Device, method and separator strip for the energy cell, in particular battery cell, production industry

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (10) for the energy cell, in particular battery cell, production industry, the device (10) having a pre-break station (11) to which a separator strip (30) can be supplied, the pre-break station (11) being configured to introduce transverse pre-breaks (31) into the separator strip (30). The invention also relates to a method for pretreating a separator strip, and to a separator strip.

Description

[0001] Device, method and separator track for energy cells, especially battery cells, manufacturing industry

[0002] The present invention relates to a device for the energy cell, in particular battery cell, manufacturing industry as well as a corresponding method and product.

[0003] It is known in principle from the prior art to use energy cells or energy storage devices in motor vehicles, other land vehicles, ships, aircraft, or even in stationary systems in the form of battery cells or fuel cells, in which very large amounts of energy can be stored over long periods of time. For this purpose, such energy cells have a structure consisting of a large number of segments stacked in a stack, between which a separator is arranged. The segments can be designed, for example, as electrode sheets, so that anode and cathode sheets alternate one after the other in the stack. In such a case, a layer of a separator web is arranged between two adjacent electrode sheets.

[0004] According to a first variant, the separators can be arranged between the electrodes in the form of individual separator sheets or material sheets. According to a second variant, it is also known to place the separator in the form of a material web around the segments by forming a Z-shaped fold, i.e., a so-called Z-fold.

[0005] To form the Z-fold, it is generally known from the prior art to form the cell stack on a stacking table. For this purpose, the separator sheet is fed centrally from above onto the stacking table, for example, and after each segment has been deposited, it is alternately folded by a corresponding mechanism so that the segments can be arranged in the pockets formed in the Z-fold. Furthermore, it is also known that the segments, such as the anode and cathode sheets, are first laminated to the separator sheet and the separator sheet is then folded into the Z-fold in a zigzag pattern.

[0006] For a defined Z-fold of the separator web and a high-quality electrode stack, a precise position of the fold line and a defined, particularly low, restoring force of the fold are required. For example, hold-down devices are known for creating folds. After the separator web has been folded over, these hold-down devices press down on the stack, for example, from above, to form a fold along a fold line or crease edge. Furthermore, the hold-down device can also create a crease or a crease line, for example. Furthermore, the hold-down device can also counteract the restoring forces of the separator web.

[0007] However, applying local pressure to the separator sheet to form a folded edge or crease can damage the segments between the separator sheet, which are typically coated with an active material. Furthermore, some separator materials may exhibit poor folding properties, making them less suitable for forming a stack of energy cells, especially battery cells, in a Z-fold.

[0008] Therefore, the object of the present application is to provide a device and a method for the energy cell, in particular battery cell, manufacturing industry that overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages in forming a Z-fold of a separator web. Furthermore, the object of the present application is to provide a corresponding separator web that overcomes the disadvantages in forming a Z-fold.

[0009] To achieve the object of the invention, a device for the energy cell, in particular battery cell, manufacturing industry is proposed, wherein the device comprises a pre-break station to which a separator web can be fed. The pre-break station is configured to introduce transverse pre-breaks into the separator web.

[0010] The proposed device allows the separator web to be processed with greater process reliability and a simplified folding process thanks to the transverse breaks. Furthermore, the proposed device also allows separator webs with poor folding suitability to be used for Z-folding.

[0011] The transverse pre-creases form a desired fold line and change the properties of the separator web on and / or in the area of ​​this line, at least in sections, in such a way that folding of the separator web is favored. For example, the restoring forces of the separator web at a fold can also be reduced at a transverse pre-crease. A transverse pre-crease is preferably a local weakening and / or change in the material properties and / or a geometric change, for example, due to plastic deformation, of the separator web that favors folding of the separator web. Thus, a very defined stack can be achieved with a Z-fold of the separator web with transverse pre-creases.In advantageous embodiments, the folding of the separator web can occur largely automatically due to the transverse pre-breaks during the depositing and turning of the separator web, so that in these advantageous embodiments a hold-down device or further folding means can be dispensed with during stack formation, which considerably reduces the risk of damage to segments, for example anode or cathode sheets.

