Lamination device

Abstract

To provide a lamination device which sequentially places and laminates multiple sheet plates on an upper surface of a lamination table, and can press already placed sheet plates from above without causing dent marks and maintain a placement posture of the sheet plates.SOLUTION: The lamination device includes an electrode plate holding part (holding means) 3 that holds a placement posture of electrode plates (sheet plates) E placed on a lamination table 2. The electrode plate holding part (holding means) 3 has, for example, a first holding claw (holding claw) 31 that presses an end Ea1 of a negative electrode plate (sheet plate) Ea from above to hold it, and the first holding claw (holding claw) 31 consists of a member that extends along the end Ea1 of the negative electrode plate (sheet plate) Ea in a planar view, and has an arc-shaped bottom surface 31a that protrudes downward when viewed in a longitudinal direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a stacking device that sequentially places and stacks a plurality of sheets. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, stacking devices are known that sequentially place and stack a plurality of sheets. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an electrode laminate manufacturing device (stacking device) that stacks an electrode laminate by folding a long strip-shaped separator zigzag on a lifting stage (loading table) and placing two types of electrode plates (sheet plates) consisting of a negative electrode plate (negative electrode plate) and a positive electrode plate (positive electrode plate) alternately between the folded portions of the separator. In a stacking device having such a configuration, a pressure claw (holding claw) is generally provided to maintain the placement position of a plate (negative or positive plate) that has already been placed on the stacking table, and the holding claw is configured to press the edge of the plate from above immediately after it has been placed, thereby maintaining the placement position of the plate. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-215967 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the conventional laminating apparatus described above, the actual negative and positive electrode plates constituting the plurality of sheets often have slight warping or distortion within a generally acceptable range. Furthermore, the zigzag folding operation of the separator is often performed at high speed, and the air that is caught in the zigzag folding of the separator may not be fully released and may remain between the separator and the sheet. As a result, the multiple plates (negative and positive electrode plates) are each placed on the stacking table with a slight elastic force that allows them to deform in the vertical direction, which could cause the following problems. In other words, the plate (negative or positive electrode plate) is held in its placed position by having its end pressed down from above by the holding claws, and there is a risk that the area of ​​the end that abuts the holding claw (the area pressed down from above by the holding claw) will sink locally, leaving a so-called "dent."

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the current problems described above, and has an object to provide a stacking device that sequentially places and stacks multiple sheets on the upper surface of a stacking table, and that can press an already placed sheet from above without leaving any dents, thereby maintaining the placement position of the sheet. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The problem to be solved by the present invention is as described above, and the means for solving this problem will now be described.

[0007] That is, the stacking device of aspect 1 of the present invention is a stacking device that sequentially places and stacks multiple sheet metal plates on the upper surface of a stacking table, and is equipped with a holding means that maintains the placement position of the sheet metal plates placed on the stacking table, and the holding means has holding claws that press and hold the ends of the sheet metal plates from above, and the holding claws are made of members that extend along the ends of the sheet metal plates in a planar view, and have an arc-shaped underside that protrudes downward when viewed in the longitudinal direction. In this way, in the stacking device of the present invention, the underside of the holding claws is an arc-shaped curved surface when viewed in longitudinal cross section, so that the area at the end of the sheet that is pressed from above by the holding claws (hereinafter referred to as the ``pressing area'' as appropriate) gently curves and sinks along the curved surface of the underside, and as a result, stress concentration that occurs at the boundary between the pressing area and other areas can be suppressed. Therefore, even if a sheet is placed on the stacking table in a state where it has a slight elastic force that allows it to deform in the vertical direction due to factors such as manufacturing errors within the allowable range for each sheet or air entrainment that occurs when folding the separator, it is possible to prevent dents from occurring on the upper surface of the sheet. Furthermore, for example, when the holding claw is moved horizontally along the longitudinal direction to move it away from the end of the sheet, as the holding claw moves horizontally, the pressing state caused by the holding claw is released, and the pressed area at the end of the sheet often rises again due to the above-mentioned elasticity. In this case, if the underside of the holding claw is flat, the edge of the sheet is likely to be scratched by rubbing against the holding claw. However, in the stacking device of the present invention, the underside of the holding claw is an arc-shaped curved surface when viewed in longitudinal cross section, so even if the holding claw rubs against the edge of the sheet, stress concentration at the boundary between the pressing area and other areas is suppressed, and scratches on the upper surface of the sheet can be prevented.

