Battery manufacturing device and battery manufacturing method

Abstract

The present invention reduces the possibility of an electrode body being damaged by bending a laminate outer packaging. A bending device (6) bends a peripheral portion (2b) provided on the outer periphery of an accommodation section (2a) of a laminate outer packaging (2), said accommodation section (2a) accommodating an electrode body. The bending device (6) comprises: a bending mechanism (7) that bends the peripheral portion (2b) at a first bending position in the vicinity of the accommodation section (2a) and a second bending position more distant from the accommodation section (2a) than the first bending position, the bending being done while the peripheral portion (2b) passes through a passing region (74); and a movement mechanism (8) that moves the laminate outer packaging body (2). The bending mechanism (7) bends the peripheral portion (2b) such that the bending angle of the peripheral portion (2b) at the second bending position becomes smaller as the peripheral portion (2b) travels farther through the passing region (74), and bends the peripheral portion (2b) at the first bending position in accordance with the bending of the peripheral portion (2b) at the second bending position.

Description

Battery manufacturing apparatus and battery manufacturing method

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery manufacturing apparatus and the like.

[0002] An electrode assembly as a power generating element is usually sealed in an exterior body and provided as a battery. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a battery manufacturing device that uses an exterior body made of a laminate film (laminated exterior body) and folds the peripheral edge of the laminate exterior body that houses the electrode assembly to form a seal portion.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-59425

[0004] However, in the above-mentioned manufacturing device, the peripheral portion of the laminated outer casing is folded at one point, and the force generated at the peripheral portion by the folding acts on the storage portion of the laminated outer casing, and there is a risk that this force will damage the electrode body stored in the storage portion.

[0005] An object of one aspect of the present invention is to reduce the possibility of the electrode assembly being damaged by bending the laminate exterior body.

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, one embodiment of the battery manufacturing apparatus of the present invention is a battery manufacturing apparatus that manufactures a battery comprising an electrode body, a storage section that stores the electrode body, and a laminated outer casing having a peripheral edge portion provided on the outer periphery of the storage section, and is equipped with a folding mechanism that has a passing area through which the peripheral edge portion passes, and that folds at least a portion of the peripheral edge portion at a first folding position near the storage section and a second folding position that is farther from the storage section than the first folding position while the peripheral edge portion passes through the passing area, and a moving mechanism that moves one of the folding mechanism and the laminated outer casing that stores the electrode body relative to the other so that the peripheral edge portion passes through the passing area, and the folding mechanism folds the peripheral edge portion so that the bending angle of the peripheral edge portion at the second folding position becomes smaller as the peripheral edge portion progresses through the passing area, and folds the peripheral edge portion at the first folding position in conjunction with the bending of the peripheral edge portion at the second folding position.

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, one embodiment of the battery manufacturing method of the present invention is a battery manufacturing method for manufacturing a battery including an electrode body, a storage section that stores the electrode body, and a laminated outer casing having a peripheral portion provided on the outer periphery of the storage section, and includes a folding process in which at least a portion of the peripheral portion is folded at a first folding position near the storage section and a second folding position farther from the storage section than the first folding position while moving one of the folding mechanism and the laminated outer casing that stores the electrode body relative to the other so that the peripheral portion passes through a passing area in a folding mechanism having a passing area through which the peripheral portion passes, and in the folding process, the peripheral portion is folded so that the bending angle of the peripheral portion at the second folding position becomes smaller as the peripheral portion progresses through the passing area, and the peripheral portion is folded at the first folding position in conjunction with the bending of the peripheral portion at the second folding position.

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the electrode assembly will be damaged by bending the laminate exterior body.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the configuration of an all-solid-state battery related to each embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view showing the configuration of the all-solid-state battery. FIG. 3 is a side view showing the structure of a battery unit of the all-solid-state battery. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the state of the all-solid-state battery before the peripheral portion of a laminated exterior body included in the all-solid-state battery is folded. FIG. 5 is a side view showing the state of the all-solid-state battery before the peripheral portion of the laminated exterior body is folded. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the configuration of a bending device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a bending mechanism included in the bending device. FIG. 8 is a side view showing the configuration of a fixing mechanism included in the bending device. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the configuration of a folding structure part of the bending device and a process of folding the peripheral portion of the laminated exterior body using the folding structure part. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a change in a second folding position in the folding mechanism relative to the advance position of the laminated exterior body. FIG. 11 is a plan view showing the configuration of a bending device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a side view showing the configuration of a bending device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a side view showing the configuration of a bending device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] [All-Solid-State Battery] Hereinafter, all-solid-state batteries related to each embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the configuration of an all-solid-state battery 10 related to each embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view showing the configuration of the all-solid-state battery 10. FIG. 3 is a side view showing the structure of a battery unit 1 included in the all-solid-state battery 10. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the state of the all-solid-state battery 10 before a peripheral portion 2b of a laminated exterior body 2 included in the all-solid-state battery 10 is folded. FIG. 5 is a side view showing the state of the all-solid-state battery 10 before a peripheral portion 2b of the laminated exterior body 2 is folded. Note that FIGS. 2 and 5 show the all-solid-state battery 10 as viewed from the Y direction in FIGS. 1 and 4, respectively.

[0012] <Configuration of All-Solid-State Battery> In the following embodiments 1 to 4, an all-solid-state secondary battery using a lithium ion conductive solid electrolyte, i.e., an all-solid-state lithium ion secondary battery, will be described as an example of an all-solid-state battery. However, it goes without saying that the all-solid-state battery according to the present invention is not limited to an all-solid-state lithium ion secondary battery.

[0013] 1 and 2 , an all-solid-state battery 10 (battery) includes a battery unit 1 and a laminated exterior body 2. The battery unit 1 is enclosed in the laminated exterior body 2. As also shown in FIG. 3 , the battery unit 1 includes an electrode assembly 3, a positive electrode current collector 4, and a negative electrode current collector 5.

[0014] The electrode body 3 is a power generating element that can function as a battery by itself. The planar shape of the electrode body 3 is square (e.g., rectangular). The electrode body 3 will be described in detail later. The electrode body 3 has a positive electrode layer 31, a negative electrode layer 32, and a solid electrolyte layer 33. The positive electrode layer 31 is an electrode layer having a positive polarity. The negative electrode layer 32 is an electrode layer having a negative polarity. The solid electrolyte layer 33 is a layer formed of a solid electrolyte, and is interposed between the positive electrode layer 31 and the negative electrode layer 32.

[0015] The positive electrode layer 31 is formed of a composite (mixture) of a positive electrode active material and a solid electrolyte, or of the positive electrode active material alone. The positive electrode active material may be a material commonly used for positive electrode active materials in the field of all-solid-state batteries. Examples of the positive electrode active material include lithium-containing oxides (e.g., lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO), lithium nickel oxide (LiNiO), and lithium manganese oxide (LiMnO, etc.)).

[0016] The negative electrode layer 32 is formed of a composite (mixture) of a negative electrode active material and a solid electrolyte, or of only the negative electrode active material. The negative electrode active material may be any material commonly used in the field of all-solid-state batteries. Examples of the negative electrode active material include graphite (natural graphite, artificial graphite, etc.), carbon materials (graphite carbon fiber, resin-baked carbon, etc.), tin, lithium, oxides, sulfides, nitrides, alloys, etc., regardless of the form of powder, foil, etc.

[0017] The solid electrolytes used in the positive electrode layer 31, the negative electrode layer 32, and the solid electrolyte layer 33 are materials that are commonly used in the field of lithium ion batteries. Examples of such solid electrolytes include organic compounds, inorganic compounds, and materials made of both organic and inorganic compounds. Among inorganic compounds, Li ２ S-P ２ S ５ Sulfides such as these have superior ionic conductivity compared to other inorganic compounds.

[0018] The positive electrode current collector 4 is a conductive member that comes into contact with the positive electrode layer 31 of the electrode body 3. The positive electrode current collector 4 has a main body portion that is formed in a square (e.g., rectangular) shape with a larger area than the electrode body 3 so as to come into contact with the electrode body 3. A tab 4a for connecting to an external connection target is provided at the edge of one short side of the main body portion so as to protrude from the main body portion.

[0019] The negative electrode current collector 5 is a conductive member that comes into contact with the negative electrode layer 32 in the electrode body 3. The negative electrode layer 32 has the same shape and size as the positive electrode current collector 4, and has a main body portion that is the same as the main body portion of the positive electrode current collector 4. A tab 5a for connecting to an external connection target is provided on the edge of one short side of the main body portion so as to protrude from the main body portion at a position that does not overlap with the tab 4a.

[0020] 3, the battery unit 1 has one electrode body 3. However, the battery unit 1 is not limited to this and may have a plurality of electrode bodies 3. When the battery unit 1 has a plurality of electrode bodies 3, the plurality of electrode bodies 3 are stacked to form a stacked body.

[0021] The multiple electrode bodies 3 are connected in series by being arranged so that the positive electrode layer 31 and the negative electrode layer 32 are in contact between the stacked electrode bodies 3. The positive electrode current collector 4 is arranged so as to be in contact with the positive electrode layer 31 that appears in the electrode body 3 at one end of the stack. The negative electrode current collector 5 is arranged so as to be in contact with the negative electrode layer 32 that appears in the electrode body 3 at the other end of the stack.

[0022] The multiple electrode bodies 3 are connected in parallel by being stacked so that the positive electrode layers 31 and negative electrode layers 32 of the respective electrode bodies 3 face each other. A plurality of positive electrode current collectors 4 are provided and are arranged so as to contact both of the facing positive electrode layers 31 between two adjacent electrode bodies 3. A plurality of negative electrode current collectors 5 are provided and are arranged so as to contact both of the facing negative electrode layers 32 between two adjacent electrode bodies 3.

[0023] The laminated exterior housing 2 has a storage section 2a and peripheral sections 2b to 2d. The laminated exterior housing 2 has a shape (e.g., rectangular) that follows the outer shape of the electrode assembly 3. The storage section 2a is formed in a box-like shape that follows the outer shape of the electrode assembly 3 in order to store the electrode assembly 3. The peripheral sections 2b to 2d are provided on the outer periphery of the storage section 2a.

[0024] The peripheral edge portion 2b is provided on both long side sides of the laminate exterior body 2 and is folded in two stages overall. Specifically, the peripheral edge portion 2b is folded toward one of the large-area surfaces of the storage section 2a at a position slightly laterally away from the outer peripheral side surface of the storage section 2a, and is further folded toward the other large-area surface of the storage section 2a near the large-area surface. The folding shape of the peripheral edge portion 2b is not limited to the above example, as long as it is folded overall in two stages, at a position near the storage section 2a and a position distant from the large-area position.

[0025] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, before being folded, the peripheral edge 2b extends so as to protrude from the side of the storage section 2a. By folding such peripheral edge 2b using a folding device of each embodiment described later, the peripheral edge 2b as shown in Figures 1 and 2 is formed.

[0026] The peripheral edge 2c is provided on one short side of the laminated exterior body 2 from which the tabs 4a and 5a are pulled out. The peripheral edge 2d is provided on the other short side of the laminated exterior body 2, i.e., on the opposite side to the peripheral edge 2c.

