Winding device

Abstract

To provide a winding apparatus capable of effectively suppressing the application of significant damage to tabs when the tabs pass through a transfer roller.SOLUTION: A winding apparatus comprises a flutter suppression guide 717 which is disposed along a conveying path of electrode sheets 4, 5 at a position immediately upstream of a transfer roller 711 arranged along the conveying path of the electrode sheets 4, 5, and can suppress the flutter of tabs 4b, 5b by coming into contact with the tabs 4b, 5b that flutter when the electrode sheets 4, 5 are conveyed from an upstream side toward a downstream side. A contact portion with the flutter suppression guide 717 at the fluttering tabs 4b, 5b is configured to gradually change as the tabs 4b, 5b move from the upstream side to the downstream side, from a root side of the tabs 4b, 5b toward a tip side of the tabs 4b, 5b.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a winding device for obtaining a wound element incorporated in, for example, a secondary battery or the like.

Background Art

[0002] For example, a wound element used in a secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery is manufactured by winding a positive electrode sheet coated with a positive electrode active material and a negative electrode sheet coated with a negative electrode active material in a state where they are overlapped via a separator sheet made of an insulating material.

[0003] As the electrode sheet, one having an electrode main body portion having an active material on the surface and tabs protruding from the width direction edge portions of the electrode main body portion is known. A plurality of tabs are provided at intervals along the longitudinal direction of the electrode main body portion.

[0004] Further, as a winding device for manufacturing a wound element, one provided with a rotatable winding core and a supply mechanism for supplying an electrode sheet or a separator sheet to the winding core is known. Such a winding device is provided with a freely rotatable transfer roller around which an electrode sheet or the like is hung, and the transfer roller has a role of defining a conveyance path for the electrode sheet or the like.

[0005] By the way, when an electrode sheet having tabs passes through the transfer roller, the tabs may be bent. In order to cope with such bending of the tabs, a technique of providing a deformation prevention member at a position corresponding to the entrance of the electrode sheet in the transfer roller has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1, etc.). The deformation prevention member is provided in a state of being separated from the outer peripheral surface on one end side in the width direction of the transfer roller. And it is said that the tabs are guided between the deformation prevention member and the transfer roller, thereby preventing the tabs from being bent.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

[0007] Incidentally, after careful consideration by the inventor of this case, it was confirmed that the tab can suffer significant damage as it passes through the transport roller for the following reasons.

[0008] In other words, when the electrode sheet is wound, it is not always transported at a constant speed, but rather is transported while accelerating and decelerating. This acceleration and deceleration of the electrode sheet causes vibrations and resonances in the electrode sheet, which in turn causes the tab to wobble along the thickness direction of the electrode sheet. When the wobbling tab collides with the outer surface of the transport roller, it causes significant damage to the tab.

[0009] In this regard, the technology described in Patent Document 1 above fails to solve the problem of the tab colliding with the outer surface of the transfer roller. On the contrary, the oscillating tab may collide not only with the outer surface of the transfer roller but also with the deformation prevention member, which may cause greater damage to the tab.

[0010] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a winding device that can effectively suppress significant damage to the tab as it passes through the transfer roller. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] Below, we will describe, in separate sections, each means suitable for achieving the above objectives. Furthermore, we will add notes on the effects and benefits specific to each means as needed.

[0012] Method 1. Equipped with a rotatable winding core, A winding device that winds a strip-shaped electrode sheet, which has an electrode body portion having an active material on its surface and a plurality of tabs that protrude from the widthwise edge portion of the electrode body portion and are provided at intervals along the longitudinal direction of the electrode body portion, and a strip-shaped separator sheet made of an insulating material, onto a winding core while rotating the core, thereby overlapping the electrode sheet and the separator sheet. The electrode sheet is configured to be supplied to the winding core while being accelerated and decelerated, The electrode sheet is placed on the outer surface, and a rotatable transfer roller is provided to determine the transport path of the electrode sheet, The system includes a vibration suppression guide positioned directly upstream of the transport roller along the transport path of the electrode sheet, which is arranged along the transport path of the electrode sheet and can suppress the vibration of the tab by contacting the tab as the electrode sheet is transported from the upstream side to the downstream side, The contact portion of the vibrating tab with the vibration suppression guide is configured to gradually change from the base of the tab to the tip of the tab as the tab moves from the upstream side to the downstream side along the transport direction of the electrode sheet. 、 The vibration suppression guide is composed of a plurality of segmented guide sections provided along the transport path of the electrode sheet. The plurality of division guide portions are configured such that, when viewed along a direction perpendicular to the electrode body portion, the widthwise edge portion of the one located downstream in the transport direction of the electrode sheet is positioned closer to the tip of the tab than the widthwise edge portion of the one located upstream in the transport direction of the electrode sheet. The tab, which swings, comes into contact with the widthwise edge of the dividing guide portion, thereby suppressing the swinging motion of the tab. A winding device characterized by the following features.

[0013] According to the above-described means 1, the vibration suppression guide can suppress the vibration of the tab upstream of the transfer roller. This makes it possible to more reliably prevent the vibration of the tab from colliding with the outer surface of the transfer roller.

[0014] Also, in suppressing the swaying movement of the tab, the swaying suppression guide first contacts the base side of the tab where the kinetic energy related to the swaying movement is relatively small. Then, due to this contact, the swaying movement of the tab is suppressed to a certain extent. In a state where the kinetic energy at the tip side of the tab becomes relatively small, the swaying suppression guide contacts the tip side of the tab. Therefore, while making the load applied to the tab relatively small when contacting the swaying suppression guide, the swaying movement of the tab can be suppressed little by little.

[0015] As described above, according to the above-mentioned means 1, it is possible to suppress the swaying movement of the tab and prevent the tab from colliding with the transfer roller. Also, in suppressing the swaying movement, it is not necessary to apply a large load to the tab. Therefore, when the tab passes through the transfer roller, it is possible to effectively suppress the application of a large damage to the tab. As a result, the tab can be kept in a better state with less damage, and the quality of the obtained winding element can be improved.

[0019] Also, The above means 1 According to this, the shape of the swaying suppression guide can be made relatively simple, and the cost related to the manufacture, maintenance, etc. of the swaying suppression guide can be reduced.

[0020] Means 2 . The plurality of the divided guide portions are each configured to be adjustable in the arrangement position along the width direction, and this is the characteristic of the means 1 The winding device described in

[0021] The above means 2 According to this, without performing replacement of the swaying suppression guide or the like, by adjusting the arrangement position of the divided guide portion, it is possible to cope with various electrode sheets having different shapes, sizes, etc. Thereby, it is possible to improve the convenience related to the production of the winding element and reduce the cost related to the manufacture of the device, etc.

[0022] Means 3The means is characterized in that the dividing guide part is constituted by a roller that can rotate freely about a rotation axis parallel to the rotation axis of the transfer roller. 1 The winding device according to the above.

[0023] The above means 3 According to this, the load applied to the tab when contacting the runout suppression guide (dividing guide part) can be more effectively reduced. Thereby, the quality improvement of the obtained winding element can be more effectively achieved.

[0024] Means 4 . Equipped with a rotatable core, A winding device that winds a strip-shaped electrode sheet, which has an electrode body portion having an active material on its surface and a plurality of tabs that protrude from the widthwise edge portion of the electrode body portion and are provided at intervals along the longitudinal direction of the electrode body portion, and a strip-shaped separator sheet made of an insulating material, onto a winding core while rotating the core, thereby overlapping the electrode sheet and the separator sheet. The electrode sheet is configured to be supplied to the winding core while being accelerated and decelerated, The electrode sheet is placed on the outer surface, and a rotatable transfer roller is provided to determine the transport path of the electrode sheet, The system includes a vibration suppression guide positioned directly upstream of the transport roller along the transport path of the electrode sheet, which is arranged along the transport path of the electrode sheet and can suppress the vibration of the tab by contacting the tab as the electrode sheet is transported from the upstream side to the downstream side, The contact portion of the vibrating tab with the vibration suppression guide is configured to gradually change from the base of the tab to the tip of the tab as the tab moves from the upstream side to the downstream side along the transport direction of the electrode sheet. [[ID=z6]] The runout suppression guide has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and has an inclined surface formed by cutting out so as to pass through an upstream side surface located on the upstream side in the transport direction of the electrode sheet, a sheet side surface adjacent to the upstream side surface and facing the electrode sheet side, and a tab tip side surface adjacent to the upstream side surface and the sheet side surface and located on the tip side of the tab. The runout of the tab is suppressed by the tab moving and contacting the inclined surface. The winding device is characterized in that it is configured to be able to suppress the runout of the tab. Ru-maki Winding device.

[0025] The above means 4 According to this, the runout suppression guide has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and has an inclined surface formed by cutting out so as to pass through three adjacent surfaces respectively. Therefore, the shape of the runout suppression guide can be made relatively simple, and the cost related to the manufacture and maintenance of the runout suppression guide can be reduced.

[0034] Means 5 The runout suppression guide is provided corresponding to the back side of the surface of the electrode sheet that is hung on the outer peripheral surface of the transfer roller. A means characterized by comprising a roller outer circumferential guide, which is installed adjacent to the vibration suppression guide along the transport path of the electrode sheet, is positioned to sandwich the tab between itself and the outer circumferential surface of the transport roller, and whose inner surface, when viewed along the rotation axis of the transport roller, has an arc shape that extends along the circumferential direction of the transport roller. Any of 1 through 4 The winding device described above.

[0035] The portion of the electrode sheet that is in contact with the transfer roller deforms into an arc shape, and this deformation can cause the tabs to lift up. Such lifting of the tabs can lead to damage to the tabs due to contact with surrounding equipment, or welding defects when welding multiple tabs together, which may result in a decrease in product quality (quality of the wound element) and productivity.

[0036] In this regard, the above means 5 According to the report, the roller outer circumference guide can more reliably prevent the tabs from lifting up as described above. This can lead to improvements in product quality and productivity.

[0037] Furthermore, by using a runout suppression guide, the runout movement of the tab can be suppressed upstream of the roller's outer circumference guide, thus more reliably preventing the runout tab from colliding with the roller's outer circumference guide. Therefore, the runout suppression guide can be said to function more effectively when a roller's outer circumference guide is provided.

[0038] means 6 The radius of the inner surface of the outer peripheral guide of the roller, centered on the rotation axis of the transfer roller, is R1 (mm). Assuming that the tab is positioned between the outer peripheral guide of the roller and the transport roller, and that the tip of the tab is flat without curvature, when viewed along the axis of rotation of the transport roller, the distance from the axis of rotation to the widthwise edge of the tip of the tab is L1 (mm), 0.1 ≤ R1 - L1 ≤ 1.0 Means characterized by being configured to satisfy 5 The winding device described above.

[0039] As the tab passes over the transport roller, at least the leading edge of the tab may pass over the transport roller in a flat state without curving or wrapping around the outer surface of the transport roller.

[0040] Taking this point into consideration, the above means 6 According to the specifications, the configuration satisfies 0.1 ≤ R1 - L1 ≤ 1.0. That is, assuming that the tip of the tab becomes flat without curving as the tab passes through the transfer roller, the size of the gap formed between the part of the tab closest to the inner surface of the roller outer peripheral guide (i.e., the widthwise edge of the tip of the tab) and the inner surface of the roller outer peripheral guide is configured to be 0.1 mm or more and 1.0 mm or less. By setting the size of the gap to 0.1 mm or more, excessive contact of the tab with the inner surface of the roller outer peripheral guide can be suppressed, and the load applied to the tab can be further reduced. Furthermore, by setting the size of the gap to 1.0 mm or less, the effect of preventing the tab from rising by providing the roller outer peripheral guide can be more reliably achieved.

[0041] Furthermore, the technical aspects related to each of the above means may be combined as appropriate. 。 [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0042] [Figure 1] This is a schematic perspective view showing the general configuration of the battery element. [Figure 2] This is a schematic plan view showing the general configuration of the positive electrode sheet. [Figure 3] This is a schematic plan view showing the general configuration of the negative electrode sheet. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram of the winding device. [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram of the winding section. [Figure 6] This is a schematic perspective view of a roller device, etc. [Figure 7] This is a schematic plan view of a roller device, etc. [Figure 8] Figure 7 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view along the JJ line. [Figure 9] Figure 7 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view along the KK line. [Figure 10] This is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating the size of the gap formed between the tab and the outer perimeter guide of the roller. [Figure 11] This is a schematic front view of the correction unit. [Figure 12] This is a schematic diagram of the winding section when a separator sheet is placed in the gap of the winding core. [Figure 13] This is a schematic diagram of the winding section used when cutting the separator sheet. [Figure 14] This is a schematic diagram of the winding section at the end of winding the electrode sheet or the like. [Figure 15] In another embodiment, this is a schematic perspective view of a vibration suppression guide in which a portion of a metal plate or resin plate is curved. [Figure 16] This is a partially broken, perspective schematic diagram of a vibration suppression guide in another embodiment. [Figure 17] In another embodiment, this is a schematic perspective view showing a segmented guide section and the like that make up the vibration suppression guide. [Figure 18] This is a partially enlarged schematic side view showing a dividing guide section and the like in another embodiment. [Figure 19] This is a schematic plan view showing a divided guide section and other components in another embodiment. [Figure 20] In another embodiment, this is a schematic perspective view showing a relatively short dividing guide section, etc. [Figure 21] In another embodiment, this is a schematic perspective view showing a segmented guide section consisting of a rotatable roller. [Figure 22] In another embodiment, this is a schematic perspective view showing a vibration suppression guide having an inclined surface. [Figure 23] In another embodiment, this is a schematic perspective view showing a vibration suppression guide and the like when viewed from the inclined surface side. [Figure 24]In another embodiment, a schematic perspective view shows two vibration suppression guides positioned to sandwich the tab. [Figure 25] In another embodiment, a schematic side view shows two vibration suppression guides positioned to sandwich the tab. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0043] The following describes one embodiment with reference to the drawings. First, the configuration of the lithium-ion battery element as a wound element obtained by the winding device will be described.

