Tray and manufacturing apparatus of secondary battery

Abstract

To provide a tray used in a manufacturing process of a secondary battery, capable of reducing variations in the thickness dimension of a battery cell.SOLUTION: A tray which is used in a manufacturing process of a secondary battery and accommodates a plurality of battery cells arranged in an arrangement direction includes: a guide shaft part which extends in the arrangement direction; a plurality of partition plates which is guided by the guide shaft part and is movable along the arrangement direction; a pressing mechanism that is provided so as to be guided by the guide shaft part and movable along the arrangement direction, and can switch the plurality of partition plates and each battery cell accommodated to between the plurality of partition plates between a constrained state in which a constraining load is applied in the arrangement direction and an unconstrained state in which a constraining load is not applied in the arrangement direction; and a collar disposed between the partition plates adjacent to each other coaxially with the guide shaft part and defining a minimum separation distance between the adjacent partition plates.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a tray used in a manufacturing process of a secondary battery, and a manufacturing apparatus for a secondary battery. [Background technology]

[0002] As disclosed in Patent Document 1, a manufacturing apparatus is known that manufactures secondary batteries by restraining a plurality of secondary batteries with a restraining jig. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-188282 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The restraining jig disclosed in Patent Document 1 simply applies pressure to a plurality of battery cells with a predetermined load, which makes it easy for the thickness dimensions of the battery cells to vary.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a tray used in the manufacturing process of a secondary battery that can reduce variations in thickness dimensions of battery cells. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A tray according to one aspect of the present disclosure is used in a manufacturing process of a secondary battery, and is a tray that houses a plurality of battery cells arranged in an arrangement direction, a guide shaft portion extending in the arrangement direction; a plurality of partition plates that are guided by the guide shaft portions and are movable along the arrangement direction; a pressing mechanism that is guided by the guide shaft portion and is movable along the arrangement direction, and that can switch the plurality of partition plates and the battery cells housed between the plurality of partition plates between a constrained state in which a constraining load is applied in the arrangement direction and an unconstrained state in which a constraining load is not applied in the arrangement direction; and a collar that is coaxial with the guide shaft portion, is disposed between adjacent partition plates, and defines the minimum separation distance between the adjacent partition plates. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The tray of the present disclosure can reduce variations in thickness dimensions of battery cells. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a secondary battery manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which battery cells are housed in a tray according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a tray according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing an example of a partition plate provided in a tray according to the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating an unconstrained state of a tray according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion indicated by VI in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a side view illustrating a restrained state of the tray according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion indicated by VIII in FIG. 7. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] A tray used in the manufacturing process of a secondary battery according to the present disclosure and a manufacturing apparatus for a secondary battery will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0010] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a secondary battery manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 1, the secondary battery manufacturing apparatus 100 includes an initial charging apparatus 101, a charge / discharge inspection apparatus 102, a room temperature aging apparatus 103, and a high temperature aging apparatus 104. The secondary battery manufacturing apparatus 100 is an apparatus for performing at least an initial charging process, an aging process, and a charge / discharge inspection process on assembled battery cells.

[0011] There are no particular limitations on the type of secondary battery manufactured by the manufacturing apparatus 100, but for example, the manufacturing apparatus 100 is a manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing lithium-ion batteries. There are no particular limitations on the shape of the battery cells processed by the manufacturing apparatus 100, but examples include pouch-shaped and rectangular battery cells.

[0012] Battery cells carried into the manufacturing apparatus 100 are placed on trays and subjected to each process. The manufacturing apparatus 100 uses two types of trays for placing battery cells: normal trays and restraint trays.

[0013] A normal tray is typically a tray that only has the function of accommodating multiple battery cells. A normal tray is primarily used for transport between devices in the manufacturing apparatus 100 and between the manufacturing apparatus 100 and the outside. There are no particular limitations on the configuration of a normal tray, but at least a normal tray does not have a mechanism for pressing the battery cells, as does a restraining tray, which will be described later. A normal tray has a simpler structure than a restraining tray, which will be described later, and therefore can be manufactured relatively inexpensively. For example, a normal tray can have an upwardly opening recess in which multiple battery cells can be accommodated together. A normal tray can be configured to support the lower part of the battery cells and to prevent external forces from acting on the battery cells that would otherwise restrain them.

