JP2003007259A - Battery manufacturing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent short-circuitings inside a battery case due to mixing of foreign matters. SOLUTION: A battery manufacturing device comprises a rotatable holding mechanism 2 for holding the upwardly open battery can 6, in which a battery element 7 is disposed, a rotating mechanism 3 having a spindle 3b mountable in an opening 6a of the battery can and for rotating the battery can, when the spindle is mounted in the opening of the battery can held by the holding mechanism, a bead-forming mechanism 4 for forming an inwardly projecting bead 6b on the opening side of the battery can rotated by the rotating mechanism, and a suctioning mechanism 5, having a suction pipe 5a passed through the spindle of the rotating mechanism and for sucking via the suction pipe a foreign matter mixed in the battery can, when the bead forming mechanism forms the bead on the battery can.

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a battery manufacturing apparatus. More specifically, the present invention relates to a technical field of a battery manufacturing apparatus used in a bead forming step of forming a bead of a battery can. 2. Description of the Related Art For example, in a battery manufacturing process for manufacturing a secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery, a bead forming process for forming a bead on an opening side of a battery can in which a battery element is inserted and arranged is provided. is there. The bead is formed to be convex inward by beading to prevent the inserted battery element from flying out, and the bead is formed by a battery manufacturing apparatus having a bead forming mechanism. FIG. 7 shows such a conventional battery manufacturing apparatus. The battery manufacturing apparatus a has a holding mechanism b and a rotating mechanism c.
And a bead forming mechanism d. The holding mechanism a has a supporting portion e, a supporting shaft f projecting upward from the supporting portion e, and a holding table g provided at an upper end of the supporting shaft f. It is rotatable in the direction. An urging spring h contracted between the upper surface of the support portion e and the lower surface of the holding table g is supported on the support shaft f. Therefore, the holding table g is moved by the urging spring h.
Urged upwards by The rotating mechanism c has a support i, a shaft j protruding downward from the support i, and a spindle k provided at a lower end of the shaft j. The rotation mechanism c is configured to rotate in the direction around the axis of the shaft portion j and to be movable in the up-down direction. A pressing spring 1 contracted between the lower surface of the support i and the spindle k is supported on the shaft j. Therefore, the spindle k is urged downward by the pressing spring l. The bead forming mechanism d includes a main body m in which a drive motor is disposed, a rotating shaft n protruding upward from the main body m, and a roller portion o fixed to the rotating shaft n. The roller part o is rotated along with the rotation axis n rotated by the driving force of the main body part m. The roller portion o is provided with a processing protrusion p having a disk shape and an outer peripheral portion protruding from other portions. The bead forming mechanism d is located on the side of the holding mechanism b, and is movable in a direction in which the bead forming mechanism d separates from and comes into contact with the holding mechanism b. [0008] The holding mechanism b holds a battery can q.
The battery can q has a cylindrical shape opened upward, and a battery element r formed by winding a positive electrode sheet, a negative electrode sheet, and two separators in a stacked state is disposed therein. The battery element r is pressed from above by a top insulator s. The battery can q is positioned on the holding table g and held by the holding mechanism b. In a state where the battery can q is held by the holding mechanism b, when the rotating mechanism c located above the battery can q is lowered while rotating, the spindle k is moved to the opening t of the battery can q. Be attached. At this time, the holding table g is pressed against the battery can q from below by the biasing spring h, and the spindle k is pressed from above against the battery can q, so that the battery can q is held between the holding table g and the spindle k. You. Accordingly, the rotational force of the rotation mechanism c is transmitted to the battery can q and the holding mechanism b, and the battery can q is rotated integrally with the holding mechanism b. Subsequently, the bead forming mechanism d, which has been separated from the battery can q, is moved in a direction in contact with the battery can q. At this time, the roller part o is being rotated, and the roller part o
Is pressed from the side against the portion near the upper end of the battery can q. When the processing protrusion p is pressed against the battery can q, the battery can q is rotated, so that an inwardly convex bead u is formed on the peripheral surface of the battery can q. When the bead u is formed, the bead forming mechanism d is separated from the battery can q and the rotating mechanism c is raised. The battery can q
Is usually formed of an iron material, and the surface of the battery can q is coated with nickel plating or the like in order to prevent rust or the like. Therefore, when the bead u is formed in the battery can q, the plating on the inner surface of the battery can q where the bead u is formed is peeled off and mixed into the battery can q. When the rotating mechanism c is lowered,
