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) further comprises a conveyor belt (30) for conveying a flat element (2) in a discharge direction (4) and a suction unit (40) for generating a negative pressure in the region of a section (30a) of the conveyor belt (30) in order to thus suck an uppermost flat element (2a) of the stack (3) of flat elements (2) from the receiving device (10) onto the conveyor belt (30). The suction unit (40) is designed to maintain a suctioned state during the conveying of the uppermost flat element (2a), in which state the uppermost flat element (2a) is sucked onto the conveyor belt (30), in order to thus convey the uppermost flat element (2a) away from the receiving device (10) in the discharge direction (4). The invention further relates to a method for separating flat elements (2).

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 principle carries the risk that the flat elements sucked onto the suction roller could detach from the suction roller due to their inherent rigidity, or 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 reliable and faster.

[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 separating planar elements for the production of galvanic cells is provided. The device comprises a receiving device designed to receive a stack of planar elements comprising a plurality of planar elements in order to provide the planar elements one after the other at a separating area. The device further comprises a conveyor belt for conveying a planar element in a withdrawal direction and a suction unit for generating a negative pressure in the region of a section or sub-segment of the conveyor belt in order to thereby suck an uppermost planar element of the stack of planar elements from the receiving device onto the conveyor belt.The suction unit is designed to maintain a suctioned state in which the uppermost flat element is sucked onto the conveyor belt during the conveyance of the uppermost flat element, in order to thus convey the uppermost flat element away from the receiving device in the withdrawal direction.

[0012] An advantage over suction rollers is that the flat elements are sucked along the conveyor belt by the negative pressure provided in the section or sub-segment of the conveyor belt, so that the force required to lift the topmost flat element from the stack in the pull-off direction is distributed across the topmost flat element and is greater overall. This enables the flat elements to be lifted reliably from the stack. The device according to the invention therefore allows for more reliable separation of flat elements, in particular fuel cell elements or battery elements, such as monocells or electrodes.

[0013] Preferably, the flat elements are simultaneously sucked by the conveyor belt along the pull-off direction at at least two (consecutive) discrete positions of the conveyor belt, each of which may have at least one (suction) hole through which the suction unit provides the negative pressure. This allows a more reliable, flat lifting of the flat element along the pull-off direction, rather than a point-by-point lifting as with suction rollers. To keep the air pressure requirement low compared to a long (suction) hole, each of the discrete positions preferably has at least one separate (suction) hole.

[0014] Furthermore, the separation process can be performed more quickly with the device according to the invention, since the device described herein advantageously 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. The device according to the invention is intended for separating flat elements.

[0015] 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.

[0016] 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.

[0017] The flat elements can also be fuel cell elements, such as 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).

[0018] The flat elements can also be battery elements or fuel cell elements that are coated and / or arranged on a carrier.

[0019] By providing a conveyor belt which moves along a negative pressure area generated by the suction unit and preferably has a plurality of (suction) holes arranged one behind the other, a respective uppermost flat element on the stack of flat elements can be sucked along its length onto a partial section of the conveyor belt, so that a force for lifting the uppermost flat element from the stack can be distributed over the length of the flat element and is greater overall.

[0020] The singulating device according to the invention allows a respective uppermost flat element to be lifted from the stack of flat elements using a circulating conveyor belt and a suction unit / suction device, e.g., with a vacuum chamber, and the lifted flat element to be transported further by means of the conveyor belt along the pull-off direction to a further transport device. After the uppermost flat element has been lifted and transported further by the conveyor belt away from the singulating area, the next (second-top) flat element can be sucked onto the conveyor belt in the same way as the first (top) flat element and then transported further. The process described herein can thus be repeated for each individual flat element of the stack of flat elements received in the receiving device.

[0021] This can mean that a plurality of flat elements, arranged in a stack there, are successively fed to the singulation area via the receiving device, with the uppermost flat element at a given time being lifted from the stack by the suction unit in conjunction with the moving conveyor belt. The receiving device can thus serve as the starting point for the singulation process. In particular, the individual flat elements can be stacked there with their flat sides on top of one another, resulting in a stack with a plurality of flat elements.

[0022] The receiving device can be a magazine and have a container shape, wherein an output opening can be provided at the upper end of the receiving device, through which the flat elements can be fed to the adjacent singling area. The flat elements can thus be provided one after the other in the singling area adjacent to the receiving device, where the actual singling of the flat elements then takes place. However, the receiving device can also be a conveyor device with which the flat elements or the stack of flat elements are transported to the singling device. To separate the flat elements from the stack, the transport of the flat elements or the stack of flat elements can be stopped on the receiving device. Alternatively, the singling can also take place relative to the moving receiving device.

[0023] The conveyor belt can move past the suction unit so that a section that is currently moving past the suction unit is exposed to the negative pressure area created by the suction unit. This can mean that the suction unit only creates the negative pressure in a delimited area through which the conveyor belt is guided, with suction and thus separation taking place in this delimited area. In other words, the conveyor belt can be pulled through the negative pressure area provided by the suction unit or guided along it in the pull-off direction. The suction unit remains in the same position with respect to the device along the pull-off direction. The negative pressure can cause a force to act on the uppermost flat element in such a way that the uppermost flat element is lifted or raised from the flat element below it.This can mean that the section of the conveyor belt currently located in the negative pressure zone comes into full or almost full contact with the topmost flat element, whereupon the topmost flat element is sucked onto the conveyor belt by the negative pressure and this sucked-in state is maintained. The lifted or raised topmost flat element can thus be attracted or sucked onto the section of the conveyor belt currently located in the singulation zone, which makes it possible to transport the sucked-in topmost flat element out of the singulation zone in the sucked-in state, i.e. to transport it away from the receiving device along the pull-off direction. The topmost flat element has now been separated from the stack of flat elements, so to speak. The pull-off direction can be directed along the top side of the stack, i.e. essentially perpendicular to the stacking direction.

[0024] When the topmost flat element is sucked up, it can be provided that this sucked-up flat element comes into contact with the conveyor belt. It is now in the sucked-up state, which can be maintained during the further transport of the flat element away from the receiving device at least over a certain distance or period of time, for example until the flat element is fed to a further transport device. The negative pressure area, which is created by means of the suction unit, can thus extend over a certain distance, so that the sucked-up state of the flat element on the conveyor belt is maintained over this distance. This distance can be selected such that the sucked-up, topmost flat element is moved out of the separation area arranged above the receiving device at least over its entire extent, i.e. its length or width.

[0025] To determine whether the topmost element has been successfully sucked onto the conveyor belt, a vacuum sensor can be provided on the suction unit (e.g., on the vacuum chamber). This sensor monitors the pressure in the suction unit / vacuum chamber and registers the pressure drop that occurs when the topmost flat element is successfully sucked onto the conveyor belt (when the topmost flat element covers part of the suction holes). This pressure drop can be used to monitor the separation process. If the pressure drop fails to occur for an excessively long period of time, a control device connected to the vacuum sensor can generate an error message, which is documented and, if necessary, transmitted to another device that initiates appropriate measures.

[0026] To separate some flat elements, it is advantageous to select the negative pressure provided by the suction unit so that it is large enough compared to the weight of the flat element that the top flat element is lifted from the stack without contact. The top flat element then only comes into contact with the conveyor belt after it has been lifted from the stack. In particular, the negative pressure is selected so that it is large enough compared to the weight of the flat element that the suction process of the top flat element already begins, i.e. the top flat element already begins to move towards the conveyor belt due to the negative pressure, when the top flat element is still at a distance from the conveyor belt, i.e. does not yet touch it. For example, this distance is at least 5 mm. This is particularly advantageous when very thin (electrode thickness e.g. 3-10 pm) or light elements with very sensitive surfaces, such asIndividual electrodes, for example, are to be separated, as this allows for very gentle separation of these sensitive elements. In the case of a lowering of the conveyor belt using an adjustment mechanism, as described below, it is preferable that the suction process of the uppermost flat element begins before the conveyor belt touches the uppermost element during the lowering process, e.g., at least 5 mm above it.

