Apparatus for packaging electrochemical cells for the production of batteries

Abstract

An apparatus for packaging electrochemical cells (1) for the production of batteries, comprises a flattening device (20), configured to flatten an axial end (7, 8) of a coil (3) formed by a plurality of conductor tapes and separator tapes wound in a spiral. The flattening device (20) comprises a head (22) configured to abut at least one tab (5, 6) of the conductor tapes protruding from the axial end (7, 8) and fold it on the axial end. The head (22) includes a recess (23) and a plurality of blades (24) arranged perimetrically around the recess (23) and displaceable between an open configuration, wherein the blades (24) are distanced from a central axis (Z) of the recess (23), and a closed configuration, wherein the blades (24) are brought closer to the central axis (Z) of the recess (23), so as to abut the tab (5, 6) and fold it towards the axial end (7, 8) of the coil (3).

Description

[0001] Apparatus for packaging electrochemical cells for the production of batteries

[0002] The present invention concerns an apparatus for packaging electrochemical cells for the production of batteries.

[0003] The present invention finds a preferred, although not exclusive, application in the production of secondary cylindrical batteries, e.g. lithium-ion batteries, which will be referred to hereinafter without thereby losing in general.

[0004] As known, the production of electrochemical cells involves, in wider terms:

[0005] - a step of packaging the electrochemical cell, in which a coil is made formed by the spiral winding of conductor tapes (one for the anode and one for the cathode) alternated with separator tapes and in which this coil is inserted in an outer protective envelope,

[0006] - a step of filling the electrochemical cell with an electrolytic solution that is placed in contact with the coil, and finally,

[0007] - a step of formation of the electrochemical cell that allows to make it suitable for delivering and / or storing electrical energy.

[0008] The packaging step, in particular, provides that the coil before being introduced into the outer protective casing, is fastened at the opposed axial ends to special electrical collectors, each of which, by connecting different portions of the same conductor tape (for example the anode or the cathode), forms one of the two electrical poles of the electrochemical cell.

[0009] To facilitate electrical contact with the respective electrical collector, the conductor tape is typically provided on one side thereof with a plurality of tabs intended to protrude from the cylindrical body of the coil.

[0010] In the present disclosure, as well as in the accompanying claims, certain terms and expressions are deemed to assume, unless otherwise expressly indicated, the meaning expressed in the following definitions.

[0011] "Tab" of a conductor tape is meant to indicate a portion of the conductor tape protruding from the main cylindrical body of the coil. Preferably, the tab protrudes from the coil in an axial direction of the coil.

[0012] Preferably, each conductor tape comprises a plurality of tabs protruding from the body of the coil as soon as it is obtained by spiral winding of the conductor and separator tapes.

[0013] Preferably, the tabs of one conductor tape (e.g. of the anode) are all protruding from the same axial end of the coil while the tabs of the other conductor tape (e.g. of the cathode) are all protruding from the opposed axial end of the coil.

[0014] It should be specified that a "coil", formed by the spiral winding of conductor tapes and separator tapes, can have any shape suitable for the purpose, for example cylindrical with a circular section or elliptical section.

[0015] An "electrical collector" is a conductor element configured to electrically join single portions of a conductor tape, preferably the tabs of a conductor tape. The electric collector is preferably fastened to an axial end of a coil. Preferably, the electrical collector has a shape similar to the axial end of the coil to which it is fastened. For example, in the case of a cylindrical coil with a circular section, the electric collector typically has a disc shape.

[0016] An electrical collector is "fastened" or "applied" to a coil of an electrochemical cell when they are in a fixed condition of mutual contact.

[0017] "Flattening" a tab is meant to indicate the operation of folding the tab towards the main body of the coil from which it protrudes. In particular, when the tab protrudes from an axial end of the main cylindrical body of the coil, the flattening operation consists in folding the tab against said axial end.

[0018] Preferably, the tab is folded against the end of the main cylindrical body of the coil, so as to make it substantially flat or almost flat.