Spindle k rotating with respect to battery can q at rest
Contact, the plating of the opening t may come off due to the contact, or the iron material, which is the material of the battery can q, may come off and enter the battery can q as foreign matter. If nickel plating or iron material is mixed into the battery can q, a short circuit may occur inside the battery can q, resulting in a defective battery. It is an object of the battery manufacturing apparatus of the present invention to overcome the above-mentioned problems and to prevent the occurrence of a short circuit inside the battery can due to the entry of foreign matter. The battery manufacturing apparatus of the present invention comprises:
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a rotatable holding mechanism for holding a battery can that has a battery element disposed therein and opened upward, and a spindle that can be attached to an opening of the battery can are held by the holding mechanism. Rotating mechanism for rotating the battery can by mounting the spindle in the opening of the battery can, and a bead forming mechanism for forming an inwardly convex bead on the opening side of the battery can rotated by the rotating mechanism And a suction mechanism having a suction pipe inserted through the spindle of the rotation mechanism and suctioning foreign matter mixed inside the battery can through the suction pipe at the time of forming a bead of the battery can by the bead forming mechanism. It is provided. Therefore, in the battery manufacturing apparatus of the present invention,
Foreign matter mixed into the battery can is sucked by the suction mechanism and removed from the inside of the battery can. Embodiments of a battery manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The battery manufacturing apparatus 1 is provided, for example, as a part of a battery manufacturing facility for manufacturing a lithium ion secondary battery. The battery manufacturing apparatus 1 comprises a holding mechanism 2, a rotating mechanism 3, a bead forming mechanism 4, and a suction mechanism 5 (see FIG. 1). The holding mechanism 2 has a support portion 2a, a support shaft 2b protruding upward from the support portion 2a, and a holding table 2c provided at an upper end of the support shaft 2b. It is rotatable in the direction. An urging spring 2d contracted between the upper surface of the support portion 2a and the lower surface of the holding table 2c is supported on the support shaft 2b. Therefore, the holding table 2c is urged upward by the urging spring 2d. The rotating mechanism 3 has a support 3a and a spindle 3b located below the support 3a. The rotation mechanism 3 is movable in the vertical direction. Support part 3a
A pressing spring 3c is provided between the lower surface of the
Are arranged in a contracted state. Therefore, the spindle 3b is urged downward by the pressing spring 3c. The bead forming mechanism 4 comprises a main body 4a in which a drive motor is disposed, 4b protruding upward from the main body 4a, and a roller 4c fixed to the rotating shaft 4b. 4c is rotated with a rotating shaft 4b rotated by the driving force of the main body 4a. The roller portion 4c is provided with a processing protrusion 4d which has a disk shape and has an outer peripheral portion protruding from other portions. The bead forming mechanism 4 is located on the side of the holding mechanism 2, and is movable in a direction in which the bead forming mechanism 4 is separated from and attached to the holding mechanism 2. The suction mechanism 5 includes a suction pipe 5a and a pipe 5
b and a suction device 5c. Suction pipe 5a
Is inserted through the support portion 3a of the rotation mechanism 3 in a state where the spindle 3b cannot rotate. Both ends of the pipe 5b are connected to a suction pipe 5a and a suction device 5c, respectively. The holding mechanism 2 holds the battery can 6.
The battery can 6 is formed of an iron material, and the entire surface is coated by nickel plating. The battery can 6 has a cylindrical shape opened upward,
Inside, a battery element 7 formed by winding a positive electrode sheet, a negative electrode sheet, and two separators in a laminated state is disposed. The battery element 7 is pressed by the top insulator 8 from above. The battery can 6 is positioned on the holding table 2c and held by the holding mechanism 2. The operation of the battery manufacturing apparatus 1 will be described below (see FIGS. 2 to 5). When the step of inserting the battery element 7 and the top insulator 8 into the battery can 6 is completed, the battery can 6 is moved onto the holding table 2c by a moving mechanism (not shown) and held by the holding mechanism 2 (see FIG. 2). ). When the battery can 6 is held by the holding mechanism 2, the rotating mechanism 3 positioned above the battery can 6 is lowered while rotating. At this time, the suction mechanism 5 is also lowered with the rotation mechanism 3. In the battery manufacturing process, the rotating mechanism 3 is constantly rotated and the suction mechanism 5 is constantly performing suction. When the rotating mechanism 3 and the suction mechanism 5 are lowered, the spindle 3b is mounted on the opening 6a of the battery can 6 (see FIG. 3). At this time, the holding table 2c is pressed against the battery can 6 from below by the urging spring 2d, and the spindle 3b is pressed against the battery can 6 from above.
