Manufacturing device for forming and aging processes of rechargeable battery cell

Abstract

To provide a manufacturing device for forming and aging processes of a rechargeable battery cell.SOLUTION: A device includes a room for a forming process and an aging process. The device also has a room with a testing device, and the testing device is located on the floor 9. The device further includes a mezzanine floor above the floor 9. At least one linear robot system is located on a mezzanine floor 10. The device further includes a conveyor 14 on the mezzanine floor 10. Each of the rooms has an interface 15 operatively connected to at least one of the conveyors 14 for transporting the rechargeable battery cell. The mezzanine floor 10 also includes an opening 16. On the floor 9, the device further includes an elevator conveyor 17 operatively connected to the opening 16 for transporting the rechargeable battery cell from the mezzanine floor 10 to the floor 9.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a manufacturing apparatus for rechargeable battery cells, such as lithium-ion cells, and more particularly to a manufacturing apparatus for the formation and aging process of rechargeable battery cells. [Background technology]

[0002] Rechargeable battery cell manufacturing involves three main stages: electrode manufacturing, cell assembly, and cell finishing. Common types of cells are prismatic, cylindrical, and pouch. While cell designs can vary, the cell manufacturing process is generally similar. Rechargeable battery cells can be, for example, lithium-ion battery cells, sodium-ion battery cells, nickel-manganese-cobalt battery cells, nickel-metal hydride battery cells, or lithium-sulfur battery cells. An example of rechargeable battery cell manufacturing is described below, specifically with respect to lithium-ion battery cells, although similar manufacturing processes are used for other rechargeable battery cells.

[0003] Fabricating the first electrode of a lithium-ion battery cell. A Li-ion (lithium ion) cell has four main components: two electrodes: an anode, which retains lithium ions when charged, and a cathode, which retains lithium ions when discharged. Typically, the anode is made of graphite. The cathode can be an alloy of multiple metals, such as nickel, cobalt, lithium, or other metals.

[0004] The electrode material is mixed with a conductive binder and a solvent to form a uniform slurry. The anode and cathode are usually processed in different rooms to avoid contamination. The slurry is then coated onto both sides of the electrode structure, such as an Al foil for the cathode and a Cu foil for the anode.

[0005] The coated foil is then dried in an oven to evaporate the solvent. The solvents used in cathode coating are typically highly flammable and are recovered or used to generate heat. For water-based anode coatings, the vapors are vented to the ambient environment.

[0006] After drying and solvent recovery, the coated foil is compressed by a pair of rotating rollers (called calendering), which helps to tailor the physical properties of the electrode, such as bonding, conductivity, density, and porosity.

[0007] After calendering, the electrodes are washed, slit into narrow strips, and recoiled. The coils are sent to a vacuum oven to remove residual moisture and solvent.

[0008] After the process described above, the electrodes are prepared for cell assembly, which is transferred to a subassembly process where a separator is laminated between the anode and cathode to form the internal structure of the cell, i.e., the prismatic, cylindrical, and pouch-like cell structures.

[0009] The assembled cell structure is then connected to the terminals (cell connections). The subassembly is then inserted into a cell housing, such as a pouch or a cylindrical or prismatic metal case. The assembly is then sealed with a laser welding or heating process, leaving an opening for injecting the electrolyte.

[0010] Once housed, the cells are filled with electrolyte. The filling process takes place in a dry room, as moisture can cause the electrolyte to decompose and produce toxic fumes. Finished cells are labeled with a serial number on the case.

[0011] The cells are now ready for the cell finishing process, which includes a formation process and an aging process. The formation process determines the initial charge and discharge process of the battery cells. The cells are placed in a rack and contacted by contact pins. The cells are charged and discharged according to precisely defined current and voltage curves.

[0012] During this process, lithium ions are embedded in the crystalline structure of graphite on the anode side, forming a protective layer called the solid electrolyte interface (SEI) between the electrolyte and the electrode, which causes low self-discharge of Li-ion cells and also affects the performance and lifespan of the cell.

[0013] For larger pouch cells, the first charge causes a strong evolution of gas. The gas can be forced out of the cell into a dead space called a gas bag. This is called degassing. The cell is sealed under vacuum, isolating the gas within the bag. The gas bag is then disposed of as hazardous waste.

