JP2011035088A - Method and apparatus for manufacturing lithium ion capacitor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method of manufacturing a lithium ion capacitor with excellent mass productivity, which enhances the permeability to an electrode group of nonaqueous electrolyte, and by which it is easy to store lithium ions in a negative electrode preliminarily, for a lithium ion capacitor in which the electrode group with a metal lithium arranged therein and the nonaqueous electrolyte are stored in a cylindrical case, and in which the cylindrical case is sealed. <P>SOLUTION: A thin-plate metal lithium and a copper foil laminate are preliminarily arranged in an electrode group while they are insulated from a positive electrode plate. The electrode group and a nonaqueous electrolyte are housed in a cylindrical case, and the cylindrical case is sealed to obtain an assembly. The assembly is left for a predetermined time period so that the metal lithium is melted to be stored in a negative electrode active material. In a time period of the whole or part of the predetermined time period where the assembly is left, the assembly is rotated in a circumferential direction of the cylindrical case while an axis direction of the cylindrical case is kept to be horizontal. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a lithium ion capacitor and a method for manufacturing the lithium ion capacitor, and more particularly, to a method for manufacturing a lithium ion capacitor and a device for manufacturing the lithium ion capacitor including lithium metal for previously occluding lithium ions in a negative electrode active material.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, while environmental problems have been highlighted, power storage devices have attracted attention as main energy sources or auxiliary power sources for clean energy power storage systems such as solar power and wind power generation, and for moving bodies such as automobiles and hybrid electric vehicles. Conventionally, lead batteries, nickel metal hydride batteries, and lithium ion batteries are known as power storage devices, and in particular, research and development of lithium ion batteries have been actively conducted recently.

  In addition, recently, research and development of a large capacity (for example, 500 F or more) lithium ion capacitor or hybrid capacitor combining the advantages of a lithium ion battery and the advantages of an electric double layer capacitor has been performed (for example, Patent Document 1). 2). In general, a lithium ion capacitor uses activated carbon as a positive electrode active material and a carbon material capable of occluding and releasing lithium ions as a negative electrode active material. The positive and negative electrodes are arranged through a separator and are non-aqueous containing lithium salt. The structure infiltrated with the electrolyte is adopted.

  The lithium ion capacitor has a negative electrode potential that is kept lower than that of a normal electric double layer capacitor because lithium ions are previously occluded or doped in the negative electrode, so that the operating voltage range can be widened. As a charge / discharge mechanism, in addition to adsorption of anions used in ordinary electric double layer capacitors, adsorption of cations can be used, so that the capacity can be doubled in principle. In addition, although it has a smaller capacity than a lithium ion battery, it has the advantages of low internal resistance and excellent output characteristics and a long life. As a technique related to the present invention, there is disclosed a lithium ion capacitor in which metallic lithium for occluding or doping lithium ions is wound in an electrode group (see Patent Document 3).

  Moreover, the lithium ion using the tripolar laminated unit by which the electrode group was comprised by the positive electrode and negative electrode which were laminated | stacked alternately via the separator, and the lithium electrode was arrange | positioned so that a lithium electrode might oppose a negative electrode in the lamination direction A capacitor is disclosed (see Patent Document 4). In the production of this lithium ion capacitor, in order to properly adjust the permeation state of the electrolyte and suppress the fluctuation range of the lithium ion doping amount in the electrode surface, when inserting or doping lithium ions into the negative electrode, The electrode surfaces of the electrodes are arranged so as to intersect with the direction of gravity. And the upper and lower sides of the electrode lamination unit are inverted every predetermined period.

JP 2007-294539 A JP 2006-286841 A JP 2007-0667105 A JP 2008-300667 A

  As described above, research and development of lithium ion capacitors are active, but as far as the inventors know, they have not yet been put into the market as specific mass-produced products. In addition, as long as the patent gazette is referred to, most of the experimental techniques are prior to mass production, and there is room for future research on the technology of lithium ion capacitors that can be specifically mass produced and manufacturing techniques that are suitable for mass production.

  In view of the above circumstances, the present invention provides an electrode group in which a positive electrode plate coated with an active material mixture on a metal foil and a negative electrode plate coated with an active material mixture on a metal foil via a separator; , A non-aqueous electrolyte, a cylindrical container containing the electrode group and the non-aqueous electrolyte, and a thin plate-like metal disposed in the electrode group or adjacent to the electrode group and insulated from the positive electrode plate Lithium, an electrode group in which the metallic lithium is disposed, and a lithium ion capacitor in which the nonaqueous electrolytic solution is accommodated in the cylindrical container and the cylindrical container is sealed, is excellent in mass productivity, and the nonaqueous electrolysis It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for manufacturing a lithium ion capacitor that enhances the permeability of the liquid to the electrode group and that can easily store lithium ions in the negative electrode in advance. It is another object of the present invention to provide a manufacturing apparatus.

In order to solve the above problems, a first aspect of the present invention is a separator comprising a positive electrode plate in which an active material mixture is applied to a metal foil and a negative electrode plate in which an active material mixture is applied to a metal foil. A method of manufacturing a lithium ion capacitor comprising: an electrode group wound through a nonaqueous electrolyte solution; and a cylindrical container containing the electrode group and the nonaqueous electrolyte solution. is there.
A thin plate-shaped metallic lithium is previously disposed in the electrode group or in a state of being insulated from the positive electrode plate adjacent to the electrode group, and the electrode group in which the metallic lithium is disposed and the non-aqueous electrolyte are placed in the cylindrical container. Assemble the lithium ion capacitor in a container and seal the cylindrical container. The sealed assembly is left for a predetermined period so that the metallic lithium dissolves and is absorbed by the negative electrode active material constituting the active material mixture of the negative electrode plate, and the whole or a part of the predetermined period is left. Then, the assembly is rotated in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical container while maintaining the axial direction of the cylindrical container to be horizontal (Claim 1). The circumferential rotation may rotate the assembly around a horizontal axis outside the cylindrical container (Claim 2) or around a central axis of the cylindrical container. The assembly may be rotated (claim 3).

In the first aspect, the operation of arranging the metallic lithium in the electrode group may be arranged by winding the metallic lithium in at least one place before the winding start of the negative electrode plate, during winding, or after winding. (Claim 4).
This arrangement is preferably performed so that the metallic lithium faces the negative electrode plate (Claim 5). Further, this arrangement can be performed by dividing the negative electrode plate into at least two in the longitudinal direction and winding the metallic lithium between the divided negative electrode plates.
Further, the metallic lithium wound and arranged in at least one place is preferably wound in one turn or less (Claim 7).

  1st aspect WHEREIN: It is preferable that the said metallic lithium is electrically connected with the negative electrode electrical power collector with which the active material mixture of the said negative electrode plate was apply | coated (Claim 8). Furthermore, preferably, the metallic lithium includes a tab forming portion in which a tab is formed on one side along the longitudinal direction, and a perforated forming portion in which a plurality of through holes are formed adjacent to the tab forming portion. It is used as a laminated body in which at least one surface is in contact with and held in the perforated forming part of the metal foil. The metal foil of the laminate is electrically connected to the negative electrode current collector coated with the active material mixture of the negative electrode plate (claim 9). The laminated body may be a laminated body in which metallic lithium is held in contact with and sandwiched between the perforated forming portions of the two metal foils (Claim 10).

  Moreover, in order to solve the said subject, the 2nd aspect of this invention is the positive electrode plate by which the active material mixture was apply | coated to metal foil, and the negative electrode plate by which the active material mixture was applied to metal foil, An electrode group wound through a separator, a non-aqueous electrolyte, a cylindrical container containing the electrode group and the non-aqueous electrolyte, and the positive electrode plate in the electrode group or adjacent to the electrode group A thin plate-like metal lithium arranged in an insulated state, and a set of lithium ion capacitors in which the electrode group in which the metal lithium is arranged and the non-aqueous electrolyte are contained in the cylindrical container and the cylindrical container is sealed In the manufacturing apparatus, the assembly is rotated in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical container in a state in which a solid body is maintained so that the axial direction of the cylindrical container is horizontal. The manufacturing apparatus includes a rotating member that is driven to rotate about a horizontal axis, and an accommodating portion of the assembly that is disposed within a rotating surface of the rotating member, and the accommodating portion is disposed at a plurality of locations. In addition, each accommodating portion accommodates the assembly so that the axial direction of the cylindrical container is horizontal.