[0012] Preferably, the pre-break station is configured to mechanically and / or thermally and / or chemically introduce the transverse pre-breaks into the separator web. Accordingly, the material properties and / or geometry in the region of the transverse pre-break can be modified, so that the folding suitability of the separator web is improved, preferably locally in the region and / or along the line of the transverse pre-break.

[0013] For example, the transverse pre-break can be generated by a local temperature increase, which leads to a change in the material properties of the separator web. Such a change can be, for example, melting of the separator web. A thermal influence on the transverse pre-breaks can be generated, for example, using a laser in the pre-break station. In one possible embodiment, the pre-break station has two lasers or one laser with two lenses, so that the transverse pre-breaks can be thermally introduced into the separator web on both sides using laser radiation. This is particularly suitable for polymer-based separator webs.

[0014] Furthermore, the properties of the separator web at the transverse pre-break can be chemically modified by applying chemicals through the pre-break station. In possible embodiments, the pre-break station is configured to create transverse pre-breaks by coating and / or decoating the separator web.

[0015] The pre-breaking station is preferably designed to introduce perforations and / or embossings and / or crush cuts and / or creasing and / or plastic deformations as transverse pre-breaks into the separator web.

[0016] A perforation can, for example, achieve a corresponding weakening of the separator web along the intended fold line, so that a perforation along the intended fold line forms a transverse pre-fold. The separator web therefore has, for example, spaced-apart holes so that a corresponding weakening is achieved along the transverse pre-fold line. Perforation can be achieved, for example, using a laser. The pre-fold station preferably has a laser.

[0017] Furthermore, transverse folds in the separator web can be embossed using an embossing process. Embossing can, for example, also stabilize the separator web on both sides of the intended fold line, so that the separator web remains unchanged along the fold line, but a fold line is still formed by the embossing.

[0018] A crush cut as a transverse pre-crease forms a notch or groove that represents a designated fold line in the separator web. A crush cut as a transverse pre-crease can also be referred to as creasing, for example. A crush cut or creasing can be seen as analogous to a hinge that is introduced into the separator web. A crush cut can be formed, for example, with a creasing knife. Therefore, in advantageous embodiments, the pre-crease station has at least one creasing knife.

[0019] By means of plastic deformation, for example, the geometry of the separator web in the area of ​​the transverse pre-break can be changed in such a way that the separator web has a pre-deformation which improves the folding properties, preferably in one folding direction.

[0020] Preferably, the transverse pre-breaks are perpendicular to the path of the separator web. Furthermore, the transverse pre-breaks preferably extend across the entire width of the separator web.

[0021] It is further proposed that the transverse breaks be one-sided, two-sided, and / or alternating.

[0022] In possible embodiments, one-sided cross-folds may be sufficient to prepare each intended fold in a Z-stack. In alternative embodiments, only every nth fold, for example, every second fold, may be provided with a corresponding cross-fold. The other folds can be designed as loops, for example.

[0023] In further possible embodiments, bilateral transverse pre-breaks can be incorporated into the separator web. The bilateral transverse pre-breaks can be designed symmetrically or asymmetrically to the neutral fiber of the separator web. Transverse pre-breaks on both sides that are asymmetrical to the neutral fiber can also be designed alternately, for example, so that the asymmetry of the transverse pre-breaks on both sides is shifted alternately to one of the two sides of the separator web.

[0024] In further possible embodiments, alternating transverse pre-breaks can enable an advantageous Z-folding of a separator web.

[0025] The material thickness of the separator web is preferably reduced by the transverse pre-breaks by more than 1 / 3, more preferably by more than 2 / 3 and particularly preferably by more than 3 / 4.

[0026] Furthermore, it is proposed that the spacing of the transverse pre-breaks have regular omissions with increased spacing of the transverse pre-breaks, which are suitable, for example, for forming a trailer for wrapping the Z-stack.

