Manufacturing method and manufacturing device for stacked battery

Abstract

To provide a manufacturing method for a laminate battery with which it is possible to realize improvement in productivity while maintaining highly accurate quality; and a manufacturing device for conducting such a method.SOLUTION: A manufacturing method is for a laminate battery B formed by alternately laminating a plurality of positive electrode sheets 13A and a plurality of negative electrode sheets 10A, and respectively interposing separators 11, 12 between the positive electrode sheets 13A and the negative electrode sheets 10A. The method includes: a step for sandwiching the plurality of positive electrode sheets 13A or the plurality of negative electrode sheets 10A arranged in a line by the separators 11, 12 that have a long shape, respectively from below and above; a division step for dividing each separators 11, 12 into pieces so that each pair of the separators 11, 12 sandwiching one positive electrode sheets 13A or one negative electrode sheets 10A from below and above; and a lamination step for alternately laminating the negative electrode sheets 10A and the positive electrode sheets 13A, which are each sandwiched by the divided separators 11, 12, thereby forming an electrode laminated body 15 including a predetermined number of the positive electrode sheets 13A and the negative electrode sheets 10A being laminated and having the separators 11, 12 interposed therebetween.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a stacked battery and an apparatus for manufacturing a stacked battery that implements the manufacturing method. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, stacked batteries have been known which are formed by alternately stacking a plurality of electrode plates, for example, positive and negative electrode plates, with separators interposed between each of them. Various methods have been proposed for manufacturing the stacked battery. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a method for manufacturing the stacked battery in which a stacked sheet is formed by bonding a first separator and a second separator in the form of a long strip to both sides of a negative electrode sheet made of a long strip-shaped negative electrode core coated with a negative electrode active material layer, via an adhesive layer made of an adhesive or a bonding agent, and the like; the formed stacked sheet is then cut into a predetermined shape; and the cut stacked sheets (negative electrode plates sandwiched between two separators) are alternately stacked with a plurality of pre-prepared positive electrode plates, thereby stacking a plurality of positive electrode plates and negative electrode plates alternately with separators interposed therebetween. Furthermore, for example, Patent Document 2 discloses a method for laminating separators that insulate positive and negative electrode sheets, in which separators are laminated on both sides of a negative electrode sheet and then at least partially bonded together with an adhesive to produce a stacked battery. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2018 / 021263 [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication No. 2020-161331 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In recent years, the demand for stacked batteries having such a configuration has been increasing, and there has been an increasing demand for improved productivity (the number of stacked batteries manufactured per unit time) in the manufacturing process of such stacked batteries. However, in the manufacturing method of Patent Document 1, a negative electrode plate sandwiched between two separators is prepared in advance by cutting a laminated sheet. Therefore, although some improvement in productivity can be expected compared to, for example, stacking a plurality of positive electrode plates and negative electrode plates and a plurality of separators one by one in an alternating order, when stacking a plurality of positive electrode plates and negative electrode plates, it still takes time to produce a laminated sheet by bonding long strip-shaped first separators and second separators, and it is difficult to obtain sufficient effects that meet the above demands. Furthermore, in the manufacturing method of Patent Document 2, separators are laminated on both sides of a negative electrode sheet and then at least partially bonded with an adhesive. Therefore, compared to the manufacturing method of Patent Document 1, at least the step of providing an adhesive layer can be omitted, and further improvement in productivity can be expected. However, even with this manufacturing method, it has been difficult to obtain sufficient effects that meet the above-mentioned demands.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the current problems described above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a manufacturing method for a stacked battery that can improve productivity while maintaining high-precision quality, and a manufacturing apparatus for carrying out the method. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The problem to be solved by the present invention is as described above, and the means for solving this problem will now be described.

