Electrode body manufacturing apparatus and electrode body manufacturing method

Abstract

To provide a manufacturing apparatus of an electrode body, capable of suppressing the generation of cracks, and provide a manufacturing method of the electrode body.SOLUTION: A manufacturing apparatus 10 of an electrode body, comprises: a foil conveyance machine that continuously conveys electrode foil FF having a first main surface FS1 and a second main surface FS2 on the side opposite to the first main surface FS1; a coating machine 3 that intermediately forms, on the first main surface FS1, a coating region FC which is coated with the electrode material FA and an uncoated region FU which is not coated with the electrode material FA by intermittently coating the first main surface FS1 of the electrode foil FF continuously conveyed with the electrode material FA; an acquisition part that acquires a position of the uncoated region FU; a laser irradiation device 1 that irradiates the first main surface FS1 of the electrode foil FF with a laser beam LL; an air blower machine 7 that is arranged on a second main surface FS2 side of the electrode foil FF; and a control device 5 that controls the air blower machine 7.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus and an electrode assembly manufacturing method. [Background technology]

[0002] The electrode manufacturing apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 has two gas discharge units. One gas discharge unit is disposed opposite to the electrode slurry applied to one surface of the current collector and discharges high-temperature gas. This discharged high-temperature gas is sprayed toward the electrode slurry. The other gas discharge unit is disposed opposite to the other surface of the current collector that is not coated with electrode slurry and discharges low-temperature gas. This discharged low-temperature gas is sprayed toward the other surface of the current collector. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-032466 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The inventors of the present application have discovered the following problems. In some cases, such an electrode manufacturing apparatus is used to dry a current collector having a coated area where an electrode material is coated and a non-coated area where the electrode material is not coated. In such cases, the coated area and the non-coated area are heated and cooled in the drying oven in the same manner, which may cause cracks.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and provides an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus and an electrode assembly manufacturing method that can suppress the occurrence of cracks. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The manufacturing apparatus for an electrode assembly according to the present disclosure includes: a foil conveyor that continuously conveys an electrode foil having a first main surface and a second main surface opposite to the first main surface; a coater that intermittently coats the first main surface of the electrode foil being continuously conveyed with an electrode material, thereby intermittently forming coated regions coated with the electrode material and uncoated regions not coated with the electrode material on the first main surface; an acquisition unit that acquires the position of the uncoated region; a laser irradiator that irradiates the first main surface of the electrode foil with laser light; a blower disposed on the second main surface side of the electrode foil; a control device for controlling the blower, The control device controls the air blower to blow air to the second main surface of the electrode foil during a period in which the uncoated region is included in the irradiation range of the laser light.

[0007] The above-mentioned electrode body manufacturing apparatus may further include a temperature measurement unit that measures the temperature of the uncoated area, and the control device may determine the temperature, speed, and time of the air blown by the blower according to the temperature of the uncoated area measured by the temperature measurement unit.

[0008] A method for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to the present disclosure includes the steps of continuously transporting an electrode foil having a first main surface and a second main surface opposite to the first main surface; intermittently applying an electrode material to the first main surface of the continuously transported electrode foil, thereby intermittently forming coated regions where the electrode material is applied and uncoated regions where the electrode material is not applied on the first main surface; obtaining the location of the uncoated area; irradiating the first main surface of the electrode foil with laser light from a laser irradiator; and blowing air onto the second main surface of the electrode foil during a period in which the uncoated region is included in the irradiation range of the laser light. A method for manufacturing an electrode body.

[0009] The above-mentioned method for manufacturing an electrode body may further include a step of measuring the temperature of the uncoated area, and in the step of blowing air onto the second main surface of the electrode foil, a step of determining the temperature, speed, and time of the air blowing according to the measured temperature of the uncoated area. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present disclosure, the occurrence of cracks can be suppressed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] 4 is a flowchart showing a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] 3 is a schematic diagram showing a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to the first embodiment. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, specific embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. In addition, the following description and drawings have been simplified as appropriate for clarity of explanation.

[0013] <First Embodiment> The first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0014] It should be understood that the right-handed XYZ coordinate system shown in FIG. 1 and other drawings is for the convenience of explaining the positional relationships of the components. Normally, the positive Z-axis direction is vertically upward, and the XY plane is a horizontal plane, which is common to all drawings. The positive X-axis direction is the feed direction of the electrode foil FF, which will be described later. The Y-axis direction is the width direction of the electrode foil FF.

[0015] <Manufacturing equipment> 1, the electrode body manufacturing apparatus 10 includes a laser irradiator 1, a foil conveyor 2, a coater 3, a sensor 4, a control device 5, and a blower 7. The electrode body manufacturing apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment may further include at least one of a first temperature measuring unit 6A and a second temperature measuring unit 6B.

[0016] The electrode foil roll FR is formed into a roll shape by winding the electrode foil FF. The electrode foil roll FR is rotatably positioned at a predetermined position. The electrode foil roll FR rotates to feed the electrode foil FF in the feeding direction (here, the positive direction of the X-axis). A winding roll (not shown) may be positioned in the feeding direction. This winding roll (not shown) winds up the electrode foil FF fed by the electrode foil roll FR. The electrode foil FF is made of, for example, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, nickel, iron, titanium, or carbon. The electrode foil FF has a first main surface FS1 and a second main surface FS2. The second main surface FS2 is located on the opposite side of the first main surface FS1. The first main surface FS1 shown in FIG. 1 faces upward (here, the positive direction of the Z-axis), and the second main surface FS2 shown in FIG. 1 faces downward (here, the negative direction of the Z-axis).

[0017] The foil conveyor 2 continuously conveys the electrode foil FF in the delivery direction. The foil conveyor 2 may convey the electrode foil FF using a roll-to-roll system. The foil conveyor 2 may, for example, include multiple rolls 2A. The multiple rolls 2A may be arranged between the electrode foil roll FR and the winding roll side FW on which the above-mentioned winding roll is arranged. Furthermore, the multiple rolls 2A may be arranged at predetermined intervals below the electrode foil FF. A drive source (not shown) applies a rotational drive force to the multiple rolls 2A, causing the multiple rolls 2A to rotate. This allows the electrode foil FF to be conveyed in the delivery direction.

[0018] The coater 3 intermittently coats the first main surface FS1 of the electrode foil FF, which is continuously conveyed by the foil conveyor 2, with the electrode material FA. This intermittently forms coated regions FC and uncoated regions FU on the first main surface FS1 of the electrode foil FF. The lengths of the coated regions FC in the feed direction and the uncoated regions FU in the feed direction may be set in advance. On the first main surface FS1, the coated regions FC and the uncoated regions FU are alternately arranged in the feed direction. The coated regions FC are coated with the electrode material FA. The uncoated regions FU are not coated with the electrode material FA. In other words, in the coated regions FC, the electrode material FA covers the first main surface FS1 of the electrode foil FF. In the uncoated regions FU, the electrode material FA does not cover the first main surface FS1 of the electrode foil FF, and the first main surface FS1 of the electrode foil FF is exposed.

[0019] The electrode material FA includes an electrode active material. The electrode active material is a positive electrode active material or a negative electrode active material.

[0020] The electrode material FA containing the positive electrode active material constitutes the positive electrode. The positive electrode active material is, for example, lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2), lithium nickel oxide (LiNiO2), lithium manganese oxide (LiMn2O4), LiCo 1 / 3 Ni 1 / 3 Mn 1 / 3 O2, Li 1+x Mn 2-x-y M y Examples of such spinels include Li-Mn spinels substituted with different elements and having a composition represented by O4 (M is one or more metal elements selected from Al, Mg, Co, Fe, Ni, and Zn).

[0021] The electrode material FA containing the negative electrode active material constitutes a negative electrode. The negative electrode active material is, for example, a material capable of absorbing and releasing metal ions such as metallic lithium or lithium ions. The material capable of absorbing and releasing metal ions such as lithium ions is, for example, an alloy-based negative electrode active material or a carbon material. The alloy-based negative electrode active material is, for example, a Si alloy-based negative electrode active material or a Sn alloy-based negative electrode active material. The Si alloy-based negative electrode active material may be silicon, silicon oxide, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, or a solid solution thereof. The Si alloy-based negative electrode active material may contain elements other than silicon, such as Fe, Co, Sb, Bi, Pb, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ge, In, Sn, or Ti. The Sn alloy-based negative electrode active material is tin, tin oxide, tin nitride, or a solid solution thereof. The Sn alloy-based negative electrode active material may also contain elements other than tin, such as Fe, Co, Sb, Bi, Pb, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ge, In, Ti, Si, etc. The carbon material is, for example, hard carbon, soft carbon, graphite, or the like.

[0022] The electrode material FA may contain optional components such as a conductive additive, a binder, and a solid electrolyte. The conductive additive may be, for example, a carbon material such as vapor grown carbon fiber (VGCF) or carbon nanofiber, or a metal material. The binder may be, for example, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVdF), carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), butadiene rubber (BR), styrene butadiene rubber (SBR), or a combination thereof.