[0014] The cells are then aged. Aging is performed for quality purposes. During aging, cell characteristics and performance are monitored, for example, by periodically measuring the open circuit voltage (OCV) of the cells over a period of up to three weeks. Thus, the aging process also includes a monitoring process.

[0015] A distinction is made between high temperature (HT) aging and room temperature (NT) aging. Cells are usually transferred first to HT aging and then to NT aging. Cells are processed in aging shelves, cabinets, or rooms. Typically, these spaces are called rooms.

[0016] If no significant changes in cell characteristics are observed throughout the aging period (intermediate test results), the cell is ready for final testing. After the aging process, the cell is tested in an end-of-line (EOL) test device. The cell is transferred to the test device where it is discharged to its shipping state of charge using capacity measurements. Further pulse testing, internal resistance measurements, optical inspection, OCV testing, and leakage testing can be performed. Upon successful completion of testing, the cell can be assembled into a battery pack.

[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates a known apparatus 1 for forming and aging processes and tests relating to the forming and aging processes. The apparatus has chambers for forming 2, cold aging 3 (such as room temperature), and hot aging 4 (such as 30-50° C.). Lithium-ion cells are transported in and out of the chambers by a conveyor 5. The Li-ion cells are handled in the forming chamber (as well as the cold and hot chambers) using common known solutions not illustrated in the figure. The processes in the chambers and internal transport lines are therefore known per se and will not be described in this context.

[0018] Conveyor 5 is used to transport cells in and out of the chambers, transporting them on continuous conveyor 6. On the other side of the continuous conveyor are test devices 8A-8F, which are operatively connected to the continuous conveyor by another conveyor 7 to transport cells in and out of the test devices. Conveyors 5, 6, and 7 are controlled to transport cells from one process to the next, as determined by manufacturing instructions, also known as process recipes. Figure 2 shows a simple example of a process recipe for formation, aging, and testing performed for these processes. In Figure 2, cells are in formation chamber 2 for charging, and from there are transported into test device 8F for measuring, for example, voltage, internal resistance, etc. (1A). At this stage, cells that are suspected to be defective can be removed. Good cells are transported to high-temperature chamber 4 for aging (2A). Then, the cells are transported to room-temperature aging chamber 3A according to the process recipe. After room-temperature aging, the cells are transported to a test device, for example, 8F or 8E (4A). This is the final testing stage according to this example: necessary tests are performed, defective cells can be removed, and passing cells can be sent to the next manufacturing stage where they are assembled into battery packs (not illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2).

[0019] Because process recipes are cell-specific, transport routes are fixed. Furthermore, known solutions can result in long transport times from one process to another. Conveyor lines can also block operator access to process machines in case of errors and for maintenance purposes. Because transport routes are specifically created for a particular process recipe, changing the process recipe often means changing the transport routes. Route changes can cause unexpected and severe capacity issues and other problems. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0020] It is an object of the present invention to mitigate or eliminate the above-mentioned problems. This object is achieved by the methods set out in the independent claims. The dependent claims illustrate different embodiments of the invention. [Means for solving the problem]

[0021] A manufacturing apparatus for the formation and aging processes of rechargeable battery cells according to the present invention includes at least one room 2 for the formation process, at least one room 3, 4 for the aging process, and test devices 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E, 8F. The rooms 2, 3, 4 and the devices are located on a floor 9. The apparatus further includes a mezzanine floor 10 above the floor. On the mezzanine floor, the apparatus includes at least one linear robot system 11 supported on the mezzanine floor. An area where the linear robot system can pick up rechargeable battery cells is a collection area 13. The linear robot system 11 can move to a desired location on the collection area to transport the rechargeable battery cells.

[0022] The apparatus further comprises conveyors 14 on the mezzanine floor 10. Each of the rooms 2, 3, 4 has an interface 15 operatively connected to at least one of the conveyors 14 for transporting rechargeable battery cells out of and into the room. The conveyors 14 also partially overlie the collection area 13. The mezzanine floor 10 has an opening 16 in the collection area.

[0023] On floor 9, the apparatus further comprises an elevator conveyor 17 operatively connected to opening 16 for transporting rechargeable battery cells from the mezzanine floor to the floor and from the floor to the mezzanine floor. The apparatus also comprises a second conveyor 18 on the floor for transporting rechargeable battery cells from elevator conveyor 17 to testing devices 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E, 8F and from the testing devices to the elevator conveyor.

