CN108511768B

CN108511768B - Stacking device

Info

Publication number: CN108511768B
Application number: CN201810038568.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 山口祐介; 伊藤史朗
Original assignee: CKD Corp
Current assignee: CKD Corp
Priority date: 2017-01-17
Filing date: 2018-01-16
Publication date: 2021-08-03
Anticipated expiration: 2038-01-16
Also published as: CN108511768A; JP2018116806A; JP6676554B2

Abstract

The invention provides a stacking device which can improve the productivity while inhibiting the reduction of the quality of a laminated body. The stacking apparatus includes: a turntable which can sequentially move the plurality of stacking tables (S) to a plurality of stacking work positions with a gap therebetween; a conveying device (suction part (17)) for conveying the sheet body and loading the sheet body on the stacking platform (S) positioned at each stacking operation position; and a holding member (31) (pressing claw (42)) for pressing the laminated body (4) stacked on the stacking table (S), wherein when a new sheet is loaded on the laminated body (4) pressed by the pressing claw (42), the pressing claw (42) is moved up and horizontally, and then the laminated body (4) is pressed from the newly loaded sheet. Further, the stacking apparatus includes a height adjusting mechanism (regulating piece (38)) which can adjust the height position at which the pressing claw (42) rises, corresponding to the height of the stacked body (4) stacked on the stacking table (S).

Description

Stacking device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a stacking apparatus used in, for example, a manufacturing process of a laminate battery or the like.

Background

The laminate constituting the laminate battery is formed by alternately stacking a positive electrode foil coated with a positive electrode active material and a negative electrode foil coated with a negative electrode active material with a separator made of an insulating material interposed therebetween.

Conventionally, as an apparatus for manufacturing the above-described laminate, there is known a stacking apparatus in which a sheet body such as a positive electrode foil, a negative electrode foil, a separator, or the like is sequentially conveyed and loaded on a predetermined table by a predetermined conveying device.

In the above-described stacking apparatus, generally, the upper surface of the stacked sheet body is pressed by the pressing claw so that the stacked sheet bodies are not displaced during the operation. Then, if a new sheet is loaded on the upper surface of the stack in this state by the conveyance device, the pressing claw is raised by a predetermined amount in a state where the conveyance device presses the new sheet from above, and performs a rotational motion in the horizontal direction. Thus, the pressing claw does not rub against the upper surface of the laminate and can be hidden from the laminate. If the pressing claws are hidden from the laminated body, the edge portions of the sheet body mounted on the pressing claws extend straight and are overlapped with the upper surface of the laminated body. Then, the pressing claw is lowered to press the upper surface of the laminated body again from the newly loaded sheet body.

Here, conventionally, the following configuration is adopted: regardless of the increased thickness of the laminated body accompanying the progress of the stacking step, the pressing claw is often raised to a certain height position corresponding to the height position to which the laminated body finally reaches.

Thus, in the initial stage of the stacking step in which the thickness of the stacked body is small, the amount of lifting when the pressing claw is lifted from the upper surface of the stacked body increases. When the amount of lifting of the pressing claw is large, the edge of the sheet member loaded thereon is lifted to a large extent when the pressing claw is lifted. That is, there is a problem that the edge of the sheet member mounted on the pressing claw is largely deformed, and various troubles are caused.

For example, when the sheet member mounted on the pressing claw is an electrode foil, there is a problem that the electrode foil is damaged. Further, when the edge of the sheet loaded on the pressing claw is largely deformed regardless of the type of the sheet, there is a problem that the next sheet is stacked in a state of being rolled and bent at the deformed portion. When such various problems occur, there is a problem that product quality is degraded due to short-circuiting or the like.

In view of this, in recent years, there is also a technique (for example, see patent document 1) in which the stacking table is lowered so as to suppress the relative amount of rise of the pressing claws in accordance with the progress of the stacking step so that the height position of the upper surface of the stacked body is constant. Thus, since the relative rising amount of the pressing claws can be reduced even in the case of the initial stage of the stacking step, the sheet bodies can be stacked without applying a large deformation to the sheet bodies loaded thereon.

In recent years, there has been also a stacking apparatus employing a turntable system which can achieve high-speed stacking operation and improved productivity (see, for example, patent document 2). In the stacking apparatus, the turntable provided with the plurality of stacking tables is rotated, and the stacking work can be simultaneously performed at the plurality of work positions while intermittently moving each stacking table to the plurality of work positions in sequence.

Prior art documents

Patent document

Patent document 1: JP 2012-221715A

Patent document 2: JP 2016-38969A

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

However, in the case where the height adjusting mechanism of the stacking table of patent document 1 is adopted in the turntable-type stacking apparatus of patent document 2, it is necessary to provide a height adjusting mechanism on each of the plurality of stacking tables provided on the turntable.

With the height adjusting mechanism that moves the stacking table as a whole, there is a risk that each is bulky and heavy. Thus, in the case where the height adjusting mechanism is provided on a plurality of stacking tables, it is apparent that the entire size of the turntable is large, and the weight thereof also increases in proportion to the number of stacking tables. As a result, the operability of the turntable may be reduced, and the productivity may be reduced.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a stacking apparatus capable of improving productivity while suppressing a decrease in quality of a laminate.

Means for solving the problems

The following describes each technical means suitable for solving the above problems in terms of items. In addition, according to needs, special effect is added to the corresponding technical scheme.

Technical solution 1. relates to a stacking apparatus for manufacturing a stacked body in which a positive electrode foil coated with a positive electrode active material and a negative electrode foil coated with a negative electrode active material are alternately stacked via a separator formed of an insulating raw material, characterized by comprising:

a turntable provided so as to be intermittently rotatable about an axis in a vertical direction and provided with a plurality of places with stacking portions for stacking the positive electrode foil, the negative electrode foil, and the separator, the turntable being capable of sequentially moving the stacking portions to a plurality of stacking work positions;

a conveying mechanism provided corresponding to each of the plurality of stacking operations, the conveying mechanism being capable of conveying a sheet including the positive electrode foil, the negative electrode foil, or the separator to be loaded on the stacking portion located at the stacking operation position;

a pressing member for pressing the stacked body stacked on the stacking portion from above;

a pressing member driving mechanism configured to be capable of performing a vertical displacement operation and a horizontal displacement operation of the pressing member, wherein when a new sheet is loaded on the stacked body pressed by at least the pressing member by the conveying mechanism, the pressing member is lifted and displaced in the horizontal direction, and then the stacked body is pressed from the newly loaded sheet;

and a height adjusting mechanism for adjusting a height position at which the pressing member rises, in accordance with a height of the stacked body stacked on the stacking portion.

According to the above-described aspect 1, when a new sheet is loaded on the stacked body pressed by the pressing member and the pressing member is raised, the height position at which the pressing member is raised can be adjusted in accordance with the height of the stacked body.

Thus, even in the initial stage of the stacking step in which the height of the stacked body is low, the relative amount of elevation of the pressing member with respect to the upper surface of the stacked body can be reduced. Since the amount of lift of the pressing member is small, the degree of curling of the edge of the sheet member mounted on the pressing member can be reduced. That is, the sheet member mounted on the pressing member can be stacked on the stacked body without largely deforming the sheet member. As a result, the quality of the laminate can be improved.

In particular, in the case of the present invention, since the height adjustment of the pressing member is not performed in the stacking portion (stacking table), the height adjustment mechanism is not increased in size, and the weight of the apparatus can be reduced. Even in the case where at least a part of the height adjusting mechanism is provided on the turntable, an increase in the weight of the turntable can be suppressed. As a result, the reduction in the operability of the turntable and, further, the reduction in the productivity can be suppressed.

Technical means 2 relates to the stacking apparatus according to the technical means 1, wherein the height adjusting mechanism includes:

an action portion (action mechanism portion) that acts on the pressing member;

a drive unit (drive mechanism unit) which is operable under the control of a predetermined control mechanism and which can adjust the position of the action unit;

at least the driving unit is provided at a position separated from the turntable (a position not rotating together with the turntable).

In general, when a controller such as the driving unit is provided on a turntable to be rotationally driven, a signal line, a power line, and the like connected between the controller provided on the turntable and a controller (control means) provided outside the turntable are connected via a slip ring (スリップリング) and the like.

Therefore, when a plurality of driving units are provided on the turntable, it is necessary to connect a plurality of wires connected between the plurality of driving units and the external controller via a slip ring or the like having the same number of terminals as the plurality of wires, which causes a problem that the wires are extremely complicated.

In addition, since the number of wirings increases in proportion to the number of stacked portions, there is a case where wiring is difficult due to the number of stacked portions. In general, since the pressing member is provided in plural numbers corresponding to 1 stack portion, the number of wirings increases in geometric progression when the driving portions are provided in correspondence with each of the stack portions.

In contrast, according to claim 2, the driving unit controlled by at least the control unit in the height adjustment unit is provided at a position away from the turntable, thereby facilitating and simplifying wiring.

Further, when a mechanism relating to a height adjustment mechanism of the pressing member is provided on the turntable, it is necessary to provide the mechanism in correspondence with each of the plurality of superposed portions provided on the turntable. For example, in the case where 12 stacking portions are provided on the turntable, it is necessary to provide a mechanism relating to a height adjusting mechanism of the pressing member at 12 positions corresponding to the stacking portions.

In contrast, according to the present invention, the drive unit of the height adjusting mechanism, which is controlled by at least the control mechanism, can be provided only by the number of the stacking work positions. However, in the case where the height adjusting mechanisms (driving portions) are provided for the respective pressing members of the plurality of pressing members provided for 1 stacking portion, regardless of the turntable or the outside thereof, it is necessary to provide the height adjusting mechanisms (driving portions) only in multiples of the number.

In general, in the stacking apparatus of the turntable system, since a take-out work position or the like for taking out a completed laminated body from the turntable is provided, the number of stacking work positions at which the stacking work is performed is smaller than the number of stacking portions provided on the turntable. As a result, according to the present invention, the number of components can be reduced and the structure can be simplified.