[0027] According to a further development, it is proposed that the separator web contain at least a proportion of cellulose fibers, for example at least 50%. The material of such a separator web can also be referred to as paper, for example. Cellulose fibers and / or paper can be used as an alternative separator material to plastic films as a separator in energy cells, in particular battery cells. Separator webs which contain at least a proportion of cellulose fibers and / or are made of paper generally have poorer folding properties than conventional plastic separator films, but this can be compensated for with the proposed device. The proposed device thus enables a Z-fold with a separator web containing at least a proportion of cellulose fibers and / or paper to form a high-quality stack for an energy cell, in particular a battery cell.

[0028] In an alternative development, it is proposed that the separator web is a plastic film, preferably a PE film.

[0029] In an advantageous embodiment, the device comprises a separator web production machine, wherein the pre-break station is arranged in the product flow behind or within a separator web production machine. This enables the production of separator webs that are particularly well suited for Z-folding. Separator webs can be produced, in particular, from materials with lower folding suitability, which are therefore very well suited for Z-folding when forming a stack with electrodes.

[0030] According to a further development, it is proposed that the pre-breaking station has at least one pair of rollers between which the separator web is guided, wherein the pair of rollers each has at least one creasing knife on one roller, wherein another roller is a counter roller for the creasing knife.

[0031] The creasing knife on one roller of the roller pair, together with the other roller opposite, can create the transverse pre-crease in the separator web guided between them. The distance between the respective creasing knife and the counter-roller is selected such that the separator web is only weakened along the transverse pre-crease, but not severed. The distance is preferably adjustable. The counter-roller is, for example, a smooth, cylindrical roller. A roller pair with a roller with a creasing knife and a smooth counter-roller is advantageous, for example, for the one-sided introduction of transverse pre-creases.

[0032] Preferably, at least one cushion is arranged on the other roller as a counter-holder for a creasing knife. In possible embodiments, the cushion can be a hard cushion, for example made of steel, or in alternative embodiments, a soft cushion made of rubber. Preferably, a pair of rollers has as many cushions as creasing knives. The cushion makes it easy for the roller of the pair of rollers that serves as the counter-roller to only be in contact with the separator web when the creasing knife also engages. In this way, for example, alternating transverse pre-creases can advantageously be enabled. Furthermore, the rotation speed of the roller serving as the counter-roller, when it is not in contact with the separator web, can be largely freely selected.

[0033] It is further proposed that at least one creasing blade, preferably a creasing knife, and at least one pad, preferably a pad, be arranged on each roller of the roller pair. The creasing blades and pads can thus alternately introduce transverse pre-creases into the two sides of the separator web, so that the transverse pre-creases are arranged alternately.

[0034] In an alternative embodiment, instead of the creasing knife, a perforating knife can be arranged on at least one of the two rollers of the roller pair.

[0035] In advantageous embodiments, the creasing or cutting edge of the creasing blade on the respective roller is arranged parallel to the rotational axis of this roller. This makes it easy to achieve a transverse pre-crease perpendicular to the path of the separator web. Furthermore, the rotational axes of the rollers of the roller pair are preferably parallel. In alternative embodiments, the rotational axes of the rollers of the roller pair can be arranged tilted relative to one another, preferably by less than 5°, more preferably by less than 3°, for example, to improve the web guidance of the separator web. In this case, the two rollers are preferably slightly tilted and arranged at an angle to one another.

[0036] Preferably, both rollers of the roller pair each have individual drives. Furthermore, a pulsating speed profile and / or a cyclic speed profile of the two rollers of the roller pair can be easily achieved, particularly with the individual drives, whereby the spacing of the transverse pre-breaks in the separator track can be freely adjusted. The roller pair is preferably only in engagement with the separator track at the moment the transverse pre-break is created, so that the spacing of the transverse pre-breaks can be freely adjusted. Therefore, different formats of stack widths can be produced with a geometric design of the rollers, so that the device offers a high degree of flexibility.

[0037] Furthermore, the number of creasing knives and their spacing on one or both rollers of the roller pair can be selected largely freely. The same applies to the corresponding pads on the opposite roller.

[0038] According to a further development, it is proposed that the device comprise a dancer unit arranged in the path of the separator web upstream of the pre-breaking station, preferably upstream of the roller pair. While the pre-breaking station, preferably with the roller pair, is engaged with the separator web, the pre-breaking station exerts a conveying effect on the separator web. The dancer unit limits the tension in the separator web between the separator web feed and the pre-breaking station, so that tearing of the separator web can be effectively prevented. This arrangement can be particularly advantageous in cyclical operation of the device.

