JP2017130260A - Electrode lamination device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electrode lamination device capable of changing a height position of an electrode conveying path while saving space.SOLUTION: An electrode lamination device 20 comprises: a positive electrode transfer unit 26 which transfers a positive electrode 11 with a separator; a negative electrode transfer unit 27 which transfers a negative electrode 9; a conveyor 29 for positive electrode supply which supplies the positive electrode 11 with a separator to a support unit 35 of the positive electrode transfer unit 26; a conveyor 30 for positive electrode extraction which extracts the positive electrode 11 with a separator from the support unit 35 and guides the extracted positive electrode to a lamination unit 28; a conveyor 31 for negative electrode supply which supplies the negative electrode 9 to a support unit 39 of the negative electrode transfer unit 27; and a conveyor 32 for negative electrode extraction which extracts the negative electrode 9 from the support unit 39 and guides the extracted negative electrode to the lamination unit 28. The height position of the conveyor 29 for positive electrode supply differs from the height position of the conveyor 30 for positive electrode extraction, and the height position of the conveyor 31 for negative electrode supply differs from the height position of the conveyor 32 for negative electrode extraction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrode stacking apparatus.

  As a conventional electrode stacking apparatus, for example, an apparatus described in Patent Document 1 is known. The apparatus laminating apparatus described in Patent Document 1 is arranged on a gantry and includes three supply units that respectively supply a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator, and a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator that are supplied from each supply unit. It includes three roller pairs that are sandwiched and conveyed, and a laminated portion that is disposed on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the roller pair and that laminates a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator. Further, for example, a belt conveyor as described in Patent Document 2 is frequently used for conveying the electrodes. The device described in Patent Document 2 has an inclined belt inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the traveling direction of the merged belt, and the plate conveyed by the merged belt is transferred to the inclined belt, and the plate is collected by the inclined belt. It is conveyed toward the belt.

JP 2011-258418 A JP-T-2001-501016

  By the way, in the conveyance path which conveys an electrode to a lamination | stacking part, although it is necessary to supply an electrode to the height corresponded to a lamination | stacking part, for example, as described in patent document 2, it arrange | positions by inclining a belt conveyor. The height position of the electrode transport path can be changed. However, it is necessary to reduce the inclination angle of the belt conveyor in order to prevent problems such as electrode displacement when the electrodes are transferred between the belt conveyors. In this case, since the belt conveyor for inclination must be lengthened, the space for the belt conveyor for inclination will be largely taken in the horizontal direction.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an electrode stacking apparatus capable of changing the height position of an electrode conveyance path while saving space.

  An electrode stacking apparatus of one embodiment of the present invention includes a loop-shaped first circulation member extending in the vertical direction, and a plurality of first support portions that are attached to the outer peripheral surface of the first circulation member and support the positive electrode. A first transport unit that transports the negative electrode, a loop-shaped second circulation member that extends in the vertical direction, and a plurality of second support portions that are attached to the outer peripheral surface of the second circulation member and support the negative electrode, and convey the negative electrode A second transport unit, a stack unit disposed between the first transport unit and the second transport unit, the positive electrode and the negative electrode being alternately stacked, and a first supply path for supplying the positive electrode to the first support portion A first take-out path that takes out the positive electrode from the first support part and leads it to the stacking unit, a second supply path that feeds the negative electrode to the second support part, and a first lead-out path that takes out the negative electrode from the second support part and leads it to the stacking unit. 2 take-out paths, and the first supply path and the first take-out path Located are different, characterized in that the height position of the second supply path and the second extraction channel are different.

  In such an electrode stacking apparatus, when the positive electrode is supplied from the first supply path to the first support portion, the positive electrode is circulated and moved by the rotation of the first circulation member. When the positive electrode reaches the first extraction path, the positive electrode is extracted from the first support portion to the first extraction path. Accordingly, the first transport unit sequentially transports while storing the positive electrode. Further, when the negative electrode is supplied from the second supply path to the second support portion, the negative electrode is circulated and moved by the rotation of the second circulation member. When the negative electrode reaches the second extraction path, the negative electrode is extracted from the second support portion to the second extraction path. Accordingly, the second transport unit sequentially transports while storing the negative electrode. Here, the height position of the first supply path for supplying the positive electrode to the first support section is different from the height position of the first extraction path for extracting the positive electrode from the first support section, and the second support section Although the height position of the second supply path for supplying the negative electrode is different from the height position of the second extraction path for extracting the negative electrode from the second support portion, the first circulation member and the second circulation member are arranged in the vertical direction. It extends. For this reason, it is not necessary to increase the dimensions of the first transport unit and the second transport unit in the horizontal direction. This makes it possible to change the height position of the electrode transport path while saving space.

