JP2015201328A - Electrode manufacturing device and electrode manufacturing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electrode manufacturing device and an electrode manufacturing method, which are able to hinder adhesion of foreign matter to an electrode by separating a work from an original fabric with no contact.SOLUTION: In an electrode manufacturing device 1, when part of the original fabric 4 for an electrode is cut into a shape of a work 5 and then the work 5 is separated from the original fabric 4, the direction of conveyance of the original fabric 4 is returned by a returning part K in a direction orthogonal to the direction of conveyance used when the work 5 is cut. Such return of the original fabric 4 enables separation of the work 5 from the original fabric 4 with no contact without pressing a pressing pin or the like against an original fabric. Accordingly, adhesion of foreign matter to an electrode, which is a work 5, can be inhibited.

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrode manufacturing apparatus and an electrode manufacturing method.

  Conventionally, in an electrode manufacturing method used in a power storage device, for example, a process of applying an electrode paste on the surface of a long metal foil and drying it to form an active material layer on the surface of the metal foil is performed. In addition, after this step, after the metal foil on which the active material layer is formed is cut into a desired electrode shape by laser irradiation or the like, a step of separating the electrode (workpiece) from the original fabric is performed. The

  As a technique for separating the workpiece from the original fabric, for example, there is a cutting piece separating apparatus described in Patent Document 1. In this cutting piece separating apparatus, an elevating body is disposed above the work shoe, and an outer portion of the work in the original fabric is pressed by a pressing pin provided on the elevating body.

JP-A-4-367391

  However, if the cutting piece separation device using the pressing pin as in Patent Document 1 is applied to the electrode separation step, foreign matters such as powders are generated on the active material layer of the electrode when the pressing pin touches the raw material of the metal foil. There is a risk that it will adhere to.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and provides an electrode manufacturing apparatus and an electrode manufacturing method capable of suppressing adhesion of foreign matter to an electrode by separating a workpiece from a raw material in a non-contact manner. With the goal.

  In order to solve the above problems, an electrode manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention is transported by a first transport unit that transports an electrode fabric having an active material layer formed on the surface of a metal foil, and a first transport unit. A cutting part for cutting a part of the original fabric into the shape of the workpiece, a separating unit for separating the workpiece cut by the cutting unit from the original fabric, and a workpiece separated from the original fabric by the separating unit from the first conveying unit And a separating unit that folds the conveyance direction of the original fabric in a direction that intersects the conveyance direction of the original fabric by the first conveyance unit when the workpiece is cut by the cutting unit. have.

  In this electrode manufacturing apparatus, after separating a part of the electrode raw material into the shape of the workpiece, when separating the workpiece from the original material, the conveying direction of the original material is in a direction crossing the conveying direction when cutting the workpiece. Wrapped. Such folding of the original fabric makes it possible to separate the workpiece from the original fabric in a non-contact manner without pressing a pressing pin or the like against the original fabric. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the adhesion of foreign matter to the electrode that is the workpiece.

  Moreover, the folding | turning part may be a conveyance roller which conveys an original fabric. Thereby, since sufficient curvature can be given to an original fabric in a separation part, separation of a work from an original fabric can be carried out more certainly. Further, since the transport roller can be used as the first transport unit, it is possible to avoid complication of the apparatus configuration.

  In addition, the cutting portion is formed corresponding to the first cutting portion that forms a non-cutting portion in at least a part of the shape of the workpiece, cuts the remaining portion, and the separation portion, and the first cutting portion that cuts the non-cutting portion. 2 cutting portions. In this case, it is possible to suitably separate the workpiece from the original fabric while suppressing the falling of the workpiece during cutting.

  Moreover, a cutting | disconnection part may cut | disconnect a part of original fabric over the whole shape of a workpiece | work. In this case, the workpiece can be separated from the original fabric without applying any force to the workpiece.

  Moreover, a cutting | disconnection part may form a non-cutting part in the conveyance direction downstream of a 1st conveyance part among the shapes of a workpiece | work. In this case, the workpiece can be separated from the original fabric with a small force while suppressing the falling of the workpiece at the time of cutting.

  Moreover, the fall prevention part which prevents the fall of a workpiece | work from a cutting part to a isolation | separation part may be arrange | positioned. Thereby, the fall of the work at the time of cutting can be prevented.

  The second transport unit may have a suction roller that sucks the workpiece separated from the original fabric by the separation unit. In this case, the workpiece separated from the original fabric by the suction force of the suction roller can be more reliably delivered to the second transport unit.

  Moreover, the folding | turning part may have an air ejection part which ejects air toward the workpiece | work isolate | separated from the original fabric by the separation part. Thereby, the workpiece | work can be more reliably implemented from the original fabric.

  Moreover, the separation part may have a pressing member that presses an area outside the workpiece in the original fabric. Thereby, even when a curl is attached to the original fabric, the workpiece can be preferably separated from the original fabric.

  In addition, the electrode manufacturing method according to the present invention includes a first transporting step of transporting an electrode fabric having an active material layer formed on the surface of a metal foil by a first transporting unit, and transporting in the first transporting step. A cutting step of cutting a part of the original fabric into the shape of the workpiece, a separation step of separating the workpiece cut in the cutting step from the original fabric, and a first conveying unit for separating the workpiece separated from the original fabric by the separation step And a second conveyance step received from the step, and in the separation step, the conveyance direction of the original fabric is folded back in a direction intersecting with the conveyance direction of the original fabric in the first conveyance step at the time of cutting the workpiece in the cutting step.

  In this electrode manufacturing method, after cutting a part of the raw material of the electrode into a workpiece shape, when separating the workpiece from the raw material, the conveying direction of the original material is set in a direction intersecting with the conveying direction when cutting the workpiece. Wrap. Such folding of the original fabric makes it possible to separate the workpiece from the original fabric in a non-contact manner without pressing a pressing pin or the like against the original fabric. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the adhesion of foreign matter to the electrode that is the workpiece.

  According to the present invention, adhesion of foreign matter to the electrode can be suppressed by separating the workpiece from the original fabric in a non-contact manner.

It is a top view which shows the electrode manufacturing apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which looked at the electrode manufacturing apparatus which concerns on FIG. 1 from the side. It is a top view which shows the electrode manufacturing apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which looked at the electrode manufacturing apparatus which concerns on FIG. 3 from the side. It is a top view which shows the electrode manufacturing apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a principal part expansion perspective view of the electrode manufacturing apparatus which concerns on FIG. It is a principal part expansion perspective view of the electrode manufacturing apparatus which concerns on a modification. It is a figure which shows the principal part of the electrode manufacturing apparatus which concerns on another modification.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of an electrode manufacturing apparatus and an electrode manufacturing method according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[First Embodiment]

  FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an electrode manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view of the electrode manufacturing apparatus according to FIG. An electrode manufacturing apparatus 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is incorporated in an electrode manufacturing system used for a power storage device such as a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery, and an active material layer is formed on the surface of the metal foil 2. 3 is configured as an apparatus for performing a series of steps of cutting the raw material 4 of the electrode formed with 3 into the shape of the work 5 and separating the work 5 from the raw material 4.

  The electrode fabric 4 handled by the electrode manufacturing apparatus 1 is formed by applying an electrode paste on the surface of a long metal foil 2 made of, for example, aluminum and drying the active material layer 3 on the surface of the metal foil 2. Formed. The active material layer 3 is formed in a band shape with a predetermined width in the longitudinal direction on the center side of the metal foil 2, for example, and uncoated portions where the active material layer 3 is not applied are formed at both ends of the metal foil 2. Yes.

  The electrode paste is a paste containing, for example, an active material, a binder, and a solvent. The electrode paste may further contain a conductive additive such as acetylene black. The active material may be either a positive electrode active material or a negative electrode active material. Examples of the positive electrode active material include composite oxide, metallic lithium, and sulfur. The composite oxide includes at least one of manganese, nickel, cobalt, and aluminum and lithium.

  Examples of the negative electrode active material include carbon such as graphite, highly oriented graphite, mesocarbon microbeads, hard carbon, and soft carbon, alkali metals such as lithium and sodium, metal compounds, SiOx (0.5 ≦ x ≦ 1.5 ) And the like, and boron-added carbon.

  The binder may be a thermoplastic resin such as polyamideimide or polyimide, or may be a polymer resin having an imide bond in the main chain. The solvent may be an organic solvent such as NMP (N-methylpyrrolidone), methanol, methyl isobutyl ketone, or water.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the electrode manufacturing apparatus 1 includes a first transport unit 11 that transports an original fabric 4 of an electrode, a cutting unit 12 that cuts a part of the original fabric 4 into the shape of a workpiece 5, and a workpiece. A separation unit 13 that separates from the original fabric 4 and a second conveyance unit 14 that receives and conveys the separated workpiece 5 are provided. The 1st conveyance part 11 conveys the original fabric 4 at a fixed speed between the unillustrated unwinding part and winding part by a roller etc. (1st conveyance process).