[0008] In addition, a stacking device according to aspect 2 of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned aspect 1, the holding claw has a pair of R-shaped corner portions that are provided continuously with the lower surface and a pair of side end surfaces located on both sides in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction when viewed in a plane, between the lower surface and the pair of side end surfaces. With this configuration, even if the pressing area sinks deep enough that the upper surface of the sheet reaches near the upper surface of the holding claw, the pair of R-shaped corners can suppress stress concentration that occurs at the boundary between the pressing area and other areas, and more effectively prevent dents from occurring on the upper surface of the sheet.

[0009] Furthermore, in the stacking device according to aspect 3 of the present invention, in the above aspect 1 or 2, the radius of curvature of the arc shape on the lower surface of the holding claw is 120 mm or more. Here, if the radius of curvature of the arc shape is less than 120 mm, the area of ​​the pressed area becomes relatively small, resulting in high stress in the pressed area, stress concentration at the boundary between the pressed area and other areas, making it easier for dents to form on the upper surface of the sheet. In the stacking device of the present invention, the radius of curvature of the arc shape is 120 mm or more, so the stress generated in the pressing area is relatively low, and stress concentration at the boundary between the pressing area and other areas can be suppressed, making it possible to more reliably prevent dents from occurring on the upper surface of the sheet.

[0010] Furthermore, a stacking device according to aspect 4 of the present invention is characterized in that, in any of aspects 1 to 3 above, the plurality of individual plates are made of two types of components consisting of negative electrode plates and positive electrode plates, and are stacked so that these negative electrode plates and positive electrode plates are arranged alternately with a separator interposed therebetween. By applying the stacking device of the present invention to an apparatus for manufacturing a stacked battery by alternately stacking two types of platelets, consisting of negative and positive platelets, with a separator interposed therebetween, it is possible to press the platelets that have already been placed from above without creating dents, stably maintain the platelet placement position, and manufacture a high-quality stacked battery. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] The present invention has the following effects. That is, the stacking device according to the present invention can press an already placed plate from above without leaving any dents, and can maintain the placed position of the plate. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view showing the overall configuration of a stacking device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 10 is a perspective view showing the state of the loading table after a negative electrode plate has been placed at the first stacking position. FIG. [Figure 3]1A and 1B are diagrams for explaining the operating procedure of the stacking device, in which (a) is a front view showing the state of the stacking device immediately after the start of the stacking operation, (b) is a front view of the stacking device with a negative electrode plate placed on the stacking table, and (c) is a front view of the stacking device with the stacking table lowered by a predetermined pitch. [Figure 4] 1A and 1B are diagrams for explaining the operating procedure of the stacking device, in which (a) is a front view of the stacking device in a state where the stacking table has been horizontally moved to the second stacking position, (b) is a front view of the stacking device in a state where a positive electrode plate has been placed on the stacking table, and (c) is a front view of the stacking device in a state where the stacking table has been lowered by a predetermined pitch. [Figure 5] 5A and 5B are diagrams showing the configuration of the holding claws, in which (a) is a plan view thereof and (b) is a front view seen in the direction of the arrow X in FIG. 5A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. For the sake of convenience, the following description will be given by defining the front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction of the stacking device 1 according to the directions of the arrows shown in FIGS. In the following description, the direction of arrow A in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4(a) is defined as the direction of reciprocating movement of stacking table 2. As shown in FIG.

[0014] [Overall configuration of stacking device 1] First, the overall configuration of a stacking device 1 embodying the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG.

[0015] The stacking device 1 in this embodiment is, for example, a device for manufacturing a stacked battery composed of a lithium ion secondary battery or the like, and is a device for stacking two types of electrode plates E composed of a negative electrode plate Ea and a positive electrode plate Eb alternately with a separator S interposed therebetween. Here, the electrode plate E consisting of the negative electrode plate Ea and the positive electrode plate Eb is an example of a sheet plate according to the present invention.

[0016] The stacking device 1 described below is an example of the stacking device according to the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to this. In other words, the stacking device of the present invention is a device that places and stacks multiple individual plates in order on the upper surface 2a of the stacking table 2 described below, and the objects (individual plates) to be stacked are not limited to electrode plates E, nor are they limited to being stacked in order with separators S interposed between them. Furthermore, the separator S is not limited to a long strip-shaped separator, but may be a sheet-shaped separator.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, the stacking device 1 mainly comprises a stacking table 2 that is arranged to be movable back and forth horizontally in one direction (the direction of arrow A, which in this embodiment is the left-right direction) between a first stacking position P1 and a second stacking position P2 that are spaced apart from each other, an electrode plate holding unit 3 that is arranged to be movable together with the stacking table 2, a separator supply unit 4 that is arranged above the stacking table 2 at approximately the midpoint between the first stacking position P1 and the second stacking position P2, a first transfer unit 5 that is arranged at the first stacking position P1, and a second transfer unit 6 that is arranged at the second stacking position P2.

