JP2017084619A - Electrode lamination device and electrode lamination method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electrode lamination device and an electrode lamination method capable of reducing an impact when an electrode stops at a laminating unit.SOLUTION: A speed adjusting unit 20 is provided with a braking unit 21 for reducing the moving speeds of a negative electrode 12 and a separator-attached positive electrode 10 which slide on a speed adjusting surface 24a. Since the speed adjusting unit 20 is arranged on the upstream side of a laminating unit 4, the braking unit 21 can reduce the moving speeds of the negative electrode 12 and the separator-attached positive electrode 10 at a position on the upstream side of the laminating unit 4. The moving speeds of the negative electrode 12 and the separator-attached positive electrode 10 are reduced at the position on the upstream side of the laminating unit 4 as described above, whereby an impact when the electrode stops can be reduced.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

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

  As an electrode stacking device, devices described in Patent Documents 1 to 4 are known. These are all apparatuses for laminating sequentially supplied electrodes. In the apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the electrode plate continuously conveyed is discharged into the air and dropped. The electrode plates are stacked on the stacking table so that the electrode plate falls at a predetermined position. In the apparatus described in Patent Document 2, the electrode plates that are sequentially conveyed and supplied are placed on the front receiving plate and placed on the lower receiving plate. In these apparatuses, the electrode plate is conveyed and supplied by a belt conveyor.

  In the apparatus described in Patent Document 3, the sheet-like body is cut and discharged while being supplied by the supply mechanism, and the sheet-like body is dropped and moved using gravity by the drop moving means arranged below the supply mechanism. Let Guide laminating means is disposed below the drop moving means, and the guide laminating means sequentially guides and laminates the sheet-like bodies. Two supply mechanisms are arranged in two upper and lower stages, and two different sheet-like bodies such as a positive electrode body and a negative electrode body are alternately stacked. In the apparatus described in Patent Document 4, a single cathode plate, a separator, an anode single plate, and a separator, which are sequentially conveyed by a conveyor, are repeatedly stacked by a stacking apparatus.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-41208 JP 2009-123598 A JP 2012-91372 A JP 63-164175 A

  When it is assumed that the electrodes are transported and stacked at high speed, the moving speed of the electrodes also tends to increase. In the stacking section where the electrodes are stacked, it is necessary to stop the electrode that has been transported at high speed using some means. For example, stop means for bringing the electrode into contact with a stop portion standing in the electrode conveyance direction (in other words, the moving direction) can be considered, but if the electrode hits the stop portion at high speed, problems may occur in several aspects. . For example, damage to the electrode, in particular, powder fall off from the active material can be considered.

  Therefore, the present inventors are considering reducing the impact when the electrode stops at the laminated portion. An object of this invention is to provide the electrode lamination apparatus and electrode lamination method which can reduce the impact at the time of an electrode stopping at a lamination | stacking part.

  One aspect of the present invention is an electrode laminating apparatus for laminating sheet-like electrodes that are sequentially supplied by its own weight, and has a speed adjustment surface extending in the horizontal direction, and the electrode that has moved from the upstream side is used as the speed adjustment surface. A speed adjusting unit that adjusts the speed by sliding along, and a stacking unit that is arranged downstream of the speed adjusting unit and that stacks the electrodes, and the speed adjusting unit moves the electrode that slides on the speed adjusting surface. A braking unit is provided to reduce the speed.

  According to this electrode stacking apparatus, the speed adjusting unit is provided with the braking unit that reduces the moving speed of the electrode that slides on the speed adjusting surface extending in the horizontal direction. Since the speed adjusting unit is disposed upstream of the stacked unit, the brake unit can reduce the moving speed of the electrode at a position upstream of the stacked unit. Thus, by reducing the moving speed of the electrode at a position upstream of the stacked portion, it is possible to reduce the impact when the electrode stops at the stacked portion.

  The braking unit includes a gas blowing unit that blows gas toward the speed adjustment surface from a position separated from the speed adjustment surface. In this case, the electrode that slides on the speed adjustment surface is pressed toward the speed adjustment surface by being blown with gas from the gas blowing unit. Thereby, in addition to the frictional force with the sprayed gas, the frictional force from the speed adjustment surface side due to being pressed to the speed adjustment surface side is applied to the electrode. These frictional forces function as braking forces on the electrodes.

  The braking unit includes a suction unit that can suck the electrode sliding on the speed adjustment surface toward the speed adjustment surface. In this case, the electrode sucked to the speed adjustment surface side is pressed to the speed adjustment surface side. Thereby, the frictional force from the speed adjustment surface side is given to the electrode by being pressed to the speed adjustment surface side. This frictional force functions as a braking force for the electrode.

  The braking unit includes an ultrasonic wave generation unit that generates a traveling wave from the downstream side toward the upstream side on the speed adjustment surface. As a result, a force from the downstream side to the upstream side is applied to the electrode by the vibration of the traveling wave. Such a force functions as a braking force for the electrode.

  The braking force generated by the braking unit on the downstream side is larger than the braking force generated on the upstream side of the speed adjustment surface. Thereby, when the electrode reaches the speed adjusting unit, it is possible to apply a sufficient braking force on the downstream side while suppressing a sudden change in the moving speed.

