Lamination machine and lamination method

Abstract

To provide a lamination machine and a lamination method for a lamination machine.SOLUTION: A lamination machine 1 includes two length-adjusting mechanisms 10, a lamination support platform 12 and a pressing mechanism 14. Each of the two length-adjusting mechanisms includes a plurality of direction guiding rollers 100. The lamination support platform includes a plurality of pressing members 120, a plurality of feeding rollers 122 and a plurality of feed-out rollers 124. The pressing members can be laminated in a uniaxial direction. The feeding rollers, the feed-out rollers and a direction guiding rollers pull a lamination film 3 and make them pass through the pressing members in order. The pressing mechanism brings pressing force to the pressing members, and synchronously presses the lamination film located on the pressing members.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This application claims priority to Taiwan Patent Application No. 113111525, filed with the Taiwan Patent Office on March 27, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a lamination machine and method, and more particularly to a lamination machine and method for a plurality of battery cells stacked in a uniaxial direction. [Background technology]

[0003] One method of manufacturing a battery cell in which electrode layers are stacked is currently to form a stacked structure by sequentially arranging and stacking a first current collector plate, a positive electrode, a separator, a negative electrode, and a second current collector plate. The stacked structure is then compressed by an external force to firmly bond the layers together and complete the fabrication of the battery cell. However, in existing methods, one horizontal lamination machine is used to laminate a single cell at a time. Therefore, to fabricate multiple battery cells at once, multiple horizontal stacking machines must be laid out horizontally, occupying a larger floor space. Furthermore, the differences between these horizontal stacking machines also result in differences in the individual battery cells produced in a single batch. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, one object of the present invention is to provide a stacking machine and a stacking method that can synchronously press a plurality of battery cells stacked in a single axis direction. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned problems, the lamination machine disclosed in the present invention includes two length adjustment mechanisms, a lamination support platform, and a pressing mechanism. The two length adjustment mechanisms are capable of horizontal movement. Each of the two length adjustment mechanisms includes a plurality of direction guide rollers. The lamination support platform is disposed between the two length adjustment mechanisms. The lamination support platform includes a plurality of pressing members, a plurality of feed rollers, and a plurality of outfeed rollers. The pressing members are stacked in a single axial direction. Each of the direction guide rollers is disposed between two adjacent pressing members in the side view direction. The feed roller is disposed at the infeed end of the pressing member, and the outfeed roller is disposed at the outfeed end of the pressing member. The pressing mechanism is disposed between the two length adjustment mechanisms. The feed roller, outfeed roller, and direction guide roller pull the lamination film and pass it through the pressing members in sequence. The pressing mechanism applies a pressing force to the pressing members, synchronously pressing the lamination film positioned on the pressing members.

[0006] The present invention also discloses a lamination method. providing a lamination machine including two length adjustment mechanisms and a lamination support platform disposed between the two length adjustment mechanisms, the lamination support platform including a plurality of uniaxially stacked pressing members; Pulling the laminated film and passing it through pressing members in sequence; synchronously pressing the laminated film located on the pressing member to form a first laminated structure; winding the laminated film to a first predetermined length; synchronously pressing the laminated film located on the pressing member to form a second laminated structure, a portion of the second laminated structure being adjacent to a portion of the first laminated structure; winding the laminated film to a second predetermined length; Repeating the above steps to continuously press the laminated film. wherein the total number of pressing members is N, and N is a natural number equal to or greater than 2, the first predetermined length is the length of a single pressing member, and the second predetermined length is 2N-1 times the length of the single pressing member; When the total number of pressing members is 2N+1, where N is a natural number, both the first predetermined length and the second predetermined length are 2N+1 times the length of a single pressing member.

[0007] Thus, the stacked support platform has multiple pressing members stacked in a single vertical direction (also referred to as the z-axis direction). Therefore, the pressing mechanism can synchronously press the laminated films that pass through the pressing member and are supported by the pressing member, thereby forming a plurality of laminated structures. In one embodiment, the laminate film may be an electrode laminate strip. In this case, the lamination machine and lamination method according to the present invention can press the electrode lamination strips to form several battery cell structures simultaneously. This can significantly reduce processing time. Additionally, the pressing members are stacked in a single vertical direction. Based on the goal of synchronously forming several battery cell structures, the floor space occupied by the lamination machine of the present invention can be significantly reduced compared to the floor space occupied by some conventional horizontal lamination machines. Furthermore, the present invention avoids the drawback of performance differences between individual battery cells processed through various conventional machines.

