Manufacturing system

Abstract

To provide a manufacturing system that can maintain a low dew point inside the enclosure by stabilizing the temperature environment inside the enclosure. [Solution] The manufacturing system comprises an enclosure maintained at a predetermined dew point, a solid-state battery manufacturing device housed inside the enclosure, and a drive unit provided in a position exposed to the outside of the enclosure and for operating the manufacturing device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a manufacturing system for manufacturing a solid-state battery.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in order to maintain the environment of a manufacturing line for manufacturing a solid-state battery at a low dew point, manufacturing equipment and processing equipment have been sealed with panels such as acrylic plates to form an enclosure. In addition, in order to adjust the air conditioning inside the enclosure, a fan is also provided inside the enclosure.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a clean booth that houses a secondary battery manufacturing apparatus inside, a main filter unit that is connected to the clean booth and sucks and decomposes harmful gases generated inside the clean booth, a dry room that houses the clean booth and the main filter unit and maintains a certain humidity inside, and a dehumidifying unit that is disposed outside the dry room and is configured to maintain a certain humidity inside the dry room, including a secondary battery manufacturing air circulation system.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the prior art, there is still room for improvement in maintaining the internal space of the clean booth in a desired atmosphere.

[0006] The problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide a manufacturing system that can maintain the internal space of an enclosure in a desired atmosphere over a long period of time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the above problems, the present invention employs the following embodiments. (1) A manufacturing system according to one aspect of the present invention comprises an enclosure maintained at a predetermined dew point, a solid-state battery manufacturing apparatus housed inside the enclosure, and a drive unit provided in a position exposed to the outside of the enclosure and for operating the manufacturing apparatus.

[0008] In this embodiment, the drive unit, which is a heat source during operation, is located outside the enclosure, so that the heat generated by the drive unit is easily dissipated to the outside of the enclosure. Therefore, the heat generated when the drive unit operates is suppressed from being transferred to the internal space of the enclosure, making it easier to maintain the internal space of the enclosure under the desired atmosphere for a long period of time. In addition, the drive unit, which is a device that is expected to undergo periodic maintenance and inspection, is installed in an exposed location outside the enclosure. With this configuration, maintenance and inspection of the drive unit can be performed from outside the enclosure, eliminating the need for workers to enter and exit the enclosure. Therefore, the air from the external space of the enclosure is suppressed from entering the internal space of the enclosure, and the dew point of the internal space of the enclosure is suppressed each time maintenance is performed. As a result, maintainability is improved and the inside of the enclosure can be kept at a low dew point.

[0009] (2) In the manufacturing system according to the embodiment of (1) above, the manufacturing apparatus preferably has a rotatable rotating part and a roll press part for pressing a workpiece, and the drive unit is preferably a power source for driving the roll press part located inside the enclosure. According to this embodiment, by placing the drive unit, which requires a large output such as the roll press section, outside the enclosure, the thermal impact on the internal space of the enclosure can be suppressed. Furthermore, the volume of the enclosure can be reduced, thus reducing the space that requires atmosphere control. As a result, it is possible to miniaturize the equipment required for atmosphere control and improve maintainability.

[0010] (3) In the manufacturing system according to the embodiment of (1) above, the manufacturing apparatus preferably includes a transport unit for transporting workpieces, and the drive unit is preferably a power source for transporting the transport unit located within the enclosure. According to this embodiment, the enclosure volume can be reduced while improving the degree of freedom of the transport section.

[0011] (4) In a manufacturing system according to the embodiment of (2) or (3) above, it is preferable that a transmission unit is provided that penetrates the wall of the enclosure and connects the drive unit and the manufacturing apparatus, and the drive unit is provided outside the enclosure at a position away from the enclosure. According to this embodiment, since the drive unit and the enclosure are connected via a transmission unit, the drive unit and the enclosure can be separated to a desired position. This suppresses the influence of heat from the drive unit on the internal space of the enclosure. Furthermore, it also suppresses the entry of wear particles generated during the operation of the drive unit and dust present in the external space of the enclosure into the internal space of the enclosure, making it easier to maintain the internal space of the enclosure under a desired atmosphere for a long period of time.