In addition, in the case where the sheet body is a separator, even when a large deformation is applied to the edge portion, the sheet body is hard to be damaged like a positive electrode foil or a negative electrode foil, and therefore, a mechanism (at least a driving portion) relating to the height adjusting mechanism can be omitted at the stacking work position of stacking the separators. If the height adjusting mechanism is provided only at the stacking position where the positive electrode foil and the negative electrode foil are stacked in this manner, the number of installation sites can be significantly reduced.

The "position spaced from the turntable" includes, for example, "a fixed position which is not displaced from the stacking work position when viewed from a plane at least in the vertical direction" such as a fixed shaft provided so as to be not displaced along the rotation axis of the turntable, a base positioned below the turntable, and the like.

The stacking apparatus according to claim 3 is the stacking apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the height adjusting mechanism is provided at a position separated from the turntable.

According to claim 3, since the operating portion can be provided only by the number of the stacking work positions with respect to the driving portion in the height adjusting mechanism, further reduction in the number of parts, simplification of the structure, and reduction in the installation location can be achieved.

The present invention according to claim 4 relates to the stacking apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the height adjusting mechanism is provided on the conveying mechanism.

According to claim 4, the amount of elevation of the pressing member can be adjusted with reference to the upper surface of the stacked body on which the sheet bodies are conveyed by the conveying mechanism. For example, the amount of elevation of the pressing member with respect to the upper surface of the stacked body can be constantly made substantially constant. Further, since the drive mechanism for moving the transport mechanism can be used as the drive mechanism (drive portion) for moving the height adjustment mechanism, the number of components can be reduced and the structure can be simplified.

The stacking apparatus according to claim 5 is the stacking apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the height adjusting mechanism includes an operating portion (operating mechanism portion) which is provided separately from the transport mechanism and operates the pressing member in response to the transport mechanism.

The term "driven" as used herein refers to a mode operation in which the operation (power transmission) is not directly received from a predetermined drive mechanism, but is received from a transport mechanism.

According to claim 5, as in claim 4, the amount of the pressing member that rises can be adjusted with reference to the upper surface of the stacked body on which the sheet bodies are carried by the carrying mechanism. Further, since it is not necessary to separately provide a driving mechanism for moving the action portion, the number of parts can be reduced and the structure can be simplified.

The stacking apparatus according to claim 6 is the stacking apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a biasing mechanism that biases the pressing member upward;

the height adjusting mechanism includes a mechanism for adjusting the height position of the pressing member by restricting upward displacement of the pressing member against the biasing force of the biasing mechanism.

According to claim 6, the operation of the pressing member driving mechanism can be made constant as compared with a case where the driving amount of the pressing member driving mechanism is adjusted and the height of the pressing member is adjusted. As a result, the structure and control can be simplified.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view for explaining the structure of a laminated body;

fig. 2 is a schematic top view for explaining a general appearance structure of the stacking apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a schematic top view showing a general appearance structure of the periphery of the stacking means and the stacking table;

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the stacking table and the holding mechanism, and showing one operation mode of the holding member (a state where the negative pressure claw is stopped at the 1 st stop position);

fig. 5 is a plan view showing the stacking table and the holding mechanism, and is a view showing one operation mode of the holding member (a state where the negative electrode upper separator pressing claw is stopped at the 1 st stop position);

fig. 6 is a plan view showing the stacking base and the holding mechanism, and is a view showing one operation mode of the holding member (a state where the positive electrode pressure claw is stopped at the 1 st stop position);

fig. 7 is a plan view showing the stacking table and the holding mechanism, and is a view showing an operation mode of the holding member (a state where the positive electrode upper separator pressure claw is stopped at the 1 st stop position);

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the stacking table and the holding mechanism, and showing one operation mode of the holding member (a state where the blank portion is stopped at the 1 st stop position);

FIG. 9 is a partially enlarged plan view showing the lamination stage and the holding mechanism;

FIG. 10 is a side view showing a stacking table, a holding mechanism, and the like, showing one operation form of a holding member, a suction portion, and the like (a state where a negative pressure claw presses a stacked body at a 1 st stop position, and a sheet body is conveyed to a position above the stacked body by the suction portion);

fig. 11 is a side view showing the stacking table, the holding mechanism, and the like, and showing one operation form of the holding member, the suction portion, and the like (a state where the separator is loaded on the negative pressing claw at the 1 st stop position);

FIG. 12 is a side view showing the stacking table, the holding mechanism, and the like, and showing one operation form of the holding member, the suction portion, and the like (a state where the negative pressure claw is separated from the stacked body at the 1 st stop position);

fig. 13 is a side view showing the stacking table, the holding mechanism, and the like, and showing one operation form of the holding member, the suction portion, and the like (a state where the negative electrode pressing claw is moved to the 2 nd stop position and the negative electrode upper separator pressing claw is moved to the 1 st stop position);

fig. 14 is a side view showing the stacking table, the holding mechanism, and the like, and showing one operation form of the holding member, the suction portion, and the like (a state where the negative electrode upper separator pressing claw is lowered to the 1 st stop position);

fig. 15 is a side view showing the stacking table, the holding mechanism, and the like, and showing one operation form of the holding member, the suction portion, and the like (a state where the negative electrode upper separator pressing claw presses the stacked body and the suction portion is separated from the stacked body at the 1 st stop position);

FIG. 16 is a side view for explaining a height adjusting mechanism according to another embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a side view for explaining a height adjusting mechanism of a further embodiment;

fig. 18 is a side view for explaining a height adjustment mechanism according to still another embodiment.

Detailed Description

An embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in fig. 1, a laminate 4 constituting a multilayer battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery is formed by: negative electrode foil 1, separator 2, positive electrode foil 3, and separator 2 are stacked in this order from below and upward.

The negative electrode foil 1 and the positive electrode foil 3 are configured in such a manner that:

active materials

1B and 3B are formed by coating both the inner and outer surfaces of

electrode foil bodies

1A and 3A formed of rectangular metal foils, and the negative electrode foil 1 and the positive electrode foil 3 include coated portions where the

active materials

1B and 3B are formed by coating and uncoated portions where the

electrode foil bodies

1A and 3A are exposed.

Specifically, the negative electrode foil 1 has a main body 1A made of, for example, copper, and the positive electrode foil 3 made of, for example, aluminum. Further, particles containing, for example, silicon or the like as a negative electrode active material are coated on both the inner and outer surfaces of the negative electrode foil 1, and particles containing, for example, lithium cobaltate or the like as a positive electrode active material are coated on both the inner and outer surfaces of the positive electrode foil 3.

The separator 2 is made of an insulating rectangular sheet-like porous resin film, and has a rectangular shape one turn larger than the planar rectangular application portions (

active materials

1B and 3B) of the negative electrode foil 1 and the positive electrode foil 3.

In the following, particularly when it is not necessary to distinguish between positive and negative, negative electrode foil 1 and positive electrode foil 3 are also collectively referred to as "electrode foils 1 and 3". Similarly, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the electrode foils 1 and 3 and the separator 2, the electrode foils 1 and 3 and the separator 2 are also collectively referred to as "sheet bodies".

In a suitable stacked state, the coated portions of the negative electrode foil 1 and the positive electrode foil 3 are completely covered with the separator 2 and are not exposed, and only the uncoated portions of the negative electrode foil 1 and the positive electrode foil 3 are exposed at different positions with respect to the separator 2, respectively, to realize a protrusion. The uncoated portions correspond to the negative electrode sheet and the positive electrode sheet, and are regions electrically connected to the negative electrode and the positive electrode of the electrode terminal, respectively, in the laminated battery.

The stacking apparatus (manufacturing apparatus of a stacked battery) 5 that manufactures the stacked body 4 is specifically described below. Fig. 2 is a schematic top view showing a general external configuration of a main part of the stacking apparatus 5. As shown in fig. 1, the stacking apparatus 5 includes a turn table 6, an intake working unit 7, a stacking working unit 8, an output working unit 9, and a control unit 10.

The turntable 6 is substantially disc-shaped in plan view, and is provided rotatably around a fixed shaft 13 vertically erected on a base not shown in the figure. On the turn table 6, 12 stacking tables S are provided at equal intervals in the rotation direction thereof. The stacking table S constitutes a stacking portion in the present embodiment.

The turntable 6 is configured to rotate intermittently in 1 direction by 30 ° (360 °/12) each time by a drive mechanism not shown in the figure. Thereby, each of the tables S intermittently moves to the pickup working position R1, the stacking working positions R2 to R9, the blank position R10, the pickup working position R11, and the blank position R12 in this order. However, the relative positional relationship between the respective positions R1 to R12 and the fixed shaft 13 is not changed.

The stacking table S is configured to be able to mount a conveying type stacked pallet P (hereinafter referred to as "pallet P") for stacking sheets. The stacking table S is substantially rectangular in plan view, one larger than the pallet P, and the pallet P is mounted such that its respective sides are substantially parallel to the respective sides of the stacking table S.

The pallet P mounted on the stacking table S is held in a state of being positioned with respect to the stacking table S by a holding mechanism (not shown) until the pallet P is taken out from the turntable 6 (stacking table S) by the taking-out operation section 9.

The pallet P is substantially rectangular in plan view one turn larger than the sheet body, and the sheet body is loaded in such a manner that each side of the sheet body is substantially parallel to each side of the pallet P. Further, as described above, the electrode foils 1 and 3 and the separator 2 are different in size from each other, and even in a suitable stacked state, the uncoated portions of the electrode foils 1 and 3 are exposed to the separator 2, and the peripheries thereof are not uniform at all, and for the sake of simplicity, the electrode foils 1 and 3 and the separator 2 are illustrated in the same rectangular shape in the other drawings except for fig. 1.

The loading work section 7 is a mechanism for setting an empty pallet P without stacked sheets on the turntable 6, and includes: a conveyor 7A that conveys the pallet P toward the pick-up work position R1; a loading device (e.g., a pick-and-place (ピックアンドプレイス) device or the like), not shown in the figure, loads the pallet P conveyed on the stacking table S located at the pick-and-place work position R1.

