DE102021207349A1 - Separating device for cutting and separating segments for energy cells from a supplied endless web - Google Patents

Abstract

Separating device (1) for cutting and separating segments (6) for energy cells from a supplied continuous web (5), a cutting device (2) being provided by means of which the segments (6) are cut from the continuous web (5) in a predetermined length and a pitch-changing drum (3) is provided, which is driven by a drive device to rotate about an axis of rotation (D), with a plurality of transport segments (8) for receiving the segments (6) being mounted on a lateral surface of the pitch-changing drum (3). is provided, wherein the transport segments (8) are arranged to be movable in relation to the radial and/or circumferential direction of the pitch-changing drum (3), and a transfer device (4) is provided which takes over the segments (6) from the pitch-changing drum (3). , characterized in that the division change drum (3) and the cutting device (2) separate assemblies and / or functional s are decoupled and/or the cutting device (2) is arranged between the supplied endless web (5) and the pitch-changing drum (3), and the transport segments (8) during the rotary movement of the pitch-changing drum (3) in a circular movement from a transfer point (I) to a transfer point (II) and back again, the transport segments (8) taking over segments (6) cut from the continuous web (5) with the cutting device (2) in the transfer point (I) and increasing their distances (A) in the circumferential direction to the axis of rotation (D) to the transfer point (II) and transferred to the transfer device (4) with the increased distances (A).

Description

The present invention relates to a separating device for cutting and separating segments for energy cells from a fed continuous web, having the features of the preamble of claim 1, and a system for producing stacks of individual segments for energy cells, having the features of the preamble of claim 13.

Energy cells or energy stores within the meaning of the invention are used, for example, in motor vehicles, other land vehicles, ships, airplanes or in stationary systems such as photovoltaic systems in the form of battery cells or fuel cells, in which very large amounts of energy have to be stored over longer periods of time. For this purpose, such energy cells have a structure made up of a large number of segments stacked to form a stack. These segments are each formed from alternating anode sheets and cathode sheets which are separated from one another by separator sheets which are also produced as segments. The segments are pre-cut in the manufacturing process and then placed on top of each other to form the stacks in the predetermined order and connected to one another by lamination. In this case, the anode sheets and cathode sheets are first cut from a continuous web and then individually placed at intervals on a continuous web of a separator material. This subsequently formed "double-layered" endless web of separator material with the anode sheets and cathode sheets placed on it is then cut into segments again in a second step with a cutting device, the segments in this case being formed in two layers by a separator sheet with an anode sheet or cathode sheet arranged on it. If this is technically feasible or necessary, the endless webs of the separator material with the anode sheets and cathode sheets placed on top of each other can also be placed on top of each other before cutting, so that a continuous web with a first endless layer of the separator material with anode sheets or cathode sheets placed on it and a second endless layer of the separator material with anode sheets or cathode sheets in turn laid thereon. This “four-layer” continuous web is then cut into segments by means of a cutting device, which in this case are formed in four layers with a first separator sheet, an anode sheet, a second separator sheet and a cathode sheet lying thereon. The advantage of this solution is that one cut can be saved. Segments within the meaning of this invention are accordingly single-layer segments of a separator material, anode material or cathode material, double-layer or also four-layer segments of the structure described above.

Devices for the production of battery cells are, for example, from WO 2016/041713 A1 and the DE 10 2017 216 213 A1 known.

Battery cells, for example for electromobility, are now manufactured on production systems with an output of 100 to 240 mono cells per minute. These work in sub-areas or continuously with clocked discontinuous movements, such as back and forth movements, and are therefore limited in terms of production output. Most of the known machines work in the single sheet stacking process (e.g. “pick and place”) with the disadvantage of slower processing. The laminating of cell formations is not possible here.

Another known approach is a machine with continuously running webs of material and clocked tools, such as separating knives and tools for changing the pitch.

In principle, machines with clocked movements are limited in terms of performance. The parts with mass, such as fixtures and tools, must be constantly accelerated and decelerated. The processes determine the timing and a lot of energy is consumed. The mass of the moving parts cannot be reduced at will. Parts that move faster often have to withstand higher loads and are therefore even more complex and heavier.

In order to reduce the production costs of energy cell production, the production capacity of the machines must be increased, among other things. A condition for the high production output is a high production rate of the stack of energy cells, which are formed from several segments of the type described above stacked on top of one another.

In order to achieve very high production rates, it is desirable to cut off the segments during production from a continuous web at the highest possible piece rate, for which purpose the continuous web must be fed in at a correspondingly high feed rate and the segments must be cut off the continuous web at a cutting frequency that is as high as possible. The segments, in particular the anode sheets and the cathode sheets, must then be further processed at a distance from one another and placed on an endless web of separator material. This necessary distance for further processing is the requirement to feed the segments in one high piece rate, as both requirements contradict each other.