[0014] A restraint tray is a tray with a mechanism that can apply a restraint load by compressing the battery cells. The restraint tray is used when subjecting the battery cells to an initial charging process or a charge / discharge inspection process. By performing the initial charging process or the charge / discharge inspection process while the battery cells are compressed and restrained, the performance of the manufactured secondary battery can be improved.

[0015] Here, a tray according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a tray 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The tray 1 according to this embodiment corresponds to a restraint tray. As shown in FIG. 2, the tray 1 includes a housing 10, a plurality of partition plates 20, and a pressing mechanism 60. The tray 1 shown in FIG. 2 has the plurality of partition plates 20 aligned in two rows along the arrangement direction AR. In the following description, for convenience, the direction F shown in FIG. 2 may be referred to as the front and the direction B as the rear. For example, movement in the direction F may be referred to as "forward" and movement in the direction B as "rear." Note that a battery cell 200 is shown on the right side of FIG. 2, but the battery cell 200 is merely shown to illustrate how the battery cell is accommodated in the tray 1 and is not a component of the tray 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the battery cell 200 is accommodated in the tray 1 with lead electrodes 201 and 202 protruding laterally. Charging or discharging is performed via the lead electrodes 201 and 202 in an initial charging device or a charge / discharge testing device.

[0016] 3 is a diagram showing the tray 1 without the partition plate 20. As shown in FIG. 3, the tray 1 is provided with guide shafts 30 that extend from one end of the housing 10 to the other end in the arrangement direction AR. The tray 1 of this embodiment is provided with a total of eight guide shafts 30, with four guide shafts 30 passing through one partition plate 20. The guide shafts 30 are also passed through collars 40 and coil springs 50. Details of the collars 40 and the coil springs 50 will be described later.

[0017] Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of a partition plate 20. As shown in Fig. 4, the partition plate 20 is made of a plate-shaped base material 21, and the base material 21 is provided with recesses or holes for passing the guide shaft portions 30. The partition plate 20 shown in Fig. 4 is provided with one recess 22a and three holes 22b, 22c, and 22d, and the guide shaft portions 30 shown in Fig. 3 are passed through each of the recesses or holes to form the tray 1 shown in Fig. 2. The multiple partition plates 20 included in the tray 1 are configured to be movable along the arrangement direction AR while being guided by the guide shaft portions 30.

[0018] 4, the partition plate 20 is provided with two L-shaped protrusions 23 that protrude from the base material 21, and the battery cells 200 can be accommodated between the partition plates so that they are supported by the horizontal portions of the protrusions 23. The vertical portions of the protrusions 23 restrict lateral displacement of the battery cells 200. By providing the protrusions 23 on the partition plates 20, the battery cells 200 can be stably supported between the partition plates 20. There are no particular limitations on the number or shape of the protrusions 23 as long as they can restrict displacement of the battery cells 200.

[0019] The partition plate 20 may be formed of a solid plate material, or may have a hollow portion. Providing a hollow portion can reduce weight and raw material costs. For example, the hollow portion can be provided by forming the partition plate 20 by stacking two injection-molded plates.

[0020] Figure 5 is a side view of the tray 1 as seen from the direction of arrow V in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 5, battery cells 200 are housed between adjacent partition plates 20. Figure 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the portion indicated by VI in Figure 5. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, a collar 40 and a coil spring 50 are arranged coaxially with the guide shaft portion 30 between adjacent partition plates 20a, 20b. As will be described later, the collar 40 is a member that determines the minimum separation distance between adjacent partition plates 20a, 20b.