[0024] The invention will now be described in more detail by reference to the enclosed accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates an example of a known apparatus for the forming and aging process. [Figure 2] 2 illustrates an example of a process recipe used in the apparatus of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] 1 illustrates an example of an apparatus for the forming and aging process according to the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 illustrates an example of an apparatus for the forming and aging process according to the present invention. [Figure 5] 3 illustrates an example of a process recipe used in the apparatus of FIGS. [Figure 6] 5 illustrates a side view of the example of FIGS. 3 and 4. [Figure 7] 1 illustrates another example of an apparatus for the forming and aging process according to the present invention. [Figure 8] 8 illustrates another view of the example of FIG. 7. [Figure 9] 8 illustrates another view of the example of FIG. 7. [Figure 10] Other views from the example of FIG. 7 are also illustrated. [Figure 11] Other views from the example of FIG. 7 are also illustrated. [Figure 12] 8 illustrates a cutaway side view of the example of FIG. 7. [Figure 13] 3 illustrates an example of another process recipe for use with the apparatus of FIGS. 3 and 4 and the apparatus of FIG. [Figure 14] 1 illustrates an example of an apparatus for the forming and aging process according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] 3 and 4 illustrate an example of a manufacturing apparatus for the formation and aging processes of rechargeable battery cells according to the present invention. The apparatus includes at least one room 2 for the formation process, at least one room 3 and 4 for the aging process, and test devices 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E, and 8F. The rooms 2, 3, and 4 and the devices are located on a floor 9. The apparatus further includes a mezzanine floor 10 above the floor. On the mezzanine floor, the apparatus includes at least one linear robot system 11 supported on the mezzanine floor. The area where the linear robot system can pick up rechargeable battery cells is a collection area 13. The linear robot system 11 can move to a desired location on the collection area to transport the rechargeable battery cells.

[0027] The linear robot system may be a gantry robot system or a Cartesian robot system. The gantry robot system may comprise two parallel beams. Between the beams, there is a gantry robot unit supported on the beams and consisting of a bridge beam 11D and a gripper unit. The gantry robot unit(s) can move along the beams. The gripper unit can move along the bridge beam. The gripper unit has a vertical / telescopic beam that can move vertically. The actual gripper that can grip and release the object(s) is attached to the vertical / telescopic beam. In the example of Figures 3 and 4, the linear robot is a gantry robot comprising two beams 12 supported on a mezzanine floor 10 and at least one gantry robot unit supported on the beams 12. The object(s) to be picked up and moved are rechargeable battery cells.

[0028] A gantry robot system may also have only one beam, as illustrated in the example of Figure 14. In this embodiment, the gantry robot unit that moves along the beam has a horizontal beam that is oriented perpendicular to the beam. The horizontal beam may be a telescoping beam. The gripper unit attached to the horizontal beam has a vertical / telescopic beam that is vertically movable.

[0029] As mentioned above, a linear robot system may be a Cartesian robot system, meaning it has a gripper or other manipulator that can move along x, y, and z axes and / or planes. That is, a gantry robot may also be considered a Cartesian robot.

[0030] 3 and 4, the area between the beams is the collection area 13. A gantry robot 11 is movable along the beams 12 to a desired location on the collection area to deliver a rechargeable battery cell.

[0031] The apparatus further comprises conveyors 14 on the mezzanine floor 10. Each of the rooms 2, 3, 4 has an interface 15 operatively connected to at least one of the conveyors 14 for transporting rechargeable battery cells out of and into the room. The conveyors 14 also partially overlie the collection area 13. The mezzanine floor 10 has an opening 16 in the collection area.

[0032] On floor 9, the apparatus further comprises an elevator conveyor 17 operatively connected to opening 16 for transporting rechargeable battery cells from the mezzanine floor to the floor and from the floor to the mezzanine floor. The apparatus also comprises a second conveyor 18 on the floor for transporting rechargeable battery cells from elevator conveyor 17 to testing devices 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E, 8F and from the testing devices to the elevator conveyor. In this context, operative connection means that components / devices cooperate to do something, such as transporting cells. The components / devices need not be physically connected to each other, but can be physically separated, for example, near each other.