To solve this problem, it is from the publication DE 10 2017 216 138 A1 It is known to guide the continuous web on a drum, to cut it into segments on the circumference of the drum and then to separate the segments by means of a radial movement of individual transport segments of the drum to form distances from one another and to place them on another continuous web in the spaced arrangement. The segments are cut by means of a laser directed at the endless web in contact with the drum, whereby the cut must be made in such a way that the cut must be made exactly through the dividing line of adjacent transport segments, so that the cut segments are assigned exclusively to one transport segment and by the radial movement of the transport segments can be pulled apart.

Against this background, the invention is based on the object of providing a separating device for cutting and separating segments for energy cells from a fed endless web, which enables a simplified cutting of the segments in connection with a process-reliable separation of spaced segments in the highest possible piece rate.

In order to achieve the object, a separating device for cutting and separating segments for energy cells from a supplied endless web with the features of claim 1 and a system with the features of claim 13 are proposed.

According to the basic idea of the invention, a separating device according to the preamble of claim 1 is proposed, wherein the pitch-changing drum and the cutting device are separate assemblies and/or functionally decoupled and/or the cutting device is arranged between the supplied endless web and the pitch-changing drum, and the transport segments during the rotary movement of the pitch-changing drum in a circulating movement from a transfer point to a transfer point and back again, with the transport segments taking over segments cut from the endless web with the cutting device in the transfer point and transporting them to the transfer point, increasing their distances in the circumferential direction from the axis of rotation, and with the passed increased distances to the transfer device.

The advantage of the solution according to the invention can be seen in the fact that the cutting and the subsequent separation of the segments are carried out in mutually independent and/or functionally decoupled assemblies, so that the cutting and the separation can each be optimized for themselves without affecting the respective other functions to take into account. For this purpose, the cutting device can be arranged between the fed continuous web and the pitch-changing drum, so that the continuous web is first fed to the cutting device, which cuts the continuous web into segments and then transfers the cut segments to the pitch-changing drum. Due to the proposed separation and/or functional decoupling and/or arrangement of the cutting device and the pitch change drum, the circumference of the pitch change drum can, for example, be used to the maximum for the separation and the associated increase in the distances between the segments, since the scale provided in the prior art on the pitch change drum Section of the continuous web is laid in the segments in an independent of the pitch change drum upstream assembly. Furthermore, the cutting of the segments can be simplified since the continuous web and the cut segments no longer have to be arranged on movable transport segments in the cutting device. In particular, the cutting line no longer has to be positioned in a predetermined alignment between two transport segments and can instead be optimized with regard to its cutting quality, cutting speed and cutting frequency. The cutting device and the pitch change drum can be functionally decoupled but coupled to one another via a common drive device. It is only important that the cutting process and the separating process are carried out separately from one another and that the segments are already cut and taken over by the pitch change drum. The segments that have already been cut are then taken over by the pitch-changing drum in the transfer point and are transported on the pitch-changing drum to the transfer point, increasing their distances from one another, where they are then transferred to a transfer device.

It has been found that the segments can be transferred to the transfer device in the transfer point in a particularly reliable process if the transport segments in the transfer point have a spacing of 1 to 10 mm, preferably 2 to 5 mm, in the circumferential direction of the pitch-changing drum.

It is further proposed that a control device is provided which controls the movement of the transport segments from the transfer point to the transfer point. the movement Movement of the transport segments consists of the pure rotary movement of the pitch-changing drum and the additional superimposed radial and/or circumferential movement of the transport segments to increase the distances between the transport segments and thus also between the segments held on them. Since the position of the transport segments in the transfer point and the transfer point is of particular importance for process-reliable transport, especially given the high transport speeds to be achieved for the segments, the control device forms, in addition to the movable transport segments, an important component of the separating device, by means of which the movement sequence can be implemented particularly precisely can. The control device preferably controls the radial and/or circumferential movement of the transport segments that is responsible for the increase in distance relative to the rotary movement of the pitch-changing drum and can therefore be regarded as a type of fine control.

A particularly inexpensive and reliable control of the movement of the transport segments can be realized in that the control device is formed by a control cam which is stationary relative to the pitch-changing drum and on which the transport segments each bear with a control attachment. The movement of the transport segments can thus be controlled purely mechanically, additional sensors and actuators are therefore not required. The required accuracy of the movement sequence and in particular of the positions of the transport segments in the transfer point and the transfer point can be achieved by a correspondingly precisely worked shape of the cam and a correspondingly precise alignment of the cam to the pitch-changing drum or to the control lugs of the transport segments.

It is further proposed that the control device comprises at least one electrically controllable actuator that controls the movement of the transport segments. The actuator controlling the movement can supplement or replace the control via the control cam if a purely electronic control of the movement of the transport segments is to be implemented. The electrically controllable actuator enables very precise control of the movement of the transport segments. Furthermore, the movement sequence can also be adjusted or changed very easily by way of a regulation or also to achieve a new transfer distance of the segments.

It is also proposed that the transport segments can be moved in the radial direction of the pitch-changing drum, and the control device controls the transport segments to move from a smaller radius in the transfer point to a larger radius in the transfer point. The radial movement of the transport segments from the smaller to the larger radius automatically increases the distance between the transport segments, starting from the transfer point to the transfer point, since the extension of the transport segments in the circumferential direction of the pitch-changing drum is unchanged, the circumference on which the transport segments in the larger radius but is larger than the circumference on the smaller radius.

It is also proposed that the transport segments be movable in the circumferential direction of the pitch-changing drum, and the control device moves the transport segments from the transfer point to the transfer point at a speed with a higher peripheral speed than the circumferential speed of the pitch-changing drum and from the transfer point to the transfer point at a lower peripheral speed than the Circumferential speed of the pitch change drum controls. As a result, the distance between the transport segments can be increased by a purely circumferential movement of the transport segments on an at least almost identical radius. The distance between the transport segments, starting from the transfer point, is realized by briefly accelerating the transport segments to a higher peripheral speed in relation to the rotational movement of the pitch-changing drum. Starting from the transfer point, the transport segments are then decelerated again during the movement to the transfer point until they are in contact with one another again. If a purely circumferential movement is not optimal, the circumferential movement of the transport segments can of course also be combined with the radial movement described above.

It is also proposed that the transport segments have a transfer surface that can be subjected to negative pressure. The segments can thus be sucked onto the take-over surface of the transport segments via a negative pressure and can be held on the transport segments during the further transport movement against the radial forces acting during the rotary movement of the pitch-changing drum. This means that no further mechanical means are required on the transport segments for taking over and for the further transport of the segments. In addition, the takeover and transport of the segments can be realized with very low forces acting on the segments in order to achieve “gentle” transport.

It is further proposed that the cutting device is formed by a cutting drum driven to rotate by means of a drive device. Implementing the cutting device as a cutting drum is advantageous in that the cutting device can be integrated into a drum run in which a particularly high transport speed of the continuous web and the cut segments can be achieved with optimized space utilization. The segments can be cut, for example, by means of a laser, which is arranged on the circumference of the cutting drum or else radially inside the cutting drum and, when activated, emits a laser beam directed at the continuous web. Furthermore, a mechanical cutting of the continuous web can also be provided, in which a plurality of counter-knives distributed over the circumference are provided on the cutting drum, each with a cutting edge free on one side, on the outer sides of which the continuous web rests. Furthermore, a cutting blade is provided on the outer circumference of the cutting drum, which can also be arranged on a second cutting drum driven to rotate. The cutting blade is then positioned or controlled in the movement of the second cutting drum in such a way that the counter-blades of the cutting drum come to rest in a predetermined position and orientation and cut through the continuous web according to the shearing principle during the further movement. This mechanical cutting process can be further extended to a thermomechanical cutting process of the continuous web by heating the cutting blades or counter-blades.

In this case, it is further proposed that the cutting drum be driven by a drive device to perform a rotational movement counter to the direction of rotation of the pitch-changing drum. Due to the advantageous direction of rotation of the cutting drum, it has a movement in the same direction in an arrangement adjacent to the pitch-changing drum on the edge side facing the pitch-changing drum, so that the cut segments can ideally be taken over tangentially by the pitch-changing drum with the lowest possible forces acting on the segments.

It is further proposed that the cutting drum is arranged directly adjacent to the pitch-changing drum, and the segments are transferred to the transport segments arranged at the transfer point at the point of the smallest distance from the pitch-changing drum. This distance that is as small as possible is advantageous in that the segments can be taken over by the pitch-changing drum in a very reliable manner and with the lowest possible forces.

It is also proposed that the pitch change drum has five, six, seven, eight, ten or twelve transport segments, and the transport segments in the transfer point have an outer radius of 75 to 150 mm, preferably 90 mm to 125 mm, in relation to the axis of rotation of the pitch change drum. With the proposed number of transport segments in conjunction with the proposed outer radius, favorable movement conditions can be achieved with regard to the increase in distance to be carried out and with regard to a process-reliable transport of the segments from the transfer point to the transfer point.

Furthermore, to solve the problem according to claim 13, a system for producing stacks of individual segments for energy cells is proposed, in which at least one separating device according to one of claims 1 to 12 is provided, the segments separated by the separating device being fed to a compound device, which connects the segments to form formations. In this case, the segments can be connected to one another in the connecting device, forming a fixed connection, or can be connected to one another via an endless track. Furthermore, the segments can also be placed one on top of the other or on an endless web, or vice versa, and can be transported further as a composite simply by exerting pressure. It is important that the formations are connected to one another either by pressure or a connection in such a way that they can be fed together in a composite for further processing. The segments are connected to each other or to the endless web in such a way that they are fixed in their arrangement and orientation to one another.

For this purpose, the connecting device can have at least one supplied continuous web, and the connecting device can preferably have a first connecting device, which places the continuous web and the segments on top of one another to form a first formation. If this makes sense, a permanent connection can be created here, e.g. through a thermal lamination process. However, it is also sufficient if the first connecting device merely lays the endless web onto the segments or vice versa and then fixes the segments to the first formation simply by exerting pressure on the endless web.

It is also proposed that the acquisition device by a to a Drehbewe tion-driven transport drum is formed, and the first compound device comprises a transport drum comprehensive tensioning belt, which takes over the segments of the pitch change drum and hangs up on a conveyor belt or on the endless track. The advantage of this solution can be seen in the fact that the segments can be taken over by the transfer device designed as a transport drum in a rotary movement from the pitch-changing drum, which means that very high transport speeds can be achieved in a continuous endless production process. These segments taken over by the transport drum are then placed on the transport belt via the clamping belt, which can have a correspondingly adapted guide and geometry for this purpose, in order to implement a linear removal movement of the segments.

Alternatively, it is proposed that the transfer device is formed by a conveyor belt, on which the pitch-changing drum places the segments in the transfer point, and the endless web is deflected via a deflection roller and placed on the segments, which is arranged in such a way that they unite in the direction of the conveyor belt has a smaller distance to the transfer point than the length segments in the transport direction of the conveyor belt. The segments are transported away from the rotating movement of the pitch-changing drum by the conveyor belt in a linear straight-line removal movement. The segments placed on the conveyor belt are detected due to the arrangement of the deflection roller and the endless web guided and placed by it before they are completely removed from the pitch-changing drum. In this way, the segments are fixed in each phase of the transition movement either to the transport segments of the pitch-changing drum or over the endless track and ideally in a short overlapping phase both to the transport segments and over the endless track. In this way, a particularly process-reliable transfer of the segments from the pitch-changing drum to the conveyor belt can be achieved.

It is further proposed that at least two separating devices are provided in the plant, and the connecting device has a second connecting device which connects the segments cut by the separating devices to form second formations or connects the first formations formed by the first connecting devices to form a second formation. The second connecting device can also fix the second formations of the segments and the continuous webs that may be present either solely by applying pressure to the second formations or also in a connecting process such as a lamination process or a bonding process.

• 1 eine erfindungsgemäße Vereinzelungsvorrichtung mit einer Schneidvorrichtung und einer Teilungsänderungstrommel gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform; und
• 2 eine vergrößerte Darstellung der Teilungsänderungstrommel; und
• 3 eine Endlosbahn mit in der Vereinzelungsvorrichtung daraus geschnittenen Segmenten; und
• 4 eine erfindungsgemäße Vereinzelungsvorrichtung mit einer Schneidvorrichtung und einer Teilungsänderungstrommel gemäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform; und
• 5 einen schematisch dargestellten Aufbau eines Zellenstapels für eine Energiezelle; und
• 6 eine erfindungsgemäße Anlage mit zwei Vereinzelungsvorrichtungen; und
• 7 einen vergrößerten Ausschnitt der Vereinzelungsvorrichtung mit einer Teilungsänderungstrommel und einer als Transporttrommel ausgebildeten Übernahmevorrichtung; und
• 8 einen vergrößerten Ausschnitt der Vereinzelungsvorrichtung mit einer Teilungsänderungstrommel und einer als Transportband ausgebildeten Übernahmevorrichtung.

The invention is explained below on the basis of preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures. while showing

• 1 a separating device according to the invention with a cutting device and a pitch change drum according to a first embodiment; and
• 2 an enlarged view of the pitch change drum; and
• 3 a continuous web with segments cut therefrom in the separating device; and
• 4 a separating device according to the invention with a cutting device and a pitch change drum according to a second embodiment; and
• 5 a schematically illustrated structure of a cell stack for an energy cell; and
• 6 a system according to the invention with two separating devices; and
• 7 an enlarged section of the separating device with a pitch-changing drum and a transfer device designed as a transport drum; and
• 8th an enlarged section of the separating device with a pitch change drum and a transfer device designed as a conveyor belt.

In the following, the structure of a cell stack 90 is first described with reference to FIG 5 described. A mono cell 91 is a layer system consisting of layers or segments placed one on top of the other, namely a separator 92, an anode 93, another separator 94 and a cathode 95 Completion cell 96 completed. This closing cell 96 consists, for example, of a separator 92, an anode 93 and a further separator 94 and ensures that the mono-cell stack 90 is closed off from the outside with a separator 92, 94 in each case.

The mono cell stack 90 serves in particular to construct an electrochemical or galvanic accumulator, for example a lithium-ion accumulator, which is not shown. The electrodes 93, 95 consist of typical electrode materials of an electrochemical or galvanic accumulator cell. In the case of a lithium ion cell, the electrodes contain lithium ions, for example. The separators are used to electrically insulate the electrodes from one another and consist, for example, of a plastic film, such as a thermoplastic material.

In the 1 a separating device 1 with a cutting device 2, a pitch-changing drum 3 and a transfer device 4 can be seen, to which a continuous web 5 of anode material, cathode material or separator material for the production of energy cells or energy storage devices is fed. The energy cells or energy storage devices are used, for example, in land vehicles, ships, aircraft or stationary devices such as photovoltaic systems and are used to store and/or convert electrical energy in the form of battery cells or fuel cells, which is used to operate electrical drive units. This can be motor vehicles with an electric drive, for example.