[0019] The Applicant has preliminarily observed that the operations that lead to the application of the electrical collectors to the axial ends of the coil are particularly delicate and may be critical for the correct manufacture of the battery.

[0020] In particular, the Applicant has found that there are several methods to bring into contact and then join the protruding tabs of the conductor tapes to the respective electrical collectors.

[0021] A first method is to crush the protruding tabs towards the axial end by pressing on them directly with the electric collector. This method, however, does not allow to control the flattening mode of the tabs and may result in a positioning of the electric collector on the axial end of the coil that is not perfectly flat.

[0022] A second method is to flatten the tabs against the axial end of the coil before positioning the electrical collector on that axial end.

[0023] In particular, the Applicant has observed that in this second case, the tabs are pressed against the axial end by crushing them axially through the head of a special flattening device.

[0024] However, the Applicant has observed that even in this case it is not always possible to adequately control the folding direction of the tabs on the axial end of the coil. In fact, the Applicant has verified that even in the case of using a flattening head, the folding action of the tabs always derives from their crushing caused by a displacement of the flattening head along an axial direction, substantially parallel to the direction of extension of the tabs from the coil. This results in the possibility that the tabs are abutted by the tip flattening head, thus making their subsequent folding deformation towards the axial end of the coil substantially random.

[0025] The Applicant has therefore perceived that in order to make the folding direction of the tabs more controllable, it was necessary to develop a flattening device capable of abutting the tabs protruding from the coil in a different way, in particular at their radially outer side in order to be then able to fold them with an adequate movement towards the inside of the coil.

[0026] The Applicant has therefore found that a flattening device comprising a head provided with a recess, within which an axial end of a coil can be accommodated, and with a plurality of blades positioned along the perimeter of the recess and radially displaceable so as to at least partially close said recess, is able to fold the tabs protruding from the axial end of the coil towards the axis of the coil, abutting them at their radially outer surface.

[0027] In a first aspect thereof, therefore, the present invention is directed to an apparatus for packaging electrochemical cells for the production of batteries.

[0028] Preferably, the apparatus comprises a flattening device, configured to flatten an axial end of a coil of an electrochemical cell.

[0029] Preferably, said coil is formed by a plurality of conductor tapes and separator tapes wound in a spiral.

[0030] Preferably, said flattening device comprises a head configured to abut at least one tab of said conductor tapes protruding from said axial end and fold it on said axial end.

[0031] Preferably, said head includes a plurality of blades.

[0032] Preferably, said head includes a recess.

[0033] Preferably, said plurality of blades is arranged perimetrically around said recess.

[0034] Preferably, said plurality of blades is displaceable between an open configuration, wherein the blades are distanced from a central axis of said recess, and a closed configuration, wherein the blades are brought closer to said central axis of said recess to at least partially close said recess.

[0035] Preferably, said plurality of blades is displaceable between said open configuration and said closed configuration so as to abut said at least one tab and fold it towards said axial end of said coil.

[0036] Preferably, said flattening device is axially displaceable away from and towards said coil.

[0037] Preferably, said blades are configured to start the displacement towards said closed configuration when said flattening device is in axial displacement towards said coil. Thanks to these characteristics, the flattening device of the present solution is able to fold the tabs against the axial end of the coil in an effective, controlled and homogeneous way, avoiding possible head jams that can cause undesired deformations of the tabs during their folding.

[0038] In addition, the movement times of the flattening device and of the blades partially overlap so as to optimize the overall times of the flattening operation.

[0039] In the aforesaid aspect, the present invention can present at least one of the preferred characteristics described below.

[0040] In some embodiments, said at least one flattening device is configured to fold said at least one tab towards a flattened configuration wherein said at least one tab is abutted against said axial end of said coil.

[0041] In some embodiments, said at least one tab, prior to being folded towards said flattened configuration, protrudes from said axial end substantially along an axial direction of said coil.

[0042] Preferably, in said flattened configuration, said at least one tab is abutted against said axial end of said coil substantially perpendicular to said axial direction.

[0043] In this way, the tabs, in the flattened configuration, form a substantially flat base that allows the electrical collector to be rested firmly and stably.

[0044] Preferably, each conductor tape forming said coil has a plurality of tabs, all protruding from the same axial end of said coil.

[0045] Preferably, each tab of the conductor tape intended to form the anode of the electrochemical cell protrude from an axial end of said coil, while each tab of the conductor tape intended to form the cathode of the electrochemical cell protrude from the opposed axial end of said coil.

[0046] In some embodiments, said recess is conformed to accommodate at least partially said axial end of the coil when said blades are in said open configuration.

[0047] In this way, the head of the flattening device is able to surround the tabs protruding from the axial end of the coil, so that, when the blades are displaced in the closed configuration, they can abut the tabs at their radially outer surface and push them towards the central axis of the coil by folding them against the axial end of the coil itself.

[0048] Preferably, said recess has a conformation similar to that of the axial end of the coil. For example, in the case of a cylindrical coil with a circular section, it is preferred that the recess also has a circular section, although with a diameter slightly larger than that of the axial end.

[0049] Preferably, said recess has a depth equal to or greater than the axial dimension of said tabs prior to being folded into said flattened configuration.

[0050] In some embodiments, said blades are simultaneously displaceable between said open configuration and said closed configuration.

[0051] Preferably, said blades are brought closer to said axis of the coil or moved away from said axis of the coil with equal displacements between blade and blade.

[0052] In this way, the folding action of the tabs is homogeneous.

[0053] In some embodiments, said blades are identical to one another.

[0054] In some embodiments, said blades have a sickle-shaped conformation.

[0055] In some embodiments, said blades are positioned at a pitch in succession around the perimeter of said recess.

[0056] Preferably, said blades are adjacent to one another.

[0057] In some embodiments, said flattening device comprises a member for moving said blades configured to move said blades between said open configuration and said closed configuration.

[0058] Preferably, said movement member is configured to displace said blades with substantially identical movements between blade and blade.

[0059] In other words, the movement member imparts the same displacement to each blade.

[0060] In some embodiments, said blades are displaced between said open configuration and said closed configuration by translation of each blade along the perimeter of said recess.

[0061] In some embodiments, said blades are displaced between said open configuration and said closed configuration by rotation of each blade about respective axes of rotation.

[0062] Preferably, each blade is rotated around a first end thereof, so as to displace a second end of said blade, opposed said first end, away from and towards said central axis of said recess.

[0063] In some embodiments, when said flattening device is axially displaced towards said coil, said coil is held in position by a gripping member. Preferably, said gripping member is mounted on a wheel.

[0064] In some embodiments, said flattening device is displaced, at least in part, towards said coil prior to displacing said blades into said closed configuration and, preferably, said flattening device is displaced towards said coil along an axial direction defined by said coil.

[0065] In this way, it is possible to bring the head of the flattening device closer to the axial end of the coil with the blades surrounding the blades to be folded from the outside. In some embodiments, said blades are displaced into said closed configuration after said flattening device has completed axial displacement towards said coil.

[0066] In some embodiments, said flattening device is part of a flattening station of said packaging apparatus.

[0067] In some embodiments, said flattening station comprises a plurality of said flattening devices, arranged in succession along an advancement direction of said coil in said flattening station.

[0068] Preferably, each flattening device of said plurality of flattening devices is configured so as to fold said at least one tab towards said flattened configuration by means of successive folds.

[0069] In this way, the operation of flattening the tabs takes place progressively, so as not to excessively stress the tabs during the folding step, thus reducing the risk of any breakage.

[0070] In addition, folding the tabs in successive steps allows to more effectively prevent the elastic return of the tabs that would tend to move them away from the axial end of the coil.

[0071] In some embodiments, said flattening devices are simultaneously displaced away from and towards respective coils.

[0072] In this way, the successive folding steps of the tabs take place simultaneously.

[0073] In a preferred embodiment, for folding said at least one tab towards said axial end said flattening station comprises four flattening devices.

