Device and method for separating flat elements for the production of galvanic cells

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for separating flat elements (2) for the production of galvanic cells. The device (1) comprises a receiving unit (10) which is designed to receive a stack (3) of flat elements (2) having a plurality of flat elements (2) and to provide the flat elements (2), one after the other, to a separating region (20). The device (1) also comprises a gas supply unit (30) which is designed to supply a gas flow (21, 22) to the separating region (20), said gas flow generating a negative pressure in the separating region (20) in order to lift, by means of the generated negative pressure, a first flat element (4) from the stack (3) of flat elements (2). The device (1) is furthermore designed to exert a force (24) on the lifted first flat element (4), which causes the first flat element (4) to move out of the separating region (20) along a movement direction (6). The invention also relates to a method for separating flat elements (2) for the production of galvanic cells.

Description

[0001] Device and method for separating flat elements for the production of galvanic cells

[0002] Field of the invention

[0003] The present invention relates to the separation of stacked, flat objects. In particular, the invention relates to a device for separating flat elements for the production of galvanic cells and a method for separating flat elements for the production of galvanic cells.

[0004] Background of the invention

[0005] In the manufacture of electrochemical energy storage devices such as batteries or electrochemical energy converters such as fuel cells for electric vehicles, flat elements, such as battery elements such as monocells or individual electrodes, are produced in preliminary processes. In particular, anodes, cathodes, anode-separator combinations, cathode-separator combinations, or anode-separator-cathode-separator combinations can be produced. However, such flat elements are not always processed continuously, but are stored in magazines or intermediate storage units. In this way, individual sub-processes can be stabilized independently of one another, thus providing a more reliable overall process for processing the flat elements. However, this requires that the contents can always be removed from the magazines or intermediate storage units.Handling processes are known for this, but they are usually slow or can only be implemented with great effort.

[0006] For example, flat elements can be separated from magazines using a suction gripper. A robot or a corresponding handling device can be equipped with a suction gripper, which removes the topmost flat element from the magazine, places it at another location, and then removes the next flat element from the magazine. However, such a process is slow because the handling device is very inert due to its design. The movements required for this, especially for larger masses, require acceleration and deceleration.

[0007] Separation can also be performed using a suction roller, whereby the flat elements are sucked onto the suction roller. However, this approach is disadvantageous in that the suction roller bends the suction elements after they are removed from the stack in order to transport them to a further transport unit. This approach carries the risk that the flat elements sucked onto the suction roller could detach from the suction roller due to their inherent rigidity, or, in the case of battery cells, that the anode or cathode material could detach from the carrier film.

[0008] Description

[0009] It is an object of the present invention to make the separation of flat elements for the production of galvanic cells more gentle and reliable.

[0010] This object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Exemplary embodiments emerge from the dependent claims and the following description.

[0011] According to one aspect, a device for singulating planar elements for the production of galvanic cells, in particular battery elements, is provided. The device comprises a receiving unit designed to receive a stack of such planar elements comprising a plurality of planar elements and to provide the planar elements one after the other at a singulation area. The device also comprises a gas supply unit designed to supply a gas stream to the singulation area, which generates a negative pressure in the singulation area in order to lift a first planar element from the stack of planar elements by means of the generated negative pressure. The device is designed to exert a force on the lifted first planar element, which causes the first planar element to move out of the singulation area along a direction of movement.

[0012] In particular, the gas supply unit is designed to direct the gas flow onto a surface of the respective first (uppermost) planar element in order to generate the negative pressure in the separation area or to direct the gas flow onto the respective first (uppermost) planar element.

[0013] In particular, the gas supply unit can be designed to exert the force on the raised first planar element by means of the generated gas flow within the singulation zone, causing the first planar element to move out of the singulation zone along the direction of movement. However, another component of the device can also at least partially exert the force on the raised first planar element, causing the first planar element to move out of the singulation zone along the direction of movement.

[0014] For example, the gas supply unit can be designed to exert a first force component on the raised first planar element counter to the gas flow and a further force component that causes the first planar element to move out of the separation zone along the direction of movement. During the separation of the individual planar elements from the stack of planar elements, the gas flow is preferably directed continuously, i.e., without interruption, into the separation zone.

[0015] With the device according to the invention, the separation of flat elements, in particular fuel cell elements or battery elements, such as monocells or electrodes, can be made simpler and more reliable. Advantageously, the device described herein does not require large masses, such as gripper arms for suction grippers or the like, to be dynamically moved back and forth. This leads, among other things, to higher separation rates being achieved during separation.

[0016] Furthermore, the device according to the invention has the advantage over conventional feed devices based on suction or friction principles that the uppermost flat element can be advanced without contact, thus avoiding the risk of damage to the surface of the flat element due to the acceleration force required for advance. In contrast to a suction air roller, in which suction creates contact between the surface of the flat element to transmit the feed force by friction, the solution according to the invention only creates a grazing contact between a guide element and the conveyed flat element, which is significantly more gentle.

[0017] The device according to the invention is a device for separating flat elements for the production of galvanic cells. These can be flat elements for the production of galvanic cells, in particular electrochemical energy storage devices, in particular batteries, or electrochemical energy converters, in particular tertiary cells, such as fuel cells.

[0018] The term "battery" is generally used as a generic term for primary cells and secondary cells. The planar elements can be battery elements for producing a primary cell or a secondary cell. For example, the battery elements are monocells, bicells, individual electrodes such as anodes or cathodes, or anode-separator combinations, cathode-separator combinations, or anode-separator-cathode-separator combinations.

[0019] The flat elements can also be fuel cell elements, such as

[0020] Fuel cell electrodes (fuel cell anodes or fuel cell cathodes) or combinations of fuel cell anodes and / or fuel cell cathodes and other elements (e.g. membranes or plates) or individual fuel cell units (several of which are connected together to form a fuel cell).

[0021] The flat elements can also be battery elements or fuel cell elements that are coated and / or arranged on a carrier.

