Cutting device and cutting method

Abstract

Provided is a cutting device comprising: a first lower blade on which a metal foil laminate is placed; a holding member arranged above the metal foil laminate, the holding member being configured to press the metal foil laminate against the first lower blade; an upper blade arranged above the metal foil laminate, the upper blade being configured to cut the metal foil laminate downward from an upper-surface side through a shearing action generated between the upper blade and the first lower blade; and a second lower blade arranged at a position facing the upper blade in the lamination direction, the second lower blade being configured to cut part of the metal foil laminate in the lamination direction upward from a lower-surface side.

Description

Cutting device and cutting method

[0001] The present invention relates to a cutting device and a cutting method.

[0002] Metal foils are used in a variety of applications, for example, as current collectors in solid-state batteries.

[0003] Metal foils are sometimes cut to adjust their shape. In this case, multiple metal foils may be cut together. Specifically, multiple metal foils may be laminated as a metal foil laminate, and the metal foil laminate may be cut.

[0004] Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent No. 6004117) discloses a technique for cutting metal foil, which discloses "a cutting device having a lower blade and an upper blade that can mesh with the lower blade, and that cuts metal foil placed on the lower blade by a shearing action based on the meshing of the lower blade and upper blade, and in which the lower blade is provided with a holding means having a greater coefficient of friction than the lower blade so as to be interposed between the lower blade and the metal foil placed thereon."

[0005] The present inventors have also investigated a method of cutting a metal foil laminate using a lower blade and an upper blade by the shearing action generated between the lower blade and the upper blade. Specifically, they have investigated a method of cutting the metal foil laminate by placing the metal foil laminate on the lower blade and moving the upper blade downward. However, they encountered the problem that increasing the number of metal foils can result in burrs being generated near the underside of the metal foil laminate.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of suppressing the generation of burrs that occur when cutting a metal foil laminate.

[0007] In one aspect, the cutting device of the present invention comprises a first lower blade on which a metal foil laminate is placed, a holding member arranged above the metal foil laminate and configured to press the metal foil laminate against the first lower blade, an upper blade arranged above the metal foil laminate and configured to cut the metal foil laminate from the top surface side downward by a shearing action generated between the upper blade and the first lower blade, and a second lower blade arranged in a position opposite the upper blade in the stacking direction and configured to cut a portion of the metal foil laminate in the stacking direction from the bottom surface side upward.

[0008] In one aspect, the cutting method of the present invention includes the steps of placing a metal foil laminate on a first lower blade, and after the placing step, pressing and holding the metal foil laminate against the first lower blade, and after the holding step, cutting a portion of the metal foil laminate in the stacking direction from the bottom side, and after the cutting step, using an upper blade to cut the metal foil laminate from the top side by shearing action between the first lower blade and the upper blade.

[0009] Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a cutting device according to a first embodiment. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a cutting method. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a modified example of the first embodiment. Fig. 4 is a perspective view schematically showing an example of a configuration during production of an all-solid-state battery. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a configuration when cutting a stack of current collector foils in an all-solid-state battery.

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] (1) First Embodiment Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a cutting device 1 according to this embodiment. The cutting device 1 is used to cut a metal foil laminate 2. The metal foil laminate 2 has a configuration in which a plurality of metal foils are stacked. Hereinafter, the stacking direction of the metal foil laminate 2 may be referred to as the "stacking direction."

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1 , the cutting device 1 includes a first lower blade 3 , a holding member 4 , an upper blade 5 , a second lower blade 6 , a lower plate 7 and an upper plate 9 .

[0013] The first lower blade 3 is the portion on which the metal foil laminate 2 is placed. The first lower blade 3 has a cutting edge 3a. The cutting edge 3a is formed by a corner between the upper surface and the outer end surface. The metal foil laminate 2 is placed on the upper surface of the first lower blade 3 so that its outer peripheral edge is positioned outside the cutting edge 3a. The first lower blade 3 itself is supported by a lower plate 7.

