Industrial apparatus and method for producing energy cells

Abstract

An industrial apparatus (1) for producing energy cells, comprising a supply device (2) configured to supply segments (16), the apparatus (1) further comprising at least two manufacturing devices (8a, 8b, 8c, 8d) arranged in parallel with one another in a production flow, each configured to perform a manufacturing step in or with the supplied segments (16), and a manufacturing device (8a, 8b, 8c, 8d) configured to remove the segments (16) from the manufacturing devices (8a, 8b, 8c, 8d). the segments (16) are transferred from the supply device (2) to the manufacturing devices (8a, 8b, 8c, 8d) by the transfer device (4), and the device (1) can be controlled and / or adjusted by control signals from the control device (20) so that the segments (16) taken from the supply device (2) are transferred by the transfer device (4) to a specific one of the at least two manufacturing devices (8a, 8b, 8c, 8d) as intended.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an industrial device for producing energy cells having the features of the preamble of claim 1 and to a method for carrying out a manufacturing step in or with segments for the energy cell manufacturing industry. [Background technology]

[0002] Energy cells or energy accumulators within the meaning of the present invention are used in the form of battery cells or fuel cells, where very large amounts of energy must be stored for long periods of time, for example, in automobiles, other land vehicles, ships, aircraft, or even in stationary installations such as photovoltaic power plants. For this purpose, such energy cells have a structure consisting of multiple segments stacked together to form a stack. These segments each contain alternating anode and cathode sheets, which are separated from each other by separator sheets also manufactured as segments. The segments are pre-cut during the manufacturing process and then stacked one on top of the other in a predetermined order to form a stack and bonded to each other by lamination. In this process, the anode and cathode sheets are first cut from an endless web and then individually placed, spaced apart, on each of the endless webs of separator material. This "two-layer" endless web of separator material with the attached anode or cathode sheets is then cut again in a second step by a cutting device to form segments. In this case, the segments are formed into two layers of separator sheets with an anode or cathode sheet disposed thereon. To the extent this is feasible or necessary from a manufacturing perspective, the endless webs of separator material with the anode and cathode sheets disposed thereon can be stacked one on top of the other before cutting, thereby forming a single endless web with a first endless layer of separator material with an anode or cathode sheet disposed thereon and a second endless layer of separator material with an anode or cathode sheet disposed thereon. This "four-layer" endless web is then cut by a cutting device to form segments, which in this case are formed into four layers of a first separator sheet, an anode sheet, a second separator sheet, and a cathode sheet disposed thereon. The advantage of this solution is that it eliminates one cut.A segment in the sense of the present application is therefore, for example, a segment of a single layer of separator material, anode material or cathode material, or a segment of two layers or four layers of the above mentioned configurations.

[0003] Apparatuses for manufacturing battery cells are known, for example, from WO 2016 / 041713 and DE 102017216213 A1.

[0004] Furthermore, WO 2019 / 048589 also discloses an apparatus for manufacturing electrode stacks. To manufacture the electrode stacks, a transport system with multiple carriages is provided, on which electrode layers and separator layers can be stacked. There are stacking stations where only separator layers are placed, stacking stations where only cathode layers are placed, and stacking stations where only anode layers are placed. Thus, by correspondingly driving the carriages to the stacking stations, cell stacks can be deposited in the desired order on the carriage's resting surface.

[0005] US Patent Application Publication No. 2002 / 0007552 also discloses an apparatus for manufacturing battery cells.After the battery cells have been manufactured, they are transferred to a conveyor belt using the so-called "pick and place" principle.

[0006] For example, the production of battery cells for electromobility is currently carried out in production facilities with a capacity of 100-240 monocells per minute. These production facilities operate in some areas or throughout with time-controlled discontinuous movements, such as reciprocating movements, and are therefore limited in terms of production capacity. Most known machines operate using a single-sheet stacking method (e.g., "pick and place"), which has the disadvantage of being relatively slow. Lamination of cell structures is not possible here.

[0007] Another known approach is a machine with a continuously advancing material web and timed tools, such as separating knives and tools for pitch variation.

[0008] In principle, machines with time-controlled movements are limited in terms of capacity. Massive parts, such as holders and tools, must be constantly accelerated and decelerated. This process determines the time course and consumes a lot of energy. The mass of the moving parts cannot be reduced arbitrarily. Parts that move at relatively high speeds often have to withstand relatively high loads and therefore are even more difficult and heavier.

[0009] To reduce production costs in battery manufacturing, it is necessary, among other things, to increase the production capacity of the machines. One condition for high production capacity is a high production rate of stacks of energy cells of the type mentioned at the beginning, which are made up of several segments stacked on top of each other.

[0010] In a preceding manufacturing step, the segments are stacked one on top of the other to form a so-called monocell. A monocell consists of a first separator sheet, an anode sheet placed on the separator sheet, a second separator sheet placed on the anode sheet, and a cathode sheet placed on the second separator sheet. However, a monocell can also have a layer sequence of separator sheet-cathode sheet-separator sheet-anode sheet. Alternatively, the separator sheets can be first introduced as two endless webs, with the pre-cut segments in the form of anode sheets placed on one of the two endless webs and the pre-cut segments in the form of cathode sheets placed on the other endless web, and then bonded together in a lamination process. The composite webs thus pre-fabricated are then bonded together in a separate lamination process to form a four-layer composite web.

[0011] Basically, it is also possible to place a cut first electrode in the form of a cathode or anode between two separator sheets in the form of an endless web, and a cut second electrode in the form of an anode or a cathode on top or bottom of one of the two separator sheets, followed by lamination of the four webs in a common lamination process, thereby producing a monocell in a fixed arrangement while the endless web is still in existence, i.e., before cutting.

[0012] Whether the monocells are manufactured by a one-step lamination process or a two-step lamination process, the monocells are then cut from the composite web by cutting through the gap between successive anode or cathode sheets.

[0013] Alternatively, an endless web of separator material having anode and cathode sheets disposed thereon can be first cut, in which case the monocell is then produced by a subsequent bonding process of a first cut separator sheet comprising the anode and a second cut separator sheet comprising the cathode, respectively.

[0014] The segments are then stacked one on top of the other to form a stack of multiple segments. While the segments are mono-cells or separator sheets with anode or cathode sheets placed on top, the uncovered sides of the stack contain, for example, cathodes or anodes, which are then covered by a so-called end cell arrangement. In this case, the end cell includes a first separator sheet, an anode or cathode sheet placed on the first separator sheet, and a second separator sheet placed on the anode or cathode sheet, but no cathode or anode sheet is placed on the second separator sheet. This allows the end cell to be considered a mono-cell without a single cathode or anode sheet. However, other end cell configurations are also possible.

[0015] However, during processing or treatment of the segments, for example during formation of cell stacks from the segments, delays in providing the segments may occur for a variety of reasons. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0016] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2016 / 041713 [Patent Document 2] German Patent Application Publication No. 102017216213 [Patent Document 3] International Publication No. 2019 / 048589 [Patent Document 4] US Patent Application Publication No. 2002 / 0007552 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0017] The object of the present application is to provide an improved apparatus and corresponding method for performing manufacturing steps in or with supplied segments, in which delays in providing the segments can be compensated for.

[0018] First, some terms used within the framework of this application will be explained.

[0019] In the context of this application, manufacturing apparatuses arranged in parallel with one another in the production flow are understood to mean that multiple manufacturing apparatuses are arranged so that each can be supplied with segments without the intervention of another manufacturing apparatus. Thus, the manufacturing apparatuses are supplied with segments via different feed paths. For example, if four manufacturing apparatuses are provided, the first manufacturing apparatus is supplied with segments via a first feed path, the second manufacturing apparatus is supplied with segments via a second feed path, the third manufacturing apparatus is supplied with segments via a third feed path, and the fourth manufacturing apparatus is supplied with segments via a fourth feed path. In contrast, if the manufacturing apparatuses are arranged in series in the production flow, the segments will pass through the multiple manufacturing apparatuses in sequence.

[0020] In the sense of the present application, a production flow is understood to be the movement of the segments within the device, but also, for example, the movement of the starting products and starting materials of the segments within the device, as well as the movement of intermediate products and / or final products formed by the segments. The production flow is determined by the feed path.

[0021] In the sense of the present application, a manufacturing device is understood to be a device capable of processing or treating segments, and thus achieving value creation. Thus, for example, a discharge station where individual segments can be removed from the production flow is not a manufacturing device in the sense of the present application.

[0022] According to a first aspect of the present application, in order to solve the problem, an industrial apparatus for producing energy cells is proposed, the apparatus comprising a supply device configured to supply segments, the apparatus further comprising at least two manufacturing apparatuses arranged in parallel to each other in a production flow, each of the manufacturing apparatuses configured to perform a manufacturing step in or using the supplied segments, and the apparatus comprising at least one unloading device configured to unload the segments from the manufacturing apparatus, the segments being transferred from the supply device to the manufacturing apparatus by a transfer device, and the apparatus being controllable and / or adjustable by control signals from a control device so that the segments taken from the supply device are transferred by the transfer device to a predetermined one of the at least two manufacturing apparatuses as intended.

[0023] The targeted supply of a segment to one of the production devices presupposes a corresponding switchability of the transfer device. Only if this switchability is available can a segment taken from the supply device be supplied to one production device determined by the control device. This makes it possible to prevent the received segments from being assigned to the production devices purely randomly.

[0024] The production station to which the segments are supplied as intended can change depending on various conditions, for example, due to the occurrence of a particular phenomenon or as a function of time. In the following, the production station determined by the control device to which the segments are supplied by the delivery device is referred to as the target production station.

[0025] The transfer device determines the path for the segments from the supply device to the target manufacturing device, so that the supply to the manufacturing device can be controlled perfectly in line with the objective, even in the event of irregularities in the provision of the segments, for example.

[0026] Preferably, each manufacturing device is assigned an unambiguous identifier, for example in the form of a numeric and / or letter code. By using this identifier, the target manufacturing device can be unambiguously determined and identified by the control device. The identifier may, for example, be stored in a storage medium of the control device.

[0027] The processor of the control device preferably calculates corresponding control signals to control and / or regulate the delivery device so that the segments picked up from the delivery device are delivered to the target manufacturing device, thereby ensuring that each segment is delivered to the desired manufacturing device.

[0028] Preferably, the segments are monocells as mentioned at the outset, so that the manufacturing device can carry out manufacturing steps, for example, for manufacturing energy accumulators. In principle, the device can also be configured to carry out manufacturing steps on or with other types of segments, in particular multi-layer segments for energy cells, which can be used, for example, for the manufacture of fuel cells or solid-state batteries, so-called solid-state batteries.

[0029] Preferably, the device can be controlled and / or adjusted by a control signal from the control device so that a segment taken from the supply device can be transferred to any one of the plurality of existing manufacturing devices. In other words, the control device can define each of the plurality of existing manufacturing devices as a target manufacturing device for each individual segment taken from the supply device. Furthermore, the device is physically configured to realize the corresponding control signal from the control device. This allows a segment to be transferred to the currently selected target manufacturing device, completely independent of the time when the segment was provided by the supply device. Furthermore, this allows all existing manufacturing devices to be used to parallelize the manufacturing process. Parallelization can increase the time period for performing manufacturing steps in a manufacturing station. For example, this allows manufacturing steps that were previously not possible due to the production speed to be performed, or manufacturing steps can be performed with high quality.

[0030] Preferably, the supply device includes only one feed path for the segments. The segments are fed to the transfer device along this feed path. The transfer device therefore not only performs the distribution function of transferring the segments to the selected target manufacturing device in the desired manner. Additionally, the transfer device can divide this single feed path for parallelization. The feed paths defined by the transfer device, which lead to at least two manufacturing devices, may overlap in certain sections.

[0031] Furthermore, a single discharge device is preferably provided for removing the segments from the manufacturing device, which is configured, for example, to collect the finished products or intermediate products produced by the manufacturing device, such as a stack formed by the segments, back into a single feed path, so that the finished products or intermediate products can then be fed to a device for carrying out a downstream manufacturing step.

[0032] It is further proposed that the manufacturing devices each be formed by one stacking station, each configured to receive segments and stack them one on top of the other to form a stack. Thus, one stack is formed in each manufacturing device. For example, if segments in the form of the monocells mentioned at the outset are used, the manufacturing devices can each form a cell stack that can be used as an energy accumulator.

[0033] Preferably, the control device can control and / or adjust the at least two manufacturing devices so that exactly one of them alternates as the target for a segment. This allows the manufacturing devices to be supplied with segments, for example, in a predefined order. For example, multiple manufacturing devices can be supplied with one segment each in turn, and this process can be repeated, for example, as often as desired. The proposed device thus advantageously compensates for segments that may be missing when provided by the supply device, so that the order of supply to the stacking station is not disrupted. A segment may be missing during supply for various reasons, for example, because it is removed for quality inspection. Furthermore, by determining the target manufacturing devices alternately in a predetermined order, it can be ensured that products or intermediate products, such as cell stacks, formed in parallel by multiple manufacturing devices can be transferred to at least one subsequent removal device at the desired time.

[0034] Furthermore, it is proposed that the control device controls and / or regulates the existing manufacturing devices in such a way that they are alternately provided with a predefined number of segments, preferably exactly one segment, thereby achieving an even distribution of the segments to the manufacturing devices.

[0035] It is further proposed that the apparatus be controlled and / or adjusted by a control device so that segments are provided to the manufacturing apparatus in multiple cycles, with exactly one segment being provided to each of the multiple manufacturing apparatuses present in one cycle.

[0036] For example, if exactly four manufacturing devices are provided, the provision of each segment in one supply cycle may be performed, for example, in the following order: first manufacturing device, second manufacturing device, third manufacturing device, fourth manufacturing device. The control device may be configured to directly parallel any number of supply cycles in time.

[0037] If the manufacturing device is a stacking station, a stack of segments can be formed, for example, in each manufacturing station, with the last segment of each stack being placed in one stack circuit. Thus, the stacks are completed almost simultaneously. With the last segment of the stack, the stack reaches a predefined stack height, which can be determined by a control device. The predefined stack height thus represents the number of segments, preferably more than two, required to form the completed stack. When a cell stack is formed using a stacking station, the stack can be supplemented after reaching the predefined stack height with the end stack mentioned at the beginning or with anode sheets, with or without separator sheets, to form the completed cell stack.

[0038] Alternatively, the stacks may initially have different heights, so that the completion of the stacks in the individual manufacturing machines, i.e., the reaching of the predefined stack height, is time-corrected as the supply circuit progresses. In this variation, for example, if there are four manufacturing machines, the first manufacturing machine may have a completed stack, the second manufacturing machine may have a stack that is three-quarters complete, the third manufacturing machine may have a stack that is half complete, and the fourth manufacturing machine may have a stack that is one-quarter complete.

[0039] Preferably, therefore, the stack is transferred from the manufacturing device to at least one unloading device when the corresponding manufacturing device has been supplied with segments in a predefined number of cycles, with a new stack being started in the respective manufacturing device in the subsequent cycles.

[0040] It is further proposed that the transfer device includes at least one discharge transport unit with at least one holding device that exerts a holding force on the segments in the production flow, and that the production devices each include one receiving transport unit with at least one holding device that exerts a holding force on the segments in the production flow, and that the targeted transfer of the segments to one of the production devices is achieved by adjusting the holding force at the discharge transport unit and / or the receiving transport unit using a control signal generated by the control device. Preferably, a switchable switching device is provided that increases or decreases the holding force depending on the control signal from the control device. The switchability of the holding devices of the discharge transport unit and / or the receiving transport unit allows the targeted transfer of the segments to one of the production devices.

[0041] It has been found to be further advantageous if the discharge conveying unit and the receiving conveying unit each include at least one rotatably driven rotor, preferably in the form of a discharge drum, and if the discharge conveying unit and the receiving conveying unit each include at least one vacuum sector capable of applying vacuum to hold and transport the segments on the respective conveying surface of the respective conveying unit, and if the device can be controlled and / or adjusted according to a control signal from the control device to generate a higher holding force in the receiving conveying unit than in the discharge conveying unit, for transferring the segments at least in the transfer area between the discharge conveying unit and the receiving conveying unit. In this way, the vacuum sector can be considered a holding device for the segments. This temporarily changes the force acting by vacuum on the conveying surface or on a partial area of ​​the conveying surface. This ensures a reliable and product-friendly transfer of the segments to the manufacturing device.

[0042] Preferably, the transfer device comprises two discharge transport units, each formed by a transfer drum and having a corresponding holding device, so that the segments can be transported, for example, along a segment of a circular path on the outer circumferential surface of the transfer drum forming the transport surface. Preferably, the first discharge transport unit is supplied with segments by a feed device. Unless the corresponding segment is transferred from the first discharge transport unit to one or more of the production devices assigned to this first discharge transport unit, the segment is transferred by a deflection drum, preferably also including a holding device, to a second discharge transport unit in the form of a transfer drum, from which the remaining segments are transferred to one or more production devices assigned to this second discharge transport unit. Thus, for example, a first discharge transport unit can supply segments to a first manufacturing apparatus and a second manufacturing apparatus formed by stacking stations, while a second discharge transport unit supplies segments to a third manufacturing apparatus and a fourth manufacturing apparatus also formed by stacking stations, for example, so that the production flow can include four feed paths, each feed path leading to one of a plurality of manufacturing apparatuses.

[0043] Furthermore, it has been found that the segments can be gently held on the conveying surface of the rotor, for example on the outer periphery of the rotor, by means of negative pressure.

[0044] Insofar as the manufacturing device is formed by stacking stations, it is proposed that each stacking station includes a receiving transport unit, which receives the segments from one of the discharge transport units at a transfer area at a predetermined feed rate and then lowers them to form a stack. If the transfer device includes a rotating body as described above and the segments are held on the outer circumferential surface of this rotating body, the feed rate corresponds to the circumferential speed of this rotating body. Preferably, the segments are placed at the transfer area to form the cell stack at a speed lower than the feed rate, more preferably zero. Therefore, the receiving transport unit is preferably configured to reduce its speed from the transfer area, where the segments are received from the transfer device, to the take-off area, where the segments are stacked. Basically, it is also possible for the speed of the segments to be temporarily increased between the point of receiving the segments and the point of lowering them to form the stack.

[0045] According to a preferred embodiment, it is proposed that the stacking stations each include at least one magazine in which the receiving transport unit stacks the segments one on top of the other to form a stack. The magazines are therefore arranged at the take-over point, where the segments are stacked one on top of the other to form the cell stack. The magazines can be, for example, components of a magazine drum, so that the corresponding magazine can be rotated after the formation of the stack and can be provided to the collection area of ​​the discharge device by the rotational movement of the magazine drum.

[0046] Furthermore, it is proposed that at least one switchable valve is arranged in the vacuum device to reduce the holding force in a section of the conveying surface of the discharge-side conveying unit, and that the at least one switchable valve can be switched by a control signal from the control device so as to reduce the holding force acting on the segments on the conveying surface of the discharge-side conveying unit. This makes it possible to easily apply a vacuum to the area on each conveying surface where it is desired that the segments be held by the holding force. If the discharge-side conveying unit includes multiple vacuum sectors, it is possible to reduce the holding force for one vacuum sector, for example, as desired.

