Lamination machine and lamination method

Abstract

To provide a lamination machine and a lamination method for a lamination machine.SOLUTION: A lamination machine 1 includes two length-adjusting mechanisms 10, a lamination support platform 12 and a pressing mechanism 14. Each of the two length-adjusting mechanisms includes a plurality of direction guiding rollers 100. The lamination support platform includes a plurality of pressing members 120, a plurality of feeding rollers 122 and a plurality of feed-out rollers 124. The pressing members can be laminated in a uniaxial direction. The feeding rollers, the feed-out rollers and a direction guiding rollers pull a lamination film 3 and make them pass through the pressing members in order. The pressing mechanism brings pressing force to the pressing members, and synchronously presses the lamination film located on the pressing members.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims priority to Taiwan Patent Application No. 113111525, filed with the Taiwan Intellectual Property Office on March 27, 2024, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a stacking machine and a stacking method, and more particularly, to a stacking machine and a stacking method for a plurality of battery cells stacked in a single axial direction.

Background Art

[0003] One method for manufacturing a battery cell in which electrode layers are stacked is currently to form a stacked structure by arranging and stacking a first current collector plate, a positive electrode, a separator, a negative electrode, and a second current collector plate in sequence. Next, the stacked structure is pressed by an external force to firmly bond the above layers and complete the production of the battery cell. However, in the existing method, one horizontal stacking machine is used to stack a single cell at a time. Therefore, in order to manufacture a plurality of battery cells at a time, a plurality of horizontal stacking machines need to be deployed horizontally, occupying a larger floor area. Furthermore, the differences between these horizontal stacking machines will also cause differences in the individual battery cells produced in a single batch.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] One object of the present invention is to provide a stacking machine and a stacking method capable of synchronously pressing a plurality of battery cells stacked in a single axial direction in order to solve the above problems.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned problems, the lamination machine disclosed by the present invention includes two length adjustment mechanisms, a lamination support platform, and a pressing mechanism. The two length adjustment mechanisms are capable of horizontal movement. Each of the two length adjustment mechanisms includes a plurality of directional guide rollers. The lamination support platform is disposed between the two length adjustment mechanisms. The lamination support platform includes a plurality of pressing members, a plurality of feeding rollers, and a plurality of discharging rollers. The pressing members are stacked in a single axial direction. Each of the directional guide rollers is disposed between two adjacent pressing members in the side view direction. The feeding rollers are disposed at the feeding ends of the pressing members, and the discharging rollers are disposed at the discharging ends of the pressing members. The pressing mechanism is disposed between the two length adjustment mechanisms. The feeding rollers, discharging rollers, and directional guide rollers pull the laminated film and pass it sequentially through the pressing members. The pressing mechanism applies a pressing force to the pressing members and synchronously presses the laminated film located on the pressing members.

[0006] The present invention also discloses a lamination method. The lamination method of the present invention is A step of providing a stacking machine including two length adjustment mechanisms and a stacking support platform disposed between the two length adjustment mechanisms, wherein the stacking support platform includes a plurality of pressing members stacked in a single axial direction, The steps include pulling the laminated film and passing it sequentially through the pressing member, The steps include: synchronously pressing the laminated film located on the pressing member to form a first laminated structure; The steps include winding the laminated film to a first predetermined length, A step of synchronously pressing a laminated film located on a pressing member to form a second laminated structure, wherein a part of the second laminated structure is adjacent to a part of the first laminated structure, and The steps include winding the laminated film to a second predetermined length, In order to continuously press the laminated film, the above steps are repeated. If the total number of pressing members is N and N is a natural number of 2 or more, the first predetermined length is the length of a single pressing member, and the second predetermined length is 2N-1 times the length of a single pressing member. If the total number of pressing members is 2N+1 and N is a natural number, then both the first predetermined length and the second predetermined length are 2N+1 times the length of a single pressing member.

[0007] Therefore, the stacked support platform has multiple pressing members that are stacked in a single vertical direction (also called the z-axis direction). Therefore, the pressing mechanism can synchronously press the laminated film that passes through the pressing member and is supported by the pressing member, thereby forming multiple laminated structures. In one embodiment, the laminated film may be an electrode laminated strip. In this case, the lamination machine and lamination method according to the present invention can press the electrode lamination strip and synchronously form several battery cell structures. Processing time can be significantly reduced. Furthermore, the pressing members are stacked in a single vertical direction. Based on the objective of synchronously forming several battery cell structures, the floor space occupied by the lamination machine of the present invention can be significantly reduced compared to the floor space occupied by some conventional horizontal lamination machines. Furthermore, the present invention avoids the drawback of performance differences between individual battery cells processed through various conventional machines.

[0008] Further scope of the applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description below. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention, for various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

[0009] The present invention will be better understood from the detailed description below. The detailed description is illustrative and therefore does not limit the invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010] [Figure 1] It is a schematic diagram of a laminating machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a schematic diagram of a laminated film which is an electrode laminated band according to the present invention. [Figure 3] It is a flowchart showing a lamination method according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] It is a schematic diagram of pressing a laminated film according to the present invention, the total number of pressing members is N, and N is an odd number. [Figure 5] It is a schematic diagram of pressing a laminated film according to the present invention, the total number of pressing members is N, and N is an even number. [Figure 6] It is a schematic diagram of pressing a laminated film according to the present invention, the total number of pressing members is 2N + 1. [Figure 7] It is a schematic diagram of a laminating machine according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] It is a schematic diagram of a laminating machine according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Please refer to FIG. 1 which is a schematic diagram of a laminating machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the laminating machine 1 includes two length adjustment mechanisms 10, a lamination support platform 12, a pressing mechanism 14, an unwinding mechanism 16, a winding mechanism 18, two positioning sensors 20, and two edge position controllers (EPC) 22. The lamination support platform 12 is disposed between the two length adjustment mechanisms 10. The lamination support platform 12 includes a plurality of pressing members 120, a plurality of feeding rollers 122, and a plurality of discharging rollers 124. The pressing members 120 are stacked in a single axial direction. In this embodiment, the pressing members 120 are stacked along the vertical direction (also referred to as the z-direction), form a vertical operation platform, carry the laminate, and perform the pressing process. In this embodiment, each of the pressing members 120 is composed of an upper pressing member 120a and a corresponding lower pressing member 120b.

[0013] Each of the two length adjustment mechanisms 10 includes a plurality of direction guiding rollers 100. Each of the direction guiding rollers 100 is disposed outside the pressing member 120 and corresponds to the position between two adjacent pressing members 120 in the side view direction. The feeding roller 122 is disposed within the feeding end portion 1200 of the pressing member 120, and the discharging roller 124 is disposed within the discharging end portion 1202 of the pressing member 120. In this embodiment, the discharging end portion 1202 of the pressing member 120 is close to and opposite to the feeding end portion 1200 of the adjacent pressing member 120. Also, the direction guiding roller 100 is located between the feeding roller 122 and the discharging roller 124 in the side view direction. Therefore, the laminated film 3 is pulled back and forth via the feeding roller 122, the discharging roller 124, and the direction guiding roller 100 to form an S-shaped configuration and sequentially passes through the pressing members 120.

[0014] The unwinding mechanism 16 is disposed on one side of the laminate supporting platform 12, and the winding mechanism 18 is disposed on the other side of the laminate supporting platform 12. One end of the laminated film 3 is wound on the unwinding mechanism 16, guided back and forth via the feeding roller 122, the discharging roller 124, and the direction guiding roller 100, and sequentially passes through the pressing members 120. Next, the other end of the laminated film 3 is wound on the winding mechanism 18. The unwinding mechanism 16 may have a magnetic particle brake or a torque control function to control the unwinding of the laminated film 3. The winding mechanism 18 may have a motor to wind the laminated film 3. Furthermore, the two end position controllers 22 are arranged to control the end position of the laminated film 3, corresponding to the unwinding mechanism 16 and the winding mechanism 18, respectively. It should be noted that the operating principle of the end position controller 22 is well known to those skilled in the art. Therefore, a repetition of the explanation will be omitted.

[0015] The two length adjustment mechanisms 10 are horizontally movable relative to the lamination support platform 12 to adjust the length of the laminated film 3 that is not located on the pressing member 120. In this embodiment, each of the two length adjustment mechanisms 10 further includes a support column 102 and two movable elements 104. The two moving elements 104 are positioned on both ends of the support column 102, and the directional guide roller 100 is positioned on the support column 102. The moving element 104 is capable of horizontal movement by driving the support column 102 and the directional guide roller 100 to move horizontally. Therefore, the non-pressed portion, which is the length of the laminated film 3 not located within the pressing member 120, can be increased or decreased. The moving element 104 may consist of, for example, a slider or a roller.

[0016] In one embodiment, the length portion of the laminated film 3 located between two adjacent pressing members 120, i.e., the non-pressed portion, is equal to the length portion of the laminated film 3 located on one of the pressing members 120, i.e., the pressed portion. Therefore, continuous pressing can be achieved without any invalid sections that are not pressed.

[0017] The pressing mechanism 14 is positioned between the two length adjustment mechanisms 10 and applies pressing force to the pressing member 120, synchronously pressing the laminated film 3 located on the pressing member 120. The pressing mechanism 14 may be a hydraulic mechanism configured to lift the pressing member 120, although this is not limited to the case. In this case, the pressing member 120 is lifted and moved upward, pressing the laminated film 3 located on the pressing member 120. Furthermore, the pressing member 120 can transfer thermal energy to a portion of the material of the laminated film 3, causing it to harden and form a laminated structure such as a battery cell. While the pressing member 120 is being lifted, the directional guide roller 100 is pulled by the laminated film 3, and the laminated film 3 is wound up on the directional guide roller 100 and moves up and down.

[0018] Please refer to Figure 2, which is a schematic diagram of the laminated film 3, which is an electrode laminated strip according to the present invention.

[0019] In this embodiment, the laminated film 3 is the electrode laminated strip shown in Figure 2. For example, the electrode stack may include a first current collector plate 30, a positive electrode 32, a separator 34 and / or an electrolyte layer (not shown), a negative electrode 36, and a second current collector plate 38. Furthermore, the electrode laminated strip includes an adhesive frame 40 between the first current collector plate 30 and the second current collector plate 38. The adhesive frame 40 surrounds the sides of the positive electrode 32, the separator 34 and / or the electrolyte layer, and the negative electrode 36. The material of the adhesive frame 40 is selected from thermoplastic resin material or thermosetting material. The adhesive frame 40 can be a layered structure. For example, the top layer of the adhesive frame 40 is made from a material that can firmly adhere to the first current collector plate 30. The bottom layer of the adhesive frame 40 is made of a material that can firmly adhere to the second current collector plate 38. The intermediate layer located between the top and bottom layers of the adhesive frame 40 is made from a material that can firmly adhere to the top and bottom layers. The material for the intermediate layer can be used as the modification material for the top and bottom layers. During the pressing process, the thermal energy generated by the pressing member 120 causes the adhesive frame 40, or a portion of the adhesive material of the positive electrode 32, negative electrode 36, and separator 34, to bond and harden. The material of the adhesive frame 40 is selected from, for example, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT), polyimide (PI), or silicone. Therefore, the stacking machine 1 of the present invention can synchronously press multiple battery cells stacked on a single axis, significantly reducing processing time. Furthermore, because the pressing members 120 are stacked in a single axial direction, the space occupied by using a horizontal pressing platform to synchronously press several battery cells can be significantly reduced. Furthermore, it can avoid the drawback of performance differences between individual battery cells processed through various conventional machines. Furthermore, if the laminated film 3 is an electrode laminated strip, the radius of the rollers used in the lamination machine according to the present invention, such as the unwinding mechanism 16, the directional guide roller 100, or the winding mechanism 18, is preferably greater than 75 centimeters so that the positive electrode 32 or the negative electrode 36 does not crack due to bending.

[0020] In this embodiment, the two positioning sensors 20 are arranged in correspondence with the pressing member 120. For example, one end of the positioning sensor 20 is positioned to correspond to the feed-in end 1200 of the uppermost pressing member 120, and the other end of the positioning sensor 20 is positioned to correspond to the feed-out end 1202 of the lowermost pressing member 120, but this is not limited to this arrangement. Each of the two positioning sensors 20 is configured to detect a positioning point P on the laminated film 3. Generally, positioning point P is located on the current collector plate. During the pressing process, when the laminated film 3 is pressed, the positioning point P is moved. In this case, the two length adjustment mechanisms 10 are controlled, and the directional guide roller 100 pulls the laminated film 3, moving the positioning point P back to its original detection position corresponding to the two positioning sensors 20.

[0021] Please refer to Figure 3, which is a flowchart illustrating the lamination method according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] In the lamination method shown in Figure 3, the lamination machine 1 shown in Figure 1 is applied. Therefore, the details of the lamination machine 1 will not be repeated. First, in step S10, the laminated film 3 is pulled through the feed roller 122 and the discharge roller 124 and passed through the pressing member 120 in sequence. The laminated film 3 is pulled back and forth via the feed roller 122, the delivery roller 124, and the directional guide roller 100. Next, in step S12, the laminated film 3 located on the pressing member 120 is pressed synchronously to form the first laminated structure. In step S14, the laminated film 3 is wound up to a first predetermined length. In step S16, the laminated film 3 located on the pressing member 120 is pressed synchronously to form a second laminated structure. A portion of the second laminated structure is adjacent to a portion of the first laminated structure. Next, in step S18, the laminated film 3 is wound up to a second predetermined length. Finally, the above steps are repeated so that the laminated film 3 is continuously pressed.