[0074] Preferably, said flattening station comprises four flattening devices for folding the tabs of the conductor elements intended to form the anode of the electrochemical cell and four flattening devices for folding the tabs of the conductor elements intended to form the cathode of the electrochemical cell.

[0075] In some embodiments, said packaging apparatus comprises a positioning station, positioned downstream of said flattening station and configured to position an electrical collector on said axial end of said coil. Preferably, said positioning station is configured to position two electrical collectors on opposed axial ends of said coil.

[0076] In some embodiments, said packaging apparatus comprises a fastening station positioned downstream of said positioning station and configured to solidly fasten said electrical collector to said axial end of said coil.

[0077] In some embodiments, said fastening station comprises a soldering device, more preferably comprises two soldering devices positioned to fasten respective electrical collectors to the opposed axial ends of said coil.

[0078] The features and advantages of the present solution will become clearer from the detailed description of an embodiment example thereof shown, by way of nonlimiting example, with reference to the appended drawings, wherein:

[0079] - figure 1 is a schematic front view of an apparatus for packaging electrochemical cells for the production of batteries made in accordance with the present invention;

[0080] - figures 2 and 3 are schematic views in perspective and on an enlarged scale of a significant portion of the apparatus of figure 1 illustrating a plurality of flattening devices in two respective processing steps,

[0081] - figure 4 is a schematic perspective view from above of a portion of the flattening device with the blades in open configuration in proximity to the axial end of a coil,

[0082] - figure 5 is a schematic perspective view from below of the flattening device portion of figure 4,

[0083] - figure 6 is a schematic perspective view from above of the flattening device portion of figure 4 with the blades displaced towards the closed configuration,

[0084] - figure 7 is a schematic perspective view from below of the flattening device portion of figure 6,

[0085] - figures 8 and 9 are schematic perspective views of a coil respectively before and after being processed by the flattening devices of figure 1.

[0086] With reference to the appended figures, 1 indicates overall an apparatus for packaging electrochemical cells 2 for the production of batteries made in accordance with the present invention.

[0087] The packaging apparatus 1 comprises a winding unit, not depicted, configured to form a coil 3 of an electrochemical cell 2, as well as an application unit 10, configured to fasten respective electrical collectors 4 to the opposed axial ends 7, 8 of the coil 3 formed in the winding unit, thus forming the two poles of the electrochemical cell 2. Between the winding unit and the application unit 10 there is also provided a reforming unit 30, which receives the coil 3 from the coupling unit and, after defining a central hole 3a thereof, as described in detail below, delivers it to the application unit 10.

[0088] In the preferred example illustrated and described in detail herein, the apparatus 1 packages cylindrical-type electrochemical cells with a circular section, so that the coil 3 is obtained by winding in a spiral two conductor tapes (one intended to form the anode and the other intended to form the cathode of the electrochemical cell 2) alternated with two separator tapes, made of insulating material.

[0089] Upstream of the winding unit, the conductor tapes are cut out by means of a laser ablation device at one side thereof, so as to define along said side, a plurality of protruding laterally tabs, respectively indicated with 5 and 6.

[0090] The conductor tapes and the separator tapes are then led through a plurality of guide and tensioning rollers up to a feeding and cutting device, where the four tapes are superimposed on each other and delivered to a winding device that wound them in a spiral around a pin of a rotatable head, according to methods known in the art.

[0091] The reforming unit 30, located immediately downstream of the winding unit, is configured to correctly define the shape of a central hole 3a of the coil 3, by positioning against the internal walls of the central hole 3a a portion of separator tape that typically remains inside the central hole 3a of the coil 3 following its winding process.

[0092] The reforming unit 30 comprises a wheel 31, rotatable about a horizontal axis, on the periphery of which equipments 32 are mounted, each provided with a gripping member 33 configured to selectively retain a respective coil 3.

[0093] The equipments 32 are movable with respect to the wheel 31 to receive the coil 3 from the winding unit, then to bring the coil 3 at a respective reforming device 34 and, finally, to transfer the coil 3 to the application unit 10.

[0094] Each reforming device 34 is positioned next to an equipment 32 and comprises a reforming needle, suitably heated, which is passed through the central hole 3a of the coil 3, when the latter is positioned on the reforming device 34, so as to stress the portion of separator tape 7 against the internal walls of the central hole 3a.

[0095] The application unit 10, which receives the coil 3 from the reforming unit 30, comprises a wheel 11, rotatable about a horizontal axis XI, parallel to the axis of the wheel 31, on the periphery of which equipments 12 are mounted, each provided with a gripping member 13 configured to selectively retain a respective coil 3. The application unit 10 further comprises a flattening station 14, a positioning station 15 and a fastening station 16, while the wheel 11 is configured to displace the coils 3 retained by the gripping members 13 from a receiving zone A to the flattening station 14, then to the positioning station 15, thus to the fastening station 16 and finally to a release zone B, all arranged one after the other along an advancement direction F defined by the rotation of the wheel 11 about the axis of rotation XI.

[0096] When the coil 3 is received by the application unit 10, the tabs 5 and 6, made in the ablation unit of the apparatus 1, protrude from the axial ends 7, 8 of the coil 3, substantially parallel to the axis Y of the coil 3, as illustrated in figure 8.

[0097] The flattening station 14, described in more detail below, is configured to flatten the tabs 5 and 6 of the conductor tapes on the respective axial ends 7, 8 of each coil 3, as illustrated in figure 9, so that they can effectively favour the electrical contact of the two conductor tapes (respectively the anode and the cathode) with the electrical collectors 4 intended to form the electrical poles of the electrochemical cell 2.

[0098] The positioning station 15 is configured to position a pair of electrical collectors 4 on the axial ends 7, 8 of the coil 3.

[0099] In particular, the positioning station 15 comprises a pair of gripping hands 15a, placed on one side and on the other side of the wheel 11 so as to position a respective electric collector 4, picked up by a feeding guide 18, on the opposed axial ends of the coil 3.

[0100] The fastening station 16 is configured to solidly fasten the electric collectors 4 to the opposed axial ends of the coil 3.

[0101] In particular, the fastening station 16 comprises a pair of soldering devices 16a placed on one side and on the other side of the wheel 11 so as to solidly fasten the electric collectors 4 on the axial ends 7, 8 of the coil 3.

[0102] The fastening station 16 further comprises an image detection and analysis system, comprising a pair of cameras 17a, configured to detect the positioning of the electrical collectors 4 and assist in the correct pointing of the soldering devices 16a towards the electrical collectors 4.

[0103] The apparatus 1 further comprises an unloading unit 40 which receives the coils 3 with the collectors 4 fastened to the ends by the application unit 10 and brings them to the outside of the apparatus 1.

[0104] In particular, the unloading unit 40 comprises an exchange wheel 41 that receives the coils 3 from the wheel 11 at the release zone B and deposits them on a belt conveyor 42 that brings them to the apparatuses prepared for the subsequent processings of the coils 3.

[0105] The flattening station 14 comprises a plurality of flattening devices 20, all equal to each other, arranged in succession on both sides of the wheel 11 in a mutually facing position.

[0106] In particular, the flattening station 14 comprises four flattening devices 20 arranged one after the other to fold the tabs 5 protruding from the axial end 7 of the coil 3 and as many flattening devices 20 arranged on the opposite side of the wheel 11 to fold the tabs 6 protruding from the axial end 8 of the coil 3.

[0107] The provision of four flattening devices 20 for each axial end 7, 8 of the coil 3 allows folding the respective tabs 5, 6 by means of successive folds. For this purpose, each coil 3 is subjected to the operation of all the flattening devices 20.

[0108] The flattening devices 20 are simultaneously displaceable along an axial direction parallel to the axis Y of the coil 3, so as to approach the axial ends 7 and 8 of the coil 3 to perform the flattening operation of the tabs 5 and 6.