[0021] The tray 1 further includes a connecting bracket 70 that connects adjacent partition plates 20a, 20b. As shown in FIG. 6, the connecting bracket 70 includes a base 71 extending in the arrangement direction AR, a pair of walls 72 provided in front of the base 71, and a restricting wall 73 provided in the rear of the base 71. A first space S1 is defined between the pair of walls 72, and the first space S1 opens in a direction intersecting the arrangement direction AR (vertically downward or upward in FIG. 6), with one partition plate 20a inserted into the first space S1. The pair of walls 72 contact both sides of one partition plate 20a, thereby fixing the connecting bracket 70 and the one partition plate 20a together. The connecting bracket 70 also includes a restricting wall 73 erected on the rear side from the base 71. A second space S2 is provided between the pair of walls 72 and the restricting wall 73. The second space S2 is open in the same direction as the first space S1 and in a direction intersecting the arrangement direction AR (vertically downward or upward in FIG. 6). The second space S2 allows the other partition plate 20b to move in the arrangement direction AR, and the other partition plate 20b fits into the second space S2.

[0022] Because the pair of wall portions 72 of the connecting bracket 70 are fixed to one partition plate 20a while the other partition plate 20b is inserted into the second space S2, when one partition plate 20a and the other partition plate 20b are separated by a predetermined distance, the other partition plate 20b comes into contact with the restricting wall 73. The restricting wall 73 then restricts the movement of the other partition plate 20b so that it does not move any further away from the one partition plate 20a. Therefore, when the other partition plate 20b and the restricting wall 73 are in contact with each other, the separation distance between the adjacent partition plates 20a, 20b is maximized. In this way, the connecting bracket 70 is a member that determines the maximum separation distance between the adjacent partition plates 20a, 20b.

[0023] In the tray 1 of this embodiment, the connecting brackets 70 are arranged so that the first space S1 and the second space S2 open vertically downward, and so that the connecting brackets 70 open vertically upward, alternately. With this configuration, all adjacent partition plates 20 are connected by the connecting brackets 70 while preventing interference between the connecting brackets 70.

[0024] Below, with reference to Figures 5 to 8, we will explain how to switch between the constrained state and the non-constrained state, and the function of each component when switching states. First, we will explain how to switch from the non-constrained state to the constrained state. As shown in Figure 5, the tray 1 is equipped with a pressing mechanism 60, which includes a pressing plate 61 and a feed screw 62. Figure 5 shows the pressing plate 61 in its most retracted state, and no restraining load is applied in the arrangement direction AR to the multiple partition plates 20 and the battery cells 200 arranged between the partition plates 20. In other words, the partition plates 20 and battery cells 200 shown in Figure 5 are in a non-constrained state.

[0025] By rotating the feed screw 62, the pressing plate 61 can be moved forward or backward along the arrangement direction AR. By rotating the feed screw 62 and moving the pressing plate 61 forward along the arrangement direction AR from the unconstrained state shown in FIG. 5, the multiple partition plates 20 and the battery cells 200 housed between the partition plates 20 can be pressed in the arrangement direction AR. FIG. 7 shows the pressing plate 61 in its most advanced state, with a constraint load being applied to the multiple partition plates 20 and battery cells 200 in the arrangement direction AR. In other words, the partition plates 20 and battery cells 200 shown in FIG. 7 are in a constrained state.

[0026] FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the portion indicated by VIII in FIG. 7. Comparing FIG. 6 and FIG. 8, the separation distance between adjacent partition plates 20a, 20b is shorter in the restrained state shown in FIG. 8 than in the unrestrained state shown in FIG. 6. Here, as shown in FIG. 8, collar 40 is disposed coaxially with guide shaft portion 30 between partition plates 20a, 20b, and both adjacent partition plates 20a, 20b are in contact with collar 40. Collar 40 is formed of a material with sufficient rigidity and prevents adjacent partition plates 20a, 20b from moving closer than shown in FIG. 8. In other words, by disposing collar 40 between adjacent partition plates 20a, 20b, a minimum separation distance between partition plates 20a, 20b is defined, and this minimum separation distance coincides with the dimension of collar 40 in the arrangement direction AR.

