Machine and method for manufacturing electrical energy storage devices

Abstract

Machine (10) for manufacturing electrical energy storage devices, comprising a winding unit (30) containing at least one winding core (42), feed means (21, 22, 23, 24) for feeding a cathode sheet (25), an anode sheet (27), and at least one separator sheet (26, 28) to said winding unit (30) so as to wind them around said at least one winding core (42) to form a wound element (100), said winding unit (30) having an extraction station (43) at which said wound element (100) is extracted.

Description

[0001] “MACHINE AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING ELECTRICAL ENERGY STORAGE DEVICES”

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention concerns a machine and a method for manufacturing electrical energy storage devices.

[0003] The electrical energy storage devices manufacturable by means of the method and winding machine according to the present invention can be batteries with a cylindrical or substantially cylindrical shape, commonly known as jelly rolls, or an oval shape, obtained by winding around a flat pin.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Batteries that have a cylindrical shape and contain, as a single electrochemical cell, a tape wound around a winding core, have long been known. The tape consists of a cathode sheet and an anode sheet, between which a separator sheet is inserted to prevent any contact between the cathode and anode. Usually, the tape also comprises another separator sheet to cover the cathode.

[0006] To manufacture these batteries, there are so-called winding machines in which the tape is made starting from four reels, each formed by a respective anode sheet, cathode sheet, and sheets of each of the two separators. A multilayer is usually created, formed by two separator sheets with the cathode sheet interposed. This multilayer is fed to the winding core around which it is wound, which is located on a winding wheel. The anode sheet is then inserted during the winding.

[0007] Generally, once the winding is completed, it is necessary to join the end of the multilayer, usually formed by the end of one of the two separators, to the rest of the wound element thus obtained, to prevent the multilayer from unrolling during subsequent steps of transporting the wound element to subsequent work stations. To do this, an adhesive tape is applied, this step being known as taping.

[0008] In known machines, the taping step, that is, the application of an adhesive tape, occurs while the wound element is still on the winding core, therefore before it is extracted therefrom.

[0009] This taping step involves a disadvantage in terms of productivity of the winding machine, because it involves linking the operation of the winding wheel to the taping step, as well as to the feed of the four sheets used in forming the wound element. This makes the operation of the winding machine even more complicated.

[0010] In addition, the zones where taping usually takes place are generally encumbered by other elements or operating stations of the machine, which makes it difficult to assemble the taping station and, above all, does not allow optimal management of the adhesive tape.

[0011] US- A 1-2024 / 322214 discloses a winding machine as per the preamble of claim 1. In this winding machine, taping is performed before extracting the wound element from the winding core, precisely as indicated above.

[0012] There is therefore the need to perfect a machine and a method for manufacturing electrical energy storage devices that can overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the state of the art.

[0013] One purpose of the present invention is therefore to provide a machine and perfect a method for manufacturing electrical energy storage devices that allow to make the operation of the winding wheel autonomous relative to the taping station.

[0014] Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a machine and perfect a method for manufacturing energy storage devices that allow optimal management of the adhesive tape used in the taping station.

[0015] The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

[0016] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims. The dependent claims describe other characteristics of the present invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

[0018] In accordance with the above purposes and to solve the technical problem described above in a new and original way, also achieving considerable advantages compared to the state of the prior art, a machine according to the present invention for manufacturing electrical energy storage devices comprises a winding unit containing at least one winding core, a feed system for feeding a cathode sheet, an anode sheet and at least one separator sheet to the winding unit for winding around the at least one winding core to form a wound element, a taping station comprising a taping device configured to apply an adhesive tape to the wound element, and an extraction station comprising at least one gripping member configured to extract the wound element from the winding core.

[0019] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the machine also comprises a transfer device on which the at least one gripping member is mounted, the transfer device being configured to move between the extraction station and the taping station, which is positioned externally to the winding unit, the at least one gripping member being configured to release the wound element at the taping station. The machine also comprises rolling elements configured to support the wound element at the taping station, to allow the free rotation of the wound element about its longitudinal axis during the application of the adhesive tape. Preferably, the gripping member is configured to maintain the shape of the wound element, preventing it from bulging.

[0020] Doing so achieves at least the advantage of having a taping station separate from the winding unit, and of being able to transfer the wound element thereto while preventing it from unwinding.

[0021] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the at least one gripping member comprises a gripper having two retaining arms arranged opposite each other to define a support seat to receive the wound element, the seat having a longitudinal development axis aligned with the longitudinal axis of the wound element when it is received in the support seat.

[0022] According to some embodiments of the invention, the taping device comprises at least one rounded active surface, preferably made of an elastic material, the at least one rounded active surface being configured to temporarily retain the adhesive tape, preferably by suction. Preferably, the taping device comprises a taping roller configured to engage the wound element delivered by the transfer device and to induce a rotation of the wound element during application of the adhesive tape.

[0023] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the rolling elements are mounted on the transfer device.

[0024] According to some embodiments, the rolling elements comprise at least one pair of idle rollers adjacent to the gripping member, so that when the wound element is delivered to the taping station by the transfer device, the wound element is supported by the idle rollers and rotates freely thereon.

[0025] Preferably, the transfer device is rotatable about a fixed rotation axis R’, for example parallel to the rotation axis R of the rotating member.

[0026] Preferably, the transfer device comprises a plurality of gripping members positioned symmetrically relative to the rotation axis R’ thereof.

[0027] Preferably, the transfer device comprises a rotating body, and the gripping member is mounted so as to be movable radially relative to the rotating body.

[0028] Preferably, the transfer device comprises at least one arm slidable in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the transfer device, to vary the distance of the at least one gripping member relative to the rotation axis of the transfer device.

[0029] Preferably, the arm is moved radially and approaching relative to the rotation axis R of the winding device to extract the wound element from the winding core and away therefrom, bringing it closer to the rotation axis R’ of the transfer device before being taped in the taping station.

[0030] According to some embodiments described here, the machine comprises, downstream of the taping station, a forming station, also known as a “forming hole” station. In particular, the forming station is equipped with a heated rotating needle to be inserted longitudinally to the axis in the hole of the wound element.

[0031] In accordance with some embodiments described here, the machine comprises a sensor, which can be of a visual type, configured to verify conformity of the wound element with predetermined specifications, before or after application of the adhesive tape. The predetermined specifications can be shape, size and / or quality parameters. The control sensor can be arranged, for example, at the extraction station, where the wound element is extracted by the gripping member.

[0032] According to some embodiments, the machine further comprises a reject station configured to receive wound elements identified by the sensor as non-conforming with the aforementioned specifications.

[0033] In accordance with the above purposes and to solve the technical problem described above in a new and original way, also achieving considerable advantages compared to the state of the prior art, a method according to the present invention for manufacturing electrical energy storage devices by means of a winding machine provides to feed a cathode sheet, an anode sheet and at least one separator sheet to a winding unit comprising at least one winding core, wind them around the at least one winding core to form a wound element, extract, at an extraction station, the wound element from the at least one winding core, and apply adhesive tape to the wound element.

[0034] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the method further provides, before applying an adhesive tape and after extracting the wound element, to transfer the wound element extracted from the extraction station to the taping station, which is positioned externally to the winding unit, and rotate the wound element about its longitudinal axis during application of the adhesive tape.

[0035] Preferably, the method is implemented with the winding machine as above.

[0036] Preferably, in the steps of extracting and transferring, the gripping member retains the wound element to maintain the shape thereof, preventing it from bulging.

[0037] Preferably, the transfer device comprises a plurality of gripping members so that simultaneously a first member acts on the winding unit to extract a first wound element from the winding core, and a second member acts on the taping station to apply adhesive tape on a second already extracted wound element.

