JP2000048775A - Battery manufacturing equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce an installation space, stably operate, and easily ensure high productivity by rotating a posture fixing dial and a next process taking dial in an adjusted phase in order to correct carrying supply of a battery to be worked resulting from defective battery ejection. SOLUTION: When a defective battery 2' is ejected from batteries 2 to be worked, a motor with clutch brake 9 linked with an adjusting shaft 7c of a phase adjusting drive mechanism 7 is driven, the adjusting shaft 7c and an input shaft 7b of the phase adjusting drive mechanism 7 are overlapped each other, and the output shaft 7b increase speed and rotates. In order to correct carrying supply of the batteries 2 resulting from the rejection of the defective battery 2', phase adjustment of a posture fixing dial to a next process taking dial 6 is made easy, the batteries 2 are smoothly supplied to the next process taking dial 6. The number of rotation of the adjusting shaft 7c of the phase adjusting drive mechanism 7 can be detected with a rotational sensor 10.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing a battery, and more particularly, to discharging a defective battery in a process of transporting and supplying a battery to be processed, and appropriately transporting and supplying the battery to be processed to a next process to improve productivity. The present invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing a battery to be improved.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, cordless electronic devices such as portable telephones and portable notebook personal computers and small-sized measuring devices are being developed. As a driving power source for these electronic devices, the spirally structured electrode portion is mounted in a cylindrical battery container (exterior can) also serving as a cathode terminal, while a required electrolyte is injected and then a positive electrode terminal is formed. A cylindrical battery having a configuration in which a battery is insulated and hermetically sealed by being insulated is widely used. That is, cylindrical or prismatic nickel-metal hydride rechargeable batteries and lithium rechargeable batteries have been developed, and with the practical application of these tubular batteries, the performance of tubular batteries has been improved. Also, the speeding up of the production line is being promoted.

[0003] By the way, in a production line of cylindrical batteries, generally, in a so-called flow operation, a transport device (transport path), for example, a conveyor or a turntable, transports and supplies between assembly machines, and uses a rotary dial. The method of taking in the next process from the conveyance path is adopted. That is, batteries to be processed (for example, cylindrical outer cans to be processed) are sequentially supplied and transported to the assembling process, taken out from the transport path to the next step, subjected to required processing, and then returned to the transport path to be returned to the next step. Is carried out by a method of transporting and supplying to a user.

Further, in order to improve the quality and reliability of the battery, the quality of the workpiece (battery to be processed) is controlled at the time of transportation and supply to the next process, and the battery to be processed is determined to be defective. Are discharged from the transport path. That is, after the previous process, the processed body is inspected, and if it is determined that the workpiece is defective, the workpiece is discharged from the transport path by the defective product discharge dial, and the workpiece determined to be non-defective in the next process (the workpiece to be processed in the next process). ) Is supplied and conveyed.

[0005] FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the configuration and arrangement of a main part of a battery manufacturing apparatus used in a conventional cylindrical battery manufacturing line. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 1 denotes a transport path for transporting and supplying a processed battery (for example, a battery outer can) 2 in an aligned manner, and 3 denotes a defective product in the processed battery 2 which is disposed on the transport path 1 and transported and supplied. The defective product detection sensor 4 is a posture fixing dial which is disposed along the downstream transport path 1 of the defective product detection sensor 3 and temporarily fixes the battery 2 to be processed on the transport path 1.

Reference numeral 5 denotes a battery 2 which is disposed along the transport path 1 so as to face the attitude fixed dial 4 and which is determined to be defective among the batteries temporarily fixed by the attitude fixed dial 4. ′ Is a defective product discharge dial for removing suction from the conveyance path 1. Here, a timing belt (not shown) is stretched between the rotating shafts of the attitude fixing dial 4 and the defective product discharging dial 5, and is configured to rotate synchronously.

Further, reference numeral 6 denotes a next step dial which is disposed along the transport path 1 on the downstream side of the attitude fixed dial 4 and takes in the battery 2 to be processed from the transport path 1.

[0008]

However, in the case of the above battery manufacturing apparatus, there are the following problems, and there is a problem that productivity and the like are easily impaired. That is, of the battery to be processed conveyed and supplied along the conveyance path 1, for example, the outer can 2 which is determined to be defective in terms of dimensions and shape by the defective product detection sensor 3 among the outer can 2 also serving as one electrode terminal. 'Is temporarily fixed on the conveyance path 1 by the attitude fixing dial 4 similarly to the other batteries 2 to be processed. Then, the conveying path 1 is moved by the defective discharge dial 5 arranged oppositely.
Eliminated from above.

The elimination (discharge) of the defective outer can 2 ′ from the transport path 1 reduces the number of the outer cans 2 on the transport path 1. Disturbance occurs in the transport supply. That is, the thinning of the outer cans 2 or reduction of the number of the outer cans 2 on the transport path 1 lowers the pressing pressure in the traveling direction of the outer cans 2, so that the outer cans 2 are caught by the next process intake dial 6,
There is a risk that the operation of the manufacturing apparatus will be stopped.

In order to prevent the outer can 2 from being caught in the next process take-in dial 6, the size of the next process take-in dial 6 can be increased, and the amount of accumulation of the outer can 2 on the transport path 1 can be detected by a sensor, and the next process take-in can be performed. There is a means for temporarily decelerating or stopping the dial 6. However, an increase in the size of the dial 6 for the next process leads to an increase in the size of the manufacturing apparatus as a whole and an increase in installation space, which is a major factor in cost increase. On the other hand, temporary deceleration or stoppage of the dial 6 for the next process can prevent a decrease in productivity, but the operation is complicated and cannot be said to be a practically sufficient measure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a battery manufacturing apparatus capable of saving space and stably operating, and easily ensuring good productivity. I do.

[0012]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a transport path for transporting and supplying a battery to be processed in an aligned manner, and detecting defective products in the battery to be transported and supplied arranged in the transport path. A defective product detection sensor, an attitude fixed dial disposed along the downstream transport path of the defective product detection sensor and temporarily fixing a battery to be processed on the transport path, and a phase adjustment drive for rotationally driving the attitude fixed dial. A mechanism is disposed along the transport path opposite to the attitude fixed dial, and the battery that is determined to be defective among the batteries temporarily fixed by the attitude fixed dial is not removed from the transport path by suction. A non-defective product dial, a timing belt that is stretched between the rotation axes of the fixed position dial and the defective product discharge dial, and synchronously rotates both dials; and a downstream transport of the fixed position dial. Are arranged along the, to correct the next step taken dial incorporating a conveying path to be processed cell, the conveying feed of the work cell with the defective discharge,
An apparatus for manufacturing a battery, comprising: a rotation drive mechanism configured to rotate a phase-adjusting dial and a dial for taking a next process in phase to rotate the dial.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the battery to be processed is
For example, an outer can with one end opening also serving as one electrode terminal, a form in which part or all of the electrode element is filled and built in the outer can, or a state in which the opening of the outer can is sealed by filling and incorporating the electrode element, This is a mode of processing until commercialization.

In the first aspect of the present invention, the transport path is generally a belt conveyor, and it is possible to adopt a mode in which the battery to be processed is mounted on a so-called carrier when the battery is transported and supplied. An example of a defective product detection sensor for discriminating a non-defective product from a non-defective product which is transported and supplied on the transport path includes an optical image sensor such as a CCD camera. Along with the above, it is installed for each dial that incorporates the next process.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the suction removal mechanism of the defective product discharge dial for discharging the defective product in the battery to be processed, which is temporarily fixed by the attitude fixing dial, is, for example, a suction by a vacuum or a pressure reducing system, or an electromagnetic device. This is a configuration that responds to the transport of the pre-defective product detection sensor and the battery to be processed, and has a suction function in opposition to the fixed posture of the battery to be processed determined as a defective product.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a main configuration of a battery manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a side view. In FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a transport path for transporting and supplying the processed battery 2 in an aligned manner, and reference numeral 3 denotes a non-defective product 2 'in the processed battery 2 which is disposed on the transport path 1 and transported and supplied. A non-defective sensor. Here, the transport path 1 is a belt conveyor that travels in a certain direction by a drive mechanism (not shown), and the defective product detection sensor 3 is an image captured by a mechanism having, for example, a CCD camera. Is compared with a reference (standard) image, and if they do not match, it is determined as a defective product 2 ′, and a signal is output to the defective product discharge dial 5 side.

Further, reference numeral 4 denotes a fixed position dial which is disposed along the transfer path 1 downstream of the defective product detection sensor 3 and temporarily fixes the battery 2 to be processed on the transfer path 1, and 7 denotes a fixed position dial. A phase adjustment drive mechanism for rotating and driving 4;
Is disposed along the transport path 1 so as to face the fixed attitude dial 4, and transfers the processed battery 2 ′, which is determined to be defective in the processed battery 2 temporarily fixed by the attitude fixed dial 4, to the transport path 1. This is a defective product discharge dial that removes suction from the product.

Here, the attitude fixing dial 4 and the defective product discharge dial 5 are synchronously rotated via a timing belt (not shown) stretched between their rotating shafts.
Further, the defective product discharge dial 5 is provided with a vacuum system on its outer peripheral edge corresponding to the fixing of the position of the position fixing dial 4 and capable of individually opening and closing to adsorb and release the battery 2 ′ determined to be defective. I have. Note that the fixed attitude dial 4 has an input shaft 7a,
It is configured to be rotationally driven by a phase adjustment drive mechanism 7 having an output shaft 7b and an adjustment shaft 7c.

Further, reference numeral 6 denotes the position fixing dial 4.
Is a dial that is disposed along the downstream transport path 1 and that takes in the battery 2 to be processed from the transport path 1 in the next process.
The dial 6 for taking in the next process is connected to the main drive system of the manufacturing apparatus, and is driven to rotate. The dial 6 is taken out to a required processing system such as a built-in or mounted electrode element, and is returned to the transport path 1 when the processing is completed. .

When the rotation shaft of the dial 6 for taking in the next process and the input shaft 7a of the phase adjustment drive mechanism 7 contributing to the rotation drive of the attitude fixing dial 4 are normal, the gear 8
Rotate synchronously via. That is, when the defective product 2 'is not discharged by the defective product discharge dial 5,
Input shaft 7a and output shaft 7b of phase adjustment drive mechanism 7 are 1: 1
Is driven at the ratio of

On the other hand, when one defective product 2 ′ is discharged from the battery 2 to be processed during transportation and supply, the motor 9 with the clutch brake connected to the adjustment shaft 7 c of the phase adjustment drive mechanism 7 is driven.
Is driven, and the adjustment shaft 7c and the input shaft of the phase adjustment drive mechanism 7 are driven.
The output shaft 7b is rotated at an increased speed due to the overlap of 7a. In other words, in order to correct the transport and supply of the processed battery 2 accompanying the discharge of the defective product 2 ′, the phase adjustment of the attitude fixing dial 4 with respect to the next process take-in dial 6 is easily performed. 2 will be carried out properly.

The adjustment shaft 7c of the phase adjustment drive mechanism 7
The number of rotations is detected by a rotation sensor 10 and input to a PLC (programmable controller) to count the number of rotations. Stops.

In the above-described battery manufacturing apparatus, the defective battery 2 'is detected from the battery 2 to be processed which is transported and supplied to the next step on the transport path, and is discharged (excluded) from the transport path.
When the number of batteries 2 to be transported and supplied to the next process side decreases, the rotation speed of the attitude fixing dial 4 increases, and the supply of the batteries 2 to be processed is accelerated by the decrease. That is, the battery 2 to be processed is constantly conveyed and supplied to the dial 6 for the next process, and the pressing pressure in the traveling direction of the battery 2 is kept constant. Problems such as being bitten by 6 are eliminated.

The present invention is not limited to the above examples, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. That is, in the above, the case of the quality determination of the outer can itself for the cylindrical battery, the elimination of the defective product, and the next process (for example, the interior of the battery element) are illustrated. And the like may be arranged in multiple stages to form a so-called manufacturing line.

[0026]

As can be seen from the above examples, claim 1
According to the invention, even if the interval between the defective product discharge dial and the next process dial, that is, the transport supply distance to the next process dial is short, not only the defective product is discharged but also the battery to be processed is stabilized in the next process dial. This can greatly contribute to improving the productivity of battery manufacturing. In addition, since the space can be saved when the manufacturing apparatus is installed, it is possible to stably convey and supply (the operation efficiency is improved).
Together, this also contributes to a reduction in battery manufacturing costs.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a main configuration of a battery manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing a main configuration of the battery manufacturing apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a main configuration of a conventional battery manufacturing apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Conveyance path 2 ... Battery to be processed 2 '... Defective product 3 ... Defective product detection sensor 4 ... Attitude fixed dial 5 ... Defective product discharge dial 6 ... Next process dial 7 ... Phase adjustment drive mechanism 7a Input shaft 7b Output shaft 7c Adjustment shaft 8 Gear 9 Motor with clutch brake 10 Rotation sensor

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A transport path for transporting and supplying a battery to be processed in an aligned manner, a defective product detection sensor arranged in the transport path for detecting a defective product in the battery to be transported and supplied, and the defective product detection sensor A fixed position dial for temporarily fixing a battery to be processed on the transfer path, a phase adjusting drive mechanism for rotating and driving the fixed position dial, and a transfer facing the fixed position dial. A defective product discharge dial that is disposed along the path and that removes, from the transport path, a defective battery that is determined to be defective in the processed battery temporarily fixed by the posture fixing dial, A timing belt that is stretched between the rotation shafts of the non-defective product dials and that synchronously rotates both dials; And a rotary drive mechanism that rotates the phase-adjusting dial and the next process intake dial in phase to correct the transport supply of the battery to be processed due to the defective product discharge. An apparatus for manufacturing a battery, comprising: