characterized by comprising:

11. An electrolytic solution filling unit; A second determination unit that determines whether or not the impregnation amount has reached a specified impregnation amount for each electrochemical element having the impregnation amount within the specified range; When the impregnation amount has not reached the specified impregnation amount, a second transport mechanism that transports the electrochemical element from the transport mechanism to the electrolytic solution filling unit on the downstream side in the transport direction of the second weight measurement unit. The electrolyte filling part is provided with a dispenser, and the electrolyte impregnation device according to claim 10, characterized in that the electrolyte with a filling amount being the difference between the specified impregnation amount and the impregnation amount is filled into the electrochemical element.

12. The electrochemical element is for an electrolytic capacitor, an electric double layer capacitor, or a battery, and the electrolyte impregnation device according to claim 7, characterized in that.

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