[0047] Furthermore, it is proposed that a compressed air device, which can be switched, for example, by a valve, is provided to direct compressed air to the discharge point of the discharge-side transport unit and / or the receiving point of the receiving-side transport unit, and that the compressed air device can be switched by a control signal from the control device. The use of compressed air at the discharge point allows a discharge force to be applied to the segments, thereby improving the transfer of the segments from the transfer device to the respective target stack station. It is important here that the pressure force in this case acts in the direction of the receiving-side transport unit.

[0048] There are various possibilities for ensuring that the holding force of the delivery transport unit in the transfer area is smaller than the holding force of the delivery transport unit on the receiving side of the corresponding production device.

[0049] First, in the transfer area, the holding force acting on the segments by the negative pressure in the transfer device's discharge-side transport unit can be temporarily reduced or eliminated compared to the holding force in the receiving-side transport unit of the manufacturing device, so that the negative pressure level generating the holding force in the receiving-side transport unit can remain constant.

[0050] Second, in the transfer area, the holding force exerted on the segments by the negative pressure in the receiving conveying unit of each manufacturing device may be higher or temporarily increased compared to the holding force in the discharging conveying unit of the transfer device, so that the negative pressure level exerted on the discharging conveying unit may remain constant.

[0051] Thirdly, a force acting in the direction of the stacking station can be temporarily applied by compressed air to the segment to be transferred, which is held by negative pressure on the conveying surface of the discharge conveying unit. In this situation, as long as the holding device of the discharge conveying unit is still active, the holding force exerted by the discharge conveying unit on the segment in the transfer area is smaller than the pressing force exerted by the compressed air in the direction of the discharge conveying unit.

[0052] Preferably, the manufacturing equipment present has the same structure and / or is configured to perform the same manufacturing steps in or with the segments, thereby achieving redundancy and thus increasing the system reliability of the equipment.

[0053] Preferably, a discharge station is provided which is configured to discharge the segments from the production flow. Such a discharge station may, for example, comprise a discharge drum by which the segments can be discharged into a waste reservoir. Preferably, the discharge station is configured to remove the segments from the production flow in accordance with a switching signal.

[0054] The discharge station may be located upstream of the transfer device in the production flow. Preferably, data generated by the discharge station is provided to the control device. The control device can use this data to control and / or regulate the transfer device. Furthermore, the transfer device can also be controlled and / or regulated based on this data.

[0055] Alternatively or additionally, a discharge station can be arranged downstream of the transfer device in the production flow, so that the discharge station is supplied with segments through corresponding control and / or adjustment of the transfer device. These segments are therefore not supplied to the manufacturing device. The discharge station can, for example, be arranged parallel to an existing manufacturing device in the production flow, just like the manufacturing device. The transfer device is therefore configured to transfer the segments either to one of the manufacturing devices or to the discharge station depending on the control signal of the control device.

[0056] For example, segments may be removed from the production flow if inspection indicates that they do not meet quality requirements. Additionally, segments may be removed from the production flow for use as quality control samples.

[0057] Preferably, the feeder device has a plurality of segment receptacles, each designed to transport one segment, and is provided with a detection device that detects unoccupied segment receptacles of the feeder device, and the data determined by the detection device is provided to the control device for controlling and / or regulating the transfer device. The detection device may, for example, comprise an optical measuring device, for example in the form of a camera. However, in principle, other embodiments of the detection device are also conceivable. The data transmitted to the control device in this way allows the transfer station to always properly pick up the next arriving segment from the feeder device and transfer it to the respective target feed device.

[0058] According to a second aspect of the present application, an industrial method for producing energy cells is proposed, in which the manufacturing steps are carried out in or with segments, the method being carried out using an apparatus according to any of the preceding claims. With regard to the technical effects and advantages associated with the proposed method, reference is made to the above statements relating to the apparatus.

[0059] If the manufacturing apparatus is formed by a respective stacking station, it is proposed that in the manufacturing apparatus, segments in the form of mono-cells are stacked one on top of the other, each mono-cell comprising two separator sheets, one anode sheet and one cathode sheet.

[0060] It is further proposed to use a supply device to supply first-type segments in the form of monocells, to additionally supply second-type segments different from the first-type segments, and to transfer the second-type segments received from the supply device to one of at least two production devices in a targeted manner so that the second-type segments form the first or last layer of the stack of segments formed by the production device. The production device can thus perform the pre- and / or post-function of the end cells. For example, the production device can be used to form the end of the energy cell with second-type segments in the form of individual anode sheets with or without separator sheets, in the form of the aforementioned end cells, or in the form of insulating and / or protective sheets that protect the stack on the end sides against external mechanical influences. Alternatively or additionally, the second-type segments can also include packaging material. Such a packaging material is preferably dimensioned so that the remaining part of the stack can be partially or completely surrounded, in particular wrapped, by the packaging material, thereby fixing the position of the segments of the respective stack. This makes it possible to dispense with additional devices for pre- or post-positioning the corresponding end of the stack. The second type of segments can thus be fed to the transfer device by means of the feed device or by means of a separate feed device.

[0061] The present invention will now be described with reference to preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0062] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows an apparatus equipped with four manufacturing devices. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 shows a manufacturing apparatus in the form of a stack station. [Figure 3] 10 is a schematic diagram showing a transport unit on the discharge side of a delivery device and a transport unit on the receiving side of a manufacturing device. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0063] FIG. 1 shows an apparatus 1 for forming a stack 15 of segments 16 for the industrial production of energy cells. The apparatus 1 includes a feed device 2, an unloading device 3, an upstream cutting device 9, and four manufacturing devices 8a-8d arranged between the feed device 2 and the unloading device 3 in the production flow. The manufacturing devices 8a-8d are arranged parallel to one another in the production flow, so that the manufacturing devices 8a-8d can be supplied with segments 16 directly from the transfer device 4, i.e., without the need for another manufacturing device 8a-8d. However, more or fewer manufacturing devices 8a-8d are also conceivable. In this example, the four manufacturing devices 8a-8d are formed by stacking stations. Each of these stacking stations is configured to receive the segments 16 and stack them one on top of the other to form a stack 15. In this embodiment, the segments 16 are formed from the aforementioned mono-cells, and thus the stack 15 in the form of a cell stack is formed using the manufacturing devices 8a-8d.

[0064] The supply device 2 supplies the segments 16 that form the stack 15 to the delivery device 4, and the delivery device 4 receives these segments 16 and delivers them to the manufacturing devices 8a to 8d.