[0007] That is, the manufacturing method of the laminated battery according to the present invention is a manufacturing method of a laminated battery in which a plurality of positive electrode plates and negative electrode plates are alternately stacked and separators are interposed between the plurality of positive electrode plates and negative electrode plates, and includes the steps of: sandwiching the plurality of positive electrode plates or negative electrode plates arranged in a row from above and below with long separators; dividing the separators into separators that sandwich each positive electrode plate or negative electrode plate from above and below; and stacking the negative electrode plates and positive electrode plates sandwiched between the divided separators alternately to form an electrode stack made of a predetermined number of positive electrode plates and negative electrode plates stacked with the separators interposed therebetween. In the stacking step, the plurality of positive electrode plates or negative electrode plates are sandwiched between long separators from above and below, and the upper and lower separators are welded together while forming a bag shape so as to surround one positive electrode plate or negative electrode plate. It is characterized by: Furthermore, a manufacturing apparatus for a laminated battery according to the present invention is a manufacturing apparatus for a laminated battery in which a plurality of positive electrode plates and negative electrode plates are alternately stacked with separators interposed between the plurality of positive electrode plates and negative electrode plates, and includes a separator supplying device that sandwiches the plurality of positive electrode plates or negative electrode plates arranged in a row from above and below with long separators, a dividing device that divides the separators into separators that sandwich each positive electrode plate or negative electrode plate from above and below, and an electrode plate placing device that alternately stacks the negative electrode plates and positive electrode plates sandwiched between the divided separators to form a plurality of electrode stacks made up of a plurality of positive electrode plates and negative electrode plates stacked in predetermined numbers with the separators interposed therebetween. The electrode plate mounting device sandwiches the plurality of positive or negative electrode plates between long separators from above and below, and welds the upper and lower separators together to form a bag shape so as to surround one positive or negative electrode plate. It is characterized by: As described above, in the manufacturing method and manufacturing apparatus for a stacked battery according to the present invention, a plurality of positive or negative electrode plates arranged in a row are sandwiched from above and below by long separators, and each positive or negative electrode plate is divided into two separators that sandwich the top and bottom of the positive or negative electrode plate. The negative and positive electrode plates sandwiched between the divided separators are alternately stacked, thereby forming an electrode stack consisting of a plurality of positive and negative electrode plates stacked in predetermined numbers with the separators interposed therebetween. Therefore, compared to conventional stacked battery manufacturing devices that form an electrode stack by producing laminated sheets by bonding long strip-shaped separators to the top and bottom of positive electrode sheets and negative electrode sheets, it is possible to reduce at least the adhesive layer formation process and shorten the process, thereby improving the productivity of the manufactured stacked batteries. Furthermore, as described above, the formed plurality of electrode stacks are cut and divided into individual electrode stacks, and therefore the separators interposed between each positive electrode plate and negative electrode plate are bag-shaped, and each positive electrode plate and negative electrode plate are sufficiently held in place. This prevents, for example, the stacked positive electrode plates and negative electrode plates from collapsing, and allows a high-quality stacked battery to be obtained. Also, With this configuration, by sandwiching one positive or negative electrode plate between long separators from above and below, and welding the upper and lower separators together to form a bag shape so as to surround the periphery of the plate, it is possible to reliably position one positive or negative electrode plate within the separator formed in a bag shape, and a stable, high-quality stacked battery can be obtained.

[0009] In the manufacturing method of the stacked battery according to the present invention, when the plurality of positive electrode plates and negative electrode plates are alternately stacked in the stacking step, it is preferable that either one of the positive electrode plates or the negative electrode plates is placed in a stacking position and simultaneously either one of the positive electrode plates or the negative electrode plates is held in order to move it to the stacking position. Furthermore, in the manufacturing apparatus for a stacked battery according to the present invention, when the plurality of positive and negative electrode plates are alternately stacked, it is preferable that the electrode plate mounting device positions either the positive or negative electrode plate at the stacking position and simultaneously holds either the positive or negative electrode plate in order to move it to the stacking position. With this configuration, when the positive and negative electrode plates are alternately stacked, it is possible to simultaneously place either the positive or negative electrode plate in the stacking position and move the other plate to the stacking position, thereby enabling a more stable and high-quality stacked battery to be obtained.

[0010] Furthermore, in the manufacturing method of the stacked battery according to the present invention, it is preferable that, before the dividing step, the plurality of positive electrode plates or negative electrode plates are sandwiched between long separators from above and below, and the upper and lower separators are bonded at multiple locations around one positive electrode plate or one negative electrode plate. Furthermore, in the manufacturing apparatus for a stacked battery according to the present invention, it is preferable to further include, upstream of the dividing device, a bonding device that bonds the upper and lower separators around one positive or negative plate at multiple locations in a state in which the plurality of positive or negative plates are sandwiched between long separators from above and below. With this configuration, the positive electrode plate or the negative electrode plate can be positioned without shifting at the position where it is packaged by the bag-shaped separator, and the positive electrode plate or the negative electrode plate can be reliably welded inside the bag-shaped separator while it is positioned therein. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] The present invention has the following effects. That is, the manufacturing method and manufacturing apparatus for a stacked battery according to the present invention can improve productivity while maintaining high-precision quality. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1A to 1E are diagrams showing a method for manufacturing a stacked battery according to the present invention in chronological order, and are cross-sectional schematic diagrams showing each state of the stacked battery formed by (a) to (e). [Figure 2] 1 is a front view showing the overall configuration of a laminated battery manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a plan view showing the overall configuration of a manufacturing apparatus for a stacked battery according to the present invention. [Figure 4] 5A to 5C are schematic diagrams showing the procedure for cutting a strip-shaped electrode plate into a predetermined shape. [Figure 5] 10A to 10F are diagrams showing a method for manufacturing a stacked battery according to a second embodiment of the present invention in chronological order, and are cross-sectional schematic diagrams showing each state of the stacked battery formed by (a) to (f). [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a front view showing the overall configuration of a stacked battery manufacturing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a front view showing the configuration of a separator supplying device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the configuration of a bonding device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Next, one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0014] [Laminated battery manufacturing method] The stacked battery B of the present invention is a chargeable and dischargeable secondary battery, and includes an electrode stack including a positive electrode sheet serving as a positive electrode, a negative electrode sheet serving as a negative electrode, and a separator for insulating the positive and negative electrode sheets. The positive electrode sheet includes a positive electrode current collector (e.g., aluminum) and a positive electrode mixture layer formed on both sides of the positive electrode current collector. The positive electrode mixture layer is composed of a positive electrode mixture slurry containing a positive electrode active material (e.g., lithium cobalt oxide), a conductive agent, and a binder. The negative electrode sheet includes a negative electrode current collector (e.g., copper) and a negative electrode mixture layer formed on both sides of the negative electrode current collector. The negative electrode mixture layer is composed of a negative electrode mixture slurry containing a negative electrode active material (e.g., graphite), a conductive agent, and a binder.

[0015] [Laminated Battery Manufacturing Apparatus (First Embodiment)] The method for manufacturing the stacked battery B according to the first embodiment includes a first step of cutting the negative electrode sheet 10 into negative electrode plates 10A, a second step of forming negative electrode tabs 10Aa on the negative electrode plates 10A, a third step of arranging the cut negative electrode plates 10A and sandwiching them between long separators 11 and 12 from above and below, and a fourth step of dividing each negative electrode plate 10A into separators 11 and 12 sandwiching the negative electrode plates 10A from above and below. a fifth step of alternately stacking negative electrode plates 10A and positive electrode plates 13A sandwiched between separators 11 and 12 separated in the fourth step; a sixth step of welding the peripheral portions of separators 11 and 12 sandwiched between negative electrode plates 10A and positive electrode plates 13A stacked in the fifth step to form a bag-shaped separator; and a seventh step of packaging electrode stack 15, which is a stack of negative electrode plates 10A and positive electrode plates 13A wrapped in a bag shape in the sixth step, with separator 16.

[0016] The process of forming the stacked battery B according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The negative electrode sheet 10 having the negative electrode tabs 10Aa formed in the first and second steps is sent downstream of the manufacturing equipment 100. As shown in FIG. 1(a), in the third step, multiple negative electrode plates 10A are arranged side by side and sandwiched between long separators 11 and 12. Next, as shown in FIG. 1(b), in the fourth step, each negative electrode plate 10A is divided into separators 11 and 12 that sandwich the top and bottom of the negative electrode plate 10A. Next, as shown in FIGS. 1(c) and 1(d), in the fifth step, the negative electrode plates 10A and positive electrode plates 13A sandwiched between the separators 11 and 12 divided in the fourth step are alternately stacked. Next, as shown in FIG. 1(e), in the sixth step, the peripheries of the separators 11 and 12 sandwiched between the negative electrode plates 10A and positive electrode plates 13A stacked in the fifth step are welded to form a bag-shaped separator. Finally, in the seventh step, the electrode stack 15, which is a stack of the negative electrode plate 10A and the positive electrode plate 13A, is packaged with a separator 16.

[0017] In this embodiment, the stacked battery B is constructed by wrapping each divided electrode stack 15 with separators 16 several times so as to constrain the stacked structure, but this is not limited to this, and each divided electrode stack 15 may be used as the stacked battery B without the separators 16.

[0018] [Laminated Battery Manufacturing Apparatus (First Embodiment)] Next, the configuration of the manufacturing apparatus 100 for the stacked battery B according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a manufacturing apparatus 100 for manufacturing the electrode stack 15 in the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1(a) to 1(e).

[0020] 2, the manufacturing apparatus 100 processes the negative electrode sheet 10 and the positive electrode sheet 13 arranged at both ends into a single negative electrode plate 10A and a single positive electrode plate 13A in the process of conveying them toward the center, and forms an electrode stack 15 on a central rotary table 56. First, the processing lane 21 for the negative electrode plate 10A, which processes the negative electrode sheet 10 into the negative electrode plate 10A, will be described. A roll 10R around which the negative electrode sheet 10 is wound is disposed on the most upstream side of the processing lane 21 for the negative electrode plate 10A.

[0021] A transport roller 22 is provided downstream of the roll 10R. The transport roller 22 transports the long negative electrode sheet 10 unwound from the roll 10R downstream of the processing lane 21 while applying tension. A trimming device 23 is disposed downstream of the transport roller 22. As shown in FIG. 4, the trimming device 23 is a device that cuts off one end of the negative electrode sheet 10 to form the negative electrode tab 10Aa.

[0022] The negative electrode tab 10Aa of the negative electrode plate 10A is formed by cutting out a part of one end of the negative electrode plate 10A. A negative electrode mixture layer 10Ab is formed on the portion of the negative electrode plate 10A other than the negative electrode tab 10Aa.

[0023] A cutting device 24 is disposed further downstream of the trimming device 23. The cutting device 24 is a device that divides the long negative electrode sheet 10 on which the negative electrode tabs 10Aa are formed into strip-shaped negative electrode plates 10A. The cutting device 24 can use a laser beam, a cutter, or the like.

[0024] Each strip-shaped negative electrode plate 10A is divided so that one negative electrode tab 10Aa is disposed thereon. In addition, the cutting device 24 cuts the end opposite to the end where the negative electrode tab 10Aa is formed so as to chamfer it, as shown in FIG.

[0025] A separator supply device 25 is disposed downstream of the cutting device 24. The separator supply device 25 is a device that places separators 11 and 12 above and below a plurality of negative electrode plates 10A. The separator supply device 25 includes a gripping unit 31 that moves the plurality of negative electrode plates 10A upward, a lower separator supply unit 32 that places separators 11 and 12 below the plurality of negative electrode plates 10A, and an upper separator supply unit 33 that places separators 12 above the plurality of negative electrode plates 10A.

