Apparatus for manufacturing electrode assemblies and manufacturing method using the same

Abstract

An electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first electrode-separator assembly supply unit that supplies a first electrode-separator assembly, a second electrode supply unit that supplies a second electrode sheet to be laminated so as to be positioned on an outer surface of the separator of the first electrode-separator assembly, a stack unit on which an electrode assembly formed by laminating the first electrode-separator assembly and the second electrode sheet is placed, and a holding unit that holds the second electrode sheet from the second electrode supply unit and moves the second electrode sheet.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] Cross - reference to Related Applications This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10 - 2022 - 0112122 filed on September 5, 2022 and Korean Patent Application No. 10 - 2023 - 0109585 filed on August 22, 2023, and all the contents disclosed in the documents of the Korean patent applications are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus and a manufacturing method using the same, and more specifically, to an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus with improved productivity and a manufacturing method using the same.

Background Art

[0003] In modern society, as the use of portable devices such as mobile phones, laptop computers, video cameras, and digital cameras has become common, technological development in fields related to such mobile devices has become active. In addition, rechargeable secondary batteries are a solution for solving problems such as air pollution in existing gasoline vehicles that use fossil fuels, and are used as power sources for electric vehicles (EVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug - in hybrid electric vehicles (P - HEVs), etc. Therefore, the need for development of secondary batteries is increasing.

[0004] Currently commercialized secondary batteries include nickel - cadmium batteries, nickel - metal hydride batteries, nickel - zinc batteries, lithium secondary batteries, etc. Among these, lithium secondary batteries have the advantages of free charge and discharge, low self - discharge rate, and high energy density, and are the most widely noticed.

[0005] Secondary batteries are classified into cylindrical batteries and prismatic batteries in which the electrode assembly is built into a cylindrical or prismatic metal can according to the shape of the battery case, and pouch - type batteries in which the electrode assembly is built into a pouch - type case made of an aluminum laminate sheet.

[0006] Secondary batteries can also be classified according to the structure of their electrode assemblies, which consist of a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator membrane interposed between the two electrodes. Typical examples include jelly roll type (wind-up type) electrode assemblies, which are constructed by winding long sheet-like positive and negative electrodes with a separator membrane in between, and stack type (laminated type) electrode assemblies, which are constructed by sequentially stacking multiple positive and negative electrodes cut into predetermined units with a separator membrane in between. Recently, in order to solve the problems of the jelly roll type and stack type electrode assemblies, stack / folding type electrode assemblies, which are a hybrid form of the jelly roll type and the stack type, have been developed.

[0007] On the other hand, in manufacturing stacked or stacked / folded electrode assemblies, conventional methods involved manufacturing multiple bicells formed by sequentially stacking a negative electrode, a separator membrane, and a positive electrode, and then stacking these bicells, or attaching them to a sheet-like separator membrane and then folding the sheet-like separator membrane in one direction. However, such conventional structures have the problem of a complex manufacturing procedure because the bicells are manufactured in advance and then attached to the sheet-like separator membrane and stacked again, and because multiple layers of sheet-like separator membranes are arranged on the side of the final battery cell, unnecessary gap spaces are created between the electrodes and the separator membranes.

[0008] In addition to this lamination method, a zigzag lamination method has also been used to manufacture electrode assemblies. The zigzag lamination method is a method of laminating electrode assemblies in which the positive and negative electrodes are alternately inserted during the process in which the separation membrane, unwound from a roll, moves from one side to the other and vice versa. However, the conventional zigzag lamination method has the problem that the cut electrodes must be stored separately, and there is a risk that the electrodes inserted during the lamination process may move. Furthermore, when producing long battery cells, it is difficult to control the tension of the separation membrane, resulting in a slow progress speed and reduced manufacturing efficiency, as well as limitations in improving productivity.

[0009] Therefore, there is a need for new electrode assembly manufacturing equipment and methods that can improve the manufacturing efficiency and productivity of the stacked or stacked / folded electrode assemblies described above, and improve the durability and stability of the products. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0010] The problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus and a manufacturing method using the same that can improve manufacturing efficiency, product quality, and productivity compared to conventional electrode assembly manufacturing processes.

[0011] The problems that the present invention aims to solve are not limited to those described above, and any problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains from this specification and the accompanying drawings. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] An electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention includes: a first electrode-separation membrane assembly supply unit that supplies a first electrode-separation membrane assembly including a plurality of first electrode pieces positioned between sheet-like separation membranes facing each other; a second electrode supply unit that supplies second electrode pieces that are stacked so as to be positioned on the outer surface of the sheet-like separation membrane of the first electrode-separation membrane assembly; a stack unit on which an electrode assembly formed by stacking the first electrode-separation membrane assembly and the second electrode pieces is placed; and a holding unit that holds the second electrode pieces from the second electrode supply unit and moves the second electrode pieces.

[0013] The second electrode supply unit includes a second-first electrode supply unit and a second-second electrode supply unit, and the stack unit is positioned between the second-first electrode supply unit and the second-second electrode supply unit.

[0014] The stack unit can move between the second-first electrode supply unit and the second-second electrode supply unit.

[0015] The stack unit can move along a straight line that forms the shortest distance between the second-first electrode supply unit and the second-second electrode supply unit.

[0016] The holding unit can move between the second electrode supply unit and the stacking unit.

[0017] The holding unit can hold the second electrode piece from the second electrode supply unit adjacent to the holding unit, move the held second electrode piece to the stack unit, and the stack unit that has received the held second electrode piece can move to stack the first electrode-separation membrane assembly onto the stack unit.

[0018] The stack unit moves to be adjacent to a second electrode supply unit located further away from the stack unit among a plurality of second electrode supply units in order to stack the first electrode-separation membrane assemblies, and by moving the stack unit to be adjacent to the second electrode supply unit, the first electrode-separation membrane assemblies can be positioned on the uppermost second electrode piece of the stack unit.

[0019] The first electrode-separation membrane assembly may be in a state in which the first electrode piece is laminated between the sheet-like separation membranes.

[0020] The first electrode may be a negative electrode, and the second electrode may be a positive electrode.

[0021] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly includes forming a first electrode-separator assembly including two sheet-like separators and a plurality of first electrode pieces continuously positioned between the inner surfaces of the sheet-like separators facing each other; a process in which the first electrode-separator assembly is disposed in a stack unit; a process of laminating a second electrode piece on an outer surface of the sheet-like separator of the first electrode-separator assembly disposed in the stack unit; and a process in which the stack unit moves and the first electrode-separator assembly is laminated on the laminated second electrode piece.

[0022] The process of laminating the second electrode piece on the outer surface of the sheet-like separator of the first electrode-separator assembly disposed in the stack unit may be such that a holding unit holds the second electrode piece from a second electrode supply unit, and the held second electrode piece is laminated on the first electrode-separator assembly disposed in the stack unit.

[0023] The stack unit can be positioned between a second-1 electrode supply unit and a second-2 electrode supply unit.

[0024] The process in which the stack unit moves and the first electrode-separator assembly is laminated on the laminated second electrode piece may be such that the stack unit moves between the second-1 electrode supply unit and the second-2 electrode supply unit, and the first electrode-separator assembly is laminated on the uppermost second electrode piece of the stack unit.

Advantages of the Invention

[0025] According to the embodiment, the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus of the present invention and the manufacturing method using the same can form a negative electrode-separator assembly in advance and alternately laminate the negative electrode-separator assembly and the positive electrode piece, thereby further improving productivity.

[0026] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects described above, and the effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains from this specification and the attached drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0027] [Figure 1] It is a side view of an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a side view of an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] It is a diagram showing a manufacturing method of a negative electrode-separator assembly to be input into an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] It is a side view showing a negative electrode-separator assembly manufactured by the manufacturing method of FIG. 3. [Figure 5] It is a side view of an electrode assembly produced by an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing the electrode assembly of part A in FIG. 2. [Figure 6] It is a side view of an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to a comparative example. [Figure 7] It is a side view showing an electrode assembly manufactured by an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to a comparative example.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0028] Hereinafter, referring to the attached drawings, various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail so that those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains can easily implement them. The present invention can be realized in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described here.

[0029] In order to clearly explain the present invention, parts unnecessary for the explanation are omitted, and the same reference numerals are assigned to the same or similar components throughout the specification.

[0030] Furthermore, the dimensions and thicknesses of each component shown in the drawings are arbitrary for the sake of explanation, and therefore the present invention is not necessarily limited to those shown. In the drawings, the thicknesses are shown enlarged to clearly represent various layers and regions. Also, in the drawings, the thicknesses of some layers and regions are shown exaggerated for the sake of explanation.

[0031] Furthermore, when a specification states that a certain part "includes" a certain component, unless otherwise specified, this means that it can further encompass other components rather than excluding them.

[0032] Furthermore, throughout the specification, "on a plane" means when the subject is viewed from above, and "on a cross-section" means when the subject is viewed from the side of a cross-section obtained by cutting the subject perpendicularly.

[0033] The following describes an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figures 1 and 2 are side views of an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, may include: a negative electrode-separation membrane assembly supply unit 10 that supplies a negative electrode-separation membrane assembly 150 comprising two sheet-like separation membranes 130 and a plurality of negative electrode pieces 120 continuously positioned between the inner surfaces of the opposing separation membranes 130; a positive electrode supply unit 20 that supplies positive electrode pieces 110 that are stacked so as to be positioned on the outer surface of the separation membranes 130 of the negative electrode-separation membrane assembly 150 supplied from the negative electrode-separation membrane assembly supply unit 10; a stack unit 30 on which an electrode assembly 100 formed by stacking the negative electrode-separation membrane assembly 150 and the positive electrode pieces 110 is placed; and a holding unit 40 that holds the positive electrode pieces 110 from the positive electrode supply unit 20 and moves the positive electrode pieces 110 toward the stack unit 30.

[0036] Multiple positive electrode supply units 20 are formed, and for example, one positive electrode supply unit 20 may include a first positive electrode supply unit 21 and a second positive electrode supply unit 22. Therefore, by supplying positive electrode pieces 110 from multiple positive electrode supply units 20, the productivity of the electrode assembly 100 in the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment can be improved.

[0037] In this case, the stack unit 30 is formed between adjacent positive electrode supply units 20 among a plurality of positive electrode supply units 20. For example, the stack unit 30 may be formed between a first positive electrode supply unit 21 and a second positive electrode supply unit 22, and may move and / or reciprocate between the first positive electrode supply unit 21 and the second positive electrode supply unit 22. Specifically, the stack unit 30 can move and / or reciprocate along a straight line that forms the shortest distance between the first positive electrode supply unit 21 and the second positive electrode supply unit 22.

[0038] The holding unit 40 can move between the positive electrode supply unit 20 and the stack unit 30. Specifically, the holding unit 40 may hold the positive electrode piece 110 from the positive electrode supply unit 20 adjacent to the holding unit 40, move the held positive electrode piece 110 to the stack unit 30, and stack it on the electrode assembly 100 on the stack unit 30. At this time, the negative electrode-separation membrane assembly 150 may be positioned at the top of the electrode assembly 100 of the stack unit 30 at the moment the positive electrode piece 110 is stacked on the electrode assembly 100 of the stack unit 30 by the holding unit 40. Therefore, the positive electrode piece 110 is stacked so that it is positioned on the outer surface of the separation membrane 130 of the negative electrode-separation membrane assembly 140.

[0039] The stack unit 30 may move between the first positive electrode supply unit 21 and the second positive electrode supply unit 22, stacking the negative electrode-separation membrane assembly 150 on the stack unit 30 or on the positive electrode piece 110.

[0040] In other words, as described above, the stack unit 30 can receive the positive electrode piece 110 from the holding unit 40 while moving between the first positive electrode supply unit 21 and the second positive electrode supply unit 22. At this time, the stack unit 30 that has received the held positive electrode piece 110 can move to stack the negative electrode-separation membrane assembly 150 on the positive electrode piece 110.