  The apparatus further includes a stacking unit transport path for loading / unloading the stacking unit to / from the stacking position between the first transport unit and the second transport unit, the first transport unit, the second transport unit, the first supply path, the first There may be a plurality of take-out paths, second supply paths, second take-out paths, and stacking unit transport paths, and the first supply path, the second supply path, and the stacking unit transport path may be a three-dimensional intersection. As described above, since the height positions of the first supply path and the first extraction path are different, and the height positions of the second supply path and the second extraction path are different, the first conveyance unit and the second conveyance path Even if there are a plurality of units, first supply paths, first take-out paths, second supply paths, second take-out paths, and stacked unit transport paths, the three-dimensional structure of the first supply path, the second supply path, and the stacked unit transport path Intersection layout is easy.

  The height positions of the first supply path and the second supply path may be the same, and the height positions of the first extraction path and the second extraction path may be the same. In this case, the positive electrode and the negative electrode can be transported at the same height position to the first transport unit and the second transport unit, respectively. Further, the positive electrode and the negative electrode can be dropped from the same height position and stacked on the stacked unit.

  The first transport unit includes a first drive unit that rotates the first circulation member and moves the first circulation member in the vertical direction. The second transport unit rotates the second circulation member and the second You may have the 2nd drive part which moves a circulation member to an up-down direction. In this case, in addition to the rotation operation of the first circulation member and the second circulation member, the number of positive electrodes stored by the first transport unit is adjusted by moving the first circulation member or the second circulation member in the vertical direction. Or the number of negative electrodes stored by the second transport unit can be adjusted. Thereby, even when a shortage of the positive electrode supplied to the first transfer unit or a shortage of the negative electrode supplied to the second transfer unit occurs, it is not necessary to stop the process upstream of the electrode stacking process.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the electrode lamination apparatus which can change the height position of the conveyance path of an electrode is provided, aiming at space saving.

It is sectional drawing which shows the internal structure of the electrical storage apparatus manufactured by applying the electrode lamination apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is the II-II sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is a schematic plan view which shows the manufacturing equipment provided with the electrode lamination apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 4 is a side view of the electrode stacking apparatus shown in FIG. 3. It is an expanded sectional view of the positive electrode conveyance unit and the positive electrode supply conveyor which were shown by FIG. It is a side view which shows the state before and behind the fall of the circulation member shown by FIG. It is a side view which shows the state before and behind the raise of the circulation member shown by FIG. It is a side view which shows the modification of the electrode lamination apparatus shown by FIG. It is a side view which shows the modification of the positive electrode conveyance unit shown by FIG.

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

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an internal configuration of a power storage device manufactured by applying an electrode stacking apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. 1 and 2, the power storage device 1 is a lithium ion secondary battery having a stacked electrode assembly.

  The power storage device 1 includes a case 2 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, for example, and an electrode assembly 3 accommodated in the case 2. The case 2 is made of a metal such as aluminum. Although not shown, for example, a non-aqueous (organic solvent) electrolyte is injected into the case 2. On the case 2, the positive terminal 4 and the negative terminal 5 are arranged so as to be separated from each other. The positive terminal 4 is fixed to the case 2 via an insulating ring 6, and the negative terminal 5 is fixed to the case 2 via an insulating ring 7. Although not shown, the side and bottom surfaces of the electrode assembly 3 are covered with an insulating film, and the case 2 and the electrode assembly 3 are insulated by the insulating film. In FIG. 1, for convenience, a slight gap is provided between the lower end of the electrode assembly 3 and the bottom surface of the case 2, but in reality, the lower end of the electrode assembly 3 is located inside the case 2 via an insulating film. Is in contact with the bottom of A gap may be formed between the electrode assembly 3 and the case 2 by arranging a spacer between the electrode assembly 3 and the case 2.

  The electrode assembly 3 has a structure in which a plurality of positive electrodes 8 and a plurality of negative electrodes 9 are alternately stacked via a bag-shaped separator 10. The positive electrode 8 is wrapped in a bag-like separator 10. The positive electrode 8 wrapped in the bag-shaped separator 10 is configured as a positive electrode 11 with a separator. Therefore, the electrode assembly 3 has a structure in which a plurality of separator-attached positive electrodes 11 and a plurality of negative electrodes 9 are alternately stacked. The electrodes located at both ends of the electrode assembly 3 are the negative electrodes 9.

  The positive electrode 8 includes a metal foil 14 made of, for example, an aluminum foil, and a positive electrode active material layer 15 formed on both surfaces of the metal foil 14. The metal foil 14 has a foil body portion 14a having a rectangular shape in plan view, and a tab 14b integrated with the foil body portion 14a. The tab 14b protrudes from an edge near one end in the longitudinal direction of the foil body 14a. The tab 14b penetrates the separator 10. The tab 14 b is connected to the positive electrode terminal 4 through the conductive member 12. In FIG. 2, the tab 14b is omitted for convenience.

