Battery manufacturing equipment

Abstract

To more surely discard a defective electrode and separator at one place on a manufacturing line.SOLUTION: A battery manufacturing device includes: a disposal box that is disposed at one place of a manufacturing line of a battery having a structure using an electrode and a separator, and houses a defective electrode and a defective separator; and a defective product lead-out unit for leading the defective electrode and the defective separator to the disposal box. The defective product lead-out unit includes first means for guiding the defective electrode to the disposal box by using gravity, and second means for guiding the defective separator to the disposal box by using suction force.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to a manufacturing technique for a battery having a structure in which a separator is disposed between a positive electrode and a negative electrode and having a plurality of layers.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an electrode inspection apparatus used for manufacturing a battery. The electrode inspection apparatus described in Patent Document 1 includes a waste box for accommodating electrodes of NG products (defective products) determined by an inspection unit.

[0003] The waste box is disposed below a belt conveyor on which the inspected electrodes are conveyed. The electrode inspection apparatus accommodates the electrodes of NG products in the waste box by applying a force from above to the electrodes of NG products.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0008] The battery manufacturing apparatus of this invention is positioned at one location on a battery manufacturing line that has a structure using electrodes and separators, and comprises a waste box for containing defective electrodes and defective separators, and a defective product discharge unit for guiding defective electrodes and defective separators to the waste box. The defective product discharge unit comprises a first means for guiding defective electrodes into the waste box from vertically above, and a second means for guiding defective separators to the waste box using suction force.

[0009] In this configuration, the electrode, which is heavier and less prone to deformation than the separator, is discarded using its own weight, while the separator, which is lighter and more easily deformed than the electrode, is discarded by suction. This allows for the disposal of the electrode and separator according to the difference in their physical properties.

[0010] Furthermore, configurations that use the introduction of defective products into the waste box from vertically above (e.g., by dropping) and configurations that use suction are both relatively simple and easy to miniaturize, and the waste boxes can be consolidated in one location on the manufacturing line. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to this invention, defective electrodes and separators can be more reliably disposed of at a single point on the manufacturing line. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows an example of a part of the manufacturing line for a battery according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is an external perspective view of a waste disposal device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3]Figure 3(A) is a plan view of a waste disposal device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 3(B) is a side view of the waste disposal device. [Figure 4] Figures 4(A) and 4(B) are side cross-sectional views of a waste disposal device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] Figures 5(A) and 5(B) are partial side cross-sectional views showing each state during the process of discarding defective electrodes. [Figure 6] Figures 6(A), 6(B), 6(C), 6(D), and 6(E) are partial side cross-sectional views showing each state in the process of discarding defective electrodes. [Figure 7] Figures 7(A) and 7(B) are partial side cross-sectional views showing each state in the process of discarding defective separators. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a side view of a waste disposal device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] Figures 9(A), 9(B), and 9(C) are partial side cross-sectional views showing each state during the process of discarding defective electrodes. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] [First Embodiment] A battery manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the figures. Each embodiment of the present invention includes a section for discarding defective electrodes and defective separators in the battery manufacturing line. The battery manufactured by the battery manufacturing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is a battery having a configuration in which a flat film positive electrode and a flat film negative electrode are arranged with an ion-conductive insulating film separator in between, for example, a lithium-ion secondary battery.

[0014] (Battery manufacturing line) Figure 1 shows an example of a part of the manufacturing line for a battery according to an embodiment of the present invention. The figure shows the manufacturing line from the transport process of the molded positive electrode and negative electrode to the lamination process in which the positive electrode, separator and negative electrode are stacked.

[0015] (Negative electrode side) The fragmented negative electrode 71 is conveyed using a conveyor 791 (conveyance C11 in FIG. 1). The negative electrode 71 that has reached a predetermined position near the end of the conveyor 791 is picked up and conveyed onto a table 792 (conveyance P12 in FIG. 1). The table 792 can move and rotate within a plane. As a result, the negative electrode 71 is conveyed to the mounting reference position on the separator 81 (conveyance S13 in FIG. 1).