[0044] As shown in Figure 1, the lithium-ion battery element 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as "battery element 1") is manufactured by winding a positive electrode sheet 4 and a negative electrode sheet 5 in a superimposed state via two separator sheets 2 and 3. In this embodiment, the positive electrode sheet 4 and the negative electrode sheet 5 correspond to "electrode sheets," respectively. Alternatively, a single folded separator sheet may be used instead of the two separator sheets 2 and 3. Furthermore, for convenience of explanation, the separator sheets 2 and 3 and the electrode sheets 4 and 5 may be referred to as "various sheets 2 to 5" below.

[0045] The separator sheets 2 and 3 are strip-shaped with the same width and are made of an insulator such as polypropylene (PP) to prevent the different electrode sheets 4 and 5 from coming into contact with each other and causing a short circuit.

[0046] Each electrode sheet 4 and 5 consists of a thin metal sheet. For example, an aluminum foil sheet is used for the positive electrode sheet 4, and a copper foil sheet is used for the negative electrode sheet 5. Each electrode sheet 4 and 5 is relatively thin (for example, 5 to 50 μm or 10 to 30 μm thick).

[0047] In addition, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, each electrode sheet 4 and 5 is equipped with electrode body portions 4a and 5a and tabs 4b and 5b. The electrode body portions 4a and 5a have approximately the same width as the separator sheets 2 and 3, and active material is coated on both the front and back surfaces of the electrode body portions 4a and 5a. For example, the electrode body portion 4a of the positive electrode sheet 4 is coated with positive electrode active material (e.g., lithium manganate particles), and the electrode body portion 5a of the negative electrode sheet 5 is coated with negative electrode active material (e.g., activated carbon). In Figures 2 and 3, a scattered dot pattern is applied to the coated areas of the active material.

[0048] Furthermore, ion exchange is possible between the positive electrode sheet 4 and the negative electrode sheet 5 via the active material. Although Figures 2 and 3 show a configuration in which the active material is not applied to a part of the electrode body 4a and 5a (for example, the widthwise edge), it is also possible to apply the active material to the entire area of ​​the electrode body 4a and 5a.

[0049] Tabs 4b and 5b are so-called molded tabs formed by cutting a portion of the electrode material, and are integrated with the electrode body portions 4a and 5a. Tabs 4b and 5b protrude from the widthwise edges of the electrode body portions 4a and 5a and are provided in multiples at intervals along the longitudinal direction of the electrode body portions 4a and 5a. In this embodiment, tab 4b of the positive electrode sheet 4 is located on one end side of the battery element 1 along the central axis CL direction of the battery element 1, and tab 5b of the negative electrode sheet 5 is located on the other end side of the battery element 1 along the central axis CL direction (see Figure 1). In other words, both tabs 4b and 5b are configured to be located on different end sides of the battery element 1. However, both tabs 4b and 5b may be configured to be located on the same end side of the battery element 1.

[0050] In obtaining a lithium-ion battery, the battery element 1 is placed inside a cylindrical metal battery container (case) (not shown), and tabs 4b and 5b are bundled together. If necessary, the bundled tabs 4b and 5b are welded together. The bundled tab 4b is then connected to a positive electrode terminal component (not shown), and the bundled tab 5b is connected to a negative electrode terminal component (not shown). Both terminal components are positioned to close the openings at both ends of the battery container, thereby obtaining a lithium-ion battery.

[0051] Next, the winding device 10 for manufacturing the battery element 1 will be described. As shown in Figure 4, the winding device 10 includes a winding section 11 for winding various sheets 2 to 5, a positive electrode sheet supply mechanism 31 for supplying the positive electrode sheet 4 to the winding section 11, a negative electrode sheet supply mechanism 41 for supplying the negative electrode sheet 5 to the winding section 11, separator supply mechanisms 51 and 61 for supplying separator sheets 2 and 3 to the winding section 11 respectively, and a control device 91. The various mechanisms within the winding device 10, such as the winding section 11 and the supply mechanisms 31, 41, 51, and 61, are operated and controlled by the control device 91.

[0052] The positive electrode sheet supply mechanism 31 includes a positive electrode sheet raw material roll 32 in which the positive electrode sheet 4 is wound in a roll shape. The positive electrode sheet raw material roll 32 is supported so as to be freely rotatable, and the positive electrode sheet 4 is pulled out from there as needed.

[0053] The positive electrode sheet supply mechanism 31 includes a roller device 71, a positional relationship maintenance mechanism 72, a sheet insertion mechanism 73, a sheet cutting cutter 74, a tensioning mechanism 75, and a buffer mechanism 76.

[0054] The roller device 71 is a device on which the positive electrode sheet 4 is placed on the outer surface and which has transport rollers 711 for determining the transport path of the positive electrode sheet 4. Multiple roller devices 71 (transport rollers 711) are provided along the transport path of the positive electrode sheet 4. The configuration of the roller device 71 will be explained in detail later.

[0055] The positional relationship maintenance mechanism 72 is located directly upstream of the transfer roller 711 along the transport path of the positive electrode sheet 4, and is intended to maintain the appropriate positional relationship between the vibration suppression guide 717 and other components of the roller device 71 (described later) and the positive electrode sheet 4 that is placed on the transfer roller 711. The configuration of the positional relationship maintenance mechanism 72 will also be described later.

[0056] The sheet insertion mechanism 73 is for gripping the positive electrode sheet 4 and supplying it to the winding section 11.

[0057] The sheet cutting cutter 74 is used to cut the positive electrode sheet 4. The cutting of the positive electrode sheet 4 is performed while the positive electrode sheet 4 is held by the sheet insertion mechanism 73. In addition, the sheet cutting cutter 74 can be separated from the transport path of the positive electrode sheet 4 so as not to obstruct the supply of the positive electrode sheet 4 by the sheet insertion mechanism 73.

[0058] The tension-applying mechanism 75 is for applying tension to the positive electrode sheet 4 and is equipped with multiple rollers (e.g., dancer rollers). The operation of these rollers is controlled by the control device 91, so that the tension applied to the positive electrode sheet 4 from the tension-applying mechanism 75 can be adjusted. In this embodiment, the tension-applying mechanism 75 is designed to always apply a constant tension to the positive electrode sheet 4. The rollers constituting the tension-applying mechanism 75 may be configured in the same way as the transport rollers 711. Therefore, for example, a vibration suppression guide 717, which will be described later, may be applied to the rollers constituting the tension-applying mechanism 75.

[0059] The buffer mechanism 76, for example, has a pair of driven rollers and a lifting roller that is vertically displaceable between the two rollers, and is for temporarily storing the positive electrode sheet 4. The rollers constituting the buffer mechanism 76 may be configured in the same way as the transfer rollers 711.

[0060] The negative electrode sheet supply mechanism 41 includes a negative electrode sheet raw material roll 42 at its upstream end, in which the negative electrode sheet 5 is wound in a roll shape. The negative electrode sheet raw material roll 42 is supported so as to be freely rotatable, and the negative electrode sheet 5 is drawn out from here as needed.

[0061] Furthermore, along the transport path of the negative electrode sheet 5 from the negative electrode sheet raw material 42 to the winding section 11, a roller device 71, a positional relationship maintenance mechanism 72, a sheet insertion mechanism 73, a sheet cutting cutter 74, a tensioning mechanism 75, and a buffer mechanism 76 are provided, similar to those in the transport path of the positive electrode sheet 4. These are the same as those provided in the transport path of the positive electrode sheet 4, except that they function specifically for the negative electrode sheet 5.

[0062] On the other hand, the separator supply mechanisms 51 and 61 are equipped with separator raw materials 52 and 62, respectively, in which separator sheets 2 and 3 are wound into rolls. The separator raw materials 52 and 62 are supported so as to be able to rotate freely, and the separator sheets 2 and 3 are pulled out from there as needed.

[0063] Furthermore, the separator supply mechanisms 51 and 61, like the electrode sheet supply mechanisms 31 and 41, are equipped with a tensioning mechanism 75. This is the same as the one provided in the positive electrode sheet supply mechanism 31, except that it functions specifically for the separator sheets 2 and 3.

[0064] Next, the configuration of the winding section 11 will be described. As shown in Figure 5, the winding section 11 comprises a turret 12 consisting of two opposing disc-shaped tables rotatably mounted by a drive mechanism (not shown), two winding cores 13 and 14 spaced 180° apart in the rotational direction of the turret 12, two support rollers 15a and 15b positioned approximately 90° apart from the winding cores 13 and 14 in the rotational direction of the turret 12, a separator cutter 16, a pressing roller 17 for holding down the various sheets 2 to 5 just before the end of winding, and a tape application mechanism 18 for applying a predetermined fixing tape. The winding section 11 also has a removal device (not shown) for removing the battery element 1 from the winding cores 13 and 14 around the removal position P2, which will be described later.

[0065] The cores 13 and 14 are each used to wind various sheets 2 to 5 on their outer circumference, and are configured to rotate around their central axis by a drive mechanism (not shown). The amount of rotation of the cores 13 and 14 can be determined by an encoder (not shown), and information regarding the amount of rotation is input from the encoder to the control device 91.

[0066] Furthermore, the cores 13 and 14 are provided to extend and retract relative to one of the tables constituting the turret 12, along the axial direction of the turret 12 (the depth direction of the paper in Figure 5). When the cores 13 and 14 are in a state where they protrude from one of the tables, their tips are inserted into receiving holes formed in the other table, and are supported by both tables in a rotatable state.

[0067] In addition, the cores 13 and 14 are configured to have a non-circular shape in a cross-section perpendicular to their axis of rotation. In this embodiment, the cores 13 and 14 have an elliptical shape in a cross-section perpendicular to their own axis of rotation. Because the cores 13 and 14 have a non-circular cross-section, even when the cores 13 and 14 are rotated at a constant speed, the various sheets 2 to 5 are supplied to the cores 13 and 14 while being accelerated or decelerated. Immediately after the start of winding the various sheets 2 to 5, the various sheets 2 to 5 are supplied to the cores 13 and 14 while being accelerated, and immediately before the end of winding the various sheets 2 to 5, the various sheets 2 to 5 are supplied to the cores 13 and 14 while being decelerated.

[0068] Furthermore, each core 13(14) is provided with a pair of core pieces 13a, 13b(14a, 14b) extending along its own axis of rotation (the depth direction of the paper in Figure 5). A gap 13c(14c) is formed between the core pieces 13a, 13b(14a, 14b). In addition, a chuck mechanism (not shown) for gripping the separator sheets 2, 3 placed in the gap 13c(14c) is provided at the portion of the core 13(14) that forms the gap 13c(14c).

[0069] Furthermore, the winding cores 13 and 14 are configured to pivot between the winding position P1 and the removal position P2 as the turret 12 rotates. The winding position P1 is the position in which the winding cores 13 and 14 are positioned when winding the various sheets 2 to 5. The removal position P2 is the position in which the winding cores 13 and 14 are positioned when removing the various sheets 2 to 5 (i.e., the battery element 1) after winding.

[0070] The support rollers 15a and 15b are for hooking and supporting the various sheets 2 to 5 between the winding cores 13 and 14, which have moved to the removal position P2, and the supply mechanisms 31, 41, 51, and 61.

[0071] The separator cutter 16 is for cutting the separator sheets 2 and 3. The press roller 17 is for holding down the wound sheets 2 to 5.

[0072] The tape application mechanism 18 is for applying fixing tape to the ends of the separator sheets 2 and 3 after the winding of the various sheets 2 to 5 is complete.

[0073] Next, the roller device 71 will be described. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the roller device 71 includes a transfer roller 711, a shaft portion 712, a bearing 713, a holder 714, an upstream guide support portion 715, a downstream guide support portion 716, a runout suppression guide 717, and a roller outer circumference guide 718.

[0074] As described above, the transfer roller 711 has electrode sheets 4 and 5 stretched over its outer surface and plays a role in determining the transport path of the electrode sheets 4 and 5. The transfer roller 711 is cylindrical and is capable of free rotation around the rotation axis RA. In this embodiment, the width of the transfer roller 711 is greater than the width of the electrode sheets 4 and 5, so that the entire width of the electrode sheets 4 and 5, including the tabs 4b and 5b, is stretched over the outer surface of the transfer roller 711.

[0075] The shaft portion 712 is rod-shaped and extends in the direction of the rotation axis RA, with both ends supported by the holder 714. In this embodiment, the shaft portion 712 is fixed to the holder 714 and is configured to be unable to rotate about the rotation axis RA. However, the shaft portion 712 may be configured to be rotatable relative to the holder 714 about the rotation axis RA.

[0076] The bearing 713 is provided between the shaft portion 712 and the transfer roller 711, and supports the transfer roller 711 in a state where it can rotate freely relative to the shaft portion 712. The bearing 713 is mounted one at each end of the transfer roller 711 in the direction of the rotation axis RA, with its central axis coinciding with the rotation axis RA.

[0077] The holder 714 has the role of supporting the transfer roller 711 via the shaft portion 712, etc., and also supports the upstream guide support portion 715 and the downstream guide support portion 716. In this embodiment, the holder 714 is fixed to a predetermined mounting portion W and is immovable.

[0078] The upstream guide support section 715 is responsible for supporting the vibration suppression guide 717, which is located on the upstream side in the transport direction of the electrode sheets 4 and 5, among the two guides 717 and 718. The upstream guide support section 715 is configured so as not to come into contact with the tabs 4b and 5b even if vibration occurs in the tabs 4b and 5b.

[0079] The downstream guide support section 716 is responsible for supporting the roller outer circumference guide 718, which is located on the downstream side in the conveying direction of the electrode sheets 4 and 5, among the two guides 717 and 718. In this embodiment, the downstream guide support section 716 is integrated with the roller outer circumference guide 718, but they may be separate components. Alternatively, both the vibration suppression guide 717 and the roller outer circumference guide 718 may be supported by a single guide support section that integrates both guide support sections 715 and 716.

[0080] The runout suppression guide 717 is positioned directly upstream of the transport roller 711 along the transport direction of the electrode sheets 4 and 5, and plays a role in suppressing runout movement of the tabs 4b and 5b when runout occurs. The runout suppression guide 717 is arranged along the transport path of the electrode sheets 4 and 5, and in this embodiment, it is provided corresponding to the back side of the surface of the electrode sheets 4 and 5 that is placed on the outer circumferential surface of the transport roller 711. In addition, in this embodiment, the runout suppression guide 717 is composed of a plate-shaped tapered guide 717x whose widthwise edge portion 717e is inclined with respect to the transport direction of the electrode sheets 4 and 5, and which gradually widens from the upstream side to the downstream side along the transport direction.

[0081] The widthwise edge portion 717e of the runout suppression guide 717 (tapered guide 717x) located on the tab 4b, 5b side is close to the ideal (when there is no runout) transport path of the tab 4b, 5b, and is designed to be able to contact the tab 4b, 5b if runout occurs. The portion of the widthwise edge portion 717e located on the upstream side in the transport direction of the electrode sheets 4, 5 corresponds to the root side of the tab 4b, 5b, and is designed to overlap with the root side of the tab 4b, 5b when viewed along a direction perpendicular to the electrode body portions 4a, 5a (the thickness direction of the electrode body portions 4a, 5a). On the other hand, the portion of the widthwise edge portion 717e located on the downstream side in the transport direction of the electrode sheets 4, 5 corresponds to the tip side of the tab 4b, 5b, and is designed to overlap with the tip side of the tab 4b, 5b when viewed along a direction perpendicular to the electrode body portions 4a, 5a. Furthermore, when viewed along a direction perpendicular to the electrode body portions 4a and 5a, the widthwise edge portion 717e has a sloping shape that gradually displaces from a position corresponding to the base of the tabs 4b and 5b to a position corresponding to the tip of the tabs 4b and 5b, from the upstream side to the downstream side along the transport direction of the electrode sheets 4 and 5.

[0082] With the configuration described above, the contact area of ​​the vibrating tabs 4b and 5b with the vibration suppression guide 717 gradually changes from the base side of the tabs 4b and 5b to the tip side of the tabs 4b and 5b as the tabs 4b and 5b move from the upstream side to the downstream side along the transport direction of the electrode sheets 4 and 5. By providing such a vibration suppression guide 717, if vibration of the tabs 4b and 5b occurs, the vibration of the tabs 4b and 5b can be suppressed little by little.

[0083] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8, the inlet portion 717a of the vibration suppression guide 717, which corresponds to the entrance of the electrode sheets 4 and 5, has a shape that gradually approaches the transport path of the electrode sheets 4 and 5 from the upstream side to the downstream side along the transport direction of the electrode sheets 4 and 5. In this embodiment, the inlet portion 717a has a curved surface that is convex toward the electrode sheets 4 and 5 (see Figure 8). The inlet portion 717a may also be an inclined surface.

[0084] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 9, the portion of the vibration suppression guide 717 that can contact the tabs 4b and 5b (widthwise edge portion 717e) has a curved surface shape without corners (edges). In this embodiment, the radius of curvature of the inlet portion 717a and the widthwise edge portion 717e is smaller than the width of the tabs 4b and 5b along the transport direction of the electrode sheets 4 and 5.

[0085] The roller outer circumference guide 718 is a device that prevents tabs 4b and 5b from rising up when they are located on the outer circumference of the transfer roller 711, by moving them away from the transfer roller 711. As shown in Figure 10, the roller outer circumference guide 718 is installed adjacent to the vibration suppression guide 717 along the transport path of the electrode sheets 4 and 5, and is positioned to sandwich the tabs 4b and 5b between itself and the outer circumference surface of the transfer roller 711. The roller outer circumference guide 718 is shaped like a curved plate, and the inner surface of the roller outer circumference guide 718, when viewed along the rotation axis RA direction of the transfer roller 711, is shaped like an arc extending along the circumferential direction of the transfer roller 711.

[0086] Incidentally, when the leading edges of tabs 4b and 5b pass over the outer circumference of the transfer roller 711, they may remain flat without curving along the outer surface of the transfer roller 711. Taking this into consideration, the roller outer circumference guide 718 is configured to satisfy the equation 0.1 ≤ R1 - L1 ≤ 1.0.

[0087] Here, R1 (mm) is the radius of the inner surface of the roller outer circumference guide 718 centered on the rotation axis RA of the transfer roller 711. L1 (mm) is the distance from the rotation axis RA of the transfer roller 711 to the widthwise edge of the tip of the tabs 4b and 5b, assuming that the tabs 4b and 5b are positioned between the roller outer circumference guide 718 and the transfer roller 711, and that the tips of the tabs 4b and 5b are flat without curvature.

[0088] Therefore, R1-L1 corresponds to the size S1 of the gap formed between the inner surface of the roller outer circumference guide 718 and the tabs 4b and 5b, and this gap size S1 is set to be between 0.1 mm and 1.0 mm.

[0089] Next, the positional relationship maintenance mechanism 72 will be described. As described above, the positional relationship maintenance mechanism 72 is for maintaining the appropriate positional relationship between the vibration suppression guide 717, etc., and the electrode sheets 4 and 5 that are placed on the transport rollers 711. In this embodiment, a positional relationship maintenance mechanism 72 is provided that corresponds to one of the multiple transport rollers 711 in the positive electrode sheet supply mechanism 31, and a positional relationship maintenance mechanism 72 is provided that corresponds to one of the multiple transport rollers 711 in the negative electrode sheet supply mechanism 41. Of course, multiple positional relationship maintenance mechanisms 72 may be provided along the transport path of each electrode sheet 4 and 5. For example, a positional relationship maintenance mechanism 72 may be provided for each transport roller 711.

[0090] As shown in Figure 4, the position relationship maintenance mechanism 72 includes a position detection unit 721 that detects the position of the electrode sheets 4 and 5 in the width direction, a correction unit 722 that corrects the positional misalignment of the electrode sheets 4 and 5 in the width direction based on the position detected by the position detection unit 721, and a meandering correction actuator (not shown) for operating the correction unit 722.

[0091] The position detection unit 721 is composed of, for example, an edge sensor capable of detecting the position of the electrode sheets 4 and 5 in the width direction, and the information regarding the position of the electrode sheets 4 and 5 in the width direction detected by the position detection unit 721 is output to the control device 91.

