JP2015088324A - Manufacturing method and manufacturing apparatus for batteries - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a manufacturing method and a manufacturing apparatus for well-performing and reliable batteries that are free from liquid leaks and discharge gas arising within their exterior bodies to the outside during the manufacturing process.SOLUTION: A rechargeable battery manufacturing method is presupposed to comprise a hole boring step of boring a degasing hole 5 between the circumferential side of an exterior body 1 and a power generating element 2, a degasing step of discharging gas in the exterior body 1 through the degasing hole 5, and a second sealing step of sealing the degasing hole 5. The manufacturing apparatus for implementing this method has a chamber 10 that houses, with respect to the exterior body 1, the circumferential side where the degasing hole 5 is to be bored and a partial area covering the power generating element 2 adjoining the circumferential side and further forms a space intercepted from the outside by sucking the partial area of the exterior body 1 toward outside the generating element 2 in the stacking direction. And in the chamber 10, the hole boring step and the degasing step are implemented.

Description

  The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for manufacturing a battery having an exterior body formed of a thin and lightweight exterior film such as a laminate film, and in particular, to discharge gas generated in a conditioning process or the like without causing liquid leakage. The present invention relates to a preferable battery manufacturing method and manufacturing apparatus.

  A battery that has been described in the past as being able to reliably degas the condition of a battery having an exterior body made of a thin and lightweight exterior film such as a laminate film, and to ensure sufficient sealing after degassing. A manufacturing method has been proposed (see Patent Document 1).

  This includes an encapsulating step of joining the opening of the exterior film and enclosing the power generation element inside the exterior body so as to form an unjoined portion that communicates with the inside and is isolated from the outside, and the unjoined portion A degassing step of opening a degassing hole while constraining the thickness of the substrate to a predetermined thickness or less, and a second sealing step of encapsulating the power generation element by joining the unjoined portion. And as a method of suppressing the expansion of the unjoined part and relaxing the stress concentration, the thickness of the unjoined part is regulated when the internal pressure of the exterior body is high. As a result, a large expansion or deformation occurs in the unjoined part due to an increase in internal pressure due to the generated gas, and when the unjoined part is joined, it does not return to its original form. By concentrating stress around the part, part of the joint is prevented from peeling off.

JP 2004-342520 A

  In the above-described conventional example, in the degassing step of releasing the generated gas to the outside, the degassing holes are formed in the unjoined portion while restricting the swelling due to the internal pressure. However, if the electrolyte remains in the unjoined part, the electrolyte remaining in the unjoined part jumps out together with the gas through the opened vent hole, and the built-in amount of electrolyte is reduced. there were. Moreover, when the electrolyte solution which protrude | jumped out adhered to the surface of an exterior body, the wiping process was needed and there existed a malfunction which raised production cost.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and a method for manufacturing a battery having good characteristics and reliability by discharging gas generated in the exterior body during the manufacturing process to the outside without causing liquid leakage. And it aims at providing a manufacturing apparatus.

  The present invention is a process of storing and sealing a power generation element inside an exterior body configured by overlapping exterior films, wherein the power generation element is between at least a part of the peripheral sides of the exterior body. A first sealing step disposed at a distance, an opening step for opening a gas vent hole between the peripheral side of the exterior body and the power generation element, and a gas vent step for exhausting gas in the exterior body through the gas vent hole And a second sealing step for sealing the gas vent hole. And while accommodating the peripheral side which opens the gas venting hole of an exterior body, and the partial area | region which covers the electric power generation element adjacent to the said peripheral edge, the partial area | region of an exterior body is attracted | sucked to the lamination direction outer side of an electric power generation element Thus, a chamber is formed which forms a space isolated from the outside. In the chamber, an opening process and a degassing process are performed.

  Therefore, in the present invention, a chamber space that is cut off from the outside is configured by sucking the exterior body of the region that houses the power generation element to the outside in the stacking direction of the power generation elements. For this reason, the volume of the degassing part can be expanded by the exterior film sucked to the outside, the gas-liquid separation in the degassing part is promoted, and the leakage of the electrolytic solution in the opening process can be minimized. In addition, a passage through which the housing portion of the power generation element and the gas venting portion in the exterior body communicate with each other can be formed between the exterior film sucked outward and the power generation element. Thereby, the gas stagnating in the power generation element can be easily levitated / separated to the degassing portion via the passage, and degassing can be ensured.

1 is a schematic plan view of a battery to which a battery manufacturing method and a manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention are applied. It is process drawing which shows the manufacturing method of the battery which concerns on this embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the structure of the chamber used by this embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the state of the chamber when an opening process, a degassing process, and a 2nd sealing process are implemented. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state (A) before mounting to the chamber of the exterior body of a battery, and the state (B) after mounting. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state (A) after opening of the exterior body of a battery, and the state (B) after a 2nd sealing process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of application of the chamber of this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the opening process (A) in a comparative example, a degassing process, and a 2nd sealing process (B). It is explanatory drawing which shows the battery state in the opening process in a comparative example.

  Hereinafter, a battery manufacturing method and a manufacturing apparatus of the present invention will be described based on embodiments.

  A battery to which the method for producing a battery of the present invention is applied is a battery including an exterior body made of a thin and lightweight exterior film. In addition, the target battery is not limited to a secondary battery, and may be a primary battery. Below, a secondary battery is demonstrated as a manufacturing object.

  The thin and lightweight exterior film is, for example, a polymer-metal composite laminate film having a three-layer structure, and includes a metal layer and a polymer resin layer disposed on both surfaces of the metal layer. A metal layer is comprised from metal foil, such as aluminum, stainless steel, nickel, copper, for example. The polymer resin layer is composed of, for example, a heat-welding resin film such as polyethylene, polypropylene, modified polyethylene, modified polypropylene, ionomer, and ethylene vinyl acetate. It is desirable that the exterior film can be easily bonded by heat welding or ultrasonic welding, and has excellent airtightness and moisture impermeability.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the exterior film is in the form of a bag by joining the power generating element 2 of the secondary battery and joining the fusion portions A at the three peripheral edges thereof into a “U-shape” by heat welding. The bag-shaped opening B is joined by thermal welding in a state where the electrolytic solution is injected into the bag-shaped interior, and the exterior body 1 is configured. As will be described later, the bonding by the thermal welding of the opening B is the first sealing portion C by the first sealing step, the second sealing portion D by the second sealing step and the main sealing step, and the main sealing portion. Each of the three stages of E is performed.

  As an example of the power generation element 2 of the secondary battery, a lithium ion secondary battery will be described as an example. The power generation element 2 of the lithium ion secondary battery is obtained by superposing a positive electrode and a negative electrode via a separator. That is, the power generation element 2 is configured by laminating a positive electrode plate made of a current collector coated with a positive electrode active material layer and a negative electrode plate made of a current collector coated with a negative electrode active material layer via a separator. Is formed. The lithium ion secondary battery is a non-aqueous battery, and gas is generated by the reaction of moisture mixed during manufacture. Further, gas is generated due to evaporation of an organic solvent contained in the electrolytic solution and electrode reaction in conditioning after manufacturing the battery.

  The positive electrode plate includes, for example, a current collector made of an aluminum foil, and a positive electrode active material layer formed in a double-sided region excluding the tab region of the current collector. In FIG. 1, only the tab region 2 </ b> A is illustrated in a state of being drawn out of the power generation element 2. As a positive electrode active material layer, the positive electrode active material which consists of lithium-transition metal complex oxides, such as LiMn2O4, a conductive support agent, a binder, etc. are included, for example.

  The negative electrode plate includes, for example, a current collector made of copper foil and a negative electrode active material layer formed in a double-sided region excluding the tab region of the current collector. In FIG. 1, only the tab region 2 </ b> B is illustrated in a state of being drawn out of the power generation element 2. The negative electrode active material layer includes a negative electrode active material, a conductive additive, a binder, and the like. The negative electrode active material is, for example, hard carbon (non-graphitizable carbon material), graphite-based carbon material, or lithium-transition metal composite oxide.

  A separator is formed from polyolefin, such as polyethylene and polypropylene, polyamide, and polyimide, for example.

