Sealing device and battery manufacturing method

Abstract

To reduce the possibility of a tab lead being deformed when a sealant is discharged into an opening of a container to seal the opening.SOLUTION: A sealing device (1A) includes a fixture (11) that is connected to a current collector housed in a container (24) and clamps, outside the container, a tab lead (23) that extends from the current collector to the outside of the container, thereby limiting deformation of the tab lead, and a nozzle (121) that ejects a sealant (13) into an opening (241) of the container (24) while the fixture (11) is clamping the tab lead (23).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sealing device and a battery manufacturing method. [Background technology]

[0002] Batteries are known in which an electrode assembly and a current collector that collects power generated by the electrode assembly are placed in a container, and which include a tab lead for extracting the power from the current collector to the outside of the container. In such batteries, the opening of the container is sealed with a sealant such as resin to prevent the electrode assembly from reacting with moisture in the air. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a battery in which the tab lead is a metal terminal, and the space between the terminal and the inner circumferential surface of an insertion hole through which the terminal passes is filled with a filler (sealant). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-14132 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The opening of the container is sealed by discharging a sealant into the opening of the container and allowing the sealant to solidify. For example, if the tab lead is made of a thin metal foil, such as 10 to 100 μm thick, there is a risk that the tab lead will be deformed by contact with the sealant when it is discharged into the opening of the container. Furthermore, if a sealant with high viscosity, in other words, low fluidity, is used, it is necessary to bring the nozzle discharging the sealant close to the tab lead, which may cause the tab lead to be deformed by contacting the nozzle with the tab lead.

[0005] One aspect of the present invention aims to provide a sealing device and a battery manufacturing method that can reduce the possibility of tab lead deformation when a sealant is dispensed into an opening of a container to seal the opening. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a sealing device according to one aspect of the present invention is a sealing device used to seal an opening in the manufacture of a battery comprising an electrode body, a current collector that collects power generated by the electrode body, a container that houses the electrode body and the current collector, and a thin-film or plate-like tab lead that extracts power from the current collector to the outside of the container through an opening of the container, the sealing device comprising: a limiting portion that is connected to the current collector housed in the container and clamps the tab lead extending from the current collector to the outside of the container outside the container to limit deformation of the tab lead; and a discharging portion that discharges sealant into the opening of the container while the tab lead is clamped by the limiting portion.

[0007] In addition, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a battery manufacturing method according to one aspect of the present invention is a method for manufacturing a battery including an electrode body, a current collector that collects power generated by the electrode body, a container that houses the electrode body and the current collector, and a thin-film or plate-like tab lead that extracts power from the current collector to the outside of the container through an opening of the container, the method including an insertion step of inserting the electrode body, the current collector, and a tab lead having one end connected to the current collector into the container, a discharge step of discharging a sealant into the opening while the tab lead, which is connected to the current collector housed in the container and extends from the current collector to the outside of the container, is clamped outside the container, and a solidification step of solidifying the sealant. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, when a sealant is discharged into an opening of a container to seal the opening, the possibility of deformation of the tab lead can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a battery to be treated by the sealing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a sealing portion of the battery. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a sealing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for manufacturing the battery. [Figure 5] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a region where a highly viscous sealant is applied to an opening of a container using the sealing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a sealing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 5A to 5C are schematic diagrams showing an example of the operation of the sealing device. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a sealing device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] [Embodiment 1] Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that, although the following describes an example in which the battery according to the present invention is an all-solid-state battery equipped with a thin-film tab lead, the battery is not limited to this, and any battery having a configuration equipped with a thin-film tab lead may be used, for example, a lithium-ion battery, a sodium-ion battery, a magnesium-ion battery, or the like.

[0011] <Configuration of a battery with tab leads> 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a battery 2 to be treated by a sealing device 1A according to this embodiment. The view indicated by reference numeral 100A is a plan view of the battery 2. The view indicated by reference numeral 100B is a cross-sectional view taken along line IB-IB in the view indicated by reference numeral 100A. The view indicated by reference numeral 100C is a cross-sectional view taken along line IC-IC in the view indicated by reference numeral 100A.

[0012] 1, the battery 2 is, for example, an all-solid-state battery, and includes an electrode body 21, a current collector 22, a tab lead 23, a container 24 that houses the electrode body 21 and the current collector 22, and a sealing portion 25. In the drawings indicated by reference numerals 100B and 100C, the electrode body 21 and the current collector 22 are shown housed inside the container 24, and the internal configuration of the container 24 is not shown. The battery 2 of one embodiment of the present disclosure may be a battery in which the electrode body 21, the current collector 22, the tab lead 23, the electrode body 21, and the current collector 22 are housed in the container 24 by laminating and sealing them.