[0092] As shown in Figure 11, the correction unit 722 is equipped with a pair of upper and lower rollers 722a and 722b, and is configured to rotate around the pivot center α at the upper center of the upper roller 722a as the pivot point, via the correction actuator. The control device 91 controls the correction actuator, and the correction unit 722 rotates, thereby correcting the misalignment of the electrode sheets 4 and 5. This makes it possible to more reliably prevent variations in the relative positional relationship between the electrode sheets 4 and 5 (especially the tabs 4b and 5b) and the runout suppression guide 717 and the roller outer circumference guide 718.

[0093] In the winding device 10 configured as described above, the various sheets 2 to 5 are wound in the following manner. That is, with the separator sheets 2 and 3 stretched over the support rollers 15a (15b), one of the winding cores 13 (14) positioned at winding position P1 is made to protrude from one of the tables in the turret 12, thereby positioning the separator sheets 2 and 3 in the gap 13c (14c) of the winding core 13 (14) (see Figure 12). Next, the separator sheets 2 and 3 positioned in the gap 13c (14c) are gripped by the chuck mechanism. Then, one of the winding cores 13 (14) is rotated a predetermined number of times to wind a predetermined amount of separator sheets 2 and 3 onto the winding core 13 (14).

[0094] Next, electrode sheets 4 and 5 are sequentially supplied to one of the cores 13 (14) by the sheet insertion mechanism 73. Then, the cores 13 (14) are rotated while the various sheets 2 to 5 are supplied to the cores 13 and 14, thereby winding the various sheets 2 to 5 in overlapping fashion.

[0095] Furthermore, immediately after the start of winding of each sheet 2-5, each sheet 2-5 is accelerated and supplied to the winding cores 13 and 14. Then, after a certain period of time has elapsed since the start of winding of each sheet 2-5, the winding cores 13 and 14 rotate at a constant speed, and each sheet 2-5 is supplied to the winding cores 13 and 14 while being accelerated and decelerated. As the electrode sheets 4 and 5 are accelerated and decelerated, the tabs 4b and 5b may vibrate, but this vibrating motion is suppressed by the vibration suppression guide 717.

[0096] Subsequently, once the sheets 2-5 of a predetermined length have been wound, the rotation of one of the winding cores 13 (14) is temporarily stopped. When the sheets 2-5 are temporarily stopped, they are supplied to the winding cores 13 and 14 at a reduced speed. While the sheets 2-5 are temporarily stopped, the electrode sheets 4 and 5 are cut by the sheet cutting cutter 74.

[0097] Subsequently, the rotation of the turret 12 removes one of the cores 13(14) around which the various sheets 2-5 are wound and moves it to position P2. This places the separator sheets 2 and 3 over the support rollers 15a(15b), etc. The rotation of the turret 12 also moves the other core 14(13) to winding position P1. The next winding of the various sheets 2-5 will be performed by this core 14(13).

[0098] Next, the press roller 17 is brought close to one of the cores 13(14) positioned in the removal position P2, and the various sheets 2-5 are pressed down by the press roller 17, and then the separator sheets 2 and 3 are cut by the separator cutter 16 (see Figure 13). After that, one of the cores 13(14) is rotated to completely wind up the various sheets 2-5, and then the fixing tape is applied to the ends of the separator sheets 2 and 3 by the tape application mechanism 18. This gives the battery element 1 that has been treated to stop winding (see Figure 14). The obtained battery element 1 is removed from the core 13(14) by the removal device.

[0099] As described in detail above, according to this embodiment, the vibration suppression guide 717 can suppress the vibration of the tabs 4b and 5b upstream of the transfer roller 711. This makes it possible to more reliably prevent the vibration of the tabs 4b and 5b from colliding with the outer surface of the transfer roller 711.

[0100] Furthermore, in order to suppress the swinging motion of tabs 4b and 5b, the swing suppression guide 717 first makes contact with the base of tabs 4b and 5b, where the kinetic energy related to the swinging motion is relatively small. Then, after the swinging motion of tabs 4b and 5b is suppressed to some extent by this contact, and the kinetic energy at the tip of tabs 4b and 5b is reduced to a certain extent, the guide 717 makes contact with the tip of tabs 4b and 5b. Therefore, the load applied to tabs 4b and 5b when they make contact with the swing suppression guide 717 is relatively small, while the swinging motion of tabs 4b and 5b can be suppressed little by little.

[0101] As described above, according to this embodiment, the swinging motion of tabs 4b and 5b can be suppressed, thereby preventing collisions between tabs 4b and 5b and the transfer roller 717. Furthermore, suppressing the swinging motion does not require placing a large load on tabs 4b and 5b. Therefore, it is possible to effectively suppress significant damage to tabs 4b and 5b when they pass through the transfer roller 711. As a result, tabs 4b and 5b can be kept in a better condition with less damage, thereby improving the quality of the resulting battery element 1.

[0102] Furthermore, by constructing the runout suppression guide 717 using a tapered guide 717x, the shape of the runout suppression guide 717 can be made relatively simple. This makes it possible to reduce the costs associated with the manufacturing and maintenance of the runout suppression guide 717.

[0103] Furthermore, since the inlet portion 717a is shaped to gradually approach the transport path of the electrode sheets 4 and 5 from the upstream side to the downstream side along the transport direction of the electrode sheets 4 and 5, even if the tabs 4b and 5b come into contact with the inlet portion 717a, the load applied to the tabs 4b and 5b can be kept relatively small. This makes it possible to more reliably improve the quality of the battery element 1.

[0104] In addition, the portion of the vibration suppression guide 717 that can contact the tabs 4b and 5b (widthwise edge portion 717e) has a curved surface without sharp corners, which makes it possible to more effectively reduce the load applied to the tabs 4b and 5b when they come into contact with the vibration suppression guide 717. This makes it possible to more reliably improve the quality of the battery element 1.

[0105] Furthermore, the roller outer circumference guide 718 can more reliably prevent tabs 4b and 5b from rising. This allows for further improvements in the quality and productivity of the battery element 1.

[0106] Furthermore, by utilizing the runout suppression guide 717, the runout movement of tabs 4b and 5b can be suppressed upstream of the roller outer circumference guide 718, thereby more reliably preventing collisions between the runout tabs 4b and 5b and the roller outer circumference guide 718. Therefore, the runout suppression guide 717 can be said to function more effectively when the roller outer circumference guide 718 is provided.

[0107] In addition, by setting the gap size S1 to 0.1 mm or more, excessive contact of the tabs 4b and 5b with the inner surface of the roller outer circumference guide 718 can be suppressed, and the load applied to the tabs 4b and 5b can be further reduced. Furthermore, by setting the gap size S1 to 1.0 mm or less, the effect of preventing the tabs 4b and 5b from rising up by providing the roller outer circumference guide 718 can be more reliably achieved.