The continuous web 5 is fed to the cutting device 2, which is designed here as a cutting drum with a plurality of counter knives 11 and cutting knives 10 directed towards the circumference of the cutting drum. The continuous web 5 is gripped by the cutting device 2 designed as a cutting drum in a rotary transport movement and fed on to the pitch-changing drum 3 . The endless web 5 is cut on the cutting device 2 by means of the cutting knives 10 by shearing off the counter knives 11 into segments 6 with a predetermined length, which the anodes 93, cathodes 95 or separators 92, 94 in the monocells 91 or composite elements described at the outset of anodes 93 with separators 92, 93 cathodes 95 with separators 92, 93 or the monocells 91 themselves. After the endless web 5 has been cut, the segments 6 lie against the lateral surface of the cutting drum and are held on the lateral surface of the cutting drum, for example by means of negative pressure. Furthermore, the segments 6 are in direct contact, i.e. without a distance or with only a very small distance, and are only separated from one another by the separating cuts. The segments 6 are then transported on the cutting drum by the rotary movement to a takeover point I and taken over by the pitch-changing drum 3 in the takeover point I. Alternatively, instead of the cutting drum, a cutting device 2 can also be used, in which the continuous web 5 and/or the segments 6 are cut and fed to the pitch-changing drum 3 in a straight, ie planar, feed movement. Furthermore, the cutting device 2 can also include any curved or deflected feed movement to implement different guide paths of the endless web 5 or the segments 6. It is only important that the segments 6 that have already been cut are fed to the transfer point I in direct contact with one another or as closely as possible .

The pitch change drum 3 comprises a drum base body 7 and a plurality of transport segments 8 arranged radially on the outside of the drum base body 7, as also shown in the enlarged view in FIG 2 can be seen. The pitch change drum 3 is driven by a drive device (not shown) which is in a rotary connection with the drum base body 7 to rotate in the direction of the arrow in the clockwise direction. For this purpose, an electric motor can be provided as the drive device, which drives the drum base body 7 directly or via a gear. The transport segments 8 are held on the drum base body 7 so that they can move radially and each have a curved surface on their outer side with a radius that is identical in relation to the axis of rotation D of the drum base body 7, so that when they are placed on the drum base body 7 they have a circular cross section , Form cylindrical lateral surface of pitch change drum 3 with a radius R1. On their radial outside, the transport segments 8 have a transfer surface 9 with a length directed in the circumferential direction of the pitch-changing drum 3 which corresponds to the length of the segments 6 cut off from the endless web 5 . The transport segments 8 can be provided with compressed air openings in the area of their take-over surfaces 9, which can be subjected to negative pressure in order to take over and hold the segments 6.

Furthermore, a control device, not shown, is provided, which controls the movement of the transport segments 8, which will be explained in more detail below, during the circulation from the transfer point I to a transfer point II. The control device can be a control cam which is stationary with respect to the rotating basic drum body 7 and on which the transport segments 8 rest with a control attachment (not shown). Alternatively or additionally, the movement of the transport segments 8 can also be controlled with actuators by an electrical control.

The movement of the transport segments 8 on the drum base body 7 is controlled in such a way that the transport segments 8 are drawn towards the drum base body 7 when passing through the transfer point I and in the circumferential direction at a very small distance, preferably directly, abut one another. corresponds to the radius of the outer surface of the transport segments 8 in the transfer point I is the radius R1. The precut segments 6 are fed from the cutting device 2 in the transfer point I in a direct abutting arrangement or in an arrangement with very small distances and taken over by the transport segments 8 of the pitch-changing drum 3 . The rotary movement of the pitch-changing drum 3 and the movement of the transport segments 8 in relation to the feed movement of the cutting device 2 are synchronized in this case in relation to the rotary movement of the cutting drum in such a way that the separating cuts between the segments 6 and the separating points of the transport segments 8 ideally meet in the transfer point I, so that a segment 6 is taken over by a transport segment 8. Starting from the transfer point I, the transport segments 8 are extended radially outwards during the further rotary movement of the pitch-changing drum 3 . The distances A between the transport segments 8 and the segments 6 held thereon are increased. The segments 6 are thereby practically pulled apart and isolated. The spaced segments 6 are then taken over in the transfer point II on a larger radius R2 with increased distances A by a subsequent transfer device 4 and transported away. The transfer device 4 is formed here as a transport drum, which in turn is driven to rotate in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the pitch change drum 3 . However, it is also conceivable to provide a device as the transfer device 4 in which the isolated and spaced segments 6 are removed in a flat or otherwise curved movement path. In principle, when designing the cutting device 2 and the transfer device 4, any movement paths can be provided, which can be individually adapted to the geometric specifications of the higher-level system.

In the 3 the continuous web 5 and the segments 6 cut off from it can be seen isolated. The endless web 5 is fed to the cutting device 2 and cut in the cutting device 2 . The segments 6 are still in direct contact with one another in the cutting device 2, which is why no distances can be seen here. The distances A between the segments 6 are increased only after the segments 6 have been taken over by the pitch-changing drum 3 , until the segments 6 with their increased distances A are taken over by the transfer device 4 .

In the 4 An alternative embodiment of the separating device 1 can be seen in which the transport segments 8 of the pitch-changing drum 3 are not moved in the radial direction but instead in the circumferential direction of the drum base body 7 . Starting from the transfer point I, the transport segments 8 are accelerated in the direction of rotation of the basic drum body 7, as a result of which the distances A between the transport segments 8 and between the segments 6 held thereon are increased. The segments 6 are thus in the same way as in the embodiment of 1 transferred from the cutting device 2 to the pitch-changing drum 3 in the transfer point I at a very small distance or in an arrangement directly adjacent to one another, and in the transfer point II in an arrangement with increased distances A to the transfer device 4, preferably with a speed in relation to the speed in handed over to transfer point I at increased or the same speed in transfer point II. So that the transport segments 8, after passing through the transfer point II, are then again in contact with each other at the smaller distances or directly in the transfer point I, after the transfer of the segments 6 to the transfer device 4, these are again delayed in relation to the rotary movement of the drum base body 7, which increases the distances Reduce A again until you reach transfer point I.

Both movements of the transport segments 8 lead to an increase in the distances A between the transport segments 8 themselves and the segments 6 transported on the transport segments 8, as described above. Of course, the movement sequences can also be combined if the increase in distance is to be made even greater, for example, or if more favorable conditions can be achieved for the transfer of the segments 6 in the transfer point II.

The advantage of the separating devices 1 described is that the segments 6 are cut in a first step in the cutting device 2 from the continuous web 5, which can be optimized in terms of the cutting process itself. The segments 6 are then already taken over in cut form by the pitch-changing drum 3 in the transfer point I and are each placed exactly on one of the transport segments 8 by a synchronized sequence of movements of the cutting device 2 and the pitch-changing drum 3 . Since the segments 6 are no longer cut on the pitch-changing drum 3, the revolving movement of the transport segments 8 from the transfer point I to the transfer point II and back again can only result in an increase in the distances A are used by a corresponding movement of the transport segments 8. Depending on the design of pitch-changing drum 3 and the control of the movement sequence of the transport segments, circumferential angles of 180 degrees and more can be used. However, an opposite arrangement of the transfer point I and the transfer point II at an angle of 180 degrees has the advantage that to increase the distances A from the transfer point I to the transfer point II and the subsequent reduction in the distances A from the transfer point II to the transfer point I the same circumferential angle is available in each case, which in turn allows the maximum relative speeds of the transport segments 8 to the base body 7 of the pitch change drum 3 to be reduced to a minimum.

Since the segments 6 are stacked below to produce the energy cells in a next step to form the mono-cells 91, in a system according to the 6 preferably two or more separating devices 1 are provided, which transport segments 6 in the form of anodes 93, cathodes 95 or separators 92, 94 and separate them before further processing according to the principle described above. The segments 6 are then cut in parallel arranged separating devices 1 from a continuous web 5 and separated by increasing their distances A and then stacked on top of one another by means of a connecting device 100 to form the monocells 91 .

Furthermore, the spaced segments 6 can preferably be the anodes 93 or cathodes 95 of the energy cells, which are then placed in their spaced arrangement created by the separating device 1 on an endless web 5 of a separator material to form a composite web. In this case, two separating devices 1 can be provided, with the anodes 93 being separated in a first separating device 1 and the cathodes 95 being separated in a second separating device 1 with an increase in their distances. These isolated anodes 93 and cathodes 95 are then each placed on an endless web 5 of a separator material to form two composite webs and laminated with them in a composite process. These composite webs are then brought together in a composite device 100 and connected to one another by a further lamination process to form a double composite web, ie a superordinate composite unit. Subsequently, the monocells 91 are formed by cutting the double composite sheet through the gaps created by the gaps between the anodes 93 and between the cathodes 95 from the double composite sheet. For this purpose, the distances created or increased between the successive anodes 93 and the successive cathodes 95 are of particular importance, since this enables the double composite web to be cut to form the monocells 91 without having to cut through the anodes 93 and/or cathodes 95.

It is also conceivable to supply a web of two separator webs and spaced anodes and cathodes between them according to the structure of a monocell 91 or of two separator webs with anodes 93 arranged between them according to the structure of the closing cell 96 as the endless web 5 . The segments 6 would then be the monocells 91 or final cells 96 cut by means of the cutting device 10, which are then separated in the same way on the pitch-changing drum 3 to form larger distances from one another. The mono cells 91 and the end cells 96 can then be handled more easily with the increased distances and, in particular, can be stacked. Only a single separating device 1 would then be required for cutting and separating the segments 6 .

In the system of the invention 6 two separating devices 1 with a compound device 100 are provided. An endless web 5 of electrode material is fed to the separating device 1 on the left in the illustration, which is then cut into segments 6 according to the process described above in the separating device 1, which in turn are then separated to larger distances and placed on a conveyor belt 102 by the receiving device 4 will. A further endless web 5 made of a separator material is then placed on the segments 6 transported on the conveyor belt 102, as a result of which the segments 6 are then fixed in their spaced arrangement with the endless web 5 to form a first formation and are connected to one another by the application of pressure or, preferably, by a bonding process be fixed. The feeding of the continuous web 5 and the feeding of the segments 6 resting on the conveyor belt 102 form a first connecting device 103 of the connecting device 100 of the plant, in which the cut segments 6 are fixed with the continuous web 5 to form a first formation. The first formation then enables further processing of the continuous web 5 with the segments 6 lying against it. The same applies to the separating device 1 on the right in the illustration. as this enables a continuous, endless composite process with a very high production speed.