  The positive electrode active material layer 15 is formed on the foil main body portion 14a. The positive electrode active material layer 15 is a porous layer 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 negative electrode 9 includes a metal foil 16 made of, for example, copper foil, and a negative electrode active material layer 17 formed on both surfaces of the metal foil 16. The metal foil 16 includes a foil body portion 16a having a rectangular shape in plan view, and a tab 16b integrated with the foil body portion 16a. The tab 16b protrudes from the edge in the vicinity of one end in the longitudinal direction of the foil body 16a. The tab 16 b is connected to the negative electrode terminal 5 through the conductive member 13. In FIG. 2, the tab 16b is omitted for convenience.

  The negative electrode active material layer 17 is formed on the foil main body portion 16a. The negative electrode active material layer 17 is a porous layer 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 or boron-added carbon.

  The separator 10 has a rectangular shape in plan view. Examples of the material for forming the separator 10 include a porous film made of a polyolefin-based resin such as polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), or a woven or non-woven fabric made of polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), methylcellulose, or the like. .

  When the power storage device 1 configured as described above is manufactured, first, the positive electrode 11 with separator and the negative electrode 9 are manufactured, and then the positive electrode 11 with separator and the negative electrode 9 are alternately stacked, and the positive electrode 11 with separator and the negative electrode 9 are stacked. Is fixed to obtain the electrode assembly 3. Then, the tab 14 b of the positive electrode 8 is connected to the positive electrode terminal 4 via the conductive member 12, and the tab 16 b of the negative electrode 9 is connected to the negative electrode terminal 5 via the conductive member 13, and then the electrode assembly 3 is placed in the case 2. To house.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view showing a manufacturing facility including an electrode stacking apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The electrode stacking apparatus 20 of the present embodiment is an apparatus that alternately stacks the positive electrode 11 with separator and the negative electrode 9.

  In the production facility 21, a step of laminating the separator-attached positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 9 in a lamination unit 28 (described later) is performed in the production line. The manufacturing facility 21 includes a positive electrode manufacturing facility 22, a separator-attached positive electrode manufacturing device 23, a negative electrode manufacturing facility 24, and two sets of electrode stacking devices 20.

  Since the positive electrode manufacturing facility 22 manufactures the positive electrode 8 by a known manufacturing process, the positive electrode active material layer 15 is formed by applying an active material mixture on the surface of the strip-shaped metal foil 14, although not described in detail. After the positive electrode active material layer 15 is pressed by a roll, the positive electrode 8 is obtained by punching the metal foil 14 on which the positive electrode active material layer 15 is formed into a predetermined shape using a punching machine. The punched positive electrode 8 is supplied to a downstream apparatus (equipment) after a defective product is excluded by an inspection apparatus (inspection process). In the present embodiment, the strip-shaped metal foil 14 has a width corresponding to two positive electrodes 8 and performs so-called double striping in which two positive electrodes 8 are manufactured by punching once. The positive electrode 8 manufactured by the positive electrode manufacturing facility 22 is sequentially conveyed to the positive electrode manufacturing apparatus 23 with a separator by two belt conveyors 25.

  Although not described in detail, the separator-attached positive electrode manufacturing apparatus 23 disposes the pair of separators 10 along the edge of the positive electrode 8 by disposing the positive electrode 8 between the pair of strip-shaped separators 10. A positive electrode 11 with a separator is manufactured by wrapping the positive electrode 8 with a pair of separators 10 and then cutting the separator 10 into a predetermined size.

  The negative electrode manufacturing equipment 24 is not specifically described in detail, but after the negative electrode active material layer 17 formed on the surface of the strip-shaped metal foil 16 is pressed with a roll, the negative electrode active material layer 17 is formed using a punching machine. The negative electrode 9 is obtained by punching the metal foil 16 into a predetermined shape. The punched negative electrode 9 is supplied to a downstream apparatus (equipment) after a defective product is excluded by an inspection apparatus (inspection process). In this embodiment, the strip-shaped metal foil 16 has a width corresponding to two negative electrodes 9, and performs so-called double striping in which two negative electrodes 9 are manufactured by punching once.

  4 is a side view of the electrode stacking apparatus 20 shown in FIG. 3 and 4, the electrode stacking apparatus 20 includes a positive electrode transport unit 26, a negative electrode transport unit 27, a stack unit 28, a positive electrode supply conveyor 29, a positive electrode takeout conveyor 30, and a negative electrode supply conveyor 31. And a negative electrode takeout conveyor 32. The positive electrode transport unit 26, the negative electrode transport unit 27, the positive electrode supply conveyor 29, the positive electrode extraction conveyor 30, the negative electrode supply conveyor 31, and the negative electrode extraction conveyor 32 are electrodes that convey the positive electrode 11 with separator and the negative electrode 9 to the lamination unit 28. A conveyance line 33 is configured. The electrode transport line 33 is a part of the above production line. Two electrode transport lines 33 are arranged in parallel between the separator-attached positive electrode manufacturing apparatus 23 and the negative electrode manufacturing facility 24.