[0016] The separator 81 stored in a wound state is guided onto a conveyor 891 and conveyed by pulling out its end portion.

[0017] The negative electrode 71 conveyed to the mounting reference position is picked up (conveyance P14 in FIG. 1) and placed at a predetermined position of the separator 81 on the conveyor 891.

[0018] The inspection section for good and defective products of the separator 81 alone is arranged in a process prior to the process in which the negative electrode 71 is placed on the separator 81 in the manufacturing line. And the negative electrode 71 is not placed on the defective part of the separator 81.

[0019] The separator 81 with or without the negative electrode 71 placed thereon is conveyed to a predetermined position near the end of the conveyor 891 (conveyance C21 in FIG. 1). In this state, the separator 81 with the negative electrode 71 or the single separator 81 (separator 81 without the negative electrode 71) is cut into individual pieces of the separator 81 in the shape for lamination by a cutting device 881. Also, at the start of the conveyance of the separator 81, the unnecessary separator 81 not used for lamination at the tip portion is cut.

[0020] The individual pieces of the separator 81 are picked up and conveyed onto a table 892 (conveyance P22 in FIG. 1). The table 892 can move and rotate within a plane. As a result, the separator 81 with the negative electrode 71 and the single separator 81 are conveyed to the lamination reference position (conveyance S23 in FIG. 1).

[0021] The inspection unit for good and defective negative electrodes 71 is positioned at a predetermined location on the manufacturing line before being transported to the standard position for stacking.

[0022] (Positive electrode side) The individualized positive electrodes 72 are transported using a conveyor 793 (transportation C31 in Figure 1). When the positive electrodes 72 reach a predetermined position near the end of the conveyor 793, they are picked up and transported onto a table 794 (transportation P32 in Figure 1). The table 794 is capable of moving and rotating within a plane. This transports the positive electrodes 72 to the reference position for mounting onto the separator 82 (transportation S33 in Figure 1).

[0023] The separator 82, which was stored in a coiled form, is guided onto the conveyor 893 and transported by pulling out its end.

[0024] The positive electrode 72, having been transported to the mounting reference position, is picked up (transported at P34 in Figure 1) and placed in a predetermined position on the separator 82 on the conveyor 893.

[0025] The inspection section for good and defective separators 82 is located in a process on the manufacturing line prior to the process in which the positive electrode 72 is placed. Furthermore, the positive electrode 72 is not placed on any defective parts of the separator 82.

[0026] Separators 82 with or without the positive electrode 72 are transported to a predetermined position near the end of the conveyor 893 (transportation at C41 in Figure 1). In this state, the cutting device 882 cuts the separators 82 with the positive electrode 72, or the separators 82 alone (separators 82 without the positive electrode 72), into individual separators 82 shaped for stacking. Also, when the transport of the separators 82 begins, any unnecessary separators 82 that are not used for stacking at the tip are cut.

[0027] The individual separators 82 are picked up and transported onto the table 894 (transportation P42 in Figure 1). The table 894 can move and rotate in a plane. As a result, the separators 82 with the positive electrode 72 and the individual separators 82 are transported to the stacking reference position (transportation S43 in Figure 1).

[0028] The inspection section for good and defective positive electrodes 72 is positioned until it is transported to the stacking reference position.

[0029] (Conveying and stacking good products) The conveying device 91 is a device that performs pickup and conveyance, and conveyance is performed by rotational motion (P conveyance in Figure 1). The conveying device 91 corresponds to the "conveying means" of the present invention.

[0030] The transport device 91 acquires inspection results from the inspection unit of the negative electrode 71 and from the inspection unit of the separator 81. The transport device 91 transports the separator 81 with the good negative electrode 71 to the stacking unit 92. The inspection results include not only whether the product is good or defective, but also information about the transported product, such as whether it is a separator, an electrode, or an electrode with a separator, and are linked to the information on whether the product is good or defective.

[0031] The transport device 91 acquires inspection results from the inspection unit of the positive electrode 72 and from the inspection unit of the separator 82. The transport device 91 transports the separator 82 with good positive electrode 72 to the stacking unit 92. The inspection results include not only whether the product is good or defective, but also information about the transported product, such as whether it is a separator, an electrode, or an electrode with a separator, and are linked to the information on whether the product is good or defective.

[0032] The conveying device 91 conveys good quality separators 81 with negative electrodes 71 and good quality separators 82 with positive electrodes 72 to the stacking section 92 so that the negative electrodes 71 and positive electrodes 72 are alternately arranged with the separator in between.

[0033] (Transportation and disposal of defective products) The conveying device 91 acquires inspection results from the inspection unit. The conveying device 91 conveys the defective separator 81 with the negative electrode 71 and the defective separator 81 alone to the disposal device 10. The inspection results include not only whether the product is good or defective, but also information about the conveyed product, such as whether it is a separator, an electrode, or an electrode with a separator, and are linked to the information on whether the product is good or defective.

[0034] The conveying device 91 conveys the defective separator 82 with the positive electrode 72 and the defective separator 82 alone to the disposal device 10. The disposal device 10 obtains the inspection results from the inspection unit. The inspection results include not only whether the product is good or defective, but also information about the conveyed product, such as whether it is a separator, an electrode, or an electrode with a separator, and are linked to the information on whether the product is good or defective.

[0035] The waste disposal device 10 has a sorting unit that can sort the means and boxes to be disposed of based on the inspection results (based on both whether or not the product is defective and whether or not the defective product contains electrodes). The sorting unit is, for example, a microcontroller and is built into the main body of the waste disposal device 10 (not shown in the illustration).

[0036] (Configuration and operation of the waste disposal device 10) Figure 2 is an external perspective view of a waste disposal device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3(A) is a plan view of the waste disposal device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 3(B) is a side view of the waste disposal device. Figures 4(A) and 4(B) are side cross-sectional views of the waste disposal device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figures 4(A) and 4(B) show different states of the lid member. In each figure, DIRvu indicates the vertically upward direction, and DIRvd indicates the vertically downward direction.

[0037] As shown in Figures 2, 3(A), 3(B), 4(A), and 4(B), the waste disposal device 10 comprises a cylindrical body 11, a lid member 12, a duct pipe 13, a storage box 14, and a storage box 15. The portion consisting of the cylindrical body 11, the lid member 12, and the duct pipe 13 corresponds to the "defective product discharge section" of the present invention. The storage box 14 corresponds to the "first storage box" of the present invention, and the storage box 15 corresponds to the "second storage box" of the present invention. The storage box 14 and the storage box 15 constitute the "waste box" of the present invention.

[0038] The cylindrical body 11 has cylindrical side walls 11SW and a bottom wall 11BW. The cylindrical body 11 has a cylindrical shape with an upper opening Uo11 at the top in the vertical direction and has an internal space SP11.

[0039] The bottom wall 11BW has a lower opening Ud11. The bottom wall 11BW closes the lower side of the side wall 11SW except for the portion of the lower opening Ud11. A compressed air intake 113 is installed on the side wall of the cylindrical body 11.

[0040] Although the detailed configuration of the cylindrical body 11 is omitted, it uses compressed air drawn in from the intake port 113 to generate a large-flow airflow in the internal space SP11 from the upper opening Uo11 to the lower opening Ud11. As a result, air from outside the waste disposal device 10 is drawn in from the upper opening Uo11 of the cylindrical body 11, passes through the internal space SP11, and is discharged from the lower opening Ud11. Therefore, the cylindrical body 11 functions as the "suction member" of the present invention.

[0041] An intake assist member 112 is positioned at the upper opening Uo11 of the cylindrical body 11. The intake assist member 112 has a mortar-shaped (tapered) form in which the opening area increases as it moves away from the upper opening Uo11 of the cylindrical body 11.

[0042] The lid member 12 comprises a flat plate body 121 and a rotating mechanism 122. The rotating mechanism 122 is installed on one side of the body 121 when viewed from above.

[0043] The lid member 12 is positioned vertically above the cylindrical body 11. More specifically, the lid member 12 is rotatably positioned by the rotating mechanism 122 relative to the end of the cylindrical body 11 on the upper opening Uo11 side (more specifically, the outer opening end of the suction assist member 112).

[0044] As shown in Figure 4(A), in the first embodiment of the lid member 12, the lid member 12 overlaps the upper opening Uo11 of the cylindrical body 11 and the outer opening of the suction assist member 112 in a plan view, and closes them.

[0045] As shown in Figure 4(B), in the second embodiment of the lid member 12, the lid member 12 does not overlap the upper opening Uo11 of the cylindrical body 11 and the outer opening of the suction assist member 112 in a plan view, and does not block them. The main body 121 of the lid member 12 extends vertically upward in the direction DIRvu from the outer opening of the suction assist member 112 and is substantially parallel to the vertically upward direction DIRvu.

[0046] The duct pipe 13 is positioned at a vertically downward position DIRvd relative to the cylindrical body 11.

[0047] The duct pipe 13 has a cylindrical wall 13SW and an internal space SP13. The wall 13SW is connected to the bottom wall 11BW of the cylindrical body 11. The internal space SP13 of the duct pipe 13 communicates with the lower opening Ud11 of the cylindrical body 11 and also communicates with the internal space SP11 of the cylindrical body 11.

[0048] The housing box 15 is positioned at a vertically downward position DIRvd relative to the cylindrical body 11 and the duct pipe 13.

[0049] The housing box 15 is a box-shaped structure comprising a top wall 15UW, a bottom wall 15BW, and side walls 15SW, and has an internal space SP15. The top wall 15UW is connected to the wall 13SW of the duct pipe 13. An opening is formed in the top wall 15UW, and this opening in the top wall 15UW communicates with the internal space SP13 of the duct pipe 13. The bottom wall 15BW has a mesh structure and allows air to pass through.

[0050] The storage box 14 is located on the outer surface of the cylindrical body 11. More specifically, the storage box 14 is located on the outer surface of the cylindrical body 11 where the rotating mechanism 122 of the lid member 12 is installed.

[0051] The storage box 14 has rectangular side walls 14SW and a bottom wall 14BW. The storage box 14 is a box-shaped body with an upper opening Uo14 and has an internal space SP14.

[0052] The storage box 14 is equipped with an inclined member 149. The inclined member 149 is in contact with the side wall 14SW and the bottom wall 14BW. The inclined member 149 is planar and in contact with the portion of the circumferential side wall 14SW that is on the side of the cylindrical body 11.

[0053] The inclined member 149 has an inclined surface F149 that intersects the surface of the bottom wall 14BW at an angle that is not perpendicular. The inclined surface F149 has a shape in which the central part bulges out more than the upper and lower ends.

[0054] (Disposal of defective electrodes) Figures 5(A), 5(B), 6(A), 6(B), 6(C), 6(D), and 6(E) are partial side cross-sectional views showing the various states in the process of discarding defective electrodes. While each figure shows a single defective electrode 70NG (either a defective negative electrode 71 or a defective positive electrode 72) as an example, defective electrodes with separators can be discarded in the same manner.

[0055] As shown in Figure 5(A), when the disposal device 10 acquires information about the defective electrode 70NG, it sets the lid member 12 to the first configuration and closes the upper opening Uo11 of the cylindrical body 11. When the transport device 91 acquires information about the defective electrode 70NG, it places the defective electrode 70NG on the top surface UF12 of the lid member 12.

[0056] When a defective electrode 70NG is placed on the top surface UF12 of the lid member 12, the disposal device 10 rotates the lid member 12 and controls it to the second mode. As a result, the lid member 12 becomes approximately vertical, as shown in Figure 5(B). The presence of a defective electrode 70NG on the top surface UF12 can be detected, for example, by providing an electrode detection sensor on the top surface UF12, or by the start time and operating speed of the transport device 91.

[0057] The individual negative electrode 71 and individual positive electrode 72 are heavier and less deformable than the individual separator 81 and individual separator 82. Therefore, as shown in Figure 5(B), the defective electrode 70NG falls vertically downward in DIRvd due to its own weight.

[0058] The starting position for the fall of the defective electrode 70NG is vertically above the housing box 14. Therefore, the internal space SP14 of the housing box 14 is located in the vertically downward direction DIRvd from which the defective electrode 70NG falls. As a result, the defective electrode 70NG is housed within the housing box 14. This series of operations corresponds to the "first means" of the present invention.

[0059] By primarily using gravity (free fall) to contain the defective electrodes 70NG in the containment box 14, and by not using suction force to contain the defective electrodes 70NG, the structure for discarding and containing the defective electrodes 70NG can be realized in a simple and compact form.

[0060] As shown in Figures 6(A) and 6(B), the defective electrode 70NG that falls into the storage box 14 slides down along the inclined surface F149.

[0061] The defective electrode 70NG is less prone to deformation compared to the separator, but it is not completely immovable and can undergo a certain degree of deformation. Therefore, as shown in Figure 6(C), when the lower end of the defective electrode 70NG comes into contact with the surface of the bottom wall 14BW, the defective electrode 70NG bends along the inclined surface F149 due to its own weight.

[0062] As shown in Figures 6(D) and 6(E), since the previous defective electrode 70NG has a shape that conforms to the inclined surface F149, the next defective electrode 70NG that falls into the storage box 14 slides down along the surface of the previous defective electrode 70NG.

[0063] As a result, a previously dropped defective electrode 70NG is less likely to obstruct the subsequent fall of a defective electrode 70NG into the storage box 14. Therefore, the disposal device 10 can more reliably store multiple defective electrodes 70NG in the storage box 14.

[0064] Although it is possible to omit the inclined member 149, it is preferable to include the inclined member 149 for the reasons mentioned above.

[0065] Furthermore, because the inclined surface F149 has a structure that bulges in the center, the area near the upper end of the defective electrodes 70NG housed along the inclined surface F149 becomes more horizontal. This makes it less likely for the next falling defective electrode 70NG to get caught on the upper end of the already housed defective electrodes 70NG. Therefore, the disposal device 10 can house multiple defective electrodes 70NG more reliably in the housing box 14.

[0066] (Disposal of defective separators) Figures 7(A) and 7(B) are partial side cross-sectional views showing each state in the process of discarding defective separators.

[0067] As shown in Figure 7(A), when the waste disposal device 10 acquires information on the defective separator 80NG, it changes the lid member 12 to the second configuration. This causes the waste disposal device 10 to expose the upper opening Uo11 of the cylindrical body 11 upwards.

[0068] Furthermore, the waste disposal device 10 introduces compressed air from the intake port 113 and generates an airflow that flows from the cylindrical body 11 through the duct pipe 13 to the containment box 15, as shown by the arrow in Figure 7(A). This creates an airflow that is drawn in from above the cylindrical body 11 and discharged downward through the mesh of the bottom wall 15BW of the containment box 15.

[0069] When the conveying device 91 obtains information about the defective separator 80NG, it drops the defective separator 80NG onto the top of the cylindrical body 11.

[0070] Separators 81 and 82 are lighter and more easily deformed than the negative electrode 71 and positive electrode 72. Therefore, as shown in Figure 7(B), the dropped defective separator 80NG is carried by the airflow and sucked into the internal space SP11 through the upper opening Uo11 of the cylindrical body 11.

[0071] Furthermore, the defective separator 80NG, deformed by the pressure of the airflow, is sent from the internal space SP11 of the cylindrical body 11 through the internal space SP13 of the duct pipe 13 into the internal space SP15 of the containment box 15. The defective separator 80NG inserted into the internal space SP15 of the containment box 15 is captured by the bottom wall 15BW of the containment box 15.

[0072] As a result, the defective separator 80NG is housed in the storage box 15. This series of operations corresponds to the "second means" of the present invention.

[0073] In this case, the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the duct pipe 13 (the area of ​​the surface perpendicular to the direction in which the duct pipe 13 extends in the internal space SP13) is smaller than the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the cylindrical body 11 (the area of ​​the surface perpendicular to the direction in which the cylindrical body 11 extends in the internal space SP11). As a result, the flow velocity of the airflow increases as it passes through the duct pipe 13, improving the suction force. Therefore, the waste disposal device 10 can reliably contain the defective separator 80NG in the containment box 15.

[0074] Furthermore, the defective separator 80NG is compressed by the airflow during this process. As a result, the three-dimensional dimensions (for example, the sum of the dimensions in three orthogonal directions) of the separator when housed in the storage box 15 are reduced. This allows the defective separator 80NG to be housed compactly in the storage box 15, thereby improving the space utilization efficiency of the storage box 15, for example.

[0075] As described above, the waste disposal device 10 can more reliably dispose of defective electrodes 70NG and defective separators 80NG.

[0076] Furthermore, the containment box 14 for housing the defective electrodes 70NG is positioned along the side of the cylindrical body 11 that generates suction force to house the defective separators 80NG in the containment box 15. This allows the waste disposal device 10 to more reliably dispose of the defective electrodes 70NG and defective separators 80NG in a small area at one location on the production line.

[0077] In this case, the defective electrodes 70NG are not stored horizontally, but rather approximately along the vertical direction. This reduces the planar area of ​​the storage box 14 that houses the defective electrodes 70NG. Therefore, the waste disposal device 10 can be made more compact (space-saving) when viewed from above.

[0078] Furthermore, the storage box 15, which contains the defective separators 80NG, is positioned vertically downwards in the DIRvd direction of the cylindrical body 11 and overlaps the cylindrical body 11 when viewed from above. This allows the waste disposal device 10 to be made even smaller (space-saving) when viewed from above.

[0079] Furthermore, in the above configuration, good and defective products are sorted and transported by a single conveying device 91. This reduces the number of devices that make up the manufacturing line, enabling space saving and simplification of the manufacturing line configuration.

[0080] [Second Embodiment] A battery manufacturing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the figures. The battery manufacturing apparatus according to the second embodiment differs from the battery manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment in that the waste disposal device 10 is replaced with a waste disposal device 10A. Other components of the battery manufacturing apparatus according to the second embodiment are the same as those of the battery manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment, and descriptions of the same parts will be omitted.

[0081] Figure 8 is a side view of a waste disposal device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 8, the waste disposal device 10A differs from the waste disposal device 10 according to the first embodiment in that it has an added mechanism for pushing in defective electrodes 70NG. Other components of the waste disposal device 10A are the same as those of the waste disposal device 10, and a description of the similar parts will be omitted.

[0082] The pushing mechanism of the waste disposal device 10A comprises a pushing member 16, a slide guide 162, and a support column 169.

[0083] The support column 169 is erected adjacent to the storage box 14. The height of the support column 169 is greater than the height of the storage box 14.

[0084] The pressing member 16 is made of a plate material and has a predetermined rigidity. Specifically, the predetermined rigidity is such that the pressing member 16 can deform the defective electrode 70NG and press it into the storage box 14. The pressing member 16 has a tip portion 160. The tip portion 160 has a tapered shape when viewed from the side.

[0085] The push-in member 16 is installed on the support column 169 using the slide guide 162. At this time, the tip portion 160 is installed so that it is at the lowest point of the vertical downward direction DIRvd of the push-in member 16.

[0086] The slide guide 162 is a mechanism that allows the push member 16 to move along the vertically downward direction DIRvd and the vertically upward direction DIRvu. This allows the push member 16 to move along the vertically downward direction DIRvd and the vertically upward direction DIRvu.

[0087] When the pushing member 16 is at the uppermost end in the direction of movement, the tip portion 160 is near the upper opening Uo14 of the housing box 14. In other words, in this case, the tip portion 160 is in a position that does not obstruct the falling of the defective electrode 70NG into the housing box 14.

[0088] When the pushing member 16 is at its lowest point in the direction of movement, the tip portion 160 is inside the internal space SP14 of the housing box 14 and is at a predetermined distance from the bottom wall 14BW. In other words, in this case, the tip portion 160 is in a position where it can contact the defective electrode 70NG housed in the housing box 14 and can apply a predetermined pressing force to the defective electrode 70NG.

[0089] (Inserting defective electrodes) Figures 9(A), 9(B), and 9(C) are partial side cross-sectional views showing each state during the process of discarding defective electrodes.

[0090] As shown in Figure 9(A), when a defective electrode 70NG is placed in the internal space SP14 of the storage box 14, the pushing member 16 descends. The trigger for this descent may be manual or automatic. In the case of an automatic trigger, for example, a detection sensor for the defective electrode 70NG can be provided at a predetermined height in the storage box 14, and the automatic trigger can be set when this detection sensor detects the insertion of the defective electrode 70NG or insufficient dropping.

[0091] As shown in Figures 9(B) and 9(C), the pushing member 16 descends further. As a result, the pushing member 16 contacts the defective electrode 70NG from the tip 160 side and pushes the defective electrode 70NG in. Consequently, the defective electrode 70NG is crushed and accumulated on the bottom wall 14BW side of the storage box 14.

[0092] By performing this pushing action, the disposal device 10A can forcibly contain (dispose of) the defective electrodes 70NG that have become stuck near the upper opening Uo14 of the internal space SP14 of the storage box 14, towards the bottom wall 14BW side of the storage box 14.

[0093] Furthermore, it is preferable that the push-in mechanism be equipped with a torque limiter for the push-in force. This helps to prevent failure or damage to the push-in mechanism caused by excessive force.

[0094] Furthermore, the shape of the tip 160 of the push-in member 16 is not limited to a tapered shape and can be adopted as appropriate.

[0095] <1> A waste box is located at one point on the manufacturing line of a battery that has a structure using electrodes and separators, and contains defective electrodes and defective separators. A defective product discharge unit that guides the defective electrodes and defective separators to the waste box, Equipped with, The defective product extraction unit is, A first means for guiding the defective electrodes into the waste box from vertically above, A second means for using suction force to guide the defective separator to the waste box, A battery manufacturing apparatus equipped with the following features.

[0096] <2> The defective product extraction unit further comprises a sorting unit. The sorting unit sorts whether or not a defective product contains an electrode. The defective product including the electrode is guided to the waste box using the first means. Defective products that do not contain electrodes are guided to the waste box using the second means. <1> Battery manufacturing equipment.

[0097] <3> The waste box comprises a first storage box for storing the defective electrodes and a second storage box for storing the defective separators. <1> or <2> Battery manufacturing equipment.

[0098] <4> The defective product extraction unit is, A cylindrical body with an opening at the top, A lid member that opens and closes the upper opening of the cylindrical body, Equipped with, The first storage box is positioned on the side of the cylindrical body, The second storage box is located below the cylindrical body, The first means is a mechanism that guides the defective electrode placed on the lid member into the first storage box. The second means is a mechanism that increases the falling speed of the defective separator falling from above the cylindrical body and guides it into the second storage box. <3> Battery manufacturing equipment.

[0099] <5> The first means includes a mechanism for rotating the lid member to move the lid member from a closed state to an open state, The second means comprises a suction member disposed in the cylindrical body and generating an attractive force below the cylindrical body. <4> Battery manufacturing equipment.

[0100] <6> The cylindrical body and the second housing box are connected by a duct pipe, The cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path of the duct pipe is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path of the cylindrical body. <5> Battery manufacturing equipment.

[0101] <7> The first storage box is, It is a box-shaped body with an open top and a bottom wall. The inner surface of the box is provided with an inclined member having an inclined surface that intersects the surface of the bottom wall at an angle not perpendicular to it. <3> ~ <6> A battery manufacturing device of any of the following types.

[0102] <8> The inclined member is positioned on the inner surface of the box body on the side facing the cylindrical body. <7> Battery manufacturing equipment.

[0103] <9> The aforementioned inclined surface has a shape in which the central part bulges more than the upper and lower ends. <8> Battery manufacturing equipment.

[0104] <10> The battery includes the defective electrode and the defective separator, and comprises a transport means for transporting the electrode and separator for manufacturing the battery. The aforementioned conveying means is The defective electrodes and the defective separators are transported to the defective product discharge section. The good electrodes and good electrodes with separators are transported to the stacking device of the manufacturing line. <1> ~ <9> A battery manufacturing device of any of the following types.