[0026] The gripping unit 31 is a device that moves a plurality of negative electrode plates 10A upward and grips them. The lower separator supply unit 32 includes a roll 11R around which a long separator 11 is wound, and a payout unit 32a that pays out the long separator 11 from the roll 11R. The payout unit 32a is composed of a suction belt and a payout roller, and pays out the separator 11 by suction with the suction belt. The upper separator supply unit 33 includes a roll 12R around which a long separator 12 is wound, and a payout unit 33a that pays out the long separator 12 from the roll 12R. The payout unit 33a is composed of a suction belt and a payout roller, and pays out the separator 12 by suction with the suction belt.

[0027] A separator cutting device 26 is disposed downstream of the separator supply device 25. The separator cutting device 26 is a dividing device that cuts the periphery of one negative electrode plate 10A sandwiched between long separators 11 and 12 into pieces of a size that can be packaged. By cutting the separators 11 and 12, the separator cutting device 26 aligns multiple separators 11 and 12 above and below one negative electrode plate 10A.

[0028] Next, a processing lane 41 for the positive electrode plate 13A, which processes the positive electrode sheet 13 into the positive electrode plate 13A, will be described with reference to Fig. 2. A roll 13R around which the positive electrode sheet 13 is wound is disposed on the most upstream side of the processing lane 41 for the positive electrode plate 13A.

[0029] A conveying roller 42 is provided downstream of the roll 13R. The conveying roller 42 conveys the long positive electrode sheet 13 unwound from the roll 13R downstream of the processing lane 41 while applying tension. A trimming device 43 is disposed downstream of the conveying roller 42. As shown in FIG. 4, the trimming device 43 is a device that cuts off one end to form a positive electrode tab 13Aa. The positive electrode tab 13Aa of the positive electrode plate 13A is formed by cutting out a portion of one end of the positive electrode plate 13A. A positive electrode mixture layer 13Ab is formed on the portion of the positive electrode plate 13A other than the positive electrode tab 13Aa.

[0030] A cutting device 44 is disposed further downstream of the trimming device 43. The cutting device 44 is a device that divides the long positive electrode sheet 13 on which the positive electrode tabs 13Aa are formed into rectangular positive electrode plates 13A. The cutting device 44 can use a laser beam, a cutter, or the like.

[0031] Each rectangular positive electrode plate 13A is divided so that one positive electrode tab 13Aa is disposed thereon. In addition, the cutting device 44 cuts the end opposite to the end where the positive electrode tab 13Aa is formed so as to chamfer it, as shown in FIG.

[0032] An electrode plate holding device 51, which is an example of an electrode plate mounting device, is disposed in the center of the manufacturing apparatus 100 where the downstream end of the processing lane 21 for the negative electrode plate 10A and the downstream end of the processing lane 41 for the positive electrode plate 13A are disposed.

[0033] The electrode plate holding device 51 is a device that alternately stacks multiple positive electrode plates 13A and negative electrode plates 10A. More specifically, the electrode plate holding device 51 is a device that places either the positive electrode plates 13A or the negative electrode plates 10A at a stacking position and simultaneously holds (picks) either the positive electrode plates 13A or the negative electrode plates 10A in order to move them to the stacking position. The electrode plate holding device 51 includes a first transfer arm 52, a second transfer arm 53, and a support column 54 that rotatably supports the first transfer arm 52 and the second transfer arm 53.

[0034] The first transfer arm 52 and the second transfer arm 53 each have at their tip a gripping device 55 capable of gripping a plurality of negative electrode plates 10A and positive electrode plates 13A. The gripping device 55 of the first transfer arm 52 grips the negative electrode plate 10A sandwiched between the separators 11 and 12 by air suction. The gripping device 55 of the second transfer arm 53 grips the positive electrode plate 13A by air suction.

[0035] The first transfer arm 52 and the second transfer arm 53 are arranged at 90 degrees in a plan view around the support pillar 54. In other words, when one of the first transfer arm 52 and the second transfer arm 53 is holding the negative electrode plate 10A or the positive electrode plate 13A, the other is arranged above the turntable 56.

[0036] The rotary table 56 is configured to be rotatable about a support shaft extending in the vertical direction. Pallets 57 on which the electrode stacks 15 are placed are provided on the rotary table 56 at positions 180 degrees opposite each other.

[0037] [Operation Procedure of the Stacked Battery Manufacturing Apparatus (First Embodiment)] Next, the operation procedure of the manufacturing apparatus 100 for the stacked battery B will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0038] As shown in Fig. 3, the negative electrode sheet 10 on which the negative electrode tabs 10Aa have been formed is divided into rectangular negative electrode plates 10A by a cutting device 24 located further downstream. The negative electrode sheet 10 is divided so that one negative electrode tab 10Aa is disposed on each rectangular negative electrode plate 10A. Furthermore, the cutting device 24 cuts the end opposite the end on which the negative electrode tabs 10Aa are formed so as to be chamfered, as shown in Fig. 4.

[0039] The cut negative electrode plates 10A are transported in a lined-up state to the separator supply device 25 on the downstream side. Separators 11 are laid below the negative electrode plates 10A by the lower separator supply unit 32. First, the negative electrode plates 10A are moved upward by the gripping unit 31. The separator 11 is wound around a roll 11R in the lower separator supply unit 32, and is unwound by the unwinding unit 32a and placed on the underside of the negative electrode plates 10A. Next, the gripping unit 31 descends, and the negative electrode plates 10A are placed on the top surface of the separators 11.

[0040] Next, separators 12 are laid above the plurality of negative electrode plates 10A by the upper separator supply unit 33. The plurality of negative electrode plates 10A are transported downstream together with separators 11 laid below them on the upstream side. Separators 12 are wound around rolls 12R in the upper separator supply unit 33, and are unwound by a unwinding unit 33a and placed on the upper surfaces of the plurality of negative electrode plates 10A.

[0041] Next, the long separators 11 and 12 are cut to a size that allows them to be wrapped around one negative electrode plate 10A by a separator cutting device 26. By cutting the separators 11 and 12, multiple separators 11 and 12 are aligned with one separator 11 and 12 placed above and below one negative electrode plate 10A.

[0042] Meanwhile, the positive electrode plate 13A is transported from the processing lane 41 for the positive electrode plate 13A. The positive electrode sheet 13 drawn from the roll 13R is transported downstream of the processing lane 41 for the positive electrode plate 13A while tension is applied by a transport roller 42. As shown in FIG. 4 , one end of the positive electrode sheet 13 transported downstream is cut off by a trimming device 43 to form a positive electrode tab 13Aa. The positive electrode tab 13Aa of the positive electrode plate 13A is formed by cutting out a portion of one end of the positive electrode plate 13A. A positive electrode mixture layer 13Ab is formed on the portion of the positive electrode plate 13A other than the positive electrode tab 13Aa.

[0043] As shown in Fig. 2, the positive electrode sheet 13A on which the positive electrode tabs 13Aa are formed is divided into rectangular positive electrode plates 13A by a cutting device 44 located further downstream. The rectangular positive electrode plates 13A are divided so that one positive electrode tab 13Aa is disposed on each plate. The cutting device 44 also cuts the end opposite the end on which the positive electrode tabs 13Aa are formed so as to chamfer the end, as shown in Fig. 4.

[0044] Next, a plurality of positive electrode plates 13A and negative electrode plates 10A are stacked alternately using an electrode plate holding device 51. On a turntable 56, a positive electrode plate 13A picked from a gripping device 55 of a second transport arm 53 is placed on top of a negative electrode plate 10A having separators 11 and 12 above and below it, which has been placed on a pallet 57 from a gripping device 55 of a first transport arm 52. By repeating this process, an electrode stack 15 is placed on the pallet 57 of the turntable 56.

[0045] As the turntable 56 rotates 180°, the electrode stack 15 formed on the upstream side is transported to the downstream side of the turntable 56. The electrode stack 15 transported downstream of the turntable 56 is further transported to a packaging device (not shown) located downstream of the manufacturing apparatus 100. In the packaging device, the electrode stack 15 is packaged by welding the peripheral portions of the separators 11 and 12 sandwiched between the stacked negative electrode plates 10A and positive electrode plates 13A to form a bag-shaped separator. The electrode stack 15 is then packaged by winding a separator 16 around the outermost periphery of the electrode stack 15, which is made up of multiple stacked bag-shaped separators.

[0046] [Laminated Battery Manufacturing Apparatus (Second Embodiment)] The method for manufacturing the stacked battery B according to the second embodiment includes a first step of cutting the negative electrode sheet 10 into negative electrode plates 10A, a second step of forming negative electrode tabs 10Aa on the negative electrode plates 10A, a third step of arranging the cut negative electrode plates 10A and sandwiching them between long separators 11 and 12 from above and below, a fourth step of bonding the upper and lower separators 11 and 12 of one negative electrode plate 10A at multiple locations while the multiple negative electrode plates 10A are sandwiched between the long separators 11 and 12 from above and below, and a fourth step of cutting the bonded portions in the fourth step. a fifth step of dividing the electrode stack into separators 11 and 12; a sixth step of alternately stacking negative electrode plates 10A and positive electrode plates 13A sandwiched between separators 11 and 12 divided in the fifth step; a seventh step of welding the peripheral portions of separators 11 and 12 sandwiched between negative electrode plates 10A and positive electrode plates 13A stacked in the sixth step to form a bag-shaped separator; and an eighth step of packaging electrode stack 15, which is a stack of negative electrode plates 10A and positive electrode plates 13A wrapped in a bag shape in the seventh step, with separators 16.

[0047] In this embodiment, the stacked battery B is constructed by wrapping each divided electrode stack 15 with separators 16 several times so as to constrain the stacked structure, but this is not limited to this, and each divided electrode stack 15 may be used as the stacked battery B without the separators 16.