[0022] The receiving unit can serve as the starting point for the singulation process. In particular, the individual flat elements can be stacked on top of one another with their flat sides, resulting in a stack of flat elements comprising a plurality of flat elements, which stack is held in the receiving unit. The receiving unit can have a receptacle or container shape, wherein an output opening can be provided at the upper end of the receiving unit, through which the flat elements can be fed to the adjacent singulation area. Thus, the flat elements can be provided one after the other in the singulation area adjacent to the receiving unit, where the actual singulation of the flat elements then takes place.

[0023] The separation zone can be viewed as a free space directly adjacent to the discharge opening of the receiving unit. The gas stream supplied by the gas supply unit can flow freely within the separation zone. In particular, a flow with a specific flow characteristic can develop within the separation zone. The gas stream can be configured such that a buoyancy effect acts on a respective uppermost planar element, which is also referred to herein as the first planar element, in the receiving unit. This can mean that the respective uppermost planar element is lifted within the separation zone by means of the flow caused by the supplied gas stream.This lifting or lifting off of the remaining flat elements of the stack can take place in such a way that only a single flat element, namely the currently topmost flat element, moves into the singulation area and is transported there by means of the gas flow. A lifting direction or withdrawal direction in which the topmost flat element is transported when lifted off the stack can initially be directed diagonally upwards. The flow caused by the supplied gas flow can then be directed essentially forwards, i.e. approximately parallel to the top side of the stack of flat elements, due to a guide element that limits the singulation area at the top. The guide element can therefore interact with the gas flow in the singulation area in such a way that the flat element is transported out of the singulation area in a controlled and floating manner.

[0024] The gas supply unit can introduce or blow the gas flow into the singulation area, creating a negative pressure in the singulation area. The negative pressure can be caused by the accelerated gas flow, whereby the Bemoulli effect comes into play. The uppermost flat element can then be attracted and moved to an adjacent singulation roller. By targeted air flow onto the surface of the currently uppermost flat element, the movement and position of this flat element conveyed in the singulation area can be precisely controlled. In particular, the gas supply unit can introduce or blow the gas flow into the singulation area in such a way that a lateral force is exerted on the raised, uppermost (first) flat element within the singulation area, which force conveys the uppermost flat element out of the singulation area along the direction of movement.The flat element can be conveyed out of the singulation area essentially perpendicular to a stack height of the stack of flat elements, wherein the flat element is in a suspended state. In other words, by means of the flow caused by the supplied gas flow in the singulation area, a force or movement component can be exerted on the just-lifted, uppermost flat element, so that it leaves the singulation area along the direction of movement and is conveyed into a subsequent alignment unit. This direction of movement can therefore also be referred to as the exit movement direction. The gas used can be air, for example, so that the gas supply unit can be an air supply unit or a blown air unit that feeds or blows an air stream into the singulation area.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the gas supply unit is designed to exert the force on the raised first planar element by means of the supplied gas flow within the singulation region in order to thereby effect the movement of the first planar element out of the singulation region.

[0026] In this case, only the gas flow generated by the gas supply unit itself may cause the first flat element to move out of the separation area. Therefore, no additional component of the device is required to exert the required force on the raised first flat element.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the gas supply unit is designed to direct the gas flow obliquely onto a surface of the first planar element, so that the gas flow flows obliquely onto the surface of the first planar element in order to thereby exert the force on the first planar element which causes the movement of the first planar element out of the singulation region along the direction of movement.

[0028] This may mean that the gas flow is directed at an acute angle between

[0029] Gas flow direction and surface of the flat element is blown onto the surface of the flat element. The angle between the gas flow direction and the surface of the flat element can be, for example, between 10° and 80°, between 20° and 70°, between 30° and 60°, between 40° and 50° or approximately 45°. In this way, a lateral flow component is applied to the raised flat element, which drives the flat element essentially along its longitudinal axis or its transverse axis and in the exit direction of movement explained above. The flat element can thus float out of the singulation area in the direction of the exit and float into a subsequent alignment unit, where it is then optionally picked up or gripped again by a singulation roller, for example a suction roller or the like.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the gas supply unit is designed to direct the gas flow perpendicularly onto a surface of the first planar element, so that the gas flow flows perpendicularly onto the surface of the first planar element.

[0031] This may mean that the gas flow is directed at an angle of 90° between

[0032] The gas flow is blown onto the surface of the flat element in a way that is consistent with the direction of flow and the surface of the flat element. This allows the gas flow to be used solely to lift the topmost flat element from the stack. This means that a gas flow flowing vertically into the separation zone does not exert a lateral force component on the flat element; instead, this gas flow only promotes the negative pressure in the separation zone, which leads to the lifting of the flat element.

[0033] In one example, the gas flow may include a first gas flow that flows obliquely onto the surface of the first planar element, as well as a second, separate gas flow that flows perpendicularly onto a surface of the first planar element. The advantages of a perpendicular gas flow and an obliquely supplied gas flow can thus be combined. For this purpose, different openings can be provided in the gas supply unit, through which the gas flows are each fed to the separation area in a predetermined direction.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the gas supply unit has a guide element, wherein the separation region defines a free space between the guide element of the gas supply unit and a respective uppermost planar element of the stack of planar elements.

[0035] The guide element can be designed as a guide plate having a guide surface facing the singulation zone. The guide plate can thus serve as a guide element that prevents the transported flat element from moving uncontrollably out of the singulation zone after being lifted from the stack of flat elements. The guide element can form the upper boundary of the singulation zone or free space, with the receiving unit and in particular the uppermost flat element still resting on the stack forming the lower boundary of the singulation zone or free space. The free space can delimit a flow zone with a flow that remains constant over time.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the guide element has one or more gas supply openings which are designed to direct the gas flow into the separation area, in particular obliquely and / or perpendicularly onto a surface of the first planar element.