[0041] More specifically, the stack unit 30 can be moved to a position adjacent to a positive electrode supply unit 20 that is located further away from the stack unit 30, in order to stack the negative electrode-separation membrane assembly 150. Furthermore, by moving the stack unit 30 to a position adjacent to a positive electrode supply unit 20, it is possible to position the negative electrode-separation membrane assembly 150 on the uppermost positive electrode piece 110 of the stack unit 30.

[0042] As an example, referring to Figure 2, the stack unit 30 is positioned closer to the first positive electrode supply unit 21, and the positive electrode pieces 110 are supplied from the first positive electrode supply unit 21. Subsequently, the stack unit 30 can be moved to a position adjacent to the second positive electrode supply unit 22, which is located further away from the stack unit 30, in order to stack the negative electrode-separation membrane assembly 150. In other words, it can be moved to the same position as the stack unit 30 in Figure 1. Furthermore, by moving the stack unit 30 to be adjacent to the second positive electrode supply unit 22, it is possible to position the negative electrode-separation membrane assembly 150 on the uppermost positive electrode piece 110 of the stack unit 30.

[0043] Therefore, in this embodiment, the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 1 is able to improve productivity compared to conventional electrode assembly manufacturing apparatuses by supplying negative electrode-separation membrane assemblies 150 to form multiple positive electrode supply units 20, and the stack unit 30 moves between the multiple positive electrode supply units 20 and stacks positive electrode pieces 110 on the negative electrode-separation membrane assemblies 150.

[0044] The following describes the negative electrode-separation membrane assembly supplied to the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to this embodiment, and the electrode assembly manufactured by the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to this embodiment.

[0045] Figure 3 shows a manufacturing method for a negative electrode-separation membrane assembly fed into an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 is a side view showing a negative electrode-separation membrane assembly manufactured by the manufacturing method of Figure 3. Figure 5 is a side view showing the electrode assembly produced by the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, specifically part A of the electrode assembly in Figure 2.

[0046] The negative electrode-separation membrane assembly 150, which is fed into the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, is formed by laminating a long sheet-like separation membrane 130 and a negative electrode piece 120.

[0047] At this time, referring to Figure 3, in the process of forming the negative electrode-separation membrane assembly 150, a long sheet-like negative electrode sheet 121 may be introduced into the negative electrode-separation membrane assembly manufacturing apparatus, and then the negative electrode sheet 121 may be cut to form negative electrode pieces 120. However, it is not limited to this, and the negative electrode pieces 120 themselves may also be introduced.

[0048] On the other hand, the separation membrane 130 is provided as two long, sheet-like separation membranes 130.

[0049] Therefore, as shown in Figure 4, the negative electrode-separation membrane assembly 150 is formed with a plurality of negative electrode pieces 120 interposed between the inner surfaces of two separation membranes 130 that face each other. At this time, the plurality of negative electrode pieces 120 interposed between the separation membranes 130 are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the separation membranes 130 (the transverse direction in Figure 4).

[0050] In addition, heating and laminating processes are additionally performed to form the negative electrode-separation membrane assembly 150, thereby forming the final negative electrode-separation membrane assembly 150. Therefore, the separation membrane 130 and the negative electrode piece 120 may be joined to each other, enabling the formation of a stronger negative electrode-separation membrane assembly 150 and electrode assembly 100.

[0051] Furthermore, the electrode assembly 100 manufactured by supplying the aforementioned negative electrode-separation membrane assembly 150 to the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 1 is manufactured in a form in which the negative electrode-separation membrane assembly 150 and the positive electrode piece 110 are folded and stacked in a zigzag stacking manner.

[0052] Specifically, referring to Figure 5, the electrode assembly 100 is manufactured by folding the connecting portions formed on the separation membrane 130 in opposite directions. Here, the connecting portion may be a part of the electrode assembly 100 where neither the positive electrode piece 110 nor the negative electrode piece 120 is located, and only the separation membrane 130 exists.