[0023] The sensor 4 detects the uncoated region FU. Specifically, the sensor 4 detects the position, size, etc. of the uncoated region FU. The sensor 4 is preferably provided at a distance from the coater 3 in the feeding direction. The sensor 4 is preferably disposed, for example, above the first main surface FS1 of the electrode foil FF. For example, a line scan camera may be used as the sensor 4.

[0024] The laser irradiator 1 irradiates a predetermined irradiation range with laser light LL. Specifically, the laser irradiator 1 may constantly irradiate the predetermined irradiation range with laser light LL uniformly. The laser irradiator 1 is, for example, a semiconductor laser. The laser irradiator 1 is disposed above a first main surface FS1 of the electrode foil FF. The laser irradiator 1 irradiates the electrode foil FF with laser light LL in response to a signal from the control device 5. Note that although the example of the electrode body manufacturing apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes one laser irradiator 1, the electrode body manufacturing apparatus 10 may include multiple laser irradiators 1.

[0025] The first temperature measurement unit 6A is disposed above the first main surface FS1 of the electrode foil FF. The first temperature measurement unit 6A is disposed between the sensor 4 and the laser irradiator 1. The first temperature measurement unit 6A faces the first main surface FS1 of the electrode foil FF and measures the temperature of the first main surface FS1. Specifically, the measured temperature of the first main surface FS1 is the same as the temperature of the exposed first main surface FS1 or the temperature of the electrode material FA on the first main surface FS1. The range of the first main surface FS1 of the electrode foil FF whose temperature is measured by the first temperature measurement unit 6A is on the sensor 4 side from the irradiation range of the laser light LL. The first temperature measurement unit 6A is, for example, a radiation thermometer or a thermograph.

[0026] The second temperature measurement unit 6B is disposed below the second main surface FS2 of the electrode foil FF. The second temperature measurement unit 6B is preferably disposed so that the first temperature measurement unit 6A and the second temperature measurement unit 6B sandwich the electrode foil FF. The second temperature measurement unit 6B faces the second main surface FS2 of the electrode foil FF and measures the temperature of the second main surface FS2. The range of the second main surface FS2 of the electrode foil FF whose temperature is measured by the first temperature measurement unit 6A is preferably located on the surface opposite the first main surface FS1 of the electrode foil FF whose temperature is measured by the first temperature measurement unit 6A. The second temperature measurement unit 6B is preferably configured the same as the first temperature measurement unit 6A.

[0027] The control device 5 can be configured with a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). In other words, the control device 5 can have the functions of a computer. The control device 5 can execute programs stored in a storage device (not shown) and perform various processes.

[0028] Furthermore, by executing this program, the control device 5 appropriately realizes the functions of the components required for the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 10 to perform the necessary operations. For example, the control device 5 acquires various information from each component of the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 10, such as the coater 3, the sensor 4, the first temperature measurement unit 6A, and the second temperature measurement unit 6B. The control device 5 may store this acquired information in a storage device. The various information may include, for example, the completion of coating of the electrode material FA on the first main surface FS1 of the electrode foil FF by the coater 3, and the position and size of the uncoated region FU detected by the sensor 4. The control device 5 may store information such as the conveying speed of the electrode foil FF by the foil conveyer 2, the distance between the coater 3 and the irradiation range of the laser light LL, and the irradiation range of the laser light LL in the storage device. The control device 5 can calculate the position of the uncoated region FU based on this stored information. The control device 5 functions as an acquisition unit that acquires the position of the uncoated region FU. Furthermore, the control device 5 determines whether the uncoated region FU is included in the irradiation range of the laser light LL based on the acquired position of the uncoated region FU. The control device 5 sends a signal to the blower 7 to control the air blowing by the blower 7, depending on whether the uncoated region FU is within the range irradiated with the laser beam LL. The control device 5 may determine the temperature, speed, and time of air blowing by the blower 7, depending on the temperature of the uncoated region FU measured by the first temperature measurement unit 6A and the second temperature measurement unit 6B. The control device 5 sends a signal specifying the determined temperature, speed, and time of air blowing to the blower 7. This may make it possible to change the cooling effect of the blower 7 on the electrode foil FF in real time, depending on the temperature of the uncoated region FU.

[0029] The blower 7 blows air in response to a signal from the control device 5. When the uncoated region FU is included in the irradiation range of the laser beam LL, the blower 7 blows air toward the second main surface FS2 of the electrode foil FF. The blower 7 may change the air blowing speed and time by the blower 7 upon receiving a signal from the control device 5 specifying the determined air blowing speed and time.

[0030] An example of the blower 7 shown in FIG. 1 includes, for example, a blowing air temperature control device 7A and an air nozzle 7B.

[0031] The blown air temperature control device 7A may receive a signal from the control device 5 specifying the temperature of the air blown by the blower 7 and adjust the temperature of the air blown by the blower 7.

[0032] Air nozzle 7B has a flow path through which air can flow, and this flow path is provided inside air nozzle 7B. Air nozzle 7B may be able to adjust the air flow rate by narrowing this flow path. Furthermore, air nozzle 7B may be able to adjust the air flow rate at regular intervals in the width direction of electrode foil FF.

[0033] <Manufacturing method> Next, a method for manufacturing an electrode body using the above-described electrode body manufacturing apparatus 10 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. For ease of understanding, Figure 3 appropriately omits illustration of components such as the foil conveyor 2, coater 3, sensor 4, control device 5, first temperature measurement unit 6A, and second temperature measurement unit 6B.

[0034] A foil conveyor 2 continuously conveys the electrode foil FF (step ST1). A coater 3 intermittently coats a first main surface FS1 of the continuously conveyed electrode foil FF with an electrode material FA (step ST2). As a result, coated regions FC coated with the electrode material FA and uncoated regions FU not coated with the electrode material FA are intermittently formed on the first main surface FS1 of the electrode foil FF. Note that steps ST1 and ST2 may be started substantially simultaneously, or may be performed simultaneously in parallel with the next step ST3.

[0035] Next, the control device 5 acquires the position of the uncoated region FU1 (step ST3). Specifically, the control device 5 calculates the position of the uncoated region FU based on the uncoated region FU1 detected by the sensor 4, the conveying speed of the electrode foil FF by the foil conveyor 2, etc.

[0036] Next, the temperature of the uncoated region FU1 is measured (step ST4). Specifically, the first temperature measurement unit 6A measures the temperature of the first main surface FS1 or the electrode material FA on the first main surface FS1. Furthermore, the second temperature measurement unit 6B measures the temperature of the second main surface FS2. The control device 5 acquires the temperature of the first main surface FS1 or the electrode material FA on the first main surface FS1 measured by the first temperature measurement unit 6A, and the temperature of the second main surface FS2 measured by the second temperature measurement unit 6B.

[0037] Next, the control device 5 determines whether the uncoated area FU1 is included in the irradiation range of the laser light LL (step ST5). The control device 5 makes such a determination based on the position of the uncoated area FU1, the irradiation range of the laser light LL, etc.

[0038] When the control device 5 determines that the uncoated area FU is not included in the irradiation range of the laser light LL (step ST5: NO), the laser irradiator 1 irradiates the laser light LL to the coated area FC1 (step ST62). The electrode material FA in the coated area FC1 is supplied with the necessary amount of heat and is sufficiently heated.

[0039] On the other hand, if the control device 5 determines that the irradiation range of the laser beam LL includes the uncoated region FU (step ST5: YES), the laser irradiator 1 irradiates the uncoated region FU1 with the laser beam LL while the blower 7 blows air onto the second main surface FS2 of the electrode foil FF (step ST61). When the air from this blown air comes into contact with the second main surface FS2 of the electrode foil FF, heat is transferred from the electrode foil FF to the air. The second main surface FS2 of the electrode foil FF that comes into contact with the air is located on the opposite side of the uncoated region FU1. Heat can be transferred from the second main surface FS2, which is located on the opposite side of the uncoated region FU1 irradiated by the laser irradiator 1 with the laser beam LL, to this air, thereby cooling the electrode foil FF. Therefore, the temperature of the uncoated region FU1 is less likely to rise than the temperatures of the coated regions FC1 and FC2.

[0040] It is preferable that step ST61 further includes a step of determining the temperature, speed, and time of air blowing according to the temperature of the uncoated area FU measured in step ST4. Specifically, the control device 5 determines the temperature, speed, and time of air blowing by the air blower 7 according to the temperature of the uncoated area FU1 measured by the first temperature measurement unit 6A and the second temperature measurement unit 6B. The air blower 7 receives a signal from the control device 5 and blows air according to the temperature, speed, and time of air blowing determined by the control device 5.