[0037] These gas supply openings can be blow openings through which the gas flow is directed onto the surface of the respective uppermost planar element. The gas supply openings can preferably be provided in the guide element, in particular a guide plate, wherein the guide element can form an upper boundary of the separation region. The gas supply unit can have a plurality of gas supply openings arranged above the respective uppermost planar element of the stack such that all gas supply openings point in the direction of the respective uppermost planar element. In at least some gas supply openings, the blowing direction of the gas supply openings is directed obliquely forward in a withdrawal direction of the planar element. Preferably, a plurality of gas supply openings are arranged distributed two-dimensionally over the guide element.

[0038] For example, a first plurality of gas supply openings may be provided that direct the gas flow perpendicularly onto a surface of the first planar element, and a second plurality of gas supply openings may be provided that direct the gas flow obliquely onto a surface of the first planar element. According to one embodiment, the guide element is arranged so close to the first planar element of the stack of planar elements that the negative pressure in the separation region is generated by means of the Bernoulli effect.

[0039] The gas supply unit can introduce or blow the gas stream into the separation area, creating a static vacuum in the space between the topmost flat element and the guide element. The short distance between the guide element and the topmost flat element facilitates the generation of the vacuum. The vacuum can be caused by the accelerated gas stream, with the Bernoulli effect taking effect. The topmost flat element can then be attracted and moved to an adjacent separation roller.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the gas supply unit comprises a gas reservoir and a gas supply line via which a gas can be supplied into the gas reservoir in order to thus generate an overpressure in the gas reservoir, wherein the guide element is arranged at a bottom of the gas reservoir.

[0041] The gas can be introduced into the gas storage unit via the gas supply line, allowing a specific pressure to be built up in the gas storage unit, which is required to provide the gas flow through the gas supply openings described above. By using suitable openings on the gas storage unit, a specific outflow velocity of the gas flow from the gas storage unit can be set. However, it is also possible to provide no gas storage unit and generate the gas flow directly via appropriate supply lines or blow lines.

[0042] Since the guide element, in particular the guide plate, is arranged at the bottom of the gas reservoir, the gas supply openings provided in the guide element are also arranged directly above the free space, i.e. the singulation area. According to one embodiment, the receiving unit is designed to guide the flat elements of the stack of flat elements in the direction of the singulation area. In particular, the receiving unit is designed to guide the flat elements of the stack of flat elements in the direction of the singulation area in order to convey a subsequent flat element into the singulation area after the first or uppermost flat element has been conveyed out of the singulation area. This enables continuous singulation of the flat elements of the stack.

[0043] The receiving unit can, for example, be adjusted depending on the height or weight of the stack of flat elements currently in the receiving unit. The adjustment can be achieved by gradually or continuously moving a base or lifting base of the receiving unit toward the separation zone. Thus, once the top (first) flat element has been removed from the stack, a second flat element is subsequently exposed to the gas stream, so that this second flat element, just like the first flat element, is lifted or removed from the remaining stack and transported out of the separation zone along the direction of movement.

[0044] The second-highest flat element may not initially be captured by the gas flow, as the top (first) flat element still obscures the gas flow. As the top (first) flat element is expelled, the flow caused by the gas flow in the separation area gradually affects the second-highest flat element. As a result, it, too, is captured and pulled upward.

[0045] Further embodiments are also possible which, instead of a vertical arrangement of the device according to the invention, also provide for an inclined arrangement of the device or the stack of flat elements. The device or the stack of flat elements can be arranged inclined in one or both directions. For example, the stack of flat elements can be arranged diagonally in its receiving unit along the direction of movement, so that the front edges of the flat elements are lower than the rear edges or vice versa, and / or it can be arranged diagonally in its receiving unit perpendicular to the direction of movement of the flat elements, so that the side edges of the flat elements are at different depths. Since the front edges or rear edges orIf the side edges of the flat elements are then pressed against the respective inner wall of the receiving unit due to gravity, a more uniform alignment of the front or rear edges and / or the side edges of the flat elements lifted from the stack can be achieved. In particular, the direction of movement of the top / first flat element can be such that it is transported diagonally upwards or downwards away from the stack.

[0046] However, embodiments are also possible in which the stack of planar elements lies essentially on its side, i.e., the planar elements of the stack are positioned essentially vertically on their edges. The direction of movement of the topmost / first planar element away from the stack can be horizontal (i.e., in the stack plane) or vertical or diagonally upward or downward away from the stack. This also allows a more uniform alignment of the side edges and / or front or rear edges of the planar elements lifted from the stack to be achieved.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the receiving unit has a retaining element which is designed to prevent a movement of one or more planar elements of the stack of planar elements during the movement of the first planar element out of the singulation area.

[0048] The retaining element, which is designed, for example, in the form of a retaining wall, and possibly additional retaining components of an alignment unit or a further transport device can help to retain the second-to-top flat element until the topmost (first) flat element has been transported away from the singulation area. Preferably, only a single flat element is lifted into the singulation area by the gas flow and moved out of the singulation area in the direction of movement, with the flat elements still in the stack at this point preferably remaining in the stack, which can be ensured by the retaining element.

[0049] By introducing or blowing side air into the receiving unit from the side, the separation of the topmost flat element from the second-highest and / or subsequent flat elements can be facilitated. An air stream can be blown in as side air from the side between the individual flat elements, thereby reducing the cohesive forces acting between the flat elements. Such cohesion is caused, for example, by electrostatic charging or friction between the flat elements. In the case of electrostatic charging, an ionized air stream can be used as side air.

[0050] According to one embodiment, the device further comprises a transport unit which is arranged adjacent to the singulation area, wherein the transport unit is designed to receive and / or further transport a planar element coming from the singulation area.

[0051] The transport unit can be located adjacent to the singulation area and be part of a further transport system. The transport unit can adjust the position, orientation, or location of the flat element just emerging from the singulation area. The transport unit can essentially catch and transport the flat element lifted by the gas flow and conveyed in the exit direction. If necessary, the orientation of the flat element just emerging from the singulation area can be adjusted using appropriate alignment means of the transport unit.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the transport unit is designed to transport the flat element coming from the singulation area essentially while maintaining the direction of movement. In this case, the transport unit can, for example, come into contact with the incoming flat element, pick it up, and then transport it to a further conveying unit. In particular, the flat element may no longer be in a suspended state here, but can be actively guided by the transport unit, for example by a singulation roller or singulation cylinder. The flat elements pulled from the stack of flat elements can therefore be transferred to the transport unit by means of the gas supply unit immediately after pulling them off. The transport unit begins immediately behind the singulation area when viewed along the pull-off direction of the flat elements.The flat elements can be transported further by the transport unit along the (out) direction of movement, i.e., along a direction approximately parallel to the top of the stack, in such a way that the flat elements do not change their orientation or change it only minimally. Upon entering the transport unit, the flat elements preferably remain in the same position as they were on the stack.

[0053] According to one embodiment, the transport unit is an alignment unit designed to align the planar element coming from the singulation area.

[0054] The alignment unit can, in particular, have an alignment element for adjusting the orientation of the flat element emerging from the singulation zone. The alignment element can be a stop provided on the above-described singulation roller, for example in the form of a projection or a cam. In particular, the alignment element can be provided on an outer circumference of the singulation roller or on a rotor of the singulation roller. The alignment element can ensure that the flat element is aligned with its front edge or side edge facing forward, so that the flat element is conveyed into the onward conveying unit in a straight line rather than at an angle. The transport unit or the alignment unit can have a singulation roller designed to suction up the flat element emerging from the singulation zone.The separating roller can be designed in the form of a suction roller and thus sucks up the flat element just emerging from the separating area so that it can be fed into a subsequent transport path in a controlled manner. During suction, the incoming flat element can be pressed against a surface of the suction roller, whereby the flat element adheres securely to the suction roller and can be transported further by it. The suction roller can also be referred to as a suction roll. It can have a rotor and a stator arranged within the rotor. The suction roller can have a suction mechanism which, for example, creates a negative pressure in a suction area on the circumference of the suction roller in order to suck up the flat element.

[0055] In one example, the transport unit or the alignment unit is designed to adjust the speed of the flat element emerging from the singulation area. The flat element emerging from the singulation area or still suspended can move out of the singulation area at a specific exit speed. After catching this flat element emerging from the singulation area, the singulation roller can, for example, directly adjust the further conveyance speed of the flat element by adjusting the rotation speed of the singulation roller. The flat element can be decelerated or accelerated during pickup by the singulation roller.

[0056] In one example, the transport unit or the alignment unit is designed to adjust a distance between two consecutive planar elements coming from the separation area using the alignment element.

[0057] In particular, it can be provided that a distance is set between a leading edge of a flat element emerging from the singulation area and a leading edge of a subsequent flat element emerging from the singulation area. In this way, it can be ensured that all flat elements emerging from the singulation area always have the same distance from one another. This can be achieved by adjusting the rotation speed of the singulation roller described above, with the alignment element serving as a stop and thus for positioning the respective flat element by the alignment unit.

[0058] According to one embodiment, the device further comprises a detection unit which is designed to detect a planar element coming from the singulation area and to transmit a corresponding detection signal to a control unit of the device.

[0059] The control unit can be used to selectively set the singulation roller in motion, for example, at a pre-determined rotation speed, as soon as a flat element emerging from the singulation area reaches or passes a specific location. This location can be located at an exit from the singulation area or at an entrance to the alignment unit. Alternatively, the singulation roller can also be moved continuously. The detection signal from the detection unit can thus be fed to the control unit, so that this control unit sets the singulation roller in motion, stops it, or sets a rotation speed of the singulation roller. The detection unit can comprise a sensor or a sensor arrangement. For example, the detection unit can include a light barrier or the like.

[0060] According to one aspect, a method for singulating planar elements for the production of galvanic cells, e.g. battery elements, is provided. Reference is made to the examples of such planar elements mentioned at the outset. In one step of the method, a stack of planar elements comprising a plurality of planar elements is provided. In a further step, a gas stream is fed into a singulation region by means of a gas feed unit, such that a negative pressure is generated in the singulation region, which lifts a first planar element from the stack of planar elements. The gas feed unit can be the gas feed unit of the device according to the invention described above. In a further step, a force is exerted on the first planar element, causing the first planar element to move out of the singulation region along a direction of movement.The force can be exerted, for example, by means of the gas supply unit or by means of another device. For example, a component of the above-described device according to the invention can at least partially exert the force on the raised first planar element, causing the first planar element to move out of the separation area along the direction of movement. The individual method steps can be performed in the specified order.

[0061] Short description of the characters

[0062] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a device for separating flat elements.

[0063] Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of another device for separating flat elements.

[0064] Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of the device shown in Fig. 1 for separating flat elements.

[0065] Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the device shown in Fig. 1 for separating flat elements including a further transport unit.

[0066] Fig. 5 shows a schematic representation of the device shown in Fig. 1 for separating flat elements, with a focus on an alignment unit. Fig. 6 shows a detailed view of the alignment unit shown in Fig. 5.

[0067] Fig. 7 shows a plan view of the device for separating flat elements shown in Fig. 5.

[0068] Fig. 8 shows a side view of the device shown in Fig. 1 for separating flat elements including a further transport unit.

[0069] Fig. 9 shows a plan view of the device shown in Fig. 1 for separating flat elements including a further transport unit.

[0070] Fig. 10 shows a perspective top view of the device shown in Fig. 1 for separating flat elements including a further transport unit.

[0071] Fig. 11 shows a perspective bottom view of the device shown in Fig. 1 for separating flat elements including a further transport unit.

[0072] Fig. 12 shows a flow chart for a method for separating flat elements.

[0073] Detailed description of exemplary embodiments

[0074] The representations in the figures are schematic and not to scale. Where the same reference numerals are used in different figures in the following description, these designate identical or similar elements. Identical or similar elements may, however, also be designated by different reference numerals. Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a device 1 for separating flat elements 2, e.g., battery cells.

