Battery manufacturing method

Abstract

To provide a battery manufacturing method that enables a battery module to be smoothly inserted and removed from a gap between a plurality of restraining devices whose outer shape is formed by a bag member filled with a fluid.SOLUTION: A method includes the steps of utilizing a first conveying mechanism provided in a first housing capable of supporting a plurality of battery modules lined up in a vertical direction to discharge the battery modules along a linear direction to the outside of the first housing, causing a second conveying mechanism provided in a second housing supporting a plurality of restraining devices having an outer shape formed by a bag member filled with a fluid, lined up in a vertical direction to receive the battery modules moved by the first conveying mechanism into gaps between adjacent restraining devices and bring them into contact with the restraining devices, causing the second conveying mechanism to discharge the battery modules from the gaps along the linear direction to the outside of the second housing, and causing the first conveying mechanism to receive the battery modules moved by the second conveying mechanism.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a battery.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 below discloses a battery manufacturing method in which a battery module is inserted into a gap between a plurality of restraining members whose outer shape is formed by bag members filled with fluid therein and arranged vertically, and initial charging of each battery module is performed while restraining each battery module by each restraining member.

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The battery manufacturing method of Patent Document 1 above has room for improvement regarding smoothly inserting and removing a battery module into and out of a gap between a plurality of restraining members whose outer shape is formed by bag members filled with fluid therein.

[0005] In consideration of the above facts, an object of the present invention is to obtain a battery manufacturing method capable of smoothly inserting and removing a battery module into and out of a gap between a plurality of restraining members whose outer shape is formed by bag members filled with fluid therein.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The battery manufacturing method according to claim 1 includes the steps of discharging the battery modules to the outside of the first housing along a horizontal linear direction by using a first transfer mechanism provided in the first housing capable of supporting a plurality of battery modules arranged vertically; a second transfer mechanism provided in a second housing that supports a plurality of restraint members whose outer shapes are configured by bag members filled with fluid inside in a vertically arranged state, contacting the battery modules moved by the first transfer mechanism with the restraint members while receiving them into the gaps between adjacent restraint members; the second transfer mechanism discharging the battery modules from the gaps to the outside of the second housing along the linear direction; and the first transfer mechanism receiving the battery modules moved by the second transfer mechanism.

[0007] The battery manufacturing method according to claim 1 discharges the battery modules to the outside of the first housing along a horizontal linear direction by using a first transfer mechanism, and a second transfer mechanism provided in the second housing contacts the battery modules moved by the first transfer mechanism with restraint members whose outer shapes are configured by bag members filled with fluid inside while receiving them into the gaps of the second housing. Further, the battery manufacturing method according to claim 1 includes the second transfer mechanism discharging the battery modules from the gaps to the outside of the second housing along the linear direction, and the first transfer mechanism receiving the battery modules moved by the second transfer mechanism. Therefore, the battery manufacturing method according to claim 1 can smoothly insert and remove the battery modules into and out of the gaps between a plurality of restraint members whose outer shapes are configured by bag members filled with fluid inside.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] As described above, the battery manufacturing method according to the present invention has an excellent effect that the battery modules can be smoothly inserted and removed into and out of the gaps between a plurality of restraint members whose outer shapes are configured by bag members filled with fluid inside.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, a battery manufacturing method according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The battery manufacturing method according to the embodiment is carried out using the module magazine 10 and the battery restraint device 30 shown in FIG. 1. First, the module magazine 10 and the battery restraint device 30 will be described. The arrows UP, FR, and LH shown in each drawing indicate the upper side in the vertical direction, the front side in the front-rear direction, and the left side in the left-right direction, respectively.

[0011] The module magazine 10 has a first housing 12, wheels 14, a lifting member 16, a first transport mechanism 18, a first control device 26, and a first battery 28. The front and rear surfaces of the substantially rectangular parallelepiped-shaped hollow first housing 12 are open, and a plurality of wheels 14 are provided on the lower surface of the first housing 12. Further, the module magazine 10 includes a first electric motor (not shown) for rotationally driving each wheel 14. By each wheel 14 rotating using the driving force generated by the first electric motor, the module magazine 10 can move in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction on the floor surface 100.