[0018] Here, as will be described later, the first stacking position P1 is a section where the negative electrode plate Ea is placed on the stacking table 2 by the first transfer unit 5. The second stacking position P2 is a section where the second transfer unit 6 places the positive electrode plate Eb on the stacking table 2.

[0019] The stacking table 2 is used to place and hold the electrode plates E to be stacked. The stacking table 2 is made of a member that is rectangular in plan view and has a substantially horizontal upper surface 2a, and the upper surface 2a is provided with a plurality of through holes (not shown). The stacking table 2 is also provided with a vacuum suction mechanism (not shown) that generates vacuum pressure via the plurality of through holes.

[0020] As described below, when the separator S is supplied to the upper surface 2a of the stacking table 2 by the separator supply unit 4, the stacking table 2 adsorbs and holds the surface of the separator S in contact with the upper surface 2a by the negative pressure of the vacuum suction mechanism.

[0021] The upper surface 2a of the stacking table 2 may be made of any material having a plurality of through holes, such as a mesh steel plate or a porous metal (porous metal).

[0022] The stacking table 2 is also provided with a horizontal movement mechanism (not shown). The stacking table 2 is reciprocated horizontally and in one direction (left and right direction) between the first stacking position P1 and the second stacking position P2 by the horizontal movement mechanism.

[0023] Then, with the separator S held on the upper surface 2a, the stacking table 2 is moved back and forth by the horizontal movement mechanism, whereby the separator S is folded in a zigzag pattern.

[0024] Furthermore, the stacking table 2 is provided with a lifting mechanism (not shown). The stacking table 2 is lowered by the lifting mechanism at a set predetermined pitch (for example, the total value of the thickness of the electrode plates E and the thickness of the separators S to be stacked).

[0025] The stacking table 2 is lowered by a predetermined pitch by the lifting mechanism each time a negative electrode plate Ea and a positive electrode plate Eb are placed at the first stacking position P1 and the second stacking position P2, respectively.

[0026] The electrode plate holding portion 3 is an example of the holding means according to the present invention, and holds the electrode plate E placed on the stacking table 2 in a placed position. The electrode plate holding section 3 is provided on the stacking table 2, and is configured to be able to move back and forth together with the stacking table 2 between a first stacking position P1 and a second stacking position P2.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 2, the electrode plate holding portion 3 has a pair of first holding claws 31 and a pair of second holding claws 32 provided above the stacking table 2. The first holding claw 31 and the second holding claw 32 are an example of the holding claws according to the present invention.

[0028] The pair of first holding claws 31·31 presses from above to hold the negative electrode plate Ea placed on the stacking table 2 at the first stacking position P1, via the separator S bent like an accordion. In addition, the pair of second holding claws 32, 32 press from above to hold the positive electrode plate Eb placed on the stacking table 2 in a position at the second stacking position P2 (see Figure 1) via the separator S bent like an accordion.

[0029] The number of first holding claws 31 and second holding claws 32 does not need to be two (a pair) each, and any number may be used as long as it is possible to maintain the placement position of the electrode plate E (negative electrode plate Ea or positive electrode plate Eb) placed on the stacking table 2.

[0030] The first retaining claw 31 and the second retaining claw 32 are both made of a roughly rectangular flat plate-shaped member extending in one direction, and when viewed in a plane, are arranged with their longitudinal direction perpendicular to the direction of reciprocating movement (left-right direction) of the stacking table 2 (in this embodiment, the front-back direction).

[0031] The configurations of the first holding claw 31 and the second holding claw 32 will be described in detail later.

[0032] A pair of first retaining claws 31·31 face each other in the above-mentioned orthogonal direction (front-to-back direction), and when viewed in a plane, are each arranged along the end of the negative electrode plate Ea placed on the stacking table 2 on the second stacking position P2 side (in this embodiment, the left side). In addition, a horizontal movement mechanism (not shown) is provided on the pair of first holding claws 31·31, and the horizontal movement mechanism enables the pair of first holding claws 31·31 to move toward and away from each other along the above-mentioned orthogonal direction (front-to-back direction). Furthermore, the pair of first holding claws 31·31 are provided with a lifting mechanism (not shown), which allows the pair of first holding claws 31·31 to move up and down (raise and lower) simultaneously relative to the upper surface 2a of the stacking table 2.