[0065] An endless web 30 is supplied to the apparatus 1. The endless web 30 comprises two endless webs of separator material with a plurality of anode sheets disposed between them and spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the endless web 30, and a plurality of cathode sheets disposed on one side of one of the two endless webs of separator material and spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the endless web 30. However, the endless web 30 may also be formed from only one endless web of separator material, with or without electrode sheets disposed thereon. As long as the endless web 30 has spaced electrode sheets, the cuts in the cutting device 9 are made through the separations between the electrode sheets.

[0066] The cutting device 9 is formed in this embodiment by a drum pair consisting of a cutting drum with a cutting knife and an opposing drum with an opposing knife. The endless web 30 guided on the cutting drum or the opposing drum is cut by shearing the cutting knife at the opposing knife to form segments 16 of a predetermined length. This length is defined by the distance between the cutting knife or the opposing knife, depending on whether the endless web 30 is guided on the cutting drum or the opposing drum. Alternatively, the cutting device 9 may be configured to cut the endless web 30 by thermal cutting to form segments 16 of a predetermined length. Starting from the cutting device 9, the cut segments 16 are fed to the feed device 2. The feed device 2 includes a plurality of transport drums where the segments 16 are held, for example by negative pressure, until they are finally transferred onto a first discharge-side transport unit 21 in the form of a transfer drum of the transfer device 4.

[0067] The endless web 30 supplied is a four-ply web, so that the segments 16 cut from this web correspond to the initially mentioned monocells which can be used to form energy accumulators.

[0068] Furthermore, the feeding device 2 includes a rejection station 6 (shown only diagrammatically) which is able to detect segments 16 having damage and to reject them from the production process.

[0069] Each of the four production devices 8a-8d comprises a receiving transport unit 11 in the form of a driveable rotary extractor punch. The transfer unit 4 comprises the already mentioned first discharge transport unit 21 in the form of a transfer drum and a second discharge transport unit 23 also in the form of a transfer. Two of the receiving transport units 11 are assigned to the first discharge transport unit 21, which, during their rotary movement, remove the segments 16 from the discharge transport unit 21 and then transfer these segments 16 to the respective subsequent magazine drum 10, which will be explained in more detail with reference to FIG. 2.

[0070] The delivery device 4 is controlled and / or adjusted by the control device 20 so that each segment 16 received from the supply device 2 can be supplied to one of the four manufacturing devices 8a, 8b, 8c, or 8d as intended. To this end, the control device 20 determines one of the manufacturing devices 8a, 8b, 8c, or 8d as the target manufacturing device. In this embodiment, a unique station ID is assigned to each of the manufacturing devices 8a to 8d. The manufacturing device 8a is designated by a station ID S1, the manufacturing device 8b by a station ID S2, the manufacturing device 8c by a station ID S3, and the manufacturing device 8d by a station ID S4.

[0071] In this embodiment, the segments 16 are preferably distributed to the manufacturing machines 8a, 8b, 8c and 8d one after the other, so that the respective stacks 15 are always completed in the same order.

[0072] As a result, the control device 20 first determines the manufacturing device 8a as the target manufacturing device using the station ID S1. The segments 16 delivered from the supply device 2 to the delivery device 4 are delivered from the first discharge-side transport unit 21 to the stack station 8a.

[0073] As target manufacturing apparatuses, manufacturing apparatus 8a is followed by manufacturing apparatus 8b indicated by station ID S2. The segments 16 delivered from the supply apparatus 2 to the delivery apparatus 4 are delivered from the first delivery-side transport unit 21 to manufacturing apparatus 8b.

[0074] As target manufacturing devices, manufacturing device 8b is followed by manufacturing device 8c, designated by station ID S3. The segments 16 transferred from the supply device 2 to the transfer device 4 are transferred from the first discharge transport unit 21 to the rotator 5 in the form of a deflection drum, and from this rotator 5 again to the second discharge transport unit 23. The rotator 5 and the second discharge transport unit 23 are components of the transfer device 4. In this case, the orientation of the segments 16 relative to their surface is reversed twice when they are taken from the first discharge transport unit 21 and when they are transferred from the rotator 5 to the second discharge transport unit 23, so that the segments 16 are then positioned on the second discharge transport unit 23 in the same orientation as they were on the first discharge transport unit 21. The second discharge conveying unit 23 is assigned two receiving conveying units 11 in the form of rotating take-off punches, which take the segments 16 from the second discharge conveying unit 23 according to the same principle and feed them respectively into the magazine drums 10. From the second discharge conveying unit 23, the segments 16 can then be transferred further to the manufacturing device 8c.

[0075] As target manufacturing devices, manufacturing device 8c is followed by manufacturing device 8d, which is indicated by station ID S4. In this case, segment 16 starts from supply device 2 and is delivered to manufacturing device 8d via first discharge-side transport unit 21, rotating body 5, and second discharge-side transport unit 23.

[0076] The successive supply of one segment 16 each to the manufacturing devices 8a, 8b, 8c and 8d is called cyclic supply, which can be repeated any number of times until a predefined stack height is achieved.

[0077] As soon as a stack 15 is completed in one of the manufacturing devices 8a to 8d, i.e. as soon as a predefined number of segments 16 are stacked one on top of the other, the respective magazine drum 10 can be rotated, thereby allowing the stack 15 to be handed over to the discharge device 3.

[0078] The control device 20 is configured to control the transfer device 4 and the receiving transport unit 11 in such a way that the aforementioned sequence of the target manufacturing devices can be maintained even when the supply device 2 does not continuously supply segments 16, i.e., when the segment storage of the supply device 2 remains empty. To detect when the segment storage of the supply device 2 remains empty, a detection device 22 is provided, which is connected to the control device 20 in a signaling manner. If the transfer device 4 were not switchable, the absence of a segment 16 would lead to one or more of the manufacturing devices 8a, 8b, 8c, or 8d being skipped when supplying the segment 16. With the proposed device 1, this skip can be avoided by corresponding control or regulation.

[0079] Furthermore, the device 1 includes an inspection device (not shown) that is configured to detect defective segments 16. Therefore, the defective segments 16 are not removed from the two discharge transport units 21, 23 by the receiving transport unit 11, but are instead transported via an ejection drum 25 into a waste reservoir 26. The supply of the defective segments 16 to the ejection drum 25 is also effected by corresponding control signals of the control device 20. In this case, the waste reservoir 26 is downstream of the transfer device 4 in the production flow.