[0041] The above-described steps ST5, ST61, ST62, and ST7 are repeated until the irradiation of the laser beam LL is completed (step ST7: NO). For example, the irradiation of the laser beam LL may be completed when all of the coating regions FC, FC1, and FC2 to be irradiated with the laser beam LL have passed through the irradiation range of the laser beam LL. After the uncoated region FU1 has passed through the irradiation range of the laser beam LL, the uncoated region FU1 portion of the electrode foil FF may be wound up on a winding roll (not shown). Various treatments may be performed on the electrode foil FF as needed.

[0042] In this manner, the electrode assembly can be manufactured.

[0043] According to the above-described configuration of the electrode assembly manufacturing method, when it is determined that the uncoated region FU is included in the irradiation range of the laser beam LL, the laser beam LL is irradiated onto the uncoated region FU1 while air is blown onto the second main surface FS2 of the electrode foil FF. This air contacts the second main surface FS2 of the electrode foil FF. The second main surface FS2 is located on the opposite side of the uncoated region FU1 irradiated with the laser beam LL by the laser irradiator 1. Therefore, the uncoated region FU1 irradiated with the laser beam LL by the laser irradiator 1 can be cooled by the air. This suppresses heat transfer from the uncoated region FU1 to the ends of the coated regions FC1 and FC2 adjacent to the uncoated region FU1, thereby suppressing drying of the ends of the coated regions FC1 and FC2. As a result, the electrode materials FA1 and FA2 at the ends of the coated regions FC1 and FC2 are less likely to crack. Therefore, cooling is performed according to the coated regions FC1 and FC2 and the uncoated region FU1, thereby suppressing cracking. Furthermore, there is no need to extend the drying process or drying time throughout the entire process to suppress cracking. Therefore, the length of the drying process line and the number of laser irradiators 1 can be reduced.

[0044] Furthermore, according to the configuration of the manufacturing method of the electrode assembly described above, the temperature, speed, and time of the air blown by the blower 7 may be determined in accordance with the temperatures of the uncoated region FU1 measured by the first temperature measurement unit 6A and the second temperature measurement unit 6B. By making such determinations, the cooling effect of the blower 7 on the electrode foil FF can be changed in real time in accordance with the temperature of the electrode foil FF, which is the workpiece, and the electrode foil FF can be appropriately cooled.

[0045] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the present invention may be implemented by appropriately combining the above-described embodiment and examples thereof. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 10. Electrode body manufacturing equipment 1 Laser irradiator 2 Foil conveyor 2A Roll 3 Coating machine 4 sensors 5. Control device 6A First temperature measurement unit 6B Second temperature measurement unit 7. Blower 7A Air temperature control device 7B Air Nozzle LL laser light FF electrode foil FS1 First principal surface FS2 Second principal surface FA, FA1, FA2 electrode materials FR electrode foil roll FW winding roll side FC, FC1, FC2 application area FU, FU1 Uncoated area

Claims

1. a foil conveyor that continuously conveys an electrode foil having a first main surface and a second main surface opposite to the first main surface; a coater that intermittently coats the first main surface of the electrode foil being continuously conveyed with an electrode material, thereby intermittently forming coated regions coated with the electrode material and uncoated regions not coated with the electrode material on the first main surface; an acquisition unit that acquires the position of the uncoated region; a laser irradiator that irradiates the first main surface of the electrode foil with laser light; a blower disposed on a second main surface side of the electrode foil; a control device for controlling the blower, the control device controls the air blower to blow air to the second main surface of the electrode foil during a period in which the uncoated region is included in the irradiation range of the laser light. Electrode body manufacturing equipment.

2. a temperature measuring unit for measuring the temperature of the uncoated area; The control device determines the temperature, speed, and time of the air blown by the air blower according to the temperature of the uncoated area measured by the temperature measurement unit. The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 .

3. continuously conveying an electrode foil having a first main surface and a second main surface opposite the first main surface; intermittently applying an electrode material to the first main surface of the continuously transported electrode foil, thereby intermittently forming coated regions where the electrode material is applied and uncoated regions where the electrode material is not applied on the first main surface; obtaining the location of the uncoated area; irradiating the first main surface of the electrode foil with laser light from a laser irradiator; and blowing air onto the second main surface of the electrode foil during a period in which the uncoated region is included in the irradiation range of the laser light. A method for manufacturing an electrode body.

4. measuring the temperature of the uncoated area; In the step of blowing air onto the second main surface of the electrode foil, a step of determining a temperature, a speed, and a time of the air blowing according to the measured temperature of the uncoated area is further provided. The method for manufacturing the electrode assembly according to claim 3 .

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