[0008] Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

[0009] The present invention will be more fully understood from the detailed description set forth below, which is by way of example only and is therefore not intended to be limiting of the invention. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a lamination machine according to one embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic diagram of a laminate film that is an electrode laminate strip according to the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a flow chart illustrating a lamination method according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic diagram of pressing a laminated film according to the present invention, in which the total number of pressing members is N, where N is an odd number. [Figure 5] 1 is a schematic diagram of pressing a laminated film according to the present invention, in which the total number of pressing members is N, where N is an even number. [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic diagram of pressing a laminated film according to the present invention, in which the total number of pressing members is 2N+1. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a lamination machine according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a lamination machine according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Please refer to FIG. 1, which is a schematic diagram of a lamination machine 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the lamination machine 1 includes two length adjustment mechanisms 10, a lamination support platform 12, a pressing mechanism 14, an unwinding mechanism 16, a winding mechanism 18, two positioning sensors 20, and two end position controllers (EPCs) 22. The stacking support platform 12 is disposed between the two length adjustment mechanisms 10 . The lamination support platform 12 includes a plurality of pressure members 120, a plurality of infeed rollers 122, and a plurality of outfeed rollers . The pressing members 120 are stacked in a single axial direction. In this embodiment, the pressing members 120 are stacked along the vertical direction (also called the z-direction) to form an upright working platform for carrying the laminate and performing the pressing process. In this embodiment, each of the pressing members 120 is composed of an upper pressing member 120a and a corresponding lower pressing member 120b.

[0013] Each of the two length adjustment mechanisms 10 includes a plurality of direction guide rollers 100 . Each of the direction guide rollers 100 is disposed outside the pressing members 120, and corresponds to a position between two adjacent pressing members 120 in the side view direction. The infeed roller 122 is disposed within an infeed end 1200 of the pressure member 120 , and the outfeed roller 124 is disposed within an outfeed end 1202 of the pressure member 120 . In this embodiment, the delivery end 1202 of a push member 120 is adjacent to and opposite the delivery end 1200 of an adjacent push member 120 . The direction guide roller 100 is located between the feed roller 122 and the feed roller 124 in the side view direction. Therefore, the laminated film 3 is pulled back and forth so as to form an S-shape via the feed roller 122, the feed roller 124 and the direction guide roller 100, and passes through the pressing member 120 in order.

[0014] An unwinding mechanism 16 is disposed on one side of the stacking support platform 12 and a take-up mechanism 18 is disposed on the other side of the stacking support platform 12 . One end of the laminated film 3 is taken up on the unwinding mechanism 16, and is guided back and forth via the feed roller 122, the feed roller 124 and the direction guide roller 100, and passes through the pressing member 120 in this order. The other end of the laminate film 3 is then wound up on a winding mechanism 18 . The unwinding mechanism 16 may have a magnetic particle brake or torque control function to control the unwinding of the laminate film 3. The winding mechanism 18 may have a motor for winding the laminate film 3 . Moreover, two end position controllers 22 are disposed corresponding to the unwinding mechanism 16 and the winding mechanism 18, respectively, to control the end positions of the laminating film 3. It should be noted that the operating principle of the end position controller 22 is well known to those skilled in the art, and therefore a repeated description will be omitted.

[0015] The two length adjustment mechanisms 10 are horizontally movable relative to the lamination support platform 12 so as to adjust the length of the lamination film 3 that is not positioned on the pressing member 120 . In this embodiment, each of the two length adjustment mechanisms 10 further includes a support post 102 and two moving elements 104 . Two moving elements 104 are disposed on both ends of the support 102 , and the direction guide roller 100 is disposed on the support 102 . The moving element 104 is horizontally movable to drive the support 102 and the directional guide roller 100 to move horizontally. Therefore, the non-pressed section, which is the length of the laminated film 3 that is not located within the pressing member 120, can be increased or decreased. The moving elements 104 may consist of, for example, sliders or rollers.

[0016] In one embodiment, the length of the laminated film 3 located between two adjacent pressing members 120, i.e., the non-pressed section, is equal to the length of the laminated film 3 located on one of the pressing members 120, i.e., the pressed section. Thus, continuous compression can be achieved without any dead sections that are not compressed.