[0080] The segments 16 are supplied in a supply flow from the supply device 2 and transferred to the four manufacturing devices 8a to 8d for stacking in parallel. For this purpose, the segments 16 are delivered from four receiving transport units 11 to four parallel-arranged magazine drums 10 of the manufacturing devices 8a to 8d, where the segments 16 are stacked one on top of the other to form stacks 15 and subsequently delivered to the discharge device 3.

[0081] Each of the four manufacturing devices 8a to 8d has, as its main components, a receiving-side transport unit 11, a magazine drum 10, and a discharge device 12. One of the manufacturing devices 8a to 8d is shown enlarged in FIG.

[0082] FIG. 2 shows that the receiving transport unit 11 of the production device 8 is formed by a rotary drive removal punch that, during each rotation, removes one segment 16 from one of the two discharge transport units 21 or 23 (see FIG. 1) and moves it to a take-up point I on the magazine drum 10. The magazine drum 10 has four magazines 13 arranged on its outer periphery and open outward. Furthermore, a scraping device in the form of a comb-like scraping element 27 with a number of parallel-arranged scraping webs is provided, which are movable relative to the magazine drum 10 and relative to the take-up point I, and which engages through corresponding slits in a similarly fixed scraping wall 28. The scraping element 27 can thus be understood as an active unloading device that removes the segments 16 from the transport unit 11 and places them on top of the stack 15 to be formed in the magazine 13.

[0083] Furthermore, parallel guides 50 are provided which do not rotate together with the magazine drum 10 but form a height-adjustable base for the stack 15 to be formed at the take-over point I. The parallel guides 50 move the stack base of the unfinished stack 15 downwards during stacking, thereby maintaining the upper stack edge at a constant height in the magazine for subsequent placement of another stack 16. For this purpose, the parallel guides 50 have several stays arranged parallel to one another which can engage in corresponding notches in the magazine 13 when the magazine 13 is located at the take-over point I.

[0084] Furthermore, the ejection punch has slits 29 which are parallel to one another and oriented in the direction of rotation of the ejection punch, into which the scraping webs of the scraping element 27 engage during the rotation of the ejection punch, so that the segments 16 held on the outer surface of the ejection punch are scraped off during the rotation of the ejection punch into the magazines 13 arranged at the take-off point I. Since the take-off point I in this example is arranged above the magazine drum 10 and the segments 16 are introduced into the magazines 13 from above, the introduction of the segments 16 into the magazines 13 is additionally assisted in this case by the acting gravity, but the lowering of the segments 16 into the respective magazines 13 occurs primarily by the active scraping element 27.

[0085] Furthermore, the magazine 13 has a comb-shaped side wall with aligned circumferential engagement openings 17 and holding devices 14 in the form of a plurality of engagement fingers that can be pivoted by a pivoting mechanism. The movement of the holding devices 14, i.e. the pivotable engagement fingers, of the magazine 13 is controlled by a control device 20 in such a way that the engagement fingers of the holding devices 14 are not engaged through the engagement openings 17 at the take-over point I, so that the opening of the magazine 13 is open outward. This allows free access to the opening of the magazine 13 at the take-over point I, and the segments 16 are stacked in the opening by repeated rotational movements of the discharge transport unit 21 to form a stack 15 of a predefined height.

[0086] When a predetermined height of stack 15 is reached in magazine 13, magazine drum 10 is rotated by 90 degrees and the next magazine 13 is moved to take-over point I for a repeat of the stacking process. At the same time, with the start of the rotational movement of magazine drum 10, holding device 14 is moved by control device 20 (see FIG. 1 ) so that the engagement fingers of this holding device 14 engage through engagement openings 17 in the side walls of magazine 13 and rest against the upper surface of stack 15. In this way, holding device 14 prevents stack 15 from then undesirably escaping from magazine 13.

[0087] As the magazine drum 10 continues to rotate, the magazine 13 filled with stacks 15 reaches a transfer point II, shown at the bottom in the figure. At the second transfer point II, a fixedly positioned ejection device 12 is provided. This ejection device 12 is in the form of a plurality of webs oriented parallel to one another and aligned with the engagement openings 17, which engage with the engagement openings 17 at the height of the magazine 13's bottom during the rotation of the magazine drum 10, thereby removing the stacks 15 from the magazine 13. The stacks 15 are removed downward from the magazine 13, so that the removal movement is again gravity-assisted. To remove the stacks 15, the holding device 14 was released in a previous step. This is achieved, for example, by the ejection device 12 operating the holding device 14 to its open position before or simultaneously with the insertion of the webs into the engagement openings 17. In this open position, the holding device 14 opens the opening of the magazine 13 so that the stack 15 can be removed from the magazine 13. The ejection device 12 is here formed by a structure consisting of stationary webs that remove the stack 15 from the magazine 13 by means of a comb. If such active removal is not required, it is sufficient for the ejection device 12 to simply operate the holding device 14 and for the stack 15 to simply fall out of the magazine 13 by gravity. The ejection device 12 is in this case a passive ejection device 12, which triggers but does not actively assist the removal of the stack 15.

[0088] As an alternative to a passive ejection device 12, the magazine drum 10 can also be provided with a pusher and a collector below the transfer point II. In such a case, the transfer of the stacks 15 from the magazine 13 can additionally be carried out gravity-assisted, depending on the design.

[0089] The discharge device 3, which can be seen in FIG. 1, includes an endless feed device 33 such as an endless band, endless chain, endless belt, etc. The endless feed device 33 is equipped with a number of workpiece carriers 34, each having a receiving portion 35 shaped to correspond to the shape of the stack 15. The workpiece carriers 34 are positioned and held in the endless feed device 33 so as to be disposed below the magazine 13 at the transfer point II (see FIG. 2) so that the stack 15 is discharged from the magazine 13 into the receiving portion 35 of the workpiece carrier 34. While the discharge device 3 performs a time-controlled feed movement, the workpiece carriers 34 can be transported from one of the plurality of manufacturing devices 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d to the next manufacturing device, or can be transported over a plurality of stack stations.

[0090] Furthermore, a second feed device 37 is provided, which includes a second cutting device 38 and a removal device 36. The second feed device 37 is also supplied with a single-layer endless web 31 of separator material or a multi-layer, e.g., a three-layer, endless web having multiple webs of separator material and electrode sheets arranged therebetween, the outer surface of which is free of electrode sheets. According to the same principle as in the first cutting device 9, the endless web is cut in the second cutting device 38 to form segments 16 of a predetermined length (in this case, the aforementioned end cells), which are then transferred to a rotating body 39 in the form of a transfer drum, from which they are removed by a second removal device 36 and inserted into the receiving compartment 35 of the workpiece carrier 34, after which the stack 15 is introduced from the magazine drum 10 into the receiving compartment 35.