[0033] The apparatus also includes a control system 19, which includes at least one process recipe 50, 51 for the formation and aging processes and the tests performed by the test device. The control system includes a connection 20 for controlling the processes in the rooms 2, 3, 4, the conveyor, the linear robot system(s) (such as gantry robot(s)), the elevator conveyor, the second conveyor, and the test device. The control system 19 is thus configured to control the movement of the conveyor 14, the linear robot system(s) 11, the elevator conveyor 17, and the second conveyor 18 to transport the cells according to the process recipe. It should be noted that in this specification, the expression "cell" refers to a rechargeable battery cell. The cells as described may be in production, and therefore, in this context, cell does not refer only to a finished cell.

[0034] In practice, the control system may comprise several units, such as a main controller and sub-controllers. The control and monitoring means may be divided into several units. For example, a so-called warehouse control system may control the transport of the cells by using the material handling devices, i.e. in this case the conveyor 14, the linear robot system(s) 11, the elevator conveyor 17 and the second conveyor 18. The warehouse control system may have an interface to a so-called manufacturing execution system, which maintains the process recipe(s) and is able to track the production process also at cell level.

[0035] Figure 5 shows an example of a process recipe 50 for use with the apparatus of Figures 3 and 4. This recipe is similar to the recipe illustrated in Figure 2. Conveyors 14 are used to transport cells in and out of rooms 2, 3, and 4. The conveyors extend into a collection area 13. In the collection area, linear robot system(s) 11 are used to transport the cells to a desired location, for example, from one of the conveyors to an elevator conveyor 17 of some of the openings 16, and vice versa.

[0036] Test devices 8A-8F are located on floor 9 below mezzanine floor 10. The test devices are operatively connected to a second conveyor 18 for transporting cells into and out of the test devices. The second conveyor is also operatively connected to an elevator conveyor 17 for transporting cells into and out of the elevator conveyor. The elevator conveyor is configured to transport cells between the mezzanine floor and the floor.

[0037] The conveyor 14, linear robot system(s) (here gantry robot(s)) 11, elevator conveyor 17, and second conveyor 18 are controlled to transport the cells from process to the next as determined by the manufacturing instructions, i.e., process recipe.

[0038] In the example of Figure 5 (as well as Figures 3 and 4), the cells are in the formation chamber 2 for charging, from which they are transported 1B into a testing device 8E for measuring, e.g., voltage, internal resistance, etc. As seen in Figure 3, a conveyor 14 transports the cells to a collection area 13, and linear robot system(s) (gantry robot) 11 pick up the cells from the conveyor and transport them to one of the openings 16, which may preferably be near the testing device 8E. The linear robot system(s) deposit the cells into the opening for a conveyor elevator 17, which transports the cells down to floor 9, where they are transferred to a second conveyor 18, which transports the cells to the testing device 8E.

[0039] At this stage of the test device, cells that are suspected to be defective can be removed. Note also that if the process recipe includes several test steps, defective cells can be removed from the manufacturing process at each test step.

[0040] Good cells are transported to high temperature chamber 4 for aging (2B). Good cells are transported by conveyor 18 to elevator conveyor 17, which may be a separate conveyor or the same conveyor that transported the cells to test device 8. This depends on the layout arrangement of the second conveyor and test devices on floor 9. In FIG. 3, a separate second conveyor 17 is used to transport cells from the elevator conveyor to the test device, and another separate conveyor is used to transport cells from the test device to another elevator conveyor. However, as mentioned above, the layout of the test devices and second conveyors may be different, and therefore the second conveyors and transport paths on floor 9 may be arranged as desired. The number of test devices and second conveyors may also differ from the examples of FIGS. 3 and 4. The number of openings 16 and their locations on mezzanine floor 10 may also vary and may differ from the examples of FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0041] Thus, elevator conveyor 17 transports the cell to mezzanine floor 10 in transport stage 2B where the cell is transferred to linear robot system(s) 11, which transport the cell to conveyor 14, which transports the cell to high temperature chamber 4.

[0042] After high temperature aging, the cells are transported 3B to the ambient temperature aging chamber 3 according to the process recipe. Thus, the conveyor carrying the high temperature chamber in question transports the cells to a collection area 13, where linear robot system(s) 11 pick up the cells and transport them to another conveyor operatively connected to the ambient temperature aging chamber 3. The other conveyor transports the cells to the ambient temperature aging chamber.

[0043] After room temperature aging, the cells are transported to a testing device, e.g., 8D (4B). Therefore, another conveyor operatively connected to the room temperature chamber transports the cells to a collection area 13, where a linear robot system (here, a gantry robot) 11 picks up the cells and transports them to one of the openings 16 for an elevator conveyor 17. The cells are transferred from the linear robot system 11 to the elevator conveyor 17, which transports them down to floor 9, where they are transferred from the elevator conveyor 17 to a second conveyor 18, which transports the cells into the testing device 8D. This is the final testing stage in this example. The necessary tests are performed, defective cells can be removed, and the passing cells can be sent to the next manufacturing stage, where they are assembled into battery packs (not shown).

[0044] Although Figure 3 shows two conveyors 14 per forming chamber 2, room temperature aging chamber 3, and hot temperature aging chamber 4, the number of conveyors 14 per chamber can be another number, such as one or four. The number of conveyors depends on the embodiment. At least one linear robot system 11 can be used. In the example of Figure 3, two gantry robots are used for redundancy.

[0045] As noted, the apparatus of the present invention is highly flexible. The linear robot system can be oriented as desired to transport cells in and out of either the forming, high-temperature, or room-temperature chamber, allowing for flexible cell transport paths. The test devices 8A-8F and the second conveyor 18 can be positioned relatively freely on the floor 9. The opening 16 and elevator conveyor 17 can also be positioned relatively freely. Another important advantage is that an already constructed apparatus configuration can be easily used with many different recipes without any modifications to the transport devices or their locations. However, if the apparatus layout needs to be changed due to possible recipe changes or multiple modifications, it can be easily adapted for easy / unrestricted access to the processes / devices. Furthermore, the transport time from one process to the next can be minimized.

[0046] Figure 6 shows a side view of the example of Figures 3 and 4. This figure shows an interface 15 operatively connected to at least one (two in this example) conveyor 14 for transporting rechargeable battery cells from room to room, the conveyor 14 also partially overlying the collection area 13. The gantry robot is equipped with a gripper unit 11A that picks up the cells. The cells are in holders such as trays or boxes, and the gripper of the gripper unit grasps the holder, lifts it up, and transports it to another location in the collection area.

[0047] As mentioned, forming, hot, and room temperature rooms 2, 3, and 4 are on floor 9. They are elevated rooms, and therefore the interface is located above mezzanine floor 10 for conveyor 14. Figure 6 also shows columns 22 that support gantry robot 11. Mezzanine floor 10 is supported at the desired height by other columns / structures 21. Mezzanine floor 10 has an opening 16 above the collection area for elevator conveyor 17.

[0048] FIG. 7 illustrates another example of an apparatus for forming and aging processes according to the present invention. FIGS. 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 illustrate other views from the example of FIG. 7. FIG. 8 is a cutaway view showing floor 9 and devices thereon, and FIG. 9 is a top view from mezzanine floor 10. FIG. 10 shows a top view from floor 9, and FIG. 11 shows a side view. FIG. 12 shows a cutaway side view. In this example, opening 16 is formed in a different location on the mezzanine floor. Therefore, elevator conveyor 17 is also positioned differently than in the examples of FIGS. 3 and 4. On floor 9, test devices 8A-8F and second conveyor 18 are also positioned slightly differently than in FIG. 4.

[0049] As noted, the heights of the rooms 2, 3, 4 may vary. Also, the size and shape of the mezzanine floor 10 may vary. For example, if so designed, the mezzanine floor 10 may include passageways 24 to accommodate more maintenance routes / emergency exits. The cells may be conveniently transported in holders 23, such as trays or boxes. It is also understood that the rooms 2, 3, 4 may be positioned in any desired manner.

[0050] FIG. 13 illustrates another example of a process recipe 51 that can be used with the apparatus of FIGS. 3 and 4 and with the apparatus of FIG. 7. This is clearly more complex than the recipe of FIG. 5. The process recipe is cell type specific and lot-variable. In the figure, the designation FO refers to formation in some of the formation chambers 2. The designation QT refers to a process such as measurement in some of the test devices 8A...8F. The designation HT refers to a high-temperature aging process in some of the high-temperature chambers 4. The designation NT refers to a room-temperature aging process in some of the room-temperature chambers 3. Because the formation and aging processes have several steps, each process step is also numbered consecutively. As can be seen, the aging process can include at least one room for room-temperature aging and at least one room for high-temperature aging.

[0051] First, there is a formation process FO1, where the cells are delivered from a previous manufacturing process, such as an electrolyte filling process (not illustrated). After FO1, the cells are transported to a testing process QT1 in some of the test devices (52). The transport utilizes a conveyor 14, a linear robot system (such as a gantry robot) 11, an elevator conveyor 17, and a second conveyor 18 in a manner similar to that already described above. After QT1, the cells are returned to the mezzanine floor 10 and transported to a high-temperature aging HT1 in some of the high-temperature chambers 4 (53). The transport section 53 again utilizes the transport devices, but now in a different order: the second conveyor 18, the elevator conveyor 17, the linear robot system 11, and the conveyor 14. After HT1 aging, the cells are transported to the room temperature aging process NT1 by a transport device (conveyor 17, linear robot system(s) 11, elevator conveyor 17, second conveyor 18) according to the process recipe (54).

[0052] The cell in NT1 is then transported by a transport device to the next test process QT2 (55), after which the cell is transported to the next test process QT3 according to the process recipe (56). Thus, QT2 can include specific measurements, such as voltage measurements, while QT3 can include other measurement(s), such as internal resistance measurements. Thus, the apparatus of the present invention facilitates transport of the cell from one test device to the next. After QT3, the cell is transported from floor 9 to the mezzanine floor to the next formation process FO2 (57). After FO2, the cell is transported to the next test process QT4 at the floor 9 level (58).

[0053] After QT4, the cell is transferred to the next aging process, which in this process recipe is a room temperature aging process NT2 (59), after which the cell is transferred to a high temperature aging process HT2 (60). After HT2, the cell is transferred to the next testing process QT5 (61), after which the cell is transferred to the next forming process FO3 (62). After FO3, the cell is transferred to testing QT6 (63), after which the cell is transferred to room temperature aging NT3 (64). After NT3, the cell is transferred to testing QT7 (65). After QT7, the cell is transferred to a final testing process QT8 (66). After QT8, the accepted cell is ready to be transferred to the next manufacturing stage, where it is assembled into a battery pack (not shown) (67).

[0054] FIG. 14 shows another example of an apparatus for the forming and aging processes according to the present invention. In this example, the linear robot system is a gantry robot 11B with one beam 12, and the gantry robot unit that moves along the beam 12 has a horizontal beam 11C perpendicular to the beam. The horizontal beam can be a telescopic beam. The gripper unit 11A attached to the horizontal beam has a vertical beam / telescopic beam that can move vertically. In this example, one gantry robot is used, but other embodiments are possible. For example, two gantry robots with one beam can be used.

[0055] Thus, the transport sections 52-67 can / may utilize conveyors, linear robot system(s), elevator conveyors, and secondary conveyors. The transport routes are flexible and controlled by the control system 19 according to the process recipe in question. The apparatus of the present invention is flexible enough to simultaneously execute several process recipes for different cell types. Therefore, in most cases, it is not necessary to change the layout of the apparatus, i.e., the location and devices such as conveyors, secondary conveyors, or test devices. However, if changes are necessary, they can be easily made due to the easy access to the apparatus.

[0056] The present invention can be used to manufacture rechargeable battery cells, such as lithium-ion battery cells, sodium-ion battery cells, nickel-manganese-cobalt battery cells, nickel-metal hydride battery cells, or lithium-sulfur battery cells, which can be used in, for example, laptops, computers, mobile phones, toothbrushes, tools, and vehicles (e.g., so-called electric vehicle batteries).

[0057] Therefore, the present invention has many advantages: The transport path of the cell is flexible. The linear robot system(s) have access from any process output (formation process, aging process, and test device path) to any process input. The transport system can be easily adapted to possible recipe changes due to unlimited access to process input / output locations.

[0058] The apparatus also allows for adaptation to dynamic or exceptional changes in the process recipe, for example based on test device measurements. Transfer times from process to process can be kept as short as possible.

[0059] The transport of the battery cell holders is primarily carried out on the mezzanine floor 10, improving operator access to the process devices / machines at floor level in case of errors and for maintenance purposes.