  The positive electrode transport unit 26 is a first transport unit that sequentially transports the positive electrode 11 with a separator while temporarily storing it. The positive electrode transport unit 26 includes a loop-shaped circulation member 34 (first circulation member) extending in the vertical direction, and a plurality of support portions 35 (first portions) that are attached to the outer peripheral surface of the circulation member 34 and support the positive electrode 11 with a separator. And a driving unit 36 (first driving unit) that drives the circulation member 34.

  The circulation member 34 is composed of, for example, an endless belt. The circulation member 34 is stretched over two rollers 34a that are spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction, and is rotated along with the rotation of each roller 34a. The circulation member 34 is movable in the vertical direction together with the two rollers 34a and a support body (not shown).

  As shown in FIG. 5, the support portion 35 has a comb-like plate shape having a plurality of (here, three) slits 35 a. In addition, in FIG. 3, the support part 35 is simplified and shown. As the circulation member 34 rotates, the support portions 35 circulate. At this time, some of the support portions 35 move in the vertical direction by the rotation of the circulation member 34.

  The drive unit 36 rotates the circulation member 34 and moves the circulation member 34 in the vertical direction. Specifically, although not particularly illustrated, the drive unit 36 moves the circulating member 34 in the vertical direction via a conveying motor that rotates the circulating member 34 by rotating the roller 34a and an elevating mechanism (not shown). And a lifting motor to be moved. The drive unit 36 is controlled by the control unit 37. The control unit 37 controls the drive unit 36 so that the circulation member 34 is rotated clockwise at a predetermined speed during normal operation. Accordingly, the support portion 35 on the positive electrode supply conveyor 29 side rises, and the support portion 35 on the positive electrode take-out conveyor 30 side descends.

  The negative electrode transport unit 27 is a second transport unit that sequentially transports the negative electrode 9 while temporarily storing it. The negative electrode transport unit 27 includes a loop-shaped circulation member 38 (second circulation member) extending in the vertical direction and a plurality of support portions 39 (second support portions) that are attached to the outer peripheral surface of the circulation member 38 and support the negative electrode 9. ) And a drive unit 40 (second drive unit) that drives the circulation member 38.

  Similar to the circulation member 34, the circulation member 38 is constituted by, for example, an endless belt. The circulation member 38 is stretched over two rollers 38a that are spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction, and is rotated along with the rotation of each roller 38a. Further, the circulation member 38 can move in the vertical direction together with the two rollers 38a and its support body.

  The shape of the support portion 39 is the same as that of the support portion 35 described above. As the circulation member 38 rotates, the support portions 39 circulate. At this time, a part of the support portions 39 moves in the vertical direction by the rotation of the circulation member 38.

  The drive unit 40 rotates the circulation member 38 and moves the circulation member 38 in the vertical direction. Specifically, the drive unit 40 moves the circulating member 38 in the vertical direction via a conveying motor that rotates the circulating member 38 by rotating the roller 38a and an elevating mechanism (not shown), although not specifically illustrated. And a lifting motor to be moved. The drive unit 40 is controlled by the control unit 37. The control unit 37 controls the drive unit 40 to rotate the circulation member 38 counterclockwise at the same speed as the circulation member 34 during normal operation. Therefore, the support part 39 on the negative electrode supply conveyor 31 side rises and the support part 39 on the negative electrode take-out conveyor 32 side descends.

  The laminated unit 28 is disposed between the positive electrode transport unit 26 and the negative electrode transport unit 27. In the lamination unit 28, the positive electrode 11 with a separator and the negative electrode 9 are alternately laminated. The laminated unit 28 has a wall portion 28 a for positioning the positive electrode 11 with separator and the negative electrode 9. Wall part 28a consists of a lower wall and a side wall. The laminated surface 28b of the laminated unit 28 is predetermined with respect to the horizontal direction so that the tab 14b of the positive electrode 11 with separator and the tab 16b of the negative electrode 9 are located on the upper side in a state where the positive electrode 11 with separator and the negative electrode 9 are laminated. Is inclined at an angle of

  The positive electrode supply conveyor 29 is disposed between the positive electrode manufacturing apparatus 23 with a separator and the positive electrode transport unit 26. The positive electrode supply conveyor 29 conveys the positive electrode 11 with separator manufactured by the positive electrode manufacturing apparatus 23 with separator in the horizontal direction toward the positive electrode conveyance unit 26, and supplies the positive electrode 11 with separator to the support portion 35 of the positive electrode conveyance unit 26. The first supply path is configured.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the positive electrode supply conveyor 29 includes a plurality (three in this case) of belts 29 a arranged in parallel to each other. The positive electrode supply conveyor 29 is arranged such that a part on one end side of each belt 29a passes through each slit 35a of the support part 35 when a part of the support part 35 moves in the vertical direction by the rotation of the circulation member 34. Has been.

