Device and method for applying adhesive tape strips

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (10) for applying adhesive tape strips (40) to cell stacks (41) for energy cells, e.g. batteries. The device (10) has at least one carriage (11) which can be moved along a first spatial axis (12), wherein the carriage (11) comprises a rotary element (15) having at least one application cam (16). The rotary element (15) on the carriage (11) is mounted so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation (14), wherein the axis of rotation (14) of the rotary element (15) is perpendicular to the first spatial axis (12). The application cam (16) has a curved application surface (17) for holding and pressing an adhesive tape strip (3), wherein the application surface (17) has at least one vacuum field (18, 19, 20) for holding the adhesive tape strip (40).

Description

[0001] Device and method for applying adhesive tape strips

[0002] The present invention relates to a device for applying adhesive tape strips to cell stacks for energy cells, e.g. batteries, and a corresponding method for applying adhesive tape strips with such a device.

[0003] In the production of energy cells, such as fuel cells or batteries, cell stacks are manufactured as intermediate products. Particularly in battery production, the energy cells have multiple anode and cathode sheets, each separated by a separator. The separator can, for example, also be a sheet inserted between the anode and cathode sheets. Alternatively, the separator can be a folded web in a Z-fold, with the anode and cathode sheets each inserted into the folds of the separator web. Typically, the cell stacks are wrapped in a separator web to fix the components to one another and to facilitate handling of the cell stacks. It is known in the art to apply adhesive tape strips to the separator web to fix the wrapped cell stack.

[0004] It is known, for example, to pick up adhesive tape strips with a vacuum gripper and press them onto the cell stack. It is also known, for example, to insert a cell stack into a U-profile for the purpose of applying an adhesive tape strip to the two top surfaces and one of the end surfaces. When inserting the cell stack into the U-profile, the sensitive edges of the individual layers of the cell stack are easily deformed. Overall, the known devices and methods for applying adhesive tape strips to a cell stack achieve only limited process speed and accuracy. Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide an improved device and an improved method for applying adhesive tape strips.

[0005] The invention solves the problem with the features of the independent claims.

[0006] A device for applying adhesive tape strips to cell stacks for energy cells, for example batteries, is proposed, wherein the device has at least one gondola which is movable in a first spatial axis. The gondola has a rotating element with at least one application cam, wherein the rotating element is rotatably mounted on the gondola about an axis of rotation. The axis of rotation of the rotating element is perpendicular to the first spatial axis. The application cam has a curved application surface for holding and pressing down an adhesive tape strip, wherein the application surface has at least one vacuum area for holding the adhesive tape strip.

[0007] In this way, it is possible to apply an adhesive tape strip to a cell stack quickly, even in confined spaces. The rotating element allows the application cam to wind the adhesive tape strip onto the cell stack. This winding is preferably slip-free, achieved through a combined rotational movement of the rotating element around its axis and a translational movement of the gondola along the first spatial axis. The proposed device reliably prevents air bubbles and air inclusions between the adhesive tape strip and the cell stack. The vacuum field holds the adhesive tape strip in place during application, enabling very precise positioning on the cell stack. Slippage of the adhesive tape strip is prevented. The adhesive tape is preferably self-adhesive.In preferred embodiments, the adhesive tape is pre-coated with an adhesive layer, wherein the adhesive layer is preferably first covered with a liner, which is removed before the adhesive tape is applied. In further possible embodiments, the device includes an adhesive application device configured to apply an adhesive layer to the adhesive tape. This allows the adhesive tape to be produced immediately before application, enabling a wider selection of possible adhesives.

[0008] In an advantageous embodiment, the device has a linear drive with which the gondola can be moved along the first spatial axis. The linear drive is particularly suitable for applying adhesive tape strips to one of the two top surfaces of a cell stack, for example to fix a winding.

[0009] Furthermore, several application cams are preferably arranged on the rotating element, so that, for example, a winding of a cell stack can be easily fixed at several positions by several adhesive tape strips, each held on an application cam. During movement of the gondola along the first spatial axis, the rotating element can, for example, be rotated synchronously such that three adhesive tape strips are applied to a top surface of a cell stack by three application cams of the rotating element. The application of three adhesive tape strips can be carried out very quickly due to the possible continuous movement.

[0010] According to a further development, it is proposed that the gondola be movable in a second spatial axis, which is perpendicular to the first spatial axis and perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rotating element. The gondola's mobility in two spatial axes allows, among other things, the application of an adhesive tape strip from the application cam across the end faces on both top surfaces, so that the cell stack layers can be secured against slippage with adhesive tape. Furthermore, the device can be easily adapted to cell stacks of varying heights.

[0011] Preferably, the device includes a coupling mechanism that allows the gondola to move along the first and second spatial axes. A coupling mechanism enables sufficient mobility of the gondola along these axes, while compensating for any resulting rotation of the gondola perpendicular to the two axes by rotating the rotary element around its axis of rotation. Furthermore, the device can preferably be operated exclusively with rotary drives, thus significantly reducing particle generation compared to linear drives and increasing cleanability, which is particularly advantageous in the production of energy cells, such as batteries.

[0012] The drives for the movement are preferably electric servo drives.

[0013] Preferably, the curved application surface of the at least one application cam is a partial cylindrical surface around the axis of rotation of the rotating element. This enables simple control and, in particular, continuous and preferably slip-free unwinding of an application cam for applying an adhesive tape strip.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the at least one vacuum field can be switched by means of at least one electrically controlled valve.

[0015] This allows the device to be easily adapted to different geometries of the cell stacks and positioning of the adhesive tape strips.

[0016] According to a further development, it is proposed that the application cam has several, preferably three, vacuum fields on the application surface, which can be individually controlled. The adhesive tape strip, held on the application surface by vacuum on the application cam, can thus be released step by step by switching off vacuum fields one after the other. This preferably occurs synchronously with the unwinding of the application cam, so that the adhesive tape strip is fixed throughout the entire application process. Therefore, slippage or wrinkling of the adhesive tape strip can be avoided. Preferably, the vacuum fields are each switchable by means of a separate, electrically controlled valve.

[0017] In an advantageous embodiment, the device includes an occupancy sensor, preferably a contrast sensor, which is configured to detect a strip of adhesive tape on the application surface of the application cam. The occupancy sensor further increases the process reliability of the device during the application of adhesive tape strips.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the device has two gondolas. This allows the device to apply two adhesive tape strips simultaneously to a cell stack. The process speed can thus be doubled. Furthermore, two gondolas, each with a rotating element and at least one application cam, are particularly advantageous in combination with a coupling gear for applying two adhesive tape strips to opposing end faces of a cell stack.

[0019] According to a further development, it is proposed that the device includes a holder for a cell stack, which is configured to hold a cell stack at its two end faces between two grippers of the holder. The grippers have at least one, preferably U-shaped, recess extending to the end face and over at least one edge of the end face of the cell stack to be held. This allows the cell stack to be fixed during the application of an adhesive tape strip across the end face of the cell stack. The two ends of the adhesive tape strip can be applied to the end face of the stack in the recesses of the grippers, while the gripper stabilizes the end face up to the edge.

[0020] According to an advantageous further development, it is proposed that the device includes a marking device, e.g., a marking laser or a marking printer, for adhesive tape strips. The marking laser can be used to mark the adhesive tape strips to be applied and / or those already applied, preferably individually.

[0021] According to an advantageous further development, it is proposed that at least one gondola be movable parallel to the axis of rotation. This allows for easy adjustment of the device for applying adhesive strips at different positions on a cell stack and / or to different cell stack formats with respect to the axis of rotation. According to a further advantageous further development, it is proposed that the holder for a cell stack be movable parallel to the axis of rotation. This also allows for such advantageous adjustment to different positions and / or formats.

[0022] Furthermore, to solve the problem of the invention, a method for applying adhesive tape strips to cell stacks is proposed using a device of the type described above or according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an adhesive tape strip is picked up by the application cam on the application surface and held on the at least one vacuum area. The held adhesive tape strip is applied to the cell stack by pressing and unrolling the application cam on at least one cover surface. The method enables a reliable and rapid application of an adhesive tape strip to a cell stack. Preferably, at least one adhesive tape strip is applied to a cover surface of a cell stack to close a winding around the cell stack.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment, it is proposed that the gondola moves along the first spatial axis and / or second spatial axis, while the rotating element with the application cam rotates around the axis of rotation, whereby an adhesive tape strip is applied from the application surface onto a cell stack by pressing and unwinding. This enables bubble-free and fast, and preferably slip-free, application of an adhesive tape strip.

