Apparatus and method for dividing a continuous web into segments, and stacking system for the energy-cell-production industry

Abstract

An apparatus (1) for dividing a continuous web (5) into segments (3) which are suitable for forming an energy cell, comprising a severing device (7), which is designed to sever a continuous web (5) in order to generate individual segments (3); a rotatably mounted first rotary conveying body (8), which has a segment-transporting surface (31) and is designed to feed the continuous web (5), on its segment-transporting surface (31), to the severing device (7) and to discharge individual segments (3), on its segment-transporting surface (31), from the severing device (7), wherein completion of a severing operation by means of the severing device (7) establishes a severing distance (33) between the continuous web (5) and the segment (3), generated during the respective severing operation, on the segment-transporting surface (31) of the first rotary conveying body; and a rotatably mounted second rotary conveying body (38), which has a segment-transporting surface (32) and is designed to transport segments (3) on its segment-transporting surface (32), wherein adjacent segments (3) are transported at a conveying distance (34) from one another on the segment-transporting surface (32) of the second rotary conveying body (38); wherein the apparatus (1) is designed to transfer segments (3) from the first rotary conveying body (8) onto the second rotary conveying body (38), wherein the apparatus (1) comprises a control device (13), which is designed to provide open-loop and / or closed-loop control for the rotational speeds of the first rotary conveying body (8) and of the second rotary conveying body (38) in such a way that the conveying distance (34) between adjacent segments (3) on the segment-transporting surface (32) of the second rotary conveying body (38) is greater than the severing distance (33).

Description

[0001] Device and method for dividing an endless web into segments and stacking system for the energy cell manufacturing industry

[0002] The present application relates to a device for dividing an endless web into segments suitable for forming an energy cell, and to a corresponding method. Furthermore, the application relates to a stacking system for the energy cell manufacturing industry.

[0003] It is known in principle from the prior art to use energy cells or energy storage devices in motor vehicles, other land vehicles, ships, aircraft, or stationary systems in the form of battery cells or fuel cells, with which large amounts of energy can be stored over extended periods. Such energy cells have a structure consisting of a large number of segments stacked together. These segments can, for example, be designed as electrode sheets, so that anode and cathode sheets alternate in the stack; in such a case, a separator layer is arranged between two adjacent electrode sheets.

[0004] According to a first variant, the separators can be designed in the form of individual separator sheets, between which the electrode sheets are arranged. In this case, the separator sheet can also be referred to as a segment. According to a second variant, it is also known to form the separator in the form of a material web by creating a zigzag-shaped folding geometry, i.e., by a so-called Z-fold, around the segments.

[0005] Regardless of whether the energy cell is formed according to the first or second method, the materials are typically supplied as continuous webs on coils, also known as bobbins. Therefore, each continuous web must first be divided into segments. This division into individual segments is necessary to process the material into an energy cell. Furthermore, the actual stacking process usually occurs in a discontinuous, timed motion, for example, according to the "pick and place" principle. This timed motion requires a suitable subdivision of the continuous webs into segments.

[0006] The object of this application is to disclose an improved device for dividing an endless web into segments suitable for forming an energy cell. Furthermore, the object of this application is to disclose an improved method and an improved stacking system.

[0007] The problem is solved by the features of the independent claims. Further preferred embodiments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims, the figures, and the accompanying description.

[0008] First, some terms used in this application are explained below: A body of revolution within the meaning of this application is any body that is mounted on a rotating support. The geometry of the body is not further defined by this term.

[0009] When this application refers to an endless web, it does not, of course, mean a web in the literal sense, but rather one that can be continuously fed into the production process. This feeding is only interrupted when a new web is provided. In practice, endless webs are created, for example, by joining two webs wound on coils, also known as bobbins. During the production process, the web is then unwound from the coil. The aim is to connect the web of an exhausted (old) coil with the web of a new coil with as little interruption to the production process as possible, so that the web is, in principle, continuously fed into the production process.

[0010] For the purposes of this application, "adjacent segments" refers to segments that follow one another directly along a conveying path of the device. Therefore, this does not include, for example, a gap between two segments that traverse the device on different conveying paths, which may be arranged in parallel.

[0011] A stacking table within the meaning of the present application is a device that has a storage surface on which a stack can be formed. The storage surface need not necessarily be smooth or continuous; it may, for example, also have recesses such as holes, ridges, or gaps. The holes, for example, are through openings extending from the top to the bottom of the storage surface. Alternatively or additionally, the storage surface may also include vacuum bores.

[0012] For the purposes of this application, a fold is to be understood as any type of fold. The fold edge of a fold therefore need not necessarily be pointed. Likewise, folds with rounded fold edges are also included.

[0013] According to a first aspect of this application, a device for dividing an endless web into segments suitable for forming an energy cell is proposed to solve the problem. This device comprises a cutting device configured to cut an endless web in order to produce individual segments; a rotatably mounted first conveyor rotating body with a segment transport surface, configured to feed the endless web to the cutting device on its segment transport surface and to discharge individual segments from the cutting device on its segment transport surface, wherein, upon completion of a cutting operation by means of the cutting device, a separation gap is established between the endless web and the segment produced in the respective cutting operation on the segment transport surface of the first conveyor rotating body;and a rotatably mounted second conveying unit with a segment transport surface, which is configured to transport segments on its segment transport surface, wherein adjacent segments are transported at a conveying distance from each other on the segment transport surface of the second conveying unit. The device is configured to transfer segments from the first conveying unit to the second conveying unit, the device comprising a control device configured to control and / or regulate the rotational speeds of the first conveying unit and the second conveying unit such that the conveying distance between adjacent segments on the segment transport surface of the second conveying unit is greater than the separation distance.

[0014] The separation distance is the distance that is established upon completion of the cutting process. In other words, the separation distance is the distance that is established between the continuous web and the segment by the action of the separating device during a cutting operation of the continuous web on the first conveyor rotating body. The separation distance is therefore established in the area on the segment transport surface of the first conveyor rotating body where the separating device effects the cutting action.

[0015] The invention has recognized that by appropriately controlling and / or regulating the rotational speeds of the first and second conveying rotating body, a desired conveying distance between adjacent segments on the second conveying rotating body can be achieved.

[0016] This can be achieved, for example, according to a first embodiment, by selectively generating slip between the first conveyor rotating body and the continuous web after the web has been cut, using the rotational speed of the first conveyor rotating body. This slip allows the free end of the continuous web to be moved across the segment transport surface until the conveying distance is reached. This is possible without additional components, since a continuous web, such as one supplied in the form of a bobbin (also called a coil), inherently possesses a certain inertia. To enhance this slip effect, a device, preferably a tension roller, can be provided upstream of the first conveyor rotating body to adjust the web tension of the continuous web to a desired level.The increase in the distance between two segments to the conveying distance can thus already take place on the first conveying rotating body.

[0017] Furthermore, according to a second embodiment, the conveying distance can also be adjusted by the processes during the transfer from the first conveying rotating body to the second conveying rotating body, which will be described in detail below.

[0018] It goes without saying that hybrid forms of these embodiments are also possible. For example, the separation distance between the continuous track and the first conveyor rotating body can be set to an initial distance on the first conveyor rotating body itself, perhaps by creating slippage. This initial distance may be greater than the separation distance but smaller than the conveying distance. By appropriately transferring the segments, the initial distance between adjacent segments on the first conveyor rotating body can be increased or decreased, so that the adjacent segments are transported at a conveying distance to each other on the second conveyor rotating body.

[0019] The subdivision within the meaning of the present application therefore includes not only cutting the continuous track in the transverse direction, but also the corresponding spacing of adjacent segments.

[0020] Preferably, the device is configured to transport adjacent segments on the segment transport surface of the first conveyor rotating body at an initial distance from each other, wherein the control device is configured to coordinate the rotational speeds of the first conveyor rotating body and the second conveyor rotating body such that the conveying distance between adjacent segments on the segment transport surface of the second conveyor rotating body is greater or less than the initial distance between the adjacent segments on the segment transport surface of the first conveyor rotating body.

[0021] Preferably, the initial distance is greater than or equal to the separation distance. More preferably, the initial distance is constant at least in one conveying section located immediately upstream of a transfer point where the segments of the first conveying rotating body connect to the second conveying rotating body. Particularly preferably, the initial distance can also be constant between the separation device and the transfer point.

[0022] The initial distance can, for example, correspond to the separation distance if no further spacing of adjacent segments occurs on the first rotating conveyor body after the cutting process. However, the initial distance can also be larger than the separation distance if the separation distance on the first rotating conveyor body increases after the cutting process.

[0023] By adjusting the rotational speeds of the first and second conveying units, the initial distance between adjacent segments on the first unit, which is typically small or zero, can be increased to the desired conveying distance on the second unit. Conversely, if the initial distance is greater than the conveying distance, adjusting the rotational speeds of the first and second units can decrease the initial distance, thus setting the conveying distance between two adjacent segments on the second unit. By appropriately adjusting the rotational speeds of the first and second units, the desired conveying distance between segments on the second unit can be set without requiring any structural modifications to the device.With a constant setting, the conveying distances of adjacent segments in the process are preferably constant. The adjustable conveying distance allows it to be adapted to the specific requirements of downstream process steps. For example, the segments spaced by the conveying distance can be fed downstream of the second conveying unit, perhaps by means of further conveying units, to a downstream functional unit or units. Examples of functional units include cleaning devices for cleaning segments; inspection devices for inspecting segments; or rejection devices for removing segments as samples from the production process. Furthermore, a functional unit can be a stacking device configured to stack the segments, if necessary.including segments of other types and / or material webs, stacked on top of each other.

[0024] Preferably, the device comprises a first drive unit, for example in the form of an electric motor, configured to drive the first rotating conveyor body into a rotary motion. Preferably, the device comprises a second drive unit, for example in the form of an electric motor, configured to drive the second rotating conveyor body into a rotary motion. The control unit is preferably configured to generate signals to control and / or regulate the first and second drive units.

[0025] Preferably, a segment is held in direct contact with the segment transport surface of the first rotating conveyor during transport. The rotational movement of the first rotating conveyor allows the segment resting on the segment transport surface to be transported in a circular path. Preferably, a segment is held in direct contact with the segment transport surface of the second rotating conveyor during transport. The rotational movement of the second rotating conveyor also allows the segment resting on the segment transport surface to be transported in a circular path.

[0026] The proposed device can be used to produce segments, particularly in the form of electrode sheets (i.e., anode or cathode sheets), but also, for example, segments in the form of separator sheets. Preferably, the separation gap on the first rotating conveyor is zero or less than 0.5 mm. This gap typically establishes itself between the continuous web and the segment after the cutting process is complete. The cutting device can thus exclusively separate the material web into individual segments without spacing them far apart. Alternatively or additionally, the initial gap on the first rotating conveyor is greater than 1.5 mm and / or less than 5 mm, preferably greater than 1.5 mm and / or less than 3 mm. This results in an increase in the separation gap on the first rotating conveyor after the cutting process.Alternatively or additionally, the conveying distance on the second conveying rotating body is greater than 6 mm and / or less than 50 mm, preferably greater than 7 mm and / or less than 40 mm.

[0027] The initial spacing preferably corresponds to the separation distance. In this case, adjacent segments are not further spaced apart after the separation process is completed by the separating device on the first conveyor rotating body. The increase in spacing on the second conveyor rotating body is then achieved by a corresponding transfer from the first to the second conveyor rotating body. This also prevents or at least minimizes slippage between the continuous conveyor and the first conveyor rotating body.