[0060] Furthermore, the mezzanine area, i.e., collection area 13, can be used as a temporary buffer storage for cells or battery holders to prevent rush / jam situations in the production flow. Several linear robot systems, such as gantry robot units, on one gantry frame provide redundancy in material handling. Emergency exit routes for personnel on floor 9 are also easier to realize on the mezzanine floor 10. Fire safety issues can also be better taken into account. For example, in case of fire, access to individual cells is easier. Furthermore, to increase safety, the equipment can be equipped with safety structures, such as cages, cage structures, etc., near the elevator conveyors.

[0061] The figures illustrating the present invention are schematic and do not show the details of the apparatus. For example, not all supports or support structures are illustrated, such as the supports for the conveyor 14. In this way, the drawings more clearly illustrate the present invention. There are many different ways to implement the apparatus according to the present invention. For example, the elevator conveyor, conveyor, secondary conveyor, and linear robot system(s) can have different structures and solutions. Different product recipes can be used with one apparatus according to the present invention. The test device can include equipment for capacitance measurement, pulse testing, internal resistance measurement, leakage testing, voltage testing, etc. The present invention provides highly flexible configurations for the formation and aging processes and their associated tests.

[0062] From the above it is clear that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein, but can be implemented in many other different embodiments within the scope of the independent claims.

Claims

1. 1. A manufacturing apparatus for a forming process and aging process of a rechargeable battery cell, comprising: The device comprises: At least one chamber (2) for the forming process; at least one chamber (3, 4) for the ageing process; a test device (8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E, 8F); and the rooms (2, 3, 4) and devices are located on a floor (9); The apparatus further comprises a mezzanine floor (10) above the floor; On the mezzanine floor, the apparatus comprises at least one linear robot system (11, 11B) supported on the mezzanine floor (10); an area where the linear robotic system can pick up the rechargeable battery cells is a collection area (13); the linear robot system (11) is movable to a desired location on the collection area to transport the rechargeable battery cells; The apparatus further comprises a conveyor (14) on the mezzanine floor (10); each of the rooms (2, 3, 4) having an interface (15) operatively connected to at least one of the conveyors (14) for transporting the rechargeable battery cells from room to room; The conveyor (14) also partially overlies the collection area (13), and the mezzanine floor (10) has an opening (16) over the collection area; At said floor (9), said apparatus further comprises an elevator conveyor (17) operatively connected to said opening (16) for transporting said rechargeable battery cells from said mezzanine floor to said floor and from said floor to said mezzanine floor; The apparatus also comprises a second conveyor (18) on the floor (9) for transporting the rechargeable battery cells from the elevator conveyor (17) to the testing devices (8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E, 8F) and from the testing devices to the elevator conveyor. An apparatus characterized in that

2. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the apparatus comprises a control system (19), the control system (19) comprising at least one process recipe (50, 51) for the formation process and the aging process, as well as for the test performed by the test device.

3. 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the control system (19) is configured to control movement of the conveyor (14), linear robot system(s) (11), elevator conveyor (17), and the second conveyor (18) to transport the cell according to the process recipe.

4. 4. The device of claim 3, wherein the collection area (13) is configured to provide buffer storage for the cells.

5. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the apparatus comprises a holder (23) for transporting together with the cell by using the conveyor, the linear robot system(s), the elevator conveyor, and the second conveyor.

6. 6. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the rooms for the ageing process comprise at least one room (3) for ambient ageing and at least one room (4) for high temperature ageing.

7. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the device comprises a safety structure in the vicinity of the elevator conveyor.

8. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the test devices comprise devices for capacitance measurement, pulse testing, internal resistance measurement, leakage testing, voltage testing.

9. 9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the rechargeable battery cell is a lithium-ion battery cell, a sodium-ion battery cell, a nickel-manganese-cobalt battery cell, a nickel-metal hydride battery cell, or a lithium-sulfur battery cell.

10. 10. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the linear robot system is a gantry robot (11) comprising two beams (12) supported on the mezzanine floor (10), the remaining part of the gantry robot (11) being supported on the beams (12), and the collection area (13) being between the beams.

11. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the linear robot system is a gantry robot (11B) comprising one beam (12) supported on the mezzanine floor (10), the remaining part of the gantry robot (11B) being supported on the beam (12).

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