[0108] Furthermore, the embodiment is not limited to the description above, and may be implemented as follows, for example. Of course, other applications and modifications not exemplified below are also possible.

[0109] (a) The configuration of the vibration suppression guide is not limited to those described in the above embodiment and can be modified as appropriate.

[0110] (a1) Accordingly, for example, as shown in Figures 15 and 16, a metal plate or resin plate having a curved widthwise edge portion 791e and an entrance portion 791a formed by curving the edge portion may be used as the vibration suppression guide 791. When such a vibration suppression guide 791 is used, the reaction force applied from the vibration suppression guide 791 to the tabs 4b and 5b when the vibrating tabs 4b and 5b come into contact with the vibration suppression guide 791 tends to be relatively low. Therefore, damage to the tabs 4b and 5b can be further reduced.

[0111] (a2-1) Alternatively, as shown in Figures 17-19, the vibration suppression guide 792 may be composed of a plurality of divided guide sections 792x arranged in line along the transport direction of the electrode sheets 4 and 5. Note that in Figure 17 and other figures, the upstream guide support section for supporting the vibration suppression guide 792 is not shown.

[0112] The multiple dividing guide sections 792x are configured such that, when viewed along a direction perpendicular to the electrode body sections 4a and 5b (the thickness direction of the electrode body sections 4a and 5a), the widthwise edge 792e of the section located downstream in the transport direction of the electrode sheets 4 and 5 is positioned closer to the tip of the tabs 4b and 5b compared to the widthwise edge 792e of the section located upstream in the transport direction of the electrode sheets 4 and 5. The oscillating tabs 4b and 5b then come into contact with the widthwise edge 792e of the dividing guide section 792x, thereby suppressing the oscillating movement of the tabs 4b and 5b.

[0113] By using such a segmented guide section 792x, the shape of the vibration suppression guide 792 can be made relatively simple, thereby reducing the costs associated with the manufacturing and maintenance of the vibration suppression guide 792.

[0114] (a2-2) Furthermore, the multiple divided guide sections 792x may be adjustable in their position along the width direction of the electrode sheets 4 and 5 (indicated by the thick arrows in Figure 19). In this case, by adjusting the position of the divided guide sections 792x without replacing the vibration suppression guide 792, it is possible to accommodate various electrode sheets 4 and 5 with different shapes and sizes. This improves the convenience of production related to the battery element 1 and reduces the cost of manufacturing the equipment.

[0115] (a2-3) In addition, as shown in Figure 20, the vibration suppression guide 793 may be configured such that the width of the divided guide portion 793x along the direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the electrode sheets 4 and 5 is smaller in order to reduce the contact area of ​​the tabs 4b and 5b with respect to the vibration suppression guide 793.

[0116] (a2-4) Furthermore, in order to ensure the smooth transport of the electrode sheets 4 and 5 (tabs 4b and 5b) and to more reliably reduce the load applied to tabs 4b and 5b, it is preferable to make the length of the dividing guide sections 792x and 793x along the transport direction of the electrode sheets 4 and 5 smaller than the width of tabs 4b and 5b, or to make the portion of the dividing guide sections 792x and 793x corresponding to the entrance of the electrode sheets 4 and 5 curved or inclined, as shown in Figures 19 and 20.

[0117] (a2-5) Furthermore, as shown in Figure 21, the divided guide section 794x may be made of a roller that can freely rotate on a rotation axis parallel to the rotation axis RA of the transfer roller 711. In this configuration, the load applied to the tabs 4b and 5b when in contact with the runout suppression guide 794 (divided guide section 794x) can be reduced more effectively. This makes it possible to more effectively improve the quality of the resulting battery element 1.

[0118] (a3) In addition, as shown in Figures 22 and 23, the vibration suppression guide 795 may have a basic shape that is a rectangular parallelepiped and also have an inclined surface 795a. The inclined surface 795a is formed by cutting through the upstream side surface 795s1 located on the upstream side in the transport direction of the electrode sheets 4 and 5, the sheet side surface 795s2 adjacent to the upstream side surface 795s1 and facing the electrode sheets 4 and 5, and the tab tip side surface 795s3 adjacent to the upstream side surface 795s1 and the sheet side surface 795s2 and located on the tip side of the tabs 4b and 5b. The vibration of the tabs 4b and 5b is suppressed when the inclined surface 795a comes into contact with the vibrating tabs 4b and 5b.

[0119] By using such a vibration suppression guide 795, the shape of the vibration suppression guide 795 can be made relatively simple, thereby reducing the costs associated with the manufacturing and maintenance of the vibration suppression guide 795.

[0120] Furthermore, the inclined surface 795a gradually approaches the ideal (without vibration) transport path of the tabs 4b and 5b from the upstream side to the downstream side along the transport direction of the electrode sheets 4 and 5. As a result, the tabs 4b and 5b are gradually displaced toward the ideal transport path as they move while in contact with the inclined surface 795a. Therefore, the vibration of the tabs 4b and 5b can be suppressed more effectively.

[0121] Furthermore, since the thickness of the vibration suppression guide 795 can be made relatively large, vibrations of the vibration suppression guide 795 can be suppressed. This makes it possible to more reliably obtain the effect of suppressing the vibration movement of tabs 4b and 5b.

[0122] (b) In the above embodiment, one runout suppression guide 717 is provided corresponding to the back side of the surface that is placed over the outer circumferential surface of the transfer roller 711 in the electrode sheets 4 and 5.

[0123] Alternatively, one runout suppression guide 711 may be provided on the electrode sheets 4 and 5, corresponding to the side of the electrode sheet that is placed over the outer circumferential surface of the transfer roller 711.

[0124] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 24 and 25, two vibration suppression guides 797 and 798 may be provided. One vibration suppression guide 797 is provided corresponding to the back side of the surface of the electrode sheets 4 and 5 that is placed on the outer circumferential surface of the transport roller 711. The other vibration suppression guide 798 corresponds to the surface of the electrode sheets 4 and 5 that is placed on the outer circumferential surface of the transport roller 711, and is provided at a position that sandwiches the electrode sheets 4 and 5 (tabs 4b and 5b) between it and the other vibration suppression guide 797. When the electrode sheets 4 and 5 are transported from the upstream side to the downstream side, the two vibration suppression guides 797 and 798 initially contact the base side of the vibrating tabs 4b and 5b, and as the tabs 4b and 5b move, they contact the more forward side of the tabs 4b and 5b, thereby gradually suppressing the vibration of the tabs 4b and 5b.

[0125] By providing these two vibration suppression guides 797 and 798, the vibration suppression effect of tabs 4b and 5b can be further enhanced. Although the two vibration suppression guides 797 and 798 each have the same configuration as the vibration suppression guide 717 in the above embodiment, they may of course have different configurations from the vibration suppression guide 717 (for example, the configuration exemplified in (a) above). Furthermore, the two vibration suppression guides may each have different configurations.