[0053] In particular, referring to Figures 1 and 2, the stack unit 30 of the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment stacks the negative electrode-separation membrane assembly 150 while moving between the first positive electrode supply unit 21 and the second positive electrode supply unit 22. At this time, the direction of movement from a position adjacent to the first positive electrode supply unit 21 to a position adjacent to the second positive electrode supply unit 22 and the direction of movement from a position adjacent to the second positive electrode supply unit 22 to a position adjacent to the first positive electrode supply unit 21 are opposite to each other, and the connecting portions formed on the separation membrane 130 of the electrode assembly 100 are folded in opposite directions.

[0054] In the embodiments described above, it was explained that negative electrode pieces are laminated to a separation membrane, and negative electrode-separation membrane assemblies are stacked alternately with positive electrode pieces. However, embodiments in which positive electrode pieces are laminated to a separation membrane, and positive electrode-separation membrane assemblies are stacked alternately with negative electrode pieces are also possible.

[0055] However, in the case of an electrode assembly designed in which the negative electrode is larger than the positive electrode during the production process, when considering process margins, it can be said that an embodiment in which a negative electrode-separation membrane assembly is supplied in which the negative electrode piece is laminated to the separation membrane is more preferable.

[0056] The following describes an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus using a comparative example.

[0057] Figure 6 is a side view of the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to the comparative example. Figure 7 is a side view showing the electrode assembly manufactured by the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to the comparative example.

[0058] Referring to Figures 6 and 7, the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 200 according to the comparative example may include both a positive electrode supply unit and a negative electrode supply unit into which the separation membrane sheet 230 is fed and the positive electrode piece 210 and negative electrode piece 220 are supplied.

[0059] Therefore, the stack unit 260 can move between the positive electrode supply unit and the negative electrode supply unit, receiving the positive electrode piece 210 and the negative electrode piece 220 from the holding unit 270 to form the electrode assembly 250.

[0060] Furthermore, the electrode assembly 250 manufactured by the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 200 according to the comparative example may have a structure in which the positive electrode piece 210 or negative electrode piece 220 is arranged around a single separation membrane sheet 230, rather than having the negative electrode piece 120 positioned between two separation membranes 130, by including a single sheet separation membrane 230.

[0061] At this time, the conventional electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 200 had limitations in improving the production speed because it had to stack the positive electrode piece 210 and the negative electrode piece 220 on the separation membrane 230, respectively.

[0062] In contrast, the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention can achieve twice the productivity of a conventional electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 200 by stacking positive electrode pieces 110 after introducing a negative electrode-separation membrane assembly 150.

[0063] The following describes a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0064] The method for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to this embodiment includes the steps of: forming a negative electrode-separation membrane assembly 150 including two sheet-like separation membranes 130 and a plurality of negative electrode pieces 120 continuously positioned between the inner surfaces of the opposing separation membranes 130; placing the negative electrode-separation membrane assembly 150 in a stack unit 30; stacking positive electrode pieces 110 on the outer surface of the separation membrane 130 of the negative electrode-separation membrane assembly 150 placed in the stack unit 30; and moving the stack unit 30 so that the negative electrode-separation membrane assembly 150 is stacked on the stacked positive electrode pieces 110.

[0065] At this time, the process of stacking the positive electrode piece 110 on the outer surface of the separation membrane 130 of the negative electrode-separation membrane assembly 150 arranged in the stack unit 30 may involve the holding unit 40 holding the positive electrode piece 110 from the positive electrode supply unit 20, and the held positive electrode piece 110 being stacked on the negative electrode-separation membrane assembly 150 arranged in the stack unit 30.

[0066] More specifically, the stack unit 30 is located between the first positive electrode supply unit 21 and the second positive electrode supply unit 22, as described above, and can move and reciprocate between them. Therefore, the process by which the stack unit 30 moves and the negative electrode-separation membrane assembly 150 is stacked on the stacked positive electrode pieces 110 is that the stack unit 30 moves between the first positive electrode supply unit 21 and the second positive electrode supply unit 22, and the negative electrode-separation membrane assembly 150 is stacked on the uppermost positive electrode piece 110 of the stack unit 30.

[0067] As a result, the electrode assembly manufacturing method according to this embodiment can provide an electrode assembly manufacturing method with improved productivity by forming a negative electrode-separation membrane assembly 150 and receiving positive electrode pieces 110 from a plurality of positive electrode supply units 20 and stacking them.

