Folding device and method of manufacturing laminated battery

Abstract

To provide a folding device capable of suppressing opening of a folded portion of an edge sealing portion.SOLUTION: A folding device of the present disclosure includes a fastener to fasten an unfinished battery including an electrode body covered with a laminated film, and a block. The unfinished battery has an edge sealing portion formed by welding end portions of the laminated film together. The edge sealing portion includes a bent portion bent with respect to a main surface of the unfinished battery. The device folds the bent portion that protrudes from the fastener of the unfinished battery fastened to the fastener in a second direction orthogonal to a first direction, into the block moving relative to the fastener along the first direction. The block has a sliding surface that folds the bent portion while sliding on the bent portion moving relative to the block.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a folding device and a method for manufacturing a laminated battery. [Background technology]

[0002] To improve the volumetric efficiency of laminated batteries, the edge seal region of the exterior body made of laminated film is folded and formed by welding the edges of the laminated film together.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a battery manufacturing apparatus. The battery includes a laminated exterior body and an electrode assembly. The laminated exterior body houses the electrode assembly. In a plan view, the laminated exterior body includes a seal portion (hereinafter also referred to as an "edge seal portion") on at least a portion of its periphery. The edge seal portion includes an area where the laminated exterior body is folded. The manufacturing apparatus may include a folding device. The folding device folds the edge seal portion by rolling. The folding device includes one or more rolls. The rolls include tapered portions. In the tapered portions, the roll diameter gradually decreases toward the axial end. The folding device is configured so that, while rotating the rolls, the tapered portions are pressed against the laminated exterior body, thereby folding the laminated exterior body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-059425 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the folding device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the folded portion (hereinafter also referred to as the "folded portion") in the region of the edge seal portion may open due to springback. "Springback" refers to a phenomenon in which at least a part of the deformation caused by pressure tends to return to its original shape due to the driving force of residual stress generated by the deformation.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above circumstances. The problem to be solved by one embodiment of the present disclosure is to provide a folding device that can suppress opening of the folding portion of the edge seal portion, and a method for manufacturing a laminated battery using the folding device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The means for solving the above problems include the following embodiments.

[0008] <1> The folding device of the first aspect is The battery includes a fixture for fixing an incomplete battery having an electrode body covered with a laminate film, and a block; the unfinished battery has an edge seal region formed by welding edges of the laminate film together, the edge seal region includes a fold portion that is folded against a major surface of the unfinished battery; a device for folding the bent portion of the unfinished battery fixed to the fixture in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the bent portion extending outside the fixture, onto the block that moves relative to the fixture along a first direction, The folding device has a sliding surface that slides over the folding portion, which moves relative to the block, and folds the folding portion.

[0009] In this disclosure, the term "laminate film" refers to a film having at least a metal layer, a first resin layer laminated on one main surface of the metal layer, and a second resin layer laminated on the other main surface of the metal layer. The term "main surface of the unfinished battery" refers to the surface with the largest area among the outer surfaces of the unfinished battery.

[0010] In the folding device of the first embodiment, the block has a sliding surface that slides over the folding portion, which moves relative to the block, and folds the folding portion. This allows the block to gradually increase the folding angle as it moves relative to the folding portion, ultimately reaching 180 degrees. The "folding angle" refers to the angle between the main surface of the unfinished battery and the folding surface. In other words, the folding portion is folded only by the block. Therefore, in the first embodiment, residual stress caused by folding the folding portion is less likely to occur than in conventional methods (e.g., rolling). As a result, the folding device of the first embodiment can suppress opening of the folding portion at the edge seal portion. Therefore, the folding device of the first embodiment can efficiently fold the edge seal portion.

[0011] <2> The folding device of the second aspect is The sliding surface has a twisted surface. <1> 1 is a folding device according to the present invention.

[0012] The term "torsion surface" refers to a surface that is accompanied by a twist. The term "torsion surface" does not include both a flat surface and a simply curved surface. The term "simply curved surface" refers to a surface that does not have a twist when the generatrix moves.

[0013] The folding device of the second aspect can more effectively prevent the folding portion of the edge seal area from opening than when the sliding surface is a single flat surface.

[0014] <3> The folding device of the third aspect is The sliding surface has a plurality of planes with different inclinations. <1> 1 is a folding device according to the present invention.

[0015] The term "planes with different inclinations" refers to planes with an inclination angle of 0° relative to the main surface of the unfinished battery.

[0016] The folding device of the third embodiment can more effectively prevent the folded portion of the edge seal from opening than when the sliding surface is a single flat surface. In addition, the block of the third embodiment can more effectively prevent the folded portion from being damaged due to friction between the folded portion and the sliding surface than when the sliding surface is a single flat surface. In addition, the block of the third embodiment can be manufactured more easily than a block with a twisted sliding surface.

[0017] <4> The folding device of the fourth aspect is the block is made up of a plurality of block divisions, the number of which is the same as the number of the plurality of planes, Each of the plurality of block divisions has one of the plurality of planes. <3> 1 is a folding device according to the present invention.

[0018] The shape of the sliding surface of the block of the fourth embodiment can be adjusted to a more complex shape than when the block is composed of multiple block segments. As a result, the folding device of the fourth embodiment can further prevent the folding portion of the edge seal area from opening.

[0019] <5> The method for producing a laminated battery of the fifth aspect includes the steps of: The aforementioned <1> ~ <4> A method for manufacturing a laminated battery using the folding device according to any one of the above, preparing a battery with a fixture including the unfinished battery and the fixture fixing the unfinished battery; and moving the block in the first direction relative to the battery with the fastener to fold the battery while sliding the folding portion against the sliding surface.

[0020] The manufacturing method of the fifth embodiment makes it possible to efficiently manufacture laminated type batteries. [Effects of the Invention]

[0021] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a folding device capable of suppressing opening of a folding portion of an edge seal region, and a method for manufacturing a laminated battery using the folding device are provided. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a laminated battery according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the folding device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an external view of the block according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an external view of a block according to the second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an external view of a block according to the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] In the present disclosure, a numerical range indicated using "to" means a range that includes the numerical values ​​before and after "to" as the minimum and maximum values, respectively. In numerical ranges described in stages in the present disclosure, the upper or lower limit value described in a certain numerical range may be replaced with the upper or lower limit value of another numerical range described in stages. In the present disclosure, a combination of two or more preferred embodiments is a more preferred embodiment. In the present disclosure, the term "process" includes not only an independent process, but also a process that cannot be clearly distinguished from other processes, as long as the intended purpose of the process is achieved.

[0024] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a folding device and a manufacturing method of a laminated battery according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will not be repeated.

[0025] (1) First embodiment The laminated battery manufacturing method according to the first embodiment is a method for manufacturing a laminated battery 1 (hereinafter also referred to as "battery 1") from an unfinished battery 1a (not shown) using a folding device 100A. The manufacturing method includes a preparation step, a first folding step, a folding step, and a second folding step. The preparation step, first folding step, folding step, and second folding step are performed in this order.

[0026] (1.1) Laminated battery As shown in Fig. 1, the battery 1 includes an outer casing 10, an electrode assembly 20, and a pair of terminals 30. One of the pair of terminals 30 is a positive terminal. The other of the pair of terminals 30 is a negative terminal. The electrode assembly 20 is a rectangular parallelepiped.

[0027] In the first embodiment, the longitudinal direction of the main surface S20 of the electrode body 20 is defined as the X-axis direction, the lateral direction of the main surface S20 of the electrode body 20 is defined as the Y-axis direction, and the thickness direction of the electrode body 20 is defined as the Z-axis direction. The X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are each perpendicular to one another. The X-axis direction is an example of a first direction. The Y-axis direction is an example of a second direction. Note that these directions do not limit the orientation of the laminated battery of the present disclosure during use.

[0028] The pair of terminals 30 are arranged opposite each other with the electrode body 20 interposed therebetween. Each of the pair of terminals 30 is electrically connected to the electrode body 20. The exterior body 10 covers the electrode body 20. The electrode body 20 is sealed by the pair of terminals 30 and the exterior body 10.

[0029] (1.1.1) Exterior body The exterior body 10 is made of a single laminate film. As shown in FIG. 2, the exterior body 10 has a storage area R10A and an edge seal area R10B. The storage area R10A stores the electrode assembly 20. The edge seal area R10B is formed by welding together the ends of the laminate film. The edge seal area R10B has a first bent area R10B10 and a first non-bent area R10B20. The first bent area R10B10 has a second bent area R10B11 and a second non-bent area R10B12. The first bent area R10B10 is bent relative to the main surface S20 of the electrode assembly 20. In the first embodiment, the bending angle θA (see FIG. 2) of the bent area R10B10 relative to the main surface S20 is, for example, 90°. The non-bending portion R10B20 extends in the positive Y direction from the end portion on the negative Z direction side of the side surface on the positive Y direction side of the accommodation portion R10A. The second bend portion R10B11 is bent relative to the main surface S20 of the electrode body 20. The second bend portion R10B11 and the second non-bending portion R10B12 face each other.

[0030] The laminate film is formed by laminating an outer insulating layer, a metal layer, and an inner insulating layer in this order. The thickness of the laminate film may be 70 μm to 220 μm. The outer insulating layer functions as a protective layer for the metal layer. Examples of materials for the outer insulating layer include polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and nylon. The metal layer blocks the passage of gas (e.g., moisture or air) between the outside and inside of the battery 1. Examples of materials for the metal layer include aluminum, aluminum alloys, and stainless steel. The inner insulating layer electrically insulates the pair of terminals 30 and the electrode body 20 from the metal layer. Examples of materials for the inner insulating layer include polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE).

[0031] (1.1.2) Electrode body The electrode body 20 functions as a power generating element of the battery 1. The electrode body 20 is covered with a laminate film. The electrode body 20 may be a known electrode body. The electrode body 20 may have a plurality of unit electrode bodies. The unit electrode body may include a so-called solid electrolyte (the content of the electrolytic solution as the electrolyte is less than 5 mass% of the total amount of the electrolyte) that uses an inorganic solid electrolyte as the electrolyte. The unit electrode body may have a structure in which a positive electrode current collector, a positive electrode layer, a solid electrolyte layer, a negative electrode layer, and a negative electrode current collector are stacked in this order along the Z-axis direction.

[0032] (1.1.3) Terminal The terminal 30 is a rectangular parallelepiped object. When viewed from the Z-axis direction, the terminal 30 has a U-shape. The terminal 30 may be made of a metal (for example, stainless steel (SUS)).

[0033] (1.2) Unfinished battery The unfinished battery 1a is similar to the battery 1 except that the first bent portion R10B10, the second bent portion R10B11, and the second non-bent portion R10B12 are not formed.

[0034] (1.3) Folding device In the first embodiment, a folding device 100A is used in the first folding step, the folding step, and the second folding step. The folding device 100A forms the first folding region R10B10. As shown in FIG. 3, the folding device 100A includes a conveying section 110, an upstream roller group 120, a block 130A, a downstream roller group 140, and a fixture 150 (see FIG. 4). The upstream roller group 120, the block 130A, and the downstream roller group 140 are arranged in this order along the conveying direction D. The conveying direction D is parallel to the X-axis.

[0035] The conveying section 110 is configured to convey the unfinished battery 1a in a conveying direction D.

[0036] The upstream roller group 120 bends the second bending portion R10B11 of the unfinished battery 1a so that the bending angle θB (see FIG. 4) is between 0° and a fourth angle (e.g., 90°). A base line L1 (see FIG. 4) is the bending line. The base line L1 extends along the X-axis. This forms the unfinished battery 1b. The upstream roller group 120 includes a pair of rollers 121, a pair of rollers 122, a pair of rollers 123, and a pair of rollers 124. The pair of rollers 121, the pair of rollers 122, the pair of rollers 123, and the pair of rollers 124 are arranged in this order along the conveying direction D. The pair of rollers 121 changes the bending angle θB from 0° to a first angle (e.g., 30°). The pair of rollers 122 changes the bending angle θB from the first angle to a second angle (e.g., 60°). The pair of rollers 123 changes the bending angle θB from the second angle to a third angle (e.g., 85°). The pair of rollers 124 changes the bending angle θB from the third angle to a fourth angle (e.g., 90°). Each of the pair of rollers 121, the pair of rollers 122, the pair of rollers 123, and the pair of rollers 124 may be a known pair of rollers.

[0037] The block 130A folds the bent portion R10B11 of the unfinished battery 1b so that the bending angle θB (see FIG. 4) is between 90° and 180°. This forms the unfinished battery 1c. As shown in FIG. 4, the block 130A is a rectangular parallelepiped with a partially cutout portion. The block 130A has a sliding surface S130A that slides against the second bent portion R10B11 and a non-sliding surface S131 that does not slide against the second bent portion R10B11. The sliding surface S130A is a twisted surface (see FIG. 4). As shown in FIG. 4, the sliding surface S130A folds the second bent portion R10B11 while sliding against the second bent portion R10B11, which moves relative to the block 130A. In FIG. 4, "Viewed from X1" indicates that the block 130A is viewed from the positive direction of the X axis. "X2 view" indicates that the block 130A is viewed from the negative direction of the X axis. The symbol "S130AU" indicates the upstream portion of the sliding surface S130A in the conveying direction D. The symbol "S130AD" indicates the downstream portion of the sliding surface S130A in the conveying direction D.