[0039] The device preferably has a dancer unit arranged in the path of the separator web behind the pre-breaking station, more preferably behind the pair of rollers. This allows the separator web that has been conveyed too quickly to be temporarily stored. Furthermore, this arrangement can be particularly advantageous in cyclical operation of the device.

[0040] According to a further development, it is proposed that the pre-break station have another pair of rollers located behind the at least one pair of rollers in the path of the separator web. With an additional pair of rollers in the pre-break station, for example, the front pair of rollers in the path of the separator web can produce a transverse pre-break from the right side, and the rear pair of rollers can produce a transverse pre-break from the left side. This preferably allows for an alternating arrangement of the transverse pre-breaks in the separator web to be achieved in a simple manner, which can significantly facilitate the Z-folding of the separator web.

[0041] In a further advantageous embodiment, it is proposed that a separator web feed device is arranged behind the pre-break station in the path of the separator web, by means of which the separator web with the introduced transverse pre-breaks can be fed to a stacking device, wherein the stacking device is designed to fold the separator web in a zigzag shape and to deposit segments of an energy cell on the separator web in such a way that the segments can be arranged in the folds of the separator web in a stack.

[0042] The cross-cuts can thus be introduced into the separator web immediately before folding. This allows, among other things, adjustment of the position of the cross-cuts, which is particularly effective in combination with the individual drive of the two rollers in the roller pair. Furthermore, the conveying path of the separator web, which is weakened by the cross-cuts, is shortened, reducing the likelihood of a tear in the separator web.

[0043] According to a further development, it is proposed that the stacking device have a frame that limits the deposition of the separator web. The frame preferably limits the sides of the stack to be formed. Furthermore, the frame preferably limits at least those sides of the stack to be formed against which the folds of the separator web rest in the Z-fold. Therefore, the frame preferably limits the deposition of the separator web provided with transverse pre-creases and supports the formation of folds at the transverse pre-creases. The formation of the folds can thereby preferably be achieved without additional hold-down devices. Further preferably, the formation of the folds can occur automatically through transverse pre-creases in interaction with the frame of the stacking device.According to an advantageous further development, it is proposed that the device has at least one sensor, preferably a camera or a web thickness sensor, for detecting the position of the transverse pre-breaks in the separator web. The sensor can detect the position of a transverse pre-break in the separator web, so that in addition to quality control, control or correction of the pre-break station and the position of the transverse pre-breaks and their spacing are possible. A web thickness sensor can, for example, be a capacitive sensor. Preferably, the device is configured to detect the position of the generated transverse pre-breaks using the sensor and to control the pre-break station using the data detected by the sensor. This allows the position of the transverse pre-breaks to be optimized or corrected. Furthermore, the position of the transverse pre-breaks can be synchronized with a folding process.

[0044] Furthermore, to achieve the object of the invention, a method for pretreating a separator web for the energy cell, in particular battery cell, producing industry is proposed, wherein transverse pre-breaks are introduced into a separator web using a device according to one of claims 1 to 15.

[0045] The effects and advantages associated with the method are consistent with the effects and advantages of the device proposed above.

[0046] According to a further development, it is proposed that the roller pair be operated with a fluctuating and / or cyclic speed profile to generate the spacing of the transverse pre-breaks. This speed profile is preferably controlled to precisely maintain the spacing of the transverse pre-breaks. The spacing of the transverse pre-breaks of the separator track is preferably between 30 mm and 350 mm, more preferably between 80 mm and 150 mm.

[0047] Such a speed profile enables the variable adjustment of the spacing of the transverse pre-breaks in the separator web. Furthermore, longer spacings can also be set, for example for a trailer. The separator web is preferably only engaged with one roller pair when the transverse pre-break is being produced. During the production of a transverse pre-break, the rotational speed of the roller pair is preferably synchronized with the web speed of the separator web. In a further preferred embodiment, the roller pair has a slight overspeed when producing a transverse pre-break, for example 5% faster than the feed speed of the separator web, whereby a brief pushing of the separator web, for example into the stacking device, is achieved and whereby the tension in the separator web can be minimized.A higher tension in the separator track upstream of the pre-break station is preferably compensated by a dancer unit.