The stacking work section 8 is a mechanism for sequentially stacking sheets with respect to the pallet P, and includes: a negative electrode foil loading device 11A that transports the negative electrode foil 1 to load the negative electrode foil 1 at the stacking work position R2; a separator loading device 11B that transports the separator 2 to load the separator 2 at the stacking work position R3; a positive electrode foil loading device 11C that transports and loads the positive electrode foil 3 to the stacking work position R4; a separator loading device 11D that transports the separator 2 to load the separator 2 at the stacking work position R5; a negative electrode foil loading device 11E that transports the negative electrode foil 1 to load the negative electrode foil 1 at the stacking work position R6; a separator loading device 11F that transports the separator 2 to load the separator 2 at the stacking work position R7; a positive electrode foil loading device 11G that transports and loads the positive electrode foil 3 to the stacking work position R8; and a separator loading device 11H that transports the separator 2 to load the separator 2 at the stacking work position R9. When it is not necessary to particularly distinguish the loading devices 11A to 11H, they are also collectively referred to as "loading device 11". The details of the loading device 11 will be described later.

The take-out operation unit 9 is a mechanism for taking out the pallet P on which the completed laminate 4 is loaded from the turntable 6, and includes: a taking-out device (e.g., a pick-and-place device or the like), not shown in the drawings, that takes out the pallet P from the stacking table S located at the taking-out work position R11; and a conveyor 9, the conveyor 9 transporting the taken-out pallet P to a subsequent step. In the subsequent steps, for example, the operation of temporarily fixing the laminate 4 with an adhesive tape, inserting the laminate 4 into a predetermined container, and sealing the container is performed.

The control unit 10 is constituted by a so-called computer system including, for example, a CPU as arithmetic means, a ROM that stores various programs, a RAM that temporarily stores various data such as arithmetic data and input/output data, and the like. The control unit 10 constitutes a control means of the present embodiment.

The control unit 10 is electrically connected to the turret 6, the loading work unit 7, the stacking work unit 8, and the unloading work unit 9, respectively, and is configured to transmit and receive various data therebetween. For example, the control unit 10 is configured to obtain the rotation angle of the turntable 6 based on a signal from an encoder, not shown, provided on the turntable 6.

The control unit 10 is configured to control driving of various devices such as the turret 6, the loading work unit 7, the stacking work unit 8, and the unloading work unit 9. The drive control of these is performed by: the control signal is output to the turret 6 and the like based on the setting data set in advance in the ROM or the like of the control unit 10, the data received from the turret 6, and the like.

For example, the control unit 10 outputs a drive signal to the turn table 6 every predetermined time, and performs control of intermittently rotating the turn table 6 by a predetermined angle (30 ° in the present embodiment) every predetermined period.

The control unit 10 is configured to control the timing of mounting the pallet P on the stacking table S and the timing of taking out the pallet P. The timings of these operations are controlled based on a data table stored in the RAM.

The data table stores information on the position of the pallet P on the turntable 6 (information on which position the pallet P is located among the positions R1 to R12) and information on the number of sheets stacked on the pallet P (information on which pallet P the sheets are stacked). The data table is updated as needed in accordance with signals sent from the turret 6 and the stacking work unit 8 to the control unit 10.

The structure of the loading device 11 will be specifically described below. Fig. 3 is a top view schematically showing the basic structure of the stacking means 11 and the periphery of the stacking table S associated therewith.

The loading device 11 includes: a storage section 12 that stores sheets supplied from a supply mechanism (not shown) (for example, a mechanism that cuts the sheet into a predetermined size while drawing out the material of the sheet from a material roll, etc.); and a conveying device 14, wherein the conveying device 14 conveys the sheet bodies from the storage part 12 to a stacking station S located at a predetermined stacking working position R2-R9 corresponding to the conveying device.

The conveyance device 14 includes: a guide rail 15 provided above the storage section 12 by predetermined stacking operations R2 to R9 corresponding to the guide rail 15; a transport arm 16, the transport arm 16 being supported on the guide rail 15 in a suspended state; a suction portion 17 as a transport mechanism, the suction portion 17 being provided at a lower end of the transport arm 16;

the transport arm 16 is provided so as to be movable along the guide rail 15 by a horizontal drive mechanism not shown in the figure, and is provided so as to be extendable and retractable in the vertical direction (the paper surface depth direction in fig. 3) by a vertical drive mechanism such as a servo motor not shown in the figure. Thereby, the suction portion 17 is movable along the guide rail 15, and is movable up and down.

Further, the amount of lifting of the suction portion 17 (the amount of expansion and contraction of the conveying wall 16) by the vertical driving machine such as a servo motor is adjusted by the control portion 10 according to the data table as appropriate to the height position of the uppermost surface of the stacked body 4 on the pallet P (the stacking amount of the sheet bodies). Then, the vertical driving mechanism such as a servo motor of the suction portion 17 (the transport arm 16) constitutes the driving portion (a part of the height adjusting mechanism) of the present embodiment.

The suction portion 17 includes: a base 18, the base 18 being fixed to the lower end of the carrying arm 16; and a suction plate 19, which is formed of a porous body, provided below the base 18 (see fig. 10, etc.).

Inside the base 18, a suction passage (not shown) communicating with the suction plate 19 is formed. A positive displacement pump 20 communicating with the suction passage is connected to the outside of the base 18. A positive displacement pump not shown in the figure is connected to the other end side of the positive displacement pump 20. The control unit 10 controls the operation of the displacement pump so that the suction unit 17 (suction plate 19) can be switched between suction and release.

If the displacement pump is in an operating state, suction is performed from the suction plate 19 via the displacement pump 20 and the suction passage, and the sheet body is sucked on the lower surface (suction surface) of the suction plate 19 (see fig. 10 and the like).

As shown in fig. 9, 10, and the like, in the present embodiment, the notch portions 21 are formed at 4 corners of the suction portion 17 (suction plate 19) so as not to interfere with the holding member 31 (pressing claw 42) described later.

A regulating piece 38 is provided above each notch 21, and the regulating piece 38 regulates the amount of lifting of the pressing claw 42. The regulating piece 38 constitutes an action portion (a part of the height adjusting mechanism) of the present embodiment.

The restricting piece 38 includes: a main body portion extending substantially horizontally outward of the suction portion 17; and a cylindrical restricting projection 39 formed to project downward from the distal end side of the body. In the regulating piece 38, an insertion hole 39a that can pass through the upper portion of the shaft portion 40 of the holding member 31 is formed so as to vertically penetrate the main body portion and the regulating protrusion 39.

The structure around the stacking table S on the turntable 6 will be specifically described below. A holding mechanism 30 is provided around the stacking table S, and the holding mechanism 30 holds the stacked body 4 stacked on the pallet P.

The holding mechanism 30 includes 4

holding members

31A, 31B, 31C, 31D, and the 4

holding members

31A, 31B, 31C, 31D are provided corresponding to the 4 corner corners of the stacking table S (pallet P, stacked body 4). The 4

holding members

31A, 31B, 31C, and 31D of the present embodiment are configured to move in synchronization. In the following description, the holding

members

31A, 31B, 31C, and 31D may be collectively referred to as "holding member 31" when no particular distinction is required.

Here, the structure of the holding member 31 will be specifically described with reference to fig. 4 to 9. The holding member 31 includes: a shaft portion 40 provided so as to be rotatable about an axis in a vertical direction (a depth direction of a paper surface in fig. 4 to 9) and displaceable in the vertical direction; a base portion 41 having a regular pentagonal shape in plan view and provided above the shaft portion 40; 4 flat-plate-shaped

pressing claws

42A, 42B, 42C, and 42D, and the 4

pressing claws

42A, 42B, 42C, and 42D project from 4 of the 5 sides of the base portion 41 toward the outside in the radial direction of the shaft portion 40. In the following description, the

pressing claws

42A, 42B, 42C, and 42D may be collectively referred to as "pressing claws 42" unless a special distinction is required. The base 41 and the pressing claw 42 constitute a pressing member of the present embodiment.

The shaft portion 40 of the holding member 31 is provided at a position facing 1 side α of 2 sides α and β perpendicular to each corner portion constituting 4 corners of the stacking base S (in the present embodiment, 2 sides in the left-right direction in fig. 3 parallel to the moving direction of the suction portion 17 among 4 sides of the stacking base S are referred to as "sides α"). That is, 2 holding members 31 (shaft portions 40) are provided 1 group at a time along 2 sides α facing the guide rail 15 of the gripping and conveying device 14 among 4 sides of the stacking station S, respectively.

The holding member 31 (shaft 40) is configured to be rotatable by a predetermined drive mechanism (see fig. 10 and the like) described later and to be movable vertically. Thus, the pressing claw 42 can be rotated in the horizontal direction, or moved up and down.

However, in the case of the present embodiment, the holding members 31 are configured to rotate only in a predetermined 1 direction. More specifically, the holding

members

31A and 31C on the left side of the holding member 31 in the above-described group 1 are rotated counterclockwise in plan view toward the side surface of the stacking table S (toward one side α), while the holding

members

31B and 31D on the right side are rotated clockwise in plan view.

In the case of the present embodiment, the holding member 31 is configured to be intermittently rotatable in the above-described 1 direction by 72 ° (360 °/5) at a time. Thus, the

pressing claws

42A, 42B, 42C, 42D can be sequentially moved from the 1 st stop position X1 to the 5 th stop position X5 in this order.

That is, in the holding member 31A (31C) on the left side and the holding member 31B (31D) on the right side, which are different in the rotation direction among the holding members 31 in the above-described group 1, the

pressing claws

42A, 42B, 42C, and 42D and the stop positions X1, X2, X3, X4, and X5 are arranged in the opposite direction (see fig. 9).

More specifically, the pressing claw 42A is provided on the 1 st side in the opposite rotational direction from the side (hereinafter referred to as "blank portion K") where the pressing claw 42 is not provided among the 5 sides of the base 41. Further, from the blank part K, a pressing claw 42B is provided on the 2 nd side in the opposite rotation direction, a pressing claw 42C is provided on the 3 rd side in the opposite rotation direction, and a pressing claw 42D is provided on the 4 th side in the opposite rotation direction.

In the present embodiment, the pressing claws 42B are provided at intervals of 72 ° in the circumferential direction of the shaft portion 40 from the pressing claw 42A, the pressing claws 42C are provided at intervals of 72 ° in the circumferential direction of the shaft portion 40 from the pressing claw 42B, the pressing claws 42D are provided at intervals of 72 ° in the circumferential direction of the shaft portion 40 from the pressing claw 42C, and the pressing claws 42A are provided at intervals of 144 ° in the circumferential direction of the shaft portion 40 from the pressing claw 42D.

Next, when the pressing claw 42 stops at the 1 st stop position X1, the side α of the stacking stage S facing the shaft portion 40 in the extending direction of the pressing claw 42 is perpendicular to the plane.

In each holding member 31, when 1 pressing claw 42 stops at the 1 st stop position X1, the other 3 pressing claws 42 stop at positions that do not overlap the laminated body 4 in plan view. That is, when the pressing claws 42 stop at the 2 nd stop position X2 to the 5 th stop position X5, the pressing claws 42 are not overlapped with the laminated body 4 in a plan view.

Then, when the laminate 4 mounted on the stacking table S (pallet P) is pressed, the 1 pressing claw 42 stopped at the 1 st stop position X1 presses 4 sides of the laminate 4 in the vicinity of the corner of the stacking table S, which are parallel to 1 side α out of the 2 sides α and β perpendicular to each other constituting the corner.

Further, the vertical movement of the shaft 40 allows the position of the pressing claw 42 to be displaced to a separated position (see fig. 12, 13, and the like) separated upward from the laminate 4 and to an abutting position (see fig. 10, 14, and the like) capable of abutting against the laminate 4. In fig. 10 to 15, the laminated body 4 is illustrated in simplified form with a gap between the sheet bodies stacked on the stacking table S (pallet P).

When the pressing claws 42 that press the laminated body 4 are moved to the 2 nd stop position X2 at the 1 st stop position X1, the pressing claws 42 are rotated from the 1 st stop position X1 to the 2 nd stop position X2 in a state where the pressing claws 42 are slightly lifted from the laminated body 4.

At this time, in the case of the present embodiment, the tip end portion 43 of the pressing claw 42 performs the rotational movement in the following manner: from among 2 sides constituting at least each corner in the laminated body 4, the other side (the side parallel to the side β of the stacking table S) of the one side (the side parallel to the side α of the stacking table S) pressed by the pressing claw 42 at the 1 st stop position X1 is passed.

In the present embodiment, the

pressing claws

42A, 42B, 42C, and 42D for pressing the laminated body 4 are switched depending on the type of the sheet body mounted on the uppermost surface of the laminated body 4 (on the pallet P at the start of stacking).

More specifically, when the uppermost sheet member loaded on the laminate 4 is the negative electrode foil 1, the pressing claw 42A out of the 4 pressing claws 42A to 42D is used. Hereinafter, the "pressing claw a" is referred to as "negative separator pressing claw 42A".

When the uppermost sheet loaded on the laminate 4 is the separator 2 stacked on the upper side of the laminate 4, the pressing claw 42B of the 4 pressing claws 42A to 42D is used. The "pressing claw B" is hereinafter referred to as "negative electrode upper pressing claw 42B".

When the uppermost sheet body loaded on the laminate 4 is the positive electrode foil 3, the pressing claw 42C out of the 4 pressing claws 42A to 42D is used. Hereinafter, the "pressing claw C" is referred to as a "positive electrode pressing claw 42C".

When the uppermost sheet body mounted on the laminate 4 is the separator 2 stacked on the upper side of the positive electrode foil 3, the pressing claw 42D out of the 4 pressing claws 42A to 42D is used. The "pressing claw D" is hereinafter referred to as "positive electrode upper separator pressing claw 42D".

Next, a driving mechanism for driving the holding members 31 will be described with reference to fig. 10 to 15. The driving mechanism constitutes the pressing member driving mechanism of the present embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the 4

holding members

31A, 31B, 31C, and 31D are configured to move in synchronization with each other by 4 drive mechanisms of the 4

holding members

31A, 31B, 31C, and 31D.

As shown in fig. 10 and the like, the shaft portion 40 is supported by a support portion 50 provided on a side surface of the stack table S. More specifically, the support portion 50 is formed with an insertion hole 51 extending in the vertical direction, through which the shaft portion 40 is inserted. Thereby, the shaft portion 40 is rotatable with respect to the support portion 50 and is movable up and down.

On the upper surface of the support portion 50, a cylindrical rotation restricting cam 55 is attached and fixed in a state of passing through the shaft portion 40. The rotation restricting cam 55 is provided with U-shaped groove portions 56 formed by removing the upper edge portion thereof at 5 locations at intervals of 72 ° in the circumferential direction.

In response to this, a rotation restricting projection 57 is formed on the circumferential surface of the shaft portion 40, and the rotation restricting projection 57 is formed to project radially outward and to be inserted into the groove portion 56. However, the rotation restricting projections 57 are provided only at 1 position in the circumferential direction of the shaft portion 40. Further, the rotation restricting projection 57 is inserted into any of the 5 groove portions 56, and thereby the pressing claw 42 is stopped at any of the stop positions X1 to X5.

Further, the shaft portion 40 is provided with a flange portion 60 protruding radially outward from the circumferential direction thereof at a position below the support portion 50. A coil spring 61 is mounted between the flange portion 60 and the lower surface of the support portion 50. With this configuration, the shaft portion 40 can be pressed downward, and the laminated body 4 can be pressed by the pressing claw 42.

On the other hand, a cylindrical operating cam 63 is provided at a position below the shaft portion 40. More specifically, the operating cam 63 is provided at a position below the turntable 6, and is configured to be rotatable about an axis in the vertical direction by a drive mechanism not shown in the figure and to be movable vertically. However, the operating cam 63 and its drive mechanism are provided only at the stacking operation positions R2 to R9 and the takeout operation position R11, except for the takein operation position R11 and the blank positions R10 and R12, which do not necessarily require the displacement operation of the holding member 31.

In the turntable 6 at a position below the shaft portion 40, an insertion hole, not shown, is formed to penetrate in the vertical direction in accordance with the operating cam 63. Thus, the operating cam 63 can be moved in and out of the turntable 6, and power can be transmitted to the shaft 40.

As an example of the driving mechanism for driving the operating cam 63, a combination of a linear movement type fluid pressure cylinder (up-down driving mechanism) for moving the operating cam 63 up and down, a rotary driving cylinder (rotary driving mechanism) for rotating the operating cam 63, and the like is given. Obviously, the structure of the drive mechanism of the holding member 31 (the operating cam 63) is not limited to this, and other drive mechanisms may be employed.

A pair of cam surfaces 64 is provided on the upper portion of the operating cam 63, and the pair of cam surfaces 64 are formed by removing the upper edge portion thereof. The pair of cam surfaces 64 are formed at positions facing each other with the axial center of the pair of cam surfaces 64 interposed therebetween, that is, at intervals of 180 ° in the circumferential direction.

The cam surfaces 64 are formed in a range of a central angle 72 ° in the circumferential direction of the operating cam 63, and each have a slope shape inclined from top to bottom in a predetermined 1 rotation direction (for example, counterclockwise in the case of the holding member 31A and clockwise in the case of the holding member 51D).

In response to this, a pair of operation pins 65 are provided at the lower end portion of the shaft portion 40, and the pair of operation pins 65 can protrude radially outward and can abut against the cam surface 64 of the operation cam 63. The pair of operation pins 65 are formed at positions facing each other with the axial center of the shaft portion 40 interposed therebetween, that is, at positions spaced apart by 180 ° in the circumferential direction.

In the present embodiment, the pressing claw 42 is configured to be displaceable in the vertical direction with respect to the shaft portion 40. In the following, this structure is specifically described. In the base portion 41, an insertion hole not shown in the drawings is formed through which the shaft portion 40 passes. The inner diameter of the socket is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the shaft portion 40. Thereby, the base portion 41 is in a state of being capable of sliding displacement in the vertical direction with respect to the shaft portion 40.

However, the base portion 41 is in a state of being not displaceable with respect to the circumferential direction of the shaft portion 40. More specifically, a key groove (not shown) is formed in the upper outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 40 in the axial direction (vertical direction). In response to this, a key (not shown) that protrudes inward in the radial direction and is formed in the vertical direction is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the base portion 41 (insertion hole). Further, the key on the base portion 41 side is fitted into the key groove on the shaft portion 40 side, and thus the base portion 41 (pressing claw 42) is in a state of being displaceable relative to the shaft portion 40 in the axial direction thereof and being displaceable relative to the circumferential direction thereof.

Further, the shaft portion 40 is provided with a flange portion 67 formed to protrude from the peripheral surface thereof and to be radially outward, at a position above the rotation restricting projection 57. A coil spring 68 is mounted between the flange portion 67 and the lower surface of the base portion 41. The base portion 41 and the pressing claw 42 are in a state of being pushed upward by the biasing force of the coil spring 68. The coil spring 68 constitutes the biasing mechanism of the present embodiment.

However, a stopper, not shown, is provided at the upper end of the key groove on the shaft portion 40 side, and this stopper regulates the movement of the key on the base portion 41 side. Thus, normally, the base portion 41 is biased against the stopper by the biasing force of the coil spring 68. That is, the shaft portion 40 is pressed downward by the biasing force of the coil spring 61, and when the laminated body 4 is pressed by the pressing claw 42, the base portion 41 is biased to the stopper.

Next, the operation of the drive mechanism of the holding member 31 will be described specifically with reference to fig. 10 to 15 in terms of the correlation with the sheet body conveying operation of the suction portion 17.

When the turntable 6 is intermittently rotated and the stacking table S is stopped at the stacking work positions R2 to R9, the holding member 31 is in a stopped state.