[0024] Preferably, at least one strip of adhesive tape is applied to a top surface and an opposite top surface of the same cell stack, the strip of adhesive tape extending over the side area between the two top surfaces.

[0025] Furthermore, preferably in a first step, a first section of an adhesive tape strip is unrolled on one of the cover surfaces of a cell stack from the beginning of the first section to the edge of the cover surface and pressed down to the edge of the cover surface; in a second step, a second section of the adhesive tape strip is unrolled starting at the edge of the cover surface from the application cam to the edge of the opposite cover surface; in a third step, a third section of the adhesive tape strip is unrolled on the opposite cover surface of the cell stack from the edge of the cover surface and pressed down from the edge of the cover surface.

[0026] In this way, a strip of adhesive tape can bridge the end face of a cell stack while protecting the sensitive edges of the anode and cathode sheets as well as the edges of the separators. Preferably, in the second step, the adhesive tape strip is unwound from the application surface onto the end face of the cell stack without applying pressure. More preferably, in the second step, the adhesive tape strip is unwound from the application cam, being held spaced away from the end face so that folding of the edges of the layers in the cell stack in the unwinding direction is reliably prevented. The pressure on the adhesive tape strip during unwinding is thus preferably interrupted at the end of the first section of the tape strip at the end of the first cover surface and suspended for the second section of the tape strip, which is associated with the end face of a cell stack.In other words, the second section is applied to the end face without pressure. In possible embodiments, the mechanical tension of the adhesive tape strip in the second section, which bridges the end face, can be adjusted, for example, a high tensile tension or a tension-free loop.

[0027] According to a further embodiment, it is proposed that in a first step a first section of an adhesive tape strip is unrolled on one of the cover surfaces of a cell stack from the beginning of the first section to the edge of the cover surface and pressed down to the edge of the cover surface; in a second step a second section of the adhesive tape strip is unrolled starting at the edge of the cover surface from the application cam to the edge of the opposite cover surface; in a third step a third section of the adhesive tape strip is unrolled on the opposite cover surface of the cell stack from the edge of the cover surface and pressed down from a distance of at least 0.5 mm, preferably at least 1 mm, and further preferably at least 2 mm, to the edge of the cover surface.

[0028] This prevents the edge of the cover surface from folding away from the cell stack, which is particularly advantageous for further processing of the cell stack. The distance is preferably < 5 mm.According to a further embodiment, it is proposed that in a first step a first section of an adhesive tape strip is unrolled on one of the cover surfaces of a cell stack from the beginning of the first section to the edge of the cover surface and pressed down to a distance of at least 0.5 mm, preferably at least 1 mm, and more preferably at least 2 mm; in a second step a second section of the adhesive tape strip is unrolled starting at the edge of the cover surface from the application cam to the edge of the opposite cover surface; in a third step a third section of the adhesive tape strip is unrolled on the opposite cover surface of the cell stack from the edge of the cover surface and pressed down from a distance of at least 0.5 mm, preferably at least 1 mm, and more preferably at least 2 mm, to the edge of the cover surface.

[0029] This prevents both edges of the cover surfaces from buckling, which is particularly advantageous for further processing of the cell stack. The spacing is preferably < 5 mm.

[0030] According to a further embodiment, it is proposed that, in a first step, a first section of an adhesive tape strip is unrolled on one of the cover surfaces of a cell stack from the beginning of the first section to the edge of the cover surface and pressed down to a distance of at least 0.5 mm, preferably at least 1 mm, and more preferably at least 2 mm, from the edge of the cover surface; in a second step, a second section of the adhesive tape strip is unrolled starting at the edge of the cover surface from the application lug to the edge of the opposite cover surface; in a third step, a third section of the adhesive tape strip is unrolled on the opposite cover surface of the cell stack from the edge of the cover surface and pressed down from the edge of the cover surface. This prevents the edge of the cover surface from folding over, which is particularly advantageous for further processing of the cell stack. The distance is preferably less than 5 mm.

[0031] It is further preferred that at least one strip of adhesive tape is applied to a top surface of a cell stack to close a winding around the cell stack, and that at least one strip of adhesive tape is applied to a top surface and an opposite top surface of the same cell stack, wherein the strip of adhesive tape extends over the side area between the two top surfaces.

[0032] Preferably, the application surface has several vacuum zones which are gradually deactivated as the adhesive tape strip is unwound from the application surface. This ensures reliable application of the adhesive tape strip, which is initially held completely on the application surface of the application cam and then gradually fixed to the cell stack by application, thus avoiding undefined intermediate states.

[0033] Preferably, a strip of adhesive tape is applied at least partially in a recess of a gripper. This stabilizes a cell stack held at its two end faces between two grippers of a holder of the device, so that the contact forces of the application cam can be absorbed by the cell stack without deformation.

[0034] The application of adhesive tape strips to cell stacks is preferably path-controlled.

[0035] According to a further development, it is proposed that the contact force of the application cam on the cell stack be determined by measuring the torques of the electric drives of the rotary element and the linear drive and / or the coupling gear. This allows for force-controlled application of adhesive tape strips.

[0036] According to a further development, it is proposed that the contact force of the application cam on the cell stack is detected by measuring the forces on the holder for the cell stack.

[0037] The transport of adhesive tape strips within the device to the application cam is preferably timed. Furthermore, the adhesive tape is preferably cut to length by a cutting unit while the device is stationary. For this purpose, the cutting unit preferably has a blade carrier, the pivot point of which, in an advantageous embodiment, is selected such that the blade is "pulled" through the adhesive tape. The actual cutting length is thus longer than the width of the adhesive tape, which has a positive effect on the cutting quality, the cutting forces, and the blade's service life. Furthermore, the device is preferably initialized by means of mechanical stops and locking positions.

[0038] In other possible embodiments, the adhesive tape strips can be fed from a magazine. Furthermore, a marking printer with a printhead can be used as a marking device instead of a marking laser to mark the adhesive tape strips. The marking of the adhesive tape strips can, for example, be carried out on a drum during rotation. An additional element can also be provided in the device to remove the liner tape from the adhesive tape strip. As an alternative to electric drives, pneumatic drives can also be used in the device in other embodiments. The adhesive tape can be cut into strips in the device, for example, by a knife, serrated knife, hot wire, ultrasound, or laser. In other embodiments, a marking laser can also be used as a marking device to cut the adhesive tape strips.The invention is explained below with reference to preferred embodiments and the accompanying figures.

[0039] Fig. 1 shows a device for applying adhesive tape strips to cell stacks of an energy cell, in particular a battery;

[0040] Fig. 2 shows a cell stack with adhesive tape strips applied to a cover side;

[0041] Fig. 3 shows another device for applying adhesive tape strips to cell stacks of an energy cell, in particular a battery;

[0042] Fig. 4 shows a device with a held cell stack in a side view;

[0043] Fig. 5 shows a device with a held cell stack in an isometric detail view; and

[0044] Figs. 6-10 show various steps of applying an adhesive tape strip to a cell stack in a detailed view of a device; and

[0045] Figs. 11-13 show a cutting unit of a device in various phases.

[0046] Figure 1 shows an advantageous embodiment of a device 10 for applying adhesive tape strips 40 to cell stacks 41 for energy cells, e.g., batteries. The device 10 has a gondola 11 which is movable in a first spatial axis 12 by means of a linear drive 22. The gondola 11 has a rotary element 14 which is rotatable about the axis of rotation 14 by an electric drive 33. In this advantageous embodiment, the rotary element 14 has three application cams 16, each of which has an application surface 17. In this embodiment, the application surfaces 17 are partial cylindrical surfaces about the axis of rotation 14 of the rotary element 15. The application surfaces 17 each have a vacuum field 18 for holding an adhesive tape strip 40.

[0047] Furthermore, the application cams 16 each have an occupancy sensor 26, so that a strip of adhesive tape 40 held on the vacuum field 18 can be detected.