[0012] A plurality of lifting members 16 are provided vertically side by side in the first housing 12. Each lifting member 16 is a horizontal plate-shaped member having a substantially rectangular planar shape. Each lifting member 16 is supported by the first housing 12 so as to be able to move up and down. Further, the first housing 12 includes a second electric motor (not shown) that generates a driving force for raising and lowering each lifting member 16.

[0013] Each lifting member 16 is provided with a first conveying mechanism 18. The first conveying mechanism 18 includes a pair of left and right first rails 20 extending in the front-rear direction fixed to the left and right both end portions on the upper surface of each lifting member 16, a first pinion 22 provided in the vicinity of the rear end portion of each first rail 20, and a third electric motor (not shown) for generating a driving force for rotating the first pinion 22 forward and backward. As shown in FIG. 1, the left and right first rails 20 have openings on the opposing surface sides of each other, and the cross-sectional shape orthogonal to the longitudinal direction thereof is substantially V-shaped (see FIG. 1) or U-shaped. Further, a first guide plate for guiding the movement of the battery module unit 50 described later is provided at the rear end portion of the first rail 20. The first pinion 22 is rotatably provided inside each first rail 20 around a rotating shaft extending in the vertical direction. Note that the arrow RDF shown in FIG. 3 is the forward rotation direction of each first pinion 22, and the arrow RDR is the reverse rotation direction of each first pinion 22.

[0014] The first control device 26 (see FIG. 2) provided in the module magazine 10 controls the first electric motor, the second electric motor, and the third electric motor while using the power of the first battery 28 provided in the module magazine 10. The first control device 26 includes a wireless communication device.

[0015] The battery restraint device 30 includes a second housing 32, a support member 34, a restraint tool 36, a second conveying mechanism 38, a second control device 46, and a second battery 48. The front surface and the rear surface of the substantially rectangular parallelepiped-shaped hollow second housing 32 are open. The battery restraint device 30 is fixed to the floor surface 100.

[0016] A plurality of support members 34 are provided in the second housing 32 in a vertically arranged manner with a predetermined interval therebetween. Each support member 34 is a horizontal plate-like member having a substantially rectangular planar shape.

[0017] A restraint 36 is fixed to each support member 34 (in FIG. 1, some of the restraints 36 are depicted in cross-section). Above the lowermost support member 34, the upper portion of the restraint 36 fixed to this support member 34 is located, and below the uppermost support member 34, the lower portion of the restraint 36 fixed to this support member 34 is located. Above and below each of the remaining support members 34, the upper and lower portions of the restraint 36 fixed to each support member 34 are respectively located. Each restraint 36 includes a bag member that constitutes its outer shape. Further, fluid is supplied from a fluid supply source (not shown) into the bag member of each restraint 36. When the bag member is filled with fluid, the planar shape of the restraint 36 is substantially rectangular, and as shown in FIG. 1, the restraint 36 has a predetermined thickness. The fluid supply source supplies fluid to each restraint 36 (bag member) while adjusting the temperature and pressure of the fluid.

[0018] At positions corresponding to the respective gaps 35 of the second housing 32, second transport mechanisms 38 are respectively provided. The second transport mechanism 38 includes a pair of left and right second rails 40 that extend in the front-rear direction and are fixed to the second housing 32, second pinions 42 provided near the front ends of the respective second rails 40, and a fourth electric motor (not shown) that generates a driving force for rotating the respective second pinions 42 forward and backward. As shown in FIG. 1, the left and right second rails 40 have openings on the opposing surface sides of each other, and the cross-sectional shape orthogonal to the longitudinal direction thereof is substantially V-shaped (see FIG. 1) or U-shaped. Further, a second guide plate is provided at the front end portion of the second rail 40. The second pinion 42 is rotatably provided inside each second rail 40 around a rotation shaft that extends in the vertical direction. The arrow RDF shown in FIG. 3 is the forward rotation direction of each second pinion 42, and the arrow RDR is the reverse rotation direction of each second pinion 42.

[0019] The second control device 46 provided in the battery restraint device 30 controls the fourth electric motor while utilizing the power of the second battery 48 provided in the battery restraint device 30. The second control device 46 includes a wireless communication device.

[0020] Each first rail 20 of the module magazine 10 and each second rail 40 of the battery restraint device 30 are detachable from the battery module unit 50 shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. The battery module unit 50 includes a battery module 52 and a pair of left and right battery holders 54. The battery module 52 is a laminated type battery module in which the entire surface of a laminate in which a plurality of electrodes are laminated in the vertical direction is covered with a laminate film. Electrodes other than the electrodes at the upper and lower ends of the laminate are bipolar electrodes, and the positive electrode active material layer and the negative electrode active material layer of each electrode are impregnated with an electrolytic solution. The planar shape of each battery module 52 is substantially rectangular. Battery holders 54 made of a hard resin are detachably attached to both left and right sides of the battery module 52. The planar shape of the left and right battery holders 54 is substantially linear. Racks (not shown) are formed along the longitudinal direction of the battery holder 54 on the left side surface of the left battery holder 54 and the right side surface of the right battery holder 54.

[0021] Subsequently, a battery manufacturing method using the module magazine 10 and the battery restraint device 30 will be described.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, the battery module unit 50 is placed on each elevating member 16 of the module magazine 10, and the left and right battery holders 54 of each battery module unit 50 are slidably supported in the front-rear direction by the corresponding first rails 20. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the racks of the left and right battery holders 54 of each battery module unit 50 are engaged with the corresponding first pinions 22. At this time, in a plan view, the front end of each battery module unit 50 is located behind the front end of the first housing 12, and the rear end of each battery module unit 50 is located in front of the rear end of the first housing 12.

[0023] In this state, when an operator makes a predetermined input to the operating device (not shown), an operation signal is wirelessly transmitted from the operating device to the first control device 26 and the second control device 46. As a result, the first control device 26 starts controlling the first electric motor, the second electric motor, and the third electric motor, and the second control device 46 starts controlling the fourth electric motor. Thereby, the wheel 14 rotates, and the module magazine 10 that was in the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 2 moves to the position shown by the phantom line in FIG. 2 and stops at this position. As a result, the module magazine 10 is positioned immediately in front of the battery restraint device 30 (battery restraint device 30L) located on the leftmost side in FIG. 2.

[0024] Subsequently, when the second electric motor controlled by the first control device 26 rotates, for example, the lifting member 16 (16D) located at the lowermost position descends, and the battery module unit 50 supported by this lifting member 16D is positioned immediately in front of the lowermost gap 35 (35D) of the battery restraint device 30. Further, at this time, the left and right first rails 20 provided on the lifting member 16D are respectively opposed to the left and right second rails 40 positioned at the same height as the gap 35D in the front-rear direction. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the left first rail 20 and the left second rail 40 are arranged on a straight line extending in the front-rear direction, and the right first rail 20 and the right second rail 40 are arranged on a straight line extending in the front-rear direction.

[0025] Subsequently, as the third electric motor controlled by the first control device 26 rotates, the left and right first pinions 22 corresponding to the left and right first rails 20 provided on the elevating member 16D rotate forward. Further, as the fourth electric motor controlled by the second control device 46 rotates, the left and right second pinions 42 corresponding to the left and right second rails 40 provided in the gap 35D rotate forward. As a result, the battery module unit 50 at the initial position shown by the solid line in FIG. 3 linearly moves backward with respect to the first housing 12 while being guided by the first guide plate, and the rear ends of the left and right battery holders 54 enter the left and right second rails 40 of the battery restraint device 30 while being guided by the second guide plate, and the left and right second pinions 42 mesh with the racks of the left and right battery holders 54 respectively. Therefore, due to the rotational forces generated by each first pinion 22 and each second pinion 42, the battery module unit 50 is further moved backward. When the battery module unit 50 moves to the target position shown by the virtual line in FIG. 3, the third electric motor and the fourth electric motor stop.