[0027] In the manufacturing process of secondary batteries, processes such as the initial charging process and the charge / discharge test process may be performed by compressing the battery cells and placing them in a constrained state as shown in FIG. 7 . In such cases, simply applying a predetermined load to the battery cells may result in variations in the thickness of the battery cells. For example, unlike the present embodiment, if a predetermined load is simply applied to multiple battery cells in a constrained state, the predetermined load acts equally on each battery cell, causing the thickness of each battery cell to shrink approximately uniformly. If the thickness of the battery cells varies due to manufacturing errors or the like before the battery cells are placed in a constrained state, the thickness variations among the multiple battery cells cannot be made uniform even when the battery cells are placed in a constrained state. In contrast, the tray 1 of this embodiment has a collar 40 that defines the minimum separation distance between adjacent partition plates 20a, 20b. Therefore, when the tray 1 is in a restrained state, the distance between the partition plates can be aligned to the length dimension of the collar 40, thereby reducing the variation in the thickness dimension of the final battery cell 200.

[0028] Next, switching from the constrained state to the non-constrained state will be described. The constrained state shown in FIG. 7 can be switched to the non-constrained state shown in FIG. 5 by rotating the feed screw 62 and retracting the pressure plate 61. More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the rearmost connecting bracket 70B of the connecting brackets 70 has a restricting wall 73 erected rearward of the pressure plate 61 and spanning the two partition plates 20 and the pressure plate 61. When the pressure plate 61 is retracted from the state shown in FIG. 7, the pressure plate 61 first comes into contact with the restricting wall 73 of the connecting bracket 70B. When the pressure plate 61 is further retracted from this state, the two rear partition plates 20 are retracted via the connecting bracket 70B. Thereafter, the partition plates 20 come into contact with the restricting walls 73 of the connecting bracket 70, sequentially pulling the adjacent partition plates 20, thereby retracting the partition plates 20 and switching to the non-constrained state shown in FIG. 5.

[0029] When switching from a restrained state to a non-restrained state, in a conventional restraint tray in which the distance between the partition plates is not controlled, the spacing between some of the partition plates becomes excessively large when the pressure plate is retracted all the way to the rear, which can cause variations in the distance between the partition plates. When the distance between the partition plates varies, the positions of the battery cells housed in the restraint tray become unstable, which can cause problems when using a robot arm or the like to transfer battery cells to another tray or remove defective cells.

[0030] The tray 1 according to this embodiment is equipped with a connecting bracket 70 that connects adjacent partition plates 20a, 20b, and when the distance between adjacent partition plates 20a, 20b reaches a maximum, movement of the other partition plate 20b is restricted by a restricting wall 73, as shown in Fig. 6. This configuration prevents adjacent partition plates from being spaced apart more than necessary, and as a result of being able to keep the distance between the partition plates constant, the position of the battery cells is stabilized.

[0031] Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the tray 1 of this embodiment includes a coil spring 50 coaxial with the guide shaft portion 30 between adjacent partition plates 20a, 20b. The coil spring 50 is an example of an elastic member. The coil spring 50 is compressed at least in the constrained state shown in FIG. 8, and its restoring force acts in a direction separating the adjacent partition plates 20a, 20b. This configuration allows the adjacent partition plates 20 to smoothly transition from the constrained state to the unconstrained state while maintaining an appropriate distance. Furthermore, if the coil spring 50 is compressed even in the unconstrained state as shown in FIG. 6, a restoring force always acts in a direction separating the adjacent partition plates 20, thereby supporting a constant distance between the partition plates 20, which is preferable.

[0032] Although the tray of the present disclosure has been described above with reference to specific embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments.

[0033] 2 has battery cells arranged in two rows, but the number of rows of battery cells may be one, or three or more. However, by arranging the battery cells in two rows as in this embodiment, the battery cells can be connected to the probes of the charging / discharging device on both the left and right sides, allowing for efficient charging and discharging without requiring a complex configuration.

[0034] In the tray 1 shown in Figure 2, collars 40 and coil springs 50 are provided on all four guide shafts 30 that pass through one partition plate 20, but it is not necessary to provide collars and coil springs on all guide shafts; for example, collars and coil springs may be provided on only two diagonally opposite guide shafts. The guide shafts on which collars are provided may be different from the guide shafts on which coil springs are provided. However, providing collars and coil springs on all guide shafts 30 is preferable because it allows for stable movement of the partition plate.