  One aspect of the present invention is an electrode stacking apparatus that stacks sheet-like electrodes that are sequentially supplied by its own weight, and includes a transport unit that transports electrodes on a transport surface, and a speed adjustment surface that extends continuously with the transport surface. A speed adjusting unit that adjusts the speed by sliding the electrode that has moved from the upstream side along the speed adjusting surface, and a laminated unit that is arranged on the downstream side of the speed adjusting unit and laminates the electrodes, The speed adjusting unit is provided with a braking unit that reduces the moving speed of the electrode that slides on the speed adjusting surface.

  According to this electrode laminating apparatus, the speed adjusting unit is provided with the braking unit that reduces the moving speed of the electrode that slides on the speed adjusting surface continuously extending with the transport surface. Since the speed adjusting unit is disposed upstream of the stacked unit, the brake unit can reduce the moving speed of the electrode at a position upstream of the stacked unit. Thus, by reducing the moving speed of the electrode at a position upstream of the stacked portion, it is possible to reduce the impact when the electrode stops at the stacked portion.

  Another aspect of the present invention is an electrode laminating method for laminating sheet-like electrodes sequentially supplied by its own weight, and the electrodes that have moved from the upstream side are slid along a speed adjustment surface that extends in a horizontal direction. A speed adjusting step for adjusting the speed and a layering step for laminating the electrodes after the speed adjusting step, and in the speed adjusting step, a braking step for reducing the moving speed of the electrode sliding on the speed adjusting surface is executed. The

  According to this electrode lamination method, the same operation and effect as the above-mentioned electrode lamination apparatus are produced.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the impact when the electrode stops at the laminated portion.

It is a figure which shows typically the electrode lamination apparatus of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows typically the braking part of the electrode lamination apparatus of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows typically the electrode lamination apparatus which concerns on a comparative example. It is a figure which shows typically the braking part of the electrode lamination apparatus of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the positional relationship of a suction part. It is a figure which shows typically the braking part of the electrode lamination apparatus of 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows typically the electrode lamination apparatus which concerns on the modification of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

(First embodiment)
With reference to FIG. 1, the electrode lamination apparatus 1 of 1st Embodiment is demonstrated. The electrode stacking apparatus 1 is an apparatus used in a production line for power storage devices such as lithium ion secondary batteries. The power storage device production line generally includes a positive electrode manufacturing line, a negative electrode manufacturing line, and an assembly line that assembles the power storage device together with a case using electrodes (positive electrode and negative electrode) manufactured in each electrode manufacturing line. Is done. The electrode laminating apparatus 1 is an apparatus for obtaining a laminated body X that is a precursor of an electrode assembly by laminating a positive electrode and a negative electrode, which are arranged on an assembly line.

  The electrode stacking device 1 stacks the positive electrode 11, the separator 13, and the negative electrode 12 of the power storage device. The electrode assembly of the power storage device includes a positive electrode 11, a negative electrode 12, and a bag-shaped separator 13 disposed between the positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 12. One electrode of the positive electrode 11 or the negative electrode 12 can be accommodated in the separator 13. In the present embodiment, the positive electrode 11 is accommodated in the separator 13. In a state where the positive electrode 11 is housed in the separator 13, the positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 12 are alternately stacked via the separator 13. That is, the electrode stacking apparatus 1 alternately stacks the negative electrodes 12 and the positive electrodes 10 with separators that are sheet-like electrodes (workpieces).

  The positive electrode 11 has a positive electrode active material layer formed on both sides of a rectangular metal foil made of, for example, an aluminum foil. The positive electrode active material layer is formed including a positive electrode active material and a binder. Examples of the positive electrode active material include composite oxide, metallic lithium, and sulfur. The composite oxide includes, for example, at least one of manganese, nickel, cobalt, and aluminum and lithium. The positive electrode 11 of this embodiment includes a pair of long sides and a pair of short sides. On one of the long sides, a tab (protrusion) 11a used for connection with the positive electrode terminal is formed.

  The portion excluding the tab 11 a of the positive electrode 11 is accommodated in a bag-like separator 13. Examples of the material for forming the separator 13 include a porous film made of a polyolefin resin such as polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), a woven fabric or a non-woven fabric made of polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), methylcellulose and the like. The tab 11 a of the positive electrode 11 protrudes outward from the long side of the substantially rectangular separator (main body part) 13. Thus, the positive electrode 11 with a separator is comprised by accommodating the positive electrode 11 in the bag-shaped separator 13. FIG. Note that the width in the left-right direction of the bag-shaped separator 13 used in the electrode stacking apparatus 1 according to this embodiment is the same as the width of the negative electrode 12. Further, the height of the separator 13 is slightly larger than the height of the negative electrode 12 main body. The separator 13 is not limited to a bag shape, and a sheet shape may be used.

  On the other hand, the negative electrode 12 has a negative electrode active material layer formed on both surfaces of a metal foil made of, for example, copper foil. The negative electrode active material layer is formed including a negative electrode active material and a binder. 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 negative electrode 12 of this embodiment includes a pair of long sides and a pair of short sides. On one of the long sides, a tab (protrusion) 12a used for connection with the negative electrode terminal is formed. The tab 12a of the negative electrode 12 protrudes outward from the long side of the rectangular main body portion 12b on which the negative electrode active material layer is formed. The tab 11a and the tab 12a are formed at positions that do not overlap each other when the positive electrode 11 (that is, the positive electrode 10 with a separator) and the negative electrode 12 are overlapped.