[0048] Preferably, the pre-break station introduces the transverse pre-breaks in synchronization with the folds of the separator web to be formed in a subsequent stacking process. This allows the position of the folds of the separator web to be particularly well coordinated with the segments to be deposited in the folds, for example, anode or cathode sheets.

[0049] It is further proposed that the position of the transverse pre-breaks in the web path be recorded behind the pre-break station, and that the pre-break station be controlled based on the recorded data. In this way, the pre-break station can precisely position the transverse pre-breaks and compensate for any tolerances and disturbances.

[0050] Furthermore, to achieve the object of the invention, a separator sheet for use in an energy cell, in particular a battery cell, is proposed, wherein the separator sheet has transverse pre-creases. The proposed separator sheet is particularly suitable for the production of an energy cell with a Z-fold of the separator sheet. The positioning of the folds of the separator sheet can be very precise, which enables the production of a high-quality stack. Furthermore, the forces required to create the folds in the separator sheet, as well as the restoring forces of the folds, can be significantly reduced.

[0051] The transverse breaks in the separator web are preferably perforations and / or embossings and / or crush cuts and / or creasing and / or plastic deformations.

[0052] The separator sheet preferably has an air permeability according to Gurley, preferably according to ISO 5636-5, in the range of 50 s to 800 s, preferably in the range of 100 s to 200 s. This ensures good performance as a separator in an energy cell, particularly a lithium-ion battery.

[0053] Furthermore, the separator sheet preferably has a thickness of at least 5 pm and at most 100 pm, more preferably at least 5 pm and at most 50 pm. Such a thickness is advantageous for its function as a separator.

[0054] In a preferred embodiment, the separator web comprises at least a portion of cellulose fibers. A separator web comprising at least a portion of cellulose fibers and / or paper, with the transverse pre-creases, is advantageously suitable for forming an energy cell, in particular a battery cell, with the separator web in a Z-fold. The advantages of a paper separator can be utilized, while the disadvantages of a separator web comprising at least a portion of cellulose fibers and / or paper can be compensated.

[0055] It is further proposed that the separator web is produced using a device according to one of claims 1 to 15 and / or a method according to one of claims 16 or 17.

[0056] According to a further development, it is proposed that the transverse pre-creases in the separator web be unilateral, alternating, and / or bilateral transverse pre-creases. The bilateral transverse pre-creases can, for example, be designed symmetrically or asymmetrically to the neutral fiber of the separator web. Bilateral transverse pre-creases that are asymmetrical to the neutral fiber can, for example, also be designed alternatingly, so that the asymmetry of the bilateral transverse pre-creases is shifted, for example, alternately to one of the two sides of the separator web.

[0057] The invention will be explained below using preferred embodiments with reference to the attached figures.

[0058] Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a device with a pre-break station for introducing transverse pre-breaks into a separator track; Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a device with a pre-break station for alternately introducing transverse pre-breaks into a separator track;

[0059] Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of an apparatus with a manufacturing machine for separator webs in front of the pre-breaking station;

[0060] Fig. 4 is a schematic representation of a device with a pre-breaking station and a stacking device;

[0061] Fig. 5 is a schematic representation of a device with a pre-breaking station with two pairs of rollers and a stacking device;

[0062] Fig. 6 is a schematic representation of a device with a pre-breaking station with two pairs of rollers and a stacking device with a frame; and

[0063] Fig. 7 a separator track with transverse breaks in a top view.

[0064] Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a device 10 of a pre-breaking station 11 for introducing transverse pre-breaks 31 into a separator web 30 in a schematic representation. The separator web 30 with the transverse pre-breaks 31 is intended for use in an energy cell, in particular a battery cell. The pre-breaking station 11 has a pair of rollers 12 with the roller 13, in this embodiment on the left side, and the roller 14, in this embodiment on the right side. The rollers 13, 14 have axes of rotation 17 arranged parallel to one another and are designed to introduce transverse pre-breaks 31, arranged perpendicular to the web path 26, which is illustrated by the arrow, into the separator web 31. In alternative embodiments, the axes of rotation 17 are arranged slightly tilted relative to one another.Furthermore, in alternative embodiments, the positions of the transverse protrusions 31 may have small deviations, for example less than 3°, from the perpendicular to the path 26.