[0027] Alternatively, the conveyor belt can also be placed on the topmost flat element in a support section to lift it from the stack. The support section preferably extends over at least half the length of the topmost flat element, e.g., over the entire length. In the case of contactless lifting from the stack, the support section is the section of the topmost flat element in which the section of the conveyor belt located in the vacuum area acts on the topmost flat element to lift it off. A longer support section has the advantage that the lifting of the topmost element from the stack is more reliable.

[0028] The conveyor belt is preferably arranged such that the support section - viewed along the pull-off direction - lies (at least partially) in the front quarter of the topmost element. For example, the support section extends from the front edge across the front quarter to the middle of the topmost element or even beyond the middle of the topmost element into the rear half of the topmost element. A support section located in the front quarter of the topmost element has the advantage that the conveyor belt pulls the topmost element off the stack primarily by pulling - and not by pushing. In the case of thin elements with low rigidity (e.g. electrodes), the pulling action ensures that the topmost element is not folded or pushed together by the accelerating force of the conveyor belt - which would be harmful if it were pushed orif the accelerating force only acts after the first quarter of the top element, could occur with such elements.

[0029] Alternatively or additionally, the conveyor belt is / is preferably arranged relative to the uppermost flat element such that the support section extends over the center of the uppermost element, viewed along the pull-off direction. The support section is arranged, for example, such that it lies in the center of the uppermost element and extends into the front and rear halves of the uppermost element.

[0030] Preferably, the conveyor belt is continuously moved along the withdrawal direction through the vacuum area provided by the suction unit during the separation of a plurality of flat elements. This means that the conveyor belt is not stopped between the separation of two consecutive flat elements. Preferably, the movement speed of the conveyor belt remains substantially constant during the separation of a plurality of flat elements. The continuously moving conveyor belt has the advantage that significantly higher separation rates can be achieved than with stop-and-go operation of the conveyor belt.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the conveyor belt is a conveyor belt that circulates around a roller arrangement. Preferably, the conveyor belt can circulate continuously around the roller arrangement.

[0032] In one embodiment, the roller arrangement is mounted in a rocker-like manner, for example around one of the rollers, in order to be able to move the conveyor belt at least partially between a lower position and an upper position, as will be explained in more detail below. The conveyor belt can comprise or consist of a flexible or elastic material. For example, the conveyor belt material can comprise a rubber material or an elastic plastic material. In particular, the conveyor belt can have a non-slip surface facing the flat element, for example, a rubberized surface, so that the flat element can be easily transported.

[0033] The conveyor belt can be guided over the roller assembly, similar to a belt drive. The roller assembly can have several deflection rollers over which the conveyor belt is guided in a rotating manner. One or more drive rollers can be provided, which drive the conveyor belt according to its rotating movement on the roller assembly.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the conveyor belt has a plurality of holes, wherein the suction unit is designed to generate the negative pressure in the region of the section of the conveyor belt in order to thus provide respective air streams through the holes provided in the conveyor belt, which air streams suck the uppermost planar element of the stack of planar elements from the receiving device onto the conveyor belt.

[0035] The air streams can be directed away from the receiving device and thus away from the stack. The air streams through the holes or suction holes in the conveyor belt can be generated by setting different air pressures on both sides of the conveyor belt. For example, the suction unit can be set such that there is less pressure on an upper side of the conveyor belt, i.e. between the suction unit and the conveyor belt, in particular between a vacuum chamber of the suction unit and the conveyor belt, than on a lower side of the conveyor belt, i.e. between the stack and the conveyor belt. The vacuum region generated by the suction unit can thus be located on the upper side of the conveyor belt, which in turn generates upward air streams through the holes in the conveyor belt, which can cause the uppermost flat element to be lifted from the stack.It can be provided that these air currents occur only briefly at the moment of suction, and then the holes are blocked by the suctioned-in flat element, whereby the pressure difference between the upper and lower sides of the conveyor belt maintains the suctioned state. The conveyor belt can run at least approximately parallel to the uppermost flat element. This can mean that the section of the conveyor belt in the area of ​​which the negative pressure is generated by the suction unit moves parallel or at least almost parallel to the uppermost flat element. Alternatively, the conveyor belt can also run slightly diagonally to the uppermost flat element.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the holes of the conveyor belt are provided one behind the other and / or next to each other in the conveyor belt with respect to the withdrawal direction.

[0037] The holes can thus be arranged one behind the other along the direction of movement of the conveyor belt. It is also possible for two or more rows of such consecutively arranged holes to be provided in the conveyor belt, with the rows extending side by side along the pull-off direction and / or along the direction of movement of the conveyor belt. The conveyor belt can therefore have a certain width so that several holes can be provided side by side, i.e., transversely to the pull-off direction. This allows for a larger number of suction holes to be arranged simultaneously, not only one behind the other but also next to one another, in order to achieve a more extensive suction and lifting of the flat element.

[0038] In order to provide the negative pressure via several consecutive suction holes per flat element, the distance between the consecutive suction holes along the conveyor belt is preferably less than 20 cm, in particular less than 10 cm.

[0039] Arranging the holes in the conveyor belt one behind the other with respect to the pull-off direction has the advantage that the flat elements are sucked in by the negative pressure provided by several consecutive suction holes. This means that they are sucked in multiple times along their length, so that the force for lifting the topmost flat element from the stack can be distributed across the length of the topmost flat element and is greater overall. This enables reliable and controlled lifting of the flat elements from the stack. Furthermore, faster lifting of the flat elements from the stack is also possible, because a greater suction force allows for greater acceleration.

[0040] The use of a conveyor belt in which the holes can be distributed also makes it possible to tailor the timing and position of the suction to the specific application. In other words, by varying the size, position, and / or spacing of the holes, specific suction characteristics can be adjusted depending on the application. In one example, the conveyor belt has holes distributed continuously along the entire length of the belt.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the suction unit and the conveyor belt are designed to suck the uppermost flat element through the conveyor belt along the withdrawal direction simultaneously at at least two discrete positions of the conveyor belt, at each of which at least one of the holes of the conveyor belt is located, through which the suction unit provides the negative pressure.

[0042] The holes explained above can therefore be arranged one after the other in the conveyor belt at the mentioned discrete positions along the direction of movement or the pull-off direction of the conveyor belt, wherein the air flows are provided at these discrete positions by means of the suction unit, so that the resulting negative pressure sucks in the respective uppermost flat element at the discrete positions.

[0043] This allows a more reliable, flat lifting of the topmost flat element along the pull-off direction, rather than a point-like lifting as with suction rollers. To minimize the air pressure requirement compared to a long (suction) hole, there is preferably at least one separate (suction) hole at each of the discrete positions. According to one embodiment, the device comprises a sensor unit for detecting a position of a flat element conveyed by the conveyor belt and / or for detecting multiple pull-offs of flat elements.

[0044] The sensor unit or an associated sensor can detect the position and / or orientation of the transported flat element. This can mean that, in particular, the position and / or orientation of a flat element that has already been lifted from the stack and is currently being conveyed further in the pull-off direction while being sucked in is detected by the sensor unit. The detection area of ​​the sensor unit can thus be arranged behind the vacuum area in the direction of movement of the conveyor belt or in the pull-off direction.

[0045] Additionally or alternatively, the sensor unit can also be configured to detect multiple prints, where multiple prints mean that two or more flat elements were accidentally pulled off one on top of the other. The suction unit can then reduce the vacuum to release the lower flat element from the conveyor belt and separate only the topmost flat element. For multiple print detection, the sensor unit can be equipped with a light sensor that detects the multiple print based on the detected length of an object. If, for example, it is detected that an object is longer than a flat element would normally be, then a multiple print is assumed or detected.