[0048] The process of forming the stacked battery according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The negative electrode sheet 10 having the negative electrode tabs 10Aa formed in the first and second steps is sent downstream of the manufacturing apparatus 100. As shown in FIG. 5(a), in the third step, multiple negative electrode plates 10A are arranged side by side and sandwiched between long separators 11 and 12. Next, as shown in FIG. 5(b), in the fourth step, the upper and lower separators 11 and 12 are bonded around one negative electrode plate 10A at multiple locations. Next, as shown in FIG. 5(c), in the fifth step, the negative electrode plate 10A is separated by cutting the portions including the bonded locations. Next, as shown in FIGS. 5(d) and 5(e), in the sixth step, the negative electrode plates 10A and positive electrode plates 13A sandwiched between the separators 11 and 112 separated in the fifth step are alternately stacked. 5(f), in a seventh step, the periphery of the separators 11 and 12 sandwiched between the negative electrode plate 10A and the positive electrode plate 13A stacked in the sixth step is welded to form a pouch-shaped separator. Finally, in an eighth step, the electrode stack 15, which is a stack of the negative electrode plate 10A and the positive electrode plate 13A, is packaged in a separator 16.

[0049] [Laminated Battery Manufacturing Apparatus (Second Embodiment)] Next, the configuration of a manufacturing apparatus 200 for a stacked battery B according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0050] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a manufacturing apparatus 200 for manufacturing the electrode stack 15 in the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 5(a) to 5(f).

[0051] As shown in Fig. 6, the manufacturing apparatus 200 processes the negative electrode sheet 10 and the positive electrode sheet 13 arranged at both ends into a single negative electrode plate 10A and a single positive electrode plate 13A in the process of transporting them toward the center, and forms the electrode stack 15 on a central transport pallet 88. First, the processing lane 61 for the negative electrode plate 10A, which processes the negative electrode sheet 10 into the negative electrode plate 10A, will be described. A roll 10R around which the negative electrode sheet 10 is wound is arranged on the most upstream side of the processing lane 61 for the negative electrode plate 10A.

[0052] A transport roller 62 is provided downstream of the roll 10R. The transport roller 62 transports the long negative electrode sheet 10 unwound from the roll 10R downstream of the processing lane 61 while applying tension. A trimming device 63 is disposed downstream of the transport roller 62. As shown in FIG. 4, the trimming device 63 is a device that cuts off one end of the negative electrode sheet 10 to form the negative electrode tab 10Aa.

[0053] The negative electrode tab 10Aa of the negative electrode plate 10A is formed by cutting out a part of one end of the negative electrode plate 10A. A negative electrode mixture layer 10Ab is formed on the portion of the negative electrode plate 10A other than the negative electrode tab 10Aa.

[0054] Further downstream of the trimming device 63, a feed roller 64 is provided. The feed roller 64 is a roller that feeds a certain length of the negative electrode sheet 10 to a downstream cutting device 65. The cutting device 65 is disposed downstream of the feed roller 64.

[0055] The cutting device 65 is a device that divides the long negative electrode sheet 10 on which the negative electrode tabs 10Aa are formed into strip-shaped negative electrode plates 10A. The cutting device 65 may use a laser beam, a cutter, or the like.

[0056] Each strip-shaped negative electrode plate 10A is divided so that one negative electrode tab 10Aa is disposed on it. In addition, the cutting device 65 cuts the end opposite to the end where the negative electrode tab 10Aa is formed so as to chamfer it, as shown in FIG.

[0057] Feed rollers 66 are provided downstream of the cutting device 65. The feed rollers 66 are rollers that feed the cut negative electrode plates 10A to a separator supply device 67 located downstream. The separator supply device 67 is arranged downstream of the feed rollers 66. The separator supply device 67 is a device that places separators 11 and 12 above and below the multiple negative electrode plates 10A. The separator supply device 67 includes a lower separator supply unit 71 that places separators 11 below the multiple negative electrode plates 10A, and an upper separator supply unit 72 that places separators 12 above the multiple negative electrode plates 10A.

[0058] The lower separator supply unit 71 includes a roll 11R around which a long separator 11 is wound, and a payout unit 71a that pays out the long separator 11 from the roll 11R. The payout unit 71a is composed of a suction belt and a payout roller, and pays out the separator 11 by suction with the suction belt. The upper separator supply unit 72 includes a roll 12R around which a long separator 12 is wound, and a payout unit 72a that pays out the long separator 12 from the roll 12R. The payout unit 72a is composed of a suction belt and a payout roller, and pays out the separator 12 by suction with the suction belt.

[0059] A bonding device 68 is provided downstream of the separator supply device 67. The bonding device 68 is a device that heat-seals the bonding points of the upper and lower separators 11 and 12 by pressing and applying heat to them. The bonding device 68 is composed of a seal roller having a heat pressing portion or a rod-shaped seal bar having a heat pressing portion.

[0060] A separator cutting device 69 is disposed downstream of the bonding device 68. The separator cutting device 69 is a device that cuts the periphery of one negative electrode plate sandwiched between long separators 11 and 12 to a size that can be packaged. By cutting the separators 11 and 12, the separator cutting device 69 aligns multiple separators 11 and 12 above and below one negative electrode plate 10A.

[0061] Next, a description will be given of the processing lane 81 for the positive electrode plate 13A, which processes the positive electrode sheet 13 into the positive electrode plate 13A. A roll 13R around which the positive electrode sheet 13 is wound is disposed on the most upstream side of the processing lane 81 for the positive electrode plate 13A.