  The binder is, for example, a fluorine-containing resin such as polyvinylidene fluoride, polytetrafluoroethylene, or fluororubber, a thermoplastic resin such as polypropylene or polyethylene, an imide resin such as polyimide or polyamideimide, or an alkoxysilyl group-containing resin. Good.

  The electrode laminating apparatus 1 slides the positive electrode 10 and the negative electrode 12 with separators that are discharged from the outlet 2b of the conveyance unit 2 and the conveyance unit 2 that alternately conveys the positive electrode 10 and the negative electrode 12 with two different types of electrodes. The speed adjusting unit 20 to be performed, the sliding unit 50 for sliding the positive electrode 10 and the negative electrode 12 with the separator adjusted by the speed adjusting unit 20, and the positive electrode 10 and the negative electrode 12 with the separator sliding to the sliding unit 50 are alternately received and stacked. In the region A, a stacked portion 4 that forms the stacked body X of electrodes is provided.

  The transport unit 2 is a belt conveyor having a belt 2d, for example. The transport unit 2 alternately places the negative electrodes 12 and the positive electrodes 10 with separators on the transport surface 2a of the belt 2d, and transports them in the transport direction D1. The transport direction D1 in the transport unit 2 is, for example, the horizontal direction. In addition, the conveyance direction D1 is not restricted to a horizontal direction, You may incline with respect to a horizontal direction. The conveyance part 2 conveys the negative electrode 12 and the positive electrode 10 with a separator so that tab 12a, 11a may be located in the upstream of the conveyance direction D1. In other words, the conveyance part 2 conveys the negative electrode 12 and the positive electrode 10 with a separator so that the other long side in which the tabs 12a and 11a are not formed becomes the front side. A positive electrode supply unit and a negative electrode supply unit (not shown) are disposed on the upstream side of the transport unit 2. The positive electrode 10 with a separator is supplied and placed on the transport surface 2a by the positive electrode supply unit. The negative electrode 12 is supplied and placed on the transport surface 2a by the negative electrode supply unit. In addition, as long as the conveyance part 2 can convey the negative electrode 12 and the positive electrode 10 with a separator similarly, other conveyance means, such as a roller conveyor, may be sufficient.

  The transport unit 2 is provided with a drive unit 2c. The drive unit 2c causes the belt 2d to travel by rotating the roller. The drive unit 2c also has a function as a control unit, and can change and adjust the traveling speed of the belt 2d. The leading end of the transport surface 2a is an outlet 2b that alternately discharges the transported negative electrode 12 and separator-attached positive electrode 10. In the transport unit 2, the transport speed is increased, and the negative electrode 12 and the positive electrode 10 with a separator can be transported at high speed. The negative electrode 12 and the positive electrode with separator 10 discharged from the outlet 2b are supplied to the speed adjusting unit 20.

  The speed adjusting unit 20 is disposed at a position that is continuous with the outlet 2b of the transport unit 2 in the moving direction. The speed adjustment unit 20 is disposed on an extension line of the transport unit 2 when viewed in plan. In other words, the speed adjusting unit 20 is continuously arranged on an extension line extending from the outlet 2b in the transport direction D1. A space may be provided between the outlet 2b and the speed adjusting unit 20. The size of this space may be set based on the conveyance speed in the conveyance unit 2, the number of stacked electrodes in the multilayer body X, and the like. Alternatively, a space may not be provided between the outlet portion 2b and the speed adjustment unit 20.

  The speed adjustment unit 20 is disposed between the transport unit 2 and the sliding unit 50. The upstream end of the speed adjusting unit 20 faces the outlet 2 b of the transport unit 2, and the downstream end of the speed adjusting unit 20 faces the upstream end of the sliding unit 50. As shown in FIG. 2, the speed adjustment unit 20 has a rectangular bottom plate portion 24 that spreads in the horizontal direction. The surface of the bottom plate portion 24 is a speed adjustment surface 24a on which the positive electrode 10 and the negative electrode 12 slide. The speed adjustment surface 24a is a surface extending in the horizontal direction. The speed adjustment surface 24 a is a surface that continuously extends from the transport surface 2 a of the transport unit 2. Here, “continuous” means that the direction in which the conveyance surface 2 a extends is substantially the same as the direction in which the speed adjustment surface 24 a extends, and the height position of the downstream end of the conveyance surface 2 a and the speed adjustment surface In this state, the height position of the upstream end of 24a is substantially the same. Regarding the height, the speed adjustment surface 24a may be disposed at a slightly lower position than the transport surface 2a, and a step may be formed. The level of the step is not limited as long as the electrode is not bent or bent, or the active material is removed, and may be, for example, 10 mm or less. In the embodiment, a space is formed between the conveyance surface 2a and the speed adjustment surface 24a. However, since the space has a size that does not affect the movement of the electrodes, the conveyance surface 2a and the speed adjustment surface 24a is assumed to extend “continuously”. In addition, when the conveyance part 2 inclines, the speed adjustment surface 24a may incline with the inclination angle similar to the inclination angle of the conveyance surface 2a of the conveyance part 2. FIG. However, even when the speed adjustment surface 24a is inclined, the angle is set to be smaller than the inclination angle of the sliding portion 50. The speed adjustment surface 24a may be inclined such that the transport surface 2a extends horizontally and the downstream side of the speed adjustment surface 24a is disposed at a high position.