[0105] <11> An inspection device for determining whether the electrodes are good or defective is provided at a position prior to the conveying means in the manufacturing line. The aforementioned transport means and the defective product extraction unit operate based on the inspection results from the inspection device. <10> Battery manufacturing equipment. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0106] 10, 10A: Disposal device 11: Cylinder 11BW:Bottom wall 11SW: Side wall 12: Lid component 13: Duct pipe 13SW: Wall 14: Storage Box 14BW:Bottom wall 14SW: Side wall 15: Storage Box 15BW:Bottom wall 15SW: Side wall 15UW: Ceiling wall 16: Push-in member 162: Slide Guide 169: Post 70NG: Defective electrode 71: Negative electrode 72: Positive electrode 80NG: Defective separator 81, 82: Separator 91: Conveyor equipment 92: Laminated section 112: Inhalation assist member 113: Inlet 121: Subject 122: Rotating mechanism 149: Inclined member 791, 793, 891, 893: Conveyor 792, 794, 892, 894: Table 881, 882: Cutting device DIRvd: Vertical downward direction DIRvu: Vertical upward direction F149: Inclined surface SP11, SP13, SP14, SP15: Internal space Ud11: Lower opening UF12: Top surface Uo11, Uo14: Upper opening

Claims

1. A waste box is located at one point on the manufacturing line of a battery that has a structure using electrodes and separators, and contains defective electrodes and defective separators. A defective product discharge unit that guides the defective electrodes and defective separators to the waste box, Equipped with, The waste box comprises a first storage box for storing the defective electrodes and a second storage box for storing the defective separators. The defective product extraction unit is, A first means for guiding the defective electrode into the first housing box from vertically above, A second means for using suction force to guide the defective separator into the second storage box, Equipped with, Battery manufacturing equipment.

2. The defective product extraction unit further comprises a sorting unit. The sorting unit sorts whether or not a defective product contains an electrode. The defective product including the electrode is guided into the first storage box using the first means. The defective product that does not include the electrode is guided to the second storage box using the second means. The battery manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The defective product extraction unit is, A cylindrical body with an opening at the top, A lid member that opens and closes the upper opening of the cylindrical body, Equipped with, The first storage box is positioned on the side of the cylindrical body, The second storage box is located below the cylindrical body, The first means is a mechanism that guides the defective electrode placed on the lid member into the first storage box. The second means is a mechanism that increases the falling speed of the defective separator falling from above the cylindrical body and guides it into the second storage box. The battery manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1.

4. The first means includes a mechanism for rotating the lid member to move the lid member from a closed state to an open state, The second means includes a suction member disposed in the cylindrical body and generating an attractive force below the cylindrical body. The battery manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3.

5. The cylindrical body and the second housing box are connected by a duct pipe, The cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path of the duct pipe is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path of the cylindrical body. The battery manufacturing apparatus according to claim 4.

6. The first storage box is, It is a box-shaped body with an open top and a bottom wall. The inner surface of the box is provided with an inclined member having an inclined surface that intersects the surface of the bottom wall at an angle not perpendicular to it. The battery manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1.

7. The inclined member is positioned on the cylindrical side of the inner surface of the box body. The battery manufacturing apparatus according to claim 6.

8. The aforementioned inclined surface has a shape in which the central part bulges more than the upper and lower ends. The battery manufacturing apparatus according to claim 7.

9. The battery includes the defective electrode and the defective separator, and comprises a transport means for transporting the electrode and separator for manufacturing the battery. The aforementioned conveying means is The defective electrodes and the defective separators are transported to the defective product discharge section. The good electrodes and good electrodes with separators are transported to the stacking device of the manufacturing line. The battery manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1.

10. An inspection device for determining whether the electrodes are good or defective is provided at a position prior to the conveying means in the manufacturing line. The aforementioned transport means and the defective product extraction unit operate based on the inspection results from the inspection device. The battery manufacturing apparatus according to claim 9.

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