[0038] Preferably, the transfer device comprises, for each gripping member, an arm slidable and translatable in a radial direction relative to the rotation axis of the winding unit, when the arm is positioned facing the winding unit, and the step of extracting consists in approaching the gripping member to grip the wound element and subsequently moving it away while it grips the wound element so as to remove it from the winding unit.

[0039] Preferably, the step of extracting provides the retraction of the winding core in a direction substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the winding unit, while the wound element is gripped with the gripping member.

[0040] Preferably, once the wound element is retained by the gripping member, it is moved away from the winding unity approaching the rotation axis of the transfer device.

[0041] According to some embodiments, the at least one gripping member is drivable between an open configuration, in which it supports / accommodates the wound element, allowing it to rotate on itself, and a closed configuration, in which the gripping member grips the wound element maintaining its shape so that it does not bulge. At least the step of transferring is realized by means of the gripping member in a closed configuration, preventing the wound element from bulging.

[0042] In accordance with some embodiments, the gripping member comprises a gripper, comprising two curved plates defining a support seat for a wound element, wherein the gripper is further equipped with at least one pair of bearings, each of which is at the base of one of the two plates of the gripper. The bearings are rotatable about rotation axes parallel to a longitudinal axis of the wound element and the taping step is realized with the gripper in an open configuration, so that the wound element can rotate about its longitudinal axis in the support seat.

[0043] According to some embodiments, applying the adhesive tape comprises bringing a taping roller, on the outer surface of which the adhesive tape is arranged, into contact with the outer surface of the wound element, and rotating the taping roller to induce simultaneous rotation of the wound element.

[0044] In accordance with some embodiments, extracting the wound element comprises using at least one gripping member; transferring the wound element from the extraction station to the taping station comprises moving the wound element via a transfer device on which the at least one gripping member is mounted; and rotating the wound element during application of the adhesive tape comprises supporting the wound element on rolling elements.

[0045] Preferably, when the wound element is rotated by the taping roller, the wound element rotates freely on the rolling elements.

[0046] DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0047] These and other aspects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

[0048] - fig. 1 is a front view of a machine for manufacturing electrical energy storage devices according to the present invention;

[0049] - fig. 2 is an enlarged view of a part of the machine of fig. 1 ;

[0050] - fig. 3A is a perspective view of an electrical energy storage device / wound element before the application of adhesive tapes;

[0051] - fig. 3B is a perspective view of an electrical energy storage device / wound element after the application of a pair of adhesive tapes;

[0052] - fig. 4 A is a perspective view of a gripping member;

[0053] - fig. 4B is a perspective view of the gripping member of fig. 4A with a wound element gripped;

[0054] - fig. 5 is an enlarged view of a station of the machine part of fig. 2; and - figs. 6 and 7 are front views of a taping station of the machine of fig. 1, in two different operating configurations.

[0055] We must clarify that the phraseology and terminology used in the present description, as well as the figures in the attached drawings also in relation as to how described, have the sole function of better illustrating and explaining the present invention, their purpose being to provide a non-limiting example of the invention itself, since the scope of protection is defined by the claims.

[0056] To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings. It is understood that elements and characteristics of one embodiment can be conveniently combined or incorporated into other embodiments without further clarifications.

[0057] DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0058] With reference to figs. 1 and 2, a machine 10 for manufacturing electrical energy storage devices according to the present invention comprises a feed station 20 for feeding a plurality of sheets and a winding unit 30 for winding the same sheets in order to form a wound element 100, intended to be an electrochemical cell of an electrical energy storage device.

[0059] A wound element 100 is shown by way of example in fig. 3 A, and has a substantially cylindrical shape with its own longitudinal axis Al . The wound element 100 has a length LI and a diameter DI of the order of a few millimeters to a few centimeters. An end flap El of at least one of the sheets, typically the outermost one, is free, that is, it is not integral with the rest of the wound element 100. For this purpose, it is provided to apply at least one adhesive tape 200, as shown in fig. 3B in which two adhesive tapes 200 are provided, each wrapping around a cross section of the wound element 100.