b. Therefore, the rotating force of the rotating mechanism 3 is transmitted to the battery can 6 and the suction mechanism 2, and the battery can 6 is rotated integrally with the holding mechanism 2. When the rotating mechanism 3 and the suction mechanism 5 are lowered and the spindle 3b is mounted on the opening 6a of the battery can 6, the rotating spindle 3b comes into contact with the battery can 6 in a stationary state. The contact may cause the plating of the opening 6a to peel off or the iron material that is the material of the battery can 6 to peel off. At this time, since the suction is performed by the suction mechanism 5, the peeled-off plating and iron material are sucked and removed from the inside of the battery can 6. Subsequently, the bead forming mechanism 4 that has been separated from the battery can 6 is moved in a direction in contact with the battery can 6. At this time, the roller portion 4c is being rotated, and the processing projection 4d of the roller portion 4c is pressed laterally against a portion near the upper end of the battery can 6 (see FIG. 4). When the processing protrusion 4 d is pressed against the battery can 6, the battery can 6 is rotated, so that an inwardly convex bead 6 b is formed on the peripheral surface of the battery can 6. At the time of forming the bead 6b, the plating on the inner surface of the battery can 6 where the bead 6b is formed may peel off. The plating is sucked and removed from the inside of the battery can 6. When the bead 6b is formed on the battery can 6, the bead forming mechanism 4 is separated from the battery can 6, and the rotating mechanism 4 and the suction mechanism 5 are integrally raised (see FIG. 5). As described above, the battery manufacturing apparatus 1 has the suction mechanism 5 for sucking and removing plating and the like, which are foreign substances mixed in the battery can 6, so that the mixed plating Is sucked by the suction mechanism 5 and the battery can 6
Removed from inside. Therefore, the occurrence of a short circuit inside the battery can 6 can be prevented, and a highly reliable secondary battery having good performance can be manufactured. FIG. 6 is experimental data showing the relationship between the suction pressure and the metal powder remaining inside the battery can 6. In the experiment, nickel metal powder similar to the nickel plating applied to the surface of the battery can 6 was previously placed on the top insulator 8 inside the battery can 6, and the suction mechanism 5 of the battery manufacturing apparatus 1 was operated. The suction pressure and the weight of the metal powder remaining inside the battery can 6 when the suction is performed are measured. The weight of the metal powder mixed into the battery can 6 is 10 mg
And the size is 50 to 100 μm. As shown in FIG. 6, as the suction pressure increases, the weight of the metal powder sucked increases, and when suction is performed at a negative pressure of 10 KPa, the weight of the metal powder remaining inside the battery can 6 decreases by 5%. It has been reduced to about one-third. As the above-mentioned battery can 6, one having sufficient durability against a negative pressure of 10 KPa was used, and it was confirmed that sufficient effects could be obtained by using the suction mechanism 5. Also, it is known that the size of the metal powder mixed into the battery can 6 in the actual battery manufacturing process is about 3 to 30 μm, and when the suction device 5 is used in the actual battery manufacturing process, It is presumed that an effect larger than the effect confirmed by the experiment is obtained. The specific shapes and structures of the respective parts shown in the above-described embodiments are merely examples of the embodiment of the present invention, and the technical features of the present invention are not limited thereto. The scope should not be construed as limiting. As is apparent from the above description, the battery manufacturing apparatus of the present invention comprises a rotatable holding mechanism for holding a battery can having a battery element disposed therein and opened upward, A rotating mechanism that has a spindle that can be mounted in the opening of the battery can and that rotates the battery can when the spindle is mounted in the opening of the battery can held by the holding mechanism; and a battery can that is rotated by the rotating mechanism. A bead forming mechanism for forming an inwardly convex bead on the opening side of the battery can, and a suction pipe inserted through a spindle of the rotating mechanism, and the inside of the battery can when the bead of the battery can is formed by the bead forming mechanism. And a suction mechanism for sucking a foreign substance mixed into the device through a suction pipe. Therefore, foreign matter such as plating mixed into the battery can is sucked by the suction mechanism and removed from the inside of the battery can, and the occurrence of a short circuit inside the battery can can be prevented. A battery having good performance can be manufactured.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the battery manufacturing apparatus of the present invention together with FIG. 2 to FIG. 6, and FIG. 1 is a side view of the battery manufacturing apparatus with a partial cross section. . FIG. 2 shows the operation of the battery manufacturing apparatus together with FIGS. 3 to 5, and FIG. 2 is a side view partially showing a state in which a battery can is held by a holding mechanism. FIG. 3 is a side view partially showing a state in which a rotating mechanism and a suction mechanism are lowered and a battery can is rotated. FIG. 4 is a side view showing a state in which a bead is formed in a battery can in a partly sectional view. FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional side view showing a state in which a bead is formed and a rotating mechanism, a suction mechanism, and a bead forming mechanism are separated from a battery can. FIG. 6 is a graph showing the relationship between suction pressure and metal powder remaining inside a battery can. FIG. 7 is a side view showing a part of a conventional battery manufacturing apparatus in section. [Description of Signs] 1 ... Battery manufacturing apparatus, 2 ... Holding mechanism, 3 ... Rotating mechanism, 3b
... Spindle, 4 ... Bead forming mechanism, 5 ... Suction mechanism, 5
a: suction pipe, 6: battery can, 6a: opening, 6b
Bead, 7… Battery element

Claims (1)

Claims: 1. A rotatable holding mechanism for holding a battery can having a battery element disposed therein and opened upward, and a holding mechanism having a spindle attachable to the opening of the battery can. A rotating mechanism for rotating the battery can by mounting the spindle in the opening of the battery can held in the battery can, and a bead forming an inwardly convex bead on the opening side of the battery can rotated by the rotating mechanism A suction mechanism that has a suction pipe inserted through a spindle of the rotation mechanism and suctions foreign matter mixed into the battery can through the suction pipe when the bead of the battery can is formed by the bead formation mechanism; A battery manufacturing apparatus comprising: