Inspection apparatus and method for inspecting segments for the energy production industry - Patents.com

Abstract

An inspection device (1) for inspecting segments (2) suitable for forming cell stacks for the energy cell manufacturing industry, comprising a conveying device (3) having a plurality of storage compartments (4) for accommodating and transporting one segment (2) each, the storage compartments (4) being movable by movement of the conveying device (3) relative to a fixed part (5) of the inspection device (1), the storage compartments (4) each having at least two contact surfaces (6, 7) for electrical and / or signal-technical contact of one segment (2) accommodated in the respective storage compartment (4).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an inspection device having the features of the preamble of claim 1 and to a corresponding method having the features of the preamble of claim 12. [Background technology]

[0002] Energy cells or energy storage cells, for example battery cells, are used in galvanic accumulators, for example in motor vehicles, other land vehicles, ships and aircraft, where a significant amount of energy must be stored for long-term use. For this purpose, such energy cells comprise an arrangement consisting of a number of segments (hereinafter called cell stacks) stacked in a stack. These segments are, for example, constituted by monocells. Monocells are alternating anode and cathode sheets, also called electrodes, respectively, which are separated from each other by separator sheets. Monocells thus typically comprise the layer sequence separator-anode-separator-cathode.

[0003] The segments are pre-cut in the manufacturing process and then stacked in a cell stack in a predetermined order and bonded together by lamination.

[0004] Apparatuses for manufacturing battery cells are known, for example, from WO 2016 / 041713 and DE 102017216213 A1.

[0005] Segments can be damaged during the manufacturing process. In the case of segments in the form of mono-cells, for example, the separators can be damaged during manufacturing. If a mono-cell with a damaged separator is used to construct a cell stack, this can adversely affect functionality and lifespan.

[0006] The energy cells may be, for example, fuel cells or solar cells, and again, the segments may be damaged during manufacture.

[0007] It is therefore known in principle from the prior art that segments can be inspected before the stacking process and, if necessary, rejected from the manufacturing process, so that only perfect segments are used to construct the cell stack.

[0008] Such a testing process must be carried out taking into account the production capacities and transport speeds of modern production facilities. In principle, therefore, it is known from the prior art to provide a test device which moves together with the segments during the production process and tests them alternately. For this, the test device actively contacts so-called arrester flags, which are components of the electrodes. However, in the case of such a testing method, the machine capacities are limited due to the discontinuous movement. Furthermore, the segments can be damaged when they contact the arrester flags. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2016 / 041713 [Patent Document 2] DE 102017216213 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] It is an object of the present application to provide an improved inspection device and a corresponding method for inspecting segments. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] This problem is solved by the features of the independent claims. Further preferred embodiments of the invention emerge from the dependent claims, the figures and the associated description.

[0012] Accordingly, to solve the problem, an inspection device for inspecting segments suitable for forming cell stacks for the energy cell manufacturing industry is proposed, in which a transport device is provided having a plurality of storage compartments each for accommodating and transporting one segment, the storage compartments being movable by movement of the transport device relative to a fixed part of the inspection device, and the storage compartments each having at least two contact surfaces for electrical and / or signal-technical contact of one segment accommodated in the respective storage compartment.

[0013] The segments positioned in the storage compartments can be transported by a transport device and during the transport process the segments can be inspected by their contact surfaces. For example, based on the measurement of the ohmic resistance between at least two, preferably exactly two, contact surfaces a conclusion can be drawn about the system state of the respective segment. For example, if the segments are constituted by mono cells as described at the outset, the ohmic resistance between the two electrodes can be reduced if the separator arranged between these electrodes is damaged.

[0014] Furthermore, the contact surface as a component of the storage compartment offers the advantage that it allows for a very gentle electrical contact of the segments. If, for example, segments in the form of monocells are used, the segment to be tested is placed with a separator on the support surface of the respective storage compartment, followed by an electrode, for example an anode, another separator and another electrode, for example a cathode. In order that the electrode can be electrically contacted, it is usually provided with the arrester flag already mentioned at the beginning, which protrudes from the bottom surface of the separator. The arrester flag furthermore has a very thin layer thickness and is therefore very sensitive. Due to the contact surface, which is preferably oriented parallel to the support surface of the storage compartment, the arrester flag can be contacted particularly gently. To improve the contact between the arrester flag and the contact surface, the contact surface can also protrude from the support surface, so that the contact surface is pressed against the arrester flag.

[0015] Preferably, the transport device is constituted by a drum rotatably supported about an axis element, on whose radially outer side the storage compartments are arranged. The segments to be inspected can thus be transported by a rotary movement, which is particularly easy and efficient. Alternatively, the transport device can also be constituted by a linear conveyor system, for example a belt system. In this case, for example, the surface of the belt is provided with the storage compartments with the respective contact surface.

[0016] According to another preferred embodiment, it is proposed that the storage compartments each have a support surface on which the segments are supported, the support surface being electrically insulated from the contact surface. The cell stack can thus be reliably supported by the support surface, while the arrester flag rests against the contact surface for electrical and / or signal-technical contact. In this way, it can be ensured that the measurement of electrical parameters, which is carried out via the contact surface, is not adversely affected. This can be preferably achieved by making the support surface from a non-conductive material and the contact surface conductive.

[0017] Preferably, the contact surfaces of the storage compartments are signal-technically and / or electrically connectable to at least one measuring device. More preferably, the contact surfaces of each storage compartment are selectively connectable to at least one measuring device. In this way, it is not necessary to provide an individual measuring device for each storage compartment, but the abutment surfaces of the storage compartments can be connected separately to at least one measuring device.

[0018] Preferably, the signal-technical and / or electrical connection of at least one measuring device to one or more contact surfaces of a given storage compartment can be established and / or interrupted depending on the position of the transport device relative to the fixed part. Furthermore, it is also possible to provide several measuring devices, for example for measuring different parameters, which can be connected in series or in parallel to the contact surfaces of a storage compartment. By connecting the contact surfaces to different measuring devices, different measurements can be performed in series and no segments have to be removed from the contact surfaces of a storage compartment.

[0019] Preferably, at least one measuring device is a component of the stationary part, so that the measuring device does not have to be moved by the transport device.

[0020] Preferably, the signal-technical and / or electrical connection of the at least one measuring device with one or more contact surfaces of each receiving compartment can be formed by at least one sliding contact device. The sliding contact device can have, for example, contact skids and contact brushes that can contact each other. For this, for example, contact skids can be arranged on the radially outer side of the shaft element, which can be connected to contact brushes on the radially inner side of the drum. The contact skids preferably do not extend over the entire circumference of the shaft element, but only over a circumferential portion, so that contact of the contact surface of a receiving compartment is possible precisely while the respective contact brush is in contact with the contact skid. Basically, an inverse arrangement of the contact skids and the contact brushes is also possible, in which the contact brushes are arranged on the radially outer side of the shaft element and the contact skids are arranged on the radially inner side of the drum.

[0021] In principle, the signal-technical and / or electrical connection of the at least one measuring device with one or more contact surfaces of a receiving compartment can also be effected by means of contactless transmission devices.

[0022] According to another preferred embodiment, it is proposed that a plurality of measuring devices are provided, and that the signal-technical and / or electrical connections of the contact surfaces of the two or more receiving compartments with the respective different measuring devices can be formed with a time overlap. Only a limited part of the moving device is available for the measurement process. Due to the time overlap when connecting the different measuring devices with, for example, adjacent receiving compartments, the measurement process can be at least partially parallelized. For the measurements by the respective measuring devices, a longer measurement interval is available overall, which can generate a higher quality measurement result. The design of the parallel connection provides a parameter that allows the available measurement period to be set independently of the production speed.

[0023] Preferably, the receiving compartments each have a first and a second contact surface, which are arranged in the respective receiving compartments in an electrically insulated manner from one another. More preferably, the first and second contact surfaces are arranged in the respective receiving compartments in such a way that a segment positioned in the receiving compartment abuts the first contact surface with a first electrode and the second contact surface with a second electrode. It has been found that such an arrangement of the contact surfaces allows efficient testing of the respective segments.

[0024] Preferably, the segments are mono-cells with the four-layer configuration described at the outset.The disclosure of the present application also explicitly includes the proposed device having a segment or a number of segments, for example in the form of a mono-cell, supported in a receiving compartment.

[0025] According to another preferred embodiment, the receiving compartments each comprise an opening through which a negative pressure can be applied to hold the segments. Holding of the segments, in particular the arrester flag, can be performed particularly gently by negative pressure, since grippers or clamps that can damage the arrester flag can be omitted. The openings can be arranged in the support surface and / or in the contact surface. Furthermore, the openings can be constituted, for example, by holding holes or by pores in the breathable material.

[0026] In principle, however, mechanical holders, for example grippers or levers, are also conceivable for bringing the segments into contact with the contact surfaces.

[0027] The problem stated at the beginning is solved by a method for inspecting segments provided for constructing cell stacks for the energy cell manufacturing industry, in which the segments are inspected by an inspection device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, the segments to be inspected being positioned in each of the receiving compartments. Preferably, the inspection of the segments is performed while the conveying device moves relative to the fixed part. The detection of defective segments can then lead to the rejection of the segments from the manufacturing process, which can be performed by the inspection device itself or by a separate device, for example a discharge drum. With regard to the technical effects and advantages associated with the proposed method, reference is made to the previous description related to the inspection device.

[0028] The present invention will now be described by way of preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0029] [Figure 1] Perspective view of the inspection device [Diagram 2] One axis element and two measuring devices [Diagram 3] Conveyor [Figure 4] Cross-sectional view of the inspection device DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0030] Fig. 1 shows in a perspective view an inspection device 1 for inspecting a segment 2, which is suitable for forming a cell stack for the energy cell manufacturing industry. Such segments 2 can be stacked on top of each other in a cell stack (not shown) to form a battery cell. The segment 2 shown in Fig. 1 comprises a four-layer arrangement with a layer sequence of separator-electrode (e.g. anode)-separator-electrode (e.g. cathode). Thereby, the segment 2 is a so-called monocell.

[0031] The inspection device 1 in FIG. 1 can be disposed, for example, between a device (not shown) that manufactures the segments 2 and a cell stacking device (not shown) that configures the cell stack.

[0032] The inspection device 1 comprises a conveying device 3 in the form of a drum rotatably supported on an axis element 8, so that the conveying device rotates about an axis of rotation 14 during operation. Furthermore, the inspection device 1 comprises a number of measuring devices 10a, 10b, two of which are shown diagrammatically. The measuring devices 10a, 10b can be configured, for example, for measuring ohmic resistance. Naturally, in principle, measuring devices 10a, 10b which can measure other parameters are also conceivable. The axis element 8 as well as the measuring devices 10a, 10b are components of the fixed part 5 of the inspection device 1 and therefore do not rotate together with the conveying device 8.

[0033] 1 further shows that a number of receiving compartments 4 are arranged on the radially outer lateral surface of the drum-shaped conveying device 3, each of which is configured to receive a segment 2. The individual receiving compartments 4 are each structurally separated from one another by grooves 15, which are aligned parallel to the rotation axis 14 of the conveying device 3. By rotation of the conveying device 3 about the shaft element 8, the segments 2 can be moved on a circular path. The conveying device 2 can be rotated continuously or discontinuously by a drive unit, not shown.

[0034] In FIG. 1, only one of the storage compartments 4 is occupied by a segment 2. In principle, however, several of the storage compartments can be occupied in parallel during operation. Each storage compartment 4 has a first contact surface 6 and a second contact surface 7 with which an electrode of the segment 2 supported in the storage compartment 4 can be contacted. The contact surfaces 6, 7 are arranged in contact with so-called arrester flags 16, 17, which are each components of the electrode of the segment 2. The segment 2 is conductively contacted in the storage compartment 4 to the first contact surface 6 by the first arrester flag 11, which here is a component of the anode. Furthermore, the second arrester flag 12, which here is a component of the cathode, is conductively contacted to the second contact surface 7.

[0035] In the storage compartment 4, the segments 2 rest on a support surface 9, which in this embodiment is formed non-conductively. So that each segment 2 can be held securely and gently in the storage compartment 4, openings (not shown) are provided in the support surface 9 and in the contact surfaces 6 and 7, through which a negative pressure can be applied. In this way, the segments 2 can be gently held in the storage compartment 4 by the resulting pressure difference with respect to the environment.

[0036] The formation of an electrically conductive connection between the measuring devices 10a, 10b and the contact surfaces 6, 7, respectively, is carried out by means of a sliding contact device 13, which has contact skids 20a, 20b and contact brushes 21a, 21b, respectively, which are explained in detail with reference to Figures 2, 3 and 4.

[0037] FIG. 2 shows an axle element 8 having a cylindrical side surface 19 and a flange 18 at one end which forms a stop for a drum-shaped conveying device 3 (see FIG. 1) which is rotatably supported on the axle element 8.

[0038] 2, it can be seen that the contact skids 20a, 20b as components of the sliding contact device 13 are arranged radially outside the cylindrical side surface 19 of the shaft element 8 and extend over a portion of the circumference. It can also be seen that the contact skids 20a, 20b are arranged in pairs. The individual contact skids 20a, 20b of a contact skid pair 23, 24 certainly have the same length and arrangement in the circumferential direction with respect to the rotation axis 14, but they are arranged so that they lie one behind the other in the direction of the rotation axis 14. The first contact skid pair 23 is associated with the first contact surface 6, and the second contact skid pair 24 is associated with the second contact surface 7. Both contact skids 20a of the first and second contact skid pairs 23 and 24 are electrically connected to the first measuring device 10a, whereas both contact skids 20b of the first and second contact skid pairs 23 and 24 are electrically connected to the second measuring device 10b. The paired arrangement of the contact skids 20a and 20b enables the contact surfaces 6, 7 of adjacent storage compartments 4 to be connected to the measuring devices 10a and 10b in a time-overlapping manner, i.e. in a parallel connection.

[0039] In Fig. 3, contact brushes 21a, 21b arranged on a radially inner surface 22 of the drum-shaped transport device 3 are shown which, depending on the rotational position of the transport device 3 relative to the shaft element 8, can contact the contact skids 20a, 20b shown in Fig. 2. The contact brushes 21a, 21b of the respective adjacent receiving compartments 4 are misaligned in the direction of the rotation axis 14, so that the contact brush 21a can contact the contact skid 20a and the contact brush 21b can contact the contact skid 20b. This applies both to the sliding contact device 13 associated with the first contact surface 6 and to the sliding contact device associated with the second contact surface 7. In this way, the contact skids 20a, 20b of a contact skid pair 23, 24 (see Fig. 2) can be contacted alternately by the corresponding contact brushes 21a and 21b of the adjacent receiving compartments 4.

[0040] Depending on the length of the contact skids 20a, 20b along the circumference of the shaft element 8 and depending on the rotational speed of the conveying device 3 relative to the shaft element 8, the duration of the conductive connection of the contact surfaces 6, 7 of the fixed part 5 and the receiving compartment 4 can be determined. In this embodiment, each of the contact surfaces 6, 7 is assigned its own contact brush 21a, 21b.

[0041] 4 shows the testing device 1 in a cross-sectional view with a section perpendicular to the axis of rotation 14 in the plane of the first contact surface 6. It can be seen that the segment 2 is supported in a receiving compartment 4b adjacent to the receiving compartment 4a. Furthermore, the contact surface 6b of the receiving compartment 4b is shown, against which the arrester flag 11 of the segment 2 abuts conductively. By means of contact brushes 21b, the contact surface 6b is in contact with a contact skid 20b (see FIG. 2) which is not visible in this cross-section and which is arranged behind the contact skid 20a shown here. The contact skid 20b is covered in this view by the contact skid 20a. In contrast, the receiving compartment 4a adjacent to the receiving compartment 4b has a contact surface 6a which by means of contact brushes 21a abuts conductively against the contact skid 20a visible in this cross-section. Thereby, the contact brushes 21a and 21b of adjacent storage compartments 4a and 4b are simultaneously in contact with different contact skids 20a and 20b of one and the same contact skid pair 23. When the drum-shaped conveying device 3 continues to rotate in the direction of rotation 25 relative to the shaft element 8, the contact between the contact skid 20a and the contact brush 21a is released, whereas the contact between the contact skid 20b and the contact brush 21b is maintained for a further predetermined rotational movement. The same applies to the contact skids 20a and 20b of the contact skid pair 24.