  As shown in FIG. 2, the cutting unit 12 includes, for example, a laser irradiation device (first cutting unit) 12A disposed on the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the original fabric 4 by the first conveyance unit 11, and a laser irradiation device 12A. And a laser irradiation device (second cutting unit) 12B arranged corresponding to the separation unit 13 on the downstream side.

  The laser irradiation device 12A is configured by, for example, a YAG laser. The laser irradiation device 12A forms an electrode part 5a by irradiating a laser beam, for example, by cutting the raw material 4 into a substantially rectangular shape with the width of the active material layer 3, and also uncoated electrodes on one side of the electrode part. Is cut into a rectangular shape to define a tab portion 5b. This laser irradiation apparatus 12A forms uncut portions P (see FIG. 1) at two diagonal corner portions in the electrode portion 5a, and cuts the remaining portions.

  Further, the laser irradiation device 12B is configured by, for example, a YAG laser having a smaller output than the laser irradiation device 12A. The laser irradiation device 12B cuts the non-cut portion P at the timing when the workpiece 5 reaches the separation unit 13 by laser beam irradiation, and completely cuts the workpiece 5 from the original fabric 4 (cutting step).

  As illustrated in FIG. 2, the separation unit 13 includes a folding unit K that folds back the conveyance direction of the original fabric 4. In the present embodiment, the folding unit K is configured by a conveyance roller 15 that forms a part of the first conveyance unit 11. The original fabric 4 that has passed through the cutting unit 12 has an acute angle along the conveying roller 15 in a direction that intersects the conveying direction of the original fabric 4 by the first conveying unit 11 when the workpiece 5 is cut by the cutting unit 12, for example. Wrapped to Thereby, while the original fabric 4 is bent at a curvature along the peripheral surface of the conveying roller 15, the workpiece 5 cut by the cutting unit 12 is not bent and separated from the original fabric 4 to the second conveying unit 14. Delivered (separation process).

  The second transport unit 14 includes a belt 17 that is transported by a roller including the drawing roller 16. The drawing roller 16 is disposed to face the conveying roller 15 on the first conveying unit 11 side with a predetermined interval, and the workpiece 5 is transferred from the first conveying unit 11 to the second conveying unit 14 at this position. . The workpiece 5 transferred to the second transport unit 14 is transported to a predetermined transport destination by the belt 17 (second transport process).

  As described above, in the electrode manufacturing apparatus 1, after a part of the raw material 4 of the electrode is cut into the shape of the work 5, the work 5 is cut by the folded portion K when the work 5 is separated from the raw material 4. The conveyance direction of the original fabric 4 is folded back in a direction crossing the conveyance direction. By such folding of the original fabric 4, the workpiece 5 can be separated from the original fabric 4 in a non-contact manner without pressing a pressing pin or the like against the original fabric. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the surface of the electrode from being damaged due to the pressing pin or the like being brought into contact with the electrode that is the work 5, and to suppress the adhesion of foreign matter to the electrode that is the work 5 via the pressing pin or the like. it can.

  Further, in the electrode manufacturing apparatus 1, the folded portion K is configured by a transport roller 15 that transports the original fabric 4. By using the small-diameter conveying roller 15, a sufficient curvature can be given to the original fabric 4 in the separation unit 13, so that the workpiece 5 can be more reliably separated from the original fabric 4. Further, since the transport roller 15 is used as the first transport unit 11, it is possible to avoid complication of the apparatus configuration.

Moreover, in the electrode manufacturing apparatus 1, it arrange | positions corresponding to the laser irradiation apparatus 12A which forms the non-cutting part P in at least one part of the shape of the workpiece | work 5, and cut | disconnects the remaining part, and the isolation | separation part 13, A non-cutting part The cutting unit 12 is configured by the laser irradiation device 12B that cuts P. With such a configuration, the workpiece 5 can be preferably separated from the raw fabric 4 while suppressing the falling of the workpiece 5 during cutting.
[Second Embodiment]

  FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an electrode manufacturing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a side view of the electrode manufacturing apparatus according to FIG. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the electrode manufacturing apparatus 21 according to the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the cutting unit 12 is configured only by the upstream laser irradiation apparatus 12 </ b> A.

  In this electrode manufacturing apparatus 21, as shown in FIG. 3, the laser irradiation apparatus 12 </ b> A does not form the non-cut portion P but cuts the entire shape of the workpiece 5. Moreover, in the electrode manufacturing apparatus 21, as shown in FIG. 4, the fall prevention part which prevents the fall of the workpiece | work 5 over the back side of the original fabric 4 conveyed by the 1st conveyance part 11 from the cutting part 12 to the separation part 13 is shown. 22 is arranged.

  The fall prevention unit 22 may be a plate-like member that has been surface-treated with, for example, Teflon (registered trademark), or may be an air ejection member that ejects air toward the workpiece 5. Further, the fall prevention unit 22 may be an auxiliary belt conveyor that conveys the belt at substantially the same speed as the conveyance speed of the original fabric 4 by the first conveyance unit 11. It may be a member that prevents separation.

  Also in the electrode manufacturing apparatus 21 as described above, when the workpiece 5 is separated from the original fabric 4 after a part of the original fabric 4 of the electrode is cut into the shape of the workpiece 5, the workpiece 5 is cut by the folded portion K. The conveyance direction of the original fabric 4 is folded back in a direction crossing the conveyance direction. By such folding of the original fabric 4, the workpiece 5 can be separated from the original fabric 4 in a non-contact manner without pressing a pressing pin or the like against the original fabric. Therefore, the adhesion of foreign matter to the electrode that is the work 5 can be suppressed.

Moreover, in the electrode manufacturing apparatus 21, since the cutting part 12 cuts the whole shape of the workpiece 5, the workpiece 5 can be easily separated from the original fabric 4 without applying a force to the workpiece 5. Since the fall prevention unit 22 that prevents the workpiece 5 from dropping is disposed from the cutting unit 12 to the separation unit 13, the workpiece 5 is received by the second transport unit 14 even when the entire shape of the workpiece 5 is cut. It can be prevented from falling off the original fabric 4 before being delivered.
[Third Embodiment]

  FIG. 5 is a plan view showing an electrode manufacturing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of the electrode manufacturing apparatus according to FIG. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the electrode manufacturing apparatus 31 according to the third embodiment is configured such that the drawing roller 16 in the second transport unit 14 sucks the workpiece 5 separated from the original fabric 4 by the separation unit 13. It differs from the first embodiment in that it is a roller 32. Moreover, the cutting part 12 is comprised only by the laser irradiation apparatus 12A of the upstream.

  In this electrode manufacturing apparatus 31, as shown in FIG. 5, the laser irradiation apparatus 12 </ b> A is not cut at one point in the central portion of the side of the first transport unit 11 on the downstream side in the transport direction, for example, of the shape of the work 5. A part P is formed, and the remaining part is cut. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the drawing roller 16 of the second transport unit 14 has a plurality of suction holes 33 for sucking air arranged on the peripheral surface, and the workpiece separated from the original fabric 4 by the separation unit 13. 5 is a suction roller 32 that sucks 5 by suction of air. The non-cut portion P formed by the laser irradiation device 12 </ b> A is cut by the suction force of the suction roller 32, and the workpiece 5 completely cut from the original fabric 4 is delivered to the second transport unit 14.

  In the second transport unit 14, for example, a pair of belt-like belts 34 that pass through both sides of the arrangement portion of the suction holes 33 are used in order to cause the suction force of the suction roller 32 to act on the workpiece 5. Further, in the suction roller 32, the suction holes 33 are arranged over the entire peripheral surface, but it is not necessary to suck air in all the suction holes 33, and the suction roller 32 has the transport roller 15 on the peripheral surface of the suction roller 32. Air suction may be performed only in the upper half portion of the facing portion.

  Also in the electrode manufacturing apparatus 31 as described above, when a part of the raw material 4 of the electrode is cut into the shape of the work 5 and then the work 5 is separated from the raw material 4, the work 5 is cut by the folded portion K. The conveyance direction of the original fabric 4 is folded back in a direction crossing the conveyance direction. By such folding of the original fabric 4, the workpiece 5 can be separated from the original fabric 4 in a non-contact manner without pressing a pressing pin or the like against the original fabric. Therefore, the adhesion of foreign matter to the electrode that is the work 5 can be suppressed.

Moreover, in the electrode manufacturing apparatus 31, while the cutting part 12 forms the non-cut | disconnecting part P only in the conveyance direction downstream of the 1st conveyance part 11 among the shapes of the workpiece | work 5, it is the 2nd conveyance part 14 side. The suction roller 32 sucks the workpiece 5 separated from the original fabric 4 by the separation unit 13 and cuts the non-cut portion P. With such a configuration, it is possible to more reliably deliver the workpiece 5 separated from the raw fabric 4 to the second transport unit 14 by using the suction force of the suction roller 32.
[Modification]

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the folding portion K is configured by the conveyance roller 15, but the folding portion K may not be a roller as long as it has a shape that folds the original fabric 4. Further, for example, in the above embodiment, the fall prevention unit 22 is used only in the second embodiment, but the fall prevention unit 22 may be used in the first embodiment and the third embodiment.

  Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, an ejection hole (air ejection part) 41 for ejecting air is arranged on the peripheral surface of the transport roller 15 in the first transport unit 11, and the workpiece from the original fabric 4 is ejected by air ejection. 5 may be assisted. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the ejection holes 41 are arranged over the entire circumferential surface. However, it is not necessary to eject the air through all the ejection holes 41, and the drawing roller among the circumferential surfaces of the transport roller 15. Air may be ejected only at the upper half of the portion facing 16.

  Further, when the web 4 is provided with curl, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, a pressing roller (pressing member) 42 that presses the outer region of the work 5 in the web 4 is moved up and down with the conveying roller 15. You may arrange | position in the isolation | separation part 13 so that it may oppose. In this case, since the original fabric 4 is pressed by the pressing roller 42 and the conveying roller 15, the workpiece 5 can be suitably separated from the original fabric 4 even when the original fabric 4 has a curl. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the rotation direction of the feed roller 43 of the original fabric 4 and the rotation direction of the conveyance roller 15 of the first conveyance unit 11 may be opposite to each other. Thereby, the curl of the raw fabric 4 conveyed by the 1st conveyance part 11 can be relieved.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 21, 31 ... Electrode manufacturing apparatus, 2 ... Metal foil, 3 ... Active material layer, 4 ... Raw material, 5 ... Workpiece, 11 ... 1st conveyance part, 12 ... Cutting part, 12A ... Laser irradiation apparatus (1st 1), 12B ... laser irradiation device (second cutting unit), 13 ... separating unit, 14 ... second conveying unit, 15 ... conveying roller, 22 ... fall prevention unit, 32 ... adsorption roller, 41 ... Ejection hole (air ejection part), 42 ... pressing roller (pressing member), K ... folding part, P ... non-cutting part.

Claims (10)

A first transport unit for transporting an electrode fabric in which an active material layer is formed on the surface of the metal foil;
A cutting unit for cutting a part of the original fabric conveyed by the first conveying unit into a workpiece shape;
A separation unit for separating the workpiece cut by the cutting unit from the original fabric;
A second transport unit that receives from the first transport unit the workpiece separated from the original fabric by the separation unit,
The separation unit has a turn-back unit that folds the conveyance direction of the original fabric in a direction intersecting the conveyance direction of the original fabric by the first conveyance unit when the workpiece is cut by the cutting unit. Electrode manufacturing equipment.   The electrode manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the folding portion is a conveyance roller that conveys the original fabric. The cutting part is
Forming a non-cut portion in at least a part of the shape of the workpiece, and cutting a remaining portion;
The electrode manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a second cutting portion that is arranged corresponding to the separation portion and cuts the non-cut portion.   The electrode cutting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cutting section cuts a part of the original fabric over the entire shape of the workpiece.   3. The electrode manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cutting unit forms a non-cutting portion on the downstream side in the transport direction of the first transport unit in the shape of the workpiece.   The electrode manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a fall prevention unit that prevents the workpiece from falling from the cutting unit to the separation unit is disposed.   The electrode manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second transport unit includes a suction roller that sucks the workpiece separated from the original fabric by the separation unit.   The electrode manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the folded portion has an air ejection portion that ejects air toward the workpiece separated from the original fabric by the separation portion.   The electrode manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the separation unit includes a pressing member that presses a region outside the workpiece in the original fabric. A first transporting step of transporting the raw material of the electrode having the active material layer formed on the surface of the metal foil by the first transporting unit;
A cutting step of cutting a part of the original fabric conveyed in the first conveying step into a workpiece shape;
A separation step of separating the workpiece cut in the cutting step from the original fabric;
A second transport step for receiving the workpiece separated from the original fabric by the separation step from the first transport unit,
In the separation step, an electrode manufacturing method in which the conveyance direction of the original fabric is folded back in a direction intersecting with the conveyance direction of the original fabric in the first conveyance step at the time of cutting the workpiece in the cutting step.

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