[0013] Although not shown, the electrode body 21 includes a positive electrode layer, a negative electrode layer, and a solid electrolyte layer disposed between the positive electrode layer and the negative electrode layer, and generates electricity by ions moving between the positive electrode layer and the negative electrode layer via the solid electrolyte layer. The electrode body 21 may have a structure in which multiple layers made of positive electrode layers, negative electrode layers, and solid electrolyte layers are stacked.

[0014] The positive electrode layer is not particularly limited, and any material that is used as a positive electrode active material for an all-solid-state battery can be used. The positive electrode active material may include, for example, a lithium-containing oxide containing cobalt, nickel, and / or manganese. More specifically, the positive electrode active material may be, for example, lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO), lithium nickel oxide (LiNiO), lithium manganate (spinel-type lithium manganate (LiMnO, etc.)), lithium nickel cobalt manganate (LiNi 1 / 3 Co 1 / 3 Mn 1 / 3 The oxides may include oxides such as Li-rich composite oxides (Li2MnO3-LiMO2), as well as compounds other than oxides. In the above formula, M represents a transition metal. Examples of compounds other than oxides include olivine compounds (LiMPO4) and sulfur-containing compounds (Li2S, etc.).

[0015] The negative electrode layer is not particularly limited as long as it can insert and remove ions that serve as charge carriers, and any known negative electrode active material used in all-solid-state batteries can be used. More specifically, it may include carbonaceous materials such as graphite (natural graphite, artificial graphite, etc.), hard carbon, and amorphous carbon, as well as lithium metal or alloys that can alloy and dealloy lithium ions, and elemental silicon.

[0016] The solid electrolyte layer can be an ion-conductive inorganic solid electrolyte. The inorganic solid electrolyte contained in the solid electrolyte layer is preferably a sulfide (sulfide-based solid electrolyte) or a hydride (hydride-based solid electrolyte). The hydride generally includes a solid electrolyte called a complex hydride. The crystalline state of the solid electrolyte is not particularly limited and may be either crystalline or amorphous.

[0017] The current collector 22 collects the electricity generated by the electrode body 21. The current collector 22 is made of, for example, aluminum, nickel, copper, stainless steel, etc. A tab lead 23 is connected to the current collector 22 to extract electricity from the current collector 22 to the outside.

[0018] Tab lead 23 is a substantially rectangular terminal that extracts power from current collector 22 to the outside of container 24. Tab lead 23 may be thin film-shaped or plate-shaped. Tab lead 23 is attached such that one end 231 is connected to current collector 22 and the other end 232 protrudes outside container 24. Tab lead 23 includes tab lead 23a connected to current collector 22 on the positive electrode side and tab lead 23b connected to current collector 22 on the negative electrode side. In the following description, tab leads 23a and 23b will be referred to collectively as tab lead 23 without any distinction being made between them. If current collector 22 is a zigzag type current collector, a part of current collector 22 may be used as tab lead 23.

[0019] Tab lead 23 may be a metal foil made of, for example, aluminum (alloy), nickel, copper, stainless steel, or the like, and may be formed into a thin plate having a thickness of approximately 10 to 100 μm. Tab lead 23 is easily deformed by external stress such as contact with other members.

[0020] The container 24 is a container that houses the electrode body 21 and the current collector 22, and is made of, for example, aluminum (alloy), stainless steel, etc. The container 24 has an opening 241 that opens to the outside, and the electrode body 21 and the current collector 22 are housed inside the container 24 through the opening 241.

[0021] The sealing portion 25 seals the opening 241 of the container 24. The sealing portion 25 is formed by solidifying the sealant 13. The sealant 13 is made of a resin such as epoxy or silicone. The viscosity of the sealant 13 varies depending on the composition of the resin. For example, sealant 13 made of epoxy, silicone, or the like has a viscosity of about 50 Pa / S or more, which is low in fluidity, but it is often used as the sealant 13 for the battery 2 because the sealant does not easily flow into unnecessary areas. The sealant 13 is dispensed into the opening 241 of the container 24 by, for example, a dispenser 12, which will be described later.