[0017] The pressing mechanism 14 is disposed between the two length adjusting mechanisms 10 and applies a pressing force to the pressing members 120 to synchronously press the laminating film 3 positioned on the pressing members 120 . The pressing mechanism 14 may be, but is not limited to, a hydraulic mechanism configured to lift the pressing member 120 . In this case, the pressing member 120 is lifted and moved upward to press the laminated film 3 located on the pressing member 120 . Furthermore, the pressing member 120 can provide heat energy to some of the materials in the laminated film 3 to harden them and form a laminated structure such as a battery cell. While the pressing member 120 is lifted, the direction guide roller 100 is pulled by the laminated film 3, and the laminated film 3 is wound on the direction guide roller 100 and moves up and down.

[0018] Please refer to FIG. 2, which is a schematic diagram of an electrode laminate film 3 according to the present invention.

[0019] In this embodiment, the laminated film 3 is an electrode laminated strip shown in FIG. For example, the electrode stack may include a first current collector 30 , a positive electrode 32 , a separator 34 and / or an electrolyte layer (not shown), a negative electrode 36 , and a second current collector 38 . Additionally, the electrode laminate strip includes an adhesive frame 40 between the first current collector plate 30 and the second current collector plate 38 . An adhesive frame 40 surrounds the sides of the positive electrode 32 , separator 34 and / or electrolyte layer, and negative electrode 36 . The material of the adhesive frame 40 is selected from thermoplastic resin materials or thermosetting materials. The adhesive frame 40 may be a layered structure. For example, the top layer of the adhesive frame 40 is made of a material that can firmly adhere to the first current collector plate 30 . The bottom layer of the adhesive frame 40 is made from a material that can firmly adhere to the second current collector plate 38 . The middle layer, located between the top and bottom layers of the adhesive frame 40, is made from a material that can firmly adhere to the top and bottom layers. The material of the middle layer may be the top and bottom layer of modified material. During the pressing process, the heat energy provided by the pressing member 120 causes some materials of the adhesive frame 40 or the adhesive of the positive electrode 32, the negative electrode 36 and the separator 34 to bond and harden. The material of the adhesive frame 40 is selected from, for example, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT), polyimide (PI), or silicone. Therefore, the stacking machine 1 of the present invention can synchronously press multiple battery cells stacked on a single axis, significantly shortening the processing time. Also, since the pressing members 120 are stacked in a single axis direction, the space occupied by using a horizontal pressing platform to synchronously press several battery cells can be significantly reduced. Furthermore, the drawback of performance differences between individual battery cells processed through various conventional machines can be avoided. Furthermore, when the laminating film 3 is an electrode lamination strip, the radius of the rollers used in the lamination machine according to the present invention, such as the unwinding mechanism 16, the direction guide roller 100 or the winding mechanism 18, is preferably greater than 75 centimeters so that the positive electrode 32 or the negative electrode 36 does not crack due to bending.

[0020] In this embodiment, two positioning sensors 20 are disposed corresponding to the pressing members 120. For example, one of the positioning sensors 20 is arranged corresponding to the infeed end 1200 of the top pressing member 120, and the other of the positioning sensors 20 is arranged corresponding to the outfeed end 1202 of the bottom pressing member 120, but this is not limited to this. Each of the two positioning sensors 20 is configured to detect a positioning point P on the laminated film 3 . Generally, the positioning point P is located on a current collecting plate. During the pressing step, when the laminated film 3 is pressed, the positioning point P is moved. In this case, the two length adjusting mechanisms 10 are controlled so that the direction guide roller 100 pulls the laminated film 3 and moves the positioning point P back to the original detection position corresponding to the two positioning sensors 20 .

[0021] Please refer to FIG. 3, which is a flow chart illustrating a lamination method according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] In the lamination method of Fig. 3, the lamination machine 1 of Fig. 1 is applied, and therefore the details of the lamination machine 1 will not be repeated. First, in step S10, the laminated film 3 is pulled by the feed roller 122 and the feed roller 124 and passed through the pressing member 120 in order. The laminated film 3 is pulled back and forth via the feed roller 122, the feed roller 124 and the direction guide roller 100. Next, in step S12, the laminated film 3 positioned on the pressing member 120 is pressed synchronously to form a first laminated structure. In step S14, the laminated film 3 is wound up to a first predetermined length. In step S16, the laminated film 3 positioned on the pressing member 120 is pressed synchronously to form a second laminated structure. A portion of the second laminated structure is adjacent to a portion of the first laminated structure. Next, in step S18, the laminated film 3 is wound up to a second predetermined length. Finally, the above steps are repeated to continuously press the laminated film 3 .