In the stopped state of the holding member 31 (while each of the pressing claws 42 is stopped at any of the stop positions X1 to X5), the operating cam 63 is stopped at the reference position below the turn table 6. In this state, the shaft portion 40 is pushed down by the biasing force of the coil spring 61. Thereby, the laminated body 4 is pressed by the pressing claws 42 stopped at the 1 st stop position X1. In the example shown in fig. 10, the pressing claw 42A stopped at the 1 st stop position X1 is in a state of pressing the laminated body 4 (negative electrode foil 1).

Next, if a new sheet is conveyed to a position above the stacking table S by the suction portion 17, the operation cam 63 is raised to the vicinity of the lower end portion of the shaft portion 40, and is in a standby state (see fig. 10).

Then, the suction portion 17 is lowered to mount a new sheet on the upper surface of the laminate 4 (see fig. 11). Here, the edge of the sheet member exposed outward of the peripheral edge of the suction portion 17 is in a state of being mounted on the pressing claw 42 which presses the upper surface of the laminated body 4. Further, the upper portion of the shaft portion 40 is inserted into the insertion hole 39a of the regulating piece 38 (regulating projection 39) provided in the suction portion 17.

When the sheet is loaded on the upper surface of the stack 4, the operation cam 63 starts to ascend. Next, if the operating cam 63 (cam surface 63) abuts against the operating pin 65 of the shaft portion 40, the shaft portion 40 is pushed up by the operating cam 63.

As a result, the pressing claw 42 moves upward, and when the pressing claw 42 is separated from the laminated body 4 at the 1 st stop position X1, the edge portion of the sheet member loaded thereon is lifted. However, at the beginning of the rise, the shaft 40 does not rotate while the rotation restricting projection 57 is inserted into the groove 56 of the rotation restricting cam 55, and therefore the position of each pressing claw 42 in the rotation direction does not change.

Further, if the shaft portion 40 is pushed up, the shaft portion 40 passes through the insertion hole 39a of the regulating piece 38 (regulating projection portion 39), and the pressing claw 42 (base portion 41) abuts against the lower end portion of the regulating projection portion 39.

From here, if the shaft portion 40 is further pushed up, the height position of the pressing claw 42 (base portion 41) is maintained in a constant state by the regulating piece 38 (regulating projection 39), and only the shaft portion 40 is pushed up against the biasing force of the coil spring 68. That is, the pressing claw 42 (base 41) and the shaft portion 40 are relatively displaced in the vertical direction, and the shaft portion 40 is simply pushed up to a predetermined height position by the operating cam 63. In the case of the present embodiment, the amount of the shaft 40 that is raised by the operation of the cam 6 is constant and does not change.

As shown in fig. 10, the distance T from the position where the lower surface of the suction portion 17 suction tab 19), i.e., the uppermost surface of the stacked body 4 abuts, to the lower end portion of the regulating piece 38 (regulating projection 39), i.e., the position where the pressing claw 42 (base portion 41) abuts, is constant. Therefore, the height position of the pressing claw 42 is increased every time a sheet is newly loaded, but the amount of lifting of the uppermost pressing claw 42 with respect to the laminated body 4 is always constant.

The amount of lift of the pressing claw 42 may be arbitrarily set according to the amount of lift of the shaft portion 40, the amount of protrusion of the restricting projection 39, and the like, but in the case of the present embodiment, the amount of lift of the pressing claw 42 is set to be constantly constant from the start of stacking to the end of stacking.

When the shaft 40 is pushed up to a predetermined height position, the rotation restricting projection 57 is pulled out from the groove 56 of the rotation restricting cam 55 (see fig. 12). In this state, since the rotation of the shaft 40 is permitted, the position of the operation pin 65 moves along the cam surface 64 of the operation cam 63 in accordance with the rise of the operation cam 63. That is, the shaft portion 40 rotates in a predetermined one direction (for example, counterclockwise in the case of the holding member 31A and clockwise in the case of the holding member 31D), and the pressing claws 42 (the base portions 41) rotate in the horizontal direction to a height position where they abut against the regulating piece 38 (the regulating protrusion 39).

Thus, at the 1 st stop position X1, the pressing claws 42 are hidden from the laminated body 4 without rubbing the upper surface of the laminated body 4, and the edge portions of the sheet members mounted on the pressing claws 42 extend straight to overlap the upper surface of the laminated body 4.

Next, the pressing claws 42 are rotated 72 ° in the circumferential direction of the shaft portion 40, and the operation pin 65 reaches the lower end portion of the cam surface 64, so that the rotation of the pressing claws 42 is stopped (see fig. 13).

Here, if the operating cam 63 is lowered, the shaft portion 40 is pushed down by the biasing force of the coil spring 61. Thereby, the rotation restricting projection 57 is inserted into 1 groove portion 56 different from the groove portion 56 of the rotation restricting cam 55 positioned before the rotational movement. That is, each of the pressing claws 42 descends to stop at 1 adjacent stop position X1 to X5 (refer to fig. 14) different from the stop position X1 to X5 positioned before the rotational movement.

Thereby, the laminated body 4 is pressed by the pressing claws 42 stopped at the 1 st stop position X1. In the example shown in fig. 14, the negative electrode upper separator pressing claw 42B stopped at the 1 st stop position X1 is in a state of pressing the laminate 4 (separator 2).

In this state, the suction of the suction portion 17 is stopped, and the suction of the sheet body is released. Next, when the suction portion 17 is separated upward (see fig. 15), the operating cam 63 is returned to the reference position below the turntable 6.

The operating cam 63 is rotated by 72 ° in a predetermined 1 direction (for example, counterclockwise in the case of the holding member 31A and clockwise in the case of the holding member 31D) by the above-described driving mechanism while returning to the reference position. Accordingly, the relative positional relationship in the circumferential direction between the operating cam 63 (cam surface 64) and the operating pin 65 of the shaft portion 40 is in the above-described waiting state (see fig. 10).

By repeating the above-described series of operations, the pressing claws 42 can be rotated in a predetermined 1 direction by 72 degrees. However, in the present embodiment, when the "upper separator pressing claw 42D" is rotated from the 1 st stop position X1 during the stacking operation (except after the stacking operation), the operation cam 63 is rotated 72 ° in the predetermined 1 direction (for example, in the case of the holding member) 31A, counterclockwise, and in the case of the holding member 31D, clockwise) at a stage before the time when the operation pin 65 reaches the lower end portion of the cam surface 64 (see fig. 13). Thus, the rotational movement can be performed by further increasing the degree of 144 ° by 72 ° without stopping each pressing claw 2 at the position rotationally moved by 72 °.

As the timing of rotating the "upper separator pressing claw 42D" by 144 ° from the 1 st stop position X1 in the present embodiment, there are a case where the negative electrode foil 1 is transported by the negative electrode foil loading device 11A to be loaded at the stacking work position R2 and a case where the negative electrode foil 1 is transported by the negative electrode foil loading device 11E to be loaded at the stacking work position R6 during the stacking work (except for the stacking start time).

After the stacking is completed, when the removal operation of the stacked body 4 is performed at the removal operation position R11, the "positive electrode upper separator pressing claw 42D" is rotationally moved by 72 ° in the predetermined 1 direction from the 1 st stop position X1, as in the other cases.

The flow of the stacking operation of the stacking apparatus 5 will be specifically described below in accordance with the flow of 1 pallet P. In the case of the present embodiment, the stacking step performed while the turn table 6 is rotated 1 turn is repeated a predetermined number of times, whereby the stacked body 4 is completed.

First, the pallet P is set on a predetermined stacking table S on the turntable 6 located at the pickup working position R1 by the pickup working unit 7 at a predetermined timing based on the data table.

Then, the turn table 6 is rotated by 30 °, whereby the pallet P is moved to the stacking work position R2. If the pallet P stops at the stacking work position R2, the negative electrode foil 1 is loaded on the pallet P by the negative electrode foil loading device 11A at an interval between the intermittent operations of the turn table 6.

Here, first, the suction portion 17 of the transport device 14 that sucks and connects the negative electrode foil 1 in the storage portion 12 of the negative electrode foil loading device 11A is guided to the pallet P. Next, the suction portion 17 is lowered in a state where the negative electrode foil 1 is sucked, and the negative electrode foil 1 is mounted on the pallet P. Then, the suction portion 17 is stopped in a state where the negative electrode foil 1 is pressed downward (the pallet P).

When the pallet P moves to the stacking operation R2, the blank section K is stopped at the 1 st stop position X1 (pressing position) (see fig. 8). When the negative electrode foil 1 is mounted on the pallet P1, the holding members 31 are raised. Thereby, the pressing claw 42 is raised to a height position regulated by the regulating piece 38 of the suction portion 17.

Subsequently, the holding members 31 rotate to rotate the negative pressure claw 42A to the 1 st stop position X1 (see fig. 4). If the negative pressure claw 42A moves to the 1 st stop position X1, each holding member 31 descends. Thereby, the vicinity of each of the 4 corners of negative electrode foil 1 is pressed by negative electrode pressing claw 42A.

When the 4 corners of negative electrode foil 1 are pressed by negative electrode pressing claws 42A, the suction of suction portion 17 is stopped, and the suction of negative electrode foil 1 is released. Similarly, in the following stacking operations, the timing at which the suction of the suction unit 17 is stopped (the suction of the sheet body is released) is not dependent on the timing, and the suction unit 17 may press the sheet body downward if 1 sheet body is left after the sheet body is in a state in which no displacement or the like occurs.

Then, the suction portion 17 is raised, and the turn table 6 is rotated by 30 °, whereby the pallet P is moved to the stacking work position R3. During this time, the vicinity of each corner of negative electrode foil 1 is held pressed by negative electrode pressing claw 42A.

If the pallet P stops at the stacking work position R3, the separator 2 is loaded on the stacked body 4 on the pallet P by the separator loading device 11B at an interval between the intermittent operations of the turn table 6.

Here, first, the suction portion 17 of the conveyor 14 that suctions the separators 2 at the stock portion 12 of the separator loading device 11B is guided onto the pallet P. Next, the suction portion 17 is lowered in a state where the separator 2 is sucked and attached, and the separator 2 is mounted on the negative electrode foil 1. Then, the suction portion 17 is stopped in a state where the separator 2 is pressed against the lower side (negative electrode foil 1). Here, the edge portion (exposed portion) of the separator 2 exposed from the outside of the peripheral edge portion of the suction portion 17 is in a state of being mounted on the negative electrode foil pressing claw 42A that presses the negative electrode foil 1.

If the separator 2 is mounted on the negative electrode foil 1, each holding member 31 is raised. Thereby, the pressing claw 42 is raised to a height position regulated by the regulating piece 38 of the suction portion 17. Next, at the 1 st stop position X1, the negative pressure claw 42A is in a state of lifting the edge portion of the separator 2 while slightly floating from the negative electrode foil 1.

Subsequently, each holding member 31 is rotated to rotate the negative pressure claw 42A to the 2 nd stop position X2. At the same time, at the 1 st stop position X1, the negative upper separator tab 42B is rotated from the 5 th stop position X5 in order to replace the negative tab 42A (see fig. 5).

If the negative upper separator pressure claw 42B moves to the 1 st stop position X1, each holding member 31 descends. Thereby, the vicinity of each of the 4 corners of the separator 2 is pressed by the negative upper separator pressing claw 42B. In this state, the suction of the suction portion 17 is stopped, and the suction of the separator 2 is released.

Then, the suction portion 17 is raised, and the turntable 6 is rotated by 30 °, whereby the pallet P is moved to the stacking work position R4. During this time, the vicinity of each corner of the separator 2 is maintained in a state of being pressed by the negative upper separator pressing claw 42B.

If the pallet P stops at the stacking work position R4, the positive electrode foil 3 is loaded on the stacked body 4 on the pallet P by the positive electrode foil loading device 11C at an interval between the intermittent operations of the turn table 6.

Here, first, the suction portion 17 of the transport device 14 that sucks the positive electrode foil 3 at the storage portion 12 of the positive electrode foil loading device 11C is guided onto the pallet P. Next, the suction portion 17 is lowered in a state where the positive electrode foil 3 is sucked, and the positive electrode foil 3 is mounted on the separator 2. Next, the suction portion 17 is stopped in a state where the positive electrode foil 3 is pressed downward (the separator 2). Here, the edge of the positive electrode foil 3 exposed to the outside of the peripheral edge of the suction portion 17 is in a state of being mounted on the negative electrode upper separator pressing claw 42B of the pressing separator 2.

When the positive electrode foil 3 is mounted on the separator 2, each holding member 31 is lifted. Thereby, the pressing claw 42 is raised to a height position regulated by the regulating piece 38 of the suction portion 17. Next, at the 1 st stop position X1, the negative electrode upper separator pressing claw 42B is in a state of lifting the edge portion of the positive electrode foil 3 while slightly floating with respect to the separator 2.

Next, each holding member 31 is rotated, and the negative electrode upper separator pressing claw 42B is rotationally moved to the 2 nd stop position X2. At the same time, at the 1 st stop position X1, the positive electrode pressure claw 42C is rotated from the 5 th stop position X5 so as to replace the negative electrode separator pressure claw 42B (see fig. 6).

If the positive electrode pressure claw 42C moves to the 1 st stop position X1, each holding member 31 descends. Thereby, the vicinity of each of the 4 corners of the positive electrode foil 3 is pressed by the positive electrode pressing claw 42C. If this state is reached, the suction of the suction portion 17 is stopped, and the suction of the positive electrode foil 3 is released.

Then, the suction portion 17 is raised, and the turn table 6 is rotated by 30 °, whereby the pallet P moves to the stacking work position R5. During this time, the vicinity of each corner of the positive electrode foil 3 is kept pressed by the positive electrode pressing claw 42C.

If the pallet P stops at the stacking work position R5, the spacer 2 is loaded on the stacked body 4 on the pallet P by the spacer loading device 11D at an interval between the intermittent operations of the turn table 6.

Here, first, the suction portion 17 of the conveyor 14 that suctions the positive electrode foil 3 at the stock portion 12 of the separator loading device 11D is guided to the pallet P. Next, the suction portion 17 is lowered in a state where the separator 2 is sucked and attached, and the separator 2 is mounted on the positive electrode foil 3. Next, the suction portion 17 is stopped in a state where the separator 2 is pressed downward (the positive electrode foil 3). Here, the edge of the separator 2 exposed to the outside of the peripheral edge of the suction portion 17 is in a state of being mounted on the positive electrode upper separator pressing claw 42C that presses the positive electrode foil 3.

If the separator 2 is mounted on the positive electrode foil 3, each holding member 31 is lifted. Thereby, the pressing claw 42 is raised to a height position regulated by the regulating piece 38 of the suction portion 17. Next, at the 1 st stop position X1, the positive electrode pressing claw 42C is in a state of lifting the edge portion of the separator 2 while slightly floating from the positive electrode foil 3.

Subsequently, each holding member 31 rotates, and the positive electrode pressure claw 42C rotates to the 2 nd stop position X2. At the same time, at the 1 st stop position X1, the positive electrode upper separator pressure claw 42D performs a rotational movement from the 5 th stop position X5 in order to replace the positive electrode pressure claw 42C (see fig. 7).

If the positive separator pressing claw 42D moves to the 1 st stop position X1, each holding member 31 descends. Thereby, the vicinity of each of the 4 corners of the separator 2 is pressed by the positive separator pressing claw 42D. In this state, the suction of the suction portion 17 is stopped, and the suction of the separator 2 is released.

Then, the suction portion 17 is raised, and the turn table 6 is rotated by 30 °, whereby the pallet P moves to the stacking work position R6. During this time, the vicinity of each corner of the separator 2 is maintained in a state pressed by the positive electrode upper separator pressing claw 42D.

If the pallet P stops at the stacking work position R6, the negative electrode foil 1 is loaded on the stacked body 4 on the pallet P by the negative electrode loading device 11E at an interval between the intermittent operations of the turn table 6. Since the contents of the superimposed work position R6 are the same as those of the superimposed work position R2, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

However, at the stacking work position R6, after the positive electrode upper separator pressure claw 42D is rotationally moved from the 1 st stop position X1 to the 2 nd stop position X2 (refer to fig. 8), it does not stop at the 2 nd stop position R2, and then, it is rotationally moved to the 3 rd stop position X3 (refer to fig. 4). That is, the blank section K does not stop at the 1 st stop position after being rotationally moved from the 5 th stop position X5 to the 1 st stop position X1, and then, is rotationally moved to the 2 nd stop position X2. Thus, in the 1 st stop position X1, the negative pressure pawl 42A is rotated from the 4 th stop position X4 without stopping at the 5 th stop position X5 in a manner of replacing the blank portion K.

When the 4 corners of negative electrode foil 1 are pressed by negative electrode pressing claw 42A, the suction of negative electrode foil 1 by suction-connection portion 17 is released. Then, the suction portion 17 is raised, and the turn table 6 is rotated by 30 °, whereby the pallet P moves to the stacking work position R7. During this time, the vicinity of each corner of negative electrode foil 1 is held pressed by negative electrode pressing claw 42A.

If the pallet P stops at the stacking work position R7, the spacer 2 is loaded on the stacked body 4 on the pallet P by the spacer loading device 11F at an interval between the intermittent operations of the turn table 6. In addition, since the contents of the superimposed work position R7 are the same as those of the superimposed work position R3, detailed description thereof is omitted.

When the negative upper separator pressing claw 42B presses the 4 corners of the separator 2, the suction of the separator 2 by the suction portion 17 is released. Then, the suction portion 17 is raised, and the turn table 6 is rotated by 30 °, whereby the pallet P moves to the stacking work position R8. During this time, the vicinity of each corner of the separator 2 is maintained in a state pressed by the negative electrode upper separator pressing claw 42B.

If the pallet P stops at the stacking work position R8, the positive electrode foil 3 is loaded on the stacked body 4 on the pallet P by the positive electrode foil loading device 11G at an interval between the intermittent operations of the turn table 6. In addition, since the contents of the superimposed work position R8 are the same as those of the superimposed work position R4, detailed description thereof is omitted.

When the positive electrode pressing claw 42C presses 4 corners of the positive electrode foil 3, the suction of the suction portion 17 to the positive electrode foil 3 is released. Then, the suction portion 17 is raised, and the turn table 6 is rotated by 30 °, whereby the pallet P moves to the stacking work position R9. During this time, the vicinity of each corner of the positive electrode foil 3 is kept pressed by the positive electrode pressing claw 42C.

If the pallet P stops at the stacking work position R9, the spacer 2 is loaded on the stacked body 4 on the pallet P by the spacer loading device 11H at an interval between the intermittent operations of the turn table 6. In addition, since the contents of the superimposed work position R9 are the same as those of the superimposed work position R5, detailed description thereof is omitted.

When the positive separator pressing claw 42D presses the 4 corners of the separator 2, the suction of the separator 2 is released, and the suction portion 17 is lifted. Then, the turret 6 intermittently rotates by 30 ° each time, and thereby the pallet P sequentially moves to the blank position R10, the takeout operation position R11, the blank position R12, the takein operation position R1, and the stacking operation position R2. During this period, the holding member 31 is not operated, and the vicinity of each corner of the laminate 4 (separator 2) is maintained in a state pressed by the positive electrode upper separator pressing claw 42D.

If the pallet P stops at the stacking work position R2, the 2 nd stacking step is started. However, in the stacking step after the 2 nd time, unlike at the start of stacking, when the positive electrode upper separator pressure claw 42D performs the rotational movement at the stacking work position R2, the positive electrode upper separator pressure claw 42D rotationally moves from the 1 st stop position X1 to the 3 rd stop position X3. That is, the blank section K is not stopped at the 1 st stop position X1, and the negative pressing claw 42A rotationally moves to the 1 st stop position X1.

Then, the turn table 6 is repeatedly rotated, and the stacking step is repeated a predetermined number of times, thereby completing the stacking of the negative electrode foil 1, the separator 2, the positive electrode foil 3, and the separator 2 from below.

Next, when the pallet P on which the completed laminate 4 is loaded is stopped at the take-out operation position R1, the holding members 31 are rotated to rotate the positive electrode upper separator pressing claw 42D to the 2 nd stop position X2. Thereby, at the 1 st stop position X1, the blank part K is rotationally moved so as to replace the positive separator pressing claw 42D. In this state, the pallet P on which the completed laminate is loaded is taken out from the turntable 6 by the take-out operation unit 9. The taken-out pallet P passes through the taking-out working unit 9 and is sent to the subsequent step.

As described specifically above, according to the present embodiment, there is formed a scheme in which the conveying means 14 (suction portion 17) that conveys the sheet body to be pressed to the pallet P is respectively included, and the "negative electrode pressing claw 42A" that presses the negative electrode foil 1 is respectively included; "negative electrode upper separator pressing claw 42B" that presses separator 2 on the upper side of negative electrode foil 1; "positive electrode foil pressing claw 42C" that presses positive electrode foil 3; the "positive electrode upper separator pressing claw 42D" of the separator 2 on the upper side of the positive electrode foil 1 is pressed.

With this configuration, there is no problem that the active material (for example, positive electrode material) adhering to one of the electrode foils (for example, positive electrode foil 3) adheres to the other electrode foil (for example, negative electrode foil 1) when the predetermined pressing claw 42 presses the other electrode foil.

In the case of the above embodiment, since all 4 corners of the sheet body are pressed, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a problem that the next sheet body is stacked in a state where any of the 4 corners of the sheet body is curled or bent.

In the case of the above embodiment, since the sheet is pressed by the suction portion 17 and all 4 corners of the sheet are released, the sheet is pressed once flat, and thus, wrinkles, bending, and the like can be suppressed.

Further, since the sheet body can be uniformly pressed in a wider range by the suction portion 17, the above-described operational effect can be further improved, and displacement of the sheet body and the like are less likely to occur.

In the case of the above embodiment, when a new sheet is loaded (when switching the pressing claws 42), in the vicinity of each of the 4 corners of the sheet loaded on the lower surface thereof, the tip end portion 43 of the pressing claw 42, which presses 1 of the 2 corners (the side parallel to the side α of the stacking table S) constituting the corner portion against the 1 st stop position X1, is rotated so as to pass at least the other side (the side parallel to the side β of the stacking table S) of the 2 corners.

Accordingly, when the corner of the newly loaded sheet member is bent downward, or when the corner of the sheet member already loaded therebelow is bent upward, the bent portion can be extended straight by the rotation operation of the pressing claw 42. As a result, the reduction in product quality can be suppressed.

In the present embodiment, the "negative electrode tab 42A", the "negative electrode upper separator tab 42B", the "positive electrode tab 42C" and the "positive electrode upper separator tab 42D" may be provided in this order in the circumferential direction of the shaft portion 40 in the order of stacking the sheets. Thus, each time a sheet is stacked, the shaft 40 is rotated only in a predetermined 1 direction, and the sheet can be pressed by the dedicated pressing claw 42. As a result, the operation control can be simplified, the switching operation of the pressing claws 42 can be speeded up, and the production efficiency can be improved.

In the case of the present embodiment, the suction portion 17 of the transport device 14 is provided with the regulating piece 38 for stopping the rising amount of the pressing claw 42. Thus, when a new sheet is stacked on the laminated body 4 pressed by the pressing claw 42 and the pressing claw 42 is raised, the height position at which the pressing claw 42 is raised can be adjusted in accordance with the height of the laminated body 4.

As a result, for example, even in the initial stage of the stacking step in which the height of the stacked body 4 is low, the relative rising amount of the pressing claws 42 with respect to the upper surface of the stacked body 4 can be made small. Since the amount of lifting of the pressing claw 42 is small, the degree of curling of the edge supporting edge portion of the sheet member loaded on the pressing claw 42 can be reduced. That is, the sheet can be stacked on the laminated body 4 without largely deforming the sheet loaded on the pressing claw 42. Further, the quality of the laminate 4 can be improved.

In the case of the above embodiment, the height adjusting mechanism (the regulating piece 38 and the like) of the pressing claw 42 is provided in the suction portion 17 of the transport device 14. This makes it possible to achieve, with a simpler configuration, a constant lifting amount of the pressing claws 2 with respect to the upper surface of the laminated body 4. Further, since the regulating piece 38 operates together with the suction portion 17, it is not necessary to separately provide a driving mechanism for height adjustment, and the number of parts and the simplification of the configuration can be achieved.

Further, since the presser foot height adjusting mechanism (the regulating piece 38 and the like) is provided separately from the turntable 6 which is rotationally driven, wiring of signal lines and the like is not complicated, and wiring can be facilitated and simplified. Further, since the weight of the turntable 6 can be reduced, the reduction in the operability of the turntable 6 can be suppressed, and the reduction in the productivity can be suppressed.

Further, since it is not necessary to provide the height adjusting mechanism (the regulating piece 38 and the like) of the presser foot 42 corresponding to each of the 12 stacking tables S provided on the turn table 6 and it is possible to provide the height adjusting mechanism corresponding to the stacking work positions R2 to R9 of 8 places where the stacking work is performed, it is possible to reduce the number of components, simplify the structure, and reduce the installation position.

The present invention is not limited to the description of the above embodiments, and may be implemented as follows, for example. Obviously, other examples of application are not listed below, and variants are of course possible.

(a) In the case of the above embodiment, the laminate 4 of the laminated battery is manufactured by the laminating device 5, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a laminate of a lithium ion capacitor, an electrolytic capacitor, or the like may be manufactured by the laminating device 5.

(b) In the laminate 4 of the above embodiment, the negative electrode foil 1, the separator 2, the positive electrode foil 3, and the separator 2 are repeatedly stacked in this order from below and stacked in this order, but the stacking order is not limited to this. For example, the positive electrode foil 3, the separator 2, the negative electrode foil 1, and the separator 2 may be stacked in this order from the bottom.

Further, a scheme may be formed in which the separator 2 is positioned at the lowermost layer. That is, the separator 2, the negative electrode foil 1, the separator 2, and the positive electrode foil 3 may be stacked in this order from the bottom repeatedly, or the separator 2, the positive electrode foil 3, the separator 2, and the negative electrode foil 1 may be stacked in this order from the bottom repeatedly.

When the stacking order of the sheet bodies is different, it is preferable that the arrangement order of the "negative electrode tab 42A", "negative electrode upper separator tab 42B", "positive electrode tab 42C", and "positive electrode upper separator tab 42D" with respect to the circumferential direction of the shaft portion 40 is also different in accordance with the stacking order of the sheet bodies.

(c) The material, shape, and the like of the electrode foils 1 and 3 and the separator 2 as sheet bodies are not limited to those of the above embodiments. For example, in the case of the above embodiment, the separator 2 is formed of a porous resin film, but may be formed of an insulating nonwoven fabric. Further, as the positive electrode active material, lithium nickelate, lithium manganate, or other lithium-containing metal oxide may be used, and as the negative electrode active material, a carbonaceous material, or the like may be used.

In the case of the above embodiment, the negative electrode foil 1, the separator 2, and the positive electrode foil 3 are formed as separate pieces and transported to be mounted on the stacking table S, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a member formed by stacking the negative electrode foil 1 (or the positive electrode foil 3) and the separator 2 may be formed as 1 piece and transported to be mounted on the stacking table S.

(d) The structure of the holding member 31 is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the case of the above embodiment, the holding member 31 has 4

pressing claws

42A, 42B, 42C, and 42D, and the 4 pressing claws 42 are not arranged at equal intervals of 90 ° but arranged offset in the circumferential direction of the shaft portion 40. However, instead of this, a plurality of pressing claws may be provided at equal intervals.

The number of the pressing claws 42 is not limited to 4, and 1 or more pressing claws may be provided for 1 shaft portion 40.

In the case of the above embodiment, 4

holding members

31A, 31B, 31C, and 31D are provided corresponding to the corners of 4 corners of the lamination stage S (pallet P, laminate 4), but the arrangement and number of the holding members 31 are not limited thereto, and other arrangements may be adopted.

In the case of the above embodiment, the pressing claw 42 is configured to be displaceable in the horizontal direction by rotating about the shaft portion 40, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the pressing claw may be configured to be linearly displaced in the horizontal direction by sliding.

(e) The configurations of the turntable 6 and the working units 7 to 9 are not limited to the above embodiments. For example, in the case of the above embodiment, 12 stacking tables S are provided on the turn table 6, and each stacking table S is precharged and intermittently moved to the take-in working position R1, the stacking working positions R2 to R9, the blank position R10, the take-in working position R11, and the blank position R12.

Without being limited to this, it is also possible to form a scheme in which 8 lamination stages S are provided on the turn table 6, and corresponding to this, the lamination work positions are provided at 4 locations, for example.

In the case of the above embodiment, although the sheets are stacked via the transportable stacking pallet P, the stacking pallet P may be omitted and the sheets may be stacked directly on the stacking base S.

(f) The configuration of the conveyance mechanism and the suction mechanism is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the case of the above embodiment, the suction portion (porous suction plate) 19 formed of a porous body is used, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and a porous suction plate may be used.

In the case of the above embodiment, the substantially arc-shaped notch portions 21 are formed at the 4 corners of the suction portion 17 so as not to interfere with the pressing claws 42, but instead of this, a notch portion in which notches are formed linearly may be used. Alternatively, the notch portion may be omitted, and a substantially rectangular suction-connection portion may be used in plan view.

(g) The aspect of the height adjustment mechanism of the pressing claw 42 is not limited to the above embodiment. A specific example will be described below with reference to fig. 16. However, the same part names and the same reference numerals are used for the parts overlapping with those of the above-described embodiment, and the detailed description thereof is omitted, and the description is mainly given for the different parts (hereinafter, the same applies to the schemes of fig. 17 and 18).

In the example shown in fig. 16, a rod-shaped support portion 80 is provided, and the rod-shaped support portion 80 is formed to extend downward from an upper position (for example, a body frame portion of the carriage 14 on which the guide rail 15 is provided, a beam portion extending horizontally from the fixed shaft 13) apart from the turntable 6.

The support portion 80 is formed with a guide rail 81 having a projecting strip in the axial direction. The guide rail 81 is provided with a slide portion 82, and the slide portion 82 is provided so as to be displaceable in the vertical direction along the guide rail 81.

On the sliding portion 82, a regulating portion (action portion) 83 is provided, and the regulating portion 83 projects from here in a substantially horizontal direction toward the holding member 31. The restricting piece 83 is formed with a cylindrical restricting portion 84 and an insertion hole (not shown) for adjusting the amount of lift of the pressing piece 42, the restricting portion 84 protruding downward from the tip end side of the restricting piece 83, and the insertion hole being formed so as to pass through the upper portion of the shaft portion 40 of the holding member 31.

The support portion 80 is formed with a rod-like body 85 projecting therefrom, and one end of a coil spring 86 is hooked thereon. The other end of the coil spring 86 is hooked on the restricting piece 83. Thereby, the restricting piece 83 is in a state of being pulled upward by the tensile force of the coil spring 86.

On the other hand, operation pieces 87 are provided at four corners of the suction portion 17 of the transport device 14, and the operation pieces 87 press the regulating piece 83 downward. When the suction portion 17 is lowered, the operation piece 87 abuts on the regulating piece 83, and the regulating piece 83 is driven against the tensile force of the coil spring 86 to be pressed down to a predetermined height position.

With the above configuration, as in the above embodiment, the amount of lifting of the pressing claw 42 can be adjusted with reference to the upper surface of the laminated body 4 on which the sheet bodies conveyed by the suction portion 17 are mounted. Further, since it is not necessary to separately provide a driving mechanism for moving the operation piece 87, the number of parts can be reduced and the structure can be simplified.

(h) As the height adjusting mechanism of the pressing claw 42, a mechanism in which the suction portion 17 of the transport device 14 does not function may be used.

In the example shown in fig. 17, a rod-shaped support portion 90 is provided so as to extend downward from an upper position (for example, a main body frame portion of the transport device 14 where the guide rail 15 is provided, a beam portion extending horizontally from the fixed shaft 13) apart from the turntable 6.

A guide rail 91 is formed in the support portion 90 in an axial direction. The guide rail 91 is provided with a slide portion 92, and the slide portion 92 is provided along the guide rail so as to be displaceable in the vertical direction.

The slide portion 92 is provided with a regulation piece 93, and the regulation piece 93 extends from there in a substantially horizontal direction toward the holding member 31. The restricting piece 93 is formed with a cylindrical restricting portion 94 for adjusting the amount of lifting of the pressing claw 42, and an insertion hole (not shown) through which the restricting portion 94 protrudes downward from the tip end side of the restricting piece 93, and which is capable of passing through the restricting portion 94 in the vertical direction and through the upper portion of the shaft portion 40 of the holding member 31.

A servo motor 95 as a driving unit is fixed to the support portion 90. A drive shaft (not shown) of the servo motor 95 protrudes downward, and a ball screw 96 is connected to a tip end thereof. The ball screw 96 is screwed into a screw hole (not shown) formed in the slide portion 92.

Thereby, the slide portion 92 and the regulating piece 93 can be moved up and down in accordance with the rotational driving of the servo motor 95. The amount of movement is adjusted by the control unit 10 according to the data table, as appropriate, to the height position of the uppermost surface of the stacked body 4 on the pallet P (the stacked amount of the sheet bodies).

With the above configuration, as in the above embodiment, the amount of lifting of the pressing claw 42 can be adjusted with reference to the upper surface of the laminated body 4 on which the sheet bodies conveyed by the suction portion 17 are mounted.

(i) In the case of the above embodiment, the height position of the pressing member is adjusted by the upward displacement of the pressing claw 42, but the structure of the height adjusting mechanism is not limited to this.

For example, as shown in fig. 18, it is also possible to omit the rotation restricting cam 55 (groove portion 56), the rotation restricting projection 57, the flange portion 67, the coil spring 68, and the like from the drive mechanism of the holding member 31 of the above-described embodiment, form a pair of U-shaped grooves 100 engageable with the pair of operating pins 65 on the shaft portion 40 side in the upper edge portion of the operating cam 63 instead of the pair of cam surfaces 64, and fix the pressing claw 42 to the shaft portion 42 so as to be immovable in the vertical direction and the circumferential direction.

With the above configuration, the pressing claw 42 can be moved to any height position and any rotational position by the lifting operation in accordance with the rotational operation of the operating cam 63. Based on the data table, the control unit 10 adjusts the operation amount of the operation cam 63 appropriately according to the height position of the uppermost surface of the stacked body 4 on the pallet P (the stacked amount of the sheet bodies). Then, the operating cam 63 and a driving mechanism for driving the same constitute a driving portion of the height adjusting mechanism, and the shaft portion 40 and the like constitute an acting portion.

(j) In the case of the above embodiment, the height adjusting mechanism (the regulating piece 38 and the like) of the pressing claw 42 is provided corresponding to the stacking work positions R2 to R9 (all the loading devices 11A to 11H) of 8 sites where the stacking work is performed.

Not limited to this, it is also possible to provide a configuration in which the height adjusting mechanism (regulating piece 38, etc.) of the pressing claw 42 is provided corresponding to only the stacking work positions R2, R4, R6, R8 (negative electrode foil loading devices 11A, 11E and positive electrode

foil loading devices

11C, 11G) of the 4 sites where the stacking work of the electrode foils 1, 3 is performed.

(k) In the case of the above embodiment, the control unit 10 adjusts the elevation amount of the height adjusting mechanism (the regulating piece 38 or the like) of the pressing claw 42 in accordance with the height position of the uppermost surface of the stacked body 4 on the pallet P (the stacking amount of the sheet bodies) in accordance with the turntable.

For example, the height of the stack 4 may be measured by a measuring mechanism, and the amount of elevation of the height adjusting mechanism (e.g., the restricting piece 38) of the pressing claw 42 may be adjusted based on the measured value of the measuring mechanism.

The amount of rise of the pressing claw 42 to be regulated may be a value smaller than the final thickness of the laminated body 4, or may not be maintained at a constant value from the beginning to the end of the laminating step.

(l) In the example shown in fig. 16 to 18, a mechanism relating to the height adjusting mechanism may be provided on the turntable 6. However, in order to simplify the wiring, it is preferable that the driving unit is provided at a position separated from at least the turntable 6. In order to further reduce the weight, it is preferable that the working mechanism such as the support portions 80 and 90 (the restricting pieces 83 and 93) is provided at a position apart from the turntable 6. In order to reduce the number of components, all the height adjustment mechanisms are preferably provided at positions separated from at least the turntable 6.

Description of reference numerals:

reference numeral 1 denotes a negative electrode foil;

reference numeral 2 denotes a separator;

reference numeral 3 denotes a positive electrode foil;

reference numeral 4 denotes a laminated body;

reference numeral 5 denotes a stacking device;

reference numeral 6 denotes a turntable;

reference numeral 8 denotes a stacking work section;

reference numeral 10 denotes a control section;

reference numeral 11 denotes a loading device;

reference numeral 14 denotes a conveyance device;

reference numeral 17 denotes a suction portion;

reference numeral 30 denotes a holding mechanism;

reference numeral 31 denotes a holding member;

reference numeral 38 denotes a restricting piece;

reference numeral 40 denotes a shaft portion;

reference numeral 42 denotes a pressing claw;

numeral 68 denotes a coil spring;

symbols R2 to R9 represent stacking work positions;

symbol S denotes a lamination stage.

Claims

1. A stacking apparatus for manufacturing a stacked body in which a positive electrode foil coated with a positive electrode active material and a negative electrode foil coated with a negative electrode active material are alternately stacked via a separator formed of an insulating raw material, characterized by comprising:

a conveying mechanism provided corresponding to each of the plurality of stacking work positions, the conveying mechanism being capable of conveying a sheet including the positive electrode foil, the negative electrode foil, or the separator to be loaded on the stacking portion located at the stacking work position;

a pressing member driving mechanism configured to be capable of performing a vertical displacement operation and a horizontal displacement operation of the pressing member, and configured to be capable of performing an operation of lifting the pressing member and displacing the pressing member in a horizontal direction and then pressing the stacked body from the newly loaded sheet body, when the new sheet body is loaded onto the stacked body pressed at least by the pressing member by the conveying mechanism;

a height adjusting mechanism for adjusting a height position at which the pressing member rises in accordance with a height of the stacked body stacked on the stacking portion,

the height adjusting mechanism includes:

an action portion that acts on the pressing member;

a drive unit operable under the control of a predetermined control mechanism and capable of adjusting the position of the action unit;

at least the driving part is arranged at a position spaced apart from the turntable.

2. The stacking apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said acting portion is provided at a position spaced apart from said turn table.

3. The stacking apparatus of claim 1, wherein said height adjusting means is provided on said carrying means.

4. The stacking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the height adjusting mechanism includes an acting portion which is provided in a spaced-apart manner from the carrying mechanism and acts on the pressing member following the carrying mechanism.

5. A stacking apparatus for manufacturing a stacked body in which a positive electrode foil coated with a positive electrode active material and a negative electrode foil coated with a negative electrode active material are alternately stacked via a separator formed of an insulating raw material, characterized by comprising:

the height adjusting mechanism includes an operating portion that is provided at a distance from the conveying mechanism and that operates on the pressing member in response to the conveying mechanism.

6. The stacking apparatus of claim 5, wherein said height adjusting means is provided on said carrying means.

7. A stacking apparatus for manufacturing a stacked body in which a positive electrode foil coated with a positive electrode active material and a negative electrode foil coated with a negative electrode active material are alternately stacked via a separator formed of an insulating raw material, characterized by comprising:

a biasing mechanism that biases the pressing member upward;

8. The stacking apparatus of claim 7, wherein said height adjusting means is provided on said carrying means.

9. The stacking apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising a biasing mechanism that biases the pressing member upward;