[0042] In this way, the measuring devices 10a and 10b (see Figures 1 and 2) can be conductively connected separately, but overlapping in time, to the contact surfaces 6, 7 of adjacent receiving compartments 4a, 4b via the sliding contact device 13. Thereby, each of the measuring devices 10a, 10b is always connected to only the contact surface 6, 7 of one receiving compartment 4a or 4b.

[0043] In principle, the association of the contact brushes 21a, 21b and the contact skids 20a, 20b with the conveying device 3 and the shaft element 8 is also interchangeable, so that the contact brushes 21 can be associated with the shaft element 8 and the contact skid 20 can be associated with the conveying device 3.

Claims

1. An inspection device (1) for inspecting segments (2) suitable for constructing cell stacks for the energy cell manufacturing industry, comprising: a conveying device (3) is provided having a plurality of storage compartments (4) for storing and transporting one segment (2) each; the storage compartment (4) is movable by movement of the transport device (3) relative to the fixed part (5) of the inspection device (1), - An inspection device (1) characterized in that the storage compartments (4) each have at least two contact surfaces (6, 7) for electrical and / or signal-technical contact of one segment (2) accommodated in the respective storage compartment (4).

2. 2. The inspection device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the conveying device (3) is constituted by a drum rotatably supported about an axis element (8), and the storage compartment (4) is arranged on a radially outer side of the drum.

3. 2. The inspection device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the storage compartments (4) each have a support surface (9) for supporting the segment (2), which support surface is electrically insulated from the contact surfaces (6, 7).

4. 4. The testing device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the contact surfaces (6, 7) of the receiving compartment (4) are signal-technically and / or electrically connectable to at least one measuring device (10a, 10b).

5. 5. The inspection device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the signal-technical and / or electrical connection between at least one measuring device (10a, 10b) and one or more contact surfaces (6, 7) of one given storage compartment (4) can be formed and / or interrupted depending on the position of the conveying device (3) relative to the fixed part (5).

6. 6. Inspection device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that at least one measuring device (10a, 10b) is a component of the fixed part (5).

7. 7. The inspection device (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the signal-technical and / or electrical connection between at least one measuring device (10a, 10b) and one or more contact surfaces (6, 7) of each storage compartment (4) can be formed by at least one sliding contact device (13).

8. - a plurality of measuring devices (10a, 10b) are provided, - An inspection device (1) as described in claim 5, characterized in that the signal-technical and / or electrical connections of the contact surfaces (6, 7) of the different measuring devices (10a, 10b) and two or more storage compartments (4a, 4b) can be formed to overlap in time.

9. 2. The inspection device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the storage compartments (4) each have a first and a second contact surface (6, 7), which are arranged in the respective storage compartments (4) in an electrically insulated manner from one another.

10. 10. The inspection device (1) of claim 9, characterized in that the first and second contact surfaces (6, 7) are arranged in the respective storage compartments (4) so ​​that a segment (2) positioned in the storage compartment abuts the first contact surface (6) with the first electrode (11) and abuts the second contact surface (7) with the second electrode (12).

11. 2. An inspection device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the storage compartments (4) each have an opening through which a negative pressure can be applied to hold the segments (2).

12. 1. A method for inspecting segments provided to form cell stacks for the energy cell manufacturing industry, comprising: A method in which segments are inspected by an inspection device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the segments to be inspected are each positioned in one of the receiving compartments.

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