[0060] The feed station 20 is equipped with a feed system 21, 22, 23, 24 for feeding respective sheets intended to constitute the wound element 100. In particular, the sheets comprise a cathode sheet 25, an anode sheet 27 and two separator sheets 26, 28, unwound from respective reels 25A, 25B, 27A, 27B, 26A, 26B, 28A, 28B. Two reels 25A, 25B, 26A, 26B, 27A, 27B, 28A, 28B are preferably provided for each sheet 25, 26, 27, 28, thus not having to interrupt the feed of a sheet when the corresponding reel runs out. It is however possible to have only have one reel for each sheet. The sheets 25, 26, 27, 28 are fed through respective tensioning systems 25C, 26C, 27C, 28C and, subsequently, through an unwinding device 29 up to the winding unit 30 (fig. 1), which comprises a plurality of transit devices 31, 32, 33, 34, in this case four, each suitable to receive a corresponding sheet 25, 26, 27, 28 (fig- 1).

[0061] The transit devices 31, 32, 33, 34 are shown here schematically, so as not to limit the type of transit devices. For example, the transit devices 31, 32, 33, 34 can be as disclosed in application IT 102024000021526 in the name of the Applicant. A single transit device capable of handling all four sheets 25, 26, 27, 28 can also be provided, as disclosed for example in application WO2023275909A1.

[0062] Downstream of the transit devices 31, 32, 33, 34 the winding unit comprises a rotating member 40 equipped with transfer units 41 , each comprising four transfer rollers 411, 412, 413, 414, so that for each transfer roller 411, 412, 413, 414 there is a respective sheet 25, 26, 27, 28 at exit from a respective transit device 31, 32, 33, 34 (fig. 1). The rotating member 40 is drivable in rotation with a stepwise motion.

[0063] The rotating member 40 also comprises a plurality of winding cores 42, configured to wind the sheets 25, 26, 27, 28 and thus make the wound elements 100, in a known manner. Each winding core 42 is positioned in proximity to a respective winding unit 41, so that the transfer rollers 411, 412, 413, 414 can transfer a corresponding end of a sheet 25, 26, 27, 28 thereto, by means of known members.

[0064] In the example shown, the rotating member 40 comprises four transfer units 41, and therefore four winding cores 42 angularly distributed around the rotation axis R of the rotating member 40. In a known manner, each winding core 42 consists of two rods 42A, 42B with a semi-discoidal section that define an insertion slot 42C therebetween, in which the separator sheets 26, 28 are inserted to perform the winding (fig. 5).

[0065] The rotating member 40 is configured to receive the sheets 25, 26, 27, 28 from the respective transit devices 31, 32, 33, 34 positioned on the left in the example shown, and to complete the winding of these sheets around the winding core 42, thus forming a wound element 100, at an extraction station 43, positioned at the bottom in the example shown here. In this extraction station 43, the wound element 100 is extracted from the winding core 42. The extraction occurs before an adhesive tape 200 is applied, aimed at maintaining the winding of the wound element 100. Therefore, the moment it is extracted, the flap El of the wound element 100 is free, as shown in fig. 3A.

[0066] Downstream of the extraction station 43 there is provided a transfer device 50 configured to extract the wound elements 100 one by one from a corresponding winding core 42 and transfer them to an outlet station 60, passing through a taping station 70 and a possible reject station 80 (figs. 1 and 2). The transfer device 50 comprises at least one gripping member 52 for gripping the wound element 100, configured to maintain the winding of the wound element 100. The taping station 70 is also located downstream of the extraction station 43 and externally to the winding unit 30.

[0067] The transfer device 50 can be of the type rotatable about a rotation axis R’ parallel to the rotation axis R of the rotating member 40. The transfer device 50 comprises a rotating body equipped with four arms 51 slidable in a longitudinal direction, and radially relative to the rotating body, between an extended position and a retracted position. Each arm 51 is equipped, at its free end, with a gripping member 52 configured to grip a wound element 100 and to release it at the outlet station 60. The at least one gripping member 52 is also configured to allow the wound element 100 to rotate on itself, that is, about its longitudinal axis Al. For this purpose, the gripping members 52 are equipped with respective grippers 53 and respective bearings 54 as rolling elements.

[0068] The gripping members 52 are configured to hold the sheet end flap El in position on the wound element 100, so as to prevent it from unwinding despite the absence of adhesive tape 200. The gripper 53 consists of two retaining arms, in the form of curved and reciprocally opposite plates 530, to define a support seat 55 of the wound element 100 having its longitudinal axis A2 (figs. 4A and 4B).

[0069] Each plate 530 has a length L2 slightly smaller than the length LI of the wound element 100 and a height H2 such that they can surround the outer surface of the wound element 100 at an angle of at least 90°, preferably greater than 90°, so as to be able to cover the sheet end flap El, and thus hold it in position. For example, the height H2 of the plates 530 can be slightly smaller than the diameter DI of the wound element 100.

[0070] The curvature of the plates 530 is such that the concavity of each of them faces the other, that is, faces toward the inside of the gripper 53, and is oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis A2 (figs. 4A and 4B). When the wound element 100 is gripped in the gripper 53, its longitudinal axis Al is aligned with the longitudinal axis A2 of the support seat 55 (fig. 4B).

[0071] The bearings 54 are rotatable about respective rotation axes A3 parallel to the longitudinal axis A2 of the support seat 55. The bearings 54 have a diameter greater than the thickness of the plates 530 so as to come into contact with the wound element 100 when it is in the support seat 55 but not retained by the plates 530. This allows the wound element 100 to rotate on itself while it is in the support seat 55, as will be explained below.

[0072] The gripper 53 is equipped with a return member, in particular a spring (not shown in the drawings for simplicity) that tends to bring the two plates 530 closer to each other, so as to spring the closure of the gripper 53. The spreading of the plates 530 is performed by means of compressed air, which acts against the spring. In this way, the gripper 53 can grip wound elements 100 that do not have perfectly identical diameters.

[0073] When the wound element 100 is gripped by the gripper 53, that is, when it is in the support seat 55 and the gripper 53 is closed thereon, there remains a small play in the positioning of the wound element 100. In practice, the latter is not in contact with the bearings 54 when the gripper 53 is closed. Such a contact between wound element 100 and bearings 54 occurs only in a certain configuration that occurs at the taping station 70, and which will be described later.

[0074] The transfer device 50 can be placed below the rotating body, which by rotating takes the arms 51 in succession through the taping 70, reject 80 and outlet 60 stations.

[0075] The outlet station 60 comprises a pair of transfer wheels 61, each circumferentially equipped with a plurality of seats 62 configured to each receive a wound element 100 from the transfer device 50, and to transfer it to a conveying device 63. The conveying device 63, shown here as an endless belt, can convey the wound elements 100 in orderly succession toward other operating stations of the machine 10, such as for example a forming station commonly known as “hole forming station”.

[0076] The taping station 70 comprises a taping device 71 configured to apply at least one adhesive tape 200 on the wound element 100 so as to stably hold the end flap El of the sheets 25, 26, 27, 28 against the wound element 100.

[0077] In the example shown, the taping device 71 comprises a feed mean 72 for feeding the adhesive tape 200, here provided in the form of a roller 201, and at least one taping roller 73 for applying the adhesive tape 200 on the wound element 100 (figs. 6 and 7). The application of the adhesive tape 200 occurs by contact between the wound element 100 and the taping roller 73, as will be explained in more detail below.

[0078] At least one rounded, or round, active surface 74 portion is provided on the taping roller 73, configured to come into contact with the wound element 100 during the application of the adhesive tape 200 and push it against the bearings 54 of the gripping member 52. The rounded active surface 74 portion is made of elastic material, for example with a rubber coating 74A applied on the corresponding surface of the taping roller 73. The active surface 74 portion is also equipped with retaining means 74B, for example vacuum, that is, suction retaining means, for holding an adhesive tape 200 in position. In particular, the adhesive tape 200 is retained with the adhesive side facing outward. To achieve this result, the adhesive tape 200 is simply arranged with its non-adhesive surface against the outer surface of the taping roller 73. The rotation of the latter causes the rotation of the roller 201 in the opposite direction.

[0079] The taping device 71 also comprises a cutting member 75, in this case located in an opposite position relative to the point where the taping roller 73 is configured to come into contact with the wound element 100. The cutting member 75 comprises a blade 75A movable approaching and away from the taping roller 73, which advantageously comprises a corresponding cutting seat 73 A recessed from its outer surface, to guarantee the adhesive tape 200 is cut correctly (fig. 6).

[0080] To hold the adhesive tape 200 to the surface of the taping roller 73 even after it has been cut, the taping device 71 comprises a holding roller 76 upstream of the cutting member 75 relative to the path followed by the adhesive tape 200. The holding roller 76 is brought into contact with the taping roller 73 so as to press the adhesive tape 200 against it. If it is necessary to apply two adhesive tapes 200 on the wound element 100, as shown in fig. 3B, it can be provided to have a split taping device 71, that is, provided with two feed means 72, two taping rollers 73 and two holding rollers 76 located parallel to each other.

[0081] In an intermediate position between the taping station 70 and the outlet station 60, always around the transfer device 50, it is possible to provide a reject station 80 in which non-conforming wound elements 100 are discarded. The discarding can occur simply by the wound element 100 falling, for example into a special container arranged below the transfer device 50.

[0082] To verify the conformity of the wound elements 100, it is possible to provide a control sensor 90, for example of a visual type, in particular a camera. The control sensor 90 can be arranged in proximity to the reject station 80 or at the extraction station 43, as shown in fig. 2.

[0083] The operation of the machine 10 is detailed below.

[0084] After arranging the reels 25A, 25B, 26A, 26B, 27A, 27B, 28A, 28B of the sheets in the respective feed means 21, 22, 23, 24, their feed to the transfer devices 31, 32, 33, 34 is started, where film segments are cut, which are then fed to the winding cores 42 and wound to form the wound elements 100, in a known manner.

[0085] Once the wound element 100 has been made, it remains on the winding core 42 until the latter reaches the extraction station 43 (fig. 3). A step of extracting the wound element 100 is performed.

[0086] An arm 51 of the transfer device 50 is commanded so that it extends until the corresponding gripping member 52 comes into contact with the wound element 100 (fig. 5). The gripper 53 is in the open position, that is, with the plates 530 spread apart so as not to come into contact with the wound element 100. Once the plates 530 surround the wound element 100, they are mutually approached so that their inner surfaces come to rest against respective outer surface portions of the wound element 100 (fig. 4B).

[0087] At this point, the wound element 100 is stably supported in the support seat 55, albeit with slight play, and retained laterally by the plates 530 of the gripper 53, one of which also holds the final flap El of the sheets against the wound element 100. In this configuration, the wound element 100 is not in contact with the bearings 54. Once the wound element 100 has been gripped, it is extracted from the winding core 42 by commanding the retraction of the rods 42A, 42B relative to the rotating member 40 itself, so as to release the wound element 100. In particular, the two rods 42 A, 42B are retracted one after the other, so as not to damage the sheets 25, 26, 27, 28 of the wound element 100.

[0088] The arm 51 is then retracted into the transfer device 50 so as, at the very least, not to interfere with the transfer rollers when they are rotated by the rotating member 40. At this point, the wound element 100 passes into the field of view of the control sensor 90, which proceeds to verify conformity of the wound element 100 to predetermined specifications, such as for example shape, size or quality.

[0089] A step of transferring the wound element 100 to the taping station 70 and a subsequent step of taping the wound element 100 are then started.

[0090] To this end, the rotation of the transfer device 50 is driven to deliver the wound element 100 to the taping station 70, where two adhesive tapes 200 are applied to hold the end flaps El of the sheets 25, 26, 27, 28 of the wound element 100 against it. In the case of a non-conforming wound element 100, it can be provided to skip the taping station 70 and deliver it directly to the reject station 80.

[0091] Proceeding with the taping, when the wound element 100 is placed in front of the taping device 71 (fig. 6), in this case after a 90° counterclockwise rotation of the transfer device 50, the arm 51 is advanced to bring the wound element 100 in contact with the active surface 74 portions of the taping rollers 73. We must clarify that the taping device 71 is ready to apply the adhesive tapes 200, which have already been cut and are held in position by the retaining means 74B on the active surface 74 portion of the respective taping roller 73.

[0092] The opening of the gripper 53 is then commanded so that the plates 530 are no longer in contact with the wound element 100, which is therefore clamped between the taping rollers 73 on one side, and the bearings 54 on the other side (fig. 7), due to the thrust performed by the rubber coating 74A of the active surface 74 portions. The clockwise rotation of the taping rollers 73 is then commanded. This rotation determines, due to the elastic material of the active surface 74 portions that engages the wound element 100, the rotation of the latter, the outer surface of which is progressively brought into contact with the adhering surface of the adhesive tape 200 during the aforementioned rotation. In this way, the adhesive tapes 200 are applied to the wound element 100.

[0093] Once the application of the adhesive tapes 200 has been completed, the rotation of the taping rollers 73 is stopped and the gripper 53 is returned to a closed configuration, so as to clamp the wound element 100 in the support seat 55.

[0094] Subsequently, a further rotation of the transfer device 50 delivers the wound element 100 to the reject station 80 (if present) and, subsequently, to the outlet station 60, where it is placed in a seat 62 of a first transfer wheel 61 , which will deliver it to the next transfer wheel 61 and to the conveying device 63.

[0095] Advantageously, as soon as the application of the adhesive tapes 200 on the wound element 100 is finished, the taping device 71 is configured to immediately prepare the next two adhesive tapes 200 to be applied on the next wound element 100. In particular, each taping roller 73 is rotated to carry with it a subsequent portion of adhesive tape 200, which is then cut by the respective cutting member 75. The adhesive tapes 200 are immediately placed in position to be applied to the next wound element 100, before it reaches the taping station 70.

[0096] The wound element 100 is then transported to subsequent operating stations, such as for example the forming hole station where a heated needle is inserted axially into the wound element to form a central hole therein.

[0097] It is clear that modifications and / or additions of parts may be made to the machine 10 and to the method as described heretofore, without thereby departing from the field and scope of the present invention, as defined by the claims.

[0098] It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art will be able to achieve other equivalent forms of machines and methods for manufacturing electrical energy storage devices, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.

[0099] In the following claims, the sole purpose of the references in brackets is to facilitate their reading and they must not be considered as restrictive factors with regard to the field of protection defined by the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Winding machine (10) for manufacturing electrical energy storage devices, comprising:- a winding unit (30) comprising at least one winding core (42),- a feed system (21, 22, 23, 24) configured to feed a cathode sheet (25), an anode sheet (27), and at least one separator sheet (26, 28) to said winding unit (30) for winding around said at least one winding core (42) to form a wound element (100),- a taping station (70) comprising a taping device (71) configured to apply an adhesive tape (200) to said wound element (100), and- an extraction station (43) comprising at least one gripping member (52) configured to extract said wound element (100) from the winding core (42), the machine (10) being characterized by further comprising a transfer device (50) on which said at least one gripping member (52) is mounted, said transfer device (50) being configured to move between the extraction station (43) and the taping station (70), which is positioned externally to the winding unit, said gripping member (52) being configured to release the wound element (100) at the taping station (70), and in that the machine (10) further comprises rolling elements (54) configured to support the wound element (100) at the taping station (70), to permit the free rotation of said wound element (100) about its longitudinal axis (Al) during application of the adhesive tape (200).