[0027] The laminate exterior 2 is formed by folding a rectangular sheet of laminate film in half. The edges of the long sides of the folded laminate film are overlapped and heat-sealed, and then the edges are folded as described above to form peripheral edge 2b. The edges of the short sides of the laminate film are overlapped to form peripheral edge 2c. The portion of the laminate film that has a certain width to be folded forms peripheral edge 2d.

[0028] The laminated outer casing 2 may be a laminated film formed into a bag shape, or may be two laminated films bonded together by heat sealing at the outer periphery of four sides.

[0029] [First Embodiment] Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

[0030] <Configuration of Bending Device> Fig. 6 is a plan view showing the configuration of the bending device 6 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the bending mechanism 7 provided in the bending device 6. Fig. 8 is a side view showing the configuration of the fixing mechanism 82 provided in the bending device 6. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing the configuration of a folding structure 71 of the bending device 6 and a folding step in which the folding structure 71 folds the peripheral edge portion 2b of the laminate exterior body 2.

[0031] 6 , the bending device 6 (battery manufacturing device) is a device for manufacturing the above-described all-solid-state battery 10, and includes a bending mechanism 7 and a moving mechanism 8. The bending mechanism 7 is a mechanism for folding the peripheral edge portion 2 b of the laminated exterior body 2 by moving the laminated exterior body 2 accommodating the battery unit 1 across the bending mechanism 7. The moving mechanism 8 is a mechanism for moving the laminated exterior body 2.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 7, the bending mechanism 7 has a base 70 and two bending structure parts 71 .

[0033] The base 70 is a rectangular, plate-like member. The base 70 has two folding regions 70a and a movement region 70b. The folding region 70a is an area where the folding structure 71 is arranged. The folding region 70a has a constant width from both ends of the long sides of the base 70 to the center of the width in the short side direction of the base 70, and is provided over the entire length of the base 70 in the longitudinal direction. The movement region 70b is an area where the storage section 2a of the laminate exterior body 2 moves. The movement region 70b is provided between the two folding regions 70a and over the entire length of the base 70 in the longitudinal direction.

[0034] The folding structure 71 has a structure that folds at least a part of the peripheral edge 2b among the peripheral edges 2b to 2d, and is disposed over the entire folding region 70a. The folding structure 71 has a lower structure 72 and an upper structure 73. The lower structure 72 is fixed to the folding region 70a of the base 70. The upper structure 73 is disposed on the lower structure 72, and is fixed to the lower structure 72 by bolts at fixing regions 73b near the side edges.

[0035] The folding structure 71 has a passing area 74 formed between the lower structure 72 and the upper structure 73. The passing area 74 is an area through which the peripheral edge portion 2b passes within the folding structure 71 as the laminate exterior body 2 moves. The passing area 74 has a spacing in the thickness direction of the folding structure 71 that is slightly wider than the thickness of the peripheral edge portion 2b so that at least the peripheral edge portion 2b can pass through. The passing area 74 opens over the entire length of the folding structure 71 on the side surfaces where the two folding structures 71 face each other. The passing area 74 also has an entrance portion 74a that opens on the side where the peripheral edge portion 2b enters, and an exit portion (not shown) that opens on the side where the peripheral edge portion 2b exits.

[0036] 9, the lower structure 72 has a groove 72a, and the upper structure 73 has a convex structure 73a arranged at a position opposite to the groove 72a. The passage area 74 is a space formed between the groove 72a and the convex structure 73a.

[0037] The grooves 72a are formed so that they become deeper and narrower as they approach the outlet from the inlet 74a of the passage area 74. The convex structures 73a are formed so that they protrude longer and narrower in width in accordance with the change in the shape of the grooves 72a as they approach the outlet from the inlet 74a. The grooves 72a are not formed at the inlet 74a, but are formed immediately after the inlet 74a.

[0038] The folding structure 71 folds the peripheral edge 2b at a first folding position P1 and a second folding position P2 while the peripheral edge 2b passes through the passage area 74. The first folding position P1 is the position of the opening of the passage area 74 located near the storage section 2a. The second folding position P2 is a position in the passage area 74 farther from the storage section 2a than the first folding position P1.

[0039] The moving mechanism 8 includes a tensioning device 81 , a fixing mechanism 82 , and a wire 83 .

[0040] The tensioning device 81 is a device that pulls the fixing mechanism 82 in the X direction along the long side direction of the bending mechanism 7. The wire 83 connects the tensioning device 81 and the fixing mechanism 82, and transmits the tension force of the tensioning device 81 to the fixing mechanism 82.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 8 , the fixing mechanism 82 includes a lower pressing portion 82a, an upper pressing portion 82b, and a gap adjustment portion 82c. The lower pressing portion 82a is a plate-shaped portion that contacts the lower surface of the storage portion 2a of the laminated outer casing 2 and presses the storage portion 2a upward from the lower surface. The upper pressing portion 82b is a plate-shaped portion that contacts the upper surface of the storage portion 2a and presses the storage portion 2a downward from the upper surface. The gap adjustment portion 82c, which is simplified in FIG. 8 , is a mechanical portion that adjusts the gap between the lower pressing portion 82a and the upper pressing portion 82b, narrowing the gap to hold the storage portion 2a with the lower pressing portion 82a and the upper pressing portion 82b. The fixing mechanism 82 is configured in this manner to fix the storage portion 2a containing the battery unit 1. One end of a wire 83 is connected to the gap adjustment portion 82c.

[0042] The fixing mechanism 82 moves in a sliding manner on the moving region 70b of the base 70. Therefore, it is preferable that the surface of the moving region 70b and the bottom surface of the lower pressing portion 82a are formed smoothly to reduce friction between the fixing mechanism 82 and the moving region 70b. Alternatively, a roller that rolls on the moving region 70b may be provided on the bottom surface of the lower pressing portion 82a of the fixing mechanism 82.

[0043] The above-described configuration of the moving mechanism 8 is merely an example and is not limited to this configuration. For example, the moving mechanism 8 may be configured to move the laminated outer casing 2 by pushing it instead of pulling it. For example, the moving mechanism 8 may be configured to move the lower pressing portion 82 a and the upper pressing portion 82 b by directly pushing them using a robot or the like.

[0044] Alternatively, instead of moving the laminated outer casing 2, the laminated outer casing 2 may be fixed in a fixed position, and a moving mechanism (not shown) may move the folding mechanism 7 relative to the laminated outer casing 2. For example, in the folding mechanism 7 shown in FIG. 7 , the laminated outer casing 2 is fixed to an area formed by expanding one end of the base 70 in the longitudinal direction of the base 70, and the folding structure 71 is moved on the base 70 in the direction opposite to the X direction by the moving mechanism. The moving mechanism may be a well-known moving mechanism that linearly moves the folding structure 71 while restricting the moving direction on the base 70 with a guide rail. <Folding of Peripheral Edge Portion by Bending Device (Battery Manufacturing Method)> FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the change in the second folding position in the folding mechanism 7 relative to the moving position of the laminated outer casing.

[0045] When peripheral edge portion 2b is inserted into entrance portion 74a of folding structure 71 at point A shown in Fig. 6, entrance portion 74a has a linear shape, and therefore peripheral edge portion 2b cannot be folded, as shown in Fig. 9. As laminate outer casing 2 is pulled and moved by movement mechanism 8, folding of peripheral edge portion 2b begins at the location where groove 72a is provided in passage area 74 immediately after entrance portion 74a. As peripheral edge portion 2b further moves through passage area 74, peripheral edge portion 2b is gradually folded.

[0046] 6, which is about one-quarter of the total length of the bending structure 71 from the entrance 74a, the groove 72a forming the passage area 74 is relatively shallow and wide. At this point, the first bending angle θ1 at the first bending position P1 and the second bending angle θ2 at the second bending position P2 are large.

[0047] 6, which is about half the total length of the bending structure 71 from the entrance 74a, the groove 72a forming the passage area 74 becomes deeper and narrower. At this point, the first bending angle θ1 and the second bending angle θ2 become smaller.

[0048] 6 near the exit of the passage area 74, the groove 72a forming the passage area 74 becomes deepest and narrowest, and the first bending angle θ1 and the second bending angle θ2 become smallest at this point.

[0049] This is also apparent from the change in the position of the second bending position P2 in the X direction shown in Fig. 10. In Fig. 10, the upper side shows the change in the second bending position P2 in a side view of the bending structure 71, and the lower side shows the change in the second bending position P2 in a plan view of the bending structure 71.

[0050] Effect of the embodiment As described above, in the bending device 6 according to the present embodiment, the bending structure 71 bends the peripheral edge portion 2b such that the first bending angle θ1 of the peripheral edge portion 2b at the second bending position P2 decreases as the peripheral edge portion 2b progresses through the passing region 74. Furthermore, the bending structure 71 bends the peripheral edge portion 2b such that the second bending angle θ2 of the peripheral edge portion 2b at the first bending position P1 decreases as the peripheral edge portion 2b is bent at the second bending position P2.

[0051] By performing this folding process, the peripheral edge 2b is also folded at the first folding position P1 in conjunction with the folding of the peripheral edge 2b at the second folding position P2. By folding the peripheral edge 2b at the first folding position P1, the force generated by the folding of the peripheral edge 2b at the second folding position P2 is reduced by the folded portion of the peripheral edge 2b at the first folding position P1. Therefore, the force acting on the electrode body 3 of the battery unit 1 from the peripheral edge 2b via the storage section 2a can be reduced.

[0052] As also shown in FIG. 10, the second bending position P2 of the bending structure 71 approaches the storage section 2a as the first bending angle θ1 of the peripheral edge section 2b decreases.

[0053] 9, as the first bending angle θ1 decreases, the distance between the first bending position P1 on the peripheral portion 2b and the outer circumferential edge of the peripheral portion 2b decreases. If the second bending position P2 remains unchanged even as the first bending angle θ1 decreases, the force with which the peripheral portion 2b pulls the storage portion 2a increases as the distance decreases. In contrast, as described above, as the first bending angle θ1 decreases, the second bending position P2 moves closer to the storage portion 2a, thereby weakening the force with which the peripheral portion 2b pulls the storage portion 2a.

[0054] Furthermore, in the bent structure 71, a space of the passage area 74 is formed between the groove 72a and the protruding structure 73a. Therefore, the passage area 74 can be formed with a simple structure.

[0055] [Embodiment 2] Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described below. For the sake of convenience, the same reference numerals will be used to designate components having the same functions as those described in the above-mentioned embodiment 1, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0056] Fig. 11 is a plan view showing the configuration of a bending device 6A according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 12 is a side view showing the configuration of the bending device 6A.

[0057] 11 and 12 , the bending device 6A (battery manufacturing device) includes a bending mechanism 7A and a fixing mechanism 9. The bending mechanism 7A moves the laminated exterior body 2 housing the battery unit 1, and the laminated exterior body 2 moves along the bending mechanism 7A, thereby folding the peripheral edge portion 2b of the laminated exterior body 2. The fixing mechanism 9 has a configuration similar to the fixing mechanism 82 described above. Therefore, a description of the fixing mechanism 9 will be omitted.

[0058] The bending mechanism 7A includes a base 70 as in the first embodiment, but instead of the two bending structure parts 71, it includes two bending structure parts 71A.

[0059] Like the folding structure 71, the folding structure 71A is formed by folding the peripheral edge portion 2b and is disposed on the folding region 70a of the base 70. The folding structure 71A has a lower folding portion 75 and an upper folding portion 76. The folding structure 71A has a passage region 74 formed between the groove of the first roller 753 and the convex structure of the second roller 762, which will be described later.

[0060] The lower bending section 75 includes a lower support 751 and a plurality of first rollers 752. The lower support 751 is a support case formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The plurality of first rollers 752 are supported at the upper end of the lower support 751 so as to be rotatable in the directions of the arrows shown in FIG. 12 . The first rollers 752 are driven to rotate by a drive mechanism (not shown) provided within the lower support 751. Although not shown, the first rollers 752 have grooves on their outer surfaces that define the second bending position P2 described above. The shape of the grooves in the first rollers 752 varies depending on the positions at which the first rollers 752 are disposed. Specifically, the grooves are formed so that they become deeper and narrower as the positions of the first rollers 752 approach the exit portion from the entrance portion of the passage area 74 (formed at the same position as the entrance portion 74a described above).

[0061] The upper bending portion 76 has an upper support body 761 and a plurality of second rollers 762. The upper support body 761 is a support case formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The plurality of second rollers 762 are supported at the lower end of the upper support body 761 so as to be rotatable in the directions of the arrows shown in FIG. 12 . The second rollers 762 are driven to rotate by a drive mechanism (not shown) provided within the upper support body 761.

[0062] The second rollers 762 are arranged so as to individually face the first rollers 752. Although not shown, the second rollers 762 have convex structures on their outer circumferential surfaces that are arranged at positions facing the grooves of the first rollers 752. The shape of the convex structures of the second rollers 762 varies depending on the position at which the second rollers 762 are arranged. Specifically, the convex structures are formed so that the protruding length increases and the width decreases as the arrangement position of the second rollers 762 approaches the exit portion from the entrance portion of the passage area 74.

[0063] The lower support 751 is fixed to the bending region 70a of the base 70. The upper support 761 is disposed on the lower support 751 and is fixed to the lower support 751 by bolting in a fixing region near the side edge (a region corresponding to the fixing region 73b in FIG. 7).

[0064] In the folding device 6A configured as described above, the first roller 752 and the second roller 762 rotate while clamping the peripheral edge portion 2b, thereby moving the laminated outer casing 2 in the X direction. Then, the first roller 752 and the second roller 762 near the entrance of the passing area 74 begin folding the peripheral edge portion 2b. As the peripheral edge portion 2b further advances through the passing area 74, the first roller 752 and the second roller 762, which correspond to the traveling position, gradually fold the peripheral edge portion 2b.

[0065] As a result, like the folding structure 71, the folding structure 71A folds the peripheral edge 2b so that the first bending angle θ1 of the peripheral edge 2b at the second bending position P2 decreases as the peripheral edge 2b progresses through the passage area 74. Furthermore, the folding structure 71A folds the peripheral edge 2b so that the second bending angle θ2 of the peripheral edge 2b at the first bending position P1 decreases as the peripheral edge 2b is bent at the second bending position P2. Moreover, like the folding structure 71, the folding structure 71A moves the second bending position P2 closer to the storage section 2a as the first bending angle θ1 of the peripheral edge 2b decreases.

[0066] By performing this folding process, the folding device 6A moves the second bending position P2 closer to the storage section 2a as the first bending angle θ1 decreases, similar to the folding device 6. This reduces the force with which the peripheral edge 2b pulls the storage section 2a.

[0067] Furthermore, by providing the first roller 752 and the second roller 762, the folding device 6A can reduce the sliding resistance that occurs between the first roller 752 and the second roller 762 and the peripheral edge portion 2b. Moreover, when a drive mechanism that rotates the first roller 752 and the second roller 762 is provided, the first roller 752 and the second roller 762 function as a moving mechanism, so there is no need to provide a moving mechanism like the moving mechanism 8 of the folding device 6.

[0068] It should be noted that, instead of moving the laminated outer casing 2, if the laminated outer casing 2 is fixed in a fixed position and the folding mechanism 7A is moved relative to the laminated outer casing 2 by a moving mechanism (not shown), the first roller 752 and the second roller 762 are not driven. In this configuration, as the folding mechanism 7A moves, the first roller 752 and the second roller 762 rotate while holding the peripheral edge 2b of the laminated outer casing 2, thereby folding the peripheral edge 2b.

[0069] However, in this configuration, the first roller 752 and the second roller 762 are driven by rolling on the peripheral edge portion 2 b. Therefore, the load that the peripheral edge portion 2 b receives from the first roller 752 and the second roller 762 is greater than in the above-described configuration in which the first roller 752 and the second roller 762 are driven. Therefore, in order to reduce the load that the peripheral edge portion 2 b receives, it is desirable to employ the above-described configuration in which the first roller 752 and the second roller 762 are rotationally driven.

[0070] [Embodiment 3] Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described below. For the sake of convenience, the same reference numerals will be used to designate components having the same functions as those described in the first and second embodiments, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0071] FIG. 13 is a side view showing the configuration of a bending device 6B according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0072] 13 , the bending device 6B (battery manufacturing device) includes a bending mechanism 7B and a moving mechanism 8. The bending mechanism 7B is a mechanism that folds the peripheral edge portion 2 b of the laminated outer casing 2 by moving the laminated outer casing 2 housing the battery unit 1 along the bending mechanism 7B.

[0073] The bending mechanism 7B includes a base 70 as in the first embodiment, but instead of the two bending structure parts 71, it includes two bending structure parts 71B.

[0074] Like the folding structure 71, the folding structure 71B is arranged on the folding region 70a of the base 70 by folding the peripheral edge 2b. The folding structure 71B has a lower folding portion 77 and an upper folding portion 78. The folding structure 71B has a passage region 74 formed between grooves formed on the surface of a first belt 772 (described later) and convex structures formed on the surface of a second belt 782 (described later).

[0075] The lower bending section 77 includes a lower support 771, a first belt 772, a pair of rollers 773, and a lower structure 72. The lower support 771 is a support case formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The pair of rollers 773 that drive the first belt 772 are disposed near the entrance and exit of the passage area 74 at the upper end of the lower support 771, respectively, and are supported so as to be rotatable in the directions of the arrows shown in FIG. 13. The rollers 773 are driven to rotate by a drive mechanism (not shown) provided within the lower support 771. The first belt 772 is made of an elastic material such as rubber, and is driven by being stretched over the rollers 773.

[0076] The lower structure 72 is disposed on the rear side of the surface where the first belt 772 contacts the peripheral edge portion 2b within the lower support 771. The front surface of the first belt 772 has a groove that defines the second bending position P2 when the groove 72a (see FIG. 9) of the lower structure 72 is pressed against the rear surface.

[0077] The upper bending section 78 includes an upper support 781, a second belt 782, a pair of rollers 783, and the upper structure 73. The upper support 781 is a support case formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The pair of rollers 783 that drive the second belt 782 are disposed near the entrance and exit of the passage area 74 at the upper end of the upper support 781, respectively, and are supported so as to be rotatable in the directions of the arrows shown in FIG. 13. The rollers 783 are driven to rotate by a drive mechanism (not shown) provided within the upper support 781. The second belt 782 is made of an elastic material such as rubber, and is driven by being stretched over the rollers 783.

[0078] The upper structure 73 is disposed on the rear side of the surface where the second belt 782 contacts the peripheral edge portion 2 b within the upper support 781. The surface of the second belt 782 has a convex structure disposed at a position facing the groove defined by the first belt 772 by the convex structure 73 a (see FIG. 9 ) of the upper structure 73 being pressed against the rear side.

[0079] In the folding device 6B configured as described above, as the peripheral edge portion 2b passes through the passing area 74, which is constituted by grooves formed on the surface of the first belt 772 and protruding structures provided on the surface of the second belt 782, the peripheral edge portion 2b is gradually folded in accordance with the shape of the passing area 74. As a result, like the folding structure 71, the folding structure 71B folds the peripheral edge portion 2b so that the first bending angle θ1 of the peripheral edge portion 2b at the second bending position P2 decreases as the peripheral edge portion 2b passes through the passing area 74. Furthermore, the folding structure 71B folds the peripheral edge portion 2b so that the second bending angle θ2 of the peripheral edge portion 2b at the first bending position P1 decreases as the peripheral edge portion 2b is bent at the second bending position P2. Moreover, in the folding structure 71B, similarly to the folding structure 71, the second folding position P2 approaches the storage section 2a as the first folding angle θ1 of the peripheral edge section 2b decreases.

[0080] By performing this folding process, the folding device 6B moves the second bending position P2 closer to the storage section 2a as the first bending angle θ1 decreases, similar to the folding device 6. This reduces the force with which the peripheral edge 2b pulls the storage section 2a.

[0081] Furthermore, the first belt 772 and the second belt 782 may be driven so that their respective movement speeds match the relative speed of the peripheral edge portion 2b and the folding mechanism 7B. For example, when the folding mechanism 7B is fixed and the laminated outer casing 2 moves, the first belt 772 and the second belt 782 are driven to move at approximately the same speed as the movement speed of the laminated outer casing 2. Alternatively, when the laminated outer casing 2 is fixed and the folding mechanism 7B moves by some kind of moving means, the first belt 772 and the second belt 782 are driven to move at approximately the same speed as the movement speed of the folding mechanism 7B.

[0082] This reduces the sliding resistance that occurs between the first belt 722 and the second belt 782 and the peripheral edge portion 2b.

[0083] [Embodiment 4] Embodiment 4 of the present invention will be described below. For ease of explanation, the same reference numerals will be used to designate components having the same functions as those described in the above-mentioned embodiments 1 to 3, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0084] FIG. 14 is a side view showing the configuration of a bending device 6C according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0085] 14 , the bending device 6C (battery manufacturing device) includes a bending mechanism 7C and a fixing mechanism 9. The bending mechanism 7C is a mechanism that moves the laminated exterior body 2 that houses the battery unit 1, and folds the peripheral edge portion 2b of the laminated exterior body 2 as the laminated exterior body 2 moves along the bending mechanism 7C.

[0086] The bending mechanism 7C includes the base 70 as in the first embodiment, but instead of the two bending structure parts 71, it includes two bending structure parts 71C.

[0087] Like the folding structure 71, the folding structure 71C is arranged on the folding region 70a of the base 70 by folding the peripheral edge portion 2b. The folding structure 71C has a lower folding portion 77 and an upper folding portion 78. The folding structure 71C has a passing region 74 formed between the groove of the first roller 752 via the surface (first opposing surface 772a) of the first belt 772 described below and the convex structure of the second roller 762 via the surface (second opposing surface 782a) of the second belt 782 described below.

[0088] The lower bending portion 77 has a lower support 771, a plurality of first rollers 752, and a first belt 772. The plurality of first rollers 752 are arranged on the surface of the first belt 772, i.e., on the rear side of a first opposing surface 772a that faces the second belt 782. The surface of the first opposing surface 772a of the first belt 772 has a groove that defines the second bending position P2 when the groove of the first roller 752 is pressed against the surface from the rear side.

[0089] The upper folding portion 78 has an upper support 781, a plurality of second rollers 762, and a second belt 782. The plurality of second rollers 762 are arranged on the surface of the second belt 782, i.e., on the back side of a second opposing surface 782a that faces the first belt 772. The surface of the second opposing surface 782a of the second belt 782 has a convex structure that is arranged at a position facing the groove defined by the first belt 772, as the convex structure of the second roller 762 is pressed against it from the back side.

[0090] The first belt 772 and the second belt 782 function as a moving mechanism that moves the laminate outer casing 2 while holding the peripheral edge portion 2b.

[0091] The bending device 6C configured as described above has a configuration in which the lower structure 72 and the upper structure 73 of the above-described bending device 6B are replaced with a first roller 752 and a second roller 762, respectively. This allows the bending device 6C to fold the peripheral edge portion 2b in the same manner as the bending device 6B. Furthermore, the bending device 6C moves the laminated outer casing 2 using the first belt 772 and the second belt 782. This eliminates the need for a movement mechanism such as the movement mechanism 8 of the bending device 6B. Furthermore, because the first belt 722 and the second belt 782 move the laminated outer casing 2, sliding resistance between the laminated outer casing 2 and the peripheral edge portion 2b can be reduced.

[0092] [Summary] As described above, the battery manufacturing apparatus according to aspect 1 of the present invention is a battery manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a battery including an electrode body, a storage section that stores the electrode body, and a laminated exterior body having a peripheral edge portion provided on the outer periphery of the storage section, the battery manufacturing apparatus comprising: a passing area through which the peripheral edge portion passes; a folding mechanism that folds at least a part of the peripheral edge portion at a first folding position near the storage section and a second folding position that is farther from the storage section than the first folding position while the peripheral edge portion passes through the passing area; and a moving mechanism that moves one of the folding mechanism and the laminated exterior body that stores the electrode body relative to the other so that the peripheral edge portion passes through the passing area, the folding mechanism folds the peripheral edge portion so that the bending angle of the peripheral edge portion at the second folding position becomes smaller as the peripheral edge portion progresses through the passing area, and folds the peripheral edge portion at the first folding position in conjunction with the bending of the peripheral edge portion at the second folding position.

[0093] According to the above configuration, the peripheral edge portion is also bent at the first bending position in conjunction with the bending of the peripheral edge portion at the second bending position. As a result, the force generated by the bending of the peripheral edge portion at the second bending position is reduced by the bent portion of the peripheral edge portion at the first bending position. Therefore, the force acting on the electrode body from the peripheral edge portion via the storage section can be reduced.

[0094] A battery manufacturing apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is based on the first aspect, and the bending mechanism may bring the second bending position closer to the storage portion as the bending angle of the peripheral edge portion becomes smaller.

[0095] As the bending angle decreases, the distance between the first bending position on the peripheral portion and the outer circumferential edge of the peripheral portion becomes narrower. If the second bending position remains unchanged even as the bending angle decreases, the force with which the peripheral portion pulls the storage portion increases as the distance decreases. In contrast, with the above configuration, as the bending angle decreases, the second bending position moves closer to the storage portion. This reduces the force with which the peripheral portion pulls the storage portion.

[0096] In a battery manufacturing apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention, in the battery manufacturing apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the bending mechanism may have a groove that defines the second bending position and a convex structure that is disposed opposite the groove, and the passing area may be a space formed between the groove and the convex structure. This allows the passing area to be formed with a simple structure.

[0097] A battery manufacturing apparatus according to aspect 4 of the present invention may be such that, in the above-mentioned aspect 1 or 2, the bending mechanism includes a first roller having a groove on its outer peripheral surface that defines the second bending position, and a second roller having a convex structure on its outer peripheral surface that is positioned opposite the groove, and the passing area is a space formed between the groove and the convex structure.

[0098] According to the above configuration, it is possible to reduce the sliding resistance generated between the first roller and the second roller and the peripheral edge portion.

[0099] A battery manufacturing apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the battery manufacturing apparatus of the fourth aspect, wherein the first roller and the second roller may rotate while clamping the peripheral edge portion, thereby moving the laminate exterior body.

[0100] According to the above configuration, the first roller and the second roller function as a moving mechanism, so there is no need to provide a separate moving mechanism.

[0101] A battery manufacturing apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is, in the first or second aspect described above, a battery manufacturing apparatus, wherein the bending mechanism includes a first belt having a groove on its surface that defines the second bending position, and a second belt having a convex structure on its surface that is positioned opposite the groove, the passing area being a space formed between the groove and the convex structure, and the first belt and the second belt being driven to match the moving speed of the first belt and the second belt with the relative speed of the peripheral portion and the bending mechanism.

[0102] According to the above configuration, it is possible to reduce the sliding resistance generated between the first belt and the second belt and the peripheral edge portion.

[0103] A battery manufacturing apparatus according to a seventh aspect of the present invention may be the same as that according to the first or second aspect, wherein the moving mechanism comprises a first belt and a second belt that clamps the peripheral portion together with the first belt to move the laminated outer casing, the first belt having a first opposing surface that faces the second belt, the second belt having a second opposing surface that faces the first belt, the folding mechanism comprising a first roller arranged on the reverse side of the first opposing surface and having a groove on its outer circumferential surface that determines the second folding position, and a second roller arranged on the reverse side of the second opposing surface and having a convex structure on its outer circumferential surface that is arranged opposite the groove, and the passing area may be a space formed between the groove via the first opposing surface and the convex structure via the second opposing surface.