  The speed adjustment unit 20 includes a pair of side plate portions 25 and 25 that are erected on the left and right sides of the bottom plate portion 24 and are parallel to each other. The speed adjusting unit 20 having a rectangular parallelepiped outer shape has a surface located behind the speed adjusting surface 24a, a surface closest to the outlet portion 2b, and a surface closest to the sliding portion 50 open. The part released on the outlet part 2 b side constitutes an entry part 20 a through which the positive electrode 10 and the negative electrode 12 can enter the speed adjusting part 20. The part released on the sliding part 50 side constitutes an outlet part 20 b that can discharge the positive electrode 10 and the negative electrode 12 from the speed adjusting part 20. The pair of side plate portions 25, 25 are arranged so as to be orthogonal to the bottom plate portion 24. The pair of parallel side plate portions 25, 25 have a gap slightly larger than the width of the negative electrode 12 and the positive electrode 10 with a separator, and the negative electrode 12 and the positive electrode 10 with a separator are directed from the entry portion 20a toward the outlet portion 20b. invite. The moving direction of the negative electrode 12 and the separator-attached positive electrode 10 discharged from the transport unit 2 and entering the laminated unit 4 is substantially equal to the direction in which the speed adjustment surface 24a extends.

  The sliding portion 50 is disposed obliquely below the outlet portion 20 b of the speed adjusting portion 20. The planing portion 50 is disposed on an extension line of the speed adjusting portion 20 when viewed in plan. In other words, the sliding part 50 is disposed below the extension line extending from the outlet part 20b of the speed adjusting part 20 in the transport direction D1. Between the exit part 20b and the sliding part 50, the space of the grade which does not affect the movement of an electrode may be provided. The inclination angle of the sliding portion 50 is 45 to 85 ° with respect to the horizontal direction.

  The stacked portion 4 is disposed obliquely below the exit portion of the sliding portion 50. The laminated portion 4 is disposed on an extension line of the sliding portion 50 when viewed in plan. A space is provided between the exit portion of the sliding portion 50 and the stacked portion 4. The size of this space is set based on the conveyance speed in the sliding portion 50, the number of stacked electrodes in the stacked body X, and the like.

  The stacked unit 4 is attached on the support unit 9. The support portion 9 has a holding frame 9a that holds the laminated portion 4, and the laminated portion 4 is placed and held on the holding frame 9a. The support portion 9 may be configured to be slidable in the front-rear direction or the vertical direction so that the relative position of the stacked portion 4 with respect to the outlet portion 2b can be changed. The front-rear direction referred to here is a direction parallel to the direction in which the transport direction D1 is projected onto the horizontal plane.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the laminated portion 4 includes a rectangular bottom plate portion 6 that is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction, a stop plate portion 7 that is erected on the lower end of the bottom plate portion 6, and a bottom plate portion. 6 and a pair of side plate portions 8 and 8 which are erected on the left and right side portions of the 6 and are parallel to each other. The surface of the bottom plate portion 6 is a placement surface 6a on which the stacked body X is placed. The stacked portion 4 having a rectangular parallelepiped shape has a surface facing the placement surface 6a (that is, a surface from which the stacked body X is taken out) and a surface facing the stop plate portion 7 (that is, the surface closest to the outlet portion 20b). Is open. From these open portions, the negative electrode 12 and the positive electrode 10 with a separator can enter.

  The moving directions of the negative electrode 12 and the separator-attached positive electrode 10 that are discharged from the sliding portion 50 and enter the laminated portion 4 vary depending on the positional relationship between the sliding portion 50 and the laminated portion 4 and the moving speed of the sliding portion 50, but are generally loaded. The angle with respect to the horizontal plane is slightly larger than the inclination direction of the mounting surface 6a. In addition, the moving direction of the negative electrode 12 and the positive electrode 10 with a separator may be substantially equal to the inclination direction of the mounting surface 6a.

  The stop plate portion 7 erected at the lower end (one end in the moving direction) of the bottom plate portion 6 is provided so as to be orthogonal to the bottom plate portion 6 and moves in the inclination direction or moving direction of the mounting surface 6a. And the positive electrode 10 with a separator is stopped. The pair of side plate portions 8 and 8 are arranged so as to be orthogonal to the bottom plate portion 6 and the stop plate portion 7, respectively. A laminated region A in which the laminated body X is formed is provided between the bottom plate portion 6, the stop plate portion 7, and the side plate portions 8 and 8. The pair of parallel side plate portions 8 and 8 have a gap slightly larger than the width of the negative electrode 12 and the positive electrode 10 with separator, and guide the negative electrode 12 and the positive electrode 10 with separator toward the laminated region A. In order to facilitate the guide of the negative electrode 12 and the positive electrode 10 with a separator, the upper portions of the side plate portions 8 and 8 (portions opened to the outlet portion 2b side) are tapered with a wider interval toward the upper side. The negative electrode 12 and the positive electrode 10 with a separator are guided by the side plate portions 8 and 8 and are stacked on the mounting surface 6 a in a state of being in contact with the stop plate portion 7. Therefore, the laminated region A is a rectangular parallelepiped region that is in contact with the bottom plate portion 6, the stop plate portion 7, and the side plate portions 8 and 8.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the braking part 21 of the electrode stacking apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. The speed adjusting unit 20 is provided with a braking unit 21 that reduces the moving speed of the negative electrode 12 sliding on the speed adjusting surface 24a and the positive electrode 10 with a separator. The braking unit 21 includes a gas blowing unit 22 that blows gas toward the speed adjustment surface 24a from a position separated from the speed adjustment surface 24a. The gas spraying part 22 can give the frictional force by the sprayed gas by spraying gas with respect to the negative electrode 12 and the positive electrode 10 with a separator which slide on the speed adjustment surface 24a. Moreover, the gas spraying part 22 can give the force pressed to the speed adjustment surface 24a side with respect to the negative electrode 12 and the positive electrode 10 with a separator non-contactingly. Therefore, the pressed negative electrode 12 and the positive electrode 10 with the separator are given a frictional force on the speed adjustment surface 24a side. These frictional forces function as a braking force that reduces the moving speed of the negative electrode 12 and the positive electrode 10 with the separator.

  The gas blowing unit 22 is disposed at a position separated from the speed adjustment surface 24a so as to face the speed adjustment surface 24a. The gas blowing unit 22 is configured to blow gas toward the movement path of the negative electrode 12 and the positive electrode 10 with the separator in the stacked unit 4. The gas is not particularly limited, but air, nitrogen, other inert gas, or the like is used. The gas blowing unit 22 is separated from the speed adjustment surface 24a by a distance that is at least larger than the thickness of the negative electrode 12 and the positive electrode 10 with a separator. In this embodiment, the gas blowing part 22 is arrange | positioned so as to oppose the substantially center position in the moving direction of the speed adjustment surface 24a. However, the gas spraying part 22 may be disposed anywhere as long as a braking force can be applied to the negative electrode 12 and the positive electrode 10 with a separator by spraying gas onto the speed adjusting surface 24a. For example, the gas blowing unit 22 may be disposed so as to face a region on the upstream side of the speed adjustment surface 24a, or may be disposed so as to face a region on the downstream side of the speed adjustment surface 24a. Further, the gas blowing unit 22 may be a blow type ionizer (static electricity removing device). You may give the function which prevents sticking of an electrode by neutralizing the static electricity which generate | occur | produces between electrodes at the time of lamination | stacking by ion. Moreover, since static electricity is neutralized, dust and dust in the air can be prevented from adhering to the electrode surface, and stacking deviation between the electrodes can be prevented.

  The gas blowing part 22 has a gas blowing part 22a directed to the speed adjustment surface 24a. The gas blowing unit 22 has a blower, a pipe, a nozzle, and the like (not shown). The tip of the nozzle corresponds to the gas blowing part 22a. The spray area 22b to which the gas is sprayed from the gas spray section 22 may be conical with the gas spray section 22a as the center. Further, since the gas spraying part 22 has a plurality of gas spraying parts 22a (that is, nozzles) arranged in the width direction (perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 2), the spraying area 22b may have a triangular prism shape that is long in the width direction. .

  The center line of the spray area 22b is orthogonal to the speed adjustment surface 24a, for example. The center line of the gas blowing unit 22 may form an angle with respect to the speed adjustment surface 24a. The center line of the spray area 22b is set so as to intersect with a substantially central position in the moving direction of the speed adjustment surface 24a. However, the center line of the spray area 22b may be set at any position as long as a braking force can be applied to the negative electrode 12 and the positive electrode 10 with the separator. For example, the center line of the spray area 22b may be disposed so as to intersect with the upstream region of the speed adjustment surface 24a, or may be disposed so as to intersect with the downstream region of the speed adjustment surface 24a. The shape (that is, the spraying range) and the strength of spraying of the spraying area 22b in the gas spraying part 22 can be adjusted.

  The gas blowing unit 22 is connected to a control unit (not shown) that controls the blowing. The said control part controls the quantity of the gas to spray, and the timing of spraying. The control unit may intermittently blow gas at the timing when the negative electrode 12 and the positive electrode with separator 10 pass through the speed adjusting unit 20, and may always blow gas during operation regardless of the timing of passage. In addition, a measurement unit that measures the moving speed of the negative electrode 12 and the positive electrode 10 with a separator may be provided at any position upstream of the speed adjustment unit 20 (for example, between the conveyance unit 2 and the speed adjustment unit 20). . The control unit may adjust the braking force of the braking unit 21 based on the moving speed measured by the measuring unit.

  Then, the electrode lamination method in the electrode lamination apparatus 1 is demonstrated. By the conveyance part 2, the negative electrode 12 and the positive electrode 10 with a separator are conveyed sequentially. The negative electrode 12 and the separator-attached positive electrode 10 discharged from the outlet part 2b move in the space between the outlet part 2b and the speed adjusting part 20. Subsequently, the negative electrode 12 or the positive electrode 10 with a separator enters the speed adjustment surface 24 a of the speed adjustment unit 20. Thus, a speed adjustment step is performed in which the speed adjustment is performed by sliding the negative electrode 12 and the separator-attached positive electrode 10 that have moved from the upstream conveyance unit 2 along the speed adjustment surface 24a. The negative electrode 12 and the positive electrode 10 with a separator move so as to slide on the speed adjustment surface 24 a by the driving force applied by the transport unit 2.

  In the speed adjustment process, a braking process is performed to reduce the moving speed of the negative electrode 12 sliding on the speed adjustment surface 24a and the positive electrode 10 with separator. Specifically, the gas blowing unit 22 blows gas to the negative electrode 12 and the positive electrode 10 with the separator that slide on the speed adjustment surface 24a. The negative electrode 12 and the positive electrode 10 with a separator that have received the gas can reduce the speed in the moving direction while sliding on the speed adjustment surface 24a by the frictional force from the gas and the frictional force from the speed adjustment surface 24a.

  After the speed adjustment step, a step in which the negative electrode 12 and the positive electrode with separator 10 slide on the sliding surface of the sliding portion 50 is performed. The negative electrode 12 and the positive electrode 10 with a separator move by gravity along a sliding surface inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. After the sliding step, a stacking step of stacking the negative electrode 12 and the positive electrode with separator 10 in the stacking portion 4 is executed. In the laminating step, the negative electrode 12 and the positive electrode 10 with the separator are supplied from the speed adjusting unit 20 to the laminating unit 4, so that the negative electrode 12 and the positive electrode 10 with the separator are stacked on the top of the laminated body X (unfinished laminated body). While being supplied to a position overlapping the upper surface, it is brought into contact with the stop plate 7 and stopped. Thereby, the negative electrode 12 and the positive electrode 10 with a separator are laminated | stacked alternately.

  Next, functions and effects of the electrode stacking apparatus 1 of the present embodiment will be described.

  First, an electrode stacking apparatus according to a comparative example will be described. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the electrode stacking apparatus according to the comparative example is not provided with the speed adjusting unit 20 having the braking unit 21 as in the present embodiment. In the laminated part 4 which laminates the negative electrode 12 and the positive electrode 10 with the separator, the negative electrode 12 and the positive electrode 10 with the separator, which have been conveyed at high speed, are brought into contact with the stop plate part 7 to stop. When the negative electrode 12 and the positive electrode 10 with a separator hit the stop plate portion 7 at a high speed, problems may occur in several aspects. For example, the negative electrode 12 and the positive electrode 10 with a separator may be damaged or powdered off.

  On the other hand, according to the electrode stacking apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the speed adjusting unit 20 is provided with the braking unit 21 that reduces the moving speed of the negative electrode 12 that slides on the speed adjusting surface 24a and the positive electrode 10 with the separator. Yes. Since the speed adjusting unit 20 is disposed upstream of the stacked unit 4, the braking unit 21 reduces the moving speed of the negative electrode 12 and the positive electrode 10 with separator at a position upstream of the stacked unit 4. Can be made. Thus, by reducing the moving speed of the negative electrode 12 and the positive electrode 10 with a separator at a position upstream of the laminated portion 4, it is possible to reduce an impact when the electrode stops at the laminated portion 4.

  Moreover, in the electrode lamination apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the braking part 21 is provided with the gas spraying part 22 which blows gas to the speed adjustment surface 24a side from the position spaced apart from the speed adjustment surface 24a. In this case, the negative electrode 12 and the separator-attached positive electrode 10 that slide on the speed adjustment surface 24 a are pressed toward the speed adjustment surface 24 a by being blown with gas from the gas blowing portion 22. Thereby, in addition to the frictional force with the sprayed gas, the negative electrode 12 and the positive electrode 10 with a separator are given a frictional force from the speed adjustment surface 24a side by being pressed to the speed adjustment surface 24a side. . These frictional forces function as a braking force for the negative electrode 12 and the positive electrode 10 with the separator.

(Second Embodiment)
As shown in FIG. 4, in the electrode stacking apparatus according to the second embodiment, the braking unit 121 includes a suction unit 33 that can suck the negative electrode 12 sliding on the speed adjustment surface 24a and the positive electrode 10 with a separator toward the speed adjustment surface 24a. Is provided. In this electrode stacking apparatus, the bottom plate portion 24 is formed with an air supply hole 32 for forming the air layer 31 and a suction portion 33.

  The air supply hole 32 is configured by a plurality of minute through holes that penetrate the bottom plate portion 24. The air supply hole 32 is connected to a blower, a pipe, a nozzle, and the like (not shown) at the end opposite to the speed adjustment surface 24a. The air supply hole 32 forms a thin air layer 31 on the surface of the speed adjustment surface 24a, the negative electrode 12, and the positive electrode 10 with a separator by supplying air from the speed adjustment surface 24a. Thereby, the negative electrode 12 and the positive electrode 10 with a separator move along the speed adjustment surface 24a in a non-contact state with the speed adjustment surface 24a. Thus, by forming an air layer in the air supply hole 32, it is possible to prevent the suction marks of the through holes of the suction part 33 from remaining on the suction side surfaces of the negative electrode 12 and the positive electrode 10 with a separator. However, the air supply hole 32 may be omitted.

  The suction part 33 is constituted by a plurality of through holes that penetrate the bottom plate part 24. The suction part 33 is connected to suction means such as a pump (not shown) at the end opposite to the speed adjustment surface 24a. The suction unit 33 sucks air from the speed adjustment surface 24a with a predetermined pressure. The suction part 33 is formed on the moving path through which the negative electrode 12 and the positive electrode 10 with a separator pass in the speed adjustment surface 24a. The number, arrangement, and the like of the suction units 33 are not particularly limited, but may be configured as shown in FIG. 5, for example.

  In the braking unit 121, the braking force generated on the downstream side is larger than the braking force generated on the upstream side of the speed adjustment surface 24a. That is, the suction force generated on the downstream side is larger than the suction force generated on the upstream side of the speed adjustment surface 24a. A configuration for adjusting the suction force will be described with reference to FIG. In the configuration shown in FIG. 5A, the suction force of each suction portion 33 increases from the upstream side toward the downstream side. As shown in FIG. 5A, the suction part 33 is formed in the same pattern on the upstream side and the downstream side. Here, the suction part 33 is formed in an array of two rows. The air pressure (suction pressure) of the suction part 33 is larger on the downstream side than on the upstream side. For example, the air pressure of the suction part 33 is set to 0.2 MPa, 0.3 MPa, 0.4 MPa, and 0.5 MPa in order from the upstream side to the downstream side. However, the specific air pressure may be set to any numerical value.

  In the configuration shown in FIG. 5B, the number of suction portions 33 increases from the upstream side toward the downstream side. As shown in FIG. 5B, the suction part 33 is provided in a plurality of stages along the moving direction, and the number of the suction parts 33 increases by one for each stage toward the downstream side. Note that the suction force of each suction part 33 is equal. In the configuration shown in FIG. 5C, the diameter of the suction portion 33 increases from the upstream side toward the downstream side. As shown in FIG. 5C, the suction part 33 is provided in a plurality of stages along the moving direction, and the diameter of the suction part 33 is increased for each stage toward the downstream side.

  As described above, the braking unit 121 includes the suction unit 33 that can suck the negative electrode 12 that slides on the speed adjustment surface 24a and the positive electrode 10 with the separator toward the speed adjustment surface 24a. In this case, the negative electrode 12 and the separator-attached positive electrode 10 sucked to the speed adjustment surface 24a side are pressed to the speed adjustment surface 24a side. Thereby, the friction force from the speed adjustment surface 24a side is given to the negative electrode 12 and the positive electrode 10 with a separator by being pressed to the speed adjustment surface 24a side. This frictional force functions as a braking force for the negative electrode 12 and the positive electrode 10 with the separator.

  Further, the braking force generated by the braking unit 121 on the downstream side is larger than the braking force generated on the upstream side of the speed adjustment surface 24a. Thereby, it is possible to apply a sufficient braking force on the downstream side while suppressing a sudden change in the moving speed.

(Third embodiment)
As shown in FIG. 6, in the electrode stacking apparatus according to the third embodiment, the braking unit 221 includes an ultrasonic wave generation unit 40 that generates a traveling wave from the downstream side to the upstream side of the speed adjustment surface 24a. In this electrode laminating apparatus, the ultrasonic generator 40 is constituted by ultrasonic transducers 40A and 40B provided on the back side of the bottom plate 24.

  The distal end portion of the ultrasonic transducer 40 </ b> A is connected to the upstream region of the bottom plate portion 24. The tip portion of the ultrasonic transducer 40 </ b> B is connected to a region on the downstream side of the bottom plate portion 24. The phase of the upstream ultrasonic transducer 40A is ahead of the phase of the downstream ultrasonic transducer 40B. When a reference vibrator is used as the lower vibrator 40B and a phase difference is added to the upper vibrator 40A, a traveling wave is generated on the upper side. For example, the phase difference between the upstream ultrasonic transducer 40A and the downstream ultrasonic transducer 40B is 0 to 90 °. Thus, the traveling wave generated on the speed adjustment surface 25a travels from the downstream side toward the upstream side. That is, the traveling wave travels in the direction opposite to the moving direction of the negative electrode 12 and the separator-attached positive electrode 10. Thereby, the traveling wave by the ultrasonic wave generation part 40 functions as a braking part which reduces the moving speed of the negative electrode 12 and the positive electrode 10 with a separator. Moreover, when the said structure is employ | adopted, since ultrasonic vibration generate | occur | produces on the speed adjustment surface 24a, it will be possible to convey the negative electrode 12 and the positive electrode 10 with a separator substantially non-contact by generating a radiation pressure. Become.

  As described above, the braking unit 221 includes the ultrasonic wave generation unit 40 that generates a traveling wave from the downstream side toward the upstream side of the speed adjustment surface 25a. Thereby, the force which goes to an upstream side from a downstream is provided to the negative electrode 12 and the positive electrode 10 with a separator by the vibration of a traveling wave. Such a force functions as a braking force for the electrode.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6B, the braking unit 221 may increase the braking force generated on the downstream side compared to the braking force generated on the upstream side of the speed adjustment surface 24a. Specifically, the bottom plate portion 24 is divided on the upstream side and the downstream side, the ultrasonic transducers 40A and 40B are provided on the upstream bottom plate portion 24, and the ultrasonic transducers 40C and 40D are provided on the bottom plate portion 24 on the downstream side. Provide. Further, the braking force generated by the traveling waves generated by the downstream ultrasonic transducers 40C and 40D is larger than the braking force generated by the traveling waves generated by the upstream ultrasonic transducers 40A and 40B. Thereby, when the negative electrode 12 and the positive electrode 10 with a separator reach the speed adjusting unit 20, it is possible to apply a sufficient braking force on the downstream side while suppressing a sudden change in the moving speed.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to said embodiment. For example, in 1st Embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the gas spraying part 22 was arrange | positioned in one place in a moving direction. Instead, it may be arranged at a plurality of locations in the movement direction. Moreover, the spraying force of the gas spraying part 22 arrange | positioned downstream may be large compared with the spraying force of the gas spraying part 22 arrange | positioned upstream. As a result, the braking force generated by the braking unit 21 on the downstream side is larger than the braking force generated on the upstream side of the speed adjustment surface 24a.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the electrode lamination apparatus is provided with the sliding part 50, as shown in FIG. 7, you may abbreviate | omit the sliding part 50. FIG. That is, the laminated portion 54 is provided on the downstream side of the speed adjusting unit 20. In this case, the electrodes are positioned by the inclined mounting plate 26, bottom plate 29, and side wall 28 of the stacked portion 54. As a result, the negative electrode 12 and the separator-attached positive electrode 10 conveyed by the conveyance unit 2 and applied with the braking force by the braking unit 21 by the speed adjustment unit 20 fall from the outlet of the speed adjustment unit 20. In addition, the conveyance unit 2 and the speed adjustment unit 20 for the negative electrode 12 are provided on one of the lateral sides of the stacked unit 54, and the conveyance unit 2 and the speed adjustment unit 20 for the positive electrode 10 with a separator are provided on the other side of the lateral side. Yes. Accordingly, the negative electrode 12 and the positive electrode 10 with separator are alternately supplied from the speed adjusting units 20 on both sides, received by the mounting plate 26 of the stacked unit 54, and stopped in contact with the bottom plate 29.

  Moreover, although the said embodiment demonstrated the apparatus which obtains the laminated body X which is the precursor of an electrode assembly by laminating | stacking the negative electrode 12 and the positive electrode 10 with a separator alternately, this invention is only the positive electrode 10 with a separator, or The present invention may be applied to a laminating apparatus having only the negative electrode 12. The present invention may be applied to a laminating apparatus for laminating an intermediate body that is not an electrode assembly, which is used in a positive electrode production line or a negative electrode production line. That is, the “stacking portion” is not limited to the mechanism for stacking electrodes in the form shown in the above-described embodiment, and may be a buffer, a magazine, or the like.

  A conveyance part is not restricted to a belt conveyor. For example, a pallet conveyance type conveyance unit that is conveyed on a circulation path by a timing belt or a chain may be used. Further, the transport unit may be a transport unit that uses gravity sliding.

  Moreover, in the above-mentioned embodiment, although the gas spraying part, the suction part, and the ultrasonic wave generation part were illustrated as a braking part, you may use combining 2 or more of these means.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Electrode laminating apparatus, 2 ... Conveying part, 4 ... Laminating part, 10 ... Positive electrode (electrode) with a separator, 12 ... Negative electrode (electrode), 20 ... Speed control part, 21, 121, 221 ... Braking part, 22 ... Gas Spraying part, 24a ... speed adjusting surface, 33 ... suction part, 40 ... ultrasonic wave generating part.

Claims (7)

An electrode laminating device for laminating sheet-like electrodes sequentially supplied by its own weight,
A speed adjusting unit having a speed adjusting surface extending in the horizontal direction, and adjusting the speed by sliding the electrode that has moved from the upstream side along the speed adjusting surface;
Arranged on the downstream side of the speed adjustment unit, and a lamination part for laminating the electrodes,
The electrode stacking apparatus, wherein the speed adjusting unit is provided with a braking unit that reduces a moving speed of the electrode that slides on the speed adjusting surface.   The electrode laminating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the braking unit includes a gas blowing unit that blows gas toward the speed adjustment surface from a position separated from the speed adjustment surface.   3. The electrode stacking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the braking unit includes a suction unit capable of sucking the electrode sliding on the speed adjustment surface toward the speed adjustment surface.   4. The electrode stacking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the braking unit includes an ultrasonic wave generation unit that generates a traveling wave from the downstream side toward the upstream side of the speed adjustment surface.   The electrode laminating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the braking unit generates a braking force generated on the downstream side larger than a braking force generated on the upstream side of the speed adjustment surface. An electrode laminating device for laminating sheet-like electrodes sequentially supplied by its own weight,
A transport unit for transporting the electrode on a transport surface;
A speed adjustment unit that has a speed adjustment surface that extends continuously with the conveyance surface, and that adjusts the speed by sliding the electrode that has moved from the upstream side along the speed adjustment surface;
Arranged on the downstream side of the speed adjustment unit, and a lamination part for laminating the electrodes,
The electrode stacking apparatus, wherein the speed adjusting unit is provided with a braking unit that reduces a moving speed of the electrode that slides on the speed adjusting surface. An electrode laminating method for laminating sheet-like electrodes sequentially supplied by its own weight,
A speed adjustment step of adjusting the speed by sliding the electrode that has moved from the upstream side along a speed adjustment surface extending in the horizontal direction; and
After the speed adjustment step, a lamination step of laminating the electrodes,
In the speed adjusting step, an electrode stacking method is performed in which a braking step for reducing a moving speed of the electrode sliding on the speed adjusting surface is executed.