[0046] In the event that the sensor unit has detected a multiple print, the sensor unit can generate an error message and transmit it to another device that ensures that the multiple print is separated from the other isolated flat elements, e.g. by sorting out the multiple print.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the device comprises a control unit for

[0048] Controlling the negative pressure generated by the suction unit in the area of ​​the section of the conveyor belt depending on the position of the flat element transported by the conveyor belt as detected by the sensor unit.

[0049] Thus, the previously described sensor can detect the position of the flat element conveyed by the conveyor belt, and the control unit can control the suction unit or a pressure in a vacuum chamber of the suction unit based on the sensor's detection result. Thus, a timed application of negative pressure can be provided in the negative pressure region. Therefore, it is not necessarily required that the negative pressure be generated continuously in the region of the conveyor belt section, but only over short periods of time, so that within each of these periods, the topmost flat element can be lifted from the stack at that time and transported further with the conveyor belt in the suctioned state.To prevent the next (second-to-top) flat element from also being lifted from the stack immediately afterward, the vacuum generation can be temporarily deactivated, at least above the pick-up device, between the specified time intervals. For example, the vacuum can be interrupted when the sensor unit registers the leading edge or trailing edge of a flat element that has just been removed or has been previously removed. It can be reactivated, for example, after a certain period of time or (if it was interrupted when the leading edge was registered) as soon as the sensor unit registers the trailing edge of the previously removed flat element.

[0050] In other words, the conveyor belt can rotate continuously and the suction itself can be timed so that the second-to-top flat element is not lifted until the topmost flat element has already been transported away. However, it can also be provided that the conveyor belt's speed is modulated or a type of stop-and-go operation of the conveyor belt is carried out. This can be ensured by a corresponding control unit for driving the conveyor belt, which also uses the information about the position of the transported flat element from the sensor unit. According to one embodiment, the suction unit has a vacuum chamber that is arranged adjacent to the conveyor belt, in particular directly behind the conveyor belt as viewed from the topmost flat element of the stack, and provides the vacuum in the region of the section of the conveyor belt.

[0051] The vacuum chamber can be a container-shaped component, for example, in the form of a vacuum channel. The vacuum chamber can be adjacent to the section of the conveyor belt on one side or be delimited by the section of the conveyor belt on one side. In this way, the negative pressure can be generated on the upper side of the conveyor belt, while a higher pressure is present on the lower side of the conveyor belt, which faces the uppermost flat element. The resulting pressure difference causes the air flows through the holes and consequently the suction of the uppermost flat element to the lower side of the conveyor belt.

[0052] The suction unit or vacuum chamber can be connected to a vacuum source and controlled by a valve unit. By switching on the vacuum, for example, using the aforementioned control unit, the vacuum can be applied to the flat element for varying periods of time, tailored to the respective length of the flat element. This allows the effect of the suction effect on the respective flat element to be precisely controlled. By appropriately controlling the vacuum in the suction unit or vacuum chamber, a gap or distance between two flat elements placed one behind the other can also be influenced.

[0053] According to one embodiment, the suction unit has a plurality of vacuum chambers arranged one behind the other along the withdrawal direction, wherein the suction unit is designed to set a first pressure in a first vacuum chamber independently of a second pressure in a second vacuum chamber and / or a second pressure in a second vacuum chamber independently of a first pressure in a first vacuum chamber. This enables the targeted setting of the positions along the conveyor belt at which the vacuum is to be generated at a specific point in time. By providing, for example, two vacuum chambers, with the first vacuum chamber being arranged upstream of the second vacuum chamber in the withdrawal direction, it is possible to apply vacuum to these two vacuum chambers one after the other and / or at a time-overlapping location.To lift the topmost flat element, both vacuum chambers can be activated, i.e., subjected to negative pressure. After lifting, the flat element currently being transported along the pull-off direction by the conveyor belt can only be suctioned by the second vacuum chamber, while the first vacuum chamber can be deactivated. This ensures that the next flat element to be separated is not immediately captured or suctioned, but only when the distance to the preceding flat element is sufficiently large. In other words, the suction moves with the transported flat element along the pull-off direction.

[0054] More than two vacuum chambers can also be used to implement the vacuum application sequence described above. By applying different levels of vacuum in these consecutively arranged vacuum chambers, the suction effect can be specifically adjusted to different mass distributions based on the format of the flat elements. For example, a large-format flat element can be subjected to a different suction force or vacuum than a small-format flat element.

[0055] The vacuum chambers can be part of the same suction unit and separated from each other by partitions so that a specific pressure can be set individually in each vacuum chamber.

[0056] According to one embodiment, the device comprises an adjustment unit which is designed to move the conveyor belt at least in sections between a lower position and an upper position, such that a distance between the conveyor belt and the uppermost flat element of the stack in the upper position is greater than a distance between the conveyor belt and the uppermost flat element of the stack in the lower position. This downward and upward movement of the conveyor belt particularly reliably prevents multiple removals of the flat elements. Furthermore, this downward and upward movement of the conveyor belt can ensure that the flat elements are separated one after the other at a defined distance. The times of the downward movement and the upward movement can be controlled by means of one of the aforementioned control units.

[0057] The adjustment unit can have an adjustment mechanism that causes a translational movement and / or a rotational movement of a section or sub-segment of the conveyor belt relative to the receiving device and thus also relative to the flat elements located in the receiving device. This allows the section or sub-segment of the conveyor belt to be moved so close to the topmost flat element that it is more effectively sucked onto the conveyor belt. After suction, the section of the conveyor belt to which the topmost flat element was sucked can be moved away from the receiving device or the remaining stack.

[0058] Preferably, the conveyor belt and optionally also the suction unit or vacuum chamber are designed to be movable, wherein in the upper position the conveyor belt is continuously lifted from the uppermost flat element and in the lower position has at least some sections of little or no distance from the uppermost flat element. For example, in the lower position the conveyor belt rests on the uppermost flat element via a support section in order to lift it from the stack. The support section preferably extends over at least half the length of the uppermost flat element. In order to protect the surface of the flat elements, the conveyor belt can also be pressed against the uppermost flat element with a spring. It can also be provided that in the lower position the uppermost flat element is lifted off without contact by means of the (vacuum-loaded) section of the conveyor belt, as described above.Depending on the mechanical properties of the elements or the weight of the flat elements, it may be advantageous to move the conveyor belt up and down using the adjustment mechanism between two flat elements to be separated. However, it can also be provided that the adjustment mechanism is only moved from the upper position (starting position) to the lower position (separating position) before the first flat element of a stack is separated, then remains in the lower position during the separation of the individual flat elements, and is only moved back to the upper position after the last element of the stack has been separated.

[0059] The adjustment unit preferably has a motor that accomplishes the downward movement of the conveyor belt from the upper to the lower position (and back). The motor enables a controlled upward and downward movement (e.g., an early stopping of the downward movement and / or a careful upward movement with low acceleration of the flat element) - in contrast to the abrupt switching movement of a mechanical switch. With regard to the upward and downward movement, the conveyor belt has a lower end position, which is selected such that the uppermost element is reliably lifted in the lower end position of the conveyor belt (with or without contact). The motor can stop the downward movement of the conveyor belt before a lower end position is reached.Stopping the downward movement early prevents the conveyor belt from having to be brought to its lower end position, where the second-to-top element is lifted and overlapped with the top element (multiple pull-off). After stopping the downward movement, the upward movement is started to increase the distance to the second-to-top element.