[0048] By rotating the rotary element 15 and simultaneously moving the gondola 11 linearly along the first spatial axis 12, a strip of adhesive tape 40 can be pressed onto a cell stack 41 below the gondola 11 (not shown in this figure) and unrolled. The three application cams 16 can each apply a strip of adhesive tape 40, so that, for example, the wrapping of a cell stack 41 with three applied strips of adhesive tape 40 can be fixed to a top surface 41.

[0049] The spacing of the adhesive tape strips 40 on a cell stack 41 can correspond to the circumference between the application cams 16 or, by appropriate control of the linear drive 22 in relation to the rotation of the rotary element 15, to a larger or smaller distance.

[0050] The device 10 also includes a roll holder 34 for feeding the adhesive tape strips 40 onto the application surface 17 of the application cams 16. The roll of adhesive tape is conveyed via the deflection roller 35 onto the cutting drum 36. The adhesion of the adhesive tape strip 40 is reduced by a non-stick coating on the cutting drum 36. The adhesive tape strips 40 are cut on the cutting drum 36 by means of a cutting unit 37. The adhesive tape strips 40 can additionally be marked or labelled by a marking device 32, e.g., a marking laser or a marking printer.

[0051] The device 10 of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 is particularly suitable for applying a single adhesive tape strip 40, and especially for applying multiple adhesive tape strips 40, to a cover surface 42, 43 of a cell stack 41. The adhesive tape strip(s) 40 can be applied in such a way that the free separator end of the winding is fixed around the cell stack 41, thereby permanently maintaining the winding tension, as shown in Figure 2. With the proposed device 10, for example, one, two, or three adhesive tape strips 40 can be easily applied to a cover surface 42 of a cell stack 41. Different lengths of adhesive tape strips 40 are possible, provided the length can be accommodated on the application surface 17. Alternatively, for example, only one adhesive tape strip 40 of a longer length can be applied.

[0052] Figure 3 shows a further advantageous embodiment of a device 10 for applying adhesive tape strips 40 to cell stacks 41 for energy cells, e.g. batteries, which is moved over the end faces 44 of a cell stack 41 for the application of adhesive tape strips 41 in such a way that the adhesive tape strip 40 is applied from the first cover surface 42, top, over the end face 44 to the second cover surface 43, bottom, of the cell stack 41.

[0053] The device 10 in this advantageous embodiment has two gondolas 11, each with a rotary element 15 and an application cam 16, so that two adhesive tape strips 41 can be applied in parallel to opposite end faces 44 of a cell stack 41. The gondolas 11 are movable in two spatial axes, the first spatial axis 12 (e.g., horizontal) and the second spatial axis 13 (e.g., vertical), via coupling gears 21 and electric drives 33 (see Figure 4). The gondolas 11 have a rotary element 15, which can be moved about the axis of rotation 14 by means of an electric drive 33. The rotary element 15 has an application cam 16 with an application surface 17, which has several separately switchable vacuum fields 18, 19, 20. The two gondolas 11 can be controlled and moved independently of each other, so that two adhesive tape strips 40 can be applied to the end faces 44 simultaneously.The individual layers of the cell stack 41 can usually be seen on the end faces 44 of a cell stack 41.

[0054] Figure 4 shows a detailed side view of the right half of the device 10. The left half of the device 10 is designed accordingly so that adhesive tape strips 40 can be applied simultaneously to both end faces 44 of a cell stack 41. In further embodiments, the device 10 can also have only one gondola 11 for applying adhesive tape strips 40. Therefore, the device 10 does not necessarily require two gondolas 11 with rotating elements 15. The gondola 11 is movable in the plane of the illustration, i.e., the first and second spatial axes 12, 13, by means of the coupling gear 21 and the electric drives 33.In the situation shown in Figure 4, the gondola 11 with the application cam 16 is in a takeover position, in which a strip of adhesive tape 40 provided on the cutting drum 36 is taken over by the application cam 16 by a synchronized rotary movement of the rotating element 15 with the application cam 16 and the cutting drum 36. In other possible embodiments, for example, the cutting drum 36 can also be stationary and the application cam 16 can take over the strip of adhesive tape 40 by a simultaneous movement of the gondola 11. Furthermore, various combinations of movements are also possible. The release of the strip of adhesive tape 40 from the cutting drum 36 is achieved pneumatically by a control edge. At the end of the takeover process, a strip of adhesive tape 40 is held on the application surface 17 of the application cam 16 by the activation of vacuum fields 18, 19, 20 on the application surface 17.

[0055] Below the gondola 11 a holder 27 of the device 10 is arranged, which holds a cell stack 41 for an energy cell, for example a battery, by means of an upper and lower gripper 28, 29.

[0056] The two top surfaces 42, 43 of the cell stack 41, as well as two side surfaces, are wrapped around a cell stack 41 by a separator web. Accordingly, the wrapping typically leaves two opposing end surfaces 44 exposed, which can be secured by applying adhesive tape strips 40. The adhesive tape strips 40 are preferably applied centrally over the end surfaces 44 of a cell stack 41, with the adhesive tape strip 40 adhering in the adjacent area of ​​the upper and lower top surfaces 42, 43.

[0057] Figure 5 shows a detailed isometric view of the device 10. The application cam 16 is positioned for placing an adhesive tape strip 40, not shown here, onto the top surface 42 of a cell stack 41 held in the holder 27.

[0058] The application cam 16 is positioned in a U-shaped recess 30 of the upper gripper 28 for the application of the adhesive tape strip 40.

[0059] The application of an adhesive tape strip 40 over the front surface 44 of a cell stack 41 is shown below in side views in Figures 6 to 10.

[0060] Figure 6 shows the situation of Figure 4, in which the adhesive tape strip 40 is placed onto the upper cover surface 42 in a first step. At this point, the adhesive tape strip 40 is held on the application surface 17 by all three vacuum pressure fields 18, 19, 20.

[0061] In Figure 7, the first vacuum field 18, which is assigned to a first section of the adhesive tape strip 40, is deactivated. The adhesive tape strip 40 is pressed and unrolled onto the top surface 42 by a combined movement of the rotary element 15 about the axis of rotation 14 and the gondola 11 parallel to the first spatial axis 12. In particularly advantageous embodiments, pressing the adhesive tape strip 40 onto the top surface 42 in the edge region, for example from a distance of 0.5 mm or 1 mm to the edge of the top surface 42, can be omitted in order to avoid deforming the edge of the top surface 42.

[0062] Figure 8 shows a second step in which the gondola 11 is moved in the second spatial axis 13 and a second section of the adhesive tape strip 40 is applied to the end face 44. The central vacuum field 19 is deactivated in this step.

[0063] In particularly advantageous embodiments, the adhesive tape strip 40 is not pressed onto the end face 44 of the application cam 16, but merely unrolled, so that the edges of the layers of the cell stack 41 are not subjected to mechanical stress.

[0064] The beginning of a third step is illustrated in Figure 9, in which a third section of the adhesive tape strip 40 is applied to the lower cover surface 43 of the cell stack 41. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the adhesive tape strip 40 is not placed directly onto the edge of the lower cover surface 43 with the application lug 16, but rather at a distance from the edge of the cover surface 43 and from the end face 44. In this advantageous embodiment, the distance is 2 mm. The adhesive tape strip 40 is thus preferably applied from the edge of the first, upper cover surface 42, or at a distance from the edge or border, to the second, lower cover surface 43, where it is not pressed down and is unrolled, for example, at a distance from the cell stack 41. This prevents the lower layers of the cell stack 41 from buckling downwards due to the application of the adhesive tape strip 40.

[0065] Figure 10 shows the complete application of the adhesive tape strip 40, which in the third step is applied to the second, lower cover surface 43 by pressing and unwinding. The gondola 11 is then moved back to the cutting drum 36 to receive a new adhesive tape strip 40. The fixed cell stack 41 is conveyed away for further processing into an energy cell, in particular a battery.

[0066] Figures 11 to 13 show a cutting drum 36 and a cutting unit 37 of a device 10. The cutting unit 36 ​​comprises a blade 38 which is mounted in a pivot point 39 offset from the cutting drum 36 and can cut adhesive tape into strips 40 guided on the cutting drum 36.

[0067] The pivot point of the knife holder is chosen so that the knife is "pulled" through the adhesive tape. The actual cutting length, with the pivot point positioned longer than the width of the adhesive tape, has a positive effect on the

[0068] Cutting quality, which affects cutting forces and the service life of the blade. Reference symbol list:

[0069] 10 Device

[0070] 11 gondolas

[0071] 12 first spatial axis 13 second spatial axis 14 rotational axis

[0072] 15 rotating elements

[0073] 16 Application cams 17 Application area 18 Vacuum field

[0074] 19 Vacuum field 20 Vacuum field 21 Linkage gear 22 Linear drive

[0075] 26 Occupancy sensor 27 Holder

[0076] 28 grippers

[0077] 29 grippers

[0078] 30 recess

[0079] 31 recess

[0080] 32 Marking device 33 Electric drive 34 Roller holder 35 Deflection roller

[0081] 36 Cutting drum 37 Cutting unit 38 Blade

[0082] 39 Pivot point

[0083] 40 strips of adhesive tape, 41 stacks of cells

[0084] 42 Cover surface 43 Cover surface 44 End surface

Claims

Claims:

1. Device (10) for applying adhesive tape strips (40) to cell stacks (41) for energy cells, e.g. batteries, characterized in that - the device (10) has at least one gondola (11), - which is movable in a first spatial axis (12), wherein - the gondola (11) has a rotating element (15) with at least one application cam (16), wherein - the rotating element (15) is rotatably mounted on the gondola (11) about a pivot axis (14), wherein the axis of rotation (14) of the rotating element (15) is perpendicular to the first spatial axis (12), wherein - the application cam (16) has a curved application surface (17) for holding and pressing down a strip of adhesive tape (3), wherein - the application surface (17) has at least one vacuum field (18, 19, 20) for holding the adhesive tape strip (40).

2. Device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the device (10) has a linear drive (22) with which the gondola (11) can be moved in the first spatial axis (12).

3. Device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the gondola (11) is movable in a second spatial axis (13) which is perpendicular to the first spatial axis (12) and perpendicular to the axis of rotation (14) of the rotating element (15).

4. Device (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that the device (10) has a coupling gear (21) with which the gondola (11) can be moved in the first spatial axis (12) and the second spatial axis (13).

5. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the curved application surface (17) of the at least one application cam (16) is a partial cylindrical surface around the axis of rotation (14) of the rotating element (15).

6. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one vacuum field (18, 19, 20) can be switched by means of at least one electrically controlled valve.

7. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the application cam (16) has several, preferably three, vacuum fields (18, 19, 20) on the application surface (17) which can be controlled individually.

8. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (10) has an occupancy sensor (26), preferably a contrast sensor, which is configured to detect a strip of adhesive tape (40) on the application surface (17) of the application cam (16).

9. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (10) has two gondolas (11).

10. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (10) has a holder (27) for a cell stack (41) which is configured to hold a cell stack (41) at the two top surfaces (42, 43) between two grippers (28, 29) of the holder (27), wherein the grippers (28, 29) have at least one, preferably U-shaped, recess (30, 31) to the top surface (42, 43) extending over at least one edge of the top surface (42, 43) of a cell stack (40) to be held.

11. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (10) has a marking device (32), preferably a marking laser, for adhesive tape strips (40).

12. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one gondola (11) is movable parallel to the axis of rotation (14).

13. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims with reference to claim 10, characterized in that the holder (27) for a cell stack (41) is movable parallel to the axis of rotation (14).

14. Method for applying adhesive tape strips (40) to cell stacks (41) with a device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an adhesive tape strip (40) is picked up by the application cam (16) on the application surface (17) and held on the at least one vacuum field (18, 19, 20), wherein the held adhesive tape strip (40) is applied to the cell stack (41) by pressing and rolling the application cam (16) on at least one cover surface (42, 43).

15. Method according to claim 14, characterized in that the gondola (11) moves along the first spatial axis (12) and / or second spatial axis (13), while the rotating element (15) with the application cam (16) rotates around the axis of rotation (14), whereby a strip of adhesive tape (40) is applied from the application surface (17) to a cell stack (41) by pressing and unrolling.

16. Method according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that - in a first step, a first section of an adhesive tape strip (40) is unrolled on one of the cover surfaces (42) of a cell stack (41) from the beginning of the first section to the edge of the cover surface (42) and pressed down to the edge of the cover surface (42), - in a second step, a second section of the adhesive tape strip (40) is unrolled starting at the edge of the cover surface (42) from the application cam (16) to the edge of the opposite cover surface (43), - in a third step, a third section of the adhesive tape strip (40) is unrolled from the edge of the top surface (43) of the cell stack (41) on the opposite top surface (43) and pressed down from the edge of the top surface (43).

17. Method according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that - in a first step, a first section of an adhesive tape strip (40) is unrolled on one of the cover surfaces (42) of a cell stack (41) from the beginning of the first section to the edge of the cover surface (42) and pressed down to the edge of the cover surface (42), - in a second step, a second section of the adhesive tape strip (40) is unrolled starting at the edge of the cover surface (42) from the application cam (16) to the edge of the opposite cover surface (43), - in a third step, a third section of the adhesive tape strip (40) is unrolled onto the opposite cover surface (43) of the cell stack (41) from the edge of the cover surface (43) and pressed down from a distance of at least 0.5 mm, preferably at least 1 mm, further preferably at least 2 mm, to the edge of the cover surface (43).

18. Method according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that - in a first step, a first section of an adhesive tape strip (40) is unrolled onto one of the cover surfaces (42) of a cell stack (41) from the beginning of the first section to the edge of the cover surface (42) and pressed down to a distance of at least 0.5 mm, preferably at least 1 mm, further preferably at least 2 mm, - in a second step, a second section of the adhesive tape strip (40) is unrolled from the edge of the cover surface (42) from the application cam (16) to the edge of the opposite cover surface (43), - in a third step, a third section of the adhesive tape strip (40) is unrolled on the opposite top surface (43) of the cell stack (41) from the edge of the top surface (43) and pressed down from a distance of at least 0.5 mm, preferably at least 1 mm, further preferably at least 2 mm, to the edge of the top surface (43).

19. Method according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that - in a first step, a first section of an adhesive tape strip (40) is unrolled on one of the cover surfaces (42) of a cell stack (41) from the beginning of the first section to the edge of the cover surface (42) and pressed down to a distance of at least 0.5 mm, preferably at least 1 mm, further preferably at least 2 mm, to the edge of the cover surface (42), - in a second step, a second section of the adhesive tape strip (40) is unrolled starting at the edge of the cover surface (42) from the application cam (16) to the edge of the opposite cover surface (43), - in a third step, a third section of the adhesive tape strip (40) is unrolled onto the opposite cover surface (43) of the cell stack (41) from the edge of the cover surface (43) and pressed down from the edge of the cover surface (43).

20. Method according to one of claims 14 to 19, characterized in that the application surface (17) has several vacuum fields (18, 19, 20) which are successively deactivated when the adhesive tape strip (40) is unrolled from the application surface (17).

21. Method according to one of claims 14 to 20, characterized in that an adhesive tape strip (40) is applied at least partially in a recess (30, 31) of a gripper (28, 29).

22. Method according to one of claims 14 to 21, characterized in that the contact force of the application cam (16) on the cell stack (41) is determined by detecting torques of electric drives (33) of the rotary element (15) and the linear drive (22) and / or the coupling gear (21).

23. Method according to one of claims 14 to 22, characterized in that the contact force of the application cam (16) on the cell stack (41) is detected by detecting the forces on the holder (27) for the cell stack (41).

24. Method according to one of claims 14 to 23, characterized in that at least one adhesive tape strip (40) is applied to a cover surface (42, 43) of a cell stack (41) for sealing a winding around the cell stack (41).

25. Method according to one of claims 14 to 24, characterized in that at least one adhesive tape strip (40) is applied to a top surface (42, 43) of a cell stack (41) for sealing a winding around the cell stack (41), and that at least one adhesive tape strip (40) is applied to a top surface (42) and an opposing top surface (43) of the same cell stack (41), wherein the adhesive tape strip (40) extends over the side area between the two top surfaces (42, 43).

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