[0109] To this end, each flattening device 20 comprises a head 22 configured to abut the tabs 5 or 6 and fold them towards a flattened configuration in which the tabs are abutted against the respective axial end 7 or 8 of the coil 3 and oriented substantially perpendicular to the axial direction Y.

[0110] The head 22 comprises a recess 23 and a plurality of blades 24, equal to each other, and arranged adjacent to one another, at a pitch, along the perimeter of the recess 23.

[0111] The recess 23 has a cylindrical shape, with a central axis Z, a circular section with a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the axial ends 7, 8 of the coil 3 and a depth slightly greater than the length of the tabs 5, 6.

[0112] Each blade 24 has a sickle-shaped conformation extending between a first end, from which a first pin 25 is extended axially, and a second, opposed end, at or in proximity to which a second pin 26 is provided, which is extended axially but on the side opposite to the first pin 25.

[0113] The blades 24 are interposed between a first flange 27, which engages the first pins 25 of the blades 24 in respective seats 27a, and a second flange 28 which engages the second pins 26 of the blades 24 in respective slots 28a.

[0114] The seats 27a engage the first pins 25 with the ability to rotate about respective axes of rotation T, parallel to the central axis Z of the recess 23, defined by the first pins 25.

[0115] The slots 28a are elongated along a substantially radial direction and engage the second pins 26 and can slide along this direction.

[0116] The first flange 27 is fixed with respect to the head 22, while the second flange 28 is movable with respect to the head 22, being limitedly rotatable about the central axis Z.

[0117] The blades 24 are displaceable between an open configuration, wherein the blades 24 are distanced from the central axis Z of the recess 23 (figures 4 and 5), and a closed configuration, wherein the blades 24 are brought closer to the central axis Z of the recess 23 with partial closure of the recess 23 (figures 6 and 7).

[0118] When the blades 24 are in the open configuration, the recess 23 is capable of externally encircling the tabs 5 or 6, so that, when the blades are displaced into the closed configuration, they abut the tabs 5 or 6 at their radially outer surface to push them towards the central axis Z of the coil 3 and fold them against the respective axial end 7 or 8 of the coil 3.

[0119] The blades 24 are displaced between the open configuration and the closed configuration by rotation of each blade 24 about the respective axis of rotation T.

[0120] The displacement of the blades 24 from the open configuration to the closed configuration is controlled by a displacement member comprising the second flange 28, which, placed in rotation around the central axis Z, translates the second pins 26 towards the central axis Z, thus causing the rotation of the blades 24 around the respective axes of rotation T.

[0121] The second ends of the blades 24 are thereby simultaneously displaced towards the central axis Z in an iris-type configuration, closing at least partially the recess 23.

[0122] In order to better represent the movement of the blades 24, in figures 4 to 7, the head 22 is represented in hatching and the tabs 5 have been omitted.

[0123] The flattening station 14 further comprises a retaining device 21 that cooperates with the gripping members 13 to hold the coils 3 in position during the flattening operation of the tabs 5 and 6.

[0124] For this purpose, the retaining device 21 is displaceable radially away from and towards the wheel 11 to engage and disengage the coils 3 on the side opposite to the gripping members 13, as is better visible in figures 2 and 3.

[0125] The flattening device 20 operates in the following ways.

[0126] While the wheel 11 is rotating around the axis XI to bring the coils 3 into the correct position within the flattening station 14, the retaining device 21 is radially distanced from the wheel 11 and the flattening devices 20 are axially distanced from the wheel 11 (figure 2). Once the coils 3 are brought into position, the wheel 11 stops and the retaining device 21 is brought closer to the wheel 11 to engage the coils 3 and retain them even more firmly, while the eight flattening devices 20 are brought closer, on one side and on the other side of the wheel 11, to the coils 3, so that the heads 22 are at the respective axial ends 7 and 8 (figure 3).

[0127] In this position, the axes Y of the coils 3 coincide with the central axes Z of the recesses 23 and the blades 24, in open configuration, surround the tabs 5, 6 which protrude axially from the respective axial ends 7 and 8 (figures 4 and 5).

[0128] At this point, the blades 24 are displaced to the closed configuration, rotating them around the respective axes of rotation T thanks to the rotation action of the second flange 28 which, by displacing the second pins 26 along the slots 28a, causes the blades 24 to rotate around the first pins 25 (figures 6 and 7).

[0129] In their radial displacement towards the closed configuration, the blades 24 abut the tabs 5, 6 and, by pushing them at their radially outer surface, fold them towards the axis Y of the coil 3.

[0130] The blades 24 are then returned to the open configuration, by reversely rotating the second flange 28, and the flattening devices 20 and the retaining device 21 moved away from the coils 3.

[0131] The wheel 11 then displaces the coils 3 one step so as to bring a new coil 3 at the first flattening device 20, to displace the already processed coils 3 from one flattening device 20 to the next flattening device 20 and to bring the processed coil 3 from the last flattening device 20 out of the flattening station 14, towards the positioning station 15.

[0132] In this way, each axial end 7, 8 of each coil 3 is subjected to four successive folding actions of the tabs 5, 6, which bring them to the flattened configuration.

[0133] It will be appreciated that the radial movement of the blades 24 allows the tabs 5, 6 to be folded in a uniform and controlled manner, so that they can assume the flattened configuration useful for the successive positioning and fastening operations of the electric collectors 4 which can be rested stably on a substantially flat axial end 7, 8.

[0134] This solution thus allows to solve the technical problem identified above, while at the same time achieving additional benefits also deriving from the specific embodiments described above.

[0135] Naturally, in order to meet specific and contingent application needs, a person skilled in the art will be able to make further modifications and variations to the solution described above, relating, for example, to the number of flattening devices used in the flattening station, or to the methods of displacing the blades from the open configuration to the closed configuration, all of which in any case fall within the scope of protection defined by the claims that follow.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Apparatus (1) for packaging electrochemical cells for the production of batteries, comprising a flattening device (20), configured to flatten an axial end (7, 8) of a coil (3) of an electrochemical cell (2) formed by a plurality of conductor tapes and separator tapes wound in a spiral, said flattening device (20) comprising a head (22) configured to abut at least one tab (5, 6) of said conductor tapes protruding from said axial end (7, 8) and fold it on said axial end, said head (22) including a recess (23) and a plurality of blades (24) arranged perimetrically around said recess (23) and displaceable between an open configuration, wherein the blades (24) are distanced from a central axis (Z) of said recess (23), and a closed configuration, wherein the blades (24) are brought closer to said central axis (Z) of said recess (23) to at least partially close said recess (23), so as to abut said at least one tab (5, 6) and fold it towards said axial end (7, 8) of said coil (3), wherein said flattening device is axially displaceable away from and towards said coil and said blades are configured to start the displacement towards said closed configuration when said flattening device is in axial displacement towards said coil.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said recess (23) is conformed to accommodate at least partially said axial end (7, 8) of the coil (3) when said blades (24) are in said open configuration.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said blades (24) are simultaneously displaceable between said open configuration and said closed configuration.

4. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said blades (24) are identical to one another and are positioned at a pitch in succession and adjacent to one another around the perimeter of said recess (23).

5. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said flattening device (20) comprises a member for moving said blades (24) configured to displace said blades (24) with substantially identical movements between blade (24) and blade (24).

6. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said blades (24) are displaced between said open configuration and said closed configuration by translation of each blade (24) along the perimeter of said recess (23).

7. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said blades (24) aredisplaced between said open configuration and said closed configuration by rotating each blade (24) about respective axes of rotation (T).

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein each blade (24) is rotated around a first end thereof, so as to displace a second end of said blade, opposed said first end, away from and towards said central axis (Z) of said recess (23).

9. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, when said flattening device (20) is displaced axially towards said coil (3), said coil (3) is held in position by a gripping member (13) mounted on a wheel (11).

10. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said flattening device (20) is displaced, at least in part, towards said coil (3) prior to displacing said blades (24) into said closed configuration.

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