  The positive electrode take-out conveyor 30 constitutes a first take-out path that takes out the positive electrode 11 with the separator from the support portion 35 of the positive electrode transport unit 26 and guides it to the stacking unit 28. The positive electrode takeout conveyor 30 conveys the positive electrode 11 with a separator toward the laminated unit 28 in the horizontal direction. The structure of the positive electrode take-out conveyor 30 is the same as that of the positive electrode supply conveyor 29, although not particularly illustrated.

  The negative electrode supply conveyor 31 is disposed between the negative electrode manufacturing facility 24 and the negative electrode transport unit 27. The negative electrode supply conveyor 31 conveys the negative electrode 9 produced by the negative electrode production facility 24 in the horizontal direction toward the negative electrode conveyance unit 27 and provides a second supply path for supplying the negative electrode 9 to the support portion 39 of the negative electrode conveyance unit 27. It is composed. The structure of the negative electrode supply conveyor 31 is not particularly illustrated, but is the same as that of the positive electrode supply conveyor 29.

  The negative electrode takeout conveyor 32 constitutes a second takeout path that takes out the negative electrode 9 from the support portion 39 of the negative electrode transport unit 27 and guides it to the stacking unit 28. The negative electrode take-out conveyor 32 conveys the negative electrode 9 toward the laminated unit 28 in the horizontal direction. The structure of the negative electrode take-out conveyor 32 is the same as that of the positive electrode supply conveyor 29, although not particularly illustrated.

  The height position of the positive electrode take-out conveyor 30 is higher than the height position of the positive electrode supply conveyor 29. That is, the height positions of the positive electrode supply conveyor 29 and the positive electrode extraction conveyor 30 are different. The height position of the negative electrode take-out conveyor 32 is higher than the height position of the negative electrode supply conveyor 31. That is, the height positions of the negative electrode supply conveyor 31 and the negative electrode extraction conveyor 32 are different. The height positions of the positive electrode supply conveyor 29 and the negative electrode supply conveyor 31 are the same. The height positions of the positive electrode extraction conveyor 30 and the negative electrode extraction conveyor 32 are the same.

  The stacking unit 28 is disposed at a predetermined stacking position between the positive electrode extraction conveyor 30 and the negative electrode extraction conveyor 32. As shown in FIG. 3, the stacking units 28 of the two sets of electrode stacking apparatuses 20 are arranged offset with respect to the direction parallel to the electrode transport line 33.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the electrode stacking apparatus 20 includes an elevating mechanism 41, a carry-in conveyor 42, a carry-out conveyor 43, and a lift mechanism 44. The elevating mechanism 41, the carry-in conveyor 42, the carry-out conveyor 43, and the elevating mechanism 44 constitute a laminated unit conveyance line 45 that conveys the laminated unit 28. The stacked unit transport line 45 intersects the direction perpendicular to the electrode transport line 33. The laminated unit transport lines 45 are arranged in parallel at positions corresponding to the laminated positions of the laminated units 28.

  The raising / lowering mechanism 41 raises the empty lamination | stacking unit 28 in which the positive electrode 11 with a separator and the negative electrode 9 are not laminated | stacked to the height corresponding to a lamination position. The carry-in conveyor 42 loads the empty stack unit 28 into the stack position. The carry-out conveyor 43 is disposed so as to face the carry-in conveyor 42 across the stacking position of the stacking unit 28. The carry-out conveyor 43 carries out the laminated unit 28 in a state (laminated state) in which a predetermined number of separator-attached positive electrodes 11 and negative electrodes 9 are laminated (laminated state). The elevating mechanism 44 lowers the stacked unit 28 in the stacked state. The carry-in conveyor 42 and the carry-out conveyor 43 constitute a laminated unit conveyance path for carrying the laminated unit 28 into and out of the laminated position.

  The positive electrode supply conveyor 29 in one electrode conveyance line 33 and the carry-in conveyor 42 in one stacked unit conveyance line 45 form a three-dimensional intersection. The positive electrode supply conveyor 29 is disposed below the carry-in conveyor 42. The negative electrode supply conveyor 31 of the other electrode conveyance line 33 and the carry-out conveyor 43 of the other stacked unit conveyance line 45 form a three-dimensional intersection. The negative electrode supply conveyor 31 is disposed below the carry-out conveyor 43.

  In the electrode stacking apparatus 20 as described above, the positive electrode 11 with separator and the negative electrode 9 are stacked by the following operation. That is, the separator-attached cathode 11 manufactured by the separator-attached cathode manufacturing apparatus 23 is transferred from the cathode supply conveyor 29 to the support portion 35 of the cathode transport unit 26. The separator-attached positive electrode 11 placed on the support portion 35 circulates and moves so as to rise once and then descend due to the clockwise rotation of the circulation member 34. At this time, the front and back of the positive electrode 11 with a separator are reversed. When the positive electrode 11 with a separator reaches the positive electrode takeout conveyor 30, the positive electrode 11 with a separator is transferred from the support portion 35 to the positive electrode takeout conveyor 30. The separator-attached positive electrode 11 falls from the positive electrode take-out conveyor 30 and is stacked on the stacking unit 28.