[0065] Transverse pre-breaks 31 are local lines of weakness in the separator web, which promote the formation of a fold along this line.

[0066] In this advantageous embodiment, the transverse pre-creases 31 are introduced by a creasing knife 15 on the roller 13 and a cushion 16 on the roller 14 as a counter-holder. The creasing knife 15 does not sever the separator web 30, but rather creates a crush cut.

[0067] As an alternative to the design with a creasing knife 15, in alternative embodiments, a perforating knife with a corresponding cushion 16 can also be provided on the counter roller 14, which cuts through the separator web 30 in sections along the transverse pre-fold 31.

[0068] The rollers 13, 14 of the roller pair 12 are driven, whereby in this advantageous embodiment, a separate drive 18 is provided for the rotation of each roller 13, 14. The rotational speed of the rollers 13, 14 is synchronized with or higher than the speed of the separator web 30 in the direction of the web path 26, for example, when the creasing knife 15 and the cushion 16 engage, so that at a slightly higher rotational speed of the rollers 13, 14, the separator web 30 is temporarily pushed in the direction of the web path 26.

[0069] If the creasing knife 15 and the cushion 16 are not engaged or in contact with the separator web 30, the rotational speed of the rollers 13, 14 can be controlled by the individual drives 18 in a pulsating and / or cyclic manner, so that the distances between the successive transverse pre-breaks 31 can be adjusted as desired and independently of the circumference of the rollers 13, 14.

[0070] The pre-break station 11 of Figure 1 is suitable for introducing one-sided transverse pre-breaks 31 into the separator web 30, so that in this embodiment the transverse pre-breaks 31 are always introduced by the left roller 13, whereby the separator web 30 is weakened primarily on the left side.

[0071] Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a further embodiment of a device 10 with a pre-breaking station 11. The pre-breaking station 11 also has a pair of rollers 12, although, unlike the embodiment in Figure 1, a scoring blade 15 and a cushion 16 are arranged on each of the rollers 13, 14 of the roller pair 12. With this pre-breaking station 12, the transverse pre-breaks 31 can be introduced alternately, i.e., the successive transverse pre-breaks 31 can be introduced into the separator web 30 alternately from the left and right sides.

[0072] In further possible embodiments, the roller pair 12 of the pre-crease station 11 according to the embodiment of Figure 1 or 2 can be combined with another roller pair 12 from embodiment 1 or 2, which is arranged behind or in front of it in the path 26. Furthermore, when combining the roller pairs 12, the sides of the rollers 13, 14 with the creasing knife 15 and the cushion 16 can also be exchanged. This enables, for example, in addition to alternating insertion, the insertion of a transverse pre-crease 31 on both sides. This is also shown, for example, in the embodiment of Figure 5.

[0073] Figure 3 shows a further embodiment of a device 10 for the energy cell, in particular battery cell, manufacturing industry. The device 10 comprises a pre-breaking station 11, for example, corresponding to the previously described embodiments. The device 10 further comprises a manufacturing machine 25 for separator webs 30. The manufacturing machine 25 can, for example, be configured to manufacture separator webs 30 with at least a portion of cellulose fibers and / or paper, and in alternative embodiments, to manufacture separator webs 30 from plastic. With the proposed device 10, the separator web 30 can be provided with transverse pre-breaks 31 during manufacture or after manufacture and before a transfer of the separator web 30. For this purpose, the separator web manufactured in the manufacturing machine 25

[0074] 30 through the pre-breaking station 25. The cross-breaking

[0075] The separator web 30 provided with 31 can then be wound up and shipped and, for example, fed to a stacking device 22 at another location. In another possible embodiment, the device 10 can comprise a production machine 25, a pre-breaking station 11, and a stacking device 22.