[0038] The downstream roller group 140 folds the folding portion R10B10 of the unfinished battery 1c so that the folding angle θA (see FIG. 2) is between 0° and 90°. A base line L2 (see FIG. 2) is the folding line. The base line L2 extends along the X-axis. The downstream roller group 140 includes a pair of rollers 141, a pair of rollers 142, a pair of rollers 143, and a pair of rollers 144. The pair of rollers 141, the pair of rollers 142, the pair of rollers 143, and the pair of rollers 144 are arranged in this order along the conveying direction D. The pair of rollers 141 changes the bending angle θA from 0° to a fifth angle (e.g., 30°). The pair of rollers 142 changes the bending angle θA from a fifth angle to a sixth angle (e.g., 60°). The pair of rollers 143 changes the bending angle θA from a sixth angle to a seventh angle (e.g., 85°). The pair of rollers 144 changes the bending angle θA from the seventh angle to 90°. The configurations of the pair of rollers 141, the pair of rollers 142, the pair of rollers 143, and the pair of rollers 144 may each be known configurations.

[0039] The fixing device 150 fixes the unfinished battery 1a. More specifically, as the unfinished battery 1a passes through the folding device 100A, the fixing device 150 prevents the unfinished battery 1a from being displaced in the Y-axis or Z-axis direction relative to the folding device 100A. In other words, the fixing device 150 helps ensure that the bend region R10B10 is formed as intended. The fixing device 150 may have any known configuration.

[0040] (1.4) Preparation process In the preparation step, a battery with a fixing device 200 is prepared. The battery with a fixing device 200 has an incomplete battery 1a and a fixing device 150 that fixes the incomplete battery 1a. At least a portion of the edge seal region R10B of the incomplete battery 1a protrudes from the fixing device 150. The method for preparing the battery with a fixing device 200 is a known method.

[0041] (1.5) First folding process In the first folding step, the second folding region R10B11 of the fixing device-equipped battery 200 is folded. Specifically, the second folding region R10B11 is folded by sandwiching the edge seal region R10B of the fixing device-equipped battery 200 moving in the conveying direction D between the upstream roller group 120. As a result, the fixing device-equipped battery 200 becomes an unfinished battery 1a into an unfinished battery 1b.

[0042] (1.6) Folding process In the folding process, the block 130A is moved in the first direction relative to the fastener-equipped battery 200, folding the second bend portion R10B11 while sliding it on the sliding surface S130A. Specifically, the folding device 100A folds the second bend portion R10B11 of the unfinished battery 1b, which is fixed to the fastener 150 in the Y-axis direction, onto the block 130A, which moves relative to the fastener 150 along the X-axis direction. As a result, the unfinished battery 1b of the fastener-equipped battery 200 becomes an unfinished battery 1c.

[0043] (1.7) Second folding process In the second folding step, the first folding region R10B10 of the battery with fixing device 200 is folded. More specifically, the edge seal region R10B of the battery with fixing device 200 moving in the conveying direction D is sandwiched between the downstream roller group 140, thereby folding the second folding region R10B11. As a result, the unfinished battery 1c of the battery with fixing device 200 becomes the battery 1. The battery 1 is obtained by removing the fixing device 150 from the battery with fixing device 200.

[0044] (1.8) Action and Effect 1 to 4, folding device 100A folds second bend region R10B11 of unfinished battery 1b fixed to fixture 150 in the Y-axis direction, the second bend region R10B11 protruding from fixture 150, onto block 130A that moves relative to fixture 150 along the X-axis direction. Block 130A has sliding surface S130A. As a result, the block 130A can gradually increase the bending angle θB while moving in the X-axis direction relative to the second bending region R10B11, ultimately setting it to 180 degrees. Therefore, residual stress caused by folding the second bending region R10B11 is less likely to occur than with conventional methods (e.g., rolling). As a result, the folding device 100A can suppress opening of the folded second bending region R10B11 (folded region) of the edge seal region R10B. Therefore, the folding device 100A can efficiently fold the edge seal region R10B.