[0026] When the battery module unit 50 is inserted into the gap 35D in this way, the upper and lower surfaces of the battery module 52 come into contact with the restraints 36 positioned above and below the battery module unit 50 and receive pressure from the upper and lower restraints 36. That is, the battery module 52 is restrained by the upper and lower restraints 36. Further, the temperature of the battery module 52 is adjusted by each restraint 36 through which the above fluid flows inside. In this state, the initial charging process and the aging process of the battery module 52 are executed.

[0027] When this aging process is completed, the third electric motor controlled by the first control device 26 rotates, causing the left and right first pinions 22 corresponding to the left and right first rails 20 provided on the lifting member 16D to reverse. Further, when the fourth electric motor controlled by the second control device 46 rotates, the left and right second pinions 42 corresponding to the left and right second rails 40 provided in the gap 35D reverse. As a result, the battery module unit 50 linearly moves forward while being guided by the second guide plate with respect to the second housing 32. The front ends of the left and right battery holders 54 enter the left and right first rails 20 of the module magazine 10 while being guided by the first guide plate, and the left and right first pinions 22 mesh with the racks of the left and right battery holders 54 respectively. Therefore, due to the rotational force generated by each first pinion 22 and each second pinion 42, the battery module unit 50 moves further forward. When the battery module unit 50 moves to the initial position shown by the solid line in FIG. 3, the third electric motor and the fourth electric motor stop.

[0028] As described above, in the battery manufacturing method of the present embodiment, the battery module unit 50 is discharged to the outside of the first housing 12 along a horizontal linear direction by the first transport mechanism 18 of the module magazine 10, and the second transport mechanism 38 provided in the battery restraint device 30 contacts the restraint 36 while receiving the battery module unit 50 moved by the first transport mechanism 18 into the gap 35 of the second housing 32. Further, the second transport mechanism 38 discharges the battery module unit 50 from the gap 35 to the outside of the second housing 32 along the linear direction, and the first transport mechanism 18 receives the battery module unit 50 moved by the second transport mechanism 38. Therefore, the battery manufacturing method of the present embodiment can smoothly insert and remove the battery module 52 into and out of the gap 35 between the plurality of restraints 36 whose outer shapes are formed by the bag members filled with fluid inside. That is, when inserting and removing the battery module 52 into and out of each gap 35, the risk of damaging the restraint 36 due to the friction between the restraint 36 and the battery module unit 50 can be reduced.

[0029] Although the battery manufacturing method according to the embodiment has been described above, the battery manufacturing method can be appropriately modified in design without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0030] For example, the type of the battery module 52 is not limited to the above.

Explanation of reference numerals

[0031] 12 First housing 18 First transfer mechanism 32 Second housing 35 Gap 36 Restraint 38 Second transfer mechanism 52 Battery module

Claims

【Claim 1】 Using a first transfer mechanism provided in a first housing capable of supporting a plurality of battery modules arranged vertically, discharging the battery modules outside the first housing along a horizontal linear direction; A second transfer mechanism provided in a second housing that supports a plurality of restraints whose outer shapes are configured by bag members filled with fluid arranged vertically, bringing the battery modules moved by the first transfer mechanism into contact with the restraints while receiving them into the gaps between adjacent restraints; The second transfer mechanism discharging the battery modules outside the second housing from the gaps along the linear direction; and The first transfer mechanism receiving the battery modules moved by the second transfer mechanism. A battery manufacturing method comprising the above steps.

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