[0062] A conveying roller 82 is provided downstream of the roll 13R. The conveying roller 82 conveys the long positive electrode sheet 13 unwound from the roll 13R downstream of the processing lane 81 while applying tension. A trimming device 83 is disposed downstream of the conveying roller 82. As shown in FIG. 7 , the trimming device 83 is a device that cuts off one end to form a positive electrode tab 13Aa. The positive electrode tab 13Aa of the positive electrode plate 13A is formed by cutting out a portion of one end of the positive electrode plate 13A. A positive electrode mixture layer 13Ab is formed on the portion of the positive electrode plate 13A other than the positive electrode tab 13Aa.

[0063] A cutting device 84 is disposed further downstream of the trimming device 83. The cutting device 84 is a device that divides the long positive electrode sheet 13 on which the positive electrode tabs 13Aa are formed into rectangular positive electrode plates 13A. The cutting device 84 can use a laser beam, a cutter, or the like.

[0064] Each rectangular positive electrode plate 13A is divided so that one positive electrode tab 13Aa is disposed thereon. In addition, the cutting device 84 cuts the end opposite to the end where the positive electrode tab 13Aa is formed so as to chamfer it, as shown in FIG.

[0065] A transfer arm 85, which is an example of an electrode plate mounting device, is disposed in the center of the manufacturing apparatus 200 where the downstream end of the processing lane 61 for the negative electrode plate 10A and the downstream end of the processing lane 81 for the positive electrode plate 13A are disposed.

[0066] The transfer arm 85 is a device that alternately stacks multiple positive electrode plates 13A and negative electrode plates 10A. More specifically, the transfer arm 85 is a device that places either the positive electrode plates 13A or the negative electrode plates 10A at a stacking position and simultaneously holds either the positive electrode plates 13A or the negative electrode plates 10A in order to move them to the stacking position. The transfer arm 85 includes a first gripping portion 86 and a second gripping portion 87 .

[0067] The first gripping portion 86 grips the negative electrode plate 10A sandwiched between the separators 11 and 12 by air suction, and the second gripping portion 87 grips the positive electrode plate 13A by air suction.

[0068] The transport pallet 88 is a pallet on which the electrode stack 15 is placed, and is placed on the transport surface of a transport device (not shown) that transports the electrode stack 15 downstream.

[0069] [Operation Procedure of the Stacked Battery Manufacturing Apparatus (Second Embodiment)] Next, the operation procedure of the stacked battery manufacturing apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0070] 6 and 7, in the processing lane 61 for the negative electrode plate 10A, the negative electrode sheet 10 unwound from the roll 10R is conveyed downstream of the processing lane 61 for the negative electrode plate 10A while being tensioned by a conveying roller 62. The negative electrode sheet 10 conveyed downstream is cut at one end by a trimming device 63 using a cutting device 65, as shown in FIG. 4, to form the negative electrode tab 10Aa.

[0071] 6 and 7, the negative electrode sheet 10 on which the negative electrode tabs 10Aa have been formed is further divided into rectangular negative electrode plates 10A by a cutting device 65 located downstream. The division is performed so that one rectangular negative electrode plate 10A has one negative electrode tab 10Aa. The cutting device 65 also cuts the end opposite the end on which the negative electrode tabs 10Aa are formed so as to chamfer the end, as shown in FIG.

[0072] The cut negative electrode plates 10A are transported in a line by feed rollers 66 to a separator supply device 67 on the downstream side. Separators 11 and 12 are laid above and below the negative electrode plates 10A. The separators 11 and 12 are wound around rolls 11R and 12R in the lower separator supply section 71 and the upper separator supply section 72, respectively, and are unwound by unwinding sections 71a and 72a to be placed on the upper and lower surfaces of the negative electrode plates 10A.

[0073] Next, the upper and lower separators 11 and 12 of one negative electrode plate 10A are bonded at multiple locations using a bonding device 68, such as a sealing roller. As shown in Figure 8, the bonding locations are multiple locations between adjacent long sides of the strip-shaped negative electrode plate 10A, as well as around the corners and short sides. This restricts movement of the strip-shaped negative electrode plate 10A in the long and short side directions.

[0074] Next, a separator cutting device 69, such as a cutter roller, is used to cut the long separators 11 and 12 into a size that can be wrapped around one negative electrode plate. The cut area is the area between the adjacent long sides of the strip-shaped negative electrode plates 10A, including the bonding area bonded by the bonding device 68. By cutting the separators 11 and 12, multiple separators 11 and 12 are aligned, with one separator 11 and 12 placed above and below one negative electrode plate 10A.

[0075] Meanwhile, the positive electrode plate 13A is transported from the processing lane 81 for the positive electrode plate 13A. The positive electrode sheet 13 pulled out from the roll 13R is transported downstream of the processing lane 81 for the positive electrode plate 13A while tension is applied by a transport roller 82. One end of the positive electrode sheet 13 transported downstream is cut by a trimming device 83 to form a positive electrode tab 13Aa. The positive electrode tab 13Aa of the positive electrode plate 13A is formed by cutting out a portion of one end of the positive electrode plate 13A. A positive electrode mixture layer 13Ab is formed on the portion of the positive electrode plate 13A other than the positive electrode tab 13Aa.

[0076] 6 and 7, the positive electrode sheet 13 on which the positive electrode tabs 13Aa are formed is further divided into rectangular positive electrode plates 13A by a cutting device 84 located downstream. The rectangular positive electrode plates 13A are divided so that one positive electrode tab 13Aa is disposed on each plate. The cutting device 84 also cuts the end opposite the end on which the positive electrode tabs 13Aa are formed so as to chamfer the end, as shown in FIG.