[0076] Figures 4 and 5 show two embodiments of a device 10 with a pre-breaking station 11 and a stacking device 22 in a schematic representation. The separator web 30 is fed along the web path 26 without transverse pre-breaks 31, in this embodiment from above. A dancer unit 19 is arranged in front of the pre-breaking station 11 along the path of the separator web 30. This dancer unit 19 prevents tearing and damage to the separator web 30 due to excessive tension upon engagement of the roller pair 12 of the pre-breaking station 11 arranged behind it by means of a corresponding web buffer.

[0077] Behind the dancer unit 19, in the embodiment of Figure 4, a pair of rollers 12 with the rollers 13, 14 of the pre-creasing station 11 is arranged. This enables the one-sided or alternating creation of transverse pre-creases 31 in the separator web 30. In the embodiment of Figure 5, two pairs of rollers 12 are arranged one behind the other in the pre-creasing station 11, so that a one-sided, alternating or even bilateral introduction of transverse pre-creases 31 into the separator web 30 is possible. For this purpose, for example, scoring knives 15 and pads 16 can be arranged accordingly on the rollers 13, 14, see also embodiments of Figures 1 and 2. The pre-creasing station 11 can, in possible embodiments, be used for a bilateral creation of transverse pre-creases

[0078] 31, wherein the transverse pre-breaks 31 can also be designed asymmetrically to the neutral fiber of the separator web 30. In advantageous embodiments, the bilateral asymmetrical transverse pre-breaks 31 in the separator web 30 can be mutually asymmetry-oriented relative to the neutral fiber.

[0079] In the advantageous embodiments of Figures 4 and 5, a further dancer unit 20 is arranged in front of the stacking device 22 along the path 26 downstream of the roller pair(s) 12. The dancer unit 20 can temporarily store excess separator web 30 conveyed into the stacking device 22. The dancer unit 20 can temporarily store excess separator web 30 by pivoting and, in alternative embodiments, by moving linearly.

[0080] In the stacking device 22, the separator web 30 is fed by a separator web feed device 21 and folded into folds. For this purpose, the separator web feed device 21 can be moved, for example, by a correspondingly controlled mechanism between the two edges of the stack 24 to be formed. Segments 23, for example sheets with active anode or cathode material on a conductive foil, are placed from the left and right by the stacking device 22, so that a segment 23 is inserted into each fold of the Z-folded separator web 30 to form the stack 24.

[0081] Figure 6 shows a further advantageous embodiment of a device 10 with a stacking device 22 and a pre-creasing station 11, for example of the type from the embodiment of Figure 5 or an alternative embodiment. A separator web feed device 21 feeds the separator web 30, which is provided with transverse pre-creases 31, in the direction of the stack 24 to be formed, wherein the stacking device 22 has a frame 27 which delimits the deposit of the separator web 30. The frame 27 improves the deposit of the separator web 30 with transverse pre-creases 31, so that the separator web 30 can be folded into the shape provided by the transverse pre-creases 31 without the need for an additional hold-down device.

[0082] Figure 7 shows an exemplary representation of a section of a separator web 30, in particular a separator web 30 with a proportion of cellulose fibers and / or paper, in a plan view with two transverse pre-breaks 31.

[0083] List of reference symbols

[0084] 10 Device

[0085] 11 Pre-break station

[0086] 12 pairs of rollers

[0087] 13 rollers

[0088] 14 rollers

[0089] 15 creasing knives

[0090] 16 cushions

[0091] 17 Rotation axis

[0092] 18 single drive

[0093] 19 Dancer Unit

[0094] 20 dancer units

[0095] 21 Separator web feed device

[0096] 22 Stacking device

[0097] 23 segments

[0098] 24 stacks

[0099] 25 manufacturing machines

[0100] 26 Course

[0101] 27 frames

[0102] 30 separator track

[0103] 31 transverse breaks

Claims

Claims:

1. Device (10) for the energy cell, in particular battery cell, producing industry, wherein the device (10) has a pre-breaking station (11) to which a separator web (30) can be fed, wherein the pre-breaking station (11) is designed to introduce transverse pre-breaks (31) into the separator web (30).