[0023] In one embodiment, when the total number of pressing members 120 is N and N is a natural number of 2 or more, the first predetermined length is the length of a single pressing member 120, and the second predetermined length is 2N-1 times the length of a single pressing member 120.

[0024] Please refer to Figure 4, which is a schematic diagram of pressing a laminated film according to the present invention. The total number of pressing members is N, and N is an odd number.

[0025] As shown in Figure 4, the total number of pressing members A to E is 5, i.e., N=5. The length of a single pressing member A to E is L, and the first predetermined length is also L. The second specified length is 9L. During the initial pressing, the first laminated structures A1 to E1 are formed. Next, the laminated film 3 is wound up to a first predetermined length L. Subsequently, a second pressing is performed to form the second laminated structure A2-E2. After the second pressing, the laminated film 3 is wound up to a second predetermined length of 9L. Subsequently, a third pressing is performed to form the first laminated structures A3 to E3. After the third pressing, the laminated film 3 is wound up to a first predetermined length L. Next, a fourth pressing is performed to form the second laminated structure A4-E4. Therefore, continuous pressing can be achieved without any invalid sections that are not pressed.

[0026] Please refer to Figure 5, which is a schematic diagram showing the pressing of the laminated film according to the present invention. The total number of pressing members is N, and N is an even number.

[0027] As shown in Figure 5, the total number of pressing members A to F is 6, i.e., N=6. The length of each individual pressing member A to F is L, and the first predetermined length is also L. The second specified length is 11L. During the initial pressing, the first laminated structures A1 to F1 are formed. Next, the laminated film 3 is wound up to a first predetermined length L. Subsequently, a second pressing is performed to form the second laminated structures A2 to F2. After the second pressing, the laminated film 3 is wound up to a second predetermined length 11L. Subsequently, a third pressing is performed to form the first laminated structures A3 to F3. After the third pressing, the laminated film 3 is wound up to a first predetermined length L. Next, a fourth pressing is performed to form the second laminated structures A4 to F4. Therefore, continuous pressing can be achieved without any invalid sections that are not pressed.

[0028] In another embodiment, when the total number of pressing members 120 is 2N+1 and N is a natural number, both the first predetermined length and the second predetermined length are 2N+1 times the length of a single pressing member 120.

[0029] Please refer to Figure 6, which is a schematic diagram showing the pressing of the laminated film according to the present invention. The total number of pressing members is 2N+1.

[0030] As shown in Figure 6, the total number of pressing members A to E is 5, i.e., N=2. The length of a single pressing member A to E is L, and the first predetermined length and the second predetermined length are 5L. During the initial pressing, the first laminated structures A1 to E1 are formed. Next, the laminated film 3 is wound up to a first predetermined length of 5L. Subsequently, a second pressing is performed to form the second laminated structure A2-E2. After the second pressing, the laminated film 3 is wound up to a second predetermined length of 5L. Subsequently, a third pressing is performed to form the first laminated structures A3 to E3. After the third pressing, the laminated film 3 is wound up to the first predetermined length 5L. Next, a fourth pressing is performed to form the second laminated structure A4-E4. Therefore, continuous pressing can be achieved without any invalid sections that are not pressed.

[0031] Note that before pressing, the laminated film 3 has a leading section. Refer to Figures 4 to 6. The leading section can be pressed. However, the leading section is not used at the start of the initial pressing.

[0032] Please refer to Figure 7, which is a schematic diagram of a stacking machine according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Compared to stacking machine 1 in Figure 1, stacking machine 1' further includes storage shelves 24. The storage rack 24 is located on one side of the stacking support platform 12, as shown in Figure 7, and includes a plurality of storage rollers 240. At least one of the storage rollers 240 is movable. The laminated film 3 is pressed through the lamination machine 1' and then stored on the storage rack 24. The storage roller 240 located in the upper part is movable up and down to increase or decrease the width of the stacked structure being stored. Furthermore, if the laminated film 3 is an electrode laminated strip, the radius of the storage roller 240 is preferably greater than 75 centimeters to prevent the positive or negative electrode from cracking due to bending.

[0034] Please refer to Figure 8, which is a schematic diagram of a stacking machine according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] In comparison with the stacking machine 1 in Figure 1, the pressing mechanism 14 of the stacking machine 1'' includes multiple airbags 140, as shown in Figure 8. Each airbag 140 is positioned on one of two adjacent pressing members 120 and is configured to press against the other pressing member 120.

[0036] Therefore, a hydraulic mechanism or airbag can be used to serve the pressing mechanism of the present invention.

[0037] Therefore, the stacking machine of the present invention includes a plurality of pressing members that are stacked in a single axial direction. Therefore, the pressing member can synchronously press the laminated film located on the pressing member, thereby forming a laminated structure. In one embodiment, the laminated film is a laminated structure that generates a battery cell. In this case, the lamination machine and lamination method of the present invention can press a laminated film passing through a pressing member and synchronously form several battery cells. Processing time can be significantly reduced. Because the pressing members are stacked in a single axial direction, the floor area occupied by these pressing members can be significantly reduced. In a limited space, several battery cells can be pressed synchronously in a single pressing step. Furthermore, it can avoid the drawback of performance differences between individual battery cells processed through various conventional machines.

[0038] Although the present invention has been described in this manner, it will be clear that the above description can be modified in numerous ways. Such modifications should not be considered a departure from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A stacking machine, wherein the stacking machine is A length adjustment mechanism comprising two horizontally movable length adjustment mechanisms, each of which includes a plurality of directional guide rollers aligned along the vertical direction, A stacking support platform disposed between the two length adjustment mechanisms, Multiple pressing members stacked in a single axial direction, wherein each of the multiple directional guide rollers is disposed between two adjacent pressing members, A plurality of feed rollers are provided at the feed end of the pressing member, and Multiple feed rollers are provided at the feed end of the aforementioned pressing member. The stacking support platform includes, A pressing mechanism disposed between the two length adjustment mechanisms and Equipped with, The feeding roller, the delivery roller, and the directional guide roller pull the laminated film, in which multiple laminated structures are to be formed in a row, and by directly winding the laminated film, the pressing members pass through the laminated film in sequence. The lamination machine is characterized in that the pressing mechanism applies a pressing force to the plurality of pressing members, and synchronously presses the plurality of portions of the laminated film located within the plurality of pressing members to form the plurality of laminated structures.

2. The stacking machine according to claim 1, wherein each of the two length adjustment mechanisms further includes a support column and two moving elements disposed at both ends of the support column, and the directional guide roller is disposed on the support column.

3. The lamination machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the length of the laminated film between the two adjacent pressing members is equal to the length of each of the pressing members.

4. The lamination machine according to claim 1, further comprising two positioning sensors, the two positioning sensors being arranged in correspondence with the pressing member, and each of the two positioning sensors being configured to detect a positioning point of the laminated film.

5. The stacking machine according to claim 1, further comprising a storage rack, the storage rack being disposed on one side of the stacking support platform, the storage rack including a plurality of storage rollers, at least one of the storage rollers being movable.

6. The stacking machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the pressing mechanism is a hydraulic mechanism configured to lift the pressing member.

7. The stacking machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the pressing mechanism includes a plurality of airbags, each of which is disposed on one of the two adjacent pressing members and configured to press the other of the two adjacent pressing members.

8. The lamination machine according to claim 1, further comprising an unwinding mechanism and a winding mechanism, wherein the unwinding mechanism is disposed on one side of the lamination support platform, the winding mechanism is disposed on the other side of the lamination support platform, one end of the laminated film is wound onto the unwinding mechanism, and the other end of the laminated film is wound onto the winding mechanism.

9. A lamination method, A step of providing a stacking machine including two length adjustment mechanisms and a stacking support platform disposed between the two length adjustment mechanisms, wherein the stacking support platform includes a plurality of pressing members stacked in a single axial direction, The steps include pulling the laminated film and passing it sequentially through the pressing member, The steps include: synchronously pressing the laminated film located on the pressing member to form a first laminated structure; The steps include winding the laminated film to a first predetermined length, A step of synchronously pressing the laminated film located on the pressing member to form a second laminated structure, wherein a part of the second laminated structure is adjacent to a part of the first laminated structure, The steps include winding the laminated film to a second predetermined length, In order to continuously press the laminated film, the above step is repeated. Including the above, if the total number of pressing members is N and N is a natural number of 2 or more, the first predetermined length is the length of a single pressing member, and the second predetermined length is 2N-1 times the length of a single pressing member. A method characterized in that, when the total number of pressing members is 2N+1 and N is a natural number, both the first predetermined length and the second predetermined length are 2N+1 times the length of a single pressing member.

10. The lamination method according to claim 9, characterized in that the laminated film is an electrode laminated strip.

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