The liquid electrolyte (electrolytic solution) contains an organic solvent, a supporting salt, and the like. Examples of the organic solvent include cyclic carbonates such as propylene carbonate (PC) and ethylene carbonate (EC), chain carbonates such as dimethyl carbonate, and ethers such as tetrahydrofuran. The supporting salt is an inorganic acid anion salt such as lithium salt (LiPF6), or an organic acid anion salt such as LiCF ₃ SO ₃ .

  As shown in FIG. 1, the tab regions 2A and 2B, which are the same polarity of the current collector plates of the plurality of positive plates and the negative plates, are connected to each other in order to draw current from the power generation element 2. Connected to the terminal 3A and the negative terminal 3B. The positive electrode terminal 3 </ b> A and the negative electrode terminal 3 </ b> B are drawn out of the exterior body 1 through the fusion part A of the exterior body 1.

  FIG. 2 is a process diagram for explaining the manufacturing method of the secondary battery according to the present embodiment. In the manufacturing method of the secondary battery of the present embodiment, a sealing step, a conditioning step, a degassing / second sealing step, a main sealing / trimming step, and other steps performed as necessary Have Hereinafter, based on FIG. 2, the manufacturing method of the secondary battery of this embodiment is demonstrated.

  In the sealing step, first, the rectangular power generation element 2 is disposed between two substantially rectangular exterior films or bi-fold exterior films. The positive electrode terminal 3A and the negative electrode terminal 3B of the power generation element 2 are positioned so as to be exposed from the exterior film. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 1, the peripheral edge of the exterior film is joined to a “U-shape” by thermal fusion, leaving one side, and a bag body in which the one side becomes an opening B is formed. .

  In the electrolytic solution injection step, the electrolytic solution is injected into the bag body via the opening B. The method for injecting the electrolytic solution is not particularly limited, and it is possible to inject directly by inserting a tube or a nozzle into the opening B, or inject by immersing in an electrolyte.

  In a 1st sealing process, the exterior part 1 is sealed by joining the opening B used in order to inject | pour electrolyte solution, and forming the 1st sealing part C. FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the first sealing portion C is joined at a position close to the peripheral side of the exterior body 1. That is, the gas generating part 2 is joined at a position away from the power generation element 2, and the gas vent part 4 communicating with the power generation element 2 is formed between the joint and the power generation element 2.

  In the conditioning process, an initial charging process and an aging process for stabilizing battery characteristics are performed. Initial gas is generated from the power generation element 2 by the initial charging step. In the aging process, more gas is generated from the power generation element 2. The conditioning process may be only one of the initial charging process and the aging process depending on the application.

  In the initial charging step, charging is performed until the power generation element 2 generates a predetermined ratio of the battery capacity of the power generation element 2, for example, the battery voltage obtained when the power generation element 2 is fully charged. The initial charge temperature is preferably 45 to 70 ° C., when the temperature is lower than 45 ° C., gas generation becomes insufficient, and when it is higher than 70 ° C., battery characteristics may be deteriorated. . Moreover, the predetermined ratio of the battery capacity is selected as necessary. In the aging process, the power generation element 2 is held in a charged state.

  In the degassing / second sealing step, the opening step is performed in an atmosphere of dry gas such as atmospheric dry air or inert gas, and then the degassing step and the second sealing step are performed in a decompressed atmosphere. To be implemented.

  In the opening process, as shown in FIG. 1, slit-like gas vent holes 5 are formed in the gas vent portion 4 of the first sealing portion C so that the gas vent portion 4 communicates with the outside.

  In the degassing step, the gas dissolved in the electrolyte is separated from the electrolyte by setting the atmosphere to a reduced pressure state with respect to the secondary battery in which the gas vent 4 is opened by the gas vent 5. Discharge outside. This degassing process is executed until a predetermined time set in advance elapses.

  Next, in a vacuum atmosphere, as shown in FIG. 1, bonding by thermal fusion is performed at a portion closer to the power generation element 2 than the first sealing portion C to form the second sealing portion D (first 2 sealing process).

  Next, the secondary battery that has undergone the second sealing step is taken out of the vacuum atmosphere, and is subjected to main sealing by bonding by thermal welding wider than the second sealing portion D (main sealing step, FIG. 1). (See sealing section E). Next, a trimming process for cutting an unnecessary region in the peripheral portion of the outer package 1 is performed, and a shipping adjustment process such as an inspection process and charge / discharge is performed, thereby completing the secondary battery.

  By the way, the comparative example currently generally performed in an opening process, a degassing process, and a 2nd sealing process is demonstrated with reference to FIG. In the comparative example, as shown in FIG. 8A, the secondary battery from the aging process is set in a large sealed chamber 100 that can accommodate all the parts thereof, and these processes are executed. In other words, the chamber 100 is filled with dry air or an inert gas as a dry gas while discharging the atmosphere in the chamber 100 in which the secondary battery is set. Next, as shown in FIG. 9, a cutter 101 is applied to the degassing portion 4 of the outer package 1 of the secondary battery to form a degassing hole 5, and the degassing portion 4 of the outer package 1 is placed in the chamber through the degassing hole 5. Communicate with 100.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 8B, the gas in the chamber 100 is exhausted by vacuuming to reduce the pressure to a predetermined pressure, and when reaching the predetermined pressure, the vacuuming is stopped and held for a predetermined time. Thereby, the gas in the exterior body 1 of the secondary battery is separated and discharged to the gas vent 4, and is discharged from the gas vent 4 into the chamber 100 through the gas vent 5. Then, after a predetermined time, the second sealing step is executed, and the portion closer to the power generating element 2 than the first sealing portion C is joined by heat fusion to form the second sealing portion D, and again The inside of the exterior body 1 of the secondary battery is blocked from the outside (second sealing step). Then, the inside of the chamber 100 is opened to the atmosphere, and the secondary battery is transported to the next main sealing / trimming step.

  As described above, in the comparative example, the secondary battery from the aging process is accommodated in the chamber 100 as it is, and the hole opening process is performed. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 9, the degassing part 4 of the secondary battery is slightly swollen due to an increase in internal pressure due to the gas, and the electrolyte solution may remain in the degassing part 4. is there. Therefore, when the gas vent hole 5 is formed in the gas vent section 4 by the cutter 101, the electrolyte remaining in the gas vent section 4 may also jump out of the gas vent hole 5 together with the gas. Thus, when the electrolytic solution jumps out of the exterior body 1, the amount of the electrolytic solution remaining in the exterior body 1 is reduced, and the life of the battery is reduced.

  In the comparative example, the opening process, the degassing process, and the second sealing process are performed in the chamber 100 that houses the secondary battery. That is, since the volume of the chamber 100 is increased to accommodate the secondary battery, it takes a long time to fill the chamber 100 with dry air or an inert gas as a dry gas and to decompress the chamber 100. Therefore, a large gas supply device and a vacuum evacuation device are required, and problems remain in shortening tact time and reducing equipment costs.

  On the other hand, in this embodiment, an opening process, a degassing process, and a 2nd sealing process are implemented by utilizing the small chamber 10 shown in FIG. The chamber 10 includes a pair of two box bodies that cover a peripheral portion (upper region in the drawing) provided with the gas vent 4 of the exterior body 1 of the secondary battery from a portion that houses the power generation element 2. 11. The pair of box bodies 11 are integrally provided with upper and lower walls 11A and 11B, a side wall 11C, and end walls (not shown) at both ends, and the openings are arranged to face each other.

  The pair of box bodies 11 can be moved forward and backward by actuators 11D (cylinders) provided on the back portions, respectively, and the upper wall 11A and the end of the end wall are in contact with each other via a seal (not shown) at the forward movement position close to each other. To do. However, in the region where the front ends of the lower wall 11B at the advanced position face the exterior body 1 of the part that accommodates the power generation element 2, the thickness dimension of the exterior body 1 and the dimension for sucking and expanding the exterior body 1 outward. Are opposed to each other with an interval dimension added to each other, and in a region outside the region, they contact each other via a seal (not shown). The tip of the lower wall 11B having the tip shape is formed by a tip member 11E made of a material having elasticity that does not damage the case 1 even if it contacts the case 1 of the secondary battery.