[0014] The holding member 4 is provided to press the metal foil laminate 2 against the first lower blade 3. The holding member 4 is disposed above the metal foil laminate 2. The holding member 4 is supported by an upper plate 9 via an elastic body 8. A spring, for example, is used as the elastic body 8. The spring may, for example, be one having an air cylinder. The upper plate 9 is movable in the vertical direction (stacking direction). When the upper plate 9 is moved downward, the holding member 4 comes into contact with the metal foil laminate 2. This allows the holding member 4 to elastically press the metal foil laminate 2 against the first lower blade 3.

[0015] The upper blade 5 is disposed above the metal foil laminate 2. The upper blade 5 is configured to be movable along the lamination direction. The upper blade 5 is configured to cut the metal foil laminate 2 by a shearing action generated between the upper blade 5 and the first lower blade 3. That is, the upper blade 5 cuts the metal foil laminate 2 from the upper surface downward. Specifically, the upper blade 5 has a cutting edge 5a. The cutting edge 5a is located slightly outward of the cutting edge 3a of the first lower blade 3 when viewed along the lamination direction. When the upper blade 5 is moved downward, the cutting edge 5a comes into contact with the metal foil laminate 2. Then, the metal foil laminate 2 is cut by a shearing action generated between the cutting edge 3a of the first lower blade 3 and the cutting edge 5a of the upper blade 5. The upper blade 5 may be supported by the upper plate 9 or by a member separate from the upper plate 9.

[0016] The second lower blade 6 is configured to cut a portion of the metal foil laminate 2 from the lower surface side upward. The second lower blade 6 is disposed in a position opposite the upper blade 5 in the stacking direction. The second lower blade 6 is disposed outside the first lower blade 3. Specifically, the second lower blade 6 has a cutting edge 6a. The cutting edge 6a is disposed in a position opposite the cutting edge 5a of the upper blade 5 in the stacking direction.

[0017] The second lower blade 6 is configured to be movable in the stacking direction. For example, the second lower blade 6 is supported by a plate (not shown) separate from the lower plate 7.

[0018] The above is a schematic configuration of the cutting device 1 according to this embodiment. Next, the cutting method according to this embodiment will be described. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view that schematically illustrates the cutting method. Fig. 2 illustrates the configuration of the main parts of the cutting device 1.

[0019] First, as shown in Fig. 2(a) , the metal foil laminate 2 is placed on the first lower blade 3. Then, the holding member 4 is pressed against the metal foil laminate 2. As a result, the metal foil laminate 2 is pressed against the first lower blade 3 by the holding member 4 and held therein.

[0020] Next, as shown in Fig. 2(b), the second lower blade 6 is raised. This cuts a portion of the metal foil laminate 2 in the lamination direction. Specifically, a portion of the lower side of the metal foil laminate 2 is cut. The cutting depth at this time is, for example, 10 to 80%, preferably 30 to 70%, of the thickness of the metal foil laminate 2. After cutting, the second lower blade 6 is lowered.

[0021] Next, as shown in Fig. 2(c), the upper blade 5 is lowered until its cutting edge is positioned below the upper surface of the first lower blade 3. As a result, the metal foil laminate 2 is cut downward from the upper surface side. As a result, the metal foil laminate 2 is completely cut.

[0022] According to the method described above, the occurrence of burrs is suppressed. If the second lower blade 6 were not present, the metal foil laminate 2 would be cut from the top surface to the bottom surface by only the upper blade 5. In this case, a force that tears off the metal foil present near the bottom surface of the metal foil laminate 2 would be generated before the upper blade 5 comes into contact with it. As a result, burrs are likely to occur. In contrast, according to this embodiment, the bottom surface of the metal foil laminate 2, where burrs are likely to occur, is cut in advance by the second lower blade 6. Therefore, burrs are less likely to occur on the metal foil laminate 2 when the metal foil laminate 2 is cut by the upper blade 5.

[0023] Furthermore, if the second lower blade 6 were not present, adhesion (adhesion of cutting debris) would be more likely to occur to the blades (upper blade 5 and first lower blade 3). In contrast, according to this embodiment, the vicinity of the lower surface of the metal foil laminate 2 is cut in advance by the second lower blade 6, thereby making it possible to suppress the occurrence of adhesion.

[0024] It is preferable that the first lower blade 3, upper blade 5, and second lower blade 6 are configured independently of one another. Specifically, it is preferable that the clearance between each blade, the cutting speed and timing of the upper blade 5 and second lower blade 6, and the cutting depth by the second lower blade 6 can be freely set. With such a configuration, it becomes possible to adopt appropriate cutting conditions depending on the number and thickness of the metal foil laminate 2.

[0025] More preferably, the holding member 4 is also configured independently of the first lower blade 3, the upper blade 5, and the second lower blade 6. With such a configuration, it becomes possible to hold the metal foil laminate 2 with an appropriate force depending on the number and thickness of the metal foil laminate 2.

[0026] Preferably, a shear angle is provided on the cutting edge 5 a of the upper blade 5 and / or the cutting edge 6 a of the second lower blade 6. Preferably, the cutting edge 5 a of the upper blade 5 and / or the cutting edge 6 a of the second lower blade 6 have an acute tip angle. When the upper blade 5 and the second lower blade 6 have such shapes, it becomes possible to cut the metal foil laminate 2 sharply.

[0027] (2) Modifications Next, a modification of this embodiment will be described. Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a modification of this embodiment. In this modification, stoppers (10-1, 10-2) are added. The stoppers (10-1, 10-2) are provided to prevent contact between the upper blade 5 and the second lower blade 6. The stopper 10-1 is connected to the upper blade 5. The stopper 10-2 is connected to the second lower blade 6. The stoppers 10-1 and 10-2 are arranged at positions facing each other in the stacking direction.

[0028] According to this modification, when the distance between the upper blade 5 and the second lower blade 6 becomes small to a certain extent, the stoppers 10-1 and 10-2 interfere with each other, thereby preventing the upper blade 5 and the second lower blade 6 from coming into contact with each other.

[0029] (3) Metal Foil Laminate Next, the metal foil laminate 2 to be cut will be described. The metal foil laminate 2 to be cut is not particularly limited as long as it is a laminate of multiple metal foils. However, in a preferred embodiment, the metal foil laminate 2 is a laminate of current collector foils in an all-solid-state battery. This will be described below with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0030] Fig. 4 is a perspective view schematically showing an example of the configuration during production of an all-solid-state battery. Fig. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration when cutting a stack of current collector foils in an all-solid-state battery.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 4( a), during the manufacture of an all-solid-state battery, a plurality of positive electrode current collector foils 11 and a plurality of negative electrode current collector foils 12 are alternately stacked with electrode layers, solid electrolyte layers, etc. sandwiched between them. Metal foil is used as each current collector foil. Each current collector foil has a power generation region 13 and an extension region 14. The power generation region 13 is a region that contributes to power generation and is a region where electrode layers, etc. are provided. The extension region 14 is a region provided for extracting power generated in the power generation region 13 to the outside and is a region that extends laterally from the power generation region 13. Although not shown, each current collector foil is connected to a tab, etc., at the extension region 14.

[0032] After laminating the multiple current collecting foils and electrode layers, the multiple current collecting foils are combined into one in the extension region 14 as shown in Fig. 5. At this time, the multiple current collecting foils are cut so that the positions of the ends of the multiple current collecting foils are aligned. For this cutting, a cutting device and cutting method according to this embodiment are used.

[0033] In all-solid-state batteries, a large number of current collector foils are often stacked. Therefore, problems such as burrs and adhesion tend to occur during cutting. Since this embodiment can solve such problems, it is suitable for application to cutting current collector foils of all-solid-state batteries.

[0034] The thickness of each metal foil contained in the metal foil laminate is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 1 to 50 μm, preferably 2 to 30 μm. The number of metal foils contained in the metal foil laminate is also not particularly limited, but is, for example, 25 or more, preferably 30 or more. When cutting a metal foil laminate having such a thickness and number of metal foils, problems such as burrs and adhesion tend to occur. Since this embodiment can solve such problems, it is suitable for use when the metal foil laminate contains the above-mentioned thickness and number of metal foils.

[0035] (4) Supplementary Notes Having described the embodiments of the present invention, the following will summarize the representative configurations and effects of the embodiments as supplementary notes.

[0036] (Note 1) A cutting device comprising: a first lower blade 3 on which a metal foil laminate 2 is placed; a holding member 4 arranged above the metal foil laminate 2 and configured to press the metal foil laminate 2 against the first lower blade 3; an upper blade 5 arranged above the metal foil laminate 2 and configured to cut the metal foil laminate 2 from the top surface downward by a shearing action generated between the upper blade 5 and the first lower blade 3; and a second lower blade 6 arranged at a position opposite the upper blade 5 in the stacking direction and configured to cut a portion of the metal foil laminate 2 in the stacking direction from the bottom surface upward.

[0037] According to the above-described configuration, the vicinity of the lower surface of the metal foil laminate 2, where burrs are likely to occur, can be cut in advance by the second lower blade 6. As a result, the occurrence of burrs can be suppressed when cutting with the upper blade 5.

[0038] (Supplementary Note 2) The cutting device according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the first lower blade 3, the upper blade 5, and the second lower blade 6 are configured independently of each other.

[0039] According to the above-described configuration, it is possible to adopt appropriate cutting conditions depending on the number of laminated layers and the thickness of the metal foil laminate 2 to be cut.

[0040] (Supplementary Note 3) The cutting device according to Supplementary Note 1 or 2, wherein the upper blade 5 and / or the second lower blade 6 have a shape including a shear angle.

[0041] With this configuration, the vicinity of the lower surface of the metal foil laminate 2 can be cut appropriately.

[0042] (Supplementary Note 4) The cutting device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 3, wherein the upper blade 5 and / or the second lower blade 6 have a shape including an acute tip angle.

[0043] With this configuration, the vicinity of the lower surface of the metal foil laminate 2 can be cut appropriately.

[0044] (Supplementary Note 5) The cutting device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 4, further comprising stoppers (10-1, 10-2) that prevent the second lower blade 6 and the upper blade 5 from contacting each other.

[0045] With this configuration, contact between the second lower blade 6 and the upper blade 5 can be prevented.

[0046] (Appendix 6) A cutting method comprising the steps of: placing a metal foil laminate 2 on a first lower blade 3; after the placing step, pressing and holding the metal foil laminate 2 against the first lower blade 3; after the holding step, cutting a portion of the metal foil laminate 2 in the stacking direction from the lower surface side; and after the cutting step, using an upper blade to cut the metal foil laminate 2 from the upper surface side by a shearing action between the first lower blade 3 and the upper blade 5.

[0047] According to this configuration, the vicinity of the lower surface of the metal foil laminate 2, where burrs are likely to occur, is cut in advance, so that the occurrence of burrs can be suppressed when cutting with the upper blade 5.

Claims

1. A cutting device comprising: a first lower blade on which a metal foil laminate is placed; a holding member arranged above the metal foil laminate and configured to press the metal foil laminate against the first lower blade; an upper blade arranged above the metal foil laminate and configured to cut the metal foil laminate from the top side downward by a shearing action generated between the upper blade and the first lower blade; and a second lower blade arranged opposite the upper blade in the stacking direction and configured to cut a portion of the metal foil laminate in the stacking direction from the bottom side upward.

2. A cutting device according to claim 1, wherein the first lower blade, the upper blade and the second lower blade are configured independently of each other.

3. A cutting device according to claim 1, wherein the upper blade and / or the second lower blade has a shape including a shear angle.

4. A cutting device according to claim 1, wherein the upper blade and / or the second lower blade has a shape including an acute tip angle.

5. A cutting device according to claim 1, further comprising a stopper for preventing contact between the second lower blade and the upper blade.

6. A cutting method comprising the steps of: placing a metal foil laminate on a first lower blade; after the placing step, pressing and holding the metal foil laminate against the first lower blade; after the holding step, cutting a portion of the metal foil laminate in the lamination direction from the bottom side; and after the cutting portion step, using an upper blade to cut the metal foil laminate from the top side by a shearing action between the first lower blade and the upper blade.

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