[0035] While the connecting bracket 70 shown in FIG. 6 has a fixed portion on the front side in the arrangement direction AR and a restricting portion on the rear side, the connecting bracket may have a fixed portion on the rear side in the arrangement direction AR and a restricting portion on the front side. Furthermore, the base, fixed portion, and restricting portion are not limited to the configurations of the above-described embodiment. For example, the base may be rod-shaped rather than plate-shaped. Instead of arranging the base above or below the partition plate, the base may be passed through a hole provided in the partition plate. When the base is passed through a hole, the connecting bracket 70 may be configured such that the restricting portion is thicker than the hole and has a rivet-like shape. A joining member such as a screw may be used to fasten the fixed portion to one of the partition plates.

[0036] 1, a description will be given of a secondary battery manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As described above, the secondary battery manufacturing apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes an initial charging device 101, a charge / discharge inspection device 102, a room-temperature aging device 103, and a high-temperature aging device 104.

[0037] The initial charging device 101 is a device for performing an initial charging process for a secondary battery. Typically, the initial charging device 101 has a large number of arranged probes, and connects a pair of probes to lead electrodes 201, 202 for each of a plurality of battery cells 200 arranged and housed in a tray 1 as shown in FIG. 2, thereby performing initial charging on each battery cell at once. The initial charging device may perform only charging, or may also perform charging and discharging. Charging and discharging may be performed multiple times during the initial charging process.

[0038] The room-temperature aging device 103 and the high-temperature aging device 104 are devices for carrying out the aging process. Aging is a process in which battery cells are left at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time before or after an initial charging process, a charge / discharge inspection process, etc. The room-temperature aging device 103 and the high-temperature aging device 104 are typically constant-temperature baths or constant-temperature rooms.

[0039] The charge / discharge inspection device 102 is a device for charging and discharging battery cells to properly perform chemical formation and inspect their characteristics, and is typically a device that can charge or discharge multiple battery cells at once, similar to the initial charging device 101.

[0040] Manufacturing equipment 100 is equipped with a conveying device 110, which can transport battery cells between each piece of equipment. Conveying device 110 is provided with an inlet 120 and an outlet 130, and battery cells before being subjected to the initial charging process are carried into manufacturing equipment 100 through inlet 120, and battery cells that have completed the initial charging process, aging process, and charge / discharge inspection process by manufacturing equipment 100 are carried out through outlet 130. Battery cell transportation and the manufacturing processes by each piece of equipment are both carried out with multiple battery cells placed on a single tray.

[0041] As described above, secondary battery manufacturing apparatus 100 is equipped with multiple devices, and processes lasting from several hours to several tens of hours are carried out simultaneously in parallel in each device. Therefore, the entire manufacturing apparatus 100 requires multiple trays for placing battery cells.

[0042] In some cases, the initial charging process and charge / discharge inspection process require the battery cells to be restrained. In such cases, conventional manufacturing equipment would place the battery cells on restraint trays for all processes. In this case, a large number of restraint trays are required to operate the entire manufacturing equipment smoothly. However, the manufacturing process for secondary batteries includes processes such as the aging process that do not require the use of restraint trays. Therefore, the manufacturing equipment according to this embodiment is equipped with a transfer device 105 that transfers battery cells from normal trays to restraint trays or from restraint trays to normal trays, as shown in FIG. 1.

[0043] The specific configuration of the transfer device 105 is not particularly limited as long as it has a mechanism that can transfer battery cells to different trays. In one configuration example, the transfer device 105 has a robot arm, and uses the robot arm to transfer battery cells based on the identification information and positions of the tray and battery cells transmitted from a connected control device. The transfer device 105 may also have an image sensor for recognizing the positions of the battery cells.

[0044] In the manufacturing apparatus 100 according to this embodiment, the transfer to the other tray is performed, for example, at the following timing. That is, the battery cells are initially loaded onto a normal tray and carried into the manufacturing apparatus 100. The first process to which the loaded battery cells are subjected is the initial charging process. The initial charging process is carried out in a constrained state using a constraining tray. Therefore, the normal tray carried into the manufacturing apparatus 100 is first transported by the transport device 110 to the transfer device 105, which then transfers the battery cells that were loaded onto the normal tray onto the constraining tray. The constraining tray with the battery cells loaded thereon is then transported to the initial charging device 101.