[0033] The pair of first retaining claws 31·31 are moved by the horizontal movement mechanism toward each other to a predetermined position (hereinafter referred to as the "first retaining position" as appropriate), and then moved downward (lowered) by the lifting mechanism, thereby abutting and pressing against the end portion (more specifically, both corners on the second stacking position P2 side (left side)) of the negative electrode plate Ea placed on the stacking table 2, on the second stacking position P2 side, thereby maintaining the placement posture of the negative electrode plate Ea. In addition, the pair of first holding claws 31·31 are moved by the horizontal movement mechanism toward the side where they are separated from each other to a predetermined position (hereinafter referred to as the "first retracted position" as appropriate), and then moved upward (raised) by the lifting mechanism, thereby releasing the holding state of the negative electrode plate Ea placed on the stacking table 2 and retracting from the negative electrode plate Ea.

[0034] On the other hand, a pair of second retaining claws 32·32 face each other in the above-mentioned orthogonal direction (front-to-back direction), and when viewed in a plane, are each arranged along the end of the positive electrode plate Eb placed on the stacking table 2 on the first stacking position P1 side (in this embodiment, the right side). In addition, the pair of second holding claws 32·32 are also provided with a horizontal movement mechanism (not shown), similar to the pair of first holding claws 31·31 described above, and the horizontal movement mechanism enables the pair of second holding claws 32·32 to move towards and away from each other along the orthogonal direction (front-to-back direction). Furthermore, the pair of second holding claws 32·32 are also provided with a lifting mechanism (not shown), similar to the pair of first holding claws 31·31 described above, and this lifting mechanism enables the pair of second holding claws 32·32 to move up and down (raise and lower) simultaneously relative to the upper surface 2a of the stacking table 2.

[0035] The pair of second claw members 32, 32 are moved by the horizontal movement mechanism toward each other to a predetermined position (hereinafter referred to as the "second holding position" as appropriate), and then moved downward (lowered) by the lifting mechanism, thereby contacting and pressing against the end (more specifically, both corners on the first stacking position P1 side (right side in this embodiment)) of the positive electrode plate Eb placed on the stacking table 2, on the first stacking position P1 side, and maintaining the placement posture of the positive electrode plate Eb. In addition, the pair of second holding claws 32·32 are moved by the horizontal movement mechanism toward the side where they are separated from each other to a predetermined position (hereinafter referred to as the "second retracted position" as appropriate), and then moved upward (raised) by the lifting mechanism, thereby releasing the holding state of the positive electrode plate Eb placed on the stacking table 2 and retracting from the positive electrode plate Eb.

[0036] The separator supply unit 4 supplies a long strip-shaped separator S onto the upper surface 2a of the stacking table 2, and folds the separator S in a zigzag pattern by the reciprocating movement of the stacking table 2.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 1, the separator supply unit 4 has a pair of separator rollers 41. The pair of separator rollers 41 are disposed opposite to each other. The pair of separator rollers 41 are arranged such that their axial direction is perpendicular to the direction of reciprocating movement of the stacking table 2 (front-rear direction) in plan view.

[0038] A separator roll (not shown) consisting of a separator S wound in a roll shape is arranged above the pair of separator rollers 41·41, and the end of the separator S pulled out from the separator roll passes between the pair of separator rollers 41·41 from top to bottom, and is thereby sandwiched between the pair of separator rollers 41·41.

[0039] The pair of separator rollers 41 , 41 rotate in a predetermined direction around their respective axes, whereby the separator S is fed downward and supplied to the upper surface 2 a of the stacking table 2 .

[0040] The pair of separator rollers 41·41 are provided with a lifting mechanism (not shown), which allows the pair of separator rollers 41·41 to move (lift) between a predetermined upper position (hereinafter referred to as "upper limit position H1" as appropriate) and a predetermined lower position (hereinafter referred to as "lower limit position H2" as appropriate).

[0041] When the pair of separators 41·41 is positioned at the upper limit position H1, the stacking table 2 can move back and forth between the first stacking position P1 and the second stacking position P2 without interfering with the pair of separators 41·41, while carrying a plurality of stacked electrode plates E·E···. Furthermore, when the pair of separators 41 are positioned at the lower limit position H2, the separator S extending from the lower ends of the pair of separators 41 toward the stacking table 2 is in a substantially horizontal position.

[0042] The first transfer unit 5 places the negative electrode plate Ea on the upper surface 2a of the stacking table 2 at the first stacking position P1. The second transfer unit 6 places the positive electrode plate Eb on the upper surface 2a of the stacking table 2 at the second stacking position P2.

[0043] The first transfer unit 5 has, for example, a first suction unit 51 capable of holding the negative electrode plate Ea by vacuum pressure, and a drive mechanism (not shown) capable of moving the first suction unit 51 horizontally and vertically (lifting and lowering). Similarly to the first transfer unit 5, the second transfer unit 6 also has, for example, a second suction unit 61 capable of holding the positive electrode plate Eb by vacuum pressure, and a drive mechanism (not shown) capable of moving the second suction unit 61 horizontally and vertically (raising and lowering).

[0044] At the first stacking position P1, a first waiting table 11 is provided on which the negative electrode plate Ea produced in the previous process is placed in advance and prepared, and the first transfer unit 5 holds the negative electrode plate Ea with the first suction unit 51 and transfers and places the negative electrode plate Ea from the first waiting table 11 on the stacking table 2. In addition, a second waiting table 12 is provided at the second stacking position P2 on which the positive electrode plate Eb produced in the previous process is placed in advance and prepared, and the second transfer unit 6 holds the positive electrode plate Eb with the second suction unit 61 and transfers and places the positive electrode plate Eb from the second waiting table 12 on the stacking table 2.

[0045] The configuration of the first transfer unit 5 and the second transfer unit 6 is not limited to this embodiment, and any configuration may be used as long as it is possible to transfer the electrode plate E (negative electrode plate Ea or positive electrode plate Eb) between the first waiting table 11 or the second waiting table 12 and the stacking table 2, such as a robot using a mechanism of a Cartesian coordinate type, a vertical multi-joint type, or a horizontal multi-joint type.

[0046] The stacking device 1 configured as described above operates in accordance with the operating procedure described below, thereby sequentially placing and stacking a plurality of electrode plates E (negative electrode plates Ea and positive electrode plates Eb) on the upper surface 2a of the stacking table 2.

[0047] That is, as shown in FIG. 3(a), first, the stacking table 2 is stopped at the first stacking position P1 with the separator S held on the upper surface 2a.

[0048] In addition, in the electrode plate holding portion 3, a pair of first holding claws 31-31 (since Figure 3 is a front view, only one first holding claw 31 is shown) have been moved to the first retracted position and are stopped at a predetermined upper limit position h1a, and a pair of second holding claws 32-32 (since Figure 3 is a front view, only one second holding claw 32 is shown) have been moved to the second retracted position and are stopped at a predetermined upper limit position h1b.

[0049] In the separator supply unit 4, the pair of separator rollers 41, 41 are stopped at the lower limit position H2 with their rotation stopped.

[0050] Furthermore, in the first transfer unit 5 and the second transfer unit 6 (see FIG. 1), the first suction unit 51 and the second suction unit 61 are stopped at their respective predetermined standby positions.

[0051] The negative electrode plate Ea and the positive electrode plate Eb are placed in advance at predetermined positions on the first standby table 11 and the second standby table 12 (see FIG. 1), respectively.

[0052] When the stacking operation by the stacking device 1 begins, as shown in Figure 3(b), the first transfer unit 5 moves the first suction unit 51 to hold the negative electrode plate Ea placed on the first waiting table 11, and then moves the negative electrode plate Ea above the stacking table 2 and places the negative electrode plate Ea on the upper surface 2a of the stacking table 2 via the separator S.

[0053] When the negative electrode plate Ea is placed on the upper surface 2a of the stacking table 2, the pair of first holding claws 31 are moved horizontally toward the first holding position, and then are lowered toward a predetermined lower limit position h2a. As a result, the pair of first holding claws 31 come into contact with the end of the negative electrode plate Ea on the second stacking position P2 side (left side), and the placement posture of the negative electrode plate Ea is maintained.

[0054] When the negative electrode plate Ea is held in the placed position by the pair of first holding claws 31, the pair of separator rollers 41 are moved to the upper limit position H1 while feeding out the separator S, as shown in FIG. 3(c). Moreover, the stacking table 2 is lowered by the predetermined pitch.

[0055] Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 4(a), the stacking table 2 is moved to the second stacking position P2 while the separator S is being pulled out by the pair of separator rollers 41. As a result, the separator S is bent by the pair of first holding claws 31, 31 into a zigzag fold.