[0060] In order to determine the correct time to stop the downward movement, a vacuum sensor can be fitted on the suction unit / vacuum chamber. For this purpose, the suction unit / vacuum chamber is pressurised with vacuum before this end position is reached, e.g. shortly before or at the start of the downward movement. The vacuum sensor monitors the pressure in the suction unit / vacuum chamber during the downward movement and registers the pressure drop that occurs when the top element is successfully sucked onto the conveyor belt (when the top element covers part of the suction holes). In response to the signal from the vacuum sensor, which it emits when the pressure drops or when suction is successfully applied, the downward movement is stopped before the end position is reached and the upward movement begins.

[0061] According to one embodiment, the adjusting unit is designed to carry out the at least partial movement of the conveyor belt between the lower position and the upper position in the form of a tilting movement in order to thus move the conveyor belt at least partially between a lower tilting position and an upper tilting position.

[0062] In other words, a rotational movement of the section or sub-segment of the conveyor belt, and possibly also of the suction unit or vacuum chamber, can occur to achieve the above-mentioned different spacing from the uppermost flat element. This tilting or rotational movement can be superimposed on a translational movement of the section or sub-segment of the conveyor belt.

[0063] The adjustment unit can, for example, position the section or sub-segment of the conveyor belt at least in sections relative to the uppermost planar element of the stack in such a way that the section or sub-segment of the conveyor belt has a maximum distance from the uppermost planar element of the stack in the upper tilting position and has a minimum distance or no distance at all from the uppermost planar element of the stack in the lower tilting position.

[0064] The section or sub-segment of the conveyor belt and, if applicable, the suction unit or vacuum chamber can be mounted on or attached to a rocker-like arrangement. By moving this rocker downwards, the distance to the uppermost flat element can be reduced so that the suction effect can only act on the uppermost flat element. Once the uppermost flat element has been sucked in, the distance of the rocker to the holding device and the remaining flat elements located therein can be increased again as part of an upward rocker movement. The sucked-in flat element can now be conveyed further in the pull-off direction by the conveyor belt, which is subjected to negative pressure, as described above; i.e. the uppermost flat element moves with the conveyor belt.

[0065] If the section or sub-segment of the conveyor belt in which the negative pressure is created is relatively long or the flat elements are relatively thin, the area of ​​the conveyor belt that is freed up as the topmost flat element is transported away, which is located at the suction unit or at the vacuum chamber, could also suck in the second-highest flat element and transport it onwards with overlapping or with no or very little distance to the previously sucked-in, topmost flat element. This can be avoided by an upward rocking movement that increases the distance of the conveyor belt to the second-highest flat element in the stack. The upward rocking movement performed after the topmost flat element has been lifted off can thus prevent multiple pulls of the flat elements and ensure reliable separation of the flat elements with a defined distance from one another.

[0066] The distance between the flat elements to be separated can be precisely adjusted by adjusting the timing of the downward and upward rocker movements or the frequency of the tilting movement of the conveyor belt section.

[0067] The rocker movement can be generated using an eccentric. A spring can constantly pull or preload the rocker upward, while a motor-controlled eccentric pushes the rocker downward at the desired time, close to the stack of flat elements. To save energy and / or suction air, the vacuum in the vacuum chamber can be activated only when the rocker is pressed downward. This can be achieved with a rotatable valve that provides the vacuum at the conveyor belt section only in the lower position. For this purpose, the valve can be controlled by a drive for the eccentric.

[0068] According to one example, the adjustment unit is designed to position the conveyor belt at least in sections relative to the uppermost planar element of the stack in such a way that the conveyor belt comes into contact with the uppermost planar element of the stack in the lower position.

[0069] In other words, the downward-moving section of the conveyor belt can be pressed against the topmost flat element, locally blocking the airflow through the holes in the conveyor belt. The negative pressure on the opposite side of the conveyor belt, in turn, causes the topmost flat element to be sucked onto and subsequently adhere to the conveyor belt.

[0070] According to one embodiment, the adjustment unit is designed to move at least a part of the suction unit together with the conveyor belt between the lower position and the upper position.

[0071] As already indicated above, the tilting or rocking movement can be performed as a joint movement of the conveyor belt and the vacuum chamber. For this purpose, both components can be coupled to the rocker described above.

[0072] According to one embodiment, the control unit or a further control unit is designed to control the negative pressure generated by the suction unit as a function of a current position of the section of the conveyor belt relative to the uppermost flat element of the stack, provided by the adjustment unit. In a preferred example, the control unit or the further control unit is designed to activate the suction unit via the negative pressure when the rocker and / or the section of the conveyor belt is in the lower tilt position.

[0073] Additionally or alternatively, the control unit or the further control unit is designed to control a current position of the section of the conveyor belt relative to the uppermost planar element of the stack, for example to control it as a function of a current position of a planar element conveyed in the withdrawal direction, in particular to control the adjustment unit such that it moves the rocker or the moved section of the conveyor belt from the upper position to the lower position as soon as the sensor unit has detected a trailing edge of a previous planar element.

[0074] As explained above, the depression can be adjusted depending on the tilt position or rocker movement. Likewise, the tilt position or

[0075] Rocker movement can be adjusted depending on the position or orientation of the flat element being conveyed by the conveyor belt, so that the distance between the successively conveyed flat elements can be adjusted in real time. To avoid the additional removal of the next flat element, either at the same time as or too close to the top flat element, the rocker and / or the moving section of the conveyor belt can be moved temporarily into the lower (tilt) position by the adjustment unit to lift the top flat element and then back into the upper (tilt) position. The return movement to the upper (tilt) position can occur, for example, after a certain period of time or as soon as the sensor unit has detected the front edge of the flat element that has just been separated.

[0076] According to one embodiment, the device comprises a presence sensor unit for detecting the presence of planar elements in the receiving device, wherein the control unit is designed to control the at least section-wise movement of the conveyor belt between the lower position and the upper position depending on the presence of planar elements in the receiving device detected by the presence sensor unit. This (second) sensor unit can be provided in addition to the sensor unit already described above. In particular, the section of the conveyor belt can be influenced in its current position, i.e. in its position between the upper and lower positions, wherein the position change can be deactivated when no more planar elements are present in the stack.

[0077] The sensor unit can be designed as a transmitter-receiver arrangement that can detect the presence or absence of flat elements in the stacking area. If no flat elements are detectable in the stacking area, the separation function can be deactivated. If necessary, the sensor unit can also detect the position of the topmost flat element in the stack, which can be used to control the rocker movement. For example, the timing of the rocker movement and / or its amplitude can be controlled.

[0078] The sensor unit can also include a light barrier that detects the leading and / or trailing edges of a singled or conveyed flat element and transmits this information to the control unit for the rocker movement. This sensor unit also detects a possible multiple removal of flat elements; in such a case, the trailing edge of a flat element does not become visible after a certain period of time, but only later.

[0079] In one example, the device comprises a retaining unit for retaining further planar elements from the stack of planar elements while conveying the uppermost planar element in the withdrawal direction.

[0080] The retention unit is designed to prevent or at least counteract the multiple removal of flat elements. The retention unit can have multiple retention elements. These retention elements serve to retain flat elements that are accidentally moving. Electrostatic or adhesive forces can cause the second-to-top flat element to adhere to the topmost flat element, causing it to be separated. To prevent this, retention elements can be provided that have rollers that are blocked against the transport direction with freewheeling and whose surfaces have a low friction coefficient.

[0081] In a preferred embodiment, the device for separating the planar elements comprises a second conveyor belt arranged next to the (first) conveyor belt for conveying the planar element in the withdrawal direction, wherein the / a suction unit for generating a negative pressure is present in the region of a section of the second conveyor belt in order to thus suck the uppermost planar element of the stack from the receiving device onto the second conveyor belt and, during the conveyance of the uppermost planar element, to maintain a sucked-in state in which the uppermost planar element is sucked onto the conveyor belt in order to thus convey the uppermost planar element away from the receiving device in the withdrawal direction. In this embodiment, the above-described conveyor belt and the above-described suction unit of the device are referred to as the first conveyor belt and the first suction unit.The general statements made above regarding the (first) conveyor belt and the (first) suction unit apply to the second conveyor belt and the second suction unit.

[0082] The second conveyor belt preferably runs parallel to the (first) conveyor belt and is arranged next to the (first) conveyor belt with respect to the withdrawal direction.

[0083] The device is designed to simultaneously transport the flat element away from the receiving device in the withdrawal direction through the interaction of the (first) conveyor belt and the second conveyor belt. The flat element can be simultaneously sucked in and transported away from the receiving device by the (first) conveyor belt in cooperation with the (first) suction unit and by the second conveyor belt in cooperation with the first / second suction unit. In particular, the second conveyor belt also has a plurality of holes, which are preferably provided one behind the other and / or next to one another in the second conveyor belt with respect to the withdrawal direction.The suction unit can then be designed to generate the negative pressure in the region of the section of the second conveyor belt, thus providing respective air streams through the holes provided in the second conveyor belt, which draw the uppermost flat element of the stack of flat elements from the receiving device onto the second conveyor belt. The suction unit can be designed to draw the uppermost flat element through the second conveyor belt along the withdrawal direction simultaneously at at least two discrete positions of the second conveyor belt, each of which has at least one of the holes in the second conveyor belt through which the suction unit draws the negative pressure.

[0084] The suction unit that creates the negative pressure in the area of ​​the section of the second conveyor belt can be the suction unit described above that creates the negative pressure in the area of ​​the section of the (first) conveyor belt that extends behind the two conveyor belts from the first to the second conveyor belt. However, an additional second suction unit located behind the second conveyor belt can also be used as the suction unit for the second conveyor belt.

[0085] By suctioning the elements together using two adjacent conveyor belts, flat elements with low rigidity can be lifted from the stack and transported away from the receiving device with less bending. In addition, by suctioning the elements together using two adjacent conveyor belts, even heavy or difficult to remove from the stack can be safely lifted from the stack and transported away from the receiving device. The interaction of the two conveyor belts can also be used to correct any skewed or twisted position of a flat element lifted from the stack while it is being suctioned on. The (first) suction unit and the second suction unit can have separate vacuum sources or a common vacuum source. The (first) conveyor belt and the second conveyor belt can have a common adjustment unit and perform the up and down movements parallel to one another.

[0086] According to one aspect, a method for singulating planar elements for the production of galvanic cells is provided. In one step of the method, a stack of planar elements comprising a plurality of planar elements is picked up in a receiving device, and an uppermost planar element of the stack of planar elements is provided at a singulation region. In a further step, a conveyor belt is moved, preferably continuously, in a withdrawal direction along the singulation region. In a further step, a negative pressure is generated in the region of a section of the conveyor belt by means of a suction unit in order to suck the uppermost planar element of the stack of planar elements from the receiving device onto the conveyor belt.In a further step, the suction unit maintains a suctioned state so that the uppermost flat element remains suctioned onto the conveyor belt. In a further step, the uppermost flat element is conveyed while maintaining the suctioned state, thus transporting the uppermost flat element away from the receiving device in the withdrawal direction.

[0087] The procedural steps can be carried out in the order given.

[0088] In particular, in the case of the adjustment unit described above, which carries out the upward and downward movement of the conveyor belt, the following method steps can be carried out starting from the stack of flat elements provided in the receiving device: To separate the uppermost element of the stack, the continuously circulating conveyor belt is moved downwards towards the uppermost element of the stack by the adjustment unit. Simultaneously with, shortly before or during the downward movement of the conveyor belt, the negative pressure provided by the suction unit is switched on in the area of ​​the section of the conveyor belt, e.g. by means of a controllable valve. During or after the end of the downward movement, the uppermost element is sucked onto the conveyor belt by the negative pressure applied in the area of ​​the section of the conveyor belt.While the topmost element is being sucked in, the movement of the conveyor belt moves it away from the receiving device in the direction of removal. The conveyor belt is then moved back to its upper position by the adjustment unit, and the process steps are repeated for the next topmost flat element.

[0089] Preferably, a sensor is provided downstream of the receiving device, e.g., at the exit of the separating device or on the onward transport system, which detects the front and / or rear edge of the flat element being conveyed away. This can be, for example, the above-described sensor unit for detecting the rear edge or a clamping sensor (e.g., a light barrier) located shortly after the start of the onward transport system, which is arranged after the first clamping point of the onward transport system and detects the front edge of the flat element being conveyed away when it has reached the first clamping point. The sensor signal from the respective sensor (rear edge detection of the sensor unit or the front edge detection of the clamping sensor) signals that the flat element being conveyed away has been securely gripped by the onward transport system and is being transported further.In response to the sensor signal from the respective sensor, the negative pressure provided by the suction unit in the area of ​​the conveyor belt section can be switched off. Switching off the negative pressure early prevents premature separation of the next topmost flat element. The upward movement of the conveyor belt can begin as soon as the negative pressure sensor described above registers the successful suction of the topmost flat element or the associated pressure drop. However, the upward movement can also only be started in response to the sensor signal (leading or trailing edge signal) from the sensor described above.

[0090] Short description of the characters

[0091] Fig. 1 shows a side view of a device for separating flat

[0092] Elements with a section of a conveyor belt in a lower position. Fig. 2 shows a side view of a device for separating flat elements with a section of a conveyor belt in an upper position.

[0093] Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of a device for separating flat elements.

[0094] Fig. 4 shows a side view of a device for separating flat elements including a movement mechanism for a receiving device.

[0095] Fig. 5 shows a plan view of a device for separating flat elements.

[0096] Fig. 6 shows a detailed view of a suction unit with two vacuum chambers for a device for separating flat elements.

[0097] Fig. 7 shows a flow chart for a method for separating flat elements.

[0098] Detailed description of exemplary embodiments

[0099] The representations in the figures are schematic and not to scale. Where the same reference symbols are used in different figures in the following description, they refer to identical or similar elements. Identical or similar elements may also be designated by different reference symbols.

[0100] Fig. 1 shows a side view of a device 1 for separating flat elements 2, which are used for the production of galvanic cells, from a receiving device 10. The receiving device 10 is designed to receive a stack 3 of flat elements 2 comprising a plurality of such flat elements 2 and to provide the flat elements 2 one after the other to a separating area 20, which can be located directly above the stack 3 or the receiving device 10. The receiving device 10 can be viewed as a container having side walls 11 and a base 12 on which the flat elements 2 of the stack 3 are stacked.

[0101] The device 1 further comprises a conveyor belt 30 for conveying the flat elements 2 along a pull-off direction 4. The pull-off direction 4 is parallel or substantially parallel to an uppermost flat element 2a located in the receiving device 10. The conveyor belt 30 can be a conveyor belt 30 guided in rotation over a roller arrangement 32, wherein the conveyor belt 30 is guided over several rollers 33, 34, 35 and 36. In the example shown, there is a first roller 33, a second roller 34, a third roller 35 and a fourth roller 36, wherein between the second roller 34 and the third roller 35 a section 30a or a sub-segment 30a of the conveyor belt 30 runs parallel or substantially parallel to the pull-off direction 4. In the area of ​​this section 30a of the conveyor belt 30, a vacuum is temporarily or continuously generated in order to lift the uppermost flat element 2a from the stack 3, as explained in more detail below.