2. Machine (10) as in claim 1, characterized in that said at least one gripping member (52) comprises a gripper (53) having two retaining arms (530) arranged opposite each other to define a support seat (55) to receive the wound element (100), said support seat (55) having a longitudinal axis (A2) aligned with the longitudinal axis (Al) of said wound element (100) when received therein.

3. Machine (10) as in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the taping device (71) comprises at least one rounded active surface (74), preferably made of an elastic material, said at least one rounded active surface (74) being configured to temporarily retain the adhesive tape (200), preferably by suction.

4. Machine (10) as in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said taping device (71) comprises a taping roller (73) configured to engage said wound element (100) delivered by said transfer device (50) and to induce rotation of said wound element (100) during application of the adhesive tape.

5. Machine (10) as in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said rolling elements (54) are mounted on said transfer device (50).

6. Machine (10) as in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said rolling elements comprise at least one pair of idle rollers (54) positioned adjacent to said gripping member (52), so that when said wound element (100) is delivered by the transfer device (50) to the taping station (70), the wound element (100) is supported by, and rotates freely on, the idle rollers (54).

7. Machine (10) as in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transfer device (50) is configured to rotate about a fixed rotation axis (R’).

8. Machine (10) as in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transfer device (50) comprises a rotating body, and the gripping member (52) is mounted so as to be radially movable relative to the rotating body.

9. Machine (10) as in any of the preceding claims, characterized by further comprising a sensor (90) configured to verify the conformity of the wound element (100) to predetermined specification, such as shape, size, and quality parameters, before or after the application of the adhesive tape (200).

10. Machine (10) as in claim 9, characterized by further comprising a reject station (80) configured to receive the wound element (100) identified as nonconforming by the sensor (90).

11. Method for manufacturing electrical energy storage devices using a winding machine (10), said method comprising:- feeding a cathode sheet (25), an anode sheet (27), and at least one separator sheet (26, 28) to a winding unit (30) comprising at least one winding core (42),- winding said sheets (25, 26, 27, 28) around said at least one winding core (42) to form a wound element (100),- extracting said wound element (100) from said at least one winding core (42) at an extraction station (43), and- applying an adhesive tape (200) to said wound element (100); characterized in that said method further comprises, prior to applying an adhesive tape (200) and after extracting the wound element (100), transferring the wound element (100) extracted from the extraction station (43) to the taping station (70), which is positioned externally to said winding unit (30), and rotating said wound element (100) about its longitudinal axis (Al) during application of theadhesive tape (200).

12. Method as in claim 11, characterized in that applying the adhesive tape (200) comprises bringing a taping roller (73), on the outer surface of which the adhesive tape (200) is arranged, into contact with the outer surface of said wound element (100), and rotating said taping roller (73) to induce simultaneous the rotation of the wound element (100).

13. Method as in claim 11 or 12, characterized in that extracting the wound element (100) comprises using at least one gripping member (52); transferring the wound element (100) from the extraction station (43) to the taping station (70) comprises moving the wound element (100) via a transfer device (50) on which the at least one gripping member (52) is mounted; and rotating the wound element (100) during the application of the adhesive tape (200) comprises supporting the wound element (100) on rolling elements (54).

14. Method as in claim 13, characterized in that, when said wound element (100) is rotated by the taping roller (73), said wound element (100) rotates freely on the rolling elements (54).

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