According to the present invention, an electrode group in which a thin plate-like metallic lithium is arranged and a nonaqueous electrolyte solution are accommodated in a cylindrical container and the cylindrical container is sealed, and the axial direction of the cylindrical container becomes horizontal. In this state, the cylindrical container is rotated in the circumferential direction, so that the nonaqueous electrolytic solution still free in the cylindrical container can be smoothly and uniformly permeated into the electrode group.
In addition, referring to the technique shown in Patent Document 4, the assembly may be left to stand so that the axial direction of the cylindrical container is horizontal, and the horizontal direction may be inverted every predetermined period. Conceivable. However, in such a means, the non-aqueous electrolyte remains in the thin plate until the non-dissolved thin plate-like metallic lithium prevents the non-aqueous electrolyte from moving and the horizontal direction is turned upside down. Therefore, the nonaqueous electrolyte solution cannot be rapidly and uniformly penetrated into the electrode group. According to the present invention, since the assembly is rotated in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical container while the axial direction of the cylindrical container is maintained horizontal, the non-aqueous electrolyte that is free in the cylindrical container Can continuously move in the circumferential direction in the cylindrical container, and smooth penetration of the non-aqueous electrolyte into the electrode group can be achieved.

  In addition, by rotating the assembly in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical container while maintaining the axial direction of the cylindrical container to be horizontal, the metallic lithium is dissolved to form the active material mixture of the negative electrode plate. It is possible to obtain an effect of being able to promote occlusion in the negative electrode active material.

It is sectional drawing of the lithium ion capacitor of embodiment which can apply this invention. (A) is a top view before winding of the electrode plate of the lithium ion capacitor of embodiment, (B) is a top view of the electrical power collector which comprises an electrode plate. It is an expanded sectional view showing typically the lead piece formation part neighborhood of an electrode plate. (A) is a top view which shows typically the state by which a slurry is applied to an electrode plate within a coating machine, (B) is a block diagram which shows the outline of a coating machine. (A) is sectional drawing which shows typically the state by which the active material mixture was coated from the coating port arrange | positioned on the one surface side with respect to the perforated formation part of a collector, (B) is a collector. It is sectional drawing which shows typically the state by which the active material mixture was applied from the coating port arrange | positioned at both sides to the perforation formation part of a body. It is a block diagram which shows an electrode plate forming apparatus typically. It is a top view which shows the cutting position where an aluminum foil is cut | disconnected with a cutting device. (A) is an external perspective view of a laminated body, (B) is sectional drawing of a laminated body. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the state before winding an electrode group. It is an external appearance perspective view which shows an electrode group typically. It is a block diagram which shows typically the center part of a winding apparatus. It is an external appearance perspective view which shows the electrode group of other embodiment typically. It is an appearance perspective view showing the manufacturing device of an embodiment typically.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<Overall configuration>
As shown in FIG. 1, the manufacture of a lithium ion capacitor 30 (hereinafter abbreviated as capacitor 30) of this embodiment includes a steel-bottomed cylindrical container (can) 8 plated with nickel. Yes. In the cylindrical container 8, a strip-shaped positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate are wound through a separator on a polypropylene shaft core 1 having a hollow cylindrical shape and a plurality of slits (three in this example) formed in the vertical direction. The electrode group 7 is accommodated. In this example, the cylindrical container 8 has an outer diameter of 40 mm and an inner diameter of 39 mm.

<Positive electrode>
As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the positive electrode plate 2 is made of, for example, a positive electrode active material mixture containing activated carbon as a positive electrode active material on both surfaces of an aluminum foil (positive electrode current collector) W1 having a thickness of 20 μm. W2 is applied (see also FIG. 1). The aluminum foil W1 is notched in a comb shape on one side along the longitudinal direction, and a positive electrode lead piece 2a made up of the remaining portion of the notch and a hole in which a number of through holes are formed adjacent to the positive electrode lead piece 2a. And a forming part. Further, the perforated forming part has a through hole non-formed part where a through hole is not formed at a location adjacent to the lead piece forming part along the longitudinal direction. The positive electrode active material mixture W2 described above is applied to the perforated portion with a length that is less than the length in the width direction of the perforated portion.

In this example, the positive electrode plate 2 is set to the following dimensions: length in the longitudinal direction = 2800 mm, length a in the width direction a = 90 mm, length b in the width direction of the perforated forming portion = 60 mm, uncoated Length c = 30 mm in the width direction of the part, length β = 0.5 mm in the width direction of the through hole non-formed part of the perforated part, and single-sided coating thickness of the positive electrode active material mixture W2 in the perforated part = 40 μm (80 μm on both sides), bulk density of positive electrode active material mixture W2 = 0.5 g / cm ³ . In addition, as will be described in detail later, the length α in the width direction in which the mixture is applied by the slurry flow before the positive electrode active material mixture W2 is dried from the slurry coating width e of the perforated forming portion is set to α = 0. .2 mm (approximately equivalent to the width of one through hole). The through holes formed in the perforated forming portion are circular with a diameter of 0.2 mm, the opening ratio is 20%, and the through holes are formed substantially uniformly per unit area. Further, the interval d between the adjacent positive electrode lead pieces 2a is set to 50 mm, and the width f of the positive electrode lead pieces 2a is set to 5 mm. Note that the final coating width of the positive electrode active material mixture is (e + α), the length b in the width direction of the perforation forming portion is b = e + (α + β), and the positive electrode active material mixture from the tip of the positive electrode lead piece 2a is Uncoated width = c + β.

  As shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 3, the cross section of the end portion on the positive electrode lead piece 2a side of the perforated forming portion coated with the positive electrode active material mixture W2 is, as described above, the slurry coating width. e to the outermost through hole (closest to the through hole non-formed portion) in the slurry state before the positive electrode active material mixture W2 is dried, It is inclined obtusely with respect to the work surface (see angle δ).

<Negative electrode>
On the other hand, the negative electrode plate 3 also has substantially the same structure as the positive electrode plate 2. That is, in the negative electrode plate 3, for example, a negative electrode active material mixture W4 capable of inserting and extracting lithium ions is coated on both surfaces of a copper foil (negative electrode current collector) W3 having a thickness of 16 μm. The copper foil W3 is notched in a comb shape on one side along the longitudinal direction, and is arranged adjacent to the negative electrode lead piece 3a composed of the remaining portion of the cutout and a large number of through holes. And a perforated forming portion. Further, the perforated forming part has a through hole non-formed part where a through hole is not formed at a location adjacent to the lead piece forming part along the longitudinal direction. The negative electrode active material mixture W4 described above is applied to the perforated forming portion with a length that is less than the length in the width direction of the perforated forming portion.

In this example, the negative electrode plate 3 is set to the following dimensions: length in the longitudinal direction = 3000 mm, length in the width direction a = 92 mm, length in the width direction of the perforated forming portion b = 62 mm, uncoated Length c = 30 mm in the width direction of the portion, length β in the width direction of the through hole non-formed portion of the hole forming portion = 0.5 mm, single-sided coating thickness of the negative electrode active material mixture W4 in the hole forming portion = 20 μm (40 μm on both sides), bulk density of negative electrode active material mixture W4 = 1.0 g / cm ³ . Further, as will be described in detail later, the length α in the width direction in which the mixture is applied by the slurry flow before the negative electrode active material mixture W4 is dried from the slurry coating width e in the perforated forming portion. .2 mm (approximately equivalent to the width of one through hole). The through holes formed in the perforated forming part are circular with a diameter of 0.2 mm, the aperture ratio is 20%, and the through holes are formed substantially uniformly per unit area. Further, the interval d between the adjacent negative electrode lead pieces 3a is set to 50 mm, and the width f of the negative electrode lead piece 3a is set to 5 mm. Note that the final coating width of the negative electrode active material mixture is (e + α), the length b in the width direction of the perforated formation portion is b = e + (α + β), and the negative electrode active material mixture from the tip of the negative electrode lead piece 3a is Uncoated width = c + β.