[0012] (5) In the manufacturing system according to the embodiment of (4) above, it is preferable that a sealing portion is provided in the portion of the transmission section that penetrates the enclosure. According to this embodiment, airtightness can be maintained between the transmission unit and the enclosure wall. This makes it easier to maintain the desired atmosphere in the internal space of the enclosure over a long period of time.

[0013] (6) In a manufacturing system according to any of the embodiments of (1) to (5) above, the manufacturing apparatus comprises a plurality of processing units arranged in the direction of transport of the solid battery, wherein the plurality of processing units have different dimensions in the intersecting direction that intersects the transport direction, and preferably the dimensions in the intersecting direction of the enclosure differ depending on the position in the transport direction in accordance with the shape of the processing unit. According to this embodiment, for example, the enclosure volume can be reduced compared to the case where the dimensions in the intersecting direction are matched to the maximum dimensions of the processing unit and the enclosure is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape. This makes it possible to save space in the manufacturing system. In addition, since the space requiring atmosphere control can be reduced, it is possible to miniaturize the equipment required for atmosphere control and improve maintainability. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to each of the above embodiments, the internal space of the enclosure can be maintained in a desired atmosphere for a long period of time. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] This is a cross-sectional view showing a solid-state battery according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view showing a manufacturing system according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view showing a part of a manufacturing system according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view showing an example of a drive unit for a manufacturing system according to one embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0016] A manufacturing system for a solid-state battery according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4.

[0017] (solid battery 1) First, referring to FIG. 1, the solid-state battery 1 manufactured by the manufacturing system 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross-section of the solid-state battery 1 according to the present embodiment.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, the solid-state battery 1 is an all-solid-state battery having an electrode 7 in which a negative electrode layer 2, a solid electrolyte layer 4, a positive electrode layer 3, a solid electrolyte layer 4, and a negative electrode layer 2 are laminated in this order. However, the structure of the solid-state battery 1 is not limited to the above. The solid-state battery 1 may have a configuration that can be used for a solid-state battery such as an exterior body in addition to the electrode 7.

[0019] The solid electrolyte layer 4 in the solid-state battery 1 has at least a first solid electrolyte layer SE1 disposed on the positive electrode layer 3 side and a negative electrode side solid electrolyte layer SE3 disposed on the negative electrode layer 2 side. The solid electrolyte is composed of an inorganic solid electrolyte such as a sulfide-based electrolyte, and it is necessary to manage the dew point so as not to react with moisture. The solid electrolyte layer 4 may have a second solid electrolyte layer SE2 disposed adjacent to the first solid electrolyte layer SE1. Also, an intermediate layer 5 may be optionally disposed between the negative electrode layer 2 and the solid electrolyte layer 4. Here, since SE is a sulfide-based material that dislikes moisture, dew point management is required.

[0020] The solid-state battery 1 is not particularly limited, and may be a lithium-ion solid secondary battery or a lithium metal secondary battery.

[0021] (Manufacturing process of the solid-state battery 1) Next, the main manufacturing process of the solid-state battery 1 will be described. The process of manufacturing the solid-state battery 1 mainly includes an electrode manufacturing process and an assembly process.

[0022] The electrode manufacturing process includes a kneading process of mixing an active material (battery metal), a conductive assistant, a binder, and a solid electrolyte, etc., and a coating process of coating the kneaded material on a base material such as a metal foil. In addition, the coated material needs to be dried.

[0023] The assembly process includes a roll press process, which involves compressing the coated material to smooth the surface and integrating the negative electrode layer 2 and the positive electrode layer 3 to produce the electrode 7, and a cutting process, which involves cutting the electrode 7 to a predetermined size.

[0024] Furthermore, the assembly process includes a lamination step of stacking multiple electrodes 7 to form a solid battery 1, and an end insulation step of UV coating the ends of the stacked solid battery 1 to insulate them.

[0025] Furthermore, the assembly process includes a bonding step of joining tabs that function as current collectors to a plurality of UV-coated electrodes 7, and a lamination step of laminating and sealing the solid battery 1.

[0026] (Manufacturing system 10) Next, the manufacturing system 10 of the solid-state battery according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 4. Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the manufacturing system 10 according to this embodiment.

[0027] As shown in Figure 2, the manufacturing system 10 mainly performs the assembly process among the manufacturing processes described above. The manufacturing system 10 includes a solid battery 1 manufacturing apparatus 100 having a plurality of processing units arranged in the direction of transport of the solid battery 1. The manufacturing apparatus 100 includes, as processing units, at least an unwinding machine 11, a roll press unit 12, a cutting and lamination unit 13, and an end insulation unit 14. The dimensions of these plurality of processing units differ depending on the processing unit in the intersecting direction (vertical direction and width direction) that intersects the transport direction of the solid battery 1.

[0028] Furthermore, the manufacturing system 10 includes an enclosure 15 that encloses the manufacturing apparatus 100, thereby housing the entire apparatus 100 inside. The enclosure 15 separates the internal space, which serves as the operating environment for the manufacturing apparatus 100, from the external space. The internal space of the enclosure 15 is maintained in a low dew point atmosphere (e.g., below -60°C). Dew point control in the internal space of the enclosure 15 may be performed independently by a dehumidifier (not shown), or by utilizing the dry air used in the pretreatment process of the manufacturing system 10 (e.g., coating process).

[0029] The unwinding machine 11 unwinds the material of the solid battery 1, which has undergone the coating process, to the downstream side.

[0030] The roll press section 12 stacks, for example, the negative electrode layer 2, the intermediate layer 5, the solid electrolyte layer 4, and the positive electrode layer 3 in this order, and then uses a roll press to integrate the negative electrode layer 2 and the positive electrode layer 3 to produce the electrode 7.

[0031] The cutting and lamination section 13 cuts the electrodes 7 produced in the roll press section 12 to a predetermined size, and stacks the cut electrodes 7 to form a solid-state battery 1. The solid-state battery 1 can, for example, have 27 electrodes 7 stacked, but the number of electrodes 7 to be stacked is not limited to this.

[0032] The end insulation portion 14 insulates the ends of the solid battery 1 stacked in the cut and stacked portion 13 by UV coating, for example, using a paint that reacts and hardens when exposed to ultraviolet light, and hardening the paint in a few seconds by irradiation with ultraviolet light from a UV lamp.

[0033] The enclosure 15 is formed using a light-transmitting material such as an acrylic sheet, and the dimensions of the enclosure 15 in the intersecting direction differ depending on the position in the transport direction to match the shape of each processing unit. In the illustrated example, at least the top wall 15a of the enclosure 15 is formed to conform to the upper end position of each processing unit. However, the side walls 15b of the enclosure 15 in the width direction, which are determined by the large cell (workpiece W) being transported, may be formed to conform to the positions of both ends in the width direction of each processing unit.

[0034] Figure 3 is a plan cross-sectional view showing a part of the manufacturing system 10. As an example, Figure 3 shows a portion where the roll press section 12 is covered by the enclosure 15. As shown in Figure 3, in the manufacturing system 10, the drive unit 21 of the processing unit is provided outside the enclosure 15. Below, the relationship between the processing unit and the drive unit 21 will be explained using the roll press unit 12 of the processing unit as an example.

[0035] The drive unit 21 is the power source that drives the rotating parts 23 of the roll press unit 12. The rotating parts 23 are provided in pairs facing each other in a cross direction. The roll press unit 12 presses a sheet-like workpiece W between the pair of rotating parts 23 and transports the workpiece W while performing press processing by rotating the rotating parts 23.

[0036] The drive unit 21 is located outside the enclosure 15, at a distance from the enclosure 15. The drive unit 21 is, for example, a motor. The drive unit 21 and the rotating unit 23 are connected by a rotating shaft 22. A reduction mechanism or the like may be interposed between the drive unit 21 and the rotating unit 23. The reduction mechanism may be located outside the enclosure 15 or inside the enclosure 15.

[0037] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing an example of the drive unit 21. As shown in Figure 4, the rotating shaft 22 penetrates the side wall 15b of the enclosure 15. A sealing portion 24 is provided in the portion of the side wall 15b through which the rotating shaft 22 penetrates. The sealing portion 24 only needs to be capable of sealing the gap between the rotating shaft 22 and the side wall 15b to maintain sealing performance. For example, the sealing portion 24 can be made of an elastic material such as rubber or a grommet, or a bearing. It is also possible to provide a similar sealing portion on the rotating shaft 22 side.

[0038] The manufacturing system 10 according to this embodiment includes a drive unit 21 for operating the manufacturing apparatus 100, located in a position exposed to the outside of the enclosure 15. In this configuration, the drive unit 21, which is a heat source during operation, is located outside the enclosure 15, so the heat generated by the drive unit 21 is easily dissipated to the outside of the enclosure 15. Therefore, the heat generated when the drive unit 21 operates is suppressed from being transferred to the internal space of the enclosure 15, making it easier to maintain the internal space of the enclosure 15 under the desired atmosphere for a long period of time. In addition, the drive unit 21, which is a device that is expected to undergo periodic maintenance and inspection, is installed in an exposed state outside the enclosure 15 from the beginning. With this configuration, maintenance and inspection of the drive unit 21 can be performed from outside the enclosure 15, eliminating the need for workers to enter and exit the enclosure 15. Therefore, the air from the external space of the enclosure 15 is suppressed from entering the internal space of the enclosure 15, and the dew point of the internal space of the enclosure 15 is suppressed each time maintenance is performed. As a result, maintainability is improved and the inside of the enclosure 15 can be kept at a low dew point.

[0039] In the manufacturing system 10 according to this embodiment, the manufacturing apparatus 100 has a rotatable rotating part 23 and a roll press part 12 for pressing the workpiece W, and the drive unit 21 is a power source for driving the rotating part 23. With this configuration, the drive unit 21, which requires a large output such as the roll press section 12, is located outside the enclosure 15, thereby reducing the thermal impact on the internal space of the enclosure 15. Furthermore, the volume of the enclosure 15 can be reduced, thus miniaturizing the space requiring atmosphere control. As a result, it is possible to miniaturize the equipment required for atmosphere control and improve maintainability.

[0040] In the manufacturing system 10 according to this embodiment, a rotating shaft (transmission unit) 22 is provided that penetrates the side wall (wall portion) 15b of the enclosure 15 and connects the drive unit 21 and the manufacturing apparatus 100, and the drive unit 21 is provided outside the enclosure 15 at a position away from the enclosure 15. With this configuration, since the drive unit 21 and the enclosure 15 are connected via the rotating shaft 22, the drive unit 21 and the enclosure 15 can be separated to a desired position. This suppresses the influence of heat from the drive unit 21 on the internal space of the enclosure 15. Furthermore, it suppresses the entry of wear particles generated during the operation of the drive unit 21 and dust present in the external space of the enclosure 15 into the internal space of the enclosure 15, making it easier to maintain the internal space of the enclosure 15 under a desired atmosphere for a long period of time. In addition, the heat source is not limited to the drive unit 21 (motor) of the roll press unit 12, but can be various other sources such as the motor of the winding machine 11 or an externally configurable drive unit that generates vertical movement and vibration during cutting.

[0041] In the manufacturing system 10 according to this embodiment, a sealing portion 24 is provided in the portion of the rotating shaft 22 that penetrates the enclosure 15. This configuration allows for airtight sealing between the rotating shaft 22 and the side wall 15b of the enclosure 15. This makes it easier to maintain the desired atmosphere within the enclosure 15 over a long period of time.

[0042] In the manufacturing system 10 according to this embodiment, the multiple processing units have different dimensions in the intersecting direction that crosses the transport direction, and the dimensions in the intersecting direction of the enclosure 15 differ depending on the position in the transport direction to match the shape of the processing unit. This configuration allows for a smaller volume of the enclosure 15 compared to, for example, forming the enclosure 15 in a rectangular parallelepiped shape to match the maximum dimensions of the processing unit in the intersecting direction. This enables space savings in the manufacturing system 10. Furthermore, since the space requiring atmosphere control can be reduced, it is possible to miniaturize the equipment required for atmosphere control and improve maintainability.

[0043] While embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be carried out in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, combinations, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims and their equivalents. In the embodiments described above, a configuration was described in which the drive unit 21 is located away from the enclosure 15, but the configuration is not limited to this. At least a portion of the drive unit 21 needs to be exposed to the outside from the enclosure 15. For example, the drive unit 21 may be provided so as to penetrate the top wall 15a or the side wall 15b of the enclosure. In the embodiments described above, a configuration was described in which the dimensions in the intersecting direction of the enclosure 15 differ depending on the position in the transport direction to match the shape of the processing unit, but the configuration is not limited to this. The dimensions in the intersecting direction of the enclosure 15 may be a rectangular parallelepiped shape or the like, matching the maximum dimension of any of the processing units.

[0044] In the embodiments described above, the manufacturing system 10 used in the assembly process of the solid-state battery 1 was explained as an example, but the configuration is not limited to this. The manufacturing system 10 according to the present invention may be used in processes other than the assembly process. In the embodiments described above, a drive unit 21 connected to the rotating part 23 of the roll press unit 12 was used as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The present invention is applicable to a drive unit 21 that drives each processing unit of the manufacturing apparatus 100. Furthermore, a drive unit that drives the transport unit that transports materials between each processing unit of the manufacturing apparatus 100 may be provided outside the enclosure 15. This makes it possible to reduce the volume of the enclosure 15 while improving the degree of freedom of the transport unit. In the embodiments described above, a motor was used as an example for the drive unit 21, but the configuration is not limited to this. The drive unit 21 is not limited to a rotating unit; it may also be a linear unit or the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 1 solid state battery 2. Negative electrode layer 3. Positive electrode layer 4 Solid electrolyte layer 5. Middle Class 7 electrodes 10 Manufacturing Systems 11. Unwinding machine (processing unit) 12 Roll press section (processing section) 13 Cutting and Lamination Section (Processing Section) 14 End insulation section (processing section) 15 Enclosures 15a Ceiling wall (wall part) 15b Side wall (wall) 21 Drive unit 22 Rotating shaft (transmission part) 23 Rotating part 24 Seal part 100 Manufacturing equipment

Claims

1. An enclosure maintained at a predetermined dew point, A solid battery manufacturing apparatus housed inside the aforementioned enclosure, A drive unit for operating the manufacturing apparatus is provided in a position exposed to the outside of the enclosure, A manufacturing system equipped with the following features.

2. The manufacturing apparatus has a rotatable rotating part and a roll press part for pressing a workpiece, The manufacturing system according to claim 1, wherein the drive unit is a power source for driving the roll press unit located inside the enclosure.

3. The manufacturing apparatus includes a conveying unit for transporting workpieces, The manufacturing system according to claim 1, wherein the drive unit is a power source for transporting the transport unit located within the enclosure.

4. The enclosure wall is penetrated and the transmission unit connects the drive unit and the manufacturing apparatus, The manufacturing system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the drive unit is provided outside the enclosure at a location away from the enclosure.

5. The manufacturing system according to claim 4, wherein a sealing portion is provided in the portion of the transmission section that penetrates the enclosure.

6. The manufacturing apparatus comprises a plurality of processing units arranged in the direction of transport of the solid battery, The aforementioned multiple processing units have different dimensions in the intersecting direction that crosses the transport direction. The manufacturing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the dimensions in the crossing direction of the enclosure differ depending on the position in the transport direction in accordance with the shape of the processing unit.

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