  On the other hand, the negative electrode 9 manufactured by the negative electrode manufacturing facility 24 is transferred from the negative electrode supply conveyor 31 to the support portion 39 of the negative electrode transport unit 27. Then, the negative electrode 9 placed on the support portion 39 circulates and moves so as to rise once and then descend due to the counterclockwise rotation of the circulation member 38. At this time, the front and back of the negative electrode 9 are reversed. When the negative electrode 9 reaches the negative electrode extraction conveyor 32, the negative electrode 9 is transferred from the support portion 39 to the negative electrode extraction conveyor 32. Then, the negative electrode 9 falls from the negative electrode take-out conveyor 32 and is laminated on the lamination unit 28.

  By sequentially performing such operations, the separator-attached positive electrodes 11 and negative electrodes 9 are alternately stacked on the stacked unit 28. After that, when a predetermined number of separator-attached positive electrodes 11 and negative electrodes 9 are stacked on the stacking unit 28, the stacked unit 28 is transported from the stacking position by the carry-out conveyor 43, and the stacked unit is stacked by the lifting mechanism 44. 28 descends. Then, the laminated unit 28 in the laminated state is conveyed to a predetermined position by the belt conveyor 46.

  By the way, in the manufacturing process of the positive electrode 8 by the positive electrode manufacturing facility 22 and the manufacturing process of the negative electrode 9 by the negative electrode manufacturing facility 24, defective products may rarely occur due to, for example, mixing of foreign substances. When such a defective product is removed in the inspection process, a shortage of the positive electrode 11 with a separator and the negative electrode 9 supplied to the electrode stacking apparatus 20 occurs.

  Therefore, the control unit 37 controls the drive unit 36 so as to change the rotation speed of the circulation member 34 and to raise and lower the circulation member 34 in the positive electrode transport unit 26 based on the shortage information of the positive electrode 11 with separator and the negative electrode 9. In the negative electrode transport unit 27, the rotational speed of the circulation member 38 is changed and the drive unit 40 is controlled so as to raise and lower the circulation member 38. In addition, the shortage of the positive electrode 11 with a separator and the negative electrode 9 is detected by sensors arranged on the positive electrode supply conveyor 29 and the negative electrode supply conveyor 31, for example.

  For example, in the case where a shortage occurs in the positive electrode with separator 11 conveyed by the positive electrode supply conveyor 29, if the stacking of the positive electrode with separator 11 by normal operation is continued, as shown in FIG. 26, there is a support portion 35 on which the separator-attached positive electrode 11 is not placed. In this case, in the laminated unit 28, the stacking of the positive electrode 11 with the separator occurs.

  Thus, when a shortage occurs in the positive electrode 11 with a separator, the control unit 37 sets the rotation speed of the circulation member 34 in the positive electrode transport unit 26 during normal operation as shown in FIG. The drive unit 36 is controlled so that the circulating member 34 is lowered in half and at the same speed as the rotational speed of the circulating member 34. Then, the support part 35 on the positive electrode supply conveyor 29 side remains stopped without being raised. Accordingly, the support portion 35 that is empty due to the shortage of the separator-equipped positive electrode 11 is in a standby state until the next positive electrode 11 with a separator is supplied. On the other hand, since the support portion 35 on the positive electrode take-out conveyor 30 side descends at the same moving speed as that during normal operation, the positive electrode 11 with a separator is laminated on the lamination unit 28. Therefore, the number of positive electrodes 11 with a separator stored in the positive electrode transport unit 26 is smaller than that during normal operation.

  When a shortage occurs in the negative electrode 9 conveyed by the negative electrode supply conveyor 31, the negative electrode conveyance unit 27 performs the same operation as described above.

  In addition, if the negative electrode 9 stored in the negative electrode supply conveyor 31 is less than a predetermined number and a shortage occurs in the negative electrode 9 conveyed by the negative electrode supply conveyor 31, the negative electrode 9 is generated in the stacked unit 28. In a situation where the layers are not stacked, as shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 37 reduces the rotation speed of the circulation member 34 to half that of the normal operation and circulates at the same speed as the rotation speed of the circulation member 34. The drive unit 36 is controlled to raise the member 34. Then, the support part 35 by the side of the positive electrode take-out conveyor 30 remains stopped without being lowered. Therefore, the positive electrode 11 with separator is not transferred to the positive electrode take-out conveyor 30, and the positive electrode 11 with separator is not stacked on the stacking unit 28. On the other hand, since the support portion 35 on the positive electrode supply conveyor 29 side rises at the same moving speed as in normal operation, the positive electrode with separator 11 conveyed by the positive electrode supply conveyor 29 is sequentially placed on the support portion 35. Therefore, the number of the positive electrodes 11 with separators stored in the positive electrode transport unit 26 is larger than that during normal operation.