  Similarly to the positive electrode plate 2, the cross-section of the end portion on the negative electrode lead piece 3 a side of the perforated formation portion coated with the negative electrode active material mixture W 4 is from the slurry coating width e as described above. In the slurry state before the material mixture W4 is dried, the material mixture W4 flows to the outermost through hole (closest to the through hole non-formed part) and enters the through hole, so that the coating surface of the slurry coating width e is applied. And obtusely inclined.

<Electrode group>
As shown in FIG. 1, the positive electrode plate 2 and the negative electrode plate 3 have a spiral cross section around the shaft core 1 through two paper separators 4 having a thickness of 50 μm so that the two electrode plates do not directly contact each other. The electrode group 7 is formed by winding. In addition, although the laminated body (refer code | symbol 20A, 20B of FIG. 10) is wound in the electrode group 7, the content is mentioned later. The positive electrode lead piece 2a and the negative electrode lead piece 3a described above are arranged on the opposite sides of the electrode group 7 and protrude from the end of the separator 4 by a predetermined length (for example, 4 mm). The electrode group 7 is set to a predetermined inner diameter (for example, 9 mm) and a predetermined outer diameter (for example, 38 ± 0.1 mm) by adjusting the lengths of the positive electrode plate 2, the negative electrode plate 3, the separator 4, and the like. Has been. In addition, the winding termination | terminus part of the electrode group 7 is being fixed by sticking an adhesive tape in order to prevent unwinding.

<Capacitor structure>
Below the electrode group 7, a copper negative electrode current collection ring 6 for collecting the potential from the negative electrode plate 3 is disposed so as to face the lower end side end face of the electrode group 7. The outer peripheral surface of the lower end portion of the shaft core 1 is fitted to the inner peripheral surface of the negative electrode current collecting ring 6. The tip of the negative electrode lead piece 3a led out from the negative electrode plate 3 is joined to the outer peripheral edge of the negative electrode current collecting ring 6 by ultrasonic welding. A copper negative electrode lead plate 9 for electrical continuity is disposed below the negative electrode current collecting ring 6, and the negative electrode lead plate 9 is joined to the inner bottom portion of the cylindrical container 8 also serving as a negative electrode external terminal by resistance welding. ing. The negative electrode current collecting ring 6 and the negative electrode lead plate 9 are covered with a resin insulating material 11 such as an epoxy resin, and the resin insulating material 11 is arranged from the upper part of the negative electrode current collecting ring 6 to the inner bottom surface of the cylindrical container 8. A configuration can be employed. In this case, the bottom of the cylindrical container 8 is filled with the resin insulating material 11.

  On the other hand, on the upper side of the electrode group 7, an aluminum positive electrode current collecting ring 5 for collecting the electric potential from the positive electrode plate 2 substantially on the extension line of the shaft core 1 so as to face the upper end surface of the electrode group 7. Is arranged. The positive electrode current collecting ring 5 is fitted to the upper end portion of the shaft core 1. The tip of the positive electrode lead piece 2a led out from the positive electrode plate 2 is joined to the periphery of the flange integrally protruding from the periphery of the positive electrode current collecting ring 5 by ultrasonic welding.

  A container lid 12 also serving as a positive electrode external terminal is disposed above the positive electrode current collecting ring 5. The container lid 12 includes a lid case 12a disposed on the lower side and a lid cap 12b disposed on the upper side, and these are laminated so that the periphery of the lid case 12a is caulked to the lid cap 12b. It is assembled. The lid case 12a has a cleavage groove that is cleaved when the internal pressure increases. One side of two positive electrode lead plates 10 in which ribbon-like aluminum foils are laminated is joined to the upper surface of the positive electrode current collecting ring 5. The other side of the positive electrode lead plate 10 is joined to the outer bottom surface of the lid case 12a that constitutes the container lid 12. The other ends of the two positive electrode lead plates 10 are also joined.

  The container lid 12 is caulked on the upper part of the cylindrical container 8 through a resin gasket 13 having insulating properties and heat resistance. For this reason, the inside of the capacitor 30 is sealed. In the cylindrical container 8, a nonaqueous electrolyte solution (not shown) in an amount capable of infiltrating the entire electrode group 7 is injected before the sealing. Examples of the non-aqueous electrolyte include phosphorus hexafluoride as a lithium salt in a solvent in which ethylene carbonate (EC), dimethyl carbonate (DMC), and diethyl carbonate (DEC) are mixed at a volume ratio of 30:50:20. What melt | dissolved 1 mol / liter of lithium acid (LiPF6) can be used. In addition, the rated capacity of the capacitor 30 of this example is 700F.

<Laminated metal lithium and copper foil laminate>
Here, a thin plate-like metal lithium for occluding lithium ions in the negative electrode active material (in this example, amorphous carbon) of the negative electrode plate 2 will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the thin plate-like metallic lithium W5 is used as a laminated body 20 sandwiched between two copper foils W3. The same copper foil W3 that constitutes the negative electrode plate 3 can be used by cutting the copper foil W3 into a predetermined dimension. That is, the copper foil W3 is adjacent to the tab forming portion in which the tab 20a (which is the same as the negative electrode lead piece 3a but called a tab for avoiding confusion) is formed on one side along the longitudinal direction. The metal lithium W5 is sandwiched in contact with the hole forming portions of the two copper foils W3. As described in the negative electrode plate 3, the through holes formed in the perforated forming portion are circular with a diameter of 0.2 mm, the aperture ratio is 20%, and the through holes are formed substantially uniformly per unit area. ing.

  The area of the hole forming part formed in the copper foil W3 is larger than the area of the metal lithium W5, and the metal lithium W5 is arranged at the center of the hole forming part. When the metal lithium W5 is sandwiched between the perforated forming portions formed on the copper foil W3 and the metal lithium W5 and the copper foil W3 are stacked and pressed with a roll, the metal lithium W5 exhibits viscosity, and the copper foil W3, the metal lithium W5, It can be set as the laminated body 20 of the copper foil W3.

  According to the laminate 20 of the present embodiment, when the metallic lithium W5 is sandwiched between the copper foils W3 from both sides, the workability of attaching the copper foil W3 to the metallic lithium W5 is improved as compared to the case where the metallic lithium W5 is attached to one side. That is, when automating the process of affixing the copper foil W3 to the metal lithium W5 using a method of press-contacting with a roll or the like, if the copper foil W3 is to be affixed to only one side, the metal lithium W5 that directly touches the roll Since it sticks to the surface, a part of the lithium metal W5 tends to remain on the peripheral surface of the roll, and there is concern about stable work. Moreover, if the metallic lithium W5 remains stuck on the roll peripheral surface, a rapid oxidation reaction is likely to occur, which is dangerous. In order to avoid this, if a secondary material such as paper is used and direct contact between the metallic lithium W5 and the roll peripheral surface is avoided, distortion occurs due to the difference in elongation between the copper foil W3 and the paper at the time of pressure contact, and wrinkles Occurrence and in the worst case, cutting of metallic lithium W5 and copper foil W3 occurs. By sandwiching the metallic lithium W5 from both sides with the copper foil W3, the above-mentioned concerns can be avoided, and the productivity is greatly improved.

  Moreover, the laminate 20 in which the metallic lithium W5 is sandwiched from both sides by the copper foil W3 is easy to handle. That is, since the bending strength of the laminate 20 is higher than when the copper foil W3 is attached to one surface of the metal lithium W5, there is no concern that wrinkles or the like are generated during handling. In addition, since the cutting strength is high, there is an advantage that the metal lithium W5 is safe because it is difficult to cut, and the metal lithium W5 does not peel off during handling.