[0091] The stack 15 inserted from the magazine drum 10 has an exposed electrode sheet on one of its surfaces, which is now covered by the segment 16, or end cell, inserted via the second removal device 36. Because the segment 16 inserted by the second removal device 36 intentionally does not have an exposed electrode sheet but instead has separator material on both surfaces, the stack 15 of segments 16 that is finally removed from the discharge device 3 also has separator material on both sides.

[0092] In the embodiment described, the second removal device 36 inserts the segments 16 into the receiving portion 35 of the work carrier 34 before the stack 15 is introduced into the receiving portion 35 of the work carrier 34. However, it is also conceivable that the second removal device 36 places the segments 16 onto the cell stack 15 from above after the cell stack 15 has been inserted into the receiving portion 35.

[0093] Alternatively, by utilizing the switchability of the transfer device 4, it is also possible to terminate the stack 15 with a segment 16 other than the monocell. In this case, the segment 16 other than the monocell, i.e., for example, the aforementioned end cell or an individual anode sheet with or without an electrode sheet, can be fed to the transfer device 4 by means of the second feed device 37 and then fed to one of the production devices 8a, 8b, 8c, or 8d in the transfer device 4 as, for example, the first segment 16 of the stack 15 to be produced. The transfer device 4 can feed the segment 16 to the corresponding production device 8a, 8b, 8c, or 8d until the cell stack 15 reaches a predefined height, i.e., is completed.

[0094] Furthermore, the second supply device 37 is also provided with a corresponding inspection device (not shown), by means of which defective segments 16 are detected and discharged into the second waste reservoir 19.

[0095] Using FIG. 3, how the transfer device 4 and the transport unit 11 on the receiving side of the stack station 8a are controlled by the control device 20 (FIG. 1) will be described below.

[0096] It can be seen that the discharge-side conveying unit 21 includes a plurality of vacuum sectors 7. These vacuum sectors 7 can be supplied with vacuum by a vacuum reservoir 47 depending on the position of the valve 42. Therefore, in this embodiment, a holding force can be applied to the segments 16 by the action of vacuum on a conveying surface 48 formed by the outer circumferential surface of the rotor, thereby holding and conveying the segments 16. The vacuum sectors 7 thus form a holding device that exerts a holding force on the segments 16.

[0097] 3 shows the discharge-side transport unit 21 in the form of a transfer drum as part of the transfer device 4. The receiving-side transport unit 11 is arranged tangentially to the discharge-side transport unit 21 in the transfer area 40. The receiving-side transport unit 11 is configured as a segmented drum and has a vacuum sector 18 in the form of a protrusion extending, for example, over approximately 50° in one circumferential section, and a sector 24 without vacuum in a second circumferential section, which extends, for example, over the remaining 310°. Vacuum is supplied to the vacuum sector 18 via a central vacuum reservoir.

[0098] Essentially, the drum is only subjected to vacuum in a partial area around its periphery.

[0099] 3, the rotational position of the receiving transport unit 11 is adjusted so that the vacuum sector 18 faces away from the discharge transport unit 21 and is therefore not in a working relationship with the rotor 21. In this position, the sector 24 without vacuum is therefore located in the transfer area 40 of the discharge transport unit 21 and of the receiving transport unit 11. The receiving transport unit 11 is therefore switched off, and the segment 16 held on the discharge transport unit 21 and passing through the transfer area 40 continues to be fed on the rotor 21 in the direction of rotation R, for example up to the 3 o'clock position.

[0100] To transfer the segment 16 to the receiving transport unit 11 of the stacking station 8a, the vacuum sector 18 of the receiving transport unit 11 is rotated in the direction of rotation R' to the transfer area 40. This position is shown in FIG. 3. As soon as the vacuum sector 18 tangentially contacts the discharge transport unit 21, the control device 20 (see FIG. 1) opens the valve 43, and compressed air is applied to the transfer area 40 via the compressed air line 46, which is supplied with compressed air via the compressed air device, thereby eliminating the vacuum created by the vacuum device 41 in the transfer area 40. Since the discharge transport unit 21 no longer exerts a holding force on the segment 16 located in the transfer area 40, the segment 16 is sucked into the vacuum sector 18 of the receiving transport unit 11 and taken up, so that the segment 16 can continue to be transported on the transport surface 49 of the receiving transport unit 11. By further rotating the receiving conveying unit 11 and thus the vacuum sector 18, the segments 16 can be further conveyed and handed over, for example, to a rotating body 5 or a manufacturing device 8b (see Figure 1) located downstream of the receiving conveying unit 11, which are not shown in Figure 3 for the sake of clarity.

[0101] 3, the negative pressure of the discharge-side conveying unit 21 is eliminated or counteracted by compressed air in order to discharge the segments 16 into the unloading device 11. Generally, the negative pressure of the discharge-side conveying unit 21 does not have to be reduced to zero in order to discharge the segments 16. Generally, for the handover, it is sufficient that the negative pressure of the receiving-side conveying unit 11 exerts a stronger holding force on the segments 16 than that of the discharge-side conveying unit 21.

[0102] Alternatively or additionally to supplying compressed air to the conveying surface 48 of the discharge conveying unit 21 in the transfer area 40, the vacuum line 44 connecting the vacuum reservoir 47 to the vacuum sector 7 of the discharge conveying unit 21 can also be deactivated by means of the valve 42, so that the segments 16 are no longer held on the outer circumferential surface of the discharge conveying unit 21 by vacuum. The valve 42 is therefore likewise controlled by the control device 20.

[0103] Alternatively or additionally, it is possible to apply a vacuum to the vacuum sector 18 of the receiving transport unit 11 in the transfer area 40 that exerts a greater holding force on the segments 16 than the vacuum sector 7 of the discharging transport unit 21.

[0104] Obviously, this principle of transfer can also be applied to other transfers of the segments 16, in particular from the discharge conveying unit 21 to the second manufacturing apparatus 8b, from the first discharge conveying unit 21 to the rotor 5, from the rotor 5 to the second discharge conveying unit 23, and from the second discharge conveying unit 23 to the manufacturing apparatuses 8c and 8d. By corresponding control of the valves 42 and / or 43 using the control device 20 (see FIG. 1), the segments 16 supplied from the supply device 2 can be easily delivered to one of the manufacturing apparatuses 8a-8d as desired. The rotational speeds of the first discharge conveying unit 21, the second discharge conveying unit 23, and the rotor 5 of the transfer device 4 can be maintained constant. Furthermore, the rotational movement of the receiving conveying unit 11 does not necessarily have to be varied for control or adjustment purposes. [Explanation of symbols]

[0105] 1 device 2 Feeding device 3 Unloading device 4 Delivery device 5 Rotating body 6. Discharge Station 7 Negative Pressure Sector 8 Manufacturing equipment 9 Cutting device 10 Magazine Drum 11 Receiving transport unit 12 Release device 13 Magazine 14 Holding device 15 stacks 16 segments 17 Engagement opening 18 Negative Pressure Sector 19 Waste Reservoir 20 Control device 21 (first) discharge side transport unit 22 Detection device 23 (Second) discharge side transport unit 24 Sectors without negative pressure 25 Eject drum 26 Waste Reservoir 27 Scraping part 28 Scraping Wall 29 Slit 30 Endless Web 31 Endless Web 32 Negative pressure reservoir 33 Endless feeder 34 Work Career 35 Storage section 36 Removal device 37 Feeding device 38 Second cutting device 39 Rotating Body 40 Delivery Area 41 Negative pressure device 42 valves 43 Valve 44 Negative pressure pipe 45 Compressed Air Equipment 46 Compressed air pipeline 47 Negative pressure reservoir 48 Conveying surface 49 Conveying surface 50 Parallel guide I Pick-up location II Delivery point R Rotation direction R' Rotation direction

Claims

1. An industrial device (1) for producing energy cells, comprising: a feeding device (2) configured to feed segments (16) In an apparatus (1) comprising: at least two manufacturing devices (8a, 8b, 8c, 8d) arranged parallel to one another in a production flow, each configured to perform a manufacturing step in or with a supplied segment (16); at least one discharge device (3) configured to discharge the segments (16) from said manufacturing device (8a, 8b, 8c, 8d); further comprising - the segments (16) are transferred from the supply device (2) to the manufacturing devices (8a, 8b, 8c, 8d) by a transfer device (4), - the device (1) is characterized in that it can be controlled and / or adjusted by control signals from a control device (20) so that the segments (16) taken from the supply device (2) are transferred by the transfer device (4) as intended to one of the at least two production devices (8a, 8b, 8c, 8d) to a predetermined production device (8a, 8b, 8c, 8d).

2. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the device (1) is controllable and / or adjustable by means of control signals from the control device (20) so that the segments (16) taken from the supply device (2) can be transferred to each of the manufacturing devices (8a, 8b, 8c, 8d) present.

3. The device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the supply device (2) comprises only one feed path for the segments (16), on which the segments (16) are supplied to the transfer device (4).

4. said manufacturing devices (8a, 8b, 8c, 8d) are each formed by a stacking station, - Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each of the stacking stations is configured to receive segments (16) and stack them one on top of the other to form a stack (15).

5. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the control device (20) controls and / or controls the device (1) so that exactly one manufacturing device of the at least two manufacturing devices (8a, 8b, 8c, 8d) is alternately the target for a segment (16).

6. 6. The device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the control device (20) controls and / or regulates the device (1) so that a predefined number of segments (16), preferably just one segment (16), is alternately supplied to the existing manufacturing devices (8a, 8b, 8c, 8d).

7. - said device (1) is controlled and / or regulated by said control device (20) so that said manufacturing devices (8a, 8b, 8c, 8d) are supplied with segments (16) in multiple feeding cycles; 7. The device (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that in one feeding cycle, exactly one segment (16) is fed to each of the production devices (8a, 8b, 8c, 8d) present.

8. - said transfer device (5) comprises at least one discharge-side transport unit (21, 23) equipped with at least one holding device for exerting a holding force on the segments (16) in the production flow; - the manufacturing devices (8a, 8b, 8c, 8d) each comprise one receiving transport unit (11) with at least one holding device for exerting a holding force on the segments (16) in the production flow, The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the targeted delivery of the segments (16) to one of the manufacturing devices (8a, 8b, 8c, 8d) is achieved by adjusting the holding force in the delivery conveying unit (21, 23) and / or the receiving conveying unit (11) by means of a control signal generated by the control device (20).

9. the discharge conveying unit (21, 23) and the receiving conveying unit (11) each comprise at least one rotatably driven rotating body, preferably in the form of a discharge drum; the delivery conveying unit (21, 23) and the receiving conveying unit (11) each comprise at least one vacuum sector (7, 18) capable of applying vacuum in order to hold and convey the segments on the conveying surface (48, 49) of the respective conveying unit (21, 11, 23), The device (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the device (1) is controllable and / or adjustable according to the control signal of the control device (20) to generate a higher holding force in the receiving conveying unit (11) than in the discharge conveying unit (11) for transferring the segments (16) at least in the transfer area (40) between the discharge conveying units (21, 23) and the receiving conveying unit (11).

10. - at least one switchable valve (42) is arranged in the vacuum device (41) to reduce the holding force on a section of the conveying surface (48) of the discharge-side conveying unit (21, 23), The device (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the at least one switchable valve (42) can be switched by a control signal of the control device (20) in such a way that the holding force acting on the segment (16) at the conveying surface (48) of the discharge-side conveying unit is reduced.

11. a compressed air device (45), switchable, for example by means of a valve (43), is provided for directing compressed air to the discharge point (40) of the discharge conveying unit (21, 23) and / or to the receiving point of the receiving conveying unit (11); - Device (1) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the compressed air device (45) is switchable by a control signal of the control device (10).

12. - An apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the existing manufacturing devices (8a, 8b, 8c, 8d) have the same structure and / or are configured to carry out the same manufacturing steps in or with the segments (16).

13. - Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that a discharge station (6) is provided, which is configured to discharge the segments (16) from the production flow.

14. In a segment (16) for the industry producing energy cells or in a method for carrying out a manufacturing step using the segment (16) 14. A method, characterized in that the method is carried out using a device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. - in the manufacturing device (8a, 8b, 8c, 8d), the segments (16) in the form of monocells are stacked one on top of the other, - Method according to claim 14, dependent on claim 4, characterized in that the monocell comprises two separator sheets, an anode sheet and a cathode sheet respectively.

16. - supplying, by means of a supply device (2), segments of a first type (16) in the form of monocells; - additionally supplying a second type of segments (16) different from the first type of segments by means of a supply device (2), 16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that the second type of segments (16) taken from the supply device (2) are transferred by a transfer device (4) in a targeted manner to one of the at least two production devices (8a, 8b, 8c, 8d) so that the second type of segments (16) form the first or last layer of a stack (15) of segments (16) formed by the respective production device (8a, 8b, 8c, 8d).

Images