  It should be noted that because the separator-attached positive electrode 11 conveyed by the positive electrode supply conveyor 29 has a shortage with the separator-attached positive electrode 11 stored in the positive electrode supply conveyor 29 being less than a predetermined number, the stack unit 28 has separators. When the attached positive electrode 11 is not stacked, the negative electrode transport unit 27 performs the same operation as described above.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the height position of the positive electrode supply conveyor 29 for supplying the separator-attached positive electrode 11 to the support portion 35 of the positive electrode transport unit 26 and the separator from the support portion 35 of the positive electrode transport unit 26 are provided. This is different from the height position of the positive electrode takeout conveyor 30 that takes out the positive electrode 11 and leads it to the laminated unit 28. The height position of the negative electrode supply conveyor 31 that supplies the negative electrode 9 to the support portion 39 of the negative electrode transport unit 27, and the negative electrode takeout conveyor 32 that takes the negative electrode 9 out of the support portion 39 of the negative electrode transport unit 27 and leads it to the lamination unit 28. It is different from the height position. On the other hand, the circulation member 34 of the positive electrode transport unit 26 and the circulation member 38 of the negative electrode transport unit 27 extend in the vertical direction. For this reason, it is not necessary to increase the dimensions of the positive electrode transport unit 26 and the negative electrode transport unit 27 in the horizontal direction. Thereby, the height position of the conveyance path of the positive electrode 11 with a separator and the negative electrode 9 in the electrode lamination apparatus 20 can be changed, aiming at space saving.

  Further, since the height positions of the positive electrode supply conveyor 29 and the positive electrode extraction conveyor 30 are different, and the height positions of the negative electrode supply conveyor 31 and the negative electrode extraction conveyor 32 are different, the positive electrode conveyance unit 26, the negative electrode conveyance Even if there are two units 27, positive electrode supply conveyors 29, positive electrode extraction conveyors 30, negative electrode supply conveyors 31, negative electrode extraction conveyors 32, carry-in conveyors 42, and carry-out conveyors 43, The layout of the three-dimensional intersection with the carry-in conveyor 42 and the three-dimensional intersection between the negative electrode supply conveyor 31 and the carry-out conveyor 43 are facilitated. Thereby, cost reduction of an installation cost can be achieved.

  Further, since the height positions of the positive electrode supply conveyor 29 and the negative electrode supply conveyor 31 are the same, the separator-attached positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 9 are respectively conveyed to the positive electrode conveyance unit 26 and the negative electrode conveyance unit 27 at the same height position. Can do. Moreover, since the height positions of the positive electrode take-out conveyor 30 and the negative electrode take-out conveyor 32 are the same, the positive electrode 11 with separator and the negative electrode 9 can be dropped from the same height position and stacked on the lamination unit 28.

  Further, in addition to the rotation operation of the circulation members 34 and 38, the number of the positive electrodes 11 with separators stored in the positive electrode transport unit 26 can be adjusted by moving the circulation member 34 or the circulation member 38 in the vertical direction, or the negative electrode transport unit. It becomes possible to adjust the number of the negative electrodes 9 stored by 27. Thus, even when a shortage of the positive electrode 11 with separator supplied to the positive electrode transport unit 26 or a shortage of the negative electrode 9 supplied to the negative electrode transport unit 27 occurs, the process upstream of the electrode stacking process is stopped. No need.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the above embodiment, the height position of the positive electrode takeout conveyor 30 is higher than the height position of the positive electrode supply conveyor 29, and the height position of the negative electrode takeout conveyor 32 is the height of the negative electrode supply conveyor 31. Although it is higher than the position, it is not particularly limited to the form. That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the height position of the positive electrode supply conveyor 29 is higher than the height position of the positive electrode extraction conveyor 30, and the height position of the negative electrode supply conveyor 31 is the negative electrode extraction conveyor. It may be higher than 32. In this case, one carry-in conveyor 42 is arranged below one positive electrode supply conveyor 29, and one carry-out conveyor 43 is arranged below one negative electrode supply conveyor 31. At this time, the elevating mechanisms 41 and 44 are unnecessary.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the height position of the positive electrode supply conveyor 29 and the negative electrode supply conveyor 31 is the same, the height position of the positive electrode supply conveyor 29 and the negative electrode supply conveyor 31 may differ.

  In the above embodiment, the positive electrode transport unit 26 has one circulation member 34, and the negative electrode transport unit 27 has one circulation member 38. May have a plurality of circulation members, and the negative electrode transport unit 27 may have a plurality of circulation members.

  For example, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the positive electrode transport unit 26 includes two circulation members 51 and 52 that are arranged at different height positions, and a plurality of support portions 53 that are attached to the outer peripheral surface of the circulation member 51. Between the positive electrode supply conveyor 29 for supplying the positive electrode 11 with separator, the positive electrode conveyor 30 for taking out the positive electrode 11 with separator from the plurality of support portions 54 attached to the outer peripheral surface of the circulation member 52, and the circulation members 51, 52. And an intermediate conveyor 55 that moves the positive electrode 11 with the separator from the support portion 53 to the support portion 54. The height position of the intermediate conveyor 55 is between the height position of the positive electrode supply conveyor 29 and the height position of the positive electrode take-out conveyor 30. By setting it as such a structure, the number of the positive electrodes 11 with a separator stored in the positive electrode conveyance unit 26 can be increased.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the drive parts 36 and 40 have the motor for conveyance and the motor for raising / lowering separately, it is good also considering one motor as a share. In this case, each operation state is changed by switching the transmission mechanism that transmits the driving force of the motor.