[0104] According to the above configuration, it is possible to reduce the sliding resistance generated between the first belt and the second belt and the peripheral edge portion.

[0105] A battery manufacturing method according to aspect 8 of the present invention is a battery manufacturing method for manufacturing a battery comprising an electrode body, a storage section that stores the electrode body, and a laminated outer casing having a peripheral edge portion provided on the outer periphery of the storage section, and includes a folding process in which at least a portion of the peripheral edge portion is folded at a first folding position near the storage section and a second folding position farther from the storage section than the first folding position while moving one of the folding mechanism and the laminated outer casing that stores the electrode body relative to the other so that the peripheral edge portion passes through a passing area in a folding mechanism having a passing area through which the peripheral edge portion passes, and in the folding process, the peripheral edge portion is folded so that the bending angle of the peripheral edge portion at the second folding position becomes smaller as the peripheral edge portion progresses through the passing area, and the peripheral edge portion is folded at the first folding position in conjunction with the bending of the peripheral edge portion at the second folding position.

[0106] According to the above method, as with the battery manufacturing apparatus, the force generated by bending the peripheral edge portion at the second bending position is reduced by the portion of the peripheral edge portion bent at the first bending position, thereby reducing the force acting on the electrode body from the peripheral edge portion via the storage section.

[0107] [Additional Notes] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Furthermore, the technical scope of the present invention also includes configurations obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in each embodiment.

[0108] 2 Laminated outer casing 2b Peripheral edge portion 3 Electrode body 6, 6A to 6C Bending device (battery manufacturing device) 7, 7A to 7C Bending mechanism 8 Moving mechanism 10 All-solid-state battery (battery) 72a Groove 73a Convex structure 74 Passing area 752 First roller 762 Second roller 772 First belt 772a First opposing surface 782 Second belt 782a Second opposing surface P1 First bending position P2 Second bending position θ1 First bending angle (bending angle)

Claims

1. A battery manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a battery comprising an electrode body, a storage section that stores the electrode body, and a laminated exterior body having a peripheral edge portion provided on the outer periphery of the storage section, the battery manufacturing apparatus comprising: a folding mechanism having a passing area through which the peripheral edge portion passes, and which folds at least a portion of the peripheral edge portion at a first folding position near the storage section and a second folding position that is farther from the storage section than the first folding position while the peripheral edge portion passes through the passing area; and a moving mechanism that moves one of the folding mechanism and the laminated exterior body that stores the electrode body relative to the other so that the peripheral edge portion passes through the passing area, the folding mechanism folds the peripheral edge portion so that the bending angle of the peripheral edge portion at the second folding position becomes smaller as the peripheral edge portion progresses through the passing area, and folds the peripheral edge portion at the first folding position in conjunction with the bending of the peripheral edge portion at the second folding position.

2. The battery manufacturing device according to claim 1, wherein the bending mechanism brings the second bending position closer to the storage section as the bending angle of the peripheral edge portion becomes smaller.

3. A battery manufacturing device as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the bending mechanism has a groove that defines the second bending position and a convex structure that is positioned opposite the groove, and the passing area is a space formed between the groove and the convex structure.

4. A battery manufacturing apparatus as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the bending mechanism comprises a first roller having a groove on its outer peripheral surface that defines the second bending position, and a second roller having a convex structure on its outer peripheral surface that is positioned opposite the groove, and the passing area is a space formed between the groove and the convex structure.

5. The battery manufacturing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first roller and the second roller rotate while clamping the peripheral edge portion to move the laminate exterior body.

6. The battery manufacturing apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the folding mechanism comprises a first belt having a groove on its surface that defines the second folding position, and a second belt having a convex structure on its surface that is positioned opposite the groove, the passing area is a space formed between the groove and the convex structure, and the first belt and the second belt are driven to match the moving speed of the first belt and the second belt with the relative speed of the peripheral edge portion and the folding mechanism.

7. The battery manufacturing apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the moving mechanism comprises a first belt and a second belt that, together with the first belt, clamps the peripheral portion to move the laminated outer casing, the first belt having a first opposing surface that faces the second belt, and the second belt having a second opposing surface that faces the first belt, the folding mechanism comprises a first roller that is arranged on the back side of the first opposing surface and has a groove on its outer circumferential surface that determines the second folding position, and a second roller that is arranged on the back side of the second opposing surface and has a convex structure on its outer circumferential surface that is arranged at a position opposite the groove, and the passing area is a space formed between the groove via the first opposing surface and the convex structure via the second opposing surface.

8. A battery manufacturing method for manufacturing a battery comprising an electrode body, a storage section that stores the electrode body, and a laminated exterior body having a peripheral edge portion provided on the outer periphery of the storage section, comprising a folding step of bending at least a portion of the peripheral edge portion at a first bending position near the storage section and a second bending position farther from the storage section than the first bending position while moving one of the folding mechanism and the laminated exterior body that stores the electrode body relative to the other in a folding mechanism having a passing area through which the peripheral edge portion passes so that the peripheral edge portion passes through the passing area, wherein in the folding step, the peripheral edge portion is folded so that the bending angle of the peripheral edge portion at the second bending position becomes smaller as the peripheral edge portion progresses through the passing area, and the peripheral edge portion is folded at the first bending position in conjunction with the bending of the peripheral edge portion at the second bending position.

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