[0028] According to an advantageous further development, it is proposed that the control device is configured to execute a transfer sequence in which the device is controlled and / or regulated such that a segment is transferred from the first conveying rotating body to the second conveying rotating body, wherein the control device is configured to execute a spacing sequence with which the rotational speeds of the first and the second conveying rotating body are controlled and / or regulated such that the conveying distance between adjacent segments on the segment transport surface of the second conveying rotating body is greater or less than the initial distance between adjacent segments on the segment transport surface of the first conveying rotating body, wherein the control device is configured to execute the spacing sequence temporally after the transfer sequence.This ensures that the spacing sequence and the transfer sequence do not overlap in time. The transfer of a segment from the first conveyor to the second conveyor is thus completed before the conveying distance on the second conveyor is adjusted by means of the proposed synchronization of the rotational speeds of the first and second conveyors. This temporal separation of the transfer and spacing sequences prevents relative movement between the segment transport surface of the first and the segment transport surface of the second conveyor, i.e., slippage. This prevents segment wear and ensures high segment quality. Furthermore, contamination and wear on both the first and second conveyors are avoided.

[0029] During the execution of the transfer sequence, the control unit generates control signals to adjust the device so that exactly one segment is transferred from the first rotating conveyor to the second rotating conveyor. A variety of control signals can be used; these can be constant over time or change over time. The majority of these control signals can control and / or regulate various parameters of the device.

[0030] During the execution of the spacing sequence, the control unit generates control signals to control and / or regulate the rotational speeds of the first and second conveyor rotating bodies such that the conveying distance between adjacent segments on the segment transport surface of the second conveyor rotating body is greater than the separation distance between adjacent segments on the segment transport surface of the first conveyor rotating body. Specifically, two control signals are generated; the first control signal adjusts the first drive unit assigned to the first conveyor rotating body accordingly, and the second control signal adjusts the second drive unit assigned to the second conveyor rotating body accordingly.

[0031] According to a preferred embodiment, it is proposed that the control unit be configured to execute a transfer sequence after the execution of a spacing sequence. This allows the device to be operated in such a way that a spacing sequence is executed between the execution of two transfer sequences.

[0032] According to a further preferred embodiment, it is proposed that the control device be configured to rotate the first and second conveyor rotating bodies in a clocked motion, wherein a clocked motion comprises a plurality of sequentially occurring clock cycles, one cycle comprising the execution of a transfer sequence and a spacing sequence. The clocked motion is also advantageous because, in particular, the change in the rotational speed of the second conveyor rotating body can also be used by any subsequent functional units.

[0033] According to a further preferred embodiment, it is proposed that each cycle additionally includes the execution of a detent sequence, with which the device is controlled and / or regulated such that the peripheral speed of the first conveying rotating body and the peripheral speed of the second conveying rotating body are equal to zero or approximately equal to zero. Preferably, the control device is configured to immediately precede the execution of the detent sequence in time with the execution of the spacing sequence. In practice, it has proven advantageous to provide a detent sequence as a transition between the transfer sequence and the spacing sequence.

[0034] According to a further preferred embodiment, it is proposed that during the execution of the transfer sequence, the peripheral speed of the segment transport surface of the first conveyor rotating body and the peripheral speed of the segment transport surface of the second conveyor rotating body are identical or substantially identical. This enables slip-free transfer of the segment. Essential similarity of the peripheral speeds of the segment transport surfaces means that the peripheral speeds do not differ from each other by more than 10%, preferably by no more than 5%.

[0035] According to a further preferred embodiment, it is proposed that during the execution of the spacing sequence, the segment transport surface of the second conveying rotating body has a higher circumferential speed in the direction of a segment conveying direction than the segment transport surface of the first conveying rotating body. A circumferential speed in the direction of the segment conveying direction refers to the direction of rotation in which the rotating body turns to move a segment along a conveying path through the device. If a conveying rotating body briefly rotates against the segment conveying direction, then the circumferential speed is correspondingly negative. The invention recognizes that the desired distance between two adjacent segments, i.e., the conveying distance, can be easily set by the proposed difference in the rotational speeds of the first and second conveying rotating bodies.

[0036] This difference in rotational speeds can be achieved, for example, by having the first conveying unit remain stationary while executing the spacing sequence; and by having the second conveying unit rotate in the segment conveying direction while executing the spacing sequence. This allows for easy adjustment of the conveying distance.

[0037] According to another embodiment, the difference in rotational speeds can be achieved by having the second conveying rotating body remain stationary while executing the spacing sequence, and by rotating the first conveying rotating body in the opposite direction to the segment conveying direction while executing the spacing sequence. This also allows for easy adjustment of the conveying distance. According to a further preferred embodiment, it is proposed that the first conveying rotating body has a constant diameter over time; and / or that the receiving sections of the segment conveying surface of the first conveying rotating body, each configured to receive a segment, are radially immobile relative to the rest of the first conveying rotating body.and / or receiving sections of the segment transport surface of the first rotating conveying body, each designed to receive one segment, are immovable relative to the rest of the first rotating conveying body in the circumferential direction; and / or receiving sections of the segment transport surface of the second rotating conveying body, each designed to receive one segment, are immovable relative to the rest of the second rotating conveying body in the radial direction; and / or receiving sections of the segment transport surface of the second rotating conveying body, each designed to receive one segment, are immovable relative to the rest of the second rotating conveying body in the circumferential direction. This allows the first and / or the second rotating conveying body to have a simpler design. This reduces the manufacturing costs of the device and improves its system reliability.

[0038] In a further preferred embodiment, it is proposed that the first rotating conveying element is rotatably mounted about a first axis of rotation, and the second rotating conveying element is rotatably mounted about a second axis of rotation, with the distance between the first and second axes of rotation being constant. This means that the distance between the first and second axes of rotation remains constant during operation. The device may, for example, include an adjustment mechanism with which the distance between the first and second axes of rotation can be adjusted; by adjusting the distance, manufacturing tolerances of the device itself and / or variations in segment thickness can be compensated for.The constant distance between the first and second axes of rotation reduces the complexity of the device, thereby lowering the manufacturing costs and improving the system reliability characteristics of the device.

[0039] It is further proposed that the first conveying unit comprises a transport drum whose outer surface forms the segment transport surface of the first conveying unit; and / or that the second conveying unit comprises a transport drum whose outer surface forms the segment transport surface of the second conveying unit. It has proven particularly advantageous if both the first and second conveying units comprise a proposed transport drum. This also allows for a particularly efficient and well-controlled transfer of the segments from the outer surface of the first conveying unit to the outer surface of the second conveying unit.

[0040] It has also proven advantageous if the first conveying unit includes a vacuum device configured to hold the continuous web and the segments formed from it on the segment transport surface of the first conveying unit by applying vacuum; and / or if the second conveying unit includes a vacuum device configured to hold segments on the segment transport surface of the second conveying unit by applying vacuum. This allows for gentle product handling of the segments and / or the continuous web on the respective conveying unit. This prevents, for example, damage to the segments and / or the continuous web, resulting in improved quality of a product manufactured with the segments.

[0041] For example, the segmented transport surface of the first rotating conveying element, formed by the outer surface of a transport drum, has a plurality of openings that can be pressurized with a vacuum via the vacuum device. The vacuum device of the first rotating conveying element is, for example, fluidically connected or connectable to a vacuum generator via at least one corresponding vacuum line. Furthermore, the vacuum device of the first rotating conveying element can include at least one switchable valve to fluidically connect specific openings of the segmented transport surface to the vacuum generator.

[0042] Preferably, the second conveying rotating body is designed accordingly. For this purpose, the segmented transport surface of the second conveying rotating body, which is formed by the outer surface of a transport drum, has a plurality of openings that can be pressurized with a vacuum via the vacuum device. The vacuum device of the second conveying rotating body is, for example, fluidically connected or connectable to a vacuum generator via at least one corresponding vacuum line. This can be the same vacuum generator that is also connected or connectable to the vacuum device of the first conveying rotating body; however, it can also be a separate vacuum generator.Furthermore, the vacuum device of the second conveying rotating body can include at least one switchable valve to connect certain openings of the segment transport surface to the vacuum generator in a flow-technical manner.

[0043] At least one valve of the vacuum device of the first conveying rotor and / or at least one valve of the second conveying rotor is preferably connected to the control device via a signal. Furthermore, the control device is preferably configured to generate valve position signals with which the valves can be switched to a corresponding switching position.

[0044] Preferably, the continuous conveyor is guided on the first rotating conveyor body without slippage or with virtually no slippage; this can be achieved, for example, by holding the continuous conveyor on the rotating conveyor body using negative pressure. By preventing slippage, the peripheral speed of the first rotating conveyor body corresponds to the conveying speed of the continuous conveyor. Consequently, the conveying speed of the continuous conveyor can be adjusted by the peripheral speed of the first rotating conveyor body. Furthermore, preferably, the segments on the first and second rotating conveyor bodies are also transported without slippage, which can likewise be achieved by holding them on the respective segment transport surface using negative pressure.

[0045] According to a further preferred embodiment, it is proposed that the first and second rotating conveying bodies each comprise a vacuum device, wherein, by executing the transfer sequence, the vacuum devices of the first and second rotating conveying bodies are controlled and / or regulated such that, when a segment is transferred from the first rotating conveying body to the second rotating conveying body, a transfer force acts on the segment in the direction of the second rotating conveying body. In this way, a product-friendly transfer of a segment from the first to the second rotating conveying body can be carried out.

[0046] According to a preferred embodiment, it is proposed that the separating device comprises a cutting drum which is driven by a drive device to a rotary motion about a rotary axis, wherein the cutting drum comprises at least one radially outwardly projecting cutting knife, wherein the first conveying rotating body comprises a counter knife, wherein the cutting knife comprises a cutting edge, and the counter knife comprises a cutting edge, wherein the cutting edge of the cutting knife slides along the cutting edge of the counter knife in point-like contact with a section of the endless path during the rotary motion of the cutting drum.

[0047] A counter-knife within the meaning of this application is designed to interact with the cutting edge of the cutting knife to achieve a cut. The cutting edge can, for example, be designed as a sharp edge; the grinding angle of such an edge is preferably less than 35°, more preferably less than 25°, for example 22°. Alternatively, the angle of the surfaces meeting at the edge can also be more than 40° or more than 50°, for example 60°. In this case, the cutting edge is not designed as a pronounced, sharp edge. Preferably, the cutting edge of the cutting knife is oriented at a non-zero angle to the cutting edge of the counter-knife.

[0048] Preferably, the axis of rotation of the cutting drum is aligned parallel to the axes of rotation of the first and second conveyor rotating bodies.

[0049] The cutting blade, with its cutting edge, is deliberately positioned against the cutting edge of the counter blade, ensuring that the continuous web fed between them is reliably cut. Furthermore, the cutting edge of the cutting blade and the cutting edge of the counter blade are aligned so that, at the point of contact (hereinafter also referred to as the contact point), they are at a non-zero angle to each other. This allows the cutting blade to slide along the cutting edge of the counter blade at this point of contact during the rotation of the cutting drum, thereby cutting the continuous web.This means that the continuous web is not cut across its entire width simultaneously during the cutting process, but instead at a point of contact. This point of contact moves along the longitudinal direction of the cutting edge and the cutting line, thus severing the continuous web in a single cut perpendicular to its longitudinal extent. This allows for a cut with significantly lower cutting forces while simultaneously allowing for an unlimited, or at least considerably greater, width of the continuous web to be cut. The point of contact moves along a curved path, resulting from the combination of its movement perpendicular to the continuous web along the cutting edge of the counter blade and the concurrent rotation of the counter blade.The movement of the contact point is achieved by aligning the cutting edge and the cutting edge at a non-zero angle, in conjunction with the rotational movement of the cutting drum and the conveyor rotating body—that is, the relative movement of the cutting edge with respect to the cutting edge. This cutting process enables a particularly gentle cut of the continuous web with very little surface contamination.

[0050] The counter-knife need not be formed by a separate part; it can also be integrally integrated into the first rotating conveyor body by means of a corresponding shaping. Furthermore, the counter-knife can also be part of an insert component that is mounted on the circumference of the rotating conveyor body and may have additional functions. The only essential requirement for the counter-knife is that the first rotating conveyor body has a cutting edge, for example, in the form of a sharp edge, along which the cutting blade of the cutting drum slides. For the purposes of this invention, the counter-knife is understood to be the section of the first rotating conveyor body on which the cutting edge is provided, regardless of whether the counter-knife is implemented as a separate insert component or is integrally formed with the first rotating conveyor body.

[0051] Furthermore, the characteristic of point-like contact should not be understood in a purely mathematical sense. Instead, it is meant to express that the cutting blade and the counter blade only contact each other for a very short segment during the cutting process, which is already extended to a somewhat longer segment simply due to the elastic properties of the cutting blade and / or the counter blade. What is important for the cutting process is merely that the cutting blade and the counter blade contact each other in this short segment, and that during the cutting process, the cutting blade and the counter blade slide along this contact point by performing a longitudinal movement, thereby shearing off the continuous path perpendicular to its longitudinal extent.

[0052] Preferably, the rotational movements of the cutting drum and the first conveyor rotating body are synchronized. This allows the cutting edges of the cutting knife and the cutting edge of the counter knife to slide precisely against each other during the cutting process. The synchronized rotational movement is preferably achieved by the control unit. The control unit is thus configured to coordinate the rotational movements of the first conveyor rotating body, the second conveyor rotating body, and the cutting drum. Sensors are preferably provided to detect the rotational movement of the cutting drum and / or the first conveyor rotating body. For example, a rotary encoder can be provided to supply the control unit with the current angle of rotation of the first conveyor rotating body.Based on this angle of rotation, the control unit can activate a drive unit, which then rotates the cutting drum accordingly. The coordinated rotation of the cutting drum with that of the first conveyor rotating body also results in the cutting drum moving at a periodically changing speed, i.e., in a pulsed manner. For example, the synchronization of the rotations of the cutting drum and the first conveyor rotating body can also be achieved by having the conveyor rotating body and the cutting drum each act as slaves to a virtual master. This is accomplished using appropriate sensors to detect the rotations of the cutting drum and the first conveyor rotating body, which then provide the corresponding signals to the control unit. Preferably, a sensor, such as a rotary encoder, is also provided to detect the rotation of the second conveyor rotating body.This signal can also be provided to the control unit as an input signal.

[0053] It has also proven advantageous if, when the cutting edge of the cutting knife slides along the cutting edge of the counter knife, more than 50% of the sliding distance, and in particular the entire sliding distance, is completed during a rotational movement of the cutting drum and the first conveyor rotating body. Performing a shear cut with the conveyor rotating body in motion can improve the cutting quality.

[0054] Preferably, the cutting process, i.e., the severing of the continuous web by means of the cutting device, is carried out at least partially, and preferably completely, at a constant or nearly constant peripheral speed of the first rotating conveying element. This allows the cutting quality to be further improved. Complete cutting refers to the entire process from the initial cutting to the completion of the separation. The peripheral speed of the first rotating conveying element is preferably measured at its segment transport surface. If the device is configured to perform a shear cut using a cutting blade and counter blade as described above, then the sliding of the cutting edge of the cutting blade along the cutting edge of the counter blade preferably occurs at least partially, and in particular preferably completely, at a constant or nearly constant peripheral speed of the first rotating conveying element.

[0055] If the continuous path is not completely cut at a constant or nearly constant peripheral speed, the first alternative is to start the cut in an interval where the first rotating conveyor is accelerating. This allows the continuous path to be cut at a relatively slow speed at the beginning of the acceleration process, thus minimizing material wear. In this case, the end of the cut can also occur in the same transition interval where the rotating conveyor is accelerating. Alternatively, the end of the cut can occur when the first rotating conveyor is at a constant peripheral speed.

[0056] If the cutting process is not completed at a constant peripheral speed, a second alternative is to end the cut in an interval where the rotating conveyor is decelerating, preferably near standstill, where the peripheral speed is zero. This allows the blade to be withdrawn from the material at the slowest possible speed, thus ensuring particularly gentle cutting. The start of the cut then occurs, for example, in the transition interval where the first rotating conveyor accelerates from standstill or near standstill. The cut can also begin when the conveyor is moving at a constant or nearly constant peripheral speed. Furthermore, the start of the cut can also occur in the interval where the first rotating conveyor is decelerating.

[0057] Implementing these variations prevents chipping and burr formation on the segments. Furthermore, it reduces wear on the cutting edge of the blade and the cutting edge of the counter blade.

[0058] However, other embodiments of cutting devices are also possible, which are described below. It goes without saying that using a different embodiment of a cutting device may necessitate adjustments to the rest of the device, in particular to the first rotating conveyor body on which the continuous track is guided during cutting, and to the control unit.

[0059] The cutting device can, for example, include a laser for cutting the continuous track. The cutting device can, of course, also include multiple lasers. Preferably, the continuous track is cut completely with the at least one laser while the first rotating conveyor is at or near standstill, for example, during the execution of the incremental sequence. Alternatively, the continuous track can be cut completely with the at least one laser while the first rotating conveyor is rotating. Preferably, the cutting device also includes mirror devices and / or scanners in addition to the laser. Cutting with the laser while the first rotating conveyor is at or near standstill eliminates the need for complex beam tracking to compensate for the rotational movements and focus changes caused by the rotation of the first rotating conveyor.Furthermore, the laser erosion that occurs when the first rotating conveyor body is stationary can be eliminated, for example, by extraction. Finally, the heat-affected zone can also be reduced to a minimum because it is not enlarged by changes in angle. The laser beam source can be located inside or outside the first rotating conveyor body.

[0060] A single laser beam can also be deflected to multiple cutting points, for example using mirrors. This allows for partial or section-by-section cutting of the continuous web at the different cutting points. Alternatively, the continuous web can be only scored at the first cutting point without being completely cut. The multiple cutting points can correspond to a single cutting edge or to several cutting edges.

[0061] For the purposes of this application, a near standstill of a conveying rotating body is understood to mean that the circumferential speed of the segment transport surface of the conveying rotating body corresponds to at most 0.5 times the maximum circumferential speed of the corresponding conveying rotating body in operation, preferably at most 0.2 times and further preferably at most 0.1 times.

[0062] According to a further preferred embodiment, it is proposed that the cutting device comprises at least one cutting knife with an edge, wherein the cutting device is configured to cut the continuous web conveyed on the first conveyor rotating body with the edge, wherein the device is configured to convey a section of the continuous web to be cut by means of the first conveyor rotating body into a cutting area in which the cutting of the continuous web takes place, wherein the cutting device is configured to move the edge during the cutting of the continuous web such that the direction of movement of the edge in a plane of consideration that is orthogonal to the axis of rotation of the first conveyor rotating body deviates by a maximum of 10° from any opposite radial direction with respect to the first conveyor rotating body that passes through the cutting area within the plane of consideration.

[0063] Preferably, the cutting device is configured to move the cutting edge during the cutting of the endless path in such a way that the direction of movement of the cutting edge in the plane of view deviates by a maximum of 5°, and more preferably by a maximum of 2°, from any opposite radial direction with respect to the first conveyor rotating body that passes through the cutting area within the plane of view.

[0064] For the purposes of this application, a plane of view is defined as a plane orthogonal to the axis of rotation of the first conveying body, in which the cutting edge is guided past the counter-blade to effect the cut. This refers to the axis of rotation about which the first conveying body rotates to transport the continuous path on its surface. The plane of view is thus a sectional view through the device in a plane orthogonal to the axis of rotation of the first conveying body. It is further proposed that the previously defined movement of the cutting edge is satisfied for a plurality of planes of view, and preferably for all planes of view.

[0065] During the cutting process, in the context of this application, means that the proposed direction of movement of the cutting edge must be fulfilled at every point during the cutting process.

[0066] The cutting process, as defined in this application, begins with the initial contact of the cutting edge with the continuous web upon its immersion into it and ends when the cutting edge has penetrated the continuous web to such an extent that a section of the continuous web is completely separated from the remaining continuous web section; the separated section of the continuous web then forms one of the segments described above. Returning the cutting edge, and thus also the cutting knife, to a starting position from which the next cut begins is explicitly not part of the cutting process, because this return movement does not actually cause the continuous web to be cut.

[0067] For the purposes of this application, a cutting zone is understood to be the area defined by the device in which the continuous path is cut. It is the area in which the cutting edge of the cutting knife passes the cutting edge of the counter knife to effect a cut through the continuous path. In practice, the cutting zone can be described by a section of the cylindrical surface of the first rotating conveying body. The cutting zone extends over a relatively small angular range of the cylindrical surface with respect to the axis of rotation of the first rotating conveying body. Preferably, the cutting zone is located on a section of the segmented transport surface of the first rotating conveying body that extends over an angle of less than 10°, more preferably less than 5°, and particularly preferably less than 1° with respect to the axis of rotation of the first rotating conveying body.In principle, the angular range of the cutting zone is therefore very small. However, it can also be increased if, for example, the knife and thus the cutting edge is curved along its longitudinal axis; the cutting zone can also be increased by a slow rotation of the first conveyor rotary body during the cutting process.

[0068] For the purposes of this application, an opposite radial direction is understood to mean the direction that points contrary to the radial direction. An opposite radial direction therefore points radially inwards. The opposite radial direction, as defined in this application, points in the direction of the axis of rotation of the first conveyor rotating body, but does not intersect it.

[0069] If, within the scope of this application, the maximum deviation of the cutting edge's direction of movement from an opposite radial direction with respect to the first conveyor rotating body is defined, then this always refers to the internal angle between these two directions, i.e., an angle that is less than 180°.

[0070] The proposed direction of movement of the cutting edge enables a high-quality cut, and in particular, prevents material breakouts. This has proven especially advantageous when the continuous track consists of an electrode material. The first conveyor rotating body is rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation, so that rotation of the first conveyor rotating body about its own axis of rotation transports the continuous track; this axis of rotation defines an axial direction. The cutting device is preferably configured to guide the cutting edge in such a way that it does not move in the axial direction while cutting the continuous track. More preferably, the cutting device is configured so that the entire movement of the cutting edge, including the movement before and after the actual cutting, occurs without any movement in this axial direction.

[0071] Preferably, the cutting device is configured to guide the cutting edge through the continuous path in a translational or nearly translational motion during the cutting process. More preferably, the cutting device is configured to guide the cutting edge through the continuous path in a linear or nearly linear motion during the cutting process.

[0072] It is further proposed that the cutting device is configured to rotate the cutting edge simultaneously about at least two axes of rotation spaced apart from each other and aligned parallel to each other, wherein the rotational speeds at which the cutting edge of the cutting device is moved about the at least two axes of rotation are set by means of the control device such that the cutting edge is moved during the cutting of the endless path in such a way that its direction of movement in the plane of consideration deviates by a maximum of 10° from any opposite radial direction with respect to the first conveyor rotating body that passes through the cutting area within the plane of consideration.

[0073] This allows the advantage of a rotary movement of the cutting edge to be utilized, which is beneficial, for example, in terms of processing speed. This is because the rotary movement enables the mounting of multiple cutting blades, such as exactly two, on a single cutting drum, which are then used alternately to cut the continuous web. Furthermore, the preferably counter-rotating second rotation of the cutting edge around an additional axis of rotation allows the components of the rotational movements around the two axes of rotation to compensate for each other during the cutting of the continuous web, so that a cut through the continuous web can be made with no or only a minimal component of rotary movement.

[0074] It is further proposed that the separating device comprises a cutting drum which is driven by a drive device to a rotary motion about one of the at least two axes of rotation, wherein the cutting drum comprises the at least one cutting knife with the cutting edge, wherein the at least one cutting knife projects radially outwards, wherein the first conveying rotating body comprises a counter knife with a cutting edge, wherein the separating device is configured to move the axis of rotation of the cutting drum on a circular path about the further axis of rotation of the at least two axes of rotation such that the cutting edge is guided past the cutting edge by effect of a cut such that the direction of movement of the cutting edge in the plane of consideration deviates by a maximum of 10° from any opposite radial direction with respect to the first conveying rotating body which passes through the separating area within the plane of consideration.

[0075] In this embodiment, the counter blade is also designed to interact with the cutting edge of the cutting blade to achieve a cut. The cutting edge can, for example, be designed as a sharp edge; the grinding angle of such an edge is preferably less than 20°, and more preferably less than 10°. Alternatively, the angle of the surfaces meeting at the edge can also be more than 20°, preferably more than 40°. In this case, the cutting edge is not designed as a pronounced, sharp edge.

[0076] Preferably, the cutting edge of the cutting knife is aligned at an angle of non-zero degrees to the cutting edge of the counter knife.

[0077] By partially compensating for the rotational movement of the cutting drum around its own axis of rotation by moving this axis along a circular path, it is possible to ensure that, during the transverse cutting of the continuous web, the cutting edge exhibits no or only minimal rotation relative to the cutting edge. Preferably, the cutting edge is guided past the cutting edge in a linear motion during the cutting process. The cutting edge and the cutting edge can thus deliver a high-quality cut by means of a shearing action. The cutting edge can slide along the cutting edge; however, this is not strictly necessary. In principle, a contactless shearing action is also possible, in which the cutting edge and the cutting edge do not touch.Preferably, both the rotation of the cutting drum around its axis of rotation and the movement of this axis of rotation in a circular path around the other axis of rotation are each effected by a separately controllable servomotor. The drive unit of the cutting drum then includes a servomotor. Thus, the pressure of the cutting edge against the continuous conveyor and therefore also against the cutting edge can be controlled or regulated by these servomotors. Preferably, the servomotors are controlled or regulated by the control unit in a torque-dependent manner. It goes without saying that the movement of the cutting edge must be synchronized with the rotation of the first conveyor rotating body in such a way that the cutting edge of the cutting knife interacts with the cutting edge of the counter knife.

[0078] In practice, the cutting zone can be determined, for example, with the aid of the counter blade. In this case, the cutting zone is defined by the position or positions of the counter blade's cutting edge, where the cutting edge is guided past it to perform the cut.

[0079] It is also possible, of course, for the cutting blade and the counter blade to be curved along their respective longitudinal axes. This means that the cutting edge of the cutting blade and the cutting edge of the counter blade do not run parallel to the axis of rotation of the first conveyor rotating body. Even with such a curved cutting edge and a correspondingly adapted cutting edge, a high-quality cut can be achieved by the previously described direction of movement of the cutting edge, which in this case preferably applies to all planes of consideration. Preferably, a recess is provided downstream of the counter blade in the outer surface of the first conveyor rotating body, which forms the contact surface for the continuous track and also the segment transport surface. This allows the counter blade to have a free cutting edge on its downstream side.The recess is necessary so that the cutting blade of the cutting drum, which projects radially from the drum, can plunge into it while cutting the continuous web. The recess of the first conveyor rotating body thus forms a space for the cutting edge of the blade. The movement of the cutting edge and the rotation of the first conveyor rotating body must therefore be synchronized so that the cutting edge plunges into this recess. To compensate for the circumferential movement of the cutting edge relative to the first conveyor rotating body as it plunges into this recess, the rotation of the cutting edge around the axis of rotation of the cutting drum is relatively slow during cutting. Before and after the cut, the cutting drum can also be rotated more quickly around its axis of rotation.The cutting drum therefore preferably rotates around its axis of rotation at a periodically changing rotational speed.

[0080] Preferably, the radially projecting cutting blade is mounted on a base part of the cutting drum such that the cutting edge is inclined at the end containing the cutting edge in the direction of rotation of the cutting drum. The angle of inclination relative to a corresponding radial direction with respect to the cutting drum is, for example, between 5° and 10°. This inclination of the cutting blade relative to an orientation of the cutting edge in the radial direction ensures that the cutting edge is guided past the cutting edge at a distance that is as constant as possible during the cutting process. This improves the cutting quality.

[0081] Preferably, the device is configured to process an endless web fed at a constant or nearly constant speed, wherein the device includes a compensating device, for example comprising a dancer roller, which is positioned upstream of the first conveying rotating body and is configured to enable a transition between a first conveying section, in which the endless web moves at a constant conveying speed, and a second conveying section, in which the endless web moves at a periodically changing conveying speed. This allows the endless web to be fed to the compensating device at a constant or nearly constant speed, i.e., continuously, and then presented to the first conveying rotating body at a periodically changing speed, which is achieved, for example, by a clocked motion.

[0082] A dancer roller, as understood by those skilled in the art, is a roller or bolt around which an endless web is guided, wherein the longitudinal axis of the roller or bolt is mounted to be displaceable and / or pivotable in order to perform a compensating movement. In the case of a roller, the longitudinal axis is formed by its axis of rotation. The bolt can be configured to create an air film between the endless web and the bolt, so that the endless web is guided over the bolt with virtually no friction; consequently, the bolt does not need to be mounted to rotate. In practice, the dancer roller has proven to be a reliable component for compensating for the different conveying speeds between the first conveying section with a continuous conveying speed and the second conveying section with a periodically changing conveying speed.

[0083] Preferably, the device comprises a traction rotating element, for example a traction roller, arranged upstream of the first conveying rotating element in the conveying direction. The traction rotating element can be arranged immediately upstream of the first conveying rotating element in the conveying direction, i.e., the continuous path does not undergo any deflection between the traction rotating element and the first conveying rotating element. Alternatively, the traction rotating element can be arranged along a conveying section of the continuous path between the compensating device and the first conveying rotating element. The compensating device can also be arranged immediately upstream of the traction rotating element in the conveying direction, i.e., the continuous path does not undergo any deflection between the compensating device and the traction rotating element. The traction rotating element is driven and accordingly exerts a tractive force on the continuous path.

[0084] According to a second aspect of the present application, a stacking system for the energy cell manufacturing industry is proposed to solve the problem by forming a stack comprising a plurality of segments and a material web. Preferably, the material web is a separator material web. The disclosure scope of this application therefore also includes a stacking system with a separator material web guided therein.The stacking system is configured to fold the web of material in a zigzag pattern and to lay the segments on the web such that the segments are arranged in the folds of the web in the stack, the stacking system comprising the following components: a stacking table on which the stack is formed, a web feeder configured to convey the web of material to the stacking table, and a first segment feeder configured to convey segments to the stacking table and / or a second segment feeder configured to convey segments to the stacking table, wherein the first segment feeder comprises a device according to the first aspect of this application and / or the second segment feeder comprises a device according to the first aspect of this application.The proposed stacking system enables the formation of a stack with a so-called Z-fold, whereby the segments, for example, anode and / or cathode sheets, can advantageously be formed from the continuous web by appropriate cutting. The proposed device further allows the segments to be spaced at a conveying distance, so that they are provided at the stacking table at this distance from one another. The conveying distance can then preferably be selected to be tailored to the stacking process. Thus, a stack with improved quality and improved process reliability can be formed in a Z-fold using a material web, which is, for example, a separator.Furthermore, separating the continuous web using a clocked movement with a device according to the first aspect of this application allows the first or second segment feeder to be stopped within any given clock cycle. This can be advantageous, for example, if a defective segment has been ejected from the other segment feeder. By stopping a segment feeder, the production of new segments from the continuous web can be easily stopped. With a conventional cutting device, to which the continuous web is fed at a constant or nearly constant speed, stopping is not readily possible due to the sluggish start-up behavior.Up to now, it has been accepted that segments are still being produced by cutting them from the continuous web. These segments then have to be disposed of as excess material or stored at considerable expense in a buffer to be reintroduced into the production process at a later time, i.e., when the other segment feeder is again providing intact segments. Preferably, a stack is formed using the stacking system, the first and last segments of which consist of an anode sheet; segments of cathode and anode sheets alternate in between. Because the first and last segments each consist of an anode sheet, the full capacity of the relatively expensive cathodes can be utilized, and dendrite formation can be avoided. For example, every 47th cycle of the segment feeder that supplies the cathode sheets has to be skipped during stack formation.The proposed stacking system eliminates the need for costly intermediate storage of segments.

[0085] Preferably, the first segment feeder feeds segments of the first type to the stacking table, and the second segment feeder feeds segments of the second type. The segments of the first type can be, for example, anode sheets, and the segments of the second type, for example, cathode sheets. A separator sheet is preferably fed by means of the material web feeder. In this way, a battery cell can be manufactured on the stacking table by alternately folding the separator sheet in a Z-shape around anode and cathode sheets. It goes without saying that the device can also be used in an alternative embodiment of a stacking system in which the material web is not guided around the segments in a Z-fold. In this case, the material web is replaced by another type of segment, for example, separator sheets.The proposed device can then also be used to produce the required separator sheets by separating a corresponding continuous web.

[0086] Regardless of whether the separator is used in a Z-fold during stacking or whether several separators in the form of separator sheets are used, the quality of the energy cells formed can be comprehensively improved with a stacking system using the proposed device.

[0087] According to a third aspect of the present application, a method for dividing an endless web into individual segments suitable for forming an energy cell is proposed to solve the problem, wherein the method is carried out using the apparatus according to a first aspect of this application or with a stacking system according to a second aspect of this application. With regard to the technical effects and advantages associated with the proposed method, reference is made to the preceding descriptions in connection with the apparatus according to the first aspect of this application and / or the stacking system according to the second aspect of this application.

[0088] Preferably, the method comprises the following process steps: a) executing a transfer sequence, whereby a first segment is transferred from the first conveying rotating body to the second conveying rotating body; b) executing a spacing sequence, whereby the distance between the first segment and a second segment immediately following the first segment along a conveying path is increased, and subsequently; c) executing a further transfer sequence, whereby the second segment is transferred from the first conveying rotating body to the second conveying rotating body, such that on the second conveying rotating body the first segment is spaced from the second segment by a conveying distance.

[0089] Thus, by appropriate spacing in process step b), it can be ensured that after carrying out process step c), the conveying distance between two adjacent segments is established.

[0090] According to a preferred embodiment, it is proposed that the following process step follow between process steps a) and b): a') Executing a stop sequence by stopping the first and the second conveyor rotating body. By stopping the first and the second conveyor rotating body, the prerequisite is created that in a subsequent spacing sequence the first or the second conveyor rotating body can remain stationary.

[0091] Preferably, process step b) comprises the following process steps: d) stopping the first conveying rotating body; and simultaneously e) rotating the second conveying rotating body in the segment conveying direction.

[0092] According to a further embodiment, process step b) may include the following process steps: f) stopping the second conveying rotating body; and simultaneously g) rotating the first conveying rotating body in the opposite direction to the segment conveying direction.

[0093] By stopping the first or second conveyor rotating body, the conveying distance can be set particularly efficiently and accurately.

[0094] The invention is explained below with reference to preferred embodiments and the accompanying figures.

[0095] This shows

[0096] Fig. 1 shows a side view of a device for dividing an endless track into segments;

[0097] Fig. 2 shows a first detailed representation of a device for dividing an endless track into segments in a side view;

[0098] Fig. 3 shows a second detailed view of a device for dividing an endless track into segments in a side view;

[0099] Fig. 4 shows a third detailed view of a device for dividing an endless web into segments in a side view; Fig. 5 shows a fourth detailed view of a device for dividing an endless web into segments in a side view;

[0100] Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of a separation device and the first conveyor rotating body;

[0101] Fig. 7 shows a side view of a stacking system;

[0102] Fig. 8 shows a side view of a second embodiment of a separating device;

[0103] Fig. 9 shows a cutting process in a viewing plane in a first state with a second embodiment of the cutting device;

[0104] Fig. 10 shows a cutting process in a viewing plane in a second state with a second embodiment of the cutting device;

[0105] Fig. 11 shows a schematic representation of the kinematics of the cutting edge when performing a cut in a plane of view with a second embodiment of a cutting device;

[0106] Fig. 12 shows a side view of a third embodiment of a separating device; and

[0107] Fig. 13 shows a schematic representation of a method for dividing a continuous track into segments. Figure 1 shows a device 1 for dividing a continuous track 5 into individual segments 3. In the embodiments shown here, the continuous track 5 is an electrode track, i.e., an anode or a cathode track; accordingly, the segments 3 formed therefrom are cathode sheets or anode sheets.

[0108] The device 1 comprises a first conveyor rotating body 8, rotatably mounted about a first axis of rotation 35, and a second conveyor rotating body 38, rotatably mounted about a second axis of rotation 36. The device 1 further comprises a deflecting rotating body 15 in the form of a deflecting roller, a compensating device 23, and a traction rotating body 20 in the form of a traction roller; the continuous web 5 is guided over these components and thus fed to the first conveyor rotating body 8. On the first conveyor rotating body 8, the continuous web 5 is divided into segments 3 by means of a separating device 7. The segments 3 thus formed are then transferred to the second conveyor rotating body 38.

[0109] By means of the compensating device 23, the endless track can be fed at a constant speed, although the first and second conveying rotating bodies 8, 38 rotate at a variable speed.

[0110] The compensating device 23 comprises a dancer roller 24, the axis of rotation of which is mounted such that the dancer roller 24 can perform a compensating movement. In this embodiment, the compensating movement is effected by an active movement of the axis of rotation of the dancer roller 24; however, a passive compensating movement is also conceivable. Thus, an endless path 5 is fed to the dancer roller 24 in Figure 1 from above at a constant speed by means of the deflecting rotating body 15, and this path is then discharged downstream of the dancer roller 25 in a pulsed motion, i.e., at a variable speed.The compensating movement of the dancer roller 24 is coordinated such that the feed of the continuous web 5 occurs at a continuous conveying speed and its timed discharge takes place without a change in the web tension of the continuous web 5, or at most with a minimal change in the web tension; in this case, this is achieved by a motor-driven movement of the rotational axis of the dancer roller 24. The dancer roller 24 can be driven so that it can be set into rotational motion by a drive (not shown); this prevents slippage between the continuous web 5 and the dancer roller 24. The drive of the dancer roller 24 is synchronized with the conveying speed of the continuous web 5, i.e., the peripheral speed of the dancer roller 24 is identical to the conveying speed of the continuous web 5; in this way, slippage between the dancer roller 24 and the continuous web 5 can be avoided. The dancer roller 24 is operated in a timed manner, i.e.,It performs an identical sequence of compensating movements in each beat; the track tension can thus be kept constant.

[0111] Figure 3 clearly shows that the continuous web 5 is fed to the first rotating conveyor body 8. While the continuous web 5 rests against a segmented transport surface 31 of the first rotating conveyor body 8, it is cut by means of the cutting device 7, which, for example, comprises a cutting drum 14. The cutting drum 14, in turn, comprises radially outwardly projecting cutting blades 16, which interact with corresponding counter blades 17 of the first rotating conveyor body 8 in such a way that the continuous web 5 is cut in the transverse direction. However, other embodiments of a cutting device 7 are also possible.

[0112] Cutting the continuous web 5 by means of the cutting device 7 results in a separation gap 33 forming between the free end of the continuous web 5 and the cut segment 3, depending on the type of cutting device 7. This separation gap 33 can be zero if the free end of the continuous web 5 is still in contact with the cut segment 3 after the cutting process. However, it is also possible for the separation gap 33 to be greater than zero, namely when the cut segment 3 is already separated from the free end of the continuous web 5 by the cutting device 7, for example by the cutting edge 18 (see Figures 3 and 6); this separation caused by the cutting process using the cutting device 7 is generally less than 0.5 mm.

[0113] Furthermore, Figure 1 shows that the segments 3 on the segment transport surface 31 of the first conveyor rotating body 8 are spaced apart from each other by an initial distance 39, which, in the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 6, corresponds to the separation distance 33. The initial distance 39 is generally too small to efficiently process and / or handle the segments 3 in downstream process steps. Therefore, by means of the device 1, the initial distance 39 between adjacent segments 3 on the first conveyor rotating body 8 is increased to a conveying distance 34 on the second conveyor rotating body 38. In principle, the initial distance 39 can be larger than the conveying distance 34, so that the initial distance 39 must be reduced to achieve the conveying distance 34 on the second conveyor rotating body 38.

[0114] It can be seen from Figure 3 that the conveying distance 34, in which adjacent segments 3 are spaced apart on a segment transport surface 32 of the second conveying rotating body 38, is greater than the initial distance 39 on the first conveying rotating body 8.

[0115] Figure 1 further shows a control device 13, which is configured to control and / or regulate the rotational speeds of the first conveying rotating body 8 and the second conveying rotating body 38 such that, by transferring the segments 3 from the first conveying rotating body 8 to the second conveying rotating body 38, the distance between adjacent segments 3 can be increased to the conveying distance 34. The control device 13 is accordingly configured to generate control signals with which a drive device 9 of the first conveying rotating body 8 and a drive device 9 of the second conveying rotating body 38 are controlled; thus, the rotational speeds of the first conveying rotating body 8 and the second conveying rotating body 38 can be adjusted.

[0116] The control unit 13 is configured to execute a transfer sequence in which a segment 3 to be transferred is handed over from the first conveyor rotating body 8 to the second conveyor rotating body 38. During the execution of the transfer sequence, the peripheral speeds of the segment transport surface 31 of the first conveyor rotating body 8 and the segment transport surface 32 of the second conveyor rotating body 32 are identical. Furthermore, the direction of rotation of the conveyor rotating bodies 8 and 38 is opposite, so that the segments 3 are handed over without slippage from the first conveyor rotating body 8 to the second conveyor rotating body 8 while they are rotating. At a transfer point where the segment 3 is handed over from the first conveyor rotating body 8 to the second conveyor rotating body 38, the segment transport surfaces 31 and 32 are moved in the segment conveying direction 37; see Figure 2.

[0117] Both the first conveying rotating body 8 and the second conveying rotating body 38 each have a vacuum device (not shown). The vacuum device is designed to hold the segments 3 by applying vacuum to the segment transport surface 31, 32 of the respective conveying rotating body 8, 38. During the transfer of a segment 3 from the first conveying rotating body 8 to the second conveying rotating body 38, i.e., during the execution of the transfer sequence, the vacuum devices are controlled by the control unit 13 such that a transfer force acts on the segment 3 being transferred in the direction of the second conveying rotating body 38. The transfer of the segment 3 is complete when the segment 3 being transferred, with a surface facing the second conveying rotating body 38, is fully in contact with the segment transport surface 32.The state immediately after the transfer sequence has ended and before the execution of the subsequent spacing sequence is shown in Figure 4.

[0118] After the transfer sequence has been executed, the control unit 13 performs a holding sequence in which the rotational speed of the first and second conveyor rotating bodies 8 and 38 is zero; this state is also shown in Figure 4. In Figure 4, segment 3a has been completely transferred to the second conveyor rotating body 38. In contrast, segment 3b is still completely held by the first conveyor rotating body 8. Furthermore, it can be seen from Figure 4 that the conveying distance 34 has not yet been established between segments 3a and 3b; these follow each other at a distance of, for example, 2 mm. However, other distances between 1.5 mm and 5 mm are also possible.

[0119] After executing the resting sequence, the control device 13 executes a spacing sequence in which the rotational speeds of the first and second conveying rotating body 8, 38 are controlled and / or regulated such that on the segment transport surface 32 of the second conveying rotating body 38 adjacent segments 3 are each transported at a conveying distance 34 to each other.

[0120] Figure 5 shows the state at the end of the spacing sequence. Although segments 3a and 3b are still on the different conveyor rotating bodies 3a and 3b, they are already spaced so far apart that, after the transfer to the second conveyor rotating body 38, i.e., after the execution of the next transfer sequence, segment 3b is spaced at a conveyor distance 34 from segment 3a.

[0121] The distance between the rotation axes 35 and 36 remains constant during operation. The diameters of the first and second conveyor rotating bodies also remain constant during operation.

[0122] The increase of the initial distance 39 to the conveying distance 34 (see Figure 3) can be achieved by a corresponding transfer of the segments 3 from the first conveying rotating body 8 to the second conveying rotating body 38. During the execution of the distance sequence, the segment transport surface 32 of the second conveying rotating body 38 has a higher peripheral speed in the direction of the segment conveying direction 37 (see Figure 2) than the segment transport surface 31 of the first conveying rotating body 8.

[0123] This can be achieved, for example, by keeping the first conveying rotating body 8 stationary during the execution of the spacing sequence, i.e., its peripheral speed is zero or nearly zero. Meanwhile, the second conveying rotating body 38 continues to rotate in the segment conveying direction 37 at a peripheral speed greater than zero, so that the segment 3 transferred to the second conveying rotating body 38 in the preceding transfer sequence is rotated away from the segment 3 following along the conveying path; see Figure 3. A transfer sequence is then executed again.

[0124] Furthermore, this can be achieved, for example, by having the second conveyor rotating body 38 remain locked after the locking sequence during the execution of the spacing sequence, i.e., its peripheral speed is zero or nearly zero. Meanwhile, the first conveyor rotating body 8 rotates in the opposite direction to the segment conveying direction 37. In other words, the first conveyor rotating body 8 rotates backward. As a result, the segment 3 that is next transferred to the second conveyor rotating body 38 is rotated away from the segment 3 already transferred to the second conveyor rotating body 38, in the opposite direction to the segment conveying direction 37. Due to the reverse rotation of the first conveyor rotating body 8, the traction rotating body 20 must also rotate in the opposite direction to its continuous path conveying direction 21 (see Figure 1).A further reversal of rotation bodies arranged upstream of the traction rotating body 20, for example the deflecting rotating body 15, is not necessary due to the compensating device 23 (see Figure 1); this can compensate the reverse movement by shifting the axis of rotation of the dancer roller 23.

[0125] The distance between each pair of adjacent segments 3a and 3b along the conveying path, where one segment 3b is located on the first rotating conveying body 8 and the other segment 3a is located on the second rotating conveying body 38, is adjusted. Figure 4 shows the state immediately before the execution of a spacing sequence, and Figure 5 shows the state immediately after the execution of a spacing sequence. This control and / or regulation of the rotational speeds results in the conveying distance 34 (see Figure 5) being established on the second rotating conveying body 39.

[0126] In the event that the initial distance 39 is greater than the conveying distance 34, the segment transport surface 32 of the second conveying rotating body 38 may have a lower circumferential speed in the direction of the segment conveying direction 37 than the segment transport surface 31 of the first conveying rotating body 8 when the spacing sequence is executed; such a reduction of the distance is not shown graphically in the figures.

[0127] The first and second conveyor rotating bodies 8, 38 are rotated in a timed motion. One cycle comprises a transfer sequence, a stop sequence, and a spacing sequence.

[0128] It is also possible to provide one or more sensor devices (not shown). Such a sensor device can, for example, be configured to determine the actual separation distance 33, the initial distance 39, and / or the conveying distance 34. The respective sensor device is then, for example, connected to the control unit 13 via a signal connection, so that the corresponding sensor signals are provided as input signals to the control unit 13. The control unit 13 is then configured to process the sensor signals in such a way that the rotational speeds of the first and second conveying rotating bodies 8, 38 are adjusted depending on the sensor signals.For example, the rotational speeds of the first and second conveyor rotating bodies 8, 38 can be adjusted if the actual value of the distance between two adjacent segments 3 on the second conveyor rotating body 38 deviates from a target value of the conveyor distance 38 stored in the control unit 13. In this case, the rotational speeds of the first and second conveyor rotating bodies 8, 38 can be controlled.

[0129] It is also possible to set the conveying distance 34 directly on the first conveying unit 8. This can be achieved by deliberately creating a slip between the first conveying unit 8 and the continuous track 5 by adjusting the rotational speed of the first conveying unit 8 after the continuous track 5 has been cut. This slip can be achieved, for example, by appropriately accelerating the first conveying unit 8. This increases the cutting distance 33 immediately after the cutting process is completed, for example, up to the conveying distance 34. Thus, the initial distance 39 on the first conveying unit 8 already corresponds to the conveying distance 34. When transferring the segments 3 from the first conveying unit 8 to the second conveying unit, this conveying distance 34 then only needs to be maintained.The control unit 13 is then configured to control and / or regulate the drive unit 9 in such a way that sufficient slip is generated.

[0130] It goes without saying that if the segments 3 on the first conveyor rotating body 8 are spaced apart by means of a deliberate slippage, the circumferential extent of the segments 3 on the first conveyor rotating body 8, also referred to as the width of the segments 3, must be less than the circumferential extent of a segment receiving section 43 of the segment transport surface 31, which is defined here by two circumferentially adjacent counter-knives 17. The difference between the circumferential extent of a segment receiving section 43 and the width of the segment 3 then corresponds to the so-called slippage length.

[0131] The operation of the separating device 7, already shown in Figures 1 and 3, is described in detail below with reference to Figure 6. The arrows indicating the direction of rotation of the first conveyor rotating body 8 and the cutting drum 14 illustrate that the continuous track 5 is moved on the first conveyor rotating body 8 by its rotational movement around its axis of rotation 35. The view shown in Figure 6 differs from the view in Figures 1 to 5; however, the indicated directions of rotation show how the separating device 7 of Figure 6 is used in the device 1 from Figures 1 to 6. Both the continuous track 5 and the segments 3 are held by the effect of negative pressure on the segment transport surface 31, which is formed by a lateral surface 25 of the first conveyor rotating body 8.Furthermore, on the other side of the endless track 5, the separating device 7 comprising the cutting drum 14 is provided, which in turn comprises the cutting knife 16 with the cutting edge 18.

[0132] The radially projecting cutting blade 16 with its cutting edge 18 is arranged on the cutting drum 14. A recess 22 is provided in a cylindrical surface 26 of the cutting drum 14, upstream of the cutting blade 16 in the direction of rotation, to form a one-sided clearance on the cutting blade 16. Due to its radially projecting arrangement, the cutting blade 16 has a free cutting edge 18 on its upstream side. In Figure 3, the recess is arranged downstream in the direction of rotation. Both arrangements of the recess are fundamentally possible, with the embodiment according to Figure 6 being preferred.

[0133] The first rotating conveying body 8 is equipped with a counter-knife 17, which is arranged such that its radial outer surface is on an identical or nearly identical radius to the cylindrical surface 25. The counter-knife 17 thus forms a continuous, stepless outer surface with the cylindrical surface 25, against which the endless track 5 rests radially. Furthermore, a recess 27 is provided in the first segment transport surface 31 downstream of the counter-knife 17 in relation to the direction of rotation of the first rotating conveying body 8, so that the counter-knife 17 has a free cutting edge 19 on its downstream side. The recess 27 is required so that the cutting knife 16, which projects from the cutting drum 14, can engage in this recess 27. The recess 27 of the first rotating conveying body 8 thus forms a clearance for the cutting edge 18 of the cutting knife 16.The cutting edge 18 of the cutting knife 16 is designed to interact with the cutting edge 19 of the counter knife 17 in such a way that the continuous track 5 guided between them is separated in a shear cut. The counter knife 17 is part of the first conveyor rotating body 8.

[0134] The cutting drum 14 and the first conveyor rotating body 8 are driven to oppositely oriented rotary movements, so that their cylindrical surfaces 25 and 26 execute a movement in the same direction as they pass through an intermediate space 28, which corresponds to the direction of the continuous feed path 5 on the first conveyor rotating body 8. The cutting edge 18 of the cutting knife 16 and the cutting edge 19 of the counter knife 17 meet with the cutting drum 14 during a correspondingly synchronized movement of the first conveyor rotating body 8, such that a cutting motion is performed.

[0135] Due to an inclination of the cutting edge 18 of the cutting knife 16 relative to the cutting edge 19 of the counter knife 17, the cutting knife 16, with its cutting edge 18, makes point-like contact with the cutting edge 19 of the counter knife 17 and thereby cuts through the continuous track 5 adjacent to it. Since the cutting edge 19 of the counter knife 17 of the first conveyor rotating body 8 is moved at the same or nearly the same peripheral speed as the cutting edge 18 of the cutting knife 16 of the cutting drum 14, the point-like contact of the cutting edge 18 of the cutting knife 16 on the cutting edge 19 of the counter knife 17 slides along the cutting edge 19 of the counter knife 17 in the longitudinal direction and thereby cuts through the continuous track 5 in a cutting line corresponding to the geometry of the cutting edge 19 of the counter knife 17.

[0136] Figure 7 shows a side view of a stacking system 100, which is divided by a dashed line into a first area 29 and a second area 30. In the first area 29, the material to form a stack 2, i.e., the continuous web 5, is conveyed at a constant conveying speed. In the second area 30, the material, i.e., first the continuous web 5 and, downstream of the separating device 7, the segments 3, to form a stack 2 is conveyed in a timed motion.

[0137] In principle, it is also possible in the first area 29 to convey the material at an approximately constant conveying speed instead of at a constant conveying speed, i.e. at a speed whose minimum and maximum speeds do not deviate by more than 20%, in particular by no more than 5%, from the mean conveying speed.

[0138] The timed movement with which the materials for the formation of stack 2 in the second area 30 are transported is characterized by the fact that several identical beats - as described above - are arranged one after the other in time, with each beat comprising a transfer sequence, a rest sequence and a spacing sequence.

[0139] The stacking system 100 comprises a stacking table 6 on which a stack 2 is formed by laying a web of material 4 in a zigzag pattern – one could also describe it as Z-shaped – around segments 3 of the first and second type. In this embodiment, the segments 3 of the first type are anode sheets, which are fed to the stacking table 6 by a first segment feeder 11 (i.e., from the right), and the segments 3 of the second type are cathode sheets, which are fed to the stacking table 6 by a second segment feeder 12 (i.e., from the left). The web of material 4 is fed to the stacking table 6 by a web feeder 10. In this way, all materials required to form the stack 2 are provided at the stacking table 6.

[0140] Material web 4 is a separator, more precisely a continuous web of separator material, so that a battery cell can be formed by a repeating layer sequence of "separator - anode - separator - cathode". Segment feeders 11 and 12 are therefore configured to alternately place a segment 3 of the first and second type onto the stacking table 6. Material web feeder 10 is configured to fold material web 4 around the currently uppermost segment 3.

[0141] Furthermore, it can be seen in Figure 7 that the stacking system 100 is essentially designed as a drum machine, i.e. the continuous web 5 and the segments 3 formed therefrom (see also Figure 1) as well as the material web 4 are essentially transported on drum-like rotating bodies 40, 41, 42.

[0142] In the embodiment of the stacking system 100 shown in Figure 7, the segments 3 are held on the rotating bodies 40, 41 by the effect of negative pressure. However, it is also possible to hold the segments 3 on the rotating bodies 40, 41 by mechanical retaining elements. The first and second segment feeders 11 and 12 each comprise at least the device 1 described above with reference to Figures 1-6, with which the corresponding continuous track 5 is cut and spaced in the transverse direction. In this way, the individual segments 3 can be provided at the stacking table 6 at a distance 34 from one another by means of the respective segment feeders 11, 12.

[0143] Each of the segment feeders 11 and 12 comprises three conveying sections F1, F2, and F3. In the first conveying section F1, the continuous web 5, from which the segments 3 are formed, is conveyed at a constant conveying speed. In the second conveying section F2, the continuous web 5, from which the segments 3 are formed, is conveyed in a timed motion. In this second conveying section F2, the continuous web 5 is then cut into separate segments 3 by means of the cutting device 7. Consequently, in a third conveying section F3, the segments 3 are conveyed in a timed motion.

[0144] The first segment feeder 11 comprises a plurality of revolution bodies 40, of which, for the sake of clarity, only two are provided with the corresponding reference numeral. The second segment feeder 12 also comprises a plurality of revolution bodies 41, of which likewise only two are provided with a reference numeral. Finally, the material web feeder 10 also comprises several revolution bodies 42, of which only one is provided with a reference numeral.

[0145] All rotating bodies 40 and 41, on which individual segments 3 are transported, are designed as drums, the outer surfaces of which form the respective segment transport surfaces. Each such segment transport surface in turn comprises receiving sections, each configured to receive and transport a segment 3.

[0146] All rotating bodies 40, 41 of the first and second segment feeder 11, 12 located in the second area 30 are driven in a clocked motion.

[0147] It is also possible, in principle, to use other types of separating devices 7 instead of the separating device 7 used in the embodiment of the device according to Figures 1 to 6. These are described in detail below. It goes without saying that if a different type of separating device 7 is used, the first conveyor rotating body 8 may also need to be adapted accordingly.

[0148] Figure 8 shows a second embodiment of a separating device 7 for separating the continuous web 5 in detail. The opposite directions of rotation of the first conveyor rotating body 8 and the cutting drum 14 are indicated by two arrows. The continuous web 5 is rotated on the first conveyor rotating body 8 by its rotational movement about its axis of rotation 35. The continuous web 5 is conveyed between the conveyor rotating body 8 and the cutting drum 14. Both the continuous web 5 and the segments 3 (not shown in Figure 8, see Figure 1) are held by the effect of negative pressure on the segment transport surface 31 of the first conveyor rotating body 8, which is formed by the outer surface 22 of the first conveyor rotating body 8.Furthermore, on the other side of the continuous web 5, the separating device 7 comprising the cutting drum 14 is provided, which in turn comprises at least one cutting knife 16, in this embodiment exactly two cutting knives 16, each with a cutting edge 18. However, in the illustration shown in Figure 8, only one of the two cutting knives 16 is visible.

[0149] The radially projecting cutting knife 16 with the cutting edge 18 (see Figure 9) is arranged on the cutting drum 14. Figures 8 and 9 show that the radially projecting cutting knife 16 is inclined in the downstream direction with respect to the conveying direction 58 of the continuous path 5, i.e., in the direction of rotation of the cutting drum 14. More precisely, the cutting edge 18 of the cutting knife 16 is tilted in the direction of rotation of the cutting drum 14 relative to an orientation in the radial direction. In this embodiment, the angle of inclination 49 relative to a cutting knife 16 that is hypothetically aligned exactly in the radial direction 51 is between 5° and 10°. In principle, other angles of inclination 49 are also possible. This inclination allows for an advantageous orientation of the cutting edge 18 when interacting with the respective counter-knives 17 of the first conveying rotating body 8.

[0150] Furthermore, Figure 8 shows that, as in the first embodiment, a plurality of counter-knives 17 are provided on the first conveying rotating body 8, only one of which is designated with a reference numeral. The recesses 27 in the segment transport surface 31, known from the first embodiment and located downstream of the counter-knife 17 in relation to the conveying direction of the first conveying rotating body 8, are also present, so that the counter-knife 17 has a free cutting edge 19 on its downstream side. The recess 27 is required so that the cutting knife 16 of the cutting drum 14, which projects from the cutting drum 14, can engage in this recess 27. The recess 27 of the first conveying rotating body 8 thus forms a clearance for the cutting edge 18 of the cutting knife 16.

[0151] The cutting edge 18 of the cutting knife 16 is designed to cooperate with the cutting edge 19 of the counter knife 17 in such a way that the continuous track 5 guided between them is cut in a transverse direction.

[0152] The first rotating conveyor body 8 transports the section of the continuous web 5 to be cut into a cutting zone 47. The cutting zone 47 is the area of ​​the device 1 in which the complete cutting process of the continuous web 5 takes place. The actual cut then occurs—unlike in the previous embodiment of the cutting device according to Figure 6—when the first rotating conveyor body 8 has a rotational speed of zero, for example, during the incremental sequence. However, the cut can also occur when the first rotating conveyor body 8 is rotating very slowly around its axis of rotation 35.

[0153] With the separating device 7 according to the second embodiment, it can be achieved that the cutting edge 18 is guided past the cutting edge 19 in a linear movement in a direction of movement 50, such that the cutting edge 18 and the cutting edge 19 produce a shear cut.

[0154] Figure 9 shows the beginning of the cut in a viewing plane where the cutting edge 18 has just reached the cutting edge 19. The viewing plane corresponds to a sectional view through the device 1 orthogonal to the axis of rotation 35 (see Figure 8). For clarity, the continuous path 5 is shown in Figures 9 and 10 only up to just before the separation area 47. In practice, it naturally extends beyond the separation area 47.

[0155] Figure 10 shows the end of the cut, where the cutting edge 18 has already passed the cutting edge 19 to effect the shear cut and is immersed in the recess 27. In this state, the continuous track 5 is completely severed in the transverse direction, so that an end section of the continuous track 5 exists as a separate segment 3. The separate segment 3 is not shown in Figure 10 for the sake of clarity.

[0156] Figures 9 and 10 show that an opposite radial direction 48, relative to the first conveyor rotating body 8, runs through the cutting edge 19 of the counter knife 17; it has proven useful in practice to use the cutting edge 19 to identify the cutting zone 47. In this case, the cutting zone 47 is defined by the position of the cutting edge 19 at which the cutting tool 18 passes the cutting edge 19 to perform the cut. If the conveyor rotating body 8 moves while cutting the continuous path 5, then the different positions that the cutting edge 19 assumes during this process define the cutting zone 47.

[0157] Figure 11 shows, in one plane, the kinematics of the cutting device 7 according to the second embodiment, which is illustrated in Figures 8 to 10. The cutting zone 47 is shown, in which the continuous track 5 (see Figures 8 to 10) is cut by a shearing cut. The first conveyor rotating body 8 remains stationary during the entire cutting process of the continuous track 5, i.e., from the entry of the cutting edge 5 until the continuous track 5 is completely cut. Furthermore, the velocity components of the cutting edge 18 are shown using a velocity triangle. To uniquely identify the velocity of the cutting edge 18, the velocity of those points of the cutting edge 18 that first touch the continuous track 5 during the cutting process is used; the sum of these points forms a line along which the cutting edge 18 encounters the continuous track 5.The rotation of the cutting drum 14 about its own axis of rotation 45 moves the cutting edge 18 with a motion represented by the velocity vector 53. The movement of the axis of rotation 45 along a circular path 55 about another axis of rotation 46 moves the cutting edge 18 according to the velocity vector 54. Adding the velocity vectors 53 and 54 yields the direction of motion 50 of the cutting edge 18, which is described by the velocity vector 56. It can be seen that this velocity vector 56 points in the direction of the opposite radial direction 48 with respect to the first rotating conveyor body 8, which passes through the cutting zone 47. Since the cutting zone 47 is not formed by a single point in the depicted plane, there is more than one opposite radial direction 48 passing through the cutting zone 47.The angle between the velocity vector 56 and the opposite radial direction 48 shown is therefore 0°. The angles between the other opposite radial directions 48, which pass through the cutting area 47, and the velocity vector 56 are also each less than 10°, for example less than 5°, and further, for example, less than 2°. It goes without saying that the rotational speeds of the cutting edge 18 about the two axes of rotation 45 and 46 are continuously adjusted to each other as the cutting motion progresses, so that the velocity component in the circumferential direction with respect to the first conveyor rotating body 8 can be reduced accordingly, or, as implemented in the embodiment according to Figures 8 to 11, reduced to zero. Two separately controllable servo motors (not shown) are provided for adjusting this motion.The first servomotor is part of the drive unit 9 and drives the cutting drum 14 to rotate around the axis of rotation 45. The second servomotor drives a shaft (not visible) which, via an eccentric 57, in turn drives a connecting rod 52. Thus, the axis of rotation 45 can be moved back and forth along a section of the circular path 55 around the other axis of rotation 46. The servomotors are controlled and / or regulated, for example, by the control unit 13 (see Figure 1). In this way, the cutting edge 18 can be moved such that the direction of movement 50 of the cutting edge 18 during cutting deviates by a maximum of 10°, for example, by a maximum of 5°, and further, for example, by a maximum of 2° from any opposite radial direction 48 with respect to the first conveyor rotating body 8, which passes through the cutting area 47.

[0158] In this embodiment, the cutting drum 14 comprises two cutting blades 16, which alternately interact with a counter blade 17 of the rotating conveyor body 8 to perform a shear cut. The control device 13 (see Figure 1) is thus configured, firstly, to coordinate the rotational speeds of the cutting blade 18 about the axes of rotation 45 and 46, so that during the cutting process the direction of movement 50 of the cutting blade 18 deviates by a maximum of 10° from the opposite radial direction 48 with respect to the first rotating conveyor body 8, which passes through the cutting zone 47. Furthermore, these movements are synchronized with the movement of the first rotating conveyor body 8. This ensures that the cutting blade 18 can pass the counter blade 17 and enter the corresponding recess 27.

[0159] In this way, a shear cut can be performed with the device 1 according to the second embodiment, in which the cutting edge 18 is moved relative to the cutting edge 19 in a linear or nearly linear motion. In this way, a high cutting quality can be achieved.

[0160] Figure 12 shows a third embodiment of a cutting device 7, which is configured to move the cutting edge 18 during the cutting of the continuous web 5 such that the direction of movement of the cutting edge 18 in the plane of view deviates by a maximum of 10° from the opposite radial direction 48 with respect to the first conveyor rotating body 8, which passes through the cutting area 47 within the plane of view. In this embodiment, the cutting blade 16 is not arranged on a cutting drum 14, but is merely moved on a circular path around a rotational axis 46. The cutting edge 18 does not move around any other rotational axis. By using a sufficiently large radius for this circular path, it can be ensured that the cutting edge 18 moves past the cutting edge 19 of the counter blade 17 in a nearly linear motion. The circular path is defined by a pendulum rod 44, which is rotatably mounted about the rotational axis 46.The radius of the circular path defined by the pendulum rod 44 is, for example, at least 0.5 times the maximum diameter of the first conveyor rotating body 8, and, for example, at least 0.8 times. In the embodiment shown in Figure 12, the radius of the circular path defined by the pendulum rod 44 deviates by less than 10% from the diameter of the first conveyor rotating body 8.

[0161] A receptacle for a cutting blade 18 is provided at one end section of the pendulum rod 44 opposite the axis of rotation 46. A servo motor (not shown), which is controlled or regulated via the control unit 13 (see Figure 1), drives a shaft (not visible in Figure 12) that, by means of an eccentric 57, drives a connecting rod 52; thus, the cutting edge 18 of the cutting blade 16 can be moved back and forth along a section of the circular path around the axis of rotation 46. Due to the selected radius of the circular path around the axis of rotation 46, the cutting edge 18, similar to the second embodiment of the device 1 (see Figures 8 to 11), can perform a shear cut in a nearly linear motion in conjunction with the cutting edge 19 of a counter blade 17.The back-and-forth movement of the cutting edge 18 is controlled or regulated by means of the control device 13 such that the cutting edge 18 always meets a counter-blade 17 in the cutting area 47, more precisely, is guided past the cutting edge 19 of the counter-blade 17 and plunges into the corresponding recess 27, so that a shear cut is made.

[0162] Figure 13 shows a schematic representation of a method 200 for dividing the continuous web 5 into individual segments 3. The method 200 is carried out with a device 1 described above. The device 1 can comprise any of the previously described embodiments of the separating devices 7. However, it is also fundamentally possible to perform the severing of the continuous web using a separating device not described here.

[0163] In process step a), a transfer sequence is executed, whereby a first segment 3 is transferred from the first conveyor rotating body 8 to the second conveyor rotating body 38.

[0164] In a preferred process step a'), a resting sequence is executed immediately following process step a), in which the rotational speeds of the first and second conveying rotating bodies 8, 38 are zero. It is understood that the rotational speeds of the first and second conveying rotating bodies 8, 38 can also be approximately zero.

[0165] The procedural step a') is immediately followed by procedural step b, which, according to a first alternative, can include procedural steps d) and e), or, according to a second alternative, procedural steps f) and g). The spacing sequence is executed with procedural step b).

[0166] According to the first alternative of process step b), process step d) is executed first by stopping the first conveying rotating body 8; it therefore remains in the rest position from the preceding rest sequence. In the simultaneously executed process step e), the second conveying rotating body 38 rotates in the segment conveying direction 37 (see Figure 2), so that the first segment 3a transferred to the second conveying rotating body 38 is spaced apart from the following segment 3b, which is still located on the first conveying rotating body 8 (see Figures 4 and 5).

[0167] According to the second alternative of process step b), process step f) is executed first by stopping the second conveyor rotating body 38; it therefore remains in the detent position from the preceding detent sequence. In the simultaneously executed process step g), the first conveyor rotating body 8 rotates against the segment conveying direction 37 (see Figure 2), so that segment 3b, which is still on the first conveyor rotating body 8, is spaced apart from segment 3a, which has already been transferred to the second conveyor rotating body 38 (see Figures 4 and 5). Due to the reversal of the first conveyor rotating body 8, the traction rotating body 20 must also rotate against its continuous conveyor conveying direction 21 (see Figure 1).The return movement of the endless track 5 can be compensated by a corresponding compensating movement of the dancer roller 24 of the compensating alignment 23, so that the deflecting rotating body 15 no longer has to rotate against its endless track conveying direction; it can continue to rotate in the endless track conveying direction with a continuous or nearly continuous rotational speed.

[0168] Finally, Figure 13 shows process step c), which immediately follows process step b), by executing another transfer sequence as in process step a). After completion of process step a), the adjacent segments 3a and 3b on the second conveyor rotating body are spaced apart by a conveying distance 34 (see Figures 4 and 5). Process step c), which is essentially identical to process step a), is then followed again by process steps a') and b).

[0169] The process steps a), a'), and b) constitute one cycle. The control unit 13 (see Figure 1) is configured to execute a large number of cycles in immediate succession.

[0170] Reference symbol list:

[0171] 1 Device

[0172] 2 stacks

[0173] 3 Segment

[0174] 4 Material track

[0175] 5 Endless track

[0176] 6 stacking table

[0177] 7 Separating device

[0178] 8 first conveyor rotating body

[0179] 9 Drive unit

[0180] 10 Material web feeding device

[0181] 11 first segment feeder

[0182] 12 second segment feeder

[0183] 13 Control unit

[0184] 14 Cutting drum

[0185] 15 Deflection rotating bodies

[0186] 16 cutting blades

[0187] 17 counter-knives

[0188] 18 cutting

[0189] 19 cutting edge

[0190] 20 rotating bodies

[0191] 21 Endless conveyor direction

[0192] 22 In-depth study

[0193] 23 Compensation facility

[0194] 24 Dancer's Roll

[0195] 25 lateral surface area

[0196] 26 Surface area

[0197] 27 In-depth study

[0198] 28 spaces

[0199] 29 first area 30 second area

[0200] 31 Segment transport area (of the first conveyor rotating body)

[0201] 32 Segment transport area (of the second conveyor rotating body)

[0202] 33 separation distance

[0203] 34 Conveyor distance

[0204] 35 first axis of rotation

[0205] 36 second axis of rotation

[0206] 37 Segment conveying direction

[0207] 38 second conveyor rotating body

[0208] 39 Initial spacing

[0209] 40 solids of revolution

[0210] 41 Solids of Revolution

[0211] 42 Solids of Revolution

[0212] 43 Extent of a segment recording section

[0213] 44 Pendulum rod

[0214] 45° axis of rotation

[0215] 46 Rotation axis

[0216] 47 Separation area

[0217] 48 Opposite radial direction

[0218] 49 tilt angles

[0219] 50 Direction of movement

[0220] 51 Radial direction

[0221] 52 Connecting rod

[0222] 53 Velocity vector

[0223] 54 Velocity vector

[0224] 55 circular track

[0225] 56 Velocity vector

[0226] 57 eccentrics

[0227] 58 Direction of conveyance

[0228] 100 stacking system

[0229] 200 Procedure F1 first funding phase

[0230] F2 second funding phase

[0231] F3 third funding phase

Claims

1. Claims:

1. Device (1) for dividing an endless track (5) into segments (3) suitable for forming an energy cell, comprising - a cutting device (7) configured to cut through an endless track (5) to produce individual segments (3); - a rotatably mounted first conveyor rotating body (8) with a segment transport surface (31), which is configured to feed the continuous web (5) on its segment transport surface (31) to the cutting device (7) and to discharge individual segments (3) on its segment transport surface (31) from the cutting device (7), wherein, upon completion of a cutting operation by means of the cutting device (7), a separation distance (33) is established between the continuous web (5) and the segment (3) produced during the respective cutting operation on the segment transport surface (31) of the first conveyor rotating body; and - a rotatably mounted second conveying rotating body (38) with a segment transport surface (32) which is configured to transport segments (3) on its segment transport surface (32), wherein adjacent segments (3) are transported on the segment transport surface (32) of the second conveying rotating body (38) at a conveying distance (34) from each other; wherein - the device (1) is configured to transfer segments (3) from the first conveyor rotating body (8) to the second conveyor rotating body (38), wherein - the device (1) comprises a control unit (13) which is configured to control the rotational speeds of the ers- to control and / or regulate the ten conveying rotating body (8) and the second conveying rotating body (38) in such a way that the conveying distance (34) between adjacent segments (3) on the segment transport surface (32) of the second conveying rotating body (38) is greater than the separation distance (33).

2. Device (1) according to claim 1 , characterized in that - the device (1) is configured to transport adjacent segments (3) on the segment transport surface (31) of the first conveyor rotating body (8) each with an initial distance (39) to each other, wherein - the control device (13) is configured to coordinate the rotational speeds of the first conveying rotating body (8) and the second conveying rotating body (38) such that the conveying distance (34) between adjacent segments (3) on the segment transport surface (32) of the second conveying rotating body (38) is greater or less than the initial distance (39) between the adjacent segments on the segment transport surface (31) of the first conveying rotating body (8).

3. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the separation distance (33) on the first conveyor rotating body (8) is zero or less than 0.5 mm, and / or - the initial distance (39) on the first conveyor rotating body (8) is greater than 1.5 mm and / or less than 5 mm, preferably greater than 1.5 mm and / or less than 3 mm; and / or - the conveying distance (34) on the second conveying rotating body (38) is greater than 6 mm and / or less than 50 mm, be- preferably larger than 7 mm and / or smaller than 40 mm.

4. Device (1) according to claim 2 or 3 with reference to claim 2, characterized in that - the control device (13) is configured to execute a transfer sequence in which the device (1) is controlled and / or regulated such that a segment (3) is transferred from the first conveyor rotating body (8) to the second conveyor rotating body (38), wherein - the control device (13) is configured to execute a spacing sequence with which the rotational speeds of the first and second conveying rotating body (8, 38) are controlled and / or regulated such that the conveying distance (34) between adjacent segments (3) on the segment transport surface (32) of the second conveying rotating body (38) is greater or less than the initial distance (39) between adjacent segments (3) on the segment transport surface (31) of the first conveying rotating body (8), wherein - the control device (13) is configured to execute the spacing sequence after the transfer sequence.

5. Device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that - the control device (13) is configured to execute a transfer sequence after the execution of a spacing sequence.

6. Device (1) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that - the control device (13) is configured to rotate the first conveying rotating body (8) and the second conveying rotating body (38) in a timed motion, wherein - a timed movement comprises a plurality of timed, successive beats, whereby - a beat that includes the execution of a handover sequence and a spacing sequence.

7. Device (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that - a cycle additionally includes the execution of a detent sequence with which the device (1) is controlled and / or regulated such that the peripheral speed of the first conveying rotating body (8) and the peripheral speed of the second conveying rotating body (38) is equal to zero or approximately equal to zero.

8. Device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that - the control device (13) is configured to immediately precede the execution of the spacing sequence in time with the execution of the locking sequence.

9. Device (1) according to one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that - during the execution of the transfer sequence, the circumferential speed of the segment transport surface (31) of the first conveyor rotating body (8) and the circumferential speed of the segment transport surface (32) of the second conveyor rotating body (38) are identical or substantially the same. agree.

10. Device (1) according to one of claims 4 to 9, characterized in that - during the execution of the spacing sequence, the segment transport surface (32) of the second conveying rotating body (38) has a greater circumferential velocity in the direction of a segment conveying direction (37) than the segment transport surface (31) of the first conveying rotating body (8).

11. Device (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that - the first conveyor rotating body (8) is at a standstill due to the execution of the spacing sequence; and - the second conveying rotating body (38) is rotated by executing the spacing sequence in the segment conveying direction (37).

12. Device (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that - the second conveyor rotating body (38) is at a standstill due to the execution of the spacing sequence, and - the first conveying rotating body (8) is rotated by executing the spacing sequence in the opposite direction to the segment conveying direction (37).

13. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the first conveying rotating body (8) has a diameter that is constant over time; and / or - the second conveyor rotating body (38) maintains a constant time- ten diameters; and / or - Receiving sections of the segment transport surface (31) of the first conveying rotating body (8), each designed to receive a segment (3), are immovable in the radial direction relative to the rest of the first conveying rotating body (8); and / or - Receiving sections of the segment transport surface (31) of the first conveying rotating body (8), each designed to receive a segment (3), are immovable in the circumferential direction relative to the rest of the first conveying rotating body (8); and / or - Receiving sections of the segment transport surface (32) of the second conveying rotating body (38), each designed to receive one segment (3), are immovable in the radial direction relative to the rest of the second conveying rotating body (38); and / or - Receiving sections of the segment transport surface (32) of the second conveying rotating body (38), each designed to receive one segment (3), are immovable in the circumferential direction relative to the rest of the second conveying rotating body (38).

14. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the first conveyor rotating body (8) is rotatably mounted about a first axis of rotation (35), and - the second conveyor rotating body (38) is rotatably mounted about a second axis of rotation (36), wherein - the distance between the first axis of rotation (35) and the second axis of rotation (36) is constant.

15. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the first conveying rotating body (8) comprises a transport drum whose outer surface forms the segment transport surface (31) of the first conveying rotating body (8); and / or - the second conveying rotating body (38) comprises a transport drum, the outer surface of which forms the segment transport surface of the (32) second conveying rotating body (38).

16. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the first conveying rotating body (8) comprises a vacuum device designed to hold the continuous web (5) and the segments (3) formed therefrom on the segment transport surface (31) of the first conveying rotating body (8) by applying vacuum; and / or - the second conveying rotating body (38) comprises a vacuum device designed to hold segments (3) on the segment transport surface (32) of the second conveying rotating body (38) by applying vacuum.

17. Device (1) according to claim 16 with reference to claim 4, characterized in that - the first conveying rotating body (8) and the second conveying rotating body (38) each comprise a vacuum device, wherein - by executing the transfer sequence, the vacuum devices of the first and second conveying rotary body (8, 38) are controlled and / or regulated in such a way that when a segment (3) is transferred from the first Conveyor rotating body (8) to the second conveyor rotating body (38), a transfer force acts on the segment (3) in the direction of the second conveyor rotating body (38).

18. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the cutting device (7) comprises a cutting drum (14) which is driven by means of a drive device (9) to a rotary movement about a rotary axis, wherein - the cutting drum (14) comprises at least one radially outwardly projecting cutting blade (16), wherein - the first conveying rotating body (8) comprises a counter blade (17), wherein - the cutting blade (16) includes a cutting edge (18), and the counter blade (17) includes a cutting edge (19), - wherein the cutting edge (18) of the cutting knife (16) slides along the cutting edge (19) of the counter knife (17) during the rotational movement of the cutting drum (14) with a cut of the endless track (5).

19. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (1) is configured to process an endless web (5) fed at a constant or approximately constant speed, wherein - the device (1) comprises a compensating device (23), for example comprising a dancer roller (24), which is positioned upstream of the first conveying rotating body (8) and is configured to provide a transition between a first conveying section (F1, F2) in which the endless conveyor runs at a constant speed to enable a second conveying section (F3) in which the endless track (5) is moved at a periodically changing conveying speed.

20. Stacking system (100) for the energy cell manufacturing industry for forming a stack (2) comprising a plurality of segments (3) and a material web (4), wherein - the stacking system (100) is configured to fold the material web (4) in a zigzag pattern and to place the segments (3) on the material web (4) such that the segments (3) are arranged in the folds of the material web (4) in the stack (2), the stacking system (100) comprising the following components: - a stacking table (6) on which the stack (2) is formed, - a material web feed device (10) which is designed to convey the material web (4) to the stacking table (6), as well as - a first segment feeder (11) configured to convey segments (3) to the stacking table (6) and / or a second segment feeder (12) configured to convey segments (3) to the stacking table (6), wherein - the first segment feeder (11) comprises a device (1) according to one of the preceding claims and / or the second segment feeder (12) comprises a device (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

21. Method (200) for dividing an endless track (5) into individual segments (3) which are used to form an energy cell are suitable, characterized by the fact that - the method (200) is carried out using the device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 19 or with a stacking system (100) according to claim 20.

22. Method (200) according to claim 21, characterized in that the method (200) comprises the following process steps: a) executing a transfer sequence, whereby a first segment (3a) is transferred from the first conveying rotating body (8) to the second conveying rotating body (38); b) executing a spacing sequence, whereby the distance between the first segment (3a) and a second segment (3b) immediately following the first segment (3a) along a conveying path is increased, and subsequently; c) executing a further transfer sequence, whereby the second segment (3b) is transferred from the first conveying rotating body (8) to the second conveying rotating body (38), such that on the second conveying rotating body (38) the first segment (3a) is spaced apart from the second segment (3b) by a conveying distance (34).

23. Method (200) according to claim 22, characterized in that - between process steps a) and b) the following process step follows: a') Performing a rest sequence by stopping the first and the second conveyor rotating body (8, 38).

24. Method (200) according to claim 22 or 23, characterized in that - the process step b) comprises the following process steps: d) stopping the first conveying rotating body (8); and simultaneously e) rotating the second conveying rotating body (38) in the segment conveying direction (37).

25. Method (200) according to claim 22 or 23, characterized in that - the process step b) comprises the following process steps: f) stopping the second conveying rotating body (38); and simultaneously g) rotating the first conveying rotating body (38) against the segment conveying direction (37).

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