[0075] The device 1 comprises a receiving unit 10, which is designed to receive a stack 3 of planar elements 2 comprising a plurality of planar elements 2 and to provide the planar elements 2 one after the other for a singulation area 20 adjacent to the top of the receiving unit 10. The device 1 further comprises a gas supply unit 30, which is designed to supply a gas stream 21, 22 to the singulation area 20, which generates a negative pressure 50 in the singulation area 20 in order to lift or remove a first planar element 4 from the stack 3 by means of the generated negative pressure 50.The gas supply unit 30 can, by means of the generated gas flow 21, 22 within the singulation area 20, exert a force 24 on the raised first planar element 4, which causes a movement of the first planar element 4 out of the singulation area 20 along a direction of movement 6 and into a transport unit 40 or alignment unit 40 adjoining the singulation area 20.

[0076] The receiving unit 10 can have a base 11 on which the stack 3 of flat elements 2 is stacked. The base 11 can be designed in the form of a lifting base 11, which continuously feeds the flat elements 2 of the stack 3 toward the separation area 20. The arrow 13 indicates the feed direction of the lifting base 11 for the feeding. The feeding of the stack 3 can be based on a current weight or a current stack height of the stack 3. If, for example, the first flat element 4 is lifted from the stack 3, the weight of the stack 3 acting on the lifting base 11 is reduced. Likewise, the stack height of the stack 3 is also reduced.Consequently, the lifting floor 11 can be moved upwards, so that a second flat element 2, like the first flat element 4 previously, is provided at the singulation area 20, in order to then also lift it from the stack 3 using the negative pressure 50 generated by the gas flow 21, 22. This process is repeated until all flat elements 2 of the stack 3 have been lifted and thus separated. The tracking of the lifting floor 11 can, for example, be camera-controlled, with the current stack height being recorded by a camera unit not shown in Fig. 1.

[0077] The receiving unit 10 can also have a retaining element 12, which is designed to prevent movement of one or more planar elements 2 of the stack 3 during the movement of the respective uppermost planar element 4 out of the singulation area 20. This means that the retaining element 12 retains all planar elements 2 still in the stack 3 until the uppermost planar element 2 has at least largely left the singulation area 20.

[0078] By means of a side air unit (not shown in Fig. 1), side air can be introduced or blown laterally into the receiving unit 10 in order to facilitate the separation of the uppermost flat element 4 from the second-highest and / or the subsequent flat elements 2. In this case, an air stream can be blown in as side air laterally between the individual flat elements 2, thereby reducing the cohesive forces acting between the flat elements 2. The lifting of the uppermost flat element 2 from the stack 3 by means of the negative pressure 50 in the separation area 20 is thereby facilitated. Instead of air, another gas can also be used for the lateral blowing.

[0079] The gas supply unit 30 generates the gas flow 21, 22 by blowing a pressurized gas, for example, air, from the openings 31, 32 into the separation area 20. In the case illustrated in Fig. 1, only two openings 31, 32 are shown. However, it should be understood that any number of such openings 31, 32 can be provided in a housing 35, in particular in a guide element 33, of the gas supply unit 30.

[0080] The configuration shown in Fig. 1 has a first opening 31 through which a first gas stream 21 is directed perpendicularly onto a surface 5 of the first planar element 4 or the respective uppermost planar element 2, such that the generated first gas stream 21 flows perpendicularly onto the surface 5 of the first planar element 4. This configuration also has a second opening 32 through which a second gas stream 22 is directed obliquely onto the surface 5 of the first planar element 4 or the respective uppermost planar element 2, such that the generated second gas stream 22 flows the surface

[0081] 5 of the first planar element 4. Due to the different flow directions of the first planar element 4 or the respective uppermost planar element 2, forces 23 or 24 can act on the respective planar element 2, 4, which lead to a lifting or lifting of the planar element 2, 4 from the stack 3 and also a feed of the floating planar element 2, 4 in the direction of movement

[0082] 6. In particular, the vertical first gas stream 21 may not cause a direct advance on the floating planar element 2, 4 in the direction of movement 6 due to the balancing lateral forces 23, but such a vertical first gas stream 21 can, due to its flow velocity and the resulting flow properties, cause a negative pressure 50 according to the Bemoulli effect, wherein this negative pressure 50 leads to the respective uppermost planar element 2, 4 being lifted or lifted off the stack 3. The planar element 2, 4 is thereby transferred into a floating state or a partial floating state within the singulation region 20. The oblique second gas stream 22, on the other hand, can cause both a negative pressure and a advance due to the lateral forces 24, since the second gas stream 22 results in a greater force 24 or momentum component 24 in the direction of movement 6.The flat element 2, 4 is thereby lifted from the stack 3 at an angle, i.e. upwards and in the direction of movement 6. The direction of movement 6 can represent an exit movement direction of the respective flat element 2, 4 from the separation area 20.

[0083] The separation region 20 is defined as a free space between the guide element 33, for example a guide plate, of the gas supply unit 30 and the respective uppermost planar element 2, 4 of the stack 3. The guide element 33 can form a lower end of a housing 35 of the gas supply unit 30. The gas supply unit 30 can further comprise a cavity 34 or a gas reservoir 34 in which the gas required for the gas flow 21, 22 can be kept or temporarily stored. Within this gas reservoir 34, the gas pressure can be increased compared to ambient pressure (see arrows within the housing 35), so that the gas flow 21, 22 can ultimately be generated from the openings 31, 32. The gas reservoir 34 can be fed via a gas supply line 36.

[0084] The guide element 33 forms a gas guide surface facing the separation region 20 with the openings 31, 32 and possibly further openings not shown in Figure 1, which can be arranged two-dimensionally distributed over the guide element 33. The gas can build up in the gas reservoir 34 to form an air cushion, which flows outwards through many straight or obliquely directed openings 31, 32 in the form of bores in the direction of the currently uppermost flat element 2, 4. The openings 31, 32 or bores can have a diameter of less than 5 mm, for example 0.15 mm. If a flat element 2, 4 is now brought close to the vertical or oblique openings 31, 32, the gas flow 21, 22 fans out over the uppermost flat element 2, 4 and is distributed in all directions. According to the Bernoulli effect, an area with static suppression 50 is created in the separation area 20.This depression 50 thus generates an upward force on the planar element 2, 4, whereby the uppermost planar element 2, 4 is lifted from the stack 3. With the oblique opening 32 and possibly further oblique openings, which are directed at an acute angle to the feed direction, an additional force is generated in the direction of movement 6, which transports the uppermost planar element 2, 4 along the direction of movement 6 to the subsequent alignment unit 40 and to the further conveying device 60, for example a roller or belt transport or a conveyor belt. The planar element 2, 4 raised in this way can virtually float out of the separation area 20. The guide element 33 can assist the alignment of the planar element 2, 4 as it floats out. The arrangement can be designed for external or longitudinal separation of the planar elements 2, 4.This means that the elongated flat elements 2, 4 are separated in their longitudinal direction and therefore with the short edge first, or that the elongated flat elements 2, 4 are separated in their transverse direction and therefore with the long edge first. The alignment unit 40 of the device 1 is arranged adjacent to the singulation area 20 and is designed to receive a flat element 2, 4 coming from the singulation area 20 and to align its orientation. The flat element 2, 4 coming from the singulation area 20 can be conveyed further essentially while maintaining the direction of movement 6 and can be fed to the subsequent onward conveying device 60.

[0085] The alignment unit 40 may comprise a roller 41 or cylinder 41 and a stationary retaining component 47, which are explained in more detail in Figures 5 and 6. The rotation directions of the roller 41 and the retaining component 47 are indicated by arrows 45 and 46. The onward conveying device 60 may have transport rollers 61, 62. These components will also be explained in more detail below.

[0086] Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of another device 1 for singulating flat elements 2. The singulating device 1 of Fig. 2 has essentially the same components as the singulating device 1 of Fig. 1, with the difference that the gas supply unit 30 is designed differently. In particular, the gas supply unit 30 has a plurality of discrete blowing nozzles 37, by means of which the gas flow or gas flows are directed onto the respective uppermost flat element 2, 4. The blowing nozzles 37 can provide different partial gas flows in order to specifically apply a movement component to the respective uppermost flat element 2, 4 and thus to direct it specifically through the singulating region 20. The blowing nozzles 37 can, as shown, extend through the guide element 33 and into the singulating region 20. With regard to the remaining components shown in Fig. 2, reference is made to Figure 1.

[0087] Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of the device 1 shown in Fig. 1 for separating flat elements 2. Visible is the receiving unit 10, which contains a receiving housing 14 in the form of a magazine 14 in which the flat elements 2 are stacked, as well as an internal lifting device (not shown). Also shown is the separating region 20 arranged between an upper edge of the magazine 14 and the guide element 33, where the uppermost flat element 2 is conveyed out of the receiving unit 10 by the gas flow (not shown here) and guided in the direction of movement 6 to the alignment unit 40 formed by the roller 41 and the retaining component 47. In Fig. 3, the gas supply line 36 or a corresponding gas supply connection 36 is also indicated, which forms a gas inlet via which the gas required for the gas flow is conveyed into the housing 35 of the gas supply unit 30.

[0088] Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the device 1 shown in Fig. 1 for separating flat elements 2, including the additional conveying device 60 already mentioned above. The starting point is again the receiving unit 10, which comprises the magazine 14 with the stack 3 of flat elements located therein. The gas supply unit 30, whose housing 35 and gas supply line 36 are shown, ensures that the uppermost flat element 2 is conveyed from the stack 3 into the alignment unit 40, as described above with reference to Fig. 1. The flat element 2 is then picked up or caught by the alignment unit 40, so that an orientation of the flat element 2 and / or a distance between successive flat elements 2 can be adjusted.The flat elements 2 are then introduced into the onward conveying device 60, which has opposing transport rollers 61, 62 (see also Figure 1). These transport rollers 61, 62 and additional guide rollers of a conveyor belt unit 70, together with opposing conveyor belts, form a conveyor belt mechanism 71, which conveys the flat elements 2 one after the other in the direction of movement 6. The two opposing conveyor belts clamp the flat elements 2 during transport through the conveying device 60, so that their orientation and spacing can be maintained during transport.

[0089] Fig. 5 shows a schematic representation of the device 1 shown in Fig. 1 for separating flat elements 2, with a focus on the alignment unit 40. With regard to the components and the functioning of the receiving unit 10, the gas supply unit 30, and the further conveying device 60, reference is made to the explanations with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 5 shows a state in which the uppermost (first) flat element 4 is just being conveyed out of the separating area 20. In particular, the first flat element 4 is just entering the alignment unit 40. The alignment unit 40 has a separating roller 41, for example a friction roller 41 or a suction roller 41. The separating roller 41 rotates counterclockwise (cf. arrow direction 45 in the detailed view of Fig.6) to convey the first planar element 4 through the alignment unit 40 to the onward conveying device 60. The separating roller 41 can further accelerate the just-transported planar element 4 to bring it to a higher transport speed than that achieved by the gas supply unit 30. Similarly, the separating roller 41 can also be used to decelerate the just-transported planar element 4.

[0090] As shown in more detail in the detailed view of Figure 6, the separating roller 41 can have an insert 42 which has an alignment element 43. The alignment element 43 can, for example, form a stop, a cam or a projection which is arranged on a circumferential surface of the separating roller 41 and is designed to adjust an orientation of the flat element 4 coming from the separating area 20. In particular, the flat element 4 coming from the separating area 20 can abut against the alignment element 43 and thus the front edge of the flat element 4 can be aligned with the alignment element 43. The insert 42 or the alignment element 43 can be designed as a friction element, for example using rubber. The state shown in Figures 5 and 6 represents the point in time at which the flat element 4 just abuts against the alignment element 43.

[0091] As can also be seen from Figures 5 and 6, the separating roller 41 has a suction mechanism formed by suction channels 44. By means of this suction mechanism, a flat element 4 entering the alignment unit 40 can be sucked into the separating roller 41 so that it can be transported safely further. The suction mechanism or the suction channels 44 can extend within the insert 42, as can be seen in Fig. 6. By sucking the flat element 2 onto the separating roller 41, the frictional force between the insert 42, designed as a friction element, and the flat element 2 can be increased, which promotes controlled transport of the flat element 2 through the alignment unit 40.By means of the alignment element 43 in conjunction with a specific rotational speed of the singling roller 41, a precise distance can be specifically set between two consecutive flat elements 2, 4 coming from the singling area 20. For each revolution of the singling roller 41, one flat element 2 can be sucked in and aligned by the singling roller 41. However, it should be understood that two inserts 42 or alignment elements 43 can be provided in the singling roller 41 in order to double the throughput rate and thus the alignment rate of the incoming flat elements 2. For each revolution of the singling roller 41, two consecutive flat elements 2 can then be sucked in and aligned by the singling roller 41. The guide element 33 of the gas supply unit 30 continuously feeds the topmost flat element 2.This is then held by the separating roller 41 until it has finished its rotation and is ready to pick up the next flat element 2.

[0092] Figures 5 and 6 also show a first sensor 51 of a detection unit 50. This first sensor 51 can detect a position and / or orientation of the planar element 2, 4 entering the alignment unit 40 and then output a detection signal to a control unit (not shown) of the device 1, whereupon the control unit controls rotation of the separating roller 41 or other components of the device 1. The first sensor 51 can be located in the same plane as the alignment element 43. For example, the first sensor 51 can be arranged laterally offset from the alignment element 43. The first sensor 51 detects a planar element 2 and causes the planar element 2 to be sucked onto the insert 42 by means of a negative pressure 50.The rotation of the separating roller 41 can then be initiated, so that the flat element 2 can be moved forward toward the onward conveying device 60. Alternatively, the separating roller 41 can also rotate continuously.

[0093] A second sensor 52 is located in the further conveying device 60. This second sensor detects the flat element 2 and can initiate transport by means of the further conveying device 60 via the control unit.

[0094] Alternatively, the further conveying device 60 can rotate continuously and constantly transport away flat elements 2.

[0095] Furthermore, a retaining component 47 can be seen in Figures 5 and 6, wherein the retaining component 47 is shown here as a stationary retaining block. However, the retaining component 47 can also be designed as a roller, as in Figures 1 to 3, that rotates counterclockwise (see arrow direction 46 in Fig. 1). The retaining component 47 can also have a suction mechanism with suction channels 48, so that the retaining component 47 can also suck up an incoming flat element 2. For example, if two stacked, adhering flat elements 2 are introduced into the alignment unit 40 simultaneously, i.e., still stacked on top of one another, the retaining component 47 can suck up and retain the lower flat element 2, while the upper flat element 2 is sucked up and / or conveyed further by the separating roller 41.This allows the two unintentionally adhering flat elements 2 to be separated from each other, so that the separation process can be supported by the retaining component 47. The retention by the retaining component 47 can be achieved by means of a friction element on the retaining component 47 and / or by means of the suction mechanism of the retaining component 47. It can be provided that the suction force of the suction mechanism of the separating roller 41 is greater than the suction force of the suction mechanism of the retaining component 47.

[0096] Fig. 7 shows a top view of the device 1 shown in Fig. 5 for separating flat elements 2. The top view shows the guide element 33 of the gas supply unit 30 viewed from above. As can be seen, three or more separating rollers 41 can be provided in the alignment unit 40, each spaced apart from one another in its axial direction. The further conveying device 60 can have two upper rollers 61. A lateral alignment element 15 can be provided to provide a lateral guide surface for the flat elements 2 stacked in the magazine 14 and for the flat elements conveyed in the separating area 20 (see Fig. 3). The lateral alignment element 15 serves for the lateral alignment of the flat elements 2.It can be provided that a gas flow component from obliquely directed gas channels is introduced into the separation area in such a way that the gas flow component blows in the direction of the lateral alignment element 15. The corresponding gas channels or gas flow openings can in turn be provided in the guide element 33, as described above.

[0097] Figures 8 to 11 show various views of the device 1 shown in Fig. 1 for separating flat elements 2, including the onward conveying device 60. For the individual components of the receiving unit 10, the gas supply unit 30, and the alignment unit 40, reference is made to the preceding figures. The onward conveying device 60 and the conveyor belt unit 70 will now be explained in more detail.

[0098] Fig. 8 shows a side view of the device 1. The transport rollers 61, 62 and additional guide rollers of the conveyor belt unit 70 together form a conveyor belt mechanism 71, which conveys the flat elements 2 one after the other in the direction of movement 6 (see Fig. 1). The conveyor belt unit 70 ensures that the orientation of the flat elements 2 and the distance between the flat elements 2 are maintained during transport. Furthermore, Fig. 8 shows a possible embodiment of the separating rollers 41. In particular, a separating roller 41 can have a stator 411 and a rotor 412, which rotates relative to the stator 411. Fig. 9 shows a top view of the device 1 shown in Fig. 1 for separating flat elements 2, including the further conveying device 60.As can be seen, the conveyor belt unit 70 has a drive 72, which drives the conveyor belt mechanism 71, in particular a conveyor belt of the conveyor belt mechanism 71. The separating rollers 41 of the alignment unit 40 and the upper rollers 61 of the further conveying device 60 can also be seen.