[0102] The device 1 has a suction unit 40 for generating the negative pressure in the region of the section 30a of the conveyor belt 30 in order to suck an uppermost flat element 2a of the stack 3 from the receiving device 10 onto the conveyor belt 30. For example, air is sucked from the stack 3 in the direction of the negative pressure chamber 41, i.e., upwards, by a negative pressure provided in a negative pressure chamber 41 of the suction unit 40. In order to enable this upward air flow, the conveyor belt 30 can have a plurality of holes provided one behind the other and / or next to one another in the conveyor belt 30, wherein the suction unit 40 generates the negative pressure in the region of the section 30a of the conveyor belt 30 in such a way that respective air flows can be provided through the holes 31 provided in the conveyor belt 30, which air flows suck the uppermost flat element 2a of the stack 3 from the receiving device 10 onto the conveyor belt 30.In this case, the uppermost flat element 2a is lifted upwards from the stack 3 and the remaining flat elements 2 remain on the stack 3. If the conveyor belt 30 is moved in the withdrawal direction 4 during the suction process, the uppermost flat element 2a can also be lifted obliquely upwards from the stack 3 with a directional component in the withdrawal direction 4.

[0103] During or after the lifting of the uppermost flat element 2a, the uppermost flat element 2a can be transported or conveyed by means of the conveyor belt 30 along the withdrawal direction 4. During the transport of the uppermost flat element 2a, a suctioned state in which the uppermost flat element 2a is suctioned onto the conveyor belt 30 can be maintained in order to transport the uppermost flat element 2a in the withdrawal direction 4 away from the receiving device 10. The now transported and formerly uppermost flat element 2a of the stack 3 can thus remain suctioned onto the conveyor belt 30 during its transport out of the separating device 1. The flat element 2a can then be fed to a further transport device or processing device (not shown in Fig. 1) which is arranged downstream of the separating device 1 along the withdrawal direction 4.

[0104] A first sensor unit 50 can detect a position and / or orientation of an uppermost planar element 2a conveyed by the conveyor belt 30 while it is being conveyed away from the singulation area 20 or from the receiving device 10, for example while it is in the suction-on state and thus is being conveyed further along the conveyor belt 30 while being suction-on. For this purpose, the first sensor unit 50 can have one or more light barriers that detect / detect a position and / or orientation of a leading edge and / or a trailing edge of the conveyed planar element 2a or the time(s) when it passes through a detection area of ​​the first sensor unit 50.The position information and / or the orientation information can then be provided to a first control unit 60, which then adjusts the negative pressure generated by the suction unit 40 in the region of the section 30a of the conveyor belt 30 depending on the detected position and / or orientation of the uppermost planar element 2a conveyed by the conveyor belt 30.

[0105] For example, the vacuum can be switched off when a trailing edge or leading edge of the flat element 2a has passed the detection range of the sensor unit 50, so that the next flat element 2 is not immediately removed. To separate the next flat element 2, the vacuum can be switched on again only after a certain period of time. This allows sufficient spacing to be maintained between the successively separated flat elements 2.

[0106] With reference to Figures 1 and 2, it can be seen that the device 1 further comprises an adjusting unit 70 which is designed to move the conveyor belt 30 at least in sections between a lower position 71 (see Fig. 1) and an upper position 72 (see Fig. 2), so that in the upper position 72 a distance between the section 30a of the conveyor belt 30 and an uppermost flat element 2a still located on the stack 3 is greater than a distance between the conveyor belt 30 and the uppermost flat element 2a still located on the stack 3 in the lower position 71. In the example shown, the adjusting unit 70 carries out the at least partial movement of the conveyor belt 30 between the lower position 71 and the upper position 72 in the form of a tilting movement in order to thus move the conveyor belt 30 at least in sections between a lower tilting position 71 and an upper tilting position 72.In other words, a type of rocking motion can be performed by the adjustment unit 70, wherein the section 30a of the conveyor belt 30 is pressed against the uppermost flat element 2a, starting from the upper tilt position 72 shown in Fig. 2 and moving into the lower tilt position 71 shown in Fig. 1. This reduces the distance between the conveyor belt 30 or the intake air streams and the uppermost flat element 2a. In one example, contact occurs between the underside of the section 30a of the conveyor belt 30 and the uppermost flat element 2a. After the uppermost flat element 2a has been sucked onto the underside of the section 30a of the conveyor belt 30, the section 30a of the conveyor belt 30 is returned to the upper tilting position 72 shown in Fig. 2, wherein the now sucked flat element 2a is conveyed further in the withdrawal direction 4.By lifting the section 30a of the conveyor belt 30 into the upper tilting position 72, the suction force acting on the second topmost flat element can be reduced so that it is not lifted from the stack 3 at the same time as the topmost flat element 2a.

[0107] It can be provided that the adjustment unit 70 moves the suction unit 40, in particular the vacuum chamber 41, together with the section 30a of the conveyor belt 30 back and forth between the lower position 71 and the upper position 72. This means that the vacuum chamber 41 can be moved together with the section 30a of the conveyor belt 30 toward the uppermost flat element 2a, and then these two components can be moved away from the remaining stack 3 together with the now suctioned uppermost flat element 2a.

[0108] In the embodiment shown, the adjustment unit 70 generates a tilting movement or a rocking movement about a rotation axis 76, which here runs centrally through the third roller 35, but can also be arranged at another location in the device 1.

[0109] Alternatively, the rotation axis 76 can also be located above roller 35, so that the conveyor belt suctions the topmost element in an inclined position. It can also be located behind the stack 3—as viewed along the pull-off direction—e.g., at roller 34 or above roller 34, to suction the topmost element in an inclined position. In this case, the topmost element—as viewed along the pull-off direction—could be suctioned in the first quarter and beyond.

[0110] The tilting movement about the rotation axis 76 causes the section 30a of the conveyor belt 30 and, if applicable, also the vacuum chamber 41 to move back and forth by a tilt angle α between the lower tilt position 71 and the upper tilt position 72. The section 30a of the conveyor belt 30 and, if applicable, also the vacuum chamber 41 are thus moved along a circular arc segment 77. The tilting movement is accomplished by a drive 74, which drives an eccentric 75 such that at certain times the section 30a of the conveyor belt 30 and, if applicable, also the vacuum chamber 41 are pushed downwards, i.e., into the lower tilt position 71 (see Fig. 1), whereas at other times the section 30a of the conveyor belt 30 and, if applicable, also the vacuum chamber 41 are pulled upwards, i.e., into the upper tilt position 72 (see Fig. 2). An articulated connecting piece 73 can be used for coupling between the drive 74 orthe eccentric 75 and the section 30a of the conveyor belt 30 and, if applicable, also the vacuum chamber 41.

[0111] The device 1 can have a second control unit 80, which can also be part of the first control unit 60 or can interact with it. For example, the negative pressure can be controlled by both control units 60 and 80. The first control unit 60 and / or the second control unit 80 can be designed to adjust the negative pressure generated by the suction unit 40 depending on a current position of the section 30a of the conveyor belt 30 relative to the uppermost flat element 2a of the stack 3. In particular, the first control unit 60 and / or the second control unit 80 can be designed to switch off or deactivate the negative pressure generated by the suction unit 40 when the section 30a of the conveyor belt 30 is in the upper tilt position 72 and / or to switch on or activate the negative pressure when the section 30a of the conveyor belt 30 is in the lower tilt position 71.

[0112] Likewise, the first control unit 60 and / or the second control unit 80 can be designed to adjust a current position of the section 30a of the conveyor belt 30 relative to the uppermost planar element 2a of the stack 3 as a function of a current position of a planar element 2 currently being conveyed in the withdrawal direction 4. In particular, the first control unit 60 and / or the second control unit 80 can be designed to move the section 30a of the conveyor belt 30 into the lower tilt position 71 when a trailing edge of a previous planar element 2 is detected, in order to thereby lift and separate the next planar element 2 from the stack 3.

[0113] For this purpose, the control units 60, 80 use information from the adjustment unit

[0114] 70 or from the first sensor unit 50 already explained above, which registers the trailing edge of the previous planar element 2.

[0115] In addition, the first control unit 60 and / or the second control unit 80 can also use information from a second sensor unit 90, which is also referred to herein as a presence sensor unit 90. The second sensor unit 90 can detect the presence or absence of planar elements 2 in the receiving device 10. If there are no more planar elements 2 present in the receiving device 10, the second control unit 80 can stop, i.e., deactivate, the movement of the section 30a of the conveyor belt 30 between the lower tilt position 71 and the upper tilt position 72. As long as planar elements 2 are present in the receiving device 10, the second control unit 80 can stop, i.e., deactivate, the movement of the section 30a of the conveyor belt 30 between the lower tilt position

[0116] 71 and the upper tilt position 72 are maintained, i.e., left activated. In the example shown, the second sensor unit 90 is an arrangement with a transmitter 91 and a receiver 92, wherein a signal reflected from the surface of an uppermost planar element 2a of the stack 3 is used to detect the presence or absence of planar elements 2 in the receiving device 10.

[0117] The roller arrangement 32 can, for example, be mounted in a rocker-like manner around the rotational axis 76 of the third roller 35 in order to move the conveyor belt 30 at least in sections between the lower tilting position 71 and the upper tilting position 72.

[0118] The vacuum chamber 41 is connected via a valve 43, which can be designed as a rotary valve, to a vacuum connection 42, via which the negative pressure in the vacuum chamber can be created. The vacuum chamber 41 can be connected in this way to a vacuum source, and a pressure in the vacuum chamber 41 can be controlled by means of the valve 43. By switching on the vacuum, for example by means of the above-mentioned first and / or second control unit 60, 80, the flat element 2 can be subjected to vacuum for a varying length of time, tailored to the respective length of the flat element 2. This allows the effect of the suction effect on the flat element 2 to be lifted or sucked up to be specifically controlled. By appropriate vacuum control in the suction unit 40 or in the vacuum chamber 41, a gap ora distance between two consecutively isolated flat elements 2.

[0119] The device 1 can also comprise a retaining unit 100 for retaining further planar elements 2 of the stack 3 during the conveying of the uppermost planar element 2a in the withdrawal direction 4. The retaining unit 100 is provided to prevent multiple withdrawals of planar elements 2. The retaining unit 100 can have a plurality of retaining elements 101, 102. In particular, a retaining roller 101 can be provided, which in the example shown in Figures 1 and 2 is blocked against clockwise rotation. In the counterclockwise direction, the retaining roller 101 can be free-running. The retaining roller 101 can have a lower coefficient of friction than a roller (not shown here) located opposite the conveyed planar element 2.The retaining unit 100 may further comprise a retaining plate 102 which counteracts the unwanted conveyance of a second uppermost planar element from the receiving device 10, which may be conveyed out of the receiving device 10 together with the uppermost planar element 2a, for example in the event that the planar elements 2 lying on top of one another adhere to one another due to adhesive forces.

[0120] Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of the device 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2. As can be seen, the device 1 can have a first region in which all of the components described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 are arranged. In this regard, reference is made to the explanations of Figures 1 and 2. Furthermore, the device 1 can also have a second region which has some components of the first region in the same way. In particular, the second region of the device 1 has a second conveyor belt 30', which in turn is guided over a second roller arrangement with a plurality of rollers, of which the two rollers 33' and 35' are visible.The second conveyor belt 30' also has a plurality of holes 31', with a second suction unit 40' being designed to generate a further vacuum region in the region of a section 30a' of the second conveyor belt 30', in order to provide respective air streams through the holes 31' provided in the second conveyor belt 30', which air streams suck the uppermost flat element 2a of the stack 3 from the receiving device 10 to the second conveyor belt 30'. The suction units 40, 40' and the conveyor belts 30, 30' can thus jointly suck in and convey the respective uppermost flat element 2a (see also Figures 1 and 2). The components provided in the second region of the device 1 can, in particular, have the same characteristics and functionalities as the components of the first region of the device 1 provided in the first region and explained with reference to Figures 1 and 2.In this regard, reference is made to the explanations of Figures 1 and 2. In Fig. 3, for example, a drive 74', a connecting piece 73' and a sensor unit 50' can also be seen, although this is not a subsequent list. Fig. 3 also shows how a conveyed flat element 2 is being moved out of the device 1. The flat elements 2 sucked up and conveyed by means of the device 1 can, as shown in Fig. 3, be moved together by the components of the two areas. A flat element 2 can be sucked up and transported simultaneously by the first suction unit 40 and the second suction unit 40' in cooperation with the first conveyor belt 30 and the second conveyor belt 30', as described above.

[0121] The interaction of the conveyor belts 30 and 30' can also be used to eliminate any possible skew or twist of the element 2 to be separated. For this purpose, for example, the first conveyor belt 30 can be moved briefly somewhat faster or slower than the second conveyor belt 30'. In other words, if the flat element 2 is skewed, the conveyor belts 30 and 30' can briefly run at different speeds to straighten the flat element 2, whereby a higher negative pressure can be applied to the faster-running conveyor belt 30 and 30'. The skew or twist can be detected by the sensor unit 50 described above.

[0122] Fig. 4 shows a side view of the device 1 from Figures 1 and 2, including a movement mechanism 14 for the receiving device 10. With regard to the designation of the individual components shown, reference is made to the description of Figures 1 and 2. Fig. 4 shows a guide mechanism 15 which, together with a mechanical movement mechanism 13, for example a spindle mechanism, can move the receiving device 10 arranged on the floor 12 up and down along the movement directions 14. As a result, the stack 3 located in the receiving device 10 can be successively moved or guided upwards in order to position the uppermost battery element 2a close enough to the suction unit 40 and to the section 30a of the conveyor belt 30 so that it can be sucked in.

[0123] Fig. 5 shows a plan view of the device 1 from Figures 1 to 4, again showing both areas of the device 1 that have already been described with reference to Fig. 3. With regard to the designation of the individual components, reference is therefore also made here to Figures 1 to 4. It can be seen here that the sucked-in uppermost flat element 2a extends between the two conveyor belts 30, 30', so that it can be sucked onto both conveyor belts 30, 30' together. Likewise, a flat element 2 that has already been sucked in and is already being conveyed further can be seen, which is just about to leave the device 1.This further transported flat element 2 also extends between the two conveyor belts 30, 30', being transported by means of both conveyor belts 30, 30' and / or by means of a further transport device arranged after the conveyor belts 30, 30', to which the conveyor belts 30, 30' transfer the flat elements 2.

[0124] Fig. 6 shows a detailed view of an area X, which is indicated in Fig. 2 by a dashed

[0125] Rectangle is indicated. The detailed view illustrates the suction unit 40, wherein the suction unit 40 now has two vacuum chambers 411 and 412, which can be provided in the device 1 instead of the previously described single vacuum chamber 41. Both vacuum chambers 411 and 412 can be separated from one another by a partition 410, so that the suction unit 40 can set a first pressure in the first vacuum chamber 411 independently of a second pressure in the second vacuum chamber 412 and / or a second pressure in the second vacuum chamber 412 independently of a first pressure in the first vacuum chamber 411. The pressures can again be set via one of the control units 60, 80 (cf. Figures 1 and 2). In the same way, the suction unit 40 can additionally have further vacuum chambers one behind the other in relation to the withdrawal direction 4. With regard to the other vacuum chambers shown in Fig.For the components shown in Figure 6, reference is again made to the explanations for Figures 1 to 5.