  The tab 20a is formed in a comb shape by cutting out the copper foil W3, and a plurality of tabs 20a are preferably formed at a predetermined interval. However, as described above, the copper foil W3 of the negative electrode plate 3 is shared. In this example, as will be described later, the metal lithium W5 provided as the stacked body 20 is placed (inserted) and wound around the inner peripheral portion and the outer peripheral portion of the electrode group 7 (see FIG. 10). ), The tab 20a of the laminated body 20 arranged and wound around the inner periphery may be one. The tabs 20a formed on the two copper foils W3 are led out in the same direction. The copper foil W3 has a through hole non-formed portion where a through hole is not formed at a location adjacent to the tab forming portion of the perforated forming portion along the longitudinal direction (the width β in FIG. To have).

  Further, the total filling amount of metallic lithium W5 (in this example, the total amount of metallic lithium W5 of the two laminated bodies 20 arranged and wound on the inner peripheral portion and the outer peripheral portion) is the active material mixture of the negative electrode plate 3. The amount of lithium ions that can be occluded in the negative electrode active material is set to a value that can be occluded sufficiently, but such total filling amount is logically calculated in consideration of the material and amount of the negative electrode active material, and the lithium ion is actually occluded. It can be set by checking whether it has been fully occluded. Thereby, the area and thickness of the metal lithium W5 when the metal lithium W5 of the laminate 20 is mass-produced can be set. In this example, a thickness of 500 μm was selected as the metallic lithium W5.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the metallic lithium W5 is wound around the inner peripheral portion (in the vicinity of the shaft core 1) and the outer peripheral portion in the electrode group 7 as the laminate 20 (see FIG. 10). ). That is, it is inserted and wound before winding and after winding of the negative electrode plate 3 so as to be disposed on the winding extension line of the negative electrode plate 3 between the two surfaces of the separator 4 sandwiched between the negative electrode plates 3 (see FIG. 9), but the details of the arrangement or winding will be described later.

<Preparation of active material mixture>
First, a positive electrode active material mixture and a negative electrode active material mixture are prepared. The positive electrode active material mixture includes, for example, activated carbon having a specific surface area of 1000 m ² / g or more as a positive electrode active material, an acrylic binder as a binder, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) as a dispersant, and acetylene black as a conductive additive. A positive electrode slurry is prepared by mixing with conductive carbon powder such as 85: 7: 3: 5 in a weight (mass) ratio, adding water (dispersing solvent) thereto and kneading.

  On the other hand, the negative electrode active material mixture includes, for example, an amorphous carbon capable of occluding and releasing lithium ions as a negative electrode active material, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) as a binder, and acetylene black as a conductive additive. The carbonaceous carbon material is mixed so that the weight (mass) ratio is 90: 5: 5, and the dispersion solvent N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP) is added and kneaded to prepare a negative electrode slurry.

<Coating>
Next, the application of slurry to the current collector will be described. Hereinafter, in order to simplify the explanation, the application of slurry to the aluminum foil W1 is exemplified, but the same applies to the copper foil W3. As shown in FIG. 4 (B), the coating on the aluminum foil W has four coating heads 21A, 21B, 22A and 22B each having a coating port, and a stirrer (not shown). This is performed by a coating device 21 including slurry storage tanks 21C and 21D that supply slurry to the head. The positive electrode slurry produced as described above is temporarily stored in the slurry storage tanks 21C and 21D.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the coating apparatus 21 of this example applies a slurry of double width in the width direction of the positive electrode plate 2 with the coating head 21A and the coating head 21B. By applying a slurry of double width in the width direction of the positive electrode plate 2 with the head 22A and the coating head 22B, the positive electrode plate 2 for a total of four times the width is simultaneously applied.

  The aluminum foil W supplied from the aluminum foil supply unit is conveyed in a substantially vertical direction (in the direction of arrow V in FIG. 4) in the coating device 21 via a driving roller and a driven roller (not shown) (see also FIG. 6). . The length of the aluminum foil W is set to A in the width direction intersecting the transport direction. The coating head 21 </ b> A and the coating head 21 </ b> B are disposed on one surface side (front surface side) and the other surface side (back surface side), respectively, with respect to the aluminum foil W being conveyed. The mouth and the coating head of the coating head 21 </ b> B are arranged at a position shifted by a distance D (for example, 50 mm) in the vertical direction (see FIG. 4B). Similarly, the coating head 22A and the coating head 22B are respectively disposed on one side and the other side of the aluminum foil W to be conveyed, and the coating port of the coating head 22A and the coating head 21B The coating port is arranged at a position shifted by a distance D (for example, 50 mm) in the vertical direction. For this reason, in this example, as shown in FIG. 4A, the coating head 22B, the coating head 22A, the coating head 21B, and the coating head from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction of the aluminum foil W. Arranged in the order of 21A. The coating head 22B, the coating head 22A, the coating head 21B, and the coating head 21A are arranged so as to be shifted in the vertical direction. The coating heads are arranged with respect to the width of the aluminum foil W. This is because the total width is large.

  The length of the coating head of each coating head 21A, 21B, 22A, 22B with respect to the width direction (direction intersecting the transport direction) of the aluminum foil W being transported is twice the slurry coating width e of the aluminum foil W1. 2e, and the coating ports of the coating heads 21A and 21B are arranged in order of one end (in the width direction) with reference to one side end (the right end shown in FIG. 4A) of the aluminum foil W being transported. The right end is arranged at the position c + (α + β), and the other end (left end) in the width direction is arranged at the position {c + (α + β) + 2e}. On the other hand, the coating ports of the coating heads 22A and 22B have one end (left end) in the width direction as c + (α + β) in order with respect to the other end (left end shown in FIG. 4A) of the aluminum foil W being conveyed. ) And the other end (right end) in the width direction are arranged at a position {c + (α + β) + 2e}. An interval of c + 2 (α + β) is set between the left end of the coating port of the coating heads 21A and 21B and the right end of the coating port of the coating heads 22A and 2B.

  In the coating apparatus 21, the slurry stored in the slurry storage tanks 21C and 21D is supplied to the coating heads 21A, 21B, 22A and 22B by applying a predetermined air pressure to the slurry storage tanks 21C and 21D. By applying a predetermined air pressure to the working heads 21A, 21B, 22A, 22B, the slurry is applied to the aluminum foil W being conveyed from the coating port of each coating head with a substantially uniform thickness on both the front and back surfaces. can do.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, for example, the slurry discharged from the coating port of the coating machine 22B discharges the air in the through-hole formed in the aluminum foil W to be conveyed to the other side (surface ) Side and the slurry is discharged from the coating port of the coating head 22A disposed on the other surface side of the coating head 22B with respect to the aluminum foil W to be conveyed. As shown, the slurry is also applied to the other side of the aluminum foil W being conveyed.

<Drying>
As shown in FIG. 6, a dryer 29 is disposed on the downstream side of the coating device 21. The slurry (including the dispersion solvent) applied to the aluminum foil W is conveyed in a substantially vertical direction through the coating device 21 to the dryer 29, and from the slurry coating width 2e by the coating device 21, As described above, the slurry flows to the through hole closest to the through hole non-formed portion and enters the through hole (see also FIG. 3), so that the slurry coating width on the aluminum foil W is 2 (E + α), and the coating width increases by 2α (see also FIG. 7).

  In the dryer 29, heat sources such as a plurality of heaters are arranged at predetermined intervals on both sides in the horizontal direction with respect to the aluminum foil W conveyed in the vertical direction, and the dispersion solvent is evaporated from the slurry coated on the aluminum foil W. Is. The aluminum foil W coated with the slurry is conveyed in the dryer 29 in a substantially vertical direction, and the dispersion solvent constituting the slurry is evaporated by heating with a heat source such as a heater, and the aluminum foil W has a positive electrode active material mixture. Are coated in a width of 2 (e + α) (see FIG. 7), and after drying, they are wound into a roll by a winding device having a pipe-shaped core made of metal or various plastics as a core.

<Lead piece formation>
The positive electrode plate wound out in a roll form from the dryer 29 is transferred to a lead piece forming apparatus and pulled out, and the positive electrode lead pieces 2a are removed at predetermined intervals by cutting out the aluminum foil W portion c not coated with slurry. Form. The above-described notch is provided with a dedicated roller pair 23 in which a blade having a predetermined shape is embedded in a metal roller, and the two rollers constituting the dedicated roller pair 23 are both drive rollers, and the positive plate passes through the roller pair. By doing so, a plurality of positive electrode lead pieces 2a are formed at predetermined intervals on the aluminum foil W portion where the slurry is not applied. This step may be a step of operating a press device equipped with a punched body in which a blade is embedded in a predetermined shape in conjunction with the intermittent feed of the positive electrode plate, instead of the dedicated roller pair 23.

<Press>
A heat roller pair 24 that presses both surfaces of the aluminum foil W coated with the positive electrode active material mixture at a predetermined linear pressure is disposed on the downstream side of the dedicated roller pair 23. The two rollers constituting the heat roller pair 24 are both drive rollers, and a heat source such as a nichrome wire or a heat lamp is built in the rollers. The aluminum foil coated with the positive electrode active material mixture is conveyed between the heat roller pair 24 and set to the above-described thickness and bulk density. In addition, the specific gravity of the positive electrode active material mixture with respect to the positive electrode slurry is 1.25, the solid content is 30%, and the specific gravity of the negative electrode active material mixture with respect to the negative electrode slurry is 1.30 through the above drying and pressing steps. The solid content is 50%.

<Separation>
A loop mechanism 25 and a cutting device 26 are disposed on the downstream side of the heat roller pair 24. The loop mechanism 25 adjusts the conveyance of the aluminum foil W coated with the positive electrode active material mixture to the cutting device 26, and the cutting device 26 uses the aluminum foil W coated with the positive electrode active material mixture. Is separated into four positive electrode plates 2 in the width direction.

  The loop mechanism 25 is composed of five rollers for loop-transporting the aluminum foil W in a kite shape. One of the five rollers is movable in the horizontal direction and is always biased by a spring in the direction of arrow H. For this reason, when the aluminum foil W is cut by the cutting device 26, even if the conveyance of the aluminum foil W is stopped in the cutting device 26, one roller is urged by a spring and moved in the horizontal direction. The tension of the aluminum foil W can be kept constant.

  The cutting device 26 is disposed on the downstream side of the loop mechanism 25, and is a plate-like base that can move (advance and retreat) with respect to the aluminum foil W. And a driving roller disposed on both sides of the pedestal and the cutter. The driving roller operates with a driving source different from the conveyance driving source of the aluminum foil W up to the loop mechanism 25.

  In the cutting device 26, the conveyance of the aluminum foil W is stopped at the time of cutting (the rotation of the driving roller described above is stopped), the pedestal is advanced to the aluminum foil W side, and the cutter is placed on the pedestal via the aluminum foil W. The aluminum foil W is separated into four positive electrode plates 2 in the width direction by advancing in the direction at a predetermined speed.

  FIG. 7 shows the cutting position of the aluminum foil W by the cutting device 26. Here, for confirmation, the difference between the slurry coating width and the active material coating width will be briefly described by comparing FIG. 4 and FIG. 7. As described above, the slurry coating width is 2e, the uncoated width at both ends is c + (α + β), and the uncoated width between the two slurry coated widths is {c + 2 (α + β)} (see FIG. 4). ). On the other hand, since the slurry coating width increases by 2α by the time it is conveyed to the dryer 29, the active material coating width is 2 (e + α) and the uncoated widths at both ends are c + β, 2 as shown in FIG. The uncoated width between the two active material coating widths is c + 2β.

  The positive electrode lead piece 2a described above is formed on both sides (left end side and right end side) of the aluminum foil W, and the positive electrode lead piece 2a is also formed at the center between the mixture coating widths coated with the positive electrode active material mixture. It is formed. Further, the center of the mixture application width 2 (e + α) on which the positive electrode active material mixture is applied is also cut. Therefore, by adopting such a coating method and a cutting method, the width of the aluminum foil W can be saved by the length c of the positive electrode lead piece 2a, and the positive electrode lead corresponding to the double width of the positive electrode plate can be saved. The pieces 2a can be formed at a time.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the cutting device 26, the aluminum foil W coated with the positive electrode active material mixture is separated into four in the width direction by batch processing by a predetermined distance. During this time, the above-described one roller of the loop mechanism 25 moves in the direction of the arrow H in FIG. 6 and the tension in the loop mechanism 25 of the aluminum foil W is maintained. When cutting by the cutting device 26 (separation of four sheets in the width direction of the positive electrode plate 2 by the cutter) is completed, the pedestal and the cutter are moved away from the aluminum foil W, and the drive roller is rotated. As a result, the above-described one roller of the loop mechanism 25 moves to the opposite side of the arrow H direction in FIG. 6 to maintain the tension of the aluminum foil W in the loop mechanism 25 and to be newly (continuously) cut. The portion of the aluminum foil W to be transferred is conveyed to the cutting device 26.

<Winding>
On the downstream side of the cutting device 26, a positive electrode plate take-up reel for winding the hoop-shaped positive electrode plate 2 separated into four positive electrode plates 2 in the width direction is disposed at a predetermined interval. The positive electrode plate take-up reel starts to rotate in synchronization with the rotation of the driving roller described above, and the separated positive electrode plate 2 for four times the width is wound around the positive electrode plate take-up reel in a roll shape. Thereby, the positive electrode plate 2 wound up in roll shape (hoop shape) can be obtained.

  In addition, the negative electrode plate 3 wound up in roll shape can also be obtained by the same method. Moreover, when producing the rolled copper foil W3 of the laminated body 20 wound up in a roll shape, as compared with the case of producing the negative electrode plate 3, application of slurry (application of active material mixture), drying, Since no pressing is required, the aluminum foil supply unit may supply the loop mechanism 25 or the cutting device 26 directly, or simply without performing the processing in the coating device 21, the dryer 29, and the heat roller pair 24. You may make it pass.

<Turn>
In the electrode group 7, the positive electrode plate 2 and the negative electrode plate 3 are not in direct contact via the two separators 4 with the axial core 1 as the winding center, and the positive electrode plate 2 and the two laminates 20 are directly connected. It is configured by being wound so as not to touch. Hereinafter, for the sake of convenience, the separator disposed on the innermost periphery of the electrode group 7 (contacts the peripheral surface of the shaft core 1) is 4A, the separator disposed on the outermost periphery of the electrode group 7 is 4B, and the inner periphery of the electrode group 7 The laminated body arrange | positioned at a part is demonstrated as 20A, and the laminated body arrange | positioned at the outer peripheral part of the electrode group 7 is demonstrated as 20B.

  When the arrangement of the electrode group 7 before winding is disassembled and described, as shown in FIG. 9, a group can be formed by the laminated body 20A, the negative electrode plate 3, and the laminated body 20B, and behind that (the paper surface of FIG. 9). By arranging the separator 4A on the back side, the positive electrode plate 2 behind the separator 4B, and the separator 4B behind the separator 4A, the short circuit between the constituent members described above can be prevented even when wound.

  Formation (winding) of the electrode group 7 is performed by a winding device. FIG. 11 schematically shows the main part (central part) of the winding device 27 used in this example. The winding device 27 has an axis rotation part (not shown) that can be mounted and rotated with the axis 1. A separator 4B and a positive electrode plate supply unit are disposed on the upper portion of the shaft rotation unit. From the upper right of the winding shaft, in the clockwise direction, a positive electrode plate supply unit that supplies the positive electrode plate 2, a first separator supply unit that supplies the separator 4A, a laminate supply unit that supplies the laminate 20, and the negative electrode plate 3 Are arranged in the order of a negative electrode plate supply section for supplying a separator and a second separator supply section for supplying a separator 4B. Each supply section is provided with a cutter (not shown) for cutting a hoop-shaped supply by a predetermined length. In addition, it has a conveyance roller and a conveyance guide (not shown).

  When the operator depresses the operation button, the shaft core 1 is mounted on the shaft core rotating unit by a robot arm (not shown), and the supply of the separators 4A and 4B is started from the first and second separator supply units, respectively, and the axis is centered by the adhesive tape. Secure to. After fixing, the rotation of the shaft core 1 and the supply of the separators 4A and 4B from the first and second separator supply units are resumed. Thus, the separators 4A and 4B are wound around the shaft core 1 at least once, preferably 2 to 3 times (see also FIG. 9).

  Next, the stacked body 20 is supplied from the stacked body supply unit. A cutter (not shown) of the stacked body supply unit cuts the hoop-shaped stacked body 20 by a length corresponding to one turn of the winding, and stops the supply of the stacked body 20 from the stacked body supply unit. Such control can be performed, for example, by managing the number of pulses using an encoder for control monitoring and monitoring the number of rotations of the shaft core 1. The stacked body 20 supplied in this way corresponds to the above-described stacked body 20A. Next, the supply of the negative electrode plate 3 is started from the negative electrode plate supply unit, and is wound for one or more rounds. In other words, the winding of the negative electrode plate 3 is started after the stack 20A is wound. Subsequently, the supply of the positive electrode plate 2 is started from the positive electrode plate supply unit. As described above, since the positive electrode plate 2 has a shorter length in the longitudinal direction than the negative electrode plate 3, the winding of the positive electrode plate 2 ends more than one turn earlier than the negative electrode plate 3.

  The positive electrode plate supply unit cuts the positive electrode plate 2 to a predetermined length with a cutter (not shown), and stops the supply of the positive electrode plate 2. The negative electrode plate 2 is still supplied from the negative electrode supply unit. However, when a predetermined length is supplied, like the positive electrode plate 2, the negative electrode plate 2 is cut by a cutter and the supply of the negative electrode plate 2 is stopped. Next, the stacked body 20 is supplied again from the stacked body supply unit. In other words, after the negative electrode plate 3 is wound, the winding of the stacked body 20 is started. A cutter (not shown) of the stacked body supply unit cuts the stacked body 20 from the stacked body supply unit by a length corresponding to one turn of winding and stops the supply of the stacked body 20. The stacked body 20 supplied in this manner corresponds to the above-described stacked body 20B.

  The first and second separator supply sections continue to supply the separators 4A and 4B, and the separators 4A and 4B are cut with a cutter when the length reaches at least one turn, preferably 2 to 3 turns. Then, the supply of the separators 4A and 4B is stopped (see also FIG. 9). Therefore, the separators 4A and 4B are not cut during winding. The shaft rotating section still rotates the shaft 1 and continues to rotate until the separators 4A and 4B constitute the outer periphery of the electrode group 7, and after stopping the rotation of the shaft 1, it is cut repeatedly and the end position is set. Match. Next, in order to prevent unwinding of the separators 4 </ b> A and 4 </ b> B wound around the outer periphery of the electrode group 7, an adhesive tape is attached along the longitudinal direction of the electrode group 7. Adhesion of the adhesive tape is performed by a tape application unit not shown. Next, the electrode group 7 (axial core 1) is detached from the axial core rotating part by a robot arm (not shown), and placed on a mounting table having a support part arranged at a predetermined position for supporting the axial core 1, The winding of one electrode group 7 is completed.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, the laminates 20A and 20B are composed of the surface of the separator 4A between which the negative electrode plate 3 is sandwiched (the surface on the paper surface side of the separator 4A shown in FIG. 9) and the back surface of the separator 4B (see FIG. 9). The separator 4 </ b> B is wound between the two surfaces of the separator 4 </ b> B and is wound so as to be disposed on the winding extension line of the negative electrode plate 3. The stacked body 20 </ b> A is wound before the negative electrode plate 3 is wound, and the stacked body 20 </ b> B is wound after the negative electrode plate 3 is wound. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 10, it is possible to obtain the electrode group 7 in which the laminated bodies 20 </ b> A and 20 </ b> B are inserted and wound on the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side of the electrode group 7, respectively. In FIG. 10, the positive electrode lead piece 2a, the negative electrode lead piece 3a, and the tab 20a are omitted.

<Assembly>
As shown in FIG. 1, after the positive electrode lead piece 2 a is deformed and all of the positive electrode lead pieces 2 a are gathered and brought into contact with each other in the vicinity of the peripheral surface of the positive electrode current collecting ring 5 substantially on the extension line of the axis 1 of the electrode group 7 The tip portion and the peripheral surface of the positive electrode lead piece 2a are ultrasonically welded to join the positive electrode lead piece 2a to the peripheral surface. On the other hand, the connecting operation between the negative electrode current collecting ring 6 and the negative electrode lead piece 3a is also joined in the same manner as the joining operation between the positive electrode current collecting ring 5 and the positive electrode lead piece 2a. The tip portions of the tabs 20a of the stacked bodies 20A and 20B are also joined to the negative electrode current collecting ring 6 in the same manner. The tab 20a and the negative electrode lead piece 3a are joined to the negative electrode current collecting ring 6 at the same time.

The means for electrically connecting the laminate 20 to the negative electrode plate is not necessarily limited to the above, and the following may be performed without providing the tab 20a.
(1) The laminated body 20 is connected to the winding start portion (corresponding to the inside of the winding group) of the negative electrode plate 3 by welding, rivet, or pressure bonding.
(2) The laminated body 20 is connected to the end portion of the negative electrode plate 3 (corresponding to the outside of the winding group) by welding, rivet, or pressure bonding.
(3) The positive and negative electrode plates are cut in the middle of winding and the laminate 20 is welded, riveted, or crimped to connect to the end of the negative electrode plate, and further, the laminate is attached to the end of the new negative electrode plate that continues to be wound. The opposite end side of 20 is connected by welding or rivet or crimping, and further winding is performed. During this operation, the separator is not cut until the end of winding. The positive and negative electrode plates may be cut a plurality of times.
(4) Combine at least one of the operations (1) to (3).
(5) The laminate 20 is disposed so as to be in direct contact with the negative electrode plate at at least one of a winding start portion, a winding end portion, and a winding intermediate portion. Neither the positive electrode plate nor the separator is cut in the middle.
(6) An active material layer non-formation part (current collector exposed part) is formed in advance on the negative electrode plate at the winding start part, or at the winding end part, or in the middle of the winding, and the active material layer is not formed. It arrange | positions so that the laminated body 20 may contact a part directly. Neither the positive electrode plate nor the separator is cut in the middle.

  Thereafter, an insulating coating is applied to the entire circumference of the positive electrode current collecting ring 5. That is, the adhesive tape is wound one or more times from the peripheral surface of the positive electrode current collecting ring 5 to the outer peripheral surface of the electrode group 7 to form an insulating coating, and the electrode group 7 is inserted into the cylindrical container 8. For the insulating coating, for example, an adhesive tape in which the base material is polyimide and an acrylate-based adhesive is applied on one surface thereof can be used.

  A negative electrode lead plate 9 for electrical conduction is welded to the negative electrode current collecting ring 6 in advance, and after the electrode group 7 is inserted into the cylindrical container 8, the cylindrical container is utilized using the inner periphery of the shaft core 1. 8 and the negative electrode lead plate 9 are joined by resistance welding. Next, it is preferable to inject a predetermined amount of epoxy resin using the inner periphery of the shaft core 1. In this case, as described above, since a plurality of slits are formed in the longitudinal direction in the shaft core 1 (see also FIG. 9), the epoxy resin passes through these slits to the inner bottom surface of the cylindrical container 8. The negative electrode lead plate 9 and the negative electrode current collector ring 6 are covered so as to be buried with an epoxy resin. When a predetermined time elapses, the injected epoxy resin is solidified to form the resin insulating material 11.

  On the other hand, a positive electrode lead plate 10 is welded to the positive electrode current collecting ring 5, and the other end of the positive electrode lead plate 10 is connected to the lower surface of the container lid 12 for sealing the cylindrical container 8 (the outer bottom surface of the lid case 12a). ). As described above, the container lid 12 includes the lid case 12a and the lid cap 12b, which are assembled in advance by laminating them and caulking the periphery of the lid case 12a. The lid case 12a is formed with a cleavage groove that is cleaved when a predetermined internal pressure is reached for safety when the internal pressure of the lithium ion capacitor increases due to some abnormality. The internal pressure of the lithium ion capacitor is released by the cleavage of the cleavage groove.

  Next, a predetermined amount of non-aqueous electrolyte is injected into the cylindrical container 8 using the inner periphery of the shaft core 1. Such an injection is preferably in a low temperature environment to ensure safety. As described above, since the shaft core 1 has a plurality of slits, the electrode group 7 is infiltrated into the non-aqueous electrolyte through these slits. After that, the cylindrical lead 8 is covered with the container lid 12 so that the positive electrode lead plate 10 is folded, and caulked with a gasket 13 to be sealed, thereby producing an assembly of the capacitor 30.

<Occlusion of lithium in negative electrode active material>
Next, in the production of the capacitor 30 according to the present embodiment, a method for occluding the laminated bodies 20A and 20B in the negative electrode active material (amorphous carbon) of the metal lithium W5 will be described.

  In this example, the assembly of the capacitor 30 is left in a storage room managed at a predetermined temperature (for example, room temperature) for a predetermined period (for example, 2 weeks to 4 weeks), so that the non-aqueous electrolyte is supplied to the electrode group 7. The lithium ion is occluded in the negative electrode active material. Since the tabs 20a of the laminates 20A and 20B are joined to the negative electrode current collecting ring 6 together with the negative electrode lead piece 3a, the metallic lithium W5 is dissolved by being left for a predetermined period due to the potential difference between the negative electrode potential and the lithium potential. And occluded in the negative electrode active material (amorphous carbon) of the negative electrode plate 3. Thereby, the metallic lithium W5 sandwiched between the stacked bodies 20A and 20B is dissolved, and only the two copper foils W3 are left and disposed in each of the stacked bodies 20A and 20B.

Here, while the capacitor 30 assembly is left for a predetermined period, the assembly is maintained so that the axial direction of the cylindrical container 8 is horizontal. Then, the assembly is rotated in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical container 8 during the whole period or a part of the period left for a predetermined period. For the circumferential rotation, a method of rotating the assembly around a horizontal axis outside the cylindrical container 8 can be adopted. Further, a method of rotating the assembly around the central axis of the cylindrical container 8 may be adopted. FIG. 13 is an external perspective view schematically showing a manufacturing apparatus for rotating the assembly of the capacitor 30 around a horizontal axis outside the cylindrical container 8. This manufacturing apparatus includes a rotating member 32 that is driven to rotate about a horizontal shaft 31 and a capacitor 30 that is disposed within the rotating surface of the rotating member 32 (in the present embodiment, the disk-shaped rotating member 32 itself). And a three-dimensional housing portion 33. The accommodating portion 33 accommodates the assembly so that the axial direction of the cylindrical container 8 is horizontal. The accommodating part 33 is arrange | positioned in the rotation member 32 at multiple places. The assembly of the capacitor 30 is accommodated in each accommodating portion 33, and the rotating member 32 is rotated around the horizontal shaft 31. The rotational speed is not particularly limited, but is preferably 1.7 × 10 ^{−2 to} 3.5 × 10 ⁻⁴ rpm (1 time / minute to 0.5 times / day) that is less affected by centrifugal force.

  The operation of rotating the rotating member 32 in which the assembly of the capacitor 30 is accommodated in each accommodating portion 33 is preferably the entire period during which the assembly of the capacitor 30 is left for a predetermined period. In addition, the operation of rotating only for a part of the period of leaving for a predetermined period may be performed to promote the permeation of the non-aqueous electrolyte released in the cylindrical container 8 into the electrode group 7. If the non-aqueous electrolyte uniformly penetrates into the electrode group 7, the process in which metallic lithium is dissolved and occluded in the negative electrode active material constituting the active material mixture of the negative electrode plate is naturally promoted.

  It is preferable to rotate the assembly of the capacitor 30 in the same direction as the direction in which the positive and negative electrode plates and the separator constituting the electrode group 7 are directed toward the winding center, because the nonaqueous electrolyte can be easily permeated through the electrode group 7.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which the laminated body 20 is inserted and wound at two locations on the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side of the electrode group 7 is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the laminate 20 may be inserted and wound at one place in the electrode group 7. In such a configuration, the negative electrode plate is divided into two, and the laminate 20 is wound between the two negative electrode plates, and the negative electrode plate is sandwiched between the two separators 4A and 4B sandwiched between the negative electrode plates. It is wound so as to be arranged on the extension line. In this aspect, it is preferable to arrange the laminated body 20 at the center of winding (for example, in the middle of the length from winding start to winding end). The positive electrode plate may be divided into two so as to face the negative electrode plate. Also in this aspect, it is preferable that the separators 4A and 4B are wound in the electrode group 7 without being cut halfway, as in this embodiment. The laminate 20 does not necessarily have to be disposed on the winding extension line of the negative electrode plate as described above, and may be disposed so as to face the negative electrode plate directly or via a separator while being insulated from the positive electrode plate. Good.

  The shape of the cylindrical container 8 is not limited to a cylindrical shape, and an elliptical, oval, or rectangular cross section can be used. The term “cylindrical shape” includes not only a circular cross-sectional shape but also an elliptical, oval or rectangular shape as an equivalent.

  In the present embodiment, various numerical values are described as examples for easy understanding, but the present invention is not limited to these unless the numerical values are defined in the claims. Needless to say. Furthermore, in this embodiment, although the member for producing a lithium ion capacitor was illustrated concretely, this also does not restrict | limit this invention unless it mentions in a claim. Therefore, known members and materials can be used at the time of filing this application.

  For example, the negative electrode active material includes natural graphite, artificial graphite, MCMB (mesophase carbon microbeads), MCF (mesophase carbon fiber), coke, VGCF (vapor growth carbon fiber), non-graphitizable carbon, polyacetylene series Organic semiconductors, carbon nanotubes, a mixture thereof, and those or a mixture thereof obtained by introducing boron, silicon, nitrogen or the like can be used, and the specific surface area is not limited to those exemplified. In addition, the positive electrode active material is not particularly limited as long as it can utilize the adsorption / desorption of lithium ions and anions to and from the electric double layer existing near the material surface for charging and discharging, and activated carbon is selected as a representative material. Is done. Further, the particle shape of the positive and negative active materials is not particularly limited to the present invention, such as scaly, spherical, fibrous, or massive.

  Further, as the binder for the negative electrode active material, an ethylene acrylic acid binder, a polyacrylic acid binder, an SBR binder, an NBR binder, a PVDF binder, a PVA binder, a mixture thereof, or the like may be used. Often, these water-dispersed emulsions can also be used. When using a water-dispersed emulsion for the binder, a high-viscosity dispersant such as carboxymethyl cellulose or PVA is preferably added.

  As the binder for the positive electrode active material, an ethylene acrylic acid binder, a polyacrylic acid binder, an SBR binder, an NBR binder, a PVDF binder, a PVA binder, a PTFE binder, a mixture thereof, and the like are used. These water-dispersed emulsions can also be used. When a water-dispersed emulsion is used for the binder, a high-viscosity dispersant such as carboxymethyl cellulose or PVA is preferably added. The binder of the positive electrode active material is particularly preferably a water-dispersed binder in terms of capacitor characteristics.

  Furthermore, conductive carbon powders such as acetylene black, ketjen black, and finely pulverized graphite powder can be used as the conductive aid.

  Further, as the non-aqueous electrolyte, an electrolyte obtained by using a general lithium salt as an electrolyte and dissolving the electrolyte in an organic solvent may be used, and the lithium salt and the organic solvent are not particularly limited. For example, as the electrolyte, LiClO4, LiAsF6, LiBF4, LiPF6, LiB (C6H5) 4, CH3SO3Li, CF3SO3Li, (C2F5SO2) 2NLi, (CF3SO2) 2NLi, or a mixture thereof can be used. Furthermore, as the organic solvent of the non-aqueous electrolyte, propylene carbonate, ethylene carbonate, butylene carbonate, dimethyl carbonate, diethyl carbonate, ethyl methyl carbonate, vinyl carbonate, trifluoromethyl propylene carbonate, 1,2-dimethoxyethane, 1, 2-diethoxyethane, γ-butyrolactone, tetrahydrofuran, 1,3-dioxolane, 4-methyl-1,3-dioxolane, diethyl ether, sulfolane, methyl sulfolane, acetonitrile, propionitrile, etc., or a mixed solvent of two or more of these May be used.

  Further, as the separator, a porous substrate is used, for example, a cellulose-based porous substrate such as kraft paper, polyethylene, polypropylene, a composite of polyethylene and polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, rayon, polybutylene terephthalate, polyphenylene sulfide. Such a porous film substrate such as glass fiber, a porous substrate made of glass fiber, or a combination thereof may be used.

  And in this embodiment, although copper foil was illustrated to the metal foil of the laminated body 20, this invention is not restricted to this, For example, copper alloy foil, nickel foil, nickel alloy foil is used in consideration of cost etc. You may do it.

Example 1
In the above embodiment, the assembly of the capacitor 30 is left in a storage room controlled at 40 ° C. This leaving is performed using the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. 13, maintaining the assembly so that the axial direction of the cylindrical container 8 is horizontal, and the rotational speed of the rotating member 32 is 1.4 × 10 ^{−. 3} rpm.
Then, after 4 days have passed since starting to stand while rotating, the state of penetration of the nonaqueous electrolyte into the electrode group 7 (presence of free nonaqueous electrolyte) is disassembled and confirmed. did. In addition, 30 days after starting to stand while rotating, the remaining state of metallic lithium was confirmed by disassembling the assembly. The results are shown in Table 1.

Conventional Example 1
The assembly of the capacitor 30 was left in a storage room controlled at 40 ° C. This standing was continued throughout the stationary state in which the assembly was maintained so that the axial direction of the cylindrical container 8 was horizontal. The penetration state of the nonaqueous electrolyte into the electrode group 7 after 4 days from the start of standing and the remaining state of metallic lithium after 30 days were confirmed in the same manner as in Example 1.

Conventional example 2
The assembly of the capacitor 30 was left in a storage room controlled at 40 ° C. In this standing, the assembly was maintained so that the axial direction of the cylindrical container 8 was horizontal, and the horizontal direction was inverted every 12 hours from the start of standing until 30 days had passed. The penetration state of the nonaqueous electrolyte into the electrode group 7 after 4 days from the start of standing and the remaining state of metallic lithium after 30 days were confirmed in the same manner as in Example 1.

As is apparent from Table 1, according to the present invention, the capacitor assembly is rotated in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical container while the axial direction of the cylindrical container is maintained horizontal. The non-aqueous electrolyte that is liberated inside moves continuously in the circumferential direction within the cylindrical container, and smooth penetration of the non-aqueous electrolyte into the electrode group can be achieved.
In addition, by rotating the capacitor assembly in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical container while maintaining the axial direction of the cylindrical container to be horizontal, the metallic lithium dissolves and becomes an active material mixture of the negative electrode plate. Can be occluded.

2 Positive electrode plate 3 Negative electrode plate 4 Separator 5 Positive electrode current collecting ring (positive electrode current collecting member)
6 Negative current collector ring (negative current collector)
7 Electrode group 8 Cylindrical container 20 Laminate 20a Tab 30 Capacitor 31 Horizontal shaft 32 Rotating member 33 Housing portion W1 Aluminum foil (first metal foil)
W3 copper foil (metal foil, second metal foil)
W5 Lithium metal

Claims (12)

An electrode group in which a positive electrode plate coated with an active material mixture on a metal foil and a negative electrode plate coated with an active material mixture on a metal foil are wound through a separator, a non-aqueous electrolyte, and A cylindrical container containing an electrode group and the non-aqueous electrolyte, and a method for producing a lithium ion capacitor comprising:
Preliminarily arranged in a state in which the thin plate-like metal lithium is insulated from the positive electrode plate in the electrode group or adjacent to the electrode group,
The electrode group in which the metallic lithium is arranged and the non-aqueous electrolyte are accommodated in the cylindrical container to seal the cylindrical container, and the sealed assembly is dissolved in the metallic lithium so that the active material of the negative electrode plate Leave for a predetermined period to be occluded by the negative electrode active material constituting the mixture,
The assembly is rotated in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical container while maintaining the axial direction of the cylindrical container to be horizontal during the whole or part of the predetermined period. A method for manufacturing a lithium ion capacitor.   The method of manufacturing a lithium ion capacitor according to claim 1, wherein the rotation in the circumferential direction rotates the assembly around a horizontal axis outside the cylindrical container.   The method of manufacturing a lithium ion capacitor according to claim 1, wherein the rotation in the circumferential direction rotates the assembly around a central axis of the cylindrical container.   The operation of arranging the metallic lithium in the electrode group is characterized by winding and arranging the metallic lithium in at least one place before the winding of the negative electrode plate, in the middle of winding, or after the winding. The manufacturing method of the lithium ion capacitor of any one of Claims 1-3.   5. The method of manufacturing a lithium ion capacitor according to claim 4, wherein the metallic lithium is disposed so as to face the negative electrode plate.   5. The method of manufacturing a lithium ion capacitor according to claim 4, wherein the negative electrode plate is divided into at least two in the longitudinal direction, and the metallic lithium is wound between the divided negative electrode plates.   The method of manufacturing a lithium ion capacitor according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the metallic lithium wound and disposed at at least one place is wound in one turn or less.   The said lithium metal is electrically connected with the negative electrode electrical power collector with which the active material mixture of the said negative electrode plate was apply | coated, The manufacturing of the lithium ion capacitor of any one of Claims 1-7 characterized by the above-mentioned. Method.   The metallic lithium is a metal foil having a tab forming portion in which a tab is formed on one side along the longitudinal direction, and a perforated forming portion that is arranged adjacent to the tab forming portion and has a plurality of through holes. Used as a laminate in which at least one surface is in contact with and held in the perforated forming portion, and the metal foil of the laminate is electrically connected to the negative electrode current collector coated with the active material mixture of the negative electrode plate The method for producing a lithium ion capacitor according to claim 8.   10. The method of manufacturing a lithium ion capacitor according to claim 9, wherein the metal lithium is a laminate in which the metal lithium is held in contact with the perforated portions of the metal foil.   The method of manufacturing a lithium ion capacitor according to claim 1, wherein the assembly is rotated in the same direction as a direction in which the positive and negative electrode plates and the separator constituting the electrode group are directed toward the winding center. . An electrode group in which a positive electrode plate coated with an active material mixture on a metal foil and a negative electrode plate coated with an active material mixture on a metal foil are wound through a separator, a non-aqueous electrolyte, and A cylindrical container containing the electrode group and the non-aqueous electrolyte; and a thin plate-like metal lithium disposed in the electrode group or adjacent to the electrode group and insulated from the positive electrode plate, the metal lithium The lithium ion capacitor assembly in which the electrode group and the non-aqueous electrolyte are accommodated in the cylindrical container and the cylindrical container is sealed is maintained in a state where the axial direction of the cylindrical container is maintained horizontal. , Rotating the assembly in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical container,
A rotating member that is driven to rotate about a horizontal axis; and an accommodating portion of the assembly that is disposed within a rotating surface of the rotating member, the accommodating portions being disposed at a plurality of locations, and each accommodating portion The part accommodates the assembly so that the axial direction of the cylindrical container is horizontal.

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