[0099] Fig. 10 shows a perspective top view of the device 1 shown in Fig. 1 for separating flat elements 2, including the onward conveying device 60. The onward conveying device 60 can have two upper conveyor rollers 61 that are spaced apart from one another in the axial direction. Likewise, the onward conveying device 60 can have two lower conveyor rollers 62 that are spaced apart from one another in the axial direction. The lower and upper conveyor rollers 61, 62 together form a clamping section 63, wherein the flat elements 2 entering the onward conveying device 60 are clamped between the conveyor rollers 61 and 62 or between conveyor belts carried by the conveyor rollers 61 and 62. Furthermore, the stator-rotor arrangement 411, 412 of the separating roller 41 can again be seen. In Fig.10 also shows the gas supply connections 36, via which the required gas is supplied to the gas supply unit 30 (see again Fig. 1).

[0100] Finally, Fig. 11 shows a perspective bottom view of the device 1 shown in Fig. 1 for separating flat elements 2, including the further conveying device 60. Here, too, the stator-rotor arrangement 411, 412 of the separating roller 41 can be seen. Likewise, the magazine 14 of the receiving unit 10 and the guide element 33 of the gas supply unit 30 facing the magazine 14 are visible.

[0101] Fig. 12 shows a flow chart for a method for singulating planar elements for the production of galvanic cells, e.g. battery elements. The method is carried out, for example, using a device 1 as described above. In a step 100 of the method, a stack 3 of planar elements 2 comprising a multiplicity of planar elements 2 is provided. In a step 200, a gas stream 21, 22 is fed into a singulation region 20 by means of a gas feed unit 30, such that a negative pressure 50 is generated in the singulation region 20, which negative pressure lifts a first planar element 4 from the stack 3 of planar elements 2. In a step 300, a force 24 is exerted on the first planar element 4, which force causes the first planar element 4 to move out of the singulation region 20 along a direction of movement 6.The force 24 can be exerted, for example, by means of the gas supply unit 30 or by means of another device. For example, a component of the device 1 described above can at least partially exert the force 24 on the raised first planar element 4, which causes the first planar element 4 to move out of the separation area 20 along the direction of movement 6.

Claims

Patent claims 1. A device (1) for singulating planar elements (2) for the production of galvanic cells, comprising: a receiving unit (10) designed to receive a stack (3) of planar elements (2) with a plurality of planar elements (2) and to provide the planar elements (2) one after the other to a singulation area (20); a gas supply unit (30) designed to supply a gas stream (21, 22) to the singulation area (20), which generates a negative pressure in the singulation area (20) in order to lift a first planar element (4) from the stack (3) of planar elements (2) by means of the generated negative pressure; wherein the device (1) is designed to exert a force (24) on the lifted first planar element (4), which causes the first planar element (4) to move out of the singulation area (20) along a direction of movement (6).

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the gas supply unit (30) is designed to exert the force (24) on the raised first planar element (4) by means of the supplied gas flow (21, 22) within the singling area (20) in order to thus effect the movement of the first planar element (4) out of the singling area (20) along the direction of movement (6).

3. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the gas supply unit (30) is designed to direct the supplied gas flow (21, 22) obliquely onto a surface (5) of the first planar element (4), so that the supplied gas flow (21, 22) flows obliquely onto the surface (5) of the first planar element (4) in order to thereby apply the force (24) to the first flat element (4) which causes the movement of the first flat element (4) from the separation area (20) along the direction of movement (6).

4. Device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the gas supply unit (30) is designed to direct the supplied gas stream (21, 22) perpendicularly onto a surface (5) of the first planar element (4), so that the supplied gas stream (21, 22) flows perpendicularly onto the surface (5) of the first planar element (4).

5. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the gas supply unit (30) has a guide element (33); wherein the separation region (20) defines a free space between the guide element (33) of the gas supply unit (30) and a respective uppermost planar element (2) of the stack (3) of planar elements (2).

6. Device (1) according to claim 5, wherein the guide element (33) has one or more gas supply openings (31, 32) which are designed to direct the gas flow (21, 22) into the separation area (20).

7. Device (1) according to one of claims 5 to 6, wherein the guide element (33) is arranged so close to the first planar element (4) of the stack (3) of planar elements (2) that the negative pressure in the separation region (20) is generated by means of the Bemoulli effect.

8. Device (1) according to one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the gas supply unit (30) has a gas reservoir (34) and a gas supply line (36) via which a gas can be supplied into the gas reservoir (34) in order to thus generate an overpressure in the gas reservoir (34); wherein the guide element (33) is arranged at a bottom of the gas storage (34).

9. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the receiving unit (10) is designed to guide the flat elements (2) of the stack (3) of flat elements (2) in the direction of the separating area (20).

10. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the receiving unit (10) has a retaining element (12) which is designed to prevent movement of one or more flat elements (2) of the stack (3) of flat elements (2) during the movement of the first flat element (4) out of the singulation area (20).

11. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising: a transport unit (40) arranged adjacent to the singulation area (20); wherein the transport unit (40) is designed to receive and / or further transport a flat element (2) coming from the singulation area (20).

12. Device (1) according to claim 11, wherein the transport unit (40) is designed to transport the flat element (2) coming from the singulation area (20) further essentially while maintaining the direction of movement (6).

13. Device (1) according to one of claims 11 to 12, wherein the transport unit (40) is an alignment unit (40) which is designed to align the flat element (2) coming from the singulation area (20).

14. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising: a detection unit (50) which is designed to detect a flat element (2) coming from the singulation area (20) and to transmit a corresponding detection signal to a control unit of the device (1).

15. A method for separating flat elements (2) for the production of galvanic cells, comprising: Providing a stack (3) of planar elements (2) with a plurality of planar elements (2, 100); Feeding a gas stream (21, 22) by means of a gas feed unit (30) into a singling area (20) so that a negative pressure is generated in the singling area (20), which negative pressure lifts (200) a first planar element (4) from the stack (3) of planar elements (2); Exerting a force (24) on the first planar element (4) which causes a movement of the first planar element (4) out of the separation area (20) along a direction of movement (6) (300).

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