[0126] Fig. 7 shows a flow chart for a method for singulating flat elements for the production of galvanic cells, in particular a method for singulating flat elements 2 using the device 1 described above (cf. Figures 1 to 6). In a step S1, a stack 3 of flat elements 2 comprising a plurality of flat elements 2 is received in a receiving device 10, and an uppermost flat element 2a of the stack 3 of flat elements 2 is provided at a singulation region 20. In a further step S2, a conveyor belt 30 is moved in a withdrawal direction 4 along the singulation region 20. In a further step S3, a vacuum is generated in the region of a section 30a of the conveyor belt 30 by means of a suction unit 40, in order to suck the uppermost flat element 2a of the stack 3 of flat elements 2 from the receiving device 10 onto the conveyor belt 30.In a further step S4, a suctioned state is maintained by means of the suction unit 40, so that the uppermost flat element 2a remains suctioned onto the conveyor belt 30. In a further step S5, the uppermost flat element 2a is conveyed while maintaining the suctioned state, in order to thus convey the uppermost flat element 2a away from the receiving device 10 in the withdrawal direction 4.

Claims

P a t e n t a n s p r ü c h e 1. A device (1) for singulating flat elements (2) for the production of galvanic cells, comprising: a receiving device (10) designed to receive a stack (3) of flat elements (2) with a plurality of flat elements (2) in order to provide the flat elements (2) one after the other at a singulation area (20); a conveyor belt (30) for conveying a flat element (2) in a withdrawal direction (4); a suction unit (40) for generating a negative pressure in the region of a section (30a) of the conveyor belt (30) in order to thereby suck an uppermost flat element (2a) of the stack (3) of flat elements (2) from the receiving device (10) onto the conveyor belt (30);wherein the suction unit (40) is designed to maintain a sucked-in state in which the uppermost flat element (2a) is sucked onto the conveyor belt (30) during the conveyance of the uppermost flat element (2a), in order to thus convey the uppermost flat element (2a) away from the receiving device (10) in the withdrawal direction (4); 2. Device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the conveyor belt (30) is a conveyor belt (30) guided in a revolving manner over a roller arrangement (32).

3. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the conveyor belt (30) has a plurality of holes (31), which are preferably provided one behind the other and / or next to one another in the conveyor belt (30) with respect to the withdrawal direction (4); wherein the suction unit (40) is designed to generate the negative pressure in the region of the section (30a) of the conveyor belt (30) in order to thereby to provide respective air streams through the holes (31) provided on the conveyor belt (30), which air streams suck the uppermost flat element (2a) of the stack (3) of flat elements (2) from the receiving device (10) onto the conveyor belt (30) 4. Device (1) according to claim 3, wherein the suction unit (40) is designed to suck the uppermost flat element (2a) through the conveyor belt (30) along the withdrawal direction (4) simultaneously at at least two discrete positions of the conveyor belt (30), at each of which at least one of the holes (31) of the conveyor belt (30) is located, through which the suction unit (40) provides the negative pressure.

5. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising: a second conveyor belt (30') arranged next to the conveyor belt for conveying the planar element in the withdrawal direction, wherein the / a suction unit for generating a negative pressure is present in the region of a section of the second conveyor belt in order to thus suck the uppermost planar element of the stack from the receiving device to the second conveyor belt and to maintain a sucked state in which the uppermost planar element is sucked to the conveyor belt during the conveyance of the uppermost planar element in order to thus convey the uppermost planar element away from the receiving device in the withdrawal direction, wherein the device is designed to convey the planar element away from the receiving device in the withdrawal direction simultaneously through the interaction of the conveyor belt and the second conveyor belt.

6. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising: a sensor unit (50) for detecting a position of a flat element (2) conveyed by the conveyor belt (30) or a multiple take-off of flat elements (2), wherein the device preferably comprises a control unit (60) for controlling the suction unit (40) generated Negative pressure in the region of the section (30a) of the conveyor belt (30) as a function of the position of the flat element (2) conveyed by the conveyor belt (30) as detected by the sensor unit (50).

7. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device is designed to move the conveyor belt (30) continuously along the withdrawal direction through a vacuum region provided by the suction unit (40) during the separation of a plurality of the flat elements (2).

8. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the suction unit (40) has a vacuum chamber (41) which is arranged adjacent to the conveyor belt (30), in particular is arranged immediately behind the conveyor belt (30) as viewed from the uppermost flat element (2a) of the stack (3), and provides the vacuum in the region of the section (30a) of the conveyor belt (30).

9. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the suction unit (40) has a plurality of vacuum chambers (411, 412) arranged one behind the other along the withdrawal direction (4); wherein the suction unit (40) is designed to set a first pressure in a first vacuum chamber (411) independently of a second pressure in a second vacuum chamber (412) and / or a second pressure in a second vacuum chamber (412) independently of a first pressure in a first vacuum chamber (411).

10. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising: an adjusting unit (70) which is designed to move the conveyor belt (30) at least in sections between a lower position (71) and an upper position (72), so that a distance between the conveyor belt (30) and the uppermost flat element (2a) of the stack (3) in the upper position (72) is greater than a distance between the conveyor belt (30) and the uppermost flat element (2a) of the stack (3) in the lower position (71).

11. Device (1) according to claim 10, wherein the adjusting unit (70) is designed to carry out the at least partial movement of the conveyor belt (30) between the lower position (71) and the upper position (72) in the form of a tilting movement, in order to thus move the conveyor belt (30) at least partially between a lower tilting position (71) and an upper tilting position (72); wherein the adjusting unit (70) is designed in particular to position the conveyor belt (30) at least partially relative to the uppermost flat element (2a) of the stack (3) in such a way that the conveyor belt (30) comes into contact with the uppermost flat element (2a) of the stack (3) in the lower position (71).

12. Device (1) according to one of claims 10 to 11, wherein the adjusting unit (70) is designed to move at least a part of the suction unit (40) together with the conveyor belt (30) between the lower position (71) and the upper position (72).

13. Device (1) according to one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the control unit (60) or a further control unit (80) is designed to control the negative pressure generated by the suction unit (40) as a function of a current position of the conveyor belt (30) relative to the uppermost planar element (2a) of the stack (3) provided by the adjusting unit (70); and / or wherein the control unit (60) or the further control unit (80) is designed to control a current position of the conveyor belt (30) relative to the uppermost planar element (2a) of the stack (3) as a function of a current position of a planar element (2) conveyed in the withdrawal direction (4), in particular to control the adjusting unit (70) in such a way that it (30) into the lower position (71) as soon as the sensor unit (50) has detected a trailing edge of a previous flat element (2).

14. Device (1) according to claim 13, comprising: a presence sensor unit (90) for detecting a presence of planar elements (2) in the receiving device (10); wherein the control unit (80) is designed to control the at least partial movement of the conveyor belt (30) between the lower position (71) and the upper position (72) depending on the presence of planar elements (2) in the receiving device (10) detected by the presence sensor unit (90).

15. Method (1) for separating flat elements (2) for the production of galvanic cells, comprising: Receiving a stack (3) of planar elements (2) with a plurality of planar elements (2) in a receiving device (10) and providing an uppermost planar element (2a) of the stack (3) of planar elements (2) at a separating area (20, S1); Moving a conveyor belt (30) in a withdrawal direction (4) along the separation area (20, S2); Generating a negative pressure in the region of a section (30a) of the conveyor belt (30) by means of a suction unit (40) in order to suck (S3) the uppermost flat element (2a) of the stack (3) of flat elements (2) from the receiving device (10) onto the conveyor belt (30); Maintaining a sucked state by means of the suction unit (40) so that the uppermost flat element (2a) remains sucked onto the conveyor belt (30) (S4); Conveying the uppermost flat element (2a) while maintaining the sucked-in state, in order to thereby convey the uppermost flat element (2a) in the withdrawal direction (4) away from the receiving device (10) (S5).

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