  Furthermore, in the above embodiment, two electrode transport lines 33 including the electrode stacking apparatus 20 are provided, but the number of electrode transport lines 33 including the electrode stacking apparatus 20 may be three or more. In this case, the number of stacked unit transport lines 45 is the same as the number of electrode transport lines 33.

  Further, the electrode laminating apparatus 20 of the above embodiment is a type in which the positive electrode 11 with separator and the negative electrode 9 are conveyed from both the left and right sides and laminated on the laminating unit 28, but the present invention is applicable to other types of electrode laminating apparatuses. Applicable. For example, the present invention provides a transport unit that transports electrodes in the horizontal direction, a stack unit that is disposed below the transport unit, and in which the electrodes are stacked, and is disposed between the transport unit and the stack unit. It is applicable also to the electrode lamination apparatus provided with the sliding part which makes the conveyed electrode slide toward a lamination | stacking unit, and is dropped to a lamination | stacking unit. In this case, a conveyance part consists of two belt conveyors from which a height position differs, and the conveyance unit which has a circulation member and a some support part is arrange | positioned between these two belt conveyors.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the positive electrode 8 with the separator and the negative electrode 9 in which the positive electrode 8 is wrapped in the bag-shaped separator 10 are alternately stacked on the stacking unit 28, but the form is not particularly limited, The positive electrode and the negative electrode with a separator in which the negative electrode is wrapped in a bag-shaped separator may be alternately stacked on the stacking unit 28.

  Furthermore, in the said embodiment, although the electrical storage apparatus 1 is a lithium ion secondary battery, this invention is not restricted especially to a lithium ion secondary battery, For example, other secondary batteries, such as a nickel hydride battery, an electric double layer The present invention can also be applied to the stacking of electrodes in a power storage device such as a capacitor or a lithium ion capacitor.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 9 ... Negative electrode (electrode), 11 ... Positive electrode (electrode) with a separator, 20 ... Electrode laminating apparatus, 26 ... Positive electrode conveyance unit (1st conveyance unit), 27 ... Negative electrode conveyance unit (2nd conveyance unit), 28 ... Lamination | stacking unit 29 ... Positive electrode supply conveyor (first supply path), 30 ... Positive electrode extraction conveyor (first extraction path), 31 ... Negative electrode supply conveyor (second supply path), 32 ... Negative electrode extraction conveyor (second extraction path) (Path), 34 ... circulation member (first circulation member), 35 ... support portion (first support portion), 36 ... drive portion (first drive portion), 38 ... circulation member (second circulation member), 39 ... support Part (second support part), 40... Drive part (second drive part), 42... Carry-in conveyor (stacking unit transport path), 43.

Claims (4)

A first transport unit that has a loop-shaped first circulation member extending in the vertical direction and a plurality of first support parts that are attached to the outer peripheral surface of the first circulation member and support the positive electrode;
A second transport unit that transports the negative electrode, having a loop-shaped second circulation member that extends in the vertical direction, and a plurality of second support parts that are attached to the outer peripheral surface of the second circulation member and support the negative electrode;
A lamination unit disposed between the first conveyance unit and the second conveyance unit, wherein the positive electrode and the negative electrode are alternately laminated;
A first supply path for supplying the positive electrode to the first support portion;
A first take-out path that takes out the positive electrode from the first support and guides it to the stacked unit;
A second supply path for supplying the negative electrode to the second support portion;
A second take-out path for taking out the negative electrode from the second support part and leading it to the laminated unit;
The height positions of the first supply path and the first take-out path are different,
The electrode stacking apparatus, wherein height positions of the second supply path and the second extraction path are different. A stacking unit transport path for carrying the stacking unit in and out of the stacking position between the first transporting unit and the second transporting unit;
The first transport unit, the second transport unit, the first supply path, the first take-out path, the second supply path, the second take-out path, and the stacking unit transport path have a plurality of each.
2. The electrode stacking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first supply path, the second supply path, and the stacked unit transport path are three-dimensionally crossed. The height positions of the first supply path and the second supply path are the same,
The electrode stacking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first extraction path and the second extraction path have the same height position. The first transport unit includes a first drive unit that rotates the first circulation member and moves the first circulation member in the vertical direction.
The said 2nd conveyance unit has a 2nd drive part which moves the said 2nd circulation member to an up-down direction while rotating the said 2nd circulation member, The any one of Claims 1-3 characterized by the above-mentioned. Electrode stacking device.

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