[0056] When the stacking table 2 reaches and stops at the second stacking position P2, the pair of separator rollers 41 are lowered to the lower limit position H2, as shown in FIG. 4(b). As a result, the separator S extending from the lower ends of the pair of separators 41 toward the stacking table 2 covers the upper surfaces of the negative electrode plates Ea together with the pair of first holding claws 31 and assumes a substantially horizontal position.

[0057] When the pair of separator rollers 41·41 reaches and stops at the lower limit position H2, the second transfer unit 6 moves the second suction unit 61 to hold the positive electrode plate Eb placed on the second waiting table 12, and then moves the positive electrode plate Eb above the stacking table 2 and places the positive electrode plate Eb on the upper surface of the negative electrode plate Ea via the separator S.

[0058] When the positive electrode plate Eb is placed on the upper surface of the negative electrode plate Ea, the pair of second holding claws 32 are moved horizontally toward the second holding position, and then are lowered toward a predetermined lower limit position h2b. As a result, the pair of second holding claws 32 come into contact with the end of the positive electrode plate Eb on the first stacking position P1 side (right side), and the placement posture of the positive electrode plate Eb is maintained.

[0059] When the placement posture of the positive electrode plate Eb is held by the pair of second holding claws 32, the pair of separator rollers 41 are moved to the upper limit position H1 while feeding out the separator S, as shown in FIG. 4(c). Moreover, the stacking table 2 is lowered by the predetermined pitch.

[0060] On the other hand, the pair of first holding claws 31, 31 are moved horizontally toward the first retracted position, and then move up and down toward a predetermined upper limit position h1a. As a result, the pair of first holding claws 31, 31 releases the holding state of the negative electrode plate Ea located below the positive electrode plate Eb.

[0061] Thereafter, the stacking table 2 is moved again to the first stacking position P1 while pulling out the separator S from the pair of separator rollers 41. As a result, the separator S is bent by the pair of second holding claws 32, 32 into a zigzag fold.

[0062] When the stacking table 2 reaches the first stacking position P1, the negative electrode plate Ea is placed again in accordance with a procedure substantially similar to the operating procedure at the second stacking position P2 described above. That is, the stacking table 2 reaches the first stacking position P1, and the separator S is folded and zigzag by a pair of second holding claws 32·32, and then the negative electrode plate Ea is again placed on the top surface of the positive electrode plate Eb by the first moving part 5.

[0063] Then, after the negative electrode plate Ea is held in place by the pair of first holding claws 31, 31, the stacking table 2 is lowered by the predetermined pitch and moved again toward the second stacking position P2.

[0064] In this way, the stacking operation at the first stacking position P1 and the second stacking position P2 is repeated alternately, so that the negative electrode plates Ea and the positive electrode plates Eb are stacked alternately in order with the separators S interposed therebetween. Then, when the total number of the plurality of electrode plates E·E··· (negative electrode plates Ea and positive electrode plates Eb) placed on the upper surface 2a of the stacking table 2 reaches a predetermined number, the series of operational procedures in the stacking device 1 ends.

[0065] In the above explanation, an example has been described in which the stacking table 2 and the separator supply unit 4 are configured to be able to move back and forth horizontally (left and right) relative to each other, and the separator supply unit 4 does not move but the stacking table 2 moves back and forth horizontally to fold the separator S in a zigzag pattern. However, this is not limited to this, and the stacking table 2 may not move, and the separator supply unit 4 may be configured to be able to move back and forth horizontally to perform the back and forth movement.

[0066] [Configuration of the first holding claw 31 and the second holding claw 32] Next, the configuration of the first holding claw 31 and the second holding claw 32 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b).

[0067] As described above, the first retaining claw 31 and the second retaining claw 32 are provided on the electrode plate holding portion 3 and abut against the electrode plate E (negative electrode plate Ea or positive electrode plate Eb) placed on the upper surface 2a of the stacking table 2 (see Figure 1), thereby maintaining the placement position of the electrode plate E.

[0068] Specifically, the first retaining claw 31 maintains the placement position of the negative electrode plate Ea by contacting and pressing from above against the end of the negative electrode plate Ea on the second stacking position P2 side (left side) which is placed on the stacking table 2 via the accordion-shaped separator S. In addition, the second retaining claw 32 maintains the placement position of the positive electrode plate Eb by contacting and pressing from above against the end of the positive electrode plate Eb on the first stacking position P1 side (right side) which is placed on the stacking table 2 via the accordion-folded separator S.