[0126] (c) In the above embodiment, the tabs 4b and 5b are formed by partially cutting off the electrode material (so-called molded tabs), but the structure of the tabs is not limited to this. Therefore, the tabs 4b and 5b may be joined to the electrode body portions 4a and 5b by welding (so-called welded tabs), for example. However, welded tabs are often relatively thick, and vibration of the tabs is relatively unlikely to occur. On the other hand, molded tabs are often thin, and vibration of the tabs is very likely to occur. Therefore, the winding device 10 in the above embodiment is particularly effective when the electrode sheets 4 and 5 are equipped with molded tabs.

[0127] (d) In the above embodiment, the positional relationship maintenance mechanism 72 is provided at a position directly upstream of the transfer roller 711 along the transport path of the electrode sheets 4 and 5, but the position of the positional relationship maintenance mechanism 72 may be changed as appropriate. For example, the positional relationship maintenance mechanism 72 may be provided at a position directly downstream of the transfer roller 711 along the transport path of the electrode sheets 4 and 5.

[0128] (e) In the above embodiment, the winding section 11 is configured to have two winding cores 13 and 14, but it may also be configured to have one or three or more winding cores.

[0129] Furthermore, the outer circumferential shape of the core is not limited to those described in the above embodiments. For example, the outer surface of the core may be circular or oval in cross-section perpendicular to the core's axis of rotation. Moreover, the core may not have gaps between the core pieces. In addition, the electrode sheets 4, 5, etc., may be wound around a cylindrical core component provided on the outer circumference of the core.

[0130] (f) In the above embodiment, the battery element 1 of the lithium-ion battery is manufactured by the winding device 10, but the winding element manufactured by the winding device 10 is not limited to this, and for example, the winding element of an electrolytic capacitor may be manufactured.

[0131] (g) The materials of the separator sheets 2, 3 and electrode sheets 4, 5 are not limited to the above embodiment and may be changed as appropriate. Of course, the active material applied to electrode sheets 4, 5 may also be changed. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0132] 1...Lithium-ion battery element (winding element), 2,3...Separator sheet, 4...Positive electrode sheet (electrode sheet), 4a,5b...Electrode body, 4b,5b...Taps, 5...Negative electrode sheet (electrode sheet), 10...Winding device, 13,14...Winding core, 711...Transfer roller, 717,791,792,793,794,795,797,798...Runout suppression guide, 717x...Taper guide, 718...Roller outer circumference guide, 792x,793x,794x...Dividing guide section, 795a...Inclined surface, 795s1...Upstream side, 795s2...Sheet side, 795s3...Tab tip side.

Claims

1. Equipped with a rotatable core, A winding device that winds a strip-shaped electrode sheet, which has an electrode body portion having an active material on its surface and a plurality of tabs that protrude from the widthwise edge portion of the electrode body portion and are provided at intervals along the longitudinal direction of the electrode body portion, and a strip-shaped separator sheet made of an insulating material, onto a winding core while rotating the core, thereby overlapping the electrode sheet and the separator sheet. The electrode sheet is configured to be supplied to the winding core while being accelerated and decelerated, The electrode sheet is placed on the outer surface, and a rotatable transfer roller is provided to determine the transport path of the electrode sheet, The system includes a vibration suppression guide positioned directly upstream of the transport roller along the transport path of the electrode sheet, which is arranged along the transport path of the electrode sheet and can suppress the vibration of the tab by contacting the tab as the electrode sheet is transported from the upstream side to the downstream side. The contact portion of the vibrating tab with the vibration suppression guide is configured to gradually change from the base of the tab to the tip of the tab as the tab moves from the upstream side to the downstream side along the transport direction of the electrode sheet. The vibration suppression guide is composed of a plurality of segmented guide sections provided along the transport path of the electrode sheet. The plurality of division guide portions are configured such that, when viewed along a direction perpendicular to the electrode body portion, the widthwise edge portion of the one located downstream in the transport direction of the electrode sheet is positioned closer to the tip of the tab than the widthwise edge portion of the one located upstream in the transport direction of the electrode sheet. A winding device characterized in that the tab, which swings, comes into contact with the widthwise edge of the dividing guide portion, thereby enabling the swinging motion of the tab to be suppressed.

2. The winding device according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the multiple dividing guide sections is configured to be adjustable in its position along the width direction.

3. The winding device according to claim 1, characterized in that the dividing guide section is composed of a roller that is capable of freely rotating on a rotation axis parallel to the rotation axis of the transfer roller.

4. comprising a rotatable winding core, A winding device that winds a strip-shaped electrode sheet, which has an electrode body portion having an active material on its surface and a plurality of tabs that protrude from the widthwise edge portion of the electrode body portion and are provided at intervals along the longitudinal direction of the electrode body portion, and a strip-shaped separator sheet made of an insulating material, onto a winding core while rotating the core, thereby overlapping the electrode sheet and the separator sheet. The electrode sheet is configured to be supplied to the winding core while being accelerated and decelerated, The electrode sheet is placed on the outer surface, and a rotatable transfer roller is provided to determine the transport path of the electrode sheet, The system includes a vibration suppression guide positioned directly upstream of the transport roller along the transport path of the electrode sheet, which is arranged along the transport path of the electrode sheet and can suppress the vibration of the tab by contacting the tab as the electrode sheet is transported from the upstream side to the downstream side. The contact portion of the vibrating tab with the vibration suppression guide is configured to gradually change from the base of the tab to the tip of the tab as the tab moves from the upstream side to the downstream side along the transport direction of the electrode sheet. The vibration suppression guide has a basic rectangular parallelepiped shape and has an inclined surface that is cut out so as to pass through the upstream side located on the upstream side in the transport direction of the electrode sheet, the sheet side adjacent to the upstream side and facing the electrode sheet side, and the tab tip side adjacent to the upstream side and the sheet side and located on the tip side of the tab. A winding device characterized in that the swinging tab is in contact with the inclined surface, thereby enabling the swinging motion of the tab to be suppressed.

5. The vibration suppression guide is provided corresponding to the back side of the surface of the electrode sheet that is placed over the outer circumferential surface of the transfer roller. The winding device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it is provided with a roller outer circumference guide which is installed adjacent to the vibration suppression guide along the transport path of the electrode sheet, is positioned to sandwich the tab between itself and the outer circumference surface of the transport roller, and whose inner surface has an arc shape that extends along the circumferential direction of the transport roller when viewed along the rotation axis of the transport roller.

6. Let R1 (mm) be the radius of the inner surface of the outer peripheral guide of the roller centered on the rotation axis of the transfer roller. Assuming that the tab is positioned between the outer peripheral guide of the roller and the transport roller, and that the tip of the tab is flat without curvature, when viewed along the axis of rotation of the transport roller, the distance from the axis of rotation to the widthwise edge of the tip of the tab is L1 (mm), 0.1 ≤ R1 - L1 ≤ 1.0 The winding device according to claim 5, characterized in that it is configured to satisfy the requirements.

Images