JP2016139495A - Sheet cutting device, sheet cutting method and method of manufacturing battery electrode - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To collect dust produced when cutting a sheet efficiently.SOLUTION: A sheet cutting device for cutting a strip electrode sheet having an active material layer into electrode sheet pieces by irradiating with laser light includes transport means for transporting the electrode sheet on the transport surface, and a processing head attached movably, and irradiating the electrode sheet on the transport surface transported by the transport means with the laser light. A saw blade-like cavity is formed on the transport surface for transporting the electrode sheet, and suction means for sucking dust, produced when cutting the electrode sheet in the cavity, is provided.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet cutting apparatus using a laser, and more particularly to a sheet cutting apparatus, a sheet cutting method, and a battery electrode manufacturing method that efficiently collect dust generated during sheet cutting.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been proposed a laser processing apparatus that irradiates a laser beam oscillated and condensed from a laser oscillator toward a workpiece from the tip of a processing head and cuts the workpiece by the laser beam. This laser processing apparatus is widely used for drilling metals such as aluminum sheets, non-metals, cemented carbide, stainless steel, and cutting of various metals, ceramics, etc. due to the excellent properties of the laser beam.

JP 11-314190 A

  However, in the above-described conventional laser processing apparatus, the cut piece at the time of cutting becomes dust and is scattered. In particular, when cutting an electrode sheet having an active material layer, the scattered dust adheres to the active material layer of the electrode that is cut and separated, thereby forming an element composed of an electrode and a separator. There has been a problem that there is a possibility that the dust adhering to the active material layer of the electrode may damage the separator or cause a short circuit between the electrodes. For example, for a secondary battery electrode (positive electrode, negative electrode) such as a lithium ion battery, a long electrode sheet having an active material layer by applying an electrode active material on the surface of a long metal thin film sheet is desired. It is manufactured by cutting to the size of However, in this cutting step, there is a risk that dust generated and scattered during cutting adheres to the active material layer. In addition, the manufactured electrode is formed by laminating the positive electrode and the negative electrode so as to face each other with a separator interposed therebetween, and a battery element is formed. However, after this battery element is formed, dust remains attached to the electrode. In such a case, there is a problem in that dust may damage the separator or cause a short circuit between the electrodes.

  Further, the scattered dust adheres to the laser head or the drive mechanism system of the head, thereby covering the optical path or causing a malfunction of the drive mechanism system.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and provides a sheet cutting device, a sheet cutting method, and a battery electrode manufacturing method that efficiently collect dust generated in cutting a sheet. Objective.

  The present invention proposes the following matters in order to solve the above problems. In addition, in order to make an understanding easy, although the code | symbol corresponding to embodiment of this invention is attached | subjected and demonstrated, it is not limited to this.

  (1) The present invention is a sheet cutting apparatus for irradiating a laser beam and cutting a strip-shaped electrode sheet having an active material layer into electrode sheet pieces, and transporting means for transporting the strip-shaped electrode sheet on the transport surface And a processing head that is movably attached and that irradiates the laser beam onto the electrode sheet on the transport surface that is transported by the transport means, and at the position where the processing head is movable, the electrode A sheet cutting device comprising: a saw blade-shaped gap formed on a conveying surface on which a sheet is conveyed; and a suction unit that sucks dust generated in cutting the electrode sheet in the gap. is suggesting.

  According to this invention, a conveyance means conveys the strip | belt-shaped electrode sheet on a conveyance surface. In addition, a saw blade-like shape is formed on the transport surface on which the electrode sheet is transported at a position where the machining head for irradiating the laser beam to the electrode sheet on the transport surface transported by the transport means is movable. A gap is formed, and the suction means sucks dust generated in cutting the electrode sheet in the gap. That is, since the saw-blade-shaped gap is formed on the transport surface on which the electrode sheet is transported at the position where the processing head is movable, the transport of the belt-shaped sheet is not hindered. Further, since the suction means sucks dust generated when cutting the electrode sheet in the gap, dust generated when cutting the belt-like sheet can be sucked efficiently.

  (2) The present invention proposes the sheet cutting device according to (1), wherein the gap is formed by facing saw blade-like members at the same height. Yes.

  According to the present invention, the gap is formed by facing the saw blade-shaped members at the same height. In other words, even when a gap is formed using two opposing saw blade-like members, the height of the gap is flat with respect to the conveyance surface, so that the belt-shaped sheet can be conveyed. Does not interfere. Further, since the laser beam is always irradiated perpendicularly to the sheet surface, the cutting accuracy can be kept uniform.

  (3) The present invention proposes a sheet cutting device according to (1) or (2), wherein the gap portion is formed so as to include a moving region of the laser beam. ing.

  According to this invention, the air gap is formed so as to include the moving region of the laser light. Therefore, since the space directly below the cut portion of the sheet is a gap, dust generated at the time of cutting can be efficiently collected.

  (4) The present invention proposes a sheet cutting apparatus according to (3), wherein the laser beam linearly moves in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the electrode sheet.

  According to the present invention, the laser beam moves linearly in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the electrode sheet, and the moving area is included in the moving area of the laser beam. Therefore, dust generated during cutting is efficiently collected. Can be dusty.

  (5) In the sheet cutting apparatus according to any one of (1) to (4), the present invention provides the saw blade-like gap portion so as to extend in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the electrode sheet, and the gap portion. The length of the said extending direction is proposed longer than the length of the said electrode sheet in the direction orthogonal to the said conveyance direction, The sheet cutting device characterized by the above-mentioned is proposed.

  According to this invention, the sawtooth-shaped gap is provided so as to extend in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the electrode sheet, and the length of the gap in the extending direction is orthogonal to the conveying direction of the electrode sheet. Longer than the direction length. That is, since the gap portion longer than the length of the electrode sheet in the direction orthogonal to the electrode sheet conveyance direction is provided, dust generated at the end portion of the electrode sheet can also be reliably sucked and collected.

  (6) The present invention cuts a belt-shaped electrode sheet into electrode sheet pieces by conveying a belt-shaped electrode sheet having an active material layer and irradiating the electrode sheet with laser light from a processing head. In the method, at the position where the processing head is movable, a saw blade-shaped gap is formed on a conveyance surface on which the electrode sheet is conveyed, and the electrode sheet is conveyed so as to pass over the gap, A sheet cutting method has been proposed in which dust generated during the cutting of the electrode sheet is sucked into the gap.

  According to this invention, at the position where the machining head is movable, a saw-blade-shaped gap is formed on the conveyance surface on which the electrode sheet is conveyed, and the electrode sheet is conveyed so as to pass over the gap, and the gap The dust generated when the electrode sheet is cut is sucked. Therefore, dust generated during cutting of the belt-like sheet can be efficiently sucked without hindering the conveyance of the belt-like sheet.

  (7) In order to manufacture a battery electrode, the present invention conveys a belt-shaped electrode sheet having an active material layer, and irradiates the electrode sheet with laser light from the processing head to form the electrode in the belt-shaped electrode sheet. A battery electrode manufacturing method for cutting a sheet piece and conveying the cut electrode sheet piece, wherein a saw blade-like gap is formed on a conveyance surface on which the electrode sheet is conveyed at a position where the processing head is movable. The electrode sheet is formed so as to pass over the gap, and the electrode sheet is cut by irradiating laser light from the processing head in the gap, and dust generated in the cutting is sucked, A method of manufacturing a battery electrode, characterized in that an electrode sheet piece obtained by cutting an electrode sheet is conveyed.

  According to this invention, at the position where the machining head is movable, a saw-blade-shaped gap is formed on the conveyance surface on which the electrode sheet is conveyed, and the electrode sheet is conveyed so as to pass over the gap. Laser light is irradiated from the processing head, the electrode sheet is cut, dust generated in the cutting is sucked, and an electrode sheet piece obtained by cutting the electrode sheet is conveyed. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently suck dust generated in the cutting of the belt-like sheet without hindering the conveyance of the belt-like sheet, and in an attitude that the electrode sheet obtained by cutting can be easily handled in the next process. Can be transported.

  According to the present invention, a saw blade-like gap is formed on the conveying surface of the strip electrode sheet at a position where the machining head is movable, and the gap sucks dust generated in cutting the strip electrode sheet. For this reason, there exists an effect that dust collection efficiency can be improved, without inhibiting conveyance of a strip | belt-shaped electrode sheet. As a result, the scattered dust adheres to the active material layer, thereby preventing quality problems such as damaging the separator after forming the element or causing a short circuit between the electrodes, and the scattered dust can drive the laser head and head. By adhering to the mechanism system, it is possible to cover the optical path and to prevent malfunction of the drive mechanism system.

It is a figure showing a sheet cutting process including a sheet cutting device concerning an embodiment of the present invention. It is the figure which showed the electrical constitution of the sheet cutting device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating regarding the opening part of the conveyance path which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of FIG. 3 (B) based on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the opening part of the conveyance path which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing containing the opening part of the conveyance path which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing containing the opening part of the conveyance path which concerns on another example. It is a figure showing processing of a sheet cutting device concerning an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
Note that the constituent elements in the present embodiment can be appropriately replaced with existing constituent elements and the like, and various variations including combinations with other existing constituent elements are possible. Therefore, the description of the present embodiment does not limit the contents of the invention described in the claims.

<Embodiment>
The present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

<Electrode sheet cutting process>
The electrode sheet cutting process according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the electrode sheet cutting step according to the present embodiment includes a conveyance path 2 having an opening 2 </ b> A and a sheet cutting device 100, and the electrode sheet 1 is conveyed on the conveyance path 2. In addition, in FIG. 1, the state before an electrode sheet cutting process is shown in the left figure, and the state at the time of an electrode sheet cutting process is shown in the right figure.

  The electrode sheet 1 is an electrode sheet composed of, for example, an active material layer 1A and an uncoated layer 1B. This electrode sheet may be, for example, an electrode sheet of a battery in which an active material layer 1A is provided on a part of the base electrode sheet, or another active material layer 1A provided on the base sheet. It may be a laminate of these sheets.

  The conveyance path 2 may be a conveyor type constituted by a material excellent in the adsorptivity of the electrode sheet 1 or may be conveyed by a roller constituted by a material excellent in the adsorption property of the electrode sheet 1. The thing etc. may be sufficient.

  The electrode sheet 1 is conveyed on the conveyance path 2. When the cut portion of the electrode sheet reaches a predetermined position with respect to the opening 2A of the conveyance path 2 by the control unit described later, the conveyance of the electrode sheet 1 is stopped, on the opening 2A, and By moving the sheet cutting device 100 at a predetermined speed in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the electrode sheet 1, the electrode sheet 1 is cut into an electrode sheet piece.

  Note that the timing of moving the sheet cutting device 100 to cut the electrode sheet 1 is, for example, when the electrode sheet 1 is first inserted, by the sensors provided at both ends of the conveyance path 2 (not shown). The edge position is measured and determined by the time count from the conveyance speed. Further, after that, the conveyance distance may be determined based on the time count, and the movable cutting timing of the sheet cutting apparatus 100 may be generated. Further, when the electrode sheet 1 reaches a predetermined position, the conveyance of the electrode sheet 1 may be stopped, and the sheet cutting apparatus 100 may be moved using this as a trigger.

  The configuration of the opening 2A will be described later.

<Electric configuration of sheet cutting device>
The electrical configuration of the sheet cutting apparatus according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2, the sheet cutting device 100 according to the present embodiment includes a processing unit 110, a movable unit 120, a dust collection unit 130, and a control unit 140.

  The processing unit 110 includes a processing head that irradiates and cuts the electrode sheet 1 with laser light, and a storage case that stores the processing head. The processing unit 110 irradiates the electrode sheet 1 with laser light according to a control signal from the control unit 140.

  The movable unit 120 moves the processing unit 110 on the opening 2 </ b> A and in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the electrode sheet 1. The moving speed and moving time at this time depend on a control signal from the control unit 140. The mechanical configuration of the movable unit 120 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a type that moves on a rail by motor drive.

  The dust collection unit 130 is provided in the vicinity of the lower portion of the opening 2A provided in the conveyance path 2, and is configured by a duct that exhausts air containing dust generated in the electrode sheet cutting.

  The control unit 140 has, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory) as storage means, and controls the operation of the entire sheet cutting apparatus according to a control program stored in advance in the ROM. For example, the conveyance speed and the position of the electrode sheet are detected from a sensor or the like provided in the conveyance unit 20, and the movable timing of the movable unit 120 is generated and controlled. Further, control is performed by generating irradiation start timing and irradiation stop timing of laser light from a sensor provided in the processing unit 110. Moreover, the start timing and stop timing of the dust collection unit 130 are generated and controlled from the sensor provided in the processing unit 110.

<Mechanical structure of the opening>
A mechanical configuration of the opening according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 7.

  FIG. 3 is a view when the transport path 2 is viewed from above, and the electrode sheet is transported from the upstream transport path side toward the downstream transport path. As in this embodiment, when the opening 2A is provided on the lower surface of the electrode sheet corresponding to the electrode sheet cutting portion and dust collected in the cutting of the electrode sheet is collected, the area through which the dust passes to increase dust collection efficiency Is preferably as wide as possible. For example, as shown in FIG. 3B, it is desirable that the gap of the opening 2A is as wide as possible. On the other hand, however, if the gap of the opening 2A is made too wide, as shown in FIG. 4, the conveyed electrode sheet falls into the gap, and there is a problem that correct conveyance cannot be performed.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, as shown in FIG. 3A, it is necessary not to make the gap of the opening 2A too wide and to secure the opening area of the opening 2A as wide as possible. However, if the opening area is too narrow, sufficient dust collection efficiency cannot be obtained.

Therefore, in the present invention, as shown in FIG. 5, the shape of the opening 2A is formed in a saw blade shape.
Thereby, since the saw-tooth-shaped gap is formed on the transport surface on which the electrode sheet is transported at the position where the machining head is movable, the transport of the belt-shaped electrode sheet is not hindered. Further, since the suction means sucks dust generated in cutting the electrode sheet in the gap (in the direction opposite to the processing head), dust generated in cutting the strip electrode sheet can be sucked efficiently. This suction may be configured so that the suction is always performed, or the control unit 140 may perform suction at a predetermined time when the electrode sheet is cut and before and after the cutting.

  Further, the gap of the opening 2A is formed so as to include a laser light moving region. Thereby, since the space directly under the cut portion of the electrode sheet is a gap, dust generated during cutting can be efficiently collected.

  Further, the laser light linearly moves in a direction orthogonal to the electrode sheet conveyance direction. Therefore, dust generated during cutting can be collected efficiently.

  In addition, the sawtooth-shaped gap is provided so as to extend in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the electrode sheet, and the length of the gap in the extending direction is longer than the length of the electrode sheet in the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction. . Therefore, since the gap portion longer than the length of the electrode sheet in the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the electrode sheet is provided, dust generated at the end portion of the electrode sheet can also be reliably sucked and collected.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the saw-blade gap is formed so that the crest on one side of the saw blade and the trough on the other side face each other, and the interval between the crest and trough of the saw blade (o = p = q) is larger than the moving region of the laser beam. The interval W1 between the peak of one saw blade and the valley of the other saw blade (or the valley of one saw blade and the peak of the other saw blade) is slightly smaller than the moving region of the laser beam. It is preferable to make it larger. This is because, as a result of the demonstration experiment, when the electrode sheet is cut by the laser beam, if the electrode sheet is sequentially cut along with the movement of the laser beam, dust easily collects in the portion where the laser beam is located. This is based on the fact that dust can be reliably collected by adopting the above structure.

  In addition, as described above, the distance between the crest of one saw blade that supports the electrode sheet during conveyance and the trough of the other saw blade is slightly larger than the moving region of the laser beam, It is possible to make it difficult for the gap to fall.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the dimensions a and b of the saw blade are a = b, and there is no phase difference between the saw blades facing each other, that is, the length of the gap is the same from any cross section ( o = p = q). This is because if the air gap is non-uniform, it may affect the dust collection characteristics of the dust. The above is an example, and a and b do not have to be equal if they are configured so that there is no phase difference between opposing saw blades and do not affect the dust collection characteristics of dust.

  In addition, the interval W1 between the peak of one saw blade and the valley of the other saw blade (or the valley of one saw blade and the peak of the other saw blade) does not allow the laser light to hit the conveyance path. Thus, it is necessary to make the diameter equal to or greater than the diameter of the laser beam (laser beam spot diameter). In addition, after confirming by experiment that the interval of about 10 times the maximum thickness of the electrode sheet is the maximum value at which the electrode sheet does not fall into the gap, the interval W1 = 10 w is set with respect to the maximum thickness w of the electrode sheet. The knowledge that it is preferable to make it the maximum was obtained. Therefore, it is desirable that the interval W1 is not more than 10 times the maximum thickness of the electrode sheet to be processed with the laser beam spot diameter or more.

  In addition, the angle between the peaks and valleys of the saw blade is sufficient if it satisfies the above conditions. However, if the angle is small, for example, the bottom of the valley and the vicinity thereof form a narrow space, so that dust tends to accumulate. . Further, if the length of the gap is the same (o = p = q), the gap shape approaches a straight line as the angle increases, and the area (opening area) of the gap area for dust collection decreases. Therefore, the dust collection effect is reduced. Further, assuming that the sawtooth crest of the upstream conveying path and the sawtooth crest of the downstream conveying path are opposed to each other, the distance between the trough of one saw blade and the trough of the other saw blade If the dimensions a and b of the saw blade are large, the foil is likely to bend, and the bent portion of the foil may enter the wide gap and prevent smooth conveyance of the foil. For this reason, the angle formed by the peaks and valleys of the saw blade is preferably 60 ° ≦ α ≦ 120 °, and preferably α = 90 °.

  In consideration of the conveyance of the electrode sheet, as shown in FIG. 7A, it is conceivable to form the opening 2A so that the downstream conveyance path is lower than the upstream conveyance path. However, in the case of this configuration, as shown in FIG. 7B, the electrode sheet is bent due to the height difference, and the bent curved surface is irradiated with laser light. That is, when the electrode sheet is placed horizontally, similarly to the case where the laser beam is applied obliquely, the laser beam is not irradiated perpendicularly to the electrode sheet, which causes a problem in cutting quality. In this case, there is also a concern that the dust collection efficiency is deteriorated because the scattering distribution of the dust generated by the cutting with the laser beam is changed. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 6, it is desirable that the upstream conveyance path and the downstream conveyance path across the opening 2A are horizontal.

<Processing of sheet cutting device>
The process of the sheet cutting device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, it is detected that the cut portion of the belt-like sheet having the active material layer has been conveyed to a predetermined position from the saw-blade gap in the conveyance path (step S110), and based on the detection result, the processing head Starts moving in a direction perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction (step S120).

  Next, when the sensor provided in the processing part detects the end face of the sheet (step S130), the laser beam starts to be emitted and the dust collecting operation by suction is started (step S140).

  Further, when the sensor provided in the processing unit detects the other end face of the sheet (step S150), the emission of the laser light is stopped and the sheet piece obtained by cutting is conveyed (step S160).

  By performing such a series of processes, the sheet is cut. In addition, when a sheet | seat is an electrode sheet used for a battery, the electrode sheet used inside a battery can be manufactured by said process.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the processing head is movable, and a saw-blade gap is formed on the transport surface of the belt-like electrode sheet, and the gap is the cutting of the belt-like electrode sheet. The dust generated in is sucked. For this reason, there exists an effect that dust collection efficiency can be improved, without inhibiting conveyance of a strip | belt-shaped electrode sheet. As a result, the scattered dust adheres to the active material layer, thereby preventing quality problems such as damaging the separator after forming the element or causing a short circuit between the electrodes, and the scattered dust can drive the laser head and head. By adhering to the mechanism system, it is possible to cover the optical path and to prevent malfunction of the drive mechanism system.

  Note that the sheet cutting apparatus of the present invention is realized by recording the above processing of the sheet cutting apparatus on a recording medium readable by a computer system, causing the sheet cutting apparatus to read and execute a program recorded on the recording medium. be able to. The computer system here includes an OS and hardware such as peripheral devices.

  Further, the “computer system” includes a homepage providing environment (or display environment) if a WWW (World Wide Web) system is used. The program may be transmitted from a computer system storing the program in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or by a transmission wave in the transmission medium. Here, the “transmission medium” for transmitting the program refers to a medium having a function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) such as the Internet or a communication line (communication line) such as a telephone line.

  The program may be for realizing a part of the functions described above. Furthermore, what can implement | achieve the function mentioned above in combination with the program already recorded on the computer system, what is called a difference file (difference program) may be sufficient.

  The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to the embodiments, and includes designs and the like that do not depart from the gist of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1; Electrode sheet | seat 1A; Active material layer 1B; Uncoated layer 2; Conveyance path 2A; Opening part 20; Conveyance part 100; Sheet cutting device 110;

Claims (7)

A sheet cutting device for irradiating a laser beam and cutting a strip-shaped electrode sheet having an active material layer into electrode sheet pieces,
Conveying means for conveying the belt-like electrode sheet on the conveying surface;
A processing head that is movably attached and irradiates the laser beam onto the electrode sheet on the transport surface transported by the transport means;
With
At the position where the processing head is movable, a saw blade-shaped gap is formed on the transport surface on which the electrode sheet is transported,
A sheet cutting apparatus comprising: suction means for sucking dust generated in cutting the electrode sheet in the gap.   2. The sheet cutting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the gap is formed by facing saw blade-like members at the same height.   The sheet cutting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the gap is formed so as to include a moving region of the laser beam.   The sheet cutting apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the laser beam linearly moves in a direction orthogonal to a conveyance direction of the electrode sheet.   The sawtooth-shaped gap is provided so as to extend in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the electrode sheet, and the length of the gap in the extension direction is orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the electrode sheet. The sheet cutting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the sheet cutting device is longer than a length in a direction. A sheet cutting method of cutting a band-shaped electrode sheet into electrode sheet pieces by conveying a band-shaped electrode sheet having an active material layer and irradiating the electrode sheet with laser light from a processing head,
At the position where the processing head is movable, a saw-blade gap is formed on the transfer surface on which the electrode sheet is transferred, and the electrode sheet is transferred so as to pass over the gap, and the electrode sheet is cut. The sheet cutting method characterized by sucking the dust generated in the above-mentioned gap portion. In order to manufacture a battery electrode, a belt-shaped electrode sheet having an active material layer is conveyed, and the belt-shaped electrode sheet is cut into electrode sheet pieces by irradiating the electrode sheet with laser light from a processing head, and then cut A method of manufacturing a battery electrode for conveying the electrode sheet piece,
In the position where the processing head is movable, a saw-blade-shaped gap is formed on the transport surface on which the electrode sheet is transported,
Transport the electrode sheet to pass over the gap,
In the gap portion, the electrode sheet is cut by irradiating a laser beam from the processing head, and the dust generated in the cutting is sucked,
Conveying an electrode sheet piece obtained by cutting the electrode sheet;
A method for producing a battery electrode characterized by the above.

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