[0069] Since the first retaining claw 31 and the second retaining claw 32 have approximately the same configuration, the following explanation will mainly describe the configuration of the first retaining claw 31 (more specifically, the first retaining claw 31 located on the front side of the stacking device 1), and will omit the description of the configuration of the second retaining claw 32.

[0070] In Figure 5(a), the first holding claw 31 consists of a member having an approximately rectangular flat plate shape extending in one direction (in this embodiment, the front-to-rear direction), and mainly has a bottom surface 31a (see Figure 5(b)) and a pair of side end surfaces 31b·31b located on both sides (in this embodiment, on the left and right sides) in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (front-to-rear direction) when viewed in plan.

[0071] The first retaining claw 31 is positioned above the negative electrode plate Ea placed on the stacking table 2 and is arranged so as to extend along the end Ea1 of the negative electrode plate Ea on the second stacking position P2 side (left side) when viewed in a plane.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 5(b), the lower surface 31a is formed in an arc shape that protrudes downward when viewed in the longitudinal direction (front-rear direction). The radius of curvature r1 of the arc shape on the lower surface 31a is preferably 120 mm or more (r1≧120 mm).

[0073] Here, when the radius of curvature r1 of the above-mentioned arc shape is less than 120 mm (r1<120 mm), the area of ​​the region (hereinafter referred to as "pressed region V" as appropriate) pressed from above by the first retaining claw 31 at the end Ea1 of the negative electrode plate Ea becomes relatively small, and the stress generated in the pressed region V becomes high, causing stress concentration at the boundary Va between the pressed region V and other regions, making it easier for dents to occur on the upper surface Ea2 of the negative electrode plate Ea.

[0074] In the stacking device 1 of this embodiment, the radius of curvature r1 of the arc shape is 120 mm or more (r1≧120 mm), so the stress generated in the pressing area V is relatively low, and stress concentration generated at the boundary Va between the pressing area V and other areas can be suppressed, thereby more reliably preventing the formation of dents on the upper surface Ea2 of the negative electrode plate Ea.

[0075] In the first holding claw 31, a pair of rounded corners 31c are formed between the lower surface 31a and the pair of side end surfaces 31b, and the lower surface 31a and the pair of side end surfaces 31b are provided continuously via the pair of corners 31c. In other words, the ridge formed between the lower surface 31a and the pair of side end surfaces 31b is rounded in cross section in the longitudinal direction (front-rear direction). In other words, the first retaining claw 31 is configured to have a pair of R-shaped corners 31c / 31c that are continuous with the lower surface 31a and a pair of side end surfaces 31b / 31b located on both sides in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (front-to-back direction) when viewed in a plane (left-right direction).

[0076] With this configuration, even if the pressing area V sinks deeply enough that the upper surface Ea2 of the negative electrode plate Ea reaches near the upper surface of the first retaining claw 31, the pair of R-shaped corners 31c·31c can suppress stress concentration that occurs at the boundary Va between the pressing area V and other areas, and more effectively prevent dents from occurring on the upper surface Ea2 of the negative electrode plate Ea.

[0077] As described above, the stacking device 1 in this embodiment is a stacking device 1 that sequentially places and stacks a plurality of electrode plates (single plates) E·E···, each consisting of a negative electrode plate Ea and a positive electrode plate Eb, on the upper surface 2a of the stacking table 2, and is equipped with an electrode plate holding section (holding means) 3 that holds the placement posture of the electrode plate E placed on the stacking table 2. Here, the electrode plate holding portion (holding means) 3 has a first holding claw (holding claw) 31 (or a second holding claw 32) that presses and holds the end of the electrode plate E from above, and the first holding claw 31 consists of a member that extends along the end Ea1 of the negative electrode plate (single plate) Ea (or the end of the positive electrode plate Eb) when viewed in a plane, and is configured to have an arc-shaped lower surface 31a that protrudes downward when viewed in the longitudinal direction (front-to-back direction).