[0022] For example, when a sulfide-based material is used as the material for the solid electrolyte layer of the battery 2, the material reacts with moisture in the air. Therefore, by sealing the opening 241 of the container 24 with the sealing part 25, it is possible to prevent the reaction between the moisture in the air and the sulfide-based material.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the sealing portion 25 of the battery 2. The view indicated by reference numeral 200A is a plan view of the battery 2. The view indicated by reference numeral 200B is a cross-sectional view taken along line IIB-IIB in the view indicated by reference numeral 200A. The view indicated by reference numeral 200C is a cross-sectional view taken along line IIC-IIC in the view indicated by reference numeral 200A. Note that the internal structure of the container 24 is not shown in the views indicated by reference numerals 200B and 200C. As shown in FIG. 2, the opening 241 of the container 24 is hermetically sealed by the sealing portion 25 with the other end 232 of the tab lead 23 protruding outside the container 24.

[0024] <Sealing device> 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a sealing device 1A in this embodiment. The diagram indicated by reference numeral 300A is a perspective view showing the sealing device 1A and the opening 241 of the container 24. The diagram indicated by reference numeral 300B is a schematic diagram showing the operation of the dispenser 12.

[0025] As shown by reference numeral 300A, the sealing device 1A includes a dispenser 12 and a pair of fixing members 11 (restricting portions).

[0026] The dispenser 12 includes a storage portion (not shown) that stores the sealant 13 and a nozzle 121 (discharge portion) that discharges the sealant 13. The nozzle 121 is movable in three mutually perpendicular axial directions. The dispenser 12 in the sealing device 1A of this embodiment is not limited to one in which the nozzle 121 is movable in three mutually perpendicular axial directions, and other dispensers such as a four-axis dispenser may be used.

[0027] The fixture 11 is composed of a pair of plate-like members so as to be able to clamp the tab leads 23a, 23b from both sides of the tab leads 23a, 23b. As described above, the tab leads 23 are formed to a thickness of approximately 10 to 100 μm and are therefore easily deformed or damaged by external stress, such as contact with other members. In the sealing device 1A of this embodiment, fixing the tab leads 23 with the fixture 11 can prevent the tab leads 23 from being deformed due to contact with the nozzle 121 and / or the sealant 13 discharged from the nozzle 121. The clamping method by the fixture 11 is not limited as long as it can prevent deformation of the tab leads 23. For example, the fixture 11 may clamp the entire tab leads 23 or may clamp only a portion of the tab leads 23.

[0028] The nozzle 121 dispenses the sealant 13 into the opening 241 of the container 24 while the fixing device 11 is holding the tab lead 23 therebetween.

[0029] As indicated by the reference symbol 300B, the nozzle 121 of the dispenser 12 moves, for example, along a path from position P1 to position P2 in order to apply the sealant 13 over the entire area of ​​the opening 241. At this time, the nozzle 121 moves while maintaining a certain distance from the fixture 11 so as not to come into contact with the fixture 11 that clamps the tab lead 23.

[0030] <Manufacturing method of battery 2> Next, a method for manufacturing the battery 2 in this embodiment will be described. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure for manufacturing the battery 2 in this embodiment.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 4, in the manufacturing method of the battery 2 in this embodiment, first, the electrode body 21, the current collector 22, and the tab lead 23 having one end 231 connected to the current collector 22 are inserted into the container 24 (step S1, insertion process).

[0032] Next, the tab lead 23, which is connected to the current collector 22 contained in the container 24 and extends from the current collector 22 to the outside of the container 24, is clamped by a pair of fixing devices 11 outside the container 24, and sealant 13 is ejected into the opening 241 of the container 24 (step S2: ejection process).

[0033] Next, the fixing tool 11 is removed, and the sealant 13 is solidified (step S3: solidification step).

[0034] As described above, the sealing device 1A in this embodiment includes a fixture 11 that is connected to the current collector 22 housed in the container 24 and clamps the tab lead 23 extending from the current collector 22 to the outside of the container 24 outside the container 24, thereby limiting deformation of the tab lead 23, and a nozzle 121 that ejects sealant 13 into the opening 241 of the container 24 while the fixture 11 is clamping the tab lead 23.

[0035] According to the above configuration, sealant 13 can be discharged from nozzle 121 in a state in which tab lead 23 is held between fixture 11. This reduces the possibility that tab lead 23 will be deformed by the discharged sealant 13. Furthermore, because tab lead 23 is held between fixture 11, even if nozzle 121 comes into contact with tab lead 23 or fixture 11, the possibility that tab lead 23 will be deformed can be reduced.