2. Device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the pre-breaking station (11) is designed to introduce the transverse pre-breaks (31) mechanically and / or thermally and / or chemically into the separator web (30).

3. Device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the pre-breaking station (11) is designed to introduce perforations and / or embossings and / or crush cuts and / or creasing and / or plastic deformations as transverse pre-breaks (31) into the separator web (30).

4. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transverse protrusions (31) - one-sided, or - both sides, and / or - are reciprocal.

5. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transverse breaks (31) are perpendicular to the path (26) of the separator path (30).

6. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the separator web (30) has at least a proportion of cellulose fibers.

7. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (10) comprises a manufacturing machine (25) for separator webs (30), wherein the pre-breaking station (11) is arranged in the product run behind or in a manufacturing machine (25) for separator webs (30).

8. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pre-breaking station (11) has at least one pair of rollers (12) between which the separator web is guided, wherein the pair of rollers (12) each has at least one creasing knife (15) on a roller (13), wherein another roller (14) is a counter-roller for the creasing knife (15).

9. Device (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that at least one cushion (16) is arranged on the other roller (14) as a counter-holder for a creasing knife (15).

10. Device (10) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the creasing or cutting edge of the creasing knife (15) on the respective roller (13) is arranged parallel to the rotation axis (17) of this roller (13).

11. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims 8 to 10, characterized in that both rollers (13, 14) of the roller pair (12) each have individual drives (18).

12. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (10) has a dancer unit (19) which is arranged in the path (26) of the separator path (30) in front of the pre-breaking station (11).

13. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (10) has a dancer unit (20) which is arranged in the path (26) of the separator path (30) behind the pre-breaking station (11).

14. Device (10) according to one of claims 8 to 13, characterized in that the pre-breaking station (11) has a further pair of rollers (12) in the path (26) of the separator web (30) behind the at least one pair of rollers (12).

15. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the path (26) of the separator web (30) behind the pre-break station (11) a separator web feed device (21) is arranged, by means of which the separator web (30) with the introduced transverse pre-breaks (31) can be fed to a stacking device (22), wherein the stacking device (22) is designed to fold the separator web (30) in a zigzag shape and to deposit segments (23) of an energy cell on the separator web (30) in such a way that the segments (23) can be arranged in the folds of the separator web (30) in a stack (24).

16. Device (10) according to claim 15, characterized in that the stacking device (22) has a frame (27), which limits the deposition of the separator track (30).

17. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (10) has at least one sensor, preferably a camera or a web thickness sensor, for detecting the position of the transverse pre-breaks (31) in the separator web (30).

18. A method for pretreating a separator web (30) for the energy cell, in particular battery cell, manufacturing industry, characterized in that transverse pre-breaks (31) are introduced into a separator web (30) using a device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 16.

19. Method according to claim 18 with reference to claim 8, characterized in that the roller pair (12) is operated with a swelling and / or clocked speed profile for generating the distances of the transverse pre-breaks (11).

20. Method according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that the pre-breaking station (11) introduces the transverse pre-breaks (31) synchronized with the folds of the separator web (30) to be formed in a subsequent stacking process.

21. Method according to one of claims 18 to 20, characterized in that the position of the transverse pre-breaks (31) in the path of the web behind the pre-break station (11) is detected, and the pre-break station (11) is controlled on the basis of the detected data.

22. Separator web (30) for use in an energy cell, in particular a battery cell, characterized in that the separator web (30) has transverse pre-breaks (11).

23. Separator web (30) according to claim 22, characterized in that the separator web (30) has an air permeability according to Gurley in the range of 50 s to 800 s, preferably in the range of 100 s to 200 s.

24. Separator web (30) according to claim 22 or 23, characterized in that the separator web (30) has a thickness of at least 5 pm and at most 100 pm, preferably at least 5 pm and at most 50 pm.

25. Separator web (30) according to one of claims 22 to 24, characterized in that the separator web (30) has at least a proportion of cellulose fibers.

26. Separator web (30) according to one of claims 22 to 25, characterized in that the separator web (30) is produced with a device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 17 and / or a method according to one of claims 18 to 21.

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