[0078] As described above, in the stacking device 1 of this embodiment, the lower surface 31a of the first holding claw (holding claw) 31 (or the second holding claw 32) is formed as an arc-shaped curved surface when viewed in cross section in the longitudinal direction (front-to-back direction), so that the pressing area V at the end Ea1 of the negative electrode plate (single plate) Ea (or the end of the positive electrode plate Eb) gently curves and sinks along the curved surface of the lower surface 31a, and as a result, stress concentration occurring at the boundary Va between the pressing area V and other areas can be suppressed. Therefore, even if the negative electrode plate (single plate) Ea (or positive electrode plate Eb) is placed on the stacking table 2 in a state where it has a minute elastic force that allows it to deform in the vertical direction due to factors such as manufacturing errors within the allowable range in each negative electrode plate (single plate) Ea (or positive electrode plate Eb) or air entrapment that occurs when folding the separator S, it is possible to prevent dents from occurring on the upper surface of the negative electrode plate (single plate) Ea (or positive electrode plate Eb).

[0079] Furthermore, for example, when the first holding claw (holding claw) 31 (or the second holding claw 32) is moved horizontally along the longitudinal direction (front-to-back direction) to separate the first holding claw (holding claw) 31 (or the second holding claw 32) from the end Ea1 of the negative electrode plate (single plate) Ea (or the end of the positive electrode plate Eb), as the first holding claw (holding claw) 31 (or the second holding claw 32) moves horizontally, the first holding claw (holding claw) 31 (or the second holding claw 32) is released from the pressing state, and the pressing area V at the end Ea1 of the negative electrode plate (single plate) Ea (or the end of the positive electrode plate Eb) often rises again due to the above-mentioned elasticity.

[0080] In this case, if the underside of the first holding claw (holding claw) 31 (or the second holding claw 32) is flat, the end Ea1 of the negative electrode plate (single plate) Ea (or the end of the positive electrode plate Eb) is likely to be scratched by rubbing against the first holding claw (holding claw) 31 (or the second holding claw 32). However, in the stacking device 1 of this embodiment, the underside 31a of the first holding claw (holding claw) 31 (or the second holding claw 32) is an arc-shaped curved surface when viewed in cross section in the longitudinal direction (front-to-back direction). Therefore, even if the first holding claw (holding claw) 31 (or the second holding claw 32) rubs against the end Ea1 of the negative electrode plate (single plate) Ea (or the end of the positive electrode plate Eb), stress concentration occurring at the boundary Va between the pressing area V and other areas is suppressed, and scratches can be prevented from occurring on the upper surface of the negative electrode plate (single plate) Ea (or the positive electrode plate Eb).

[0081] Furthermore, in the stacking device 1 of this embodiment, the multiple sheets of plate are made up of two types of components (electrode plates E) consisting of negative electrode plates Ea and positive electrode plates Eb, and are stacked so that these negative electrode plates Ea and positive electrode plates Eb are arranged alternately with separators S interposed therebetween.

[0082] By applying the stacking device 1 of this embodiment to an apparatus for manufacturing a stacked battery by alternately stacking two types of electrode plates (single plates) E consisting of negative electrode plates Ea and positive electrode plates Eb with separators S interposed therebetween, the electrode plates (single plates) E that have already been placed can be pressed from above without leaving any dents, the position of the electrode plates (single plates) E can be stably maintained, and a high-quality stacked battery can be manufactured.

[0083] The above describes one embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, which is merely an example, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be embodied in various other forms without departing from the gist of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, and further includes the meaning of equivalents set forth in the claims, and all modifications within the scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] 1 Lamination device 2 laminated tiles 2a above 3. Electrode plate holding part (holding means) 31 1st holding claw (holding claw) 31a Below 31b side end face 31c Corner 32 2nd holding claw (holding claw) E electrode plate (leaf plate) Ea negative plate (leaf plate) Ea1 end Eb positive plate (leaf plate) S セパレータ

Claims

1. A stacking device that sequentially places and stacks a plurality of sheets on an upper surface of a stacking table, a holding means for holding the sheet of board placed on the stacking table in a placed position; The holding means is a holding claw for pressing and holding the end of the sheet from above, The holding claws are a member extending along an end of the sheet in a plan view, When viewed in the longitudinal direction, the lower surface has an arc-shaped surface that protrudes downward. A stacking device characterized by:

2. The holding claws are The lower surface; Between a pair of side end surfaces located on both sides in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction in a plan view, a pair of R-shaped corners provided continuously with the lower surface and the pair of side end surfaces; 2. The stacking device according to claim 1, wherein:

3. In the holding claw, The radius of curvature of the arc shape on the lower surface is 120 mm or more.

3. The stacking device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein:

4. The plurality of sheets of boards are It consists of two types of members: a negative electrode plate and a positive electrode plate, These negative electrode plates and positive electrode plates are stacked alternately with separators interposed therebetween.

3. The stacking device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein:

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