[0036] [Embodiment 2] A second embodiment of the present invention will be described below. For ease of explanation, the same reference numerals will be used to designate components having the same functions as those described in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0037] First, the problem to be solved in this embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a region coated with the sealant 13 when the sealing device 1A in Embodiment 1 is used to coat the opening 241 of the container 24 with the highly viscous sealant 13. As shown in FIG. 5, when a highly viscous sealant 13 is used, the sealant 13 has low fluidity, which may result in an uncoated region R where the sealant 13 is not coated near the location where the fixing device 11 was located. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, an uncoated region R may be formed near the tab lead 23, resulting in the opening 241 being incompletely sealed. If air enters the battery 2 through the uncoated region R, the electrode body 21 may come into contact with moisture in the air and cause an undesired reaction, as described above.

[0038] To prevent the uncoated region R, it is conceivable to use a four-axis dispenser that can incline the nozzle from a position away from the fixture 11 and dispense the sealant 13 in an oblique direction, thereby coating the sealant 13 also near the nozzle 121. However, in this case, a complex device is required to coat the sealant 13, which increases the manufacturing cost.

[0039] In this embodiment, a sealing device is described in which a three-axis dispenser such as the dispenser 12 described in the first embodiment is used instead of a complex device such as a four-axis dispenser, and no uncoated areas of the sealant 13 are left.

[0040] 6 is a schematic diagram of the sealing unit 25 when the sealing device 1B according to the present embodiment is viewed from above. The view indicated by reference numeral 600A is a view when the nozzle 121 abuts against the gripper 31. The view indicated by reference numeral 600B is a view when the nozzle 121 is pressing the gripper 31. Hereinafter, in some cases, a direction parallel to the long side direction of the container 24 will be referred to as the X1 direction, a direction opposite to the X1 direction as the X2 direction, a direction parallel to the short side direction of the container 24 as the Y1 direction, and a direction opposite to the Y1 direction as the Y2 direction.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 6, the sealing device 1B includes a dispenser 12, a pair of grippers 31 (limiting portions), and a pair of leaf springs 14a, 14b arranged at both ends of the gripper 31, respectively.

[0042] The gripping tool 31 is a plate-shaped jig formed to a thickness of approximately 2 to 3 mm and made of metal such as stainless steel or aluminum (alloy) or a resin material such as PEEK (Poly Ether Ether Ketone). When a metal material is used, an insulating treatment is performed, such as by applying an insulating coat or insulating film to the surface. The gripping tool 31 is made up of a pair of plate-shaped members. The pair of gripping tools 31 are capable of clamping the other end 232 of the tab lead 23 outside the container 24.

[0043] One end 141a, 141b of each of the leaf springs 14a, 14b is fixed to both ends 31a, 31b of the gripping tool 31, respectively. The other end 142a, 142b of each of the leaf springs 14a, 14b is fixed to a predetermined fixing portion 15, respectively.

[0044] With the above configuration, when the nozzle 121 of the dispenser 12 presses the gripper 31 in the Y2 direction, the gripper 31 moves in the Y2 direction while clamping the tab lead 23, as shown by reference symbol 600B. As the gripper 31 moves, the leaf springs 14a and 14b are pressed in the Y2 direction and elastically deformed. When the pressure on the gripper 31 by the nozzle 121 is released, the gripper 31 returns to its original position due to the urging force of the leaf springs 14a and 14b, as shown by reference symbol 600A.

[0045] Next, a sealing method using the sealing device 1B of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the operation of the sealing device 1B. The diagram indicated by reference numeral 700A is a plan view showing the state of the sealing device 1B at the start of operation. The diagram indicated by reference numeral 700B is a cross-sectional view showing the state of the sealing device 1B at the start of operation. The diagram indicated by reference numeral 700C is a plan view showing the state of the sealing device 1B during operation. The diagram indicated by reference numeral 700D is a cross-sectional view showing the state of the sealing device 1B during operation.

[0046] As indicated by reference numeral 700A, the nozzle 121 is located at a position P3 away from the tab lead 23 and the gripping tool 31 when the sealing device 1B starts to operate.

[0047] When the operation of the sealing device 1B starts, the nozzle 121 moves in the X1 direction while discharging the sealant 13. When the nozzle 121 moves to position P4 near the end of the opening 241, the nozzle 121 changes direction and moves in the Y1 direction. The nozzle 121 that has moved in the Y1 direction comes into contact with the side surface 111 of the gripping tool 31, as shown by reference numeral 700C. The nozzle 121 that has come into contact with the side surface 111 of the gripping tool 31 further moves in the Y1 direction while pressing the gripping tool 31 in the Y1 direction.