[0045] As described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, in the folding device 100A, the sliding surface S130A has a twisted surface. This allows the folding device 100A to more effectively prevent the folded second folding region R10B11 (folded region) of the edge seal region R10B from opening than when the sliding surface S130A is a single flat surface.

[0046] (2) Second embodiment The method for manufacturing the laminated battery according to the second embodiment is the same as the method for manufacturing the laminated battery according to the first embodiment, except that the block 130A is replaced with the block 130B.

[0047] The laminated battery manufacturing method according to the second embodiment is a method for manufacturing a battery 1 from an unfinished battery 1a using a folding device 100B. The manufacturing method includes a preparation step, a first folding step, a folding step, and a second folding step.

[0048] (2.1) Block The folding device 100B is similar to the folding device 100A according to the first embodiment, except that the block 130B is used instead of the block 130A.

[0049] The block 130B is folded at the second bending portion R10B11 of the unfinished battery 1b so that the bending angle θB (see FIG. 5) is between 90° and 180°. As shown in FIG. 5, the block 130B is a rectangular parallelepiped with a partially cutout portion. The block 130B has a sliding surface S130B that slides against the second bending portion R10B11 and a non-sliding surface S131. The sliding surface S130B has a first inclined plane S130B1 and a second inclined plane S130B2. The first inclined plane S130B1 and the second inclined plane S130B2 are continuous surfaces. The inclination angle θC1 is larger than the inclination angle θC2. The inclination angle θC1 indicates the angle between the first inclined plane S130B1 and the main surface S20. The inclination angle θC2 indicates the angle between the second inclined plane S130B2 and the main surface S20. As shown in FIG. 5, the sliding surface S130B folds the second bending portion R10B11 while sliding against the second bending portion R10B11, which moves relative to the block 130B. In FIG. 5, "X1 view" indicates that the block 130B is viewed from the positive direction of the X axis. "X2 view" indicates that the block 130B is viewed from the negative direction of the X axis. The symbol "S130BU" indicates a portion of the sliding surface S130B on the upstream side of the conveying direction D. The symbol "S130BD" indicates a portion of the sliding surface S130B on the downstream side of the conveying direction D.

[0050] (2.2) Action and Effects 5, the second embodiment is similar to the first embodiment except that the block 130B is used instead of the block 130A, and therefore the second embodiment has the same effects as the first embodiment.

[0051] As described with reference to FIG. 5, in the folding device 100B, the sliding surface S130B has two flat surfaces S130B1 and S130B2 with different inclinations. As a result, the folding device 100B can more effectively prevent the folded second folding region R10B11 (folded region) of the edge seal region R10B from opening than when the sliding surface S130B is a single flat surface. In addition, the block 130B can more effectively prevent damage to the second folding region R10B11 due to friction between the second folding region R10B11 and the sliding surface S130B than when the sliding surface S130B is a single flat surface. In addition, the block 130B can be manufactured more easily than the block 130A in which the sliding surface S130A is a twisted surface.

[0052] (3) Third embodiment The method for manufacturing the laminated battery according to the third embodiment is the same as the method for manufacturing the laminated battery according to the first embodiment, except that the block 130A is changed to the block 130C.

[0053] The laminated battery manufacturing method according to the third embodiment is a method for manufacturing a battery 1 from an unfinished battery 1a using a folding device 100C. The manufacturing method includes a preparation step, a first folding step, a folding step, and a second folding step.

[0054] (3.1) Block The folding device 100C is similar to the folding device 100A according to the first embodiment, except that the block 130A is replaced with a block 130C.

[0055] The block 130C folds the second bending portion R10B11 of the unfinished battery 1b so that the bending angle θB (see FIG. 6) is between 90° and 180°. As shown in FIG. 6, the block 130C is a rectangular parallelepiped with a partially cutout portion. The block 130C has a sliding surface S130C that slides against the second bending portion R10B11 and a non-sliding surface S131. The sliding surface S130C has a first inclined plane S130C1, a second inclined plane S130C2, and a third inclined plane S130C3. The first inclined plane S130C1, the second inclined plane S130C2, and the third inclined plane S130C3 are continuous surfaces. The inclination angle θC1 (see FIG. 6), the inclination angle θC2 (see FIG. 6), and the inclination angle θC3 (see FIG. 6) are in the decreasing order. The inclination angle θC1 indicates the angle between the first inclined plane S130C1 and the main surface S20. The inclination angle θC2 indicates the angle between the second inclined plane S130C2 and the main surface S20. The inclination angle θC3 indicates the angle between the third inclined plane S130C3 and the main surface S20. As shown in FIG. 6, the sliding surface S130B folds the second bending portion R10B11 while sliding against the second bending portion R10B11, which moves relative to the block 130C.

[0056] The block 130C is composed of a first block segment 131, a second block segment 132, and a third block segment 133. The first block segment 131, the second block segment 132, and the third block segment 133 are integrated by a known method. The first block segment 131 has a first inclined flat surface S130C1 of the sliding surface S130C. The second block segment 132 has a second inclined flat surface S130C2 of the sliding surface S130C. The third block segment 133 has a third inclined flat surface S130C3 of the sliding surface S130C. In FIG. 6, "X1 view" indicates that the block 130C is viewed from the positive direction of the X axis. "X2 view" indicates that the block 130C is viewed from the negative direction of the X axis. The symbol "S130CU" indicates the upstream portion of the sliding surface S130C in the conveying direction D. The symbol "S130CD" indicates a downstream portion of the sliding surface S130C in the conveying direction D.

[0057] (3.2) Action and Effect 6, the third embodiment is similar to the first embodiment except that the block 130C is used instead of the block 130A, and therefore the third embodiment has the same effects as the first embodiment.

[0058] As described with reference to Fig. 6, in the folding device 100C, the block 130C is made up of three block segments 131, 132, and 133. Each of the three block segments 131, 132, and 133 has one of three planes S130C1, S130C2, and S130C3. The shape of the sliding surface S130C of the block 130C can be adjusted to a more complex shape than when the block 130C is composed of multiple block segments. As a result, the folding device 100C can further suppress the opening of the folded second folding region R10B11 (folded region) of the edge seal region R10B.

[0059] (4) Variations In the second embodiment, the sliding surface S130B has two flat surfaces S130B1 and S130B2 with different inclinations, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The sliding surface S130B may have at least three flat surfaces with different inclinations.

[0060] In the third embodiment, the sliding surface S130C has three planes S130C1, S130C2, and S130C3 with different inclinations, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The sliding surface S130C may have two planes with different inclinations or at least four planes. When the sliding surface S130C has two planes with different inclinations, the block 130C may be composed of two block segments. When the sliding surface S130C has at least four planes with different inclinations, the block 130C may be composed of at least four block segments.

[0061] Folding devices 100A to 100C include conveying section 110, upstream roller group 120, blocks 130A to 130C, downstream roller group 140, and fixture 150, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. Folding devices 100A to 100C may not include at least one of conveying section 110, upstream roller group 120, and downstream roller group 140, as long as they include blocks 130A to 130C and fixture 150.

[0062] The laminated battery manufacturing methods of the first to third embodiments include a preparation step, a first folding step, a folding step, and a second folding step, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. As long as the laminated battery manufacturing method includes the preparation step and the folding step, it does not have to include at least one of the first folding step and the second folding step. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 1: Laminated battery, 10: Exterior body, 20: Electrode body, 30: Terminal, 100A, 100B, 100C: Folding device, 130A, 130B, 130C: Block, 150: Fixing tool, S130A, S130B, S130C: Sliding surface

Claims

1. The battery includes a fixture for fixing an incomplete battery having an electrode body covered with a laminate film, and a block; the unfinished battery has an edge seal region formed by welding edges of the laminate film together, the edge seal region includes a fold portion that is folded against a major surface of the unfinished battery; a device for folding the bent portion of the unfinished battery fixed to the fixture in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the bent portion extending outside the fixture, onto the block that moves relative to the fixture along a first direction, The folding device includes a sliding surface that slides over the folding portion, which moves relative to the block, to fold the folding portion.

2. The folding device of claim 1 , wherein the sliding surface has a twisted surface.

3. The folding device according to claim 1 , wherein the sliding surface has a plurality of planes with different inclinations.

4. the block is made up of a plurality of block divisions, the number of which is the same as the number of the plurality of planes; 4. The folding device according to claim 3, wherein each of said plurality of block segments has one of said plurality of flat surfaces.

5. A method for manufacturing a laminated battery using the folding device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, preparing a battery with a fixture including the unfinished battery and the fixture fixing the unfinished battery; moving the block in the first direction relative to the battery with fasteners, and folding the battery while sliding the folding portion against the sliding surface.

Images