[0023] In one embodiment, when the total number of pressing members 120 is N, where N is a natural number greater than or equal to 2, the first predetermined length is the length of a single pressing member 120, and the second predetermined length is 2N-1 times the length of a single pressing member 120.

[0024] See FIG. 4, which is a schematic diagram of pressing a laminated film according to the present invention. The total number of pressing members is N, where N is an odd number.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 4, the total number of pressing members A to E is five, that is, N=5. The length of each of the pressing members A to E is L, and the first predetermined length is also L. The second predetermined length is 9L. In the first pressing, the first laminated structure A1 to E1 is formed. Next, the laminated film 3 is wound up to a first predetermined length L. Thereafter, a second pressing is carried out to form second laminate structures A2 to E2. After the second pressing, the laminated film 3 is wound up to a second predetermined length 9L. Thereafter, a third pressing is carried out to form first laminate structures A3 to E3. After the third pressing, the laminated film 3 is wound up to the first predetermined length L. Next, a fourth pressing is performed to form second laminate structures A4 to E4. Thus, continuous compression can be achieved without any dead sections that are not compressed.

[0026] See FIG. 5, which is a schematic diagram of pressing a laminated film according to the present invention. The total number of pressing members is N, where N is an even number.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 5, the total number of pressing members A to F is six, that is, N=6. The length of each of the pressing members A to F is L, and the first predetermined length is also L. The second predetermined length is 11L. In the first pressing, the first laminated structures A1 to F1 are formed. Next, the laminated film 3 is wound up to a first predetermined length L. Thereafter, a second pressing is carried out to form second laminate structures A2 to F2. After the second pressing, the laminated film 3 is wound up to a second predetermined length 11L. Thereafter, a third pressing is carried out to form first laminate structures A3 to F3. After the third pressing, the laminated film 3 is wound up to the first predetermined length L. Next, a fourth pressing is performed to form second laminate structures A4 to F4. Thus, continuous compression can be achieved without any dead sections that are not compressed.

[0028] In another embodiment, when the total number of pressing members 120 is 2N+1, where N is a natural number, both the first predetermined length and the second predetermined length are 2N+1 times the length of a single pressing member 120.

[0029] See FIG. 6, which is a schematic diagram of pressing a laminated film according to the present invention. The total number of pressing members is 2N+1.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 6, the total number of pressing members A to E is five, that is, N=2. The length of each of the pressing members A to E is L, and the first predetermined length and the second predetermined length are 5L. In the first pressing, the first laminated structure A1 to E1 is formed. Next, the laminated film 3 is wound up to a first predetermined length 5L. Thereafter, a second pressing is carried out to form second laminate structures A2 to E2. After the second pressing, the laminated film 3 is wound up to a second predetermined length 5L. Thereafter, a third pressing is carried out to form first laminate structures A3 to E3. After the third pressing, the laminated film 3 is wound up to the first predetermined length 5L. Next, a fourth pressing is performed to form second laminate structures A4 to E4. Thus, continuous compression can be achieved without any dead sections that are not compressed.

[0031] Note that before pressing, the laminated film 3 has a leading section. See Figures 4 to 6. The leading section may be compressible. However, at the start of the first press, the leading segment is not used.

[0032] Please refer to FIG. 7, which is a schematic diagram of a lamination machine according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Compared to the laminating machine 1 of FIG. 1, the laminating machine 1 ′ further includes a storage shelf 24 . The storage shelf 24 is disposed on one side of the stacking support platform 12 and includes a plurality of storage rollers 240, as shown in FIG. At least one of the storage rollers 240 is movable. The laminated film 3 is stored in a storage shelf 24 after being pressed through the laminating machine 1'. A storage roller 240 located in the upper portion is movable up and down to increase or decrease the width of the laminate structure being stored. Furthermore, if the laminate film 3 is an electrode laminate strip, the radius of the storage roller 240 is preferably greater than 75 centimeters to prevent the positive or negative electrodes from cracking due to bending.