[0048] The gripping tool 31, pressed in the Y1 direction by the nozzle 121, moves in the Y1 direction while clamping the tab lead 23. Here, as described above, the other end 232 of the tab lead 23 is clamped by the pair of gripping tools 31 outside the container 24. Meanwhile, one end 231 of the tab lead 23 is connected to the current collector 22. Therefore, as shown by reference numeral 700D, the other end 232 of the tab lead 23 moves in the Y1 direction together with the gripping tool 31 while the one end 231 of the tab lead 23 is connected to the current collector 22. At this time, the tab lead 23 is gently bent due to the movement of the other end 232, but since it is firmly fixed by the gripping tool 31, deformation of the tab lead 23 can be prevented.

[0049] Nozzle 121 presses gripper 31, thereby moving gripper 31, and a space for nozzle 121 to dispense sealant 13 can be secured near tab lead 23. Therefore, nozzle 121 can dispense sealant 13 also near tab lead 23. Furthermore, by using nozzle 121 to press and move gripper 31, there is no need to provide a separate mechanism for moving gripper 31, which can simplify the device.

[0050] When the pressure on the gripping tool 31 by the nozzle 121 is released, the gripping tool 31 returns to its original position due to the biasing force of the leaf springs 14a and 14b, as shown by the reference numeral 600A.

[0051] As described above, the sealing device 1B in this embodiment includes a gripping tool 31 that clamps the tab lead 23 extending from the current collector 22 to the outside of the container 24 outside the container 24, thereby limiting deformation of the tab lead 23, and a nozzle 121 that ejects sealant 13 into the opening 241 of the container 24 while the gripping tool 31 is clamping the tab lead 23.

[0052] According to the above configuration, the sealant 13 can be discharged from the nozzle 121 in a state in which the tab lead 23 is held by the gripping tool 31. This reduces the possibility that the tab lead 23 will be deformed by the discharged sealant 13. Furthermore, because the tab lead 23 is held by the gripping tool 31, even if the nozzle 121 comes into contact with the tab lead 23 or the gripping tool 31, the possibility that the tab lead 23 will be deformed can be reduced.

[0053] Furthermore, in the sealing device 1B of the present embodiment, the gripping tool 31 is movable while clamping the tab lead 23. This allows the gripping tool 31 to be moved to apply the sealant 13. Therefore, even when the nozzle 121 that can be moved in three axial directions is used, the sealant 13 can be applied to the periphery of the tab lead 23.

[0054] In the sealing device 1B of the present embodiment, the gripper 31 clamping the tab lead 23 moves when pressed by the nozzle 121, causing the gripper 31 to move relative to the container 24, but the sealing device of the present embodiment is not limited to this. In one aspect of the sealing device of the present embodiment, the gripper 31 may be configured to be movable relative to the container 24 by moving the container 24 with the gripper 31 clamping the tab lead 23.

[0055] In this embodiment, the application of the sealant 13 to the right side (Y2 side) of the tab lead 23 has been described, but the sealant 13 can also be applied in the same manner to the left side (Y1 side) of the tab lead 23. In this case, the nozzle 121 is located to the left of the tab lead 23, and the sealant 13 can be applied while pressing the gripper 31 in the Y2 direction.

[0056] [Embodiment 3] A third embodiment of the present invention will be described below. For ease of explanation, the same reference numerals will be used to designate components having the same functions as those described in the first or second embodiment, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0057] In sealing device 1B in embodiment 2, gripping tool 31 is fixed to leaf springs 14a and 14b, and gripping tool 31 moves when pressed by nozzle 121, and gripping tool 31 returns to its original position due to the urging force of leaf springs 14a and 14b when the pressure by nozzle 121 is released. In this embodiment, a sealing device 1C that can move gripping tool 31 using a different configuration from sealing device 1B will be described.

[0058] 8 is a schematic diagram showing the sealing device 1C according to this embodiment when viewed from above. The view indicated by reference numeral 800A is a plan view showing the sealing device 1C. The view indicated by reference numeral 800B is a cross-sectional view showing the sealing device 1C after the gripping tool 41 has been moved.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 8, the sealing device 1C includes a gripper 41, a dispenser 12, guide rails 16a and 16b, and sliders 17a and 17b.

