IT202100027887A1 - MACHINE FOR THE CREATION OF ELECTRIC ENERGY STORAGE DEVICES - Google Patents

Description

Description

MACHINE FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF STORAGE DEVICES

ELECTRIC ENERGY

Technical field

The object of the present invention is a machine for manufacturing electrical energy storage devices.

Known art

? It is currently known, in the sector of devices for the storage of electrical energy, the use of electric batteries made up of a plurality of batteries. of electrodes alternately forming an anode and a cathode, arranged in a stack. The electrodes forming the anode and cathode are separated by a separator element. The separating element? made for example of polymeric material.

To create the aforementioned electric batteries, a known system provides for example the use of a separator element formed by a single continuous ribbon, with the said anode and cathode applied on the opposite faces and alternated with each other. In particular, according to a known embodiment, called ?z-folding?, the separating belt is folded more times in alternating directions.

A machine for making electric batteries of this type? illustrated for example in the European patents EP 2569 816 and EP 2856552 and in the US patent application 2019/0229360.

The known manufacturing systems of the aforementioned electric batteries generally have a speed relatively low production.

Is he coming too? complained about the fact that the known manufacturing systems of the aforementioned electric batteries often present high complexity, poor efficiency and high production costs.

Presentation of the invention

The task of the present invention? is to solve the problems mentioned, devising a machine that allows the optimal creation of electrical energy storage devices, such as for example electric batteries made up of a plurality? of electrodes arranged in a stack, comprising at least one anode, at least one cathode and at least one separating element.

As part of this task, ? further purpose of the invention? is to provide a machine for the creation of electrical energy storage devices that ensures the achievement of a high speed? productive.

Another purpose of the invention? that of providing a machine for the creation of electrical energy storage devices that allows the dimensions of the electrical energy storage devices to be easily adjusted. A further purpose of the invention? that of providing a machine for the creation of electrical energy storage devices with a simple construction and functional concept, equipped with reliable operation, versatile use, as well as? relatively cheap in cost.

The aforementioned purposes are achieved, according to the present invention, by the machine for the production of electrical energy storage devices, such as electric batteries made up of a stack of electrodes alternately forming an anode element and a cathode element and separated by a separator element according to claim 1.

The machine for the creation of electrical energy storage devices consisting of a plurality? of stacked electrodes includes feeding means suitable for advancing a flexible ribbon comprising at least one separator element having a series of anode elements and a series of cathode elements applied in an orderly sequence.

Preferably, said anode elements and said cathode elements are applied alternately, in an ordered sequence, on said separator element of the flexible belt.

The machine comprises rotating means capable of being operated in rotation with continuous movement according to an axis of rotation and bearing a plurality distributed peripherally. of bending equipment oscillating respectively according to an axis parallel to said axis of rotation of the rotating means.

Advantageously, said folding equipment carries gripping means suitable for successively gripping said flexible ribbon in correspondence with a section interposed between said anode elements and said cathode elements.

Advantageously, said folding equipment is capable of being operated in a suitable phase relationship to perform a series of folds along orthogonal folding lines on said flexible tape gripped by said gripping means and to deposit the flexible tape thus. folded on a stacking surface.

Preferably said folds are performed in alternate directions on said flexible tape.

According to the present invention, the machine advantageously comprises a first rotating member capable of being operated in rotation with continuous movement according to a first axis of rotation and bearing distributed peripherally a plurality of of first folding equipment, oscillating respectively according to an axis parallel to said first axis of rotation, and a second rotating member adapted to be operated in rotation with continuous movement according to a second axis of rotation, parallel to said first axis of rotation of the first member rotating, and bearing distributed peripherally a plurality? of second bending crews, oscillating respectively according to an axis parallel to said second axis of rotation.

Suitably, said first rotating member and said second rotating member are arranged on opposite sides with respect to a feeding plane of said flexible belt.

Preferably said bending equipment comprises respective levers bearing at one end releases said gripping means suitable for gripping said flexible ribbon in succession.

Preferably, said levers are capable of imposing on said flexible ribbon, through said gripping means, a combined series of rotations with respect to said flexible ribbon feeding plane, to perform the accordion folding of the flexible ribbon itself.

Preferably said levers comprise respectively a rocker arm mounted oscillating on said rotating member and bearing a fulcrum at the end frees, along an axis parallel to the oscillation axis of the rocker arm itself, a rotatable body carrying said gripping means.

Preferably said gripping means are angularly rotatable between a first position of approaching the said flexible tape, to grip a corresponding portion interposed between the said anode and cathode elements, and a second position of moving away from the said flexible tape, for releasing the same flexible belt on said stacking plane.

Preferably said first rotating member and second rotating member comprise a respective pair of drums having equal diametrical dimensions and arranged coaxially at a suitable mutual distance from each other, said first and second folding equipment of the first and second rotating member being oscillating respectively on the mutually facing faces of said pair of drums. Preferably said mutual distance of said pair of drums? adjustable according to the dimensions of the electrical energy storage devices to be created.

According to an advantageous aspect of the present invention, a plurality? of said bending crews? suitable to act simultaneously on said flexible belt, in suitable phase relationship, so as to simultaneously perform a plurality of of orthogonal folds on said flexible tape corresponding to respective electrodes to be arranged in a stack.

The present invention also concerns a method for the production of electrical energy storage devices, such as electric batteries and the like, of the type comprising a stack of electrodes formed by bending a flexible ribbon comprising a separator element bearing applied alternately, in an ordered sequence, a series of anode elements and a series of cathode elements, comprising the stages of

to. operate the advancement of said flexible belt along a direction of advancement lying on a feeding surface;

b. operate in rotation with continuous movement rotating means bearing a plurality distributed peripherally? of bending equipment, oscillating respectively according to an axis parallel to the rotation axis of said rotating means;

c. successively grasping said flexible ribbon in correspondence with a section interposed between said anode elements and said cathode elements by means of gripping means carried respectively by said folding equipment;

d. using said folding equipment, perform a series of folds perpendicular to the said direction of advancement on the said flexible tape gripped by the said gripping means;

And. deposit the flexible tape like this? folded on a stacking surface.

Advantageously, the method involves gripping said flexible ribbon as it advances along said feeding plane in an alternating manner by means of gripping means carried respectively by first folding equipment and by second folding equipment associated with a first and a second rotating member arranged on opposite sides with respect to to said flexible belt feeding plane.

Advantageously, the method involves gripping said flexible tape by means of said gripping means acting in orderly succession in correspondence with successive sections interposed between said anode elements and said cathode elements, so as to simultaneously perform a plurality of of orthogonal folds on said flexible tape.

Preferably the method provides for alternatively imposing on said flexible tape, gripped by said gripping means carried respectively by said first folding equipment and by said second folding equipment, a movement of approaching said first and second rotating members, through the combined rotation of respective levers bearing at one end? frees said gripping means, to form said plurality? of orthogonal folds on said flexible tape.

Preferably, the method involves resting the newly folded portion of said flexible tape on the stack of electrodes being formed on said stacking plane, by means of the combined counter-rotation of said levers carrying said gripping means.

Brief description of the drawings

The details of the invention will be more evident from the detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the machine for the production of electrical energy storage devices, such as electric batteries and the like, illustrated by way of example in the attached drawings, in which:

figure 1 shows a schematic side view of the machine for producing electric batteries according to the present invention;

figure 2 shows a plan view of the machine for producing electric batteries in question;

figure 3 shows a perspective view of the same machine;

figure 4 shows a side view of the machine in longitudinal section to show internal members;

figure 5 shows a perspective view of the machine sectioned to show internal parts;

figure 6 shows a different perspective view of the machine according to the present invention;

figure 7 shows an enlarged view of detail A of figure 6;

figures 8 and 9 show a schematic perspective view of the flexible tape bearing the electrodes in successive folding phases.

Embodiments of the invention

With particular reference to these figures, yes? indicated as a whole with 1 is the machine for the production of electrical energy storage devices, such as electric batteries made up of a stack of electrodes formed by bending a flexible ribbon 2 comprising a separator element 20 bearing applied alternately on opposite faces, in sequence ordered, a series of anode elements 21 and a series of cathode elements 22. Said separator element 20 is made for example of polymeric material.

In particular, said anode elements 21 and said cathode elements 22 are staggered with respect to each other, along the flexible belt 2, so as to be overlapped and separated by a portion of the separator element 20, upon substantially folding accordion style of the same flexible tape 2.

Conveniently, said anode elements 21 and said cathode elements 22 have, at one end, a terminal section or flag 23 protruding laterally from the flexible belt 2. In particular, said terminal section 23 of the anode elements 21? protruding from opposite sides of the flexible ribbon 2 with respect to the end section 23 of the cathode elements 22.

Obviously ? It is possible to provide that the electrode flags are arranged differently, for example all protruding from the same side of the flexible tape 2, depending on the type of electric battery.

The machine includes feeding means 10 suitable for carrying out the advancement of the flexible belt 2 along a feeding plane of the same flexible belt 2. In the illustrated case, this feeding plane is? arranged substantially vertically. In particular, said feeding means 10 unwind the flexible tape 2 from a reel, not shown, and advance the flexible tape 2 itself along a downward, preferably vertical, direction of advancement.

The feeding means 10 comprise a pair of pressure members 11 capable of acting under pressure on the flexible belt 2 from opposite sides with respect to the feeding plane of the flexible belt 2. The pressure members 11 respectively comprise a belt member 12 which winds on appropriate rollers carried by a frame 13 so as to act under pressure with a vertical branch on the flexible belt 2, to accompany its advancement along the direction of advancement. Alternatively? It is possible to provide that the belt member is associated with suction means capable of temporarily holding the advancing flexible belt. The synchronous operation of the belt members 12 determines the advancement with continuous or alternating movement of the flexible belt 2.

The machine comprises rotating means capable of being operated in rotation with continuous movement and bearing a plurality of peripherally distributed of folding equipment capable of gripping said flexible belt 2 in succession in correspondence with a section interposed between the anode elements 21 and the cathode elements 22, and configured to perform a series of folds orthogonal to the direction of advancement on the flexible belt 2.

More? in particular, said rotating means comprise a first rotating member 31 suitable for being operated in rotation with continuous movement according to a first axis of rotation 33 and a second rotating member 32 suitable for being operated in rotation with continuous movement according to a second axis of rotation 34 , parallel to said first rotation axis 33 of the first rotating member 31 and to the feeding plane of the flexible belt 2. Preferably the rotation axes of the rotating members 31, 32 are defined by the respective drive shafts 33, 34, arranged coplanar on a plane horizontal orthogonal to the flexible belt feeding plane 2.

The drive shafts 33, 34 are driven in rotation with continuous movement by special drive members, in themselves? known and therefore not represented.

In particular, the first rotating member 31 and the second rotating member 32 are rotated in the opposite direction, with the same speed. peripheral, from opposite sides with respect to the vertical feeding plane of the flexible belt 2. Conveniently the rotating members 31, 32 have a speed of peripheral equal to the speed? advance speed of the flexible belt 2.

The first rotating member 31 and the second rotating member 32 are made in a similar manner from a construction and functional point of view. In particular, the first rotating member 31 and the second rotating member 32 are similarly constituted by a pair of drums 35 of equal dimensions, suitably spaced from each other, mounted on the drive shaft 33, 34 which defines the aforementioned rotation axis rotation of the rotating parts.

Conveniently, the mutual distance of said pair of drums 35? adjustable according to the dimensions of the electric batteries to be made, as specified below.

The first rotating member 31 and the second rotating member 32 have a respective plurality distributed peripherally. of first folding crews 41 and second folding crews 42. Said folding crews 41, 42 are oscillating according to a respective oscillation axis 43, 44 parallel to said rotation axes 33, 34 of the rotating members 31, 32.

The folding units 41, 42 of the said first rotating member 31 and second rotating member 32 are carried oscillating on the said respective pair of drums 35 respectively on the faces facing each other, which preferably develop perpendicularly to the rotation axis. More? precisely, said folding equipment 41, 42 are made up of respective levers mounted in mirror images on each pair of drums 35, so as to grip the flexible belt 2 on opposite sides, as specified below.

The folding units 41, 42 respectively comprise a rocker arm 45 mounted oscillating on the drum 35 around said oscillation axis 43, 44 and bearing a fulcrum at the end frees, along an axis 46 parallel to the oscillation axis 43, 44 of the rocker arm 45, a rotatable body 47 (see in particular fig. 7). The rotatable body 47 carries gripping means 50 suitable for gripping the flexible tape 2 in succession, on one side, in correspondence with a separation line of the said anode and cathode elements 21, 22 applied on the opposite faces of the same flexible tape 2 .

? it should be noted that said separation line of the anode and cathode elements 21, 22, at whose ends? the gripping means 50 act, defines a single folding line P of the flexible tape 2.

The gripping means 50 are suitably constituted by a gripper protruding transversely from the rotatable body 47. In particular, the gripper 50? taken to the extreme? of a lever arm 48 which is mounted rotatable angularly on the revolving body 47, according to an axis 49 orthogonal to the rotation axis 46 of the same revolving body 47.

In practice, the lever arm 48? rotatable angularly between a first position, in which the gripper 50 is approached to the flexible belt 2 to grasp a corresponding edge of the flexible belt 2, and a second position, in which the gripper 50 is away from the flexible tape 2 so as not to interfere with the flexible tape 2 itself during the gripping and subsequently releasing phases of the folded tape.

In essence, the 50 caliper? equipped with two degrees of freedom? with respect to the drum 35, defined by the rotation around the axis 43, 44 of the rocker arm 45 and the axis 46 of the revolving body 47. The movement of the folding equipment 41, 42 carrying the gripping means 50, during the rotation with continuous movement of the rotating members 31, 32, ? preferably implemented by means of special cam means, integral with a fixed frame of the machine not shown.

The caliper 50? also equipped with an opening and closing movement, to grab and release the flexible belt 2, as well as? of an axial rotation movement to follow the movement of the folding units 41, 42, as specified below.

The caliper 50? else? equipped with an alternating movement of approaching and moving away from the flexible belt 2, through the angular rotation of the lever arm 48, to grip the flexible belt 2 and release the flexible belt 2 at the end of the expected folding.

In essence, the 50 caliper? equipped with a total of five degrees of freedom. The flexible tape 2 cos? folded it is progressively deposited on a special stacking surface 9.

The operation of the machine for the production of electric batteries is easily understandable from the following description.

The flexible tape 2 is fed continuously along the direction of advancement on the vertical unwinding plane, arranged in a median position between the first rotating member 31 and the second rotating member 32. In particular, the flexible tape 32 advances at a rapid speed. equal to the speed? peripheral of the rotating organs 31, 32.

Upon exiting the feeding means 10, the flexible tape 2 is gripped in succession, on the opposite sides, by the grippers 50 carried by the folding equipment 41, 42 associated with the rotating members 31, 32. In particular, the flexible tape 2 is gripped by the grippers 50 in correspondence respectively of a section interposed between the anode elements 21 and the cathode elements 22 of the same flexible belt 2.

The mutual distance between the opposing grippers 50? suitably adjustable, depending on the width of the flexible belt 2, by varying the mutual distance between the drums 35 of the rotating members 31, 32.

To grip the flexible belt 2, the pair of opposing grippers 50 on the drums 35 of the rotating members 31, 32, initially arranged in the position away from the flexible belt 2, are moved to the closer position and then activated to close.

The combined movement of the grippers 50, carried by the bending equipment 41, 42 oscillating on the rotating members 31, 32, determines the formation of a series of orthogonal bends, with respect to the direction of advancement, on the flexible belt 2. In particular, these orthogonal bends are produced in correspondence with the fold lines P defined by the gripping points of the pliers 50 on the sides of the flexible belt 2.

More? specifically, each pair of folding equipment 41, 42, after having gripped the flexible tape 2 exiting the feeding means 10 with the relevant grippers 50, forces the same flexible tape 2 to move towards the relevant rotating member 31, 32, by the combined rotation of the rocker arm 45 and the revolving body 47, to form the fold P; the counter-rotation of the rocker arm 45 and of the rotating body 47 subsequently causes the newly folded portion of the flexible ribbon 2 to rest on the stack of electrodes being formed.

When the folded portion of the flexible tape 2 is placed on the stack of electrodes being formed, the pliers 50 are opened to release the flexible tape 2 itself and simultaneously rotated angularly into the position of removal from said flexible tape 2.

When the pile of electrodes? once completed with the expected number of electrodes, appropriate unloading means, not shown, remove the stack itself towards the further packaging phases.

For this purpose, appropriate cutting means per se? known, arranged upstream of the aforementioned feeding means 10 and in proximity to of the stack of electrodes being formed, they cut to size the portion of flexible tape 2 bearing the expected number of electrodes to be stacked.

The machine described achieves the aim of optimally creating electrical energy storage devices, such as electric batteries made up of a stack of electrodes, formed by folding a flexible ribbon comprising at least one separator element bearing applied alternately, in an ordered sequence, a series of anode elements and a series of cathode elements.

In particular, the machine for the production of electrical energy storage devices according to the present invention allows to ensure a high speed. productive.

There? ? made possible thanks to the inventive idea of carrying out the accordion folding of the flexible tape by moving folding equipment carried by rotating parts driven in rotation with continuous movement.

A prerogative of the method and the machine according to the invention? constituted by the fact that they allow you to achieve more? folds simultaneously on the flexible tape, as a plurality? of bending crews act simultaneously on the flexible strip in a suitable phase relationship, as visible in figures 8 and 9 which illustrate the flexible strip in the bending phase. By way of example, as visible in detail in fig. 4, at the moment in which a pair of bending crews places a folded portion of the flexible tape on the stack of electrodes being formed, i.e. one of the aforementioned electrodes, four other pairs of bending crews are already? gripping, from opposite sides on the flexible belt itself.

The contemporary folding, in an ordered sequence, of a plurality? of portions of flexible tape, corresponding to as many electrodes to be arranged in a stack, naturally determines a greater speed? operational and consequently a significant increase in productivity? of the car.

The machine described as an example? susceptible to numerous modifications and variations depending on different needs.

In the practical implementation of the invention, the materials used, as well as the shape and dimensions can be any according to needs.

Where the technical characteristics mentioned in each claim are followed by reference marks, such reference marks have been included for the sole purpose of increasing understanding of the claims and consequently they have no limiting value on the purpose of each element identified by way of? example from such reference marks.

Claims (10)

Claims 1) Machine for the production of electrical energy storage devices, of the type comprising a stack of electrodes formed by bending a flexible ribbon (2) comprising at least one separator element (20) bearing applied alternately, in an ordered sequence, a series of anode elements (21) and a series of cathode elements (22), said machine comprising feeding means (10) capable of operating the advancement of said flexible belt (2) along a direction of advancement on a feeding plane; rotating means (31, 32) capable of being operated in rotation with continuous movement and bearing a plurality distributed peripherally of bending equipment (41, 42) oscillating respectively according to an axis (43, 44); gripping means (50) carried respectively by said folding equipment (41, 42) and capable of gripping in succession said flexible tape (2) in correspondence with a section interposed between one of said anode elements (21) and one of said cathode elements (22) adjacent to each other; said folding equipment (41, 42) being able to be operated in a suitable phase relationship to perform a series of folds orthogonal to the direction of advancement on said flexible tape (2) gripped by said gripping means (50) and to deposit the flexible tape (2) cos? folded on a stacking surface (9). 2) Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said rotating means (31, 32) comprise a first rotating member (31) capable of being operated in rotation with continuous movement according to a first axis of rotation (33) and bearing distributed peripherally a plurality of of first folding equipment (41), oscillating respectively according to an axis (43) parallel to said first rotation axis (33); a second rotating member (32) capable of being operated in rotation with continuous movement according to a second axis of rotation (34), parallel to said first axis of rotation (33) of the first rotating member (31), and bearing distributed peripherally a plurality ? of second folding units (42), oscillating respectively according to an axis (44) parallel to said second rotation axis (34); said first rotating member (31) and said second rotating member (32) being arranged on opposite sides with respect to said flexible belt feeding plane (2); each first folding unit (41) of said plurality? of first folding equipment (41) being configured to grip said flexible tape (2) alternately with each second folding equipment (42) of said plurality? of second bending crews (42). 3) Machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said folding equipment (41, 42) comprises respective levers comprising a rocker arm (45) mounted oscillating on said rotating organ (31, 32) and bearing the ?extremity? frees, along an axis (46) parallel to the oscillation axis of the same rocker arm (45), a rotatable body (47) carrying said gripping means (50). 4) Machine according to one of the previous claims, characterized by the fact that said gripping means (50) are angularly rotatable between a first position of approach to said flexible belt (2), to grip said corresponding section interposed between said anode elements and cathode (21, 22), and a second position of removal from said flexible tape (2), for releasing the same flexible tape (2) onto said stacking plane (9). 5) Machine according to claim 2, characterized in that said first rotating member (31) and second rotating member (32) comprise a respective pair of drums (35) having equal diametric dimensions and arranged coaxially at a suitable mutual distance from each other Furthermore, said first and second folding equipment (41, 42) of the first and second rotating member (31, 32) are carried oscillating respectively on each drum of said pair of drums (35), preferably on the faces arranged facing each other. 6) Machine according to claim 5, characterized in that said mutual distance of said pair of drums (35) is ? adjustable according to the dimensions of the electrical energy storage devices to be created. 7) Method for making electrical energy storage devices, of the type comprising a stack of electrodes formed by bending a flexible ribbon (2) comprising at least one separator element (20) bearing applied alternately, in an ordered sequence, a series of anode elements (21) and a series of cathode elements (22), characterized in that it includes the phases of to. operate the advancement of said flexible belt (2) along a direction of advancement on a feeding plane; b. operate in rotation with continuous movement rotary means (31, 32) bearing a plurality distributed peripherally of bending crews (41, 42), oscillating respectively according to an axis (43, 44); c. successively grasp said flexible tape (2) in correspondence with a section interposed between one of said anode elements (21) and one of said cathode elements (22) adjacent to each other by means of gripping means (50) carried respectively by said equipment bending (41, 42); d. perform by means of said bending equipment (41, 42) a plurality? of folds along fold lines (P) orthogonal to said direction of advancement on said flexible belt (2) gripped by said gripping means (50); And. deposit the flexible tape (2) like this? folded on a stacking surface (9). 8) Method according to claim 7, characterized by the fact that it involves gripping said flexible tape (2) as it advances along said feeding plane in an alternating manner by means of gripping means (50) carried respectively by first folding equipment (41) and by second folding equipment (42) associated respectively with a first and a second rotating member (31, 32) arranged on opposite sides with respect to said flexible tape feeding plane (2). 9) Method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized by the fact that it involves gripping said flexible tape (2) by means of said gripping means (50) acting in orderly succession in correspondence with successive sections interposed between said anode elements (21) and the said cathode elements (22), so as to simultaneously perform said plurality? of folds. 10) Method according to one of claims 7 - 9, characterized in that said anode elements (21) and said cathode elements (22) are applied alternatively, in ordered sequence, on said separator element (20) of the flexible belt (2 ).