[0034] Please refer to FIG. 8, which is a schematic diagram of a lamination machine according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Compared with the laminating machine 1 of FIG. 1, the pressing mechanism 14 of the laminating machine 1'' includes a plurality of air bags 140, as shown in FIG. Each of the airbags 140 is disposed on one of two adjacent pressing members 120 and configured to press the other pressing member 120 .

[0036] Thus, a hydraulic mechanism or an air bag may be used to assist in the pressing mechanism of the present invention.

[0037] Thus, the laminating machine of the present invention includes a plurality of press members stacked in a single axis. Therefore, the pressing members can synchronously press the laminated films positioned on the pressing members to form a laminated structure. In one embodiment, the laminate film is a laminate structure that creates a battery cell. In this case, the lamination machine and lamination method of the present invention can press the lamination film passing through the pressing member to form several battery cells synchronously. Processing time can be significantly reduced. Since the pressing members are stacked in a single axial direction, the floor space occupied by these pressing members can be significantly reduced. In a limited space, several battery cells can be pressed simultaneously in one pressing step. Furthermore, the drawback of performance differences between individual battery cells processed through various conventional machines can be avoided.

[0038] The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the above description may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and all such variations, as would be apparent to those skilled in the art, are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A lamination machine, comprising: two length adjustment mechanisms capable of horizontal movement, each of the two length adjustment mechanisms including a plurality of direction guide rollers; a stacked support platform disposed between the two length adjustment mechanisms, a plurality of pressing members stacked in a single axial direction, each of the direction guide rollers being disposed between two of the pressing members; a plurality of infeed rollers disposed at an infeed end of the pressing member; and a plurality of feed rollers disposed at the feed end of the pressing member; the stacked support platform including: a pressing mechanism disposed between the two length adjustment mechanisms; wherein the feed roller, the feed roller and the direction guide roller pull the laminated film and pass it through the pressing member in order, and the pressing mechanism applies a pressing force to the pressing member and synchronously presses the laminated film positioned on the pressing member.

2. 2. The lamination machine according to claim 1, wherein each of the two length adjustment mechanisms further includes a support and two moving elements disposed at both ends of the support, and the direction guide roller is disposed on the support.

3. 2. The laminating machine according to claim 1, wherein the length of the laminated film between two adjacent pressing members is equal to the length of each of the pressing members.

4. 2. The lamination machine according to claim 1, further comprising two positioning sensors, the two positioning sensors being arranged corresponding to the pressing member, and each of the two positioning sensors being configured to detect a positioning point of the lamination film.

5. 10. The lamination machine of claim 1, further comprising a storage shelf disposed on one side of the lamination support platform, the storage shelf including a plurality of storage rollers, at least one of the storage rollers being movable.

6. The laminating machine according to claim 1 , wherein the pressing mechanism is a hydraulic mechanism configured to lift the pressing member.

7. 2. The laminating machine according to claim 1, wherein the pressing mechanism includes a plurality of airbags, each of the airbags being disposed on one of the two adjacent pressing members and configured to press the other of the two adjacent pressing members.

8. 2. The lamination machine of claim 1, further comprising an unwinding mechanism and a winding mechanism, wherein the unwinding mechanism is disposed on one side of the lamination support platform and the winding mechanism is disposed on the other side of the lamination support platform, one end of the lamination film being wound onto the unwinding mechanism and the other end of the lamination film being wound onto the winding mechanism.

9. A lamination method comprising: providing a lamination machine including two length adjustment mechanisms and a lamination support platform disposed between the two length adjustment mechanisms, the lamination support platform including a plurality of uniaxially stacked pressing members; Pulling the laminated film and passing it through the pressing members in sequence; synchronously pressing the laminated film located on the pressing member to form a first laminated structure; winding the laminated film to a first predetermined length; synchronously pressing the laminated film located on the pressing member to form a second laminated structure, a portion of the second laminated structure being adjacent to a portion of the first laminated structure; winding the laminated film to a second predetermined length; repeating the steps to continuously press the laminated film; wherein the total number of the pressing members is N, and when N is a natural number equal to or greater than 2, the first predetermined length is the length of a single pressing member, and the second predetermined length is 2N-1 times the length of a single pressing member; wherein when the total number of the pressing members is 2N+1, where N is a natural number, both the first predetermined length and the second predetermined length are 2N+1 times the length of a single pressing member.

10. The lamination method according to claim 9, wherein the laminated film is an electrode laminated strip.

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