[0060] Grip 41 is capable of clamping the other end 232 of tab lead 23 outside container 24. Grip 41 is composed of a pair of plate-like members 41A and 41B. The pair of plate-like members 41A and 41B are connected by a connecting portion (not shown). As a result, grip 41 is configured so that plate-like member 41B moves in accordance with the movement of plate-like member 41A. With grip 41 clamping the other end 232 of tab lead 23, both ends 41a and 41b of plate-like member 41A can be fixed to sliders 17a and 17b, respectively.

[0061] Guide rails 16a, 16b and sliders 17a, 17b are a movement mechanism that moves gripper 41 in a direction parallel to the short side direction of container 24. Guide rails 16a, 16b extend in a direction parallel to the short side direction of container 24. Sliders 17a, 17b are attached to guide rails 16a, 16b so as to be slidable on guide rails 16a, 16b, respectively. Sliders 17a, 17b move while sliding on guide rails 16a, 16b by being driven by an actuator (not shown). In one embodiment of the present disclosure, sliders 17a, 17b may be moved using the elastic force of an elastic member such as a spring.

[0062] 8, in the sealing device 1C, by moving the sliders 17a and 17b in a direction parallel to the long side direction of the container 24 by the actuator, the gripper 41 fixed to the sliders 17a and 17b can be moved in a direction parallel to the long side direction of the container 24. This makes it possible to ensure a space near the tab lead 23 for the dispenser 12 to dispense the sealant 13. Therefore, the dispenser 12 can dispense the sealant 13 also near the tab lead 23.

[0063] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0064] 〔summary〕 A sealing device according to a first aspect of the present disclosure is a sealing device used to seal an opening in the manufacture of a battery including an electrode body, a current collector that collects power generated by the electrode body, a container that houses the electrode body and the current collector, and a thin-film or plate-like tab lead that extracts power from the current collector to the outside of the container through an opening of the container, and includes: a limiting portion that is connected to the current collector housed in the container and clamps the tab lead extending from the current collector to the outside of the container outside the container to limit deformation of the tab lead; and a discharging portion that discharges a sealant into the opening of the container while the tab lead is clamped by the limiting portion.

[0065] A sealing device according to a second aspect of the present disclosure is based on the first aspect, and the restricting portion may be movable while clamping the tab lead.

[0066] A sealing device according to a third aspect of the present disclosure is the sealing device of the first or second aspect, wherein the restricting portion is movable by being pressed by the discharging portion.

[0067] A battery manufacturing method according to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure is a method for manufacturing a battery including an electrode assembly, a current collector that collects power generated by the electrode assembly, a container that houses the electrode assembly and the current collector, and a thin-film or plate-like tab lead that extracts power from the current collector to the outside of the container through an opening in the container, the method including an insertion step of inserting the electrode assembly, the current collector, and a tab lead having one end connected to the current collector into the container; a discharge step of discharging a sealant into the opening while the tab lead, which is connected to the current collector housed in the container and extends from the current collector to the outside of the container, is clamped outside the container; and a solidification step of solidifying the sealant. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 1A~1C Sealing device 2 batteries 11 Fixture (restriction part) 13 Sealant 21 Electrode body 22 Current collector 23, 23a, 23b Tab Lead 24 Container 31, 41 Gripping tool (limiting part) 121 Nozzle (discharge part) 241 Opening

Claims

1. A sealing device used to seal an opening in the manufacture of a battery including an electrode body, a current collector that collects power generated by the electrode body, a container that houses the electrode body and the current collector, and a thin-film or plate-like tab lead that extracts power from the current collector to the outside of the container through an opening of the container, a limiting portion connected to the current collector accommodated in the container and configured to clamp the tab lead, which extends from the current collector to the outside of the container, outside the container to limit deformation of the tab lead; a discharge portion that discharges a sealant into the opening of the container while the restricting portion is holding the tab lead; A sealing device comprising:

2. The sealing device according to claim 1 , wherein the restricting portion is capable of moving relative to the container while clamping the tab lead.

3. The sealing device according to claim 2 , wherein the restricting portion is movable by being pressed by the discharge portion.

4. A method for manufacturing a battery comprising: an electrode assembly; a current collector that collects power generated by the electrode assembly; a container that houses the electrode assembly and the current collector; and a thin-film or plate-like tab lead that extracts power from the current collector to the outside of the container through an opening of the container, an insertion step of inserting the electrode body, the current collector, and a tab lead having one end connected to the current collector into the container; a discharging step of discharging a sealant into the opening while the tab lead, which is connected to the current collector housed in the container and extends from the current collector to the outside of the container, is held outside the container; and a solidification step of solidifying the sealant.

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