[0068] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Various modifications and improvements by those skilled in the art, utilizing the basic concepts of the present invention as defined in the following claims, also fall within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 1: Electrode assembly manufacturing equipment 10: Negative electrode-separation membrane assembly supply unit 20: Positive electrode supply unit 21: First positive electrode supply unit 22: Second positive electrode supply unit 30: Stack Unit 40: Holding Unit 100: Electrode assembly 110: Positive electrode piece 120: Negative electrode piece 130: Separation membrane 150:Negative electrode-separation membrane assembly

Claims

1. A first electrode-separation membrane assembly supply unit that supplies a first electrode-separation membrane assembly including a plurality of first electrode pieces located between opposing sheet-like separation membranes, A second electrode supply unit that supplies a second electrode piece which is laminated so as to be located on the outer surface of the sheet-like separation membrane of the first electrode-separation membrane assembly, A stack unit on which an electrode assembly formed by stacking the first electrode-separation membrane assembly and the second electrode piece is placed, The system includes a holding unit that holds the second electrode piece from the second electrode supply unit and moves the second electrode piece, The aforementioned second electrode supply unit includes a second-first electrode supply unit and a second-second electrode supply unit, The stack unit moves between the second-first electrode supply unit and the second-second electrode supply unit. Electrode assembly manufacturing equipment.

2. The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stack unit is disposed between the second-first electrode supply unit and the second-second electrode supply unit.

3. The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stack unit moves along a straight line that forms the shortest distance between the second-first electrode supply unit and the second-second electrode supply unit.

4. The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the holding unit moves between the second electrode supply unit and the stack unit.

5. The holding unit holds the second electrode piece from the second electrode supply unit adjacent to the holding unit, and moves the held second electrode piece to the stack unit. The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stack unit that has received the held second electrode piece moves to stack the first electrode-separation membrane assembly on the stack unit.

6. The stack unit moves to a position adjacent to a second electrode supply unit located further away from the stack unit, in order to stack the first electrode-separation membrane assemblies, among a plurality of second electrode supply units. The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the stack unit moves so as to be adjacent to the second electrode supply unit, thereby positioning the first electrode-separation membrane assembly on the uppermost second electrode piece of the stack unit.

7. The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first electrode-separation membrane assembly is in a state in which the first electrode piece is laminated between the sheet-like separation membrane.

8. The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first electrode is a negative electrode and the second electrode is a positive electrode.

9. A process for forming a first electrode-separation membrane assembly comprising two sheet-like separation membranes and a plurality of first electrode pieces continuously positioned between the inner surfaces of the sheet-like separation membranes facing each other, The process by which the first electrode-separation membrane assembly is placed in the stack unit, The process of stacking a second electrode piece on the outer surface of the sheet-like separation membrane of the first electrode-separation membrane assembly arranged in the stack unit, The process includes the step of the stack unit moving so that the first electrode-separation membrane assembly is stacked on the stacked second electrode pieces, The stack unit is located between the second-first electrode supply unit and the second-second electrode supply unit. The process by which the stack unit moves and the first electrode-separation membrane assembly is stacked on the stacked second electrode pieces is as follows: The stack unit moves between the second-first electrode supply unit and the second-second electrode supply unit, and the first electrode-separation membrane assembly is stacked on the uppermost second electrode piece of the stack unit. A method for manufacturing an electrode assembly.

10. The process of stacking the second electrode piece on the outer surface of the sheet-like separation membrane of the first electrode-separation membrane assembly arranged in the stack unit is as follows: A method for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to claim 9, wherein a holding unit holds a second electrode piece from a second electrode supply unit, and the held second electrode piece is stacked on the first electrode-separation membrane assembly arranged in the stack unit.

11. The method for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to claim 9, wherein, during the process of arranging the first electrode-separation membrane assembly in the stack unit, the first electrode-separation membrane assembly is in a state in which the first electrode piece is laminated between the sheet-like separation membranes.

12. The method for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to claim 9, wherein the first electrode is a negative electrode and the second electrode is a positive electrode.

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