[0077] Next, the transfer arm 85 is used to alternately stack the positive electrode plates 13A and the negative electrode plates 10A. On the transport pallet 88, the positive electrode plate 13A placed by the second gripping portion 87 is placed on top of the negative electrode plate 10A placed by the first gripping portion 86 of the transfer arm 85. By repeating this process, the electrode stack 1 is placed on the transport pallet 88.

[0078] The electrode stack 15 placed on the transport pallet 88 is transported to a packaging device (not shown) located downstream of the manufacturing apparatus 200. In the packaging device, the electrode stack 15 is packaged by welding the peripheral portions of the separators 11 and 12 sandwiched between the stacked negative electrode plates 10A and positive electrode plates 13A to form a bag-shaped separator. Furthermore, the electrode stack 15 is packaged by winding a separator 16 around the outermost periphery of the electrode stack 15, which is made up of multiple stacked bag-shaped separators.

[0079] The above describes one embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, which is merely an example, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be embodied in various other forms without departing from the gist of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, and further includes the meaning of equivalents set forth in the claims, and all modifications within the scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] B. Stacked battery 10 Negative electrode sheet 10A negative plate 10Aa negative electrode tab 10Ab negative electrode mixture layer 10R Roll 11 Separator 12 Separator 13 Positive electrode sheet 13A positive electrode plate 13Aa positive electrode tab 13Ab Positive electrode mixture layer 13R Roll 21 Processing Lane 22 Conveyor roller 23 Trimming equipment 24 Cutting device 25 Separator supply device 26 Separator cutting device 31 Gripping part 32 Lower separator supply section 33 Upper separator supply section 41 Processing Lane 42 Conveyor roller 43 Trimming equipment 44 Cutting device 51 Electrode plate holding device 52 First Transfer Arm 53 Second Transfer Arm

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a stacked battery comprising: stacking a plurality of positive electrode plates and negative electrode plates alternately; and interposing separators between the plurality of positive electrode plates and negative electrode plates, the method comprising the steps of: a step of sandwiching a plurality of positive electrode plates or negative electrode plates arranged in a row between long separators from above and below; a dividing step of dividing the separator into separators that sandwich one positive electrode plate or one negative electrode plate from above and below; a stacking step of alternately stacking the negative electrode plates and the positive electrode plates sandwiched between the divided separators to form an electrode stack consisting of a plurality of positive electrode plates and negative electrode plates stacked in predetermined numbers with the separators interposed therebetween, In the lamination step, In a state where the plurality of positive electrode plates or negative electrode plates are sandwiched between long separators from above and below, the upper and lower separators are welded together while being formed into a bag shape so as to surround one positive electrode plate or one negative electrode plate. A method for manufacturing a stacked battery.

2. In the lamination step, When alternately stacking the plurality of positive electrode plates and negative electrode plates, one of the positive electrode plates or the negative electrode plates is placed in a stacking position, and at the same time, one of the positive electrode plates or the negative electrode plates is held in order to move it to the stacking position.

2. The method for manufacturing a stacked battery according to claim 1.

3. Before the dividing step, In a state where the plurality of positive electrode plates or negative electrode plates are sandwiched between long separators from above and below, the upper and lower separators are bonded to the periphery of one positive electrode plate or negative electrode plate at a plurality of locations; The upper and lower separators are cut so as to surround one positive electrode plate or one negative electrode plate.

2. The method for manufacturing a stacked battery according to claim 1.

4. An apparatus for manufacturing a stacked battery in which a plurality of positive electrode plates and negative electrode plates are alternately stacked and separators are interposed between the plurality of positive electrode plates and negative electrode plates, a separator supplying device that sandwiches a plurality of positive electrode plates or negative electrode plates arranged in a row between long separators from above and below; a dividing device that divides the separator into separators that sandwich one positive electrode plate or one negative electrode plate from above and below; an electrode plate mounting device that alternately stacks negative electrode plates and positive electrode plates sandwiched between the divided separators to form a plurality of electrode stacks each consisting of a plurality of positive electrode plates and negative electrode plates stacked in predetermined numbers with the separators interposed therebetween; Equipped with The electrode plate mounting device is In a state where the plurality of positive electrode plates or negative electrode plates are sandwiched between long separators from above and below, the upper and lower separators are welded together while being formed into a bag shape so as to surround one positive electrode plate or one negative electrode plate. A manufacturing apparatus for a stacked battery, comprising:

5. The electrode plate mounting device is When alternately stacking the plurality of positive electrode plates and negative electrode plates, one of the positive electrode plates or the negative electrode plates is placed in a stacking position, and at the same time, one of the positive electrode plates or the negative electrode plates is held in order to move it to the stacking position.

5. The laminated battery manufacturing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein:

6. upstream of the splitting device, and a bonding device that bonds the upper and lower separators around one positive electrode plate or one negative electrode plate at multiple locations in a state in which the plurality of positive electrode plates or negative electrode plates are sandwiched between long separators from above and below.

5. The laminated battery manufacturing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein:

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