[0045] After the initial charging process, the battery cells are then subjected to an aging process. The aging temperature and time can be selected as appropriate, and is carried out using at least one of the room-temperature aging device 103 and the high-temperature aging device 104. The aging process does not need to be carried out in a constrained state. Therefore, the constrained tray carrying the battery cells that have completed the initial charging process is sent to the transfer device 105, where the battery cells are transferred onto a normal tray. The normal tray carrying the battery cells is then transported to the room-temperature aging device 103 or the high-temperature aging device 104.

[0046] The battery cells that have completed the aging process are then subjected to the charge / discharge inspection process. The charge / discharge inspection process is carried out in a constrained state using a constraining tray. Therefore, the normal tray on which the battery cells that have completed the aging process are placed is transported by the transport device 110 to the transfer device 105, which then transfers the battery cells onto the constraining tray. The constraining tray on which the battery cells are placed is then transported to the charge / discharge inspection device 102.

[0047] According to the manufacturing apparatus 100 of this embodiment, for example, by performing the aging process on a normal tray instead of a constraint tray, the constraint tray becomes empty during the aging process, and the constraint tray can be used to place other battery cells that will be subjected to the initial charging process or the charge / discharge inspection process. This configuration reduces the number of constraint trays required for the entire manufacturing apparatus 100, which is advantageous from a cost perspective.

[0048] Although the secondary battery manufacturing apparatus of the present disclosure has been described above with reference to specific embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments.

[0049] Since gas may be generated inside the battery cells during manufacturing processes such as the initial charging process, a degassing process may be performed at a predetermined timing to remove the gas generated inside the battery cells. The manufacturing apparatus for a secondary battery according to the present disclosure may include a degassing device for performing the degassing process. The degassing process may be performed after the battery cells are placed on a restraint tray and placed in a restrained state.

[0050] 1, the transfer device 105 is provided independently of other devices such as the initial charging device 101, but the transfer device does not have to be independent as long as the secondary battery manufacturing apparatus has a configuration that allows battery cells to be transferred from a normal tray to a restraining tray or from a restraining tray to a normal tray. In other words, the transfer device may be incorporated into other devices such as the initial charging device as a mechanism for transferring battery cells.

[0051] In addition to transferring battery cells between trays, the transfer device may also perform a process of removing battery cells determined to be defective in an inspection process such as a charge / discharge inspection process. In this process, the transfer device may be configured to place dummy cells on the tray in place of the removed battery cells.

[0052] The embodiment described above can also be expressed as follows: That is, a tray according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: (1) A tray used in a secondary battery manufacturing process, which contains a plurality of battery cells arranged in an arrangement direction, a guide shaft portion extending in the arrangement direction; a plurality of partition plates that are guided by the guide shaft portions and are movable along the arrangement direction; a pressing mechanism that is guided by the guide shaft portion and is movable along the arrangement direction, and that can switch the plurality of partition plates and the battery cells housed between the plurality of partition plates between a constrained state in which a constraining load is applied in the arrangement direction and an unconstrained state in which a constraining load is not applied in the arrangement direction; and a collar that is coaxial with the guide shaft portion, is disposed between adjacent partition plates, and defines the minimum separation distance between the adjacent partition plates.

[0053] The tray is equipped with a collar that defines the minimum separation distance, making it possible to keep the distance between the dividers constant in a restrained state, thereby reducing variation in the thickness of battery cells manufactured using the tray.

[0054] Furthermore, the embodiment described above can also be expressed as follows: That is, a tray according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: (2) A tray used in a secondary battery manufacturing process, which contains a plurality of battery cells arranged in an arrangement direction, a guide shaft portion extending in the arrangement direction; a plurality of partition plates that are guided by the guide shaft portions and are movable along the arrangement direction; a pressing mechanism that is guided by the guide shaft portion and is movable along the arrangement direction, and that can switch the plurality of partition plates and the battery cells housed between the plurality of partition plates between a constrained state in which a constraining load is applied in the arrangement direction and an unconstrained state in which a constraining load is not applied in the arrangement direction; and a connecting bracket that defines the maximum distance between adjacent partition plates.

[0055] The tray is equipped with connecting brackets that define the maximum separation distance between the dividers, so the distance between the dividers can be kept constant in the unconstrained state, which stabilizes the position of the battery cells in the unconstrained state.

[0056] (3) In the above (2), a collar may be further provided, which is coaxial with the guide shaft portion, is disposed between adjacent partition plates, and defines the minimum separation distance between the adjacent partition plates.

[0057] By providing the collar, the distance between the partition plates in the restrained state can be controlled, and the variation in thickness of the battery cells can be reduced.

[0058] (4) In the above (2) or (3), the connecting bracket is a base portion extending in the arrangement direction; a fixing portion provided on one side of the base portion and fixed to one of the adjacent partition plates; The base may further include a restricting portion provided on the other side of the base portion, the restricting portion coming into contact with the other partition plate when the distance between the one partition plate and the other partition plate reaches the maximum separation distance.

[0059] By providing the connecting bracket with a fixing portion and a restricting portion, the maximum separation distance between the partition plates can be more reliably secured.

[0060] (5) In the above (4), the fixing portion has a pair of wall portions that contact both surfaces of one of the partition plates, The restricting portion may have a restricting wall that contacts a surface of the other partition plate opposite to the one partition plate.

[0061] The provision of the pair of walls allows the connecting bracket to be fixed to the partition plate easily and reliably, and the provision of the restricting wall allows the maximum separation distance to be more reliably secured.

[0062] (6) In the above (5), a first space is provided between the pair of wall portions, and the first space is opened in a direction intersecting the arrangement direction, and the one partition plate is inserted into the first space. A second space may be provided between the fixing portion and the regulating portion, opening in a direction intersecting the arrangement direction and allowing the other partition plate to enter while allowing movement of the other partition plate in the arrangement direction.

[0063] Since the connecting bracket has an opening, the connecting bracket can be easily attached by fitting it into the partition plate.

[0064] (7) In any of (1) to (6) above, an elastic member may be further provided, which is coaxial with the guide shaft portion, is arranged between adjacent partition plates, and exerts its restoring force in a direction separating the adjacent partition plates.

[0065] By providing an elastic member between the partition plates, the transition from the restrained state to the non-restrained state can be made smooth.

[0066] (8) In the above (7), the elastic member may be in a compressed state even in the unconstrained state.

[0067] The restoring force of the elastic member always acts in a direction that separates the partition plates, making it easier to maintain a constant distance between the partition plates in an unconstrained state.

[0068] (9) In any of the above (1) to (8), the partition plate may be provided with a protrusion that supports the battery cell.

[0069] The partition plate has protrusions, which allow the battery cells to be stably supported.

[0070] Furthermore, the above-described embodiment can also be expressed as follows: That is, a secondary battery manufacturing apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: (10) A secondary battery manufacturing device using a constraint tray that can switch between a constraint state in which a constraint load is applied in an arrangement direction when a plurality of battery cells are arranged in the arrangement direction and a non-constraint state in which a constraint load is not applied in the arrangement direction, and a normal tray in which a constraint load is not applied in the arrangement direction, a first device that carries out at least one of an initial charging process, a charge / discharge process, and a charge / discharge characteristic inspection process with the battery cell placed on the restraint tray and in the restrained state; an aging device that performs an aging process with the battery cells placed on the normal tray; and a transfer mechanism that transfers the battery cells from the restraint tray to the normal tray or from the normal tray to the restraint tray.

[0071] Using restraint trays in the initial charging process, charge / discharge process, or charge / discharge inspection process results in superior batteries. Constraint trays are more expensive than standard trays because they are equipped with restraint mechanisms. On the other hand, using standard trays in the aging process does not significantly affect the performance of the secondary battery. In particular, because the aging process takes longer than other processes, switching battery cells to use standard trays instead of restraint trays in the aging process reduces the number of restraint trays required in the entire manufacturing equipment, which is advantageous from a cost perspective. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 1 tray 10. Cabinet 20, 20a, 20b Partition plate 21 Base material 22a Depression 22b,22c,22d holes 23 Protrusion 30 Guide shaft 40 colors 50 Coil spring 60 Pressing mechanism 61 Pressure plate 62 Lead screw 70,70B connecting bracket 71 Base 72 Pair of walls 73 Regulatory barriers 100 Secondary battery manufacturing equipment 101 First charging device 102 Charge / Discharge Inspection Device 103 Room temperature aging device 104 High temperature aging equipment 105 Transfer device 110 Conveyor 120 Loading entrance 130 Exit 200 battery cells 201,202 Lead electrodes S1 First space S2 Second space

Claims

1. A tray used in a manufacturing process of a secondary battery, which contains a plurality of battery cells arranged in an arrangement direction, a guide shaft portion extending in the arrangement direction; a plurality of partition plates that are guided by the guide shaft portions and are movable along the arrangement direction; a pressing mechanism that is guided by the guide shaft portion and is movable along the arrangement direction, and that can switch the plurality of partition plates and the battery cells housed between the plurality of partition plates between a constrained state in which a constraining load is applied in the arrangement direction and an unconstrained state in which a constraining load is not applied in the arrangement direction; a collar that is coaxial with the guide shaft portion, that is disposed between adjacent partition plates, and that defines a minimum separation distance between adjacent partition plates.

2. A tray used in a manufacturing process of a secondary battery, which contains a plurality of battery cells arranged in an arrangement direction, a guide shaft portion extending in the arrangement direction; a plurality of partition plates that are guided by the guide shaft portions and are movable along the arrangement direction; a pressing mechanism that is guided by the guide shaft portion and is movable along the arrangement direction, and that can switch the plurality of partition plates and the battery cells housed between the plurality of partition plates between a constrained state in which a constraining load is applied in the arrangement direction and an unconstrained state in which a constraining load is not applied in the arrangement direction; and a connecting bracket that defines the maximum distance between adjacent partition plates.

3. The tray according to claim 2 , further comprising: a collar that is coaxial with the guide shaft portion and is disposed between adjacent partition plates, the collar defining a minimum separation distance between the adjacent partition plates.

4. The connecting bracket is a base portion extending in the arrangement direction; a fixing portion provided on one side of the base portion and fixed to one of the adjacent partition plates; a restricting portion provided on the other of the base portions and coming into contact with the other partition plate when the distance between the one partition plate and the other partition plate reaches the maximum separation distance; The tray according to claim 2 or claim 3.

5. the fixing portion has a pair of wall portions that contact both surfaces of the one partition plate, The restricting portion has a restricting wall that contacts a surface of the other partition plate opposite to the one partition plate. The tray of claim 4.

6. a first space, into which the one partition plate is inserted, is provided between the pair of wall portions and which opens in a direction intersecting the arrangement direction; a second space is provided between the fixing portion and the restricting portion, the second space being open in a direction intersecting the arrangement direction and allowing the other partition plate to move in the arrangement direction; The tray of claim 5.

7. The tray according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an elastic member that is coaxial with the guide shaft portion, is arranged between adjacent partition plates, and exerts its restoring force in a direction separating the adjacent partition plates.

8. The tray of claim 7 , wherein the resilient member is in a compressed state even in the unconstrained state.

9. The tray according to claim 1 , wherein the partition plate is provided with protrusions for supporting the battery cells.

10. A secondary battery manufacturing device using a constraint tray that can switch between a constraint state in which a constraint load is applied in an arrangement direction of a plurality of battery cells and a non-constraint state in which a constraint load is not applied in the arrangement direction, and a normal tray in which a constraint load is not applied in the arrangement direction, a first device that carries out at least one of an initial charging process, a charge / discharge process, and a charge / discharge characteristic inspection process with the battery cell placed on the restraint tray and in the restrained state; an aging device that performs an aging process with the battery cells placed on the normal tray; a transfer device that transfers the battery cells from the constraint tray to the normal tray or from the normal tray to the constraint tray.

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