Two separating devices 1 are provided in the system shown. Furthermore, in the higher-level composite device 100, a second composite device 104 is provided, in which the first formations of the cut segments 6 or of the continuous webs 5 with the segments 6 arranged thereon, removed from the first composite devices 103, are combined to form a second formation in the form of a continuous web 5 made of monocells 91 are connected to one another, which can then subsequently be cut and spaced in a further separating device 1 . In this case, the segments 6 would be four-layer monocells 91 according to the structure described above. The second connecting device 104 can in particular comprise a thermomechanical connecting unit, in which the layers of the continuous webs 5 with the segments 6 arranged thereon or between them are connected to one another by lamination. However, it would also be conceivable to fix the second formation formed in the second composite device 104 solely by applying pressure and to feed it to a downstream machining process.

The term second compound device 104 does not necessarily presuppose the presence of the first compound device 103 . If no first compound device 103 is present, the segments 6 supplied by the two separating devices 1 would then be fixed in the second compound device 104 to form the second formation without first being fixed to form a first formation. The term second compound device 104 is used only for conceptual differentiation from the first compound device 103.

In the 7 an enlarged section of the system with the separating device 1 can be seen. The transfer device 4 is designed here as a transport drum that is driven to perform a rotary movement, around which a tensioning belt 105 is wrapped, which in turn also wraps around a tensioning roller 106 . The tensioning roller 106 is positioned in such a way that the tensioning belt 105 runs parallel to the transporting belt 102 in one section, starting from where it wraps around the transport drum, and from there it is guided back to the transporting drum via the tensioning roller 105 . The pitch-changing drum 3 transfers the separated segments 6 to the tensioning belt 105 of the transport drum, which then takes over the segments 6 during the revolving movement and places them on the transport belt 102 via the section running parallel to the transport belt 102 . The tensioning belt 105 of the transfer device 4 places the segments 6 in their spaced arrangement on a conveyor belt 102, which transports the segments 6 further to a point in which an endless web 5 of the separator material is laid to connect the segments 6 to form a first formation. The tensioning roller 106 deliberately has a very small diameter and preferably a smaller diameter than the transport drum, so that the tensioning belt 105 is deflected in a small radius and the segments 6 are not deflected as well. Furthermore, the tensioning roller 106 is arranged as close as possible to the feed point at which the endless web 5 is fed, so that the segments 6 arranged on the conveyor belt 102 are covered on the upper side by the endless web 5 and covered by it as soon as possible after the tensioning belt 105 has run off be fixed. The cut segments 6 are then fixed between the endless track 5 and the conveyor belt 102 . The first connecting device 103 of the connecting device 100 here includes the tensioning belt 105 which, in other words, includes the transport drum, the transfer device 4 and the tensioning roller 106 . Furthermore, the first connecting device 103 includes the feeding of the continuous web 5, in which the continuous web 5 is placed on the segments 6 to form the first formation.

In the 8th an enlarged section of an alternative separating device 1 with a pitch-changing drum 3 and a transfer device 4 formed by a conveyor belt can be seen. The pitch change drum 3 places the segments 6 in their spaced arrangement on the conveyor belt before the continuous web 5 of the separator material is placed on the segments 6 . The first formation formed in this way from the segments 6 and the continuous web 5 is then transported further by the conveyor belt and pressed together to form a composite by a second conveyor belt 101 which comes to rest on the upper side. The first connecting device 103 is implemented here by the fact that the pitch-changing drum 3 places the segments 6 directly on the conveyor belt, i.e. the transfer device 4, and by the continuous web 5 then being placed on the segments 6 as close as possible to the transfer point II of the pitch-changing drum 3. For this purpose, a deflection roller 107 is additionally provided in the first connecting device 103, which is positioned as close as possible to the transfer point II and on which the continuous web 5 is deflected and placed on the segments 6. Ideally, the distance from the deflection roller 107 to the transfer point II in the direction of movement of the conveyor belt is smaller than the length of the cut segments 6 in the direction of movement of the conveyor belt, so that in each phase of movement they are either over the transport segments 8 of the pitch-changing drum 3 or through the endless web 5 and in a short overlapping phase are fixed both by the transport segments 8 and by the endless track 5.

Both in the first compound device 103 and in the second compound device 104, the first formations are formed from the continuous webs 5 and the adjoining segments 6, and the second formation is formed from the two continuous webs 5 with the segments arranged in between and lying on one side 6 transported via a conveyor belt 102. The endless webs 5 have not yet been cut, so that the first formations and the second formations in turn form endless webs. As a result, a very high production speed can be achieved for the monocells 91 subsequently cut from the second formation.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• WO 2016041713 A1 [0003]
• DE 102017216213 A1 [0003]
• DE 102017216138 A1 [0009]

Claims (17)

Separating device (1) for cutting and separating segments (6) for energy cells from a supplied continuous web (5), wherein -a cutting device (2) is provided, by means of which the segments (6) are cut from the continuous web (5) in a predetermined length are cut, and - a pitch-changing drum (3) is provided, which is driven by a drive device to rotate about an axis of rotation (D), wherein - on a lateral surface of the pitch-changing drum (3) a multiplicity of transport segments (8) for receiving the segments (6) is provided, wherein -the transport segments (8) are arranged to be movable in relation to the radial and/or circumferential direction of the pitch-changing drum (3), and -a transfer device (4) is provided, which takes over the segments (6) from the Pitch change drum (3) takes over, characterized in that - the pitch change drum (3) and the cutting device (2) separate assemblies and / or functi are visually decoupled and/or the cutting device (2) is arranged between the supplied continuous web (5) and the pitch-changing drum (3), and - the transport segments (8) during the rotary movement of the pitch-changing drum (3) in a revolving movement from a transfer point (I ) circulate to a transfer point (II) and back again, the transport segments (8) taking over segments (6) cut from the continuous web (5) with the cutting device (2) in the transfer point (I) and increasing their distances (A ) in the circumferential direction to the axis of rotation (D) to the transfer point (II) and transferred to the transfer device (4) with the increased distances (A). Separation device (1) after claim 1 , characterized in that - the transport segments (8) in the transfer point (II) have a spacing of 1 to 10 mm, preferably 2 to 5 mm in the circumferential direction of the pitch-changing drum. Separation device (1) after claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that - a control device is provided which controls the movement of the transport segments (8) from the transfer point (I) to the transfer point (II). Separation device (1) after claim 3 , characterized in that the control device is formed by a control cam which is stationary in relation to the pitch-changing drum (3) and on which the transport segments (8) each rest with a control attachment. Separation device (1) according to one of claims 3 or 4 , characterized in that the control device comprises at least one electrically controllable actuator which controls the movement of the transport segments (8). Separation device (1) according to one of claims 3 until 5 , characterized in that - the transport segments (8) can be moved in the radial direction of the pitch-changing drum (3), and - the control device causes the transport segments (8) to move from a smaller radius (R1) in the transfer point (I) to a larger radius (R2) in the transfer point (II) controls. Separation device (1) according to one of claims 3 until 6 , characterized in that - the transport segments (8) can be moved in the peripheral direction of the pitch-changing drum (3), and - the control device moves the transport segments (8) from the transfer point (I) to the transfer point (II) at a speed with a higher peripheral speed than controls the peripheral speed of the pitch change drum (3) and from the transfer point (II) to the transfer point (I) to a smaller peripheral speed than the peripheral speed of the pitch change drum (3). Separating device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transport segments (8) have a transfer surface (9) which can be subjected to negative pressure. Separating device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cutting device (2) is formed by a cutting drum driven to rotate by means of a drive device. Separation device (1) after claim 9 , characterized in that the cutting drum is driven to rotate counter to the direction of rotation of the pitch change drum (3). Separation device (1) after claim 9 or 10 , characterized in that - the cutting drum is arranged immediately adjacent to the pitch changing drum (3), and the segments (6) in the place of least distance to the pitch-changing drum (3) to the transport segments (8) arranged in the transfer point (I). Separating device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the pitch-changing drum (3) has five, six, seven, eight, ten or twelve transport segments (8), and - the transport segments (8) in the transfer point (I) have an outer radius of 75 to 150 mm, preferably 90 mm to 125 mm in relation to the axis of rotation of the pitch change drum (3). Plant for producing stacks of individual segments (6) for energy cells, characterized in that -at least one separating device (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 12 is provided, and - the segments (6) separated by the separating device (1) are fed to a connecting device (100) which connects the segments (6) to form formations. plant after Claim 13 , characterized in that -the connecting device (100) has at least one supplied continuous web (5), wherein -the connecting device (100) has a first connecting device (103) which connects the continuous web (5) and the segments (6) to form a first formation lays on each other. plant after Claim 14 , characterized in that - the transfer device (4) is formed by a transport drum driven to rotate, and - the first connecting device (103) comprises a tensioning belt (105) surrounding the transport drum, which separates the segments (6) from the pitch-changing drum (3rd ) takes over and places it on a conveyor belt (102) or on the endless web (5). plant after Claim 14 , characterized in that - the receiving device (4) is formed by a conveyor belt on which the pitch-changing drum (3) places the segments in the transfer point (I), and - the endless web (5) is deflected via a deflection roller (107) and the segments (6) are placed, which are arranged in such a way that they are at a smaller distance from the transfer point (II) in the direction of the conveyor belt than the length of the segments (6) in the direction of transport of the conveyor belt. Plant after one of Claims 13 until 16 , characterized in that - at least two separating devices (1) are provided, and - the connecting device (100) has a second connecting device (104) which connects the segments (6) cut by the separating devices (1) to form second formations or which connects first formations formed by the first composite devices to form a second formation.

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