  The front end member 11E of the lower wall 11B is provided with a horizontally long opening in a region facing the exterior body 1 that houses the power generation element 2, and the opening forms a suction port 12 for sucking and attracting the exterior body 1. doing. The suction port 12 is connected to a negative pressure generator 12B via a pipe 12A provided on the back surface. For this reason, when the negative pressure generator 12B is actuated and negative pressure is supplied, the surface of the facing exterior body 1 is sucked to separate the part of the exterior body 1 from the end face of the power generation element 2, thereby generating the power generation element 2 And are attracted to the suction port 12. As a result, the gap between the lower wall 11B and the accommodated secondary battery is closed, and the inner space of the chamber 10 is blocked from the outside to form a sealed space.

  A dry gas supply device 13 for supplying dry air or an inert gas as a dry gas is connected to the chamber 10 space via a pipe 13A and a shutoff valve 13B. A vacuuming device 14 for reducing the pressure inside the chamber 10 is also connected via a pipe 14A and a switching valve 14B. The switching valve 14 </ b> B can switch the passage 14 </ b> A communicating with the inside of the chamber 10 between a decompression position where the passage 14 </ b> A is connected to the vacuuming device 14 and an atmospheric position where the passage is open to the atmosphere.

  On each side wall 11C of the pair of box bodies 11 forming the chamber 10, a pair of sealing heaters 15 provided so as to be freely advanced and retracted by an actuator 15A, and a gas venting cutter 16 provided so as to be freely advanced and retracted by actuators 16A and 17A. And a cutter receiving portion 17 is provided. The degassing cutter 16 and the cutter receiving portion 17 are provided on the side walls 11 </ b> C of the respective box bodies 11 so as to face each other with the degassing portion 4 of the accommodated exterior body 1 interposed therebetween. The installation positions of the gas venting cutter 16 and the cutter receiving portion 17 and the pair of sealing heaters 15 are respectively in the portions where the gas venting holes 5 and the second sealing portion D of the outer package 1 shown in FIG. Is set at a position where the machining can be performed.

  The cutter receiving portion 17 is formed of a horizontal member formed along the gas vent portion 4 of the exterior body 1. And it is comprised so that a horizontal member may be contact | abutted to one side surface of the degassing part 4 in the advance position advanced from the standby position, and the degassing part 4 may be supported from one side.

  The degassing cutter 16 is formed by a cutter blade at the tip. Then, the cutter blade is advanced from the standby position with respect to the other side surface of the gas vent portion 4 supported by the cutter receiving portion 17, and the cutter blade is moved from the other side surface of the gas vent portion 4 at the advanced position. To penetrate. Next, the cutter blade is moved laterally along the gas vent 4 by a predetermined distance, thereby opening the gas vent 5 in the gas vent 4 and then retracting to the standby position.

  The pair of sealing heaters 15 are provided on the side walls 11 </ b> C of the respective box bodies 11 so as to face each other with the gas vent portion 4 of the accommodated exterior body 1 interposed therebetween. The pair of sealing heaters 15 is formed by a heater formed along the gas vent 4. And in the advance position advanced from the stand-by position, the exterior body 1 of the base part of the degassing part 4 is clamped from both sides, and the exterior body 1 of the base part of the degassing part 4 is fused by operating the heater. In this way, the second sealing portion D is formed and then retracted to the standby position.

  And in this embodiment, as shown below, an opening process, a degassing process, and a 2nd sealing process are performed. That is, in the opening step, the peripheral portion including the gas venting portion 4 of the exterior body 1 (the power generation in the upper region in the figure) is opened in the chamber 10 opened by the actuator 11D being retracted to the standby position by the pair of boxes 11. The secondary battery is set by inserting the element 2 (including the part accommodating the element 2). Next, the pair of box bodies 11 are moved forward by the actuator 11D, and the ends of the pair of box bodies 11 are brought into contact with each other as shown in FIG. The chamber 10 is in a state in which a peripheral edge portion (including a portion for accommodating the power generation element 2 in the upper region in the drawing) including the gas vent portion 4 of the outer casing 1 of the secondary battery is accommodated. However, the internal space of the chamber 10 and the outside air are in communication with each other between the lower wall 11B of the pair of box bodies 11 and the accommodating portion of the power generation element 2 of the exterior body 1.

  Next, the negative pressure generator 12B is actuated so that negative pressure is introduced into the tip member 11E of the lower wall 11B, and the surface of the exterior body 1 facing the suction port 12 provided in the tip member 11E is sucked into the part. The outer casing 1 is pulled away from the end face of the power generation element 2 and bulges outward in the stacking direction of the power generation element 2 to be attracted to the suction port 12 (see FIG. 4). As a result, the gap between the lower wall 11B and the accommodated secondary battery is closed, and the inner space of the chamber 10 is blocked from the outside to form a sealed space.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the exterior body 1 also has an electrolyte in the gas vent 4 due to the gas generated in the conditioning process. And if it attracts | sucks by the suction port 12 and the exterior body 1 surface is pulled away from the end surface of the electric power generation element 2, as shown in FIG.5 (B), while the space part of the lower part of the degassing part 4 is expanded, the exterior body 1 A gap is formed between the power generation element 2 and the power generation element 2. In the enlarged space part, the electrolyte solution present in the gas vent part 4 descends due to gravity and the gas rises in the liquid to promote gas-liquid separation. In addition, the gap forms a communication path 6 that allows the accommodating portion of the power generation element 2 and the gas vent portion 4 to communicate with each other in the exterior body 1.

  Next, the shutoff valve 13B provided in the passage 13A to the dry gas supply device 13 is opened and the dry gas supply device 13 is operated. At the same time, the atmosphere in the chamber 10 is discharged via the piping 14A leading to the vacuuming device 14 and the atmospheric position switching valve 14B, and the chamber 10 is filled with dry air or inert gas from the dry gas supply device 13. . The concentration of dry air or inert gas in the chamber 10 is measured by a gas concentration meter or a dew point meter (not shown). When the dry air or inert gas concentration measured by the gas concentration meter or the dew point meter reaches a predetermined value, the dry gas supply device 13 is stopped. The pressure in the chamber 10 at this time is an atmospheric pressure state.

  Next, the cutter receiving portion 17 is moved from the standby position to the forward movement position by the actuator 17A, and a horizontal member is brought into contact with one side surface of the gas venting portion 4 to support the gas venting portion 4 from one side. Next, the cutter 16 is moved from the standby position to the advanced position by the actuator 16 </ b> A, and the cutter blade passes through the gas vent 4 from the other side surface of the gas vent 4. Next, the cutter blade is moved laterally by a predetermined distance along the gas vent 4 and then retracted to the standby position. As a result, a gas vent hole 5 is opened in the gas vent 4 of the exterior body 1, and the interior of the exterior body 1 communicates with the interior of the chamber 10 via the gas vent hole 5.

  Next, the degassing process is started. In the degassing step, the passage 13A of the dry gas supply device 13 is shut off by the shutoff valve 13B, and the switching valve 14B of the passage 14A to the vacuuming device 14 is switched from the atmospheric position side to the decompression position side, and the vacuuming device 14 Is activated, and the pressure in the chamber 10 is reduced. When the inside of the chamber 10 is depressurized to a predetermined depressurized state, the vacuuming device 14 is stopped. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 6A, the gas in the gas vent 4 is discharged into the chamber 10 through the gas vent 5. In addition, the gas separated from the electrolyte in the power generation element 2 also floats to the gas vent 4 through the communication path 6 between the exterior body 1 and the power generation element 2, and similarly, through the gas vent hole 5. And discharged into the chamber 10.

  After the elapse of the predetermined time, the second sealing process is started. In the second sealing step, the pair of sealing heaters 15 are actuated from the standby position to the advanced position by the actuator 15A, and the exterior body 1 at the base portion of the gas vent 4 is sandwiched from both sides. Next, by operating the heater, the base portion of the gas venting portion 4 is fused to form the second sealing portion D, and then retracted to the standby position. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 6 (B), the exterior body 1 of the secondary battery is joined by heat fusion at a portion closer to the power generation element 2 than the degassing portion 4, and the second sealing portion D is formed. It is formed.

  When the second sealing portion D is formed, the switching valve 14 </ b> B provided in the passage to the vacuuming device 14 is switched to the atmosphere side, and the atmosphere is introduced into the chamber 10. Next, the negative pressure generator 12B is stopped, the suction of the surface of the exterior body 1 to the suction port 12 is stopped, and the connection between the secondary battery and the pair of box bodies 11 by the lower walls 11B is released. Then, the actuator 11D returns the pair of boxes 11 to the standby position to open the chamber 10, and these steps are completed. The secondary battery is transported to the next process.

  In addition, in the said embodiment, what targeted one battery was demonstrated as the chamber 10 which implements a degassing and a 2nd sealing process. However, as shown in FIG. 7, it is configured to accommodate the peripheral side where the gas vent holes 5 of the outer casing 1 of the plurality of batteries are opened and the power generation element 2 and a partial region adjacent to the peripheral side. It may be a thing. By comprising in this way, the quantity of the battery which can be processed simultaneously can be increased and the processing speed of a degassing and a 2nd sealing process can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, the following effects can be achieved.

  (A) A step of storing and sealing the power generation element 2 inside the exterior body 1 configured by superimposing the exterior films, wherein the power generation element 2 is at least a part of the peripheral side of the exterior body 1 A first sealing step that is disposed at a distance from each other, an opening step that opens a gas vent hole 5 between the peripheral side of the outer package 1 and the power generation element 2, and the outer package through the gas vent hole 5. 1 is premised on a method of manufacturing a battery having a degassing step of discharging the gas in 1 and a second sealing step of sealing the degassing hole 5. And while accommodating the surrounding edge which opens the gas vent hole 5 of the exterior body 1 and the partial area | region which covers the electric power generation element 2 adjacent to the said peripheral edge, the lamination direction of the electric power generation element 2 is made into the partial area | region of the exterior body 1 A chamber 10 is provided that forms a space that is blocked from the outside by suctioning the outside. In the chamber 10, an opening process and a degassing process are performed.

  That is, the peripheral side where the gas vent hole 5 of the exterior body 1 is opened and the partial region that covers the power generation element 2 adjacent to the peripheral side are accommodated, and the partial region of the exterior body 1 is outside the stacking direction of the power generation element 2. A chamber 10 is provided that forms a space that is blocked from the outside by suction. A gas venting cutter 16 and a cutter receiving portion 17 provided in the chamber 10 as an opening means for opening the gas venting hole 5 between the peripheral side of the exterior body 1 and the power generation element 2, And degassing means 14 for discharging the gas in the outer package 1 through the degassing holes 5 by reducing the pressure of the gas.

  As described above, in the chamber 10, a space that is cut off from the outside is configured by sucking the exterior body 1 in the region in which the power generation element 2 is accommodated to the outside in the stacking direction of the power generation elements 2. For this reason, the volume of the degassing part 4 can be expanded by the exterior film sucked to the outside, gas-liquid separation in the degassing part 4 is promoted, and leakage of the electrolytic solution in the opening process can be minimized. In addition, a communication path 6 that allows the housing portion of the power generation element 2 in the exterior body 1 and the gas vent portion 4 to communicate with each other can be formed between the exterior film sucked outward and the power generation element 2. Thereby, the gas stagnating in the power generation element 2 can be easily levitated / separated to the gas vent 4 via the communication path 6, and gas venting can be ensured.

  Moreover, only the area | region of the peripheral side which forms the gas vent hole 5 of the exterior body 1 is accommodated in the chamber 10, and the opening process and the gas vent process are implemented. For this reason, the volume of the chamber 10 can be reduced, the time required for depressurization from the atmospheric pressure can be shortened, the vacuuming device 14 can be miniaturized, the processing time can be shortened, and the equipment can be miniaturized.

  (A) Second sealing in which a pair of exterior films in the exterior body 1 constituting the gas vent 4 are overlapped and heat-sealed in a region closer to the power generation element 2 than the gas vent 5 in the chamber 10. A process is performed. That is, the chamber 10 is sealed as a second sealing unit that heats and heat-bonds the pair of exterior films in the exterior body 1 in the region where the gas venting portion 4 is formed in a portion adjacent to the power generation element 2. A heater 15 is provided. Thereby, following the degassing step in the reduced-pressure atmosphere in the chamber 10, the second sealing step can be performed in the same chamber 10, and the productivity can be improved.

  (C) The opening process is performed with the inside of the chamber 10 in a dry environment. That is, the chamber 10 includes a dry gas supply device 13 as a dry gas introduction unit that brings the inside of the chamber 10 into a dry environment when the opening unit is operated. Since the volume of the chamber 10 is small, the time required for filling with dry gas can be shortened, the dry gas supply device 13 can be miniaturized, and the processing time can be shortened and the equipment can be miniaturized.

  (D) The chamber 10 is configured to accommodate a peripheral side where the gas vent holes 5 of the outer casing 1 of the plurality of batteries are opened and a partial region adjacent to the peripheral side. . For this reason, the quantity of the battery which can be processed simultaneously can be increased and the processing speed of a degassing and a 2nd sealing process can be improved.

A Thermal welding B Opening C 1st sealing part D 2nd sealing part 1 Exterior body 2 Electric power generation element 3A, 3B Electrode terminal 4 Gas vent part 5 Gas vent hole 6 Communication path 10 Chamber 11 Box body 12 Adsorption port 13 Dry Gas generator (dry gas introduction means)
14 Vacuuming device (gas venting means)
15 Sealing heater (second sealing means)
16 Degassing cutter (opening means)
17 Cutter receiving part (opening means)

Claims (8)

A step of storing and sealing a power generation element inside an exterior body configured by overlapping exterior films, wherein the power generation element has a distance from at least a part of a peripheral side of the exterior body. A first sealing step disposed in the step, an opening step for opening a gas vent hole between a peripheral side of the exterior body and the power generation element, and a gas for discharging the gas in the exterior body through the gas vent hole In a method for manufacturing a battery, including a venting step and a second sealing step of sealing the gas vent hole,
Accommodating a peripheral side for opening a gas vent hole of the exterior body and a partial region covering the power generation element adjacent to the peripheral side, and sucking a partial region of the exterior body outward in the stacking direction of the power generation element A method of manufacturing a battery, wherein the opening step and the degassing step are performed in a chamber that forms a space that is blocked from the outside.   The second sealing step is characterized in that in the chamber, the pair of exterior films constituting the exterior body are overlapped and heat-sealed in a region closer to the power generation element than the gas vent hole. The battery manufacturing method according to claim 1.   The battery manufacturing method according to claim 1, wherein the opening step is performed with the inside of the chamber being a dry environment.   The chamber is configured to accommodate a peripheral side for opening a gas vent hole of the exterior body of a plurality of batteries, and a partial region for storing the power generation element and adjacent to the peripheral side. The manufacturing method of the battery as described in any one of Claims 1-3. Production of a battery comprising: an exterior body configured by overlapping exterior films; and a power generation element accommodated in the exterior body at a distance between at least a part of the peripheral sides of the exterior body In the device
Accommodating the peripheral side of the exterior body and a partial region covering the power generation element adjacent to the peripheral side, and blocking the external part by sucking the partial region of the exterior body outward in the stacking direction of the power generation element A chamber that forms a defined space;
A hole opening means provided in the chamber and provided with a gas venting cutter that opens a gas vent hole between a peripheral side of the exterior body and the power generation element;
An apparatus for producing a battery, comprising: a degassing unit that depressurizes the chamber and discharges the gas in the exterior body through the degassing hole.   The said chamber is provided with the sealing means which overlaps the pair of said film for exteriors which comprises the said exterior body in the part adjacent to the said electric power generation element, and is heat-sealed with the heater for sealing. The battery manufacturing apparatus according to 5.   7. The battery manufacturing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the chamber includes a dry gas introduction unit that brings the inside of the chamber into a dry environment when the opening unit is operated. 8.   The said chamber is comprised so that the surrounding edge which opens the degassing hole of the said exterior body of several batteries, and the one part area | region which accommodates the said electric power generation element and adjoins the said surrounding edge may be accommodated. The battery manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 7.