JP2018078080A - Electrode lamination device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electrode lamination device capable of improving a speed of a laminate of a positive electrode and a negative electrode.SOLUTION: A pressure member 322a injects a negative electrode 9 before a time T4 and after a time T3, after a start of injection of a positive electrode 11 with a separator by a pressure member 321a. The time T3 is a time that is required for reaching to a second collision avoidance position from the start of injection of the positive electrode 11 with the separator by the pressure member 321a. A time T4 is a time that is required for finishing laminate of the positive electrode 11 with the separator to be injected to a laminate part 316 from the start of injection of the positive electrode 11 with the separator. Therefore, the pressure member 322a can reduce a standby time for waiting the completion of the laminate of the positive electrode 11 with the separator by starting the injection of the negative electrode 9 before the completion of the laminate to the laminate part 316 of the positive electrode 11 with the separator, while avoiding the collision with the positive electrode 11 with the separator previously injected by the pressure member 321a.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrode stacking apparatus.

  For example, in a power storage device having a stacked electrode assembly such as a lithium ion secondary battery, as a method of stacking electrodes, a P & P (pick and place) method using a robot provided with a suction means is often used. ing. By the way, as one of the methods for improving the productivity of the power storage device manufacturing line, it is conceivable to speed up the manufacturing line, and in the stacking process, it is necessary to increase the supply speed of the electrodes to the stacking section (stacking speed). There is. However, when laminating electrodes on the laminating section using the robot described above, for example, it involves negative pressure control of the suction means, so it is difficult to increase the electrode laminating speed, which hinders the speedup of the production line. End up. On the other hand, as an electrode stacking device capable of high-speed stacking, for example, a device described in Patent Document 1 is known.

  The electrode laminating apparatus described in Patent Document 1 includes two supply mechanisms that respectively supply a positive electrode and a negative electrode, and a positive electrode and a negative electrode that are respectively disposed below the supply mechanisms so as to be orthogonal to each other and supplied from each supply mechanism. Two drop moving means that drop and move the negative electrode to a predetermined position using gravity, and a positive electrode and a negative electrode that are disposed below the drop moving means and discharged from the discharge portion of each drop moving means, respectively. Guiding and laminating means for sequentially laminating by guiding to a predetermined position. The guide laminating means includes two bottom walls on which the laminated body is placed, and two electrodes that project perpendicularly to the bottom wall and stop the movement of the electrodes discharged from the discharge portion of the drop moving means. And a standing wall. When laminating the positive electrode and the negative electrode, the positive electrode is supplied in a direction facing one standing wall and the negative electrode is supplied in a direction facing the other standing wall. The positive electrode and the negative electrode supplied to the guide laminating means fall on the bottom wall or the laminated positive electrode and negative electrode, and then collide with the standing wall and stop.

JP 2012-91372 A

  Here, in the case of an electrode laminating apparatus in which positive electrodes and negative electrodes are alternately laminated as in the electrode laminating apparatus of Patent Document 1, after the positive electrode is charged, the negative electrode is charged after the lamination of the positive electrode to the laminated portion is completed. Is done. In addition, after the negative electrode is charged, the positive electrode is charged after the negative electrode has been stacked on the stacked portion. For such an electrode laminating apparatus, a further increase in the speed of laminating the positive electrode and the negative electrode has been demanded.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an electrode stacking apparatus capable of improving the stacking speed of a positive electrode and a negative electrode.

  An electrode stacking apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a stacked portion in which a positive electrode and a negative electrode are stacked, and a first input that is disposed on one side in the horizontal direction with respect to the stacked portion and inputs the positive electrode toward the stacked portion And a second input unit that is disposed on the other side in the horizontal direction with respect to the stacked unit and inputs the negative electrode toward the stacked unit, and one of the first input unit and the second input unit From the start of loading of one electrode by the loading unit until the end on the downstream side in the moving direction of the loaded one electrode reaches a collision avoidance position where it does not collide with the other electrode loaded by the other loading unit When the time is defined as the first time and the time from the start of the loading of one electrode by one loading unit to the completion of the stacking for the stacked portion of the one electrode loaded is the second time, the other loading unit is , Throwing one electrode by one feeding part After starting, the other electrode is charged before the second time or after the than the first time.

  In such an electrode stacking apparatus, the other input unit inputs the other electrode after the first time and before the second time after the start of the input of one electrode by the one input unit. The first time is a collision in which the end on the downstream side in the moving direction of one input electrode does not collide with the other electrode input by the other input unit from the start of input of one electrode by one input unit This is the time to reach the avoidance position. The second time is the time from the start of the introduction of the one electrode by the one input part to the completion of the stacking of the input electrode on the stacked part. Therefore, the other charging unit avoids collision with the one electrode previously charged by the one charging unit, but does not load the other electrode before the stacking of the one electrode is completed. By starting, the waiting time for waiting for completion of the lamination of one electrode can be shortened. As described above, the stacking speed of the positive electrode and the negative electrode can be improved.

  The first input unit is configured by a first extrusion unit that extrudes the positive electrode supported by the positive electrode support unit toward the lamination unit, and the second input unit extrudes the negative electrode supported by the negative electrode support unit toward the lamination unit. You may be comprised by the 2nd extrusion part. In this way, when the input unit is configured by an extrusion unit that extrudes the electrode supported by the support unit, the timing of electrode injection can be easily adjusted by controlling the extrusion timing of each extrusion unit. it can.

  The other extruding part may start extruding the other electrode at a timing after one extruding part starts extruding one electrode and before one extruding part returns to the original position. . As a result, the waiting time for waiting for the completion of the stacking of the previously input electrodes can be shortened.

  The electrode laminating apparatus has a loop shape extending in the vertical direction, a first circulation member having a plurality of positive electrode support portions attached to the outer peripheral surface thereof, and a loop shape extending in the vertical direction, and supporting a plurality of negative electrodes on the outer peripheral surface thereof. A second circulation member to which the portion is attached, and a lamination unit that is disposed between the first circulation member and the second circulation member and has a plurality of laminated portions. The positive electrode supported by the positive electrode support portion may be simultaneously extruded toward the plurality of stacked portions, and the second extrusion portion may simultaneously extrude the negative electrode supported by the plurality of negative electrode support portions toward the multiple stacked portions. Thereby, a some negative electrode and a some positive electrode can be thrown in simultaneously.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the electrode lamination apparatus which can improve the speed | rate of lamination | stacking of a positive electrode and a negative electrode is provided.

It is sectional drawing which shows the inside of the electrical storage apparatus manufactured by applying the electrode lamination apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is the II-II sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is a side view (partial cross section is included) which shows the electrode lamination apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of a support part. It is a top view of an electrode lamination apparatus. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of operation | movement of an electrode lamination apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the control flow of a circulation member. It is a partial side view explaining operation | movement of the circulation member at the time of preparation operation. It is a partial side view explaining operation | movement of the circulation member at the time of lamination | stacking operation | movement. It is a partial side view explaining operation | movement of the circulation member at the time of a return driving | operation. It is a flowchart which shows the control flow of a positioning unit. It is a flowchart which shows the control flow of the extrusion unit by the side of a positive electrode supply. It is a flowchart which shows the control flow of the extrusion unit by the side of a negative electrode supply. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the support structure and drive mechanism of the circulation member of a positive electrode conveyance unit. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the support structure and drive mechanism of the circulation member of a positive electrode conveyance unit. It is a figure which shows the 1st operation example of a circulation member. It is a figure which shows the 2nd operation example of a circulation member. It is a figure which shows the 3rd operation example of a circulation member.

  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 the inside 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, for example, a substantially rectangular parallelepiped case 2 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, an insulating film is disposed between the electrode assembly 3 and the inner side surface and bottom surface of the case 2, and the case 2 and the electrode assembly 3 are insulated by the insulating film. Yes. 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 that is a positive electrode current collector 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 plurality of tabs 14 b extending from the plurality of positive electrodes 8 are connected (welded) to the conductive member 12 in a state of being collected, and are connected to the positive electrode terminal 4 via the conductive member 12. In FIG. 2, the tab 14b is omitted for convenience.

  The positive electrode active material layer 15 is formed on both front and back surfaces of 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 that is a negative electrode current collector made of, for example, copper foil, and negative electrode active material layers 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 both front and back surfaces of 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 14b of the positive electrode 11 with the separator is connected to the positive electrode terminal 4 through the conductive member 12, and the tab 16b of the negative electrode 9 is connected to the negative electrode terminal 5 through the conductive member 13, and then the electrode assembly 3 is attached to the case. 2 to accommodate.

  Next, an electrode stacking apparatus 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a side view (including a partial cross-section) showing the electrode stacking apparatus 300. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a support portion of the electrode stacking apparatus 300. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the electrode stacking apparatus 300.

  The electrode stacking apparatus 300 includes a positive electrode transport unit 301, a negative electrode transport unit 302, a positive electrode supply conveyor 303, a negative electrode supply conveyor 304, and a stack unit 305. The electrode lamination apparatus 300 includes electrode supply sensors 306 and 307 and lamination position sensors 308 and 309.

  The positive electrode transport unit 301 is a unit that sequentially transports the positive electrode 11 with the separator while storing it. The positive electrode transport unit 301 includes a loop-shaped circulation member 310 that extends in the vertical direction, a plurality of support portions 311 that are attached to the outer peripheral surface of the circulation member 310 and support the positive electrode 11 with a separator, and a drive that drives the circulation member 310. Part 312.

  The circulation member 310 is composed of, for example, an endless belt. The circulation member 310 is stretched around two rollers that are spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction, and is rotated with the rotation of each roller. As the circulation member 310 rotates (circulates) in this way, each support portion 311 circulates and moves. Further, the circulation member 310 is movable in the vertical direction together with the two rollers. In order to prevent the phase difference between the circulation member 310 and the roller, the circulation member 310 may be a toothed belt and the roller may be a pulley. For example, pulleys 403 and 404 described later correspond to two rollers.

  The drive unit 312 rotates the circulation member 310 and moves the circulation member 310 in the vertical direction. For example, although not particularly illustrated, the drive unit 312 moves the circulating member 310 up and down via a rotation motor that rotates (circulates) the circulating member 310 by rotating a roller and an elevating mechanism (not shown). And a lifting motor to be moved. At this time, the drive unit 312 rotates the circulation member 310 clockwise as viewed from the front side of the electrode stacking apparatus 300 (the front side of the drawing in FIG. 3). Therefore, the support portion 311 on the positive electrode supply conveyor 303 side rises with respect to the circulation member 310, and the support portion 311 on the stacked unit 305 side descends with respect to the circulation member 310.

  4A is a side view of the support portion 311 in a state where the separator-attached positive electrode 11 is supported, and FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken along line bb in FIG. 4A. FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the support portion 311 is a U-shaped member having a bottom wall 311 a and a pair of side walls 311 b. The bottom wall 311 a is a rectangular plate member that is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the circulation member 310. The pair of side walls 311b are rectangular plate-like members erected on both edges of the bottom wall 311a in the direction in which the circulation member 310 circulates. As shown in FIG. 4B, in the present embodiment, as an example, the side wall 311b is formed in a bifurcated shape. However, the side wall 311b may have any shape as long as it can support the positive electrode 11 with a separator. The pair of side walls 311b face each other and are separated to such an extent that the separator-equipped positive electrode 11 can be accommodated. The bottom wall 311a and the side wall 311b are integrally formed of a metal such as stainless steel.

  A cushioning material 311d such as a sponge is provided on the inner surface of the bottom wall 311a. The separator-attached positive electrode 11 supplied from the positive electrode supply conveyor 303 to the support portion 311 collides with the buffer material 311d when the conveyance speed of the positive electrode supply conveyor 303 is high, but the shock of the collision is caused by the buffer material 311d. Is alleviated. In other words, the buffer material 311d functions as an impact reducing portion that reduces the impact on the positive electrode 11 with the separator when the support portion 311 receives the positive electrode 11 with the separator. As a result, peeling of the positive electrode active material layer 15 of the separator-attached positive electrode 11 can be suppressed when the separator-attached positive electrode 11 is supplied to the support portion 311.

  The negative electrode transport unit 302 is a unit that sequentially transports the negative electrodes 9 while storing them. The negative electrode transport unit 302 includes a loop-shaped circulation member 313 that extends in the vertical direction, a plurality of support portions 314 that are attached to the outer peripheral surface of the circulation member 313 and support the negative electrode 9, and a drive unit 315 that drives the circulation member 313. And have. Here, the configuration of the support portion 314 is the same as that of the support portion 311.

  The circulation member 313 is configured by, for example, an endless belt, similarly to the circulation member 310 described above. The circulation member 313 is stretched over two rollers that are spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction, and is rotated with the rotation of each roller. As the circulation member 313 rotates (circulates) in this way, each support portion 314 is circulated and moved. Further, the circulation member 313 is movable in the vertical direction together with the two rollers.

  The drive unit 315 rotates the circulation member 313 and moves the circulation member 313 in the vertical direction. For example, although not particularly illustrated, the drive unit 315 moves the circulating member 313 in the vertical direction via a rotation motor that rotates (circulates) the circulating member 313 by rotating a roller and an elevating mechanism (not shown). And a lifting motor to be moved. At this time, the drive unit 315 rotates the circulation member 313 counterclockwise when viewed from the front side of the electrode stacking apparatus 300 (the front side in FIG. 3). Accordingly, the support portion 314 on the negative electrode supply conveyor 304 side rises with respect to the circulation member 313, and the support portion 314 on the laminated unit 305 side descends with respect to the circulation member 313.

  The positive electrode supply conveyor 303 conveys the positive electrode 11 with separator toward the positive electrode conveyance unit 301 in the horizontal direction, and supplies the positive electrode 11 with separator to the support portion 311 of the positive electrode conveyance unit 301. The positive electrode supply conveyor 303 has a plurality of claw portions 303 a provided at equal intervals along the circulation direction of the positive electrode supply conveyor 303. The claw portion 303a extends in a direction orthogonal to the circulation direction, and abuts on an end portion of the positive electrode 11 with a separator in the rearward direction of conveyance. Thereby, the positive electrode 11 with a separator is supplied to the positive electrode transport unit 301 at a constant interval.

  The negative electrode supply conveyor 304 conveys the negative electrode 9 toward the negative electrode conveyance unit 302 in the horizontal direction, and supplies the negative electrode 9 to the support portion 314 of the negative electrode conveyance unit 302. The negative electrode supply conveyor 304 has a plurality of claw portions 304 a provided at equal intervals along the circulation direction of the negative electrode supply conveyor 304. The claw portion 304a extends in a direction orthogonal to the circulation direction, and abuts on the end of the negative electrode 9 at the rear in the transport direction. Thus, the negative electrode 9 is supplied to the negative electrode transport unit 302 at a constant interval.

  The separator-attached positive electrode 11 transferred from the positive electrode supply conveyor 303 to the support portion 311 of the positive electrode transport unit 301 circulates and moves so as to temporarily rise and then drop due to the rotation of the circulation member 310. At this time, the front and back of the positive electrode 11 with a separator are reversed in the upper part of the circulation member 310. The negative electrode 9 transferred from the negative electrode supply conveyor 304 to the support portion 314 of the negative electrode conveyance unit 302 circulates and moves so as to rise once and then lower due to the rotation of the circulation member 313. At this time, the front and back of the negative electrode 9 are reversed in the upper part of the circulation member 313.

  The stacked unit 305 is disposed between the positive electrode transport unit 301 and the negative electrode transport unit 302. As an example, the stacking unit 305 includes a loop-shaped circulating member (not shown) extending in the vertical direction and a plurality of stacked portions that are attached to the outer peripheral surface of the circulating member and alternately stack the positive electrode 11 with separator and the negative electrode 9. 316 and a drive unit (not shown) for driving the circulation member.

  The laminated portion 316 is provided on a plate-like base 316a on which the positive electrode 11 with separator and the negative electrode 9 are placed, and the base 316a, and the bottom edge 11c and the side edge 11d of the positive electrode 11 with separator (see FIG. 4). And a side wall 316b having a U-shaped cross section for positioning the bottom edge 9c and the side edge 9d (see FIG. 5) of the negative electrode 9. As an example, as shown in FIG. 3, the upper surface of the side wall 316b on the positive electrode transport unit 301 side is an inclined surface that is inclined downward toward the base 316a. Similarly, the upper surface of the side wall 316b on the negative electrode transport unit 302 side is also an inclined surface that is inclined downward toward the base 316a. With the above configuration, the positive electrode 11 with separator and the negative electrode 9 can be smoothly moved to the base 316a.

  A wall portion 317 extending in the vertical direction is disposed between the stacked unit 305 and the positive electrode transport unit 301. The wall portion 317 is provided with a plurality of (here, four) slits 318 through which the separator-attached positive electrode 11 extruded by an extrusion unit 321 described later passes. The slits 318 are arranged at equal intervals in the vertical direction. In the present embodiment, as an example, the upper portion of the slit 318 is an inclined surface that is inclined downward from the positive electrode transport unit 301 side toward the stacked portion 316 side. Further, the lower portion of the slit 318 is an inclined surface that is inclined upward from the positive electrode transport unit 301 side toward the stacked portion 316 side. Accordingly, the separator-equipped positive electrode 11 can be appropriately guided to the stacked portion 316 and the opening portion on the inlet side (positive electrode transport unit 301 side) in the slit 318 can be enlarged. As a result, the positive electrode 11 with separator can be passed through the slit 318 even if a slight shift occurs in the height position of the positive electrode 11 with separator pushed out by the extrusion unit 321.

  A wall portion 319 extending in the vertical direction is disposed between the stacked unit 305 and the negative electrode transport unit 302. The wall portion 319 is provided with a plurality of (here, four) slits 320 through which the negative electrode 9 extruded by an extrusion unit 322 described later passes. The height position of each slit 320 is the same as the height position of each slit 318. In the present embodiment, as an example, the upper portion of the slit 320 is an inclined surface that is inclined downward from the negative electrode transport unit 302 side toward the laminated portion 316 side. In addition, the lower portion of the slit 320 is an inclined surface that is inclined upward from the negative electrode transport unit 302 side toward the stacked portion 316 side. Accordingly, the negative electrode 9 can be appropriately guided to the laminated portion 316 and the opening portion on the inlet side (negative electrode transport unit 302 side) of the slit 320 can be enlarged. As a result, even if a slight shift occurs in the height position of the negative electrode 9 extruded by the extrusion unit 322, the negative electrode 9 can be passed through the slit 320.

  The electrode stacking apparatus 300 includes an extrusion unit 321 and an extrusion unit 322.

  The extrusion unit 321 simultaneously extrudes a plurality of (here, four) positive electrodes with separators 11 toward the multi-layered portion 316 in the upper and lower stages (here, upper and lower four stages) in the lamination area where the positive electrodes with separators 11 are laminated. The four separator-attached positive electrodes 11 are simultaneously laminated on the four-layer laminated portion 316. The extruding unit 321 drives a pair of pressing members 321a (first extruding unit and first charging unit) that press the four separator-attached positive electrodes 11 together, and moves the pressing member 321a toward the four-layer stacked unit 316 side. Part 44 (see FIG. 5). This drive part 44 is comprised from the motor and the link mechanism, for example.

  The extrusion unit 322 simultaneously extrudes a plurality of (here, four) negative electrodes 9 toward a plurality of (here, four upper and lower) laminated portions 316 in the lamination area where the negative electrodes 9 are laminated. Are simultaneously stacked on the four-layer stacked portion 316. The extruding unit 322 includes a pair of pushing members 322a (second pushing portion and second feeding portion) that push the four negative electrodes 9 together, and a driving unit 46 that moves the pushing members 322a toward the four-stage stacked portion 316 side. (See FIG. 5). The configuration of the drive unit 46 is the same as the drive unit of the extrusion unit 321. In addition, as a drive part of the extrusion units 321, 322, you may have a cylinder etc.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the electrode stacking apparatus 300 includes a positioning unit 47 that aligns the position of the bottom edge 11 c of the positive electrode 11 with a separator, and a positioning unit 48 that aligns the position of the bottom edge 9 c of the negative electrode 9. . The positioning units 47 and 48 are arranged in a lamination area where the positive electrode 11 with separator and the negative electrode 9 are laminated. The bottom edge 11c of the positive electrode 11 with a separator is an edge opposite to the tab 14b side in the positive electrode 11 with a separator. The bottom edge 9c of the negative electrode 9 is an edge of the negative electrode 9 on the side opposite to the tab 16b side.

  The positioning unit 47 is disposed on the front side of the positive electrode transport unit 301 (the front side in FIG. 3), and is disposed on the rear side of the positive electrode transport unit 301 and the receiving portion 49 that contacts the bottom edge 11c of the positive electrode 11 with a separator. The attached positive electrode 11 has a pressing portion 50 that presses against the receiving portion 49. The receiving portion 49 is provided with a plurality of free rollers. Note that the receiving portion 49 may be formed of a resin whose surface is slippery.

  The pressing unit 50 includes a pressing plate 51 that presses the separator-attached positive electrode 11 and a driving unit 52 that moves the pressing plate 51 to the receiving unit 49 side. The drive part 52 has a cylinder, for example. The push plate 51 is fixed to the tip of the piston rod of the cylinder. The push plate 51 is provided with a slit 51a for allowing the tab 14b of the positive electrode 11 with a separator to escape.

  The positioning unit 48 is disposed on the front side of the negative electrode transport unit 302 (the front side in FIG. 3), and is disposed on the rear side of the negative electrode transport unit 302 and the receiving portion 53 that contacts the bottom edge 9c of the negative electrode 9. And a pressing portion 54 that presses against the receiving portion 53. The structure of the receiving portion 53 is the same as that of the receiving portion 49. The pressing unit 54 includes a pressing plate 55 that presses the negative electrode 9 and a driving unit 56 that moves the pressing plate 55 to the receiving unit 53 side. The push plate 55 is provided with a slit 55a for allowing the tab 16b of the negative electrode 9 to escape. The configuration of the drive unit 56 is the same as that of the drive unit 52.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the electrode stacking apparatus 300 includes a controller 350. The controller 350 includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, an input / output interface, and the like. The controller 350 includes a conveyance control unit that controls the driving units 312 and 315, a stacking control unit that controls the driving unit of the stacking unit 305, an extrusion unit that controls the driving unit of the extrusion unit 321 and the driving unit of the extrusion unit 322. It has a control unit and a positioning control unit that controls the driving units of the positioning units 47 and 48. The controller 350 is connected to the electrode supply sensors 306 and 307 and the stack position sensors 308 and 309, and can receive detection signals from these sensors. The controller 350 determines the control content based on the detection signal from each sensor and the program stored in the ROM, and drives and controls each drive unit via each control unit.

  The electrode supply sensor 306 is disposed in the vicinity of the end portion of the positive electrode supply conveyor 303 on the positive electrode transport unit 301 side, and detects the presence or absence of the positive electrode 11 with separator, or the claw portion 303a and the positive electrode 11 with separator. The electrode supply sensor 306 periodically transmits a detection signal indicating the presence or absence of the claw portion 303a or the positive electrode 11 with a separator to the controller 350.

  The electrode supply sensor 307 is disposed near the end of the negative electrode supply conveyor 304 on the negative electrode transport unit 302 side, and detects the presence or absence of the claw portion 304a or the negative electrode 9. The electrode supply sensor 307 periodically transmits a detection signal indicating the presence or absence of the claw portion 304a or the negative electrode 9 to the controller 350.

  The stacking position sensor 308 indicates that the support portion 311 that supports the separator-attached positive electrode 11 has reached a predetermined stacking position (for example, the lower end position of the slit 318 corresponding to the lowermost stacking section 316 of the stacking unit 305). Detect. The stack position sensor 308 is independent of the vertical movement of the circulation member 310, and the height position of the stack position sensor 308 is fixed with respect to the slit 318. For example, the stack position sensor 308 may be fixed to the wall portion 317. When the stack position sensor 308 detects that the support 311 supporting the positive electrode 11 with separator has reached the stack position, the stack position sensor 308 transmits a detection signal indicating that to the controller 350.

  The stacking position sensor 309 detects that the support unit 314 supporting the negative electrode 9 has reached a predetermined stacking position (for example, the lower end position of the slit 320 corresponding to the lowermost stacking unit 316 of the stacking unit 305). . The stack position sensor 309 is independent of the vertical movement of the circulation member 313, and the height position of the stack position sensor 309 is fixed with respect to the slit 320. When the stack position sensor 309 detects that the support portion 314 supporting the negative electrode 9 has reached the stack position, the stack position sensor 309 transmits a detection signal indicating that to the controller 350.

  A characteristic configuration of the electrode stacking apparatus 300 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 6, only one layered portion 316 is shown for ease of understanding, but the same operation is performed in the stacked portion 316 related to other steps.

  Here, a case where the negative electrode is charged in a state where the positive electrode 11 with separator is charged first will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, the pressing member 322 a that functions as the second input unit that inputs the negative electrode 9 into the stacked unit 316 is a pressing member that functions as the first input unit that inputs the positive electrode 11 with the separator into the stacked unit 316 first. While avoiding the collision with the positive electrode with separator 11 input by 321a, the input of the negative electrode 9 is started before the stacking of the positive electrode with separator 11 on the stacked portion 316 is completed. Specifically, the time from when the positive electrode with separator (one electrode) 11 starts to be fed by the pressing member (one charging portion) 321a to when the positive electrode with separator 11 reaches the second collision avoidance position is set to the time (first 1 hour) T3. In addition, the time from when the positive electrode 11 with separator by the pressing member 321a starts to be stacked on the stacked portion 316 of the positive electrode 11 with separator is set as time (second time) T4. In this case, the pushing member 322a throws the negative electrode 9 after the time T3 and before the time T4 after the pushing member 321a starts to feed the positive electrode 11 with the separator. The collision between the positive electrode 11 with separator and the negative electrode 9 means that the downstream ends of the positive electrode 11 with separator and the negative electrode 9 collide with each other. When such a state occurs, for example, the positive electrode 11 with a separator and the negative electrode 9 warp upward from the collision location, and an intended stacked state cannot be obtained. On the other hand, the negative electrode 9 may be in contact with the upper surface of the positive electrode 11 with a separator, for example, except for the end on the downstream side of the positive electrode 11 with a separator. Lamination can be continued together. When contact is made as described above, friction acts on both the positive electrode 11 with separator and the negative electrode 9, but both pressing members 321a and 322a are in contact with the rear end (upstream end) and are being pushed in, There is no stopping on the way.

  The “second collision avoidance position” refers to the negative electrode (the other electrode) 9 in which the downstream end 11a in the moving direction of the loaded positive electrode 11 with the separator is loaded by the pressing member (the other loading portion) 322a. It is a position that does not collide. The second collision avoidance position can be arbitrarily set in accordance with the apparatus configuration and the operating conditions as long as the above-described collision can be avoided. The position is not particularly limited. For example, if the end 11a of the positive electrode 11 with a separator reaches a position where it contacts the side wall 316b on the negative electrode 9 side (the right side in FIG. 6), the negative electrode 9 is avoided. Therefore, the side wall 316b may be set as the second collision avoidance position. Alternatively, when the end portion 11a of the separator-attached positive electrode 11 reaches a predetermined position on the negative electrode 9 side with respect to the center line of the stacked portion 316, the position of the end portion 11a moves downward, so that Collisions can be avoided. Therefore, a predetermined position closer to the negative electrode 9 than the center line of the stacked portion 316 may be set as the second collision avoidance position.

  Thereby, as shown in FIG. 6A, the separator-equipped positive electrode 11 is laminated on the laminated portion 316 by being pushed by the pressing member 321a, while in the state before the lamination of the separator-equipped positive electrode 11 is completed, The pressing member 322a can start the extrusion of the negative electrode 9. At this time, since the pushing member 322a starts feeding the negative electrode 9 after time T3 after the feeding of the positive electrode 11 with the separator by the pushing member 321a, at least the negative electrode 9 collides with the end portion 11a of the positive electrode 11 with the separator. Therefore, the negative electrode 9 can move above the positive electrode 11 with the separator so as to be alternated with the positive electrode 11 with the separator.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the case where the negative electrode is introduced in the state where the separator-attached positive electrode 11 is first introduced has been described, but instead, the separator-attached positive electrode 11 where the negative electrode 9 is introduced first. May be input. The pressing member 321a functioning as the first input unit that inputs the positive electrode 11 with the separator into the stacked unit 316 is the negative electrode 9 input by the pressing member 322a that functions as the second input unit that inputs the negative electrode 9 into the stacked unit 316 first. In addition, the introduction of the positive electrode 11 with a separator is started before the lamination of the negative electrode 9 on the laminated part 316 is completed. Specifically, the time from when the negative electrode (one electrode) 9 starts to be charged by the push member (one charging portion) 322a to when the negative electrode 9 reaches the first collision avoidance position is defined as time T1. Also, the time from the start of the insertion of the negative electrode 9 by the push member 322a to the completion of the lamination of the loaded negative electrode 9 on the laminated portion 316 is defined as time T2. In this case, the pressing member 321a inputs the positive electrode 11 with the separator after the time T1 and before the time T2 after starting the charging of the negative electrode 9 by the pressing member 322a.

  The “first collision avoidance position” refers to the separator-attached positive electrode (the other electrode) 11 in which the downstream end 9a in the moving direction of the input negative electrode 9 is input by the pressing member (other input portion) 321a. It is a position that does not collide. The first collision avoidance position can be arbitrarily set in accordance with the apparatus configuration and the operating conditions as long as the above-described collision can be avoided. The position is not particularly limited. For example, if the end 9a of the negative electrode 9 reaches a position where it comes into contact with the side wall 316b on the positive electrode 11 side with separator (the left side in FIG. 6), the positive electrode 11 with separator. Therefore, the side wall 316b may be set as the first collision avoidance position. Alternatively, when the end 9a of the negative electrode 9 reaches a predetermined position on the side of the positive electrode 11 with the separator from the center line of the stacked portion 316, the position of the end 9a moves downward, so that the positive electrode 11 with the separator Can avoid collisions. Therefore, a predetermined position closer to the positive electrode 11 with separator than the center line of the stacked portion 316 may be set as the first collision avoidance position.

  Accordingly, the negative electrode 9 is stacked on the stacked portion 316 by being pressed by the pressing member 322a, while the pressing member 321a can start the extrusion of the positive electrode 11 with the separator in a state before the negative electrode 9 is stacked. . At this time, since the pushing member 321a starts feeding the positive electrode 11 with the separator after time T1 after the loading of the negative electrode 9 by the pushing member 322a starts, at least the positive electrode 11 with the separator collides with the end 9a of the negative electrode 9. Therefore, the separator-attached positive electrode 11 can move above the negative electrode 9 so as to be alternated with the negative electrode 9.

  The “starting input” is a timing at which movement of the positive electrode 11 with a separator 11 toward the stacking portion 316 starts when the pressing member 321a starts moving toward the stacking portion 316 with respect to the support portion 311. . On the negative electrode 9 side, “starting input” is a timing at which the movement of the negative electrode 9 toward the stacked portion 316 starts when the pressing member 322a starts moving toward the stacked portion 316 with respect to the support portion 314. That is. In addition, the state where “lamination is completed” means that after the electrodes fall between the side walls 316b on both sides in the stacked portion 316, the electrodes are stacked on the base 316a or the stacked electrodes. .

  Note that the times T1 to T4 may be set by measuring by performing a trial run with an actual machine after the actual electrode stacking apparatus 300 is completed. Or you may set by performing a simulation in advance. Alternatively, various sensors may be provided in the apparatus, and the times T1 to T4 may be set based on the monitoring results monitored by the sensors. The time T1 and the time T3 may be the same time or slightly different times. Further, the time T2 and the time T4 may be the same time or slightly different times.

  Subsequently, operation control of the circulation members 310 and 313, the positioning units 47 and 48 (see FIG. 5), and the extrusion units 321 and 322 by the controller 350 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, the control flow of the circulation member (here, the circulation member 310 as an example) will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a control flow common to the circulation member 310 and the circulation member 313. FIG. 8 is a partial side view for explaining the operation of the circulation member 310 during the preparation operation (step S201 in FIG. 7). FIG. 9 is a partial side view for explaining the operation of the circulation member 310 during the stacking operation (step S203 in FIG. 7). FIG. 10 is a partial side view for explaining the operation of the circulation member 310 during the return operation (step S206 in FIG. 7). Note that the control flow of the circulation member 313 of the negative electrode transport unit 302 is the same as the control flow of the circulation member 310, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  In FIG. 7, the controller 350 receives a trigger for starting the operation of the production line including the electrode stacking apparatus 300 (for example, input by an operator or the like), and starts the preparation operation of the circulation member 310 (step S201).

  In the preparatory operation, each support portion 311 between the receiving position of the positive electrode 11 with separator and the stacking position supports the positive electrode 11 with separator from the initial state where none of the support portions 311 supports the positive electrode 11 with separator. This is an operation for setting a state to be performed. Specifically, the preparatory operation is an operation of moving the support portion 311 only by rotation (circulation) of the circulation member 310 without accompanying vertical movement (see FIG. 8). More specifically, when the movement amount of the distance between the support portions 311 adjacent to each other in the circulation member 310 is 1, the controller 350 causes the support portion 311 in the receiving position of the separator-attached positive electrode 11 in the circulation member 310 to separate the separator 311. Each time it is confirmed that the attached positive electrode 11 is supplied, the circulating member 310 is circulated clockwise (hereinafter simply referred to as “clockwise”) as viewed from the front side of FIG. In the following description, the movement of the circulation member 310 is represented by the movement in the clockwise direction as the positive direction, and the vertical movement of the circulation member 310 is represented by the upward direction as the positive direction.

  The controller 350 determines whether or not the detection signal is received from the stack position sensor 308 at any time during the preparation operation (that is, whether or not the support portion 311 supporting the positive electrode 11 with separator has reached the stack position) ( Step S202). The controller 350 continues the preparatory operation of the circulation member 310 until it receives a detection signal from the stack position sensor 308 (step S202: NO). On the other hand, when the controller 350 receives the detection signal from the stacking position sensor 308 (that is, when it is detected that the support portion 311 supporting the positive electrode 11 with separator has reached the stacking position), the controller 350 switches the circulation member 310 to the stacking operation ( Step S202: YES, step S203).

  The stacking operation is an operation for stacking the separator-attached positive electrode 11 on the stacking portion 316. Specifically, in the stacking operation, the height position of the support unit 311 on the stacking unit 305 side is stopped relative to the stacking unit 316, and one separator-attached positive electrode 11 is supplied from the positive electrode supply conveyor 303. This is an operation of raising the support portion 311 on the positive electrode supply conveyor 303 side by a movement amount 1 with respect to the positive electrode supply conveyor 303. More specifically, the controller 350 determines the time (hereinafter referred to as “unit time”) from when one positive electrode 11 with separator is supplied from the positive electrode supply conveyor 303 to when the next positive electrode 11 with separator is supplied. ), The circulating member 310 is circulated clockwise with a movement amount of 0.5 and raised with a movement amount of 0.5 (see FIG. 9).

  During the stacking operation, the controller 350 determines whether or not the simultaneous supply of the four separator-attached positive electrodes 11 to the four-stage stacking unit 316 is completed at any time (step S204). Specifically, it is determined whether or not an extrusion operation by an extrusion unit 321 described later has been completed. For example, it is possible to detect that the extrusion operation has been completed by detecting that the pressing member 321a has returned to the original position (position before the separator-attached positive electrode 11 is pushed out). The controller 350 continues the stacking operation of the circulation member 310 until it detects that the extrusion operation by the extrusion unit 321 has been completed (step S204: NO). On the other hand, when detecting that the extrusion operation by the extrusion unit 321 has been completed (step S204: YES), the controller 350 determines whether or not the lamination of the positive electrode 11 with the separator on the lamination unit 305 is completed (step S205). .

  Specifically, the controller 350 detects, for example, the number of electrodes stacked in each stacking unit 316 with a sensor or the like, and determines whether or not the number of stacked electrodes reaches a predetermined number. It can be determined whether or not the lamination is completed. That is, the controller 350 determines that the stacking is completed when the number of stacked electrodes reaches a predetermined number, and that the stacking is not completed when the number of stacked electrodes does not reach the predetermined number. Can do.

  When it is determined that the stacking is completed (step S205: YES), the controller 350 ends the control of the circulation member 310. On the other hand, when it is not determined that the stacking is completed (step S205: NO), the controller 350 switches the circulation member 310 to the return operation (step S206). When it is determined that the stacking is completed (step S205: YES), the controller 350 once completes the control of the circulation member 310, and then completes the replacement of the stacking unit 316 and gives an instruction to start control from the operator or the like. After receiving, control of the circulation member 310 may be resumed. In this case, the return operation (step S206) is started.

  The return operation is an operation of returning (lowering) the circulating member 310 that has moved to a position raised from the original position (position before the start of the lamination operation) in the lamination operation. Specifically, in the return operation, the height position of the leading support portion 311 that supports the separator-attached positive electrode 11 on the stacking unit 305 side is slid to the stack position, and the support portion 311 on the positive electrode supply conveyor 303 side is moved. This is an operation for raising the amount by one. More specifically, the controller 350 circulates the circulating member 310 clockwise with the movement amount 2.5 and lowers it with the movement amount −1.5 in the unit time described above (see FIG. 10).

  Thereby, in the unit time, on the positive electrode supply conveyor 303 side, the support portion 311 rises by one with respect to the positive electrode supply conveyor 303. On the other hand, on the laminated unit 305 side, the support portion 311 is lowered by four with respect to the laminated unit 305. As a result, an extruding operation for simultaneously extruding the four positive electrodes 11 with separators by the extruding unit 321 is performed while receiving the positive electrodes 11 with separators supplied from the positive electrode supply conveyor 303. Accordingly, the controller 350 switches the circulation member 310 to the stacking operation after the return operation of the circulation member 310 is completed (steps S206 → S203).

  Next, the control flow of the positioning units 47 and 48 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a control flow common to the positioning unit 47 (see FIG. 5) of the positive electrode transport unit 301 and the positioning unit 48 (see FIG. 5) of the negative electrode transport unit 302. Here, as an example, the control of the positioning unit 47 will be described. Note that the control flow of the positioning unit 48 is the same as the control flow of the positioning unit 47, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  In FIG. 11, the controller 350 periodically checks whether or not a detection signal is received from the stack position sensor 308, so that there is an electrode (here, the positive electrode 11 with a separator) at a position where positioning by the positioning unit 47 is possible. Whether or not (step S301). The controller 350 continues the above check until it receives the detection signal from the stack position sensor 308 (step S301: NO). When the controller 350 receives the detection signal from the stack position sensor 308 and detects that the support portion 311 that supports the separator-attached positive electrode 11 has reached the stack position (step S301: YES), the controller 350 performs a positioning operation on the positioning unit 47. This is executed (step S302). Specifically, as described in the first embodiment, the controller 350 performs control so that the pressing operation by the pressing unit 54 of the positioning unit 47 is executed. Since such a positioning operation has already been described in the first embodiment, further detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Subsequently, the controller 350 determines whether or not the stacking is completed by the same determination as in step S205 of FIG. 7 described above (step S303). When it is determined that the stacking is completed (step S303: YES), the controller 350 ends the control of the positioning unit 47. On the other hand, when it is not determined that the stacking is completed (step S303: NO), the controller 350 performs a circulation operation in which the height position of the support portion 311 on the stacking unit 305 side changes relative to the stacking unit 305 (that is, The operation of the positioning unit 47 is stopped until the above-described return operation of the circulation member 310 occurs (step S304: NO). When the controller 350 confirms that the circulation operation has occurred (that is, when the controller 350 switches the circulation member 310 to the return operation), the controller 350 returns to step S301 and continues the control of the positioning unit 47 (step S304: YES). .

  Note that a determination criterion other than the determination criterion used in the determination described above may be used in the determination for causing the positioning unit 47 to perform the positioning operation. For example, the fact that the extrusion unit 321 is stopped may be added as a determination condition for executing the positioning operation in step S302.

  Next, the control flow of the extrusion unit 321 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a control flow of the extrusion unit 321.

  In FIG. 12, the controller 350 confirms whether or not the support portion 311 that supports the separator-attached positive electrode 11 is present at the stacking position based on the detection signal received from the stacking position sensor 308 (step S401). Further, the controller 350 checks whether or not the positioning operation by the positioning unit 47 (step S302 in FIG. 11) is completed (step S402). The controller 350 confirms that the positioning operation of the positioning unit 47 is completed, for example, by confirming that the pressing portion 54 of the positioning unit 47 has returned to the original position (position before pressing). be able to. Further, the controller 350 confirms whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed after the start of the insertion of the negative electrode 9 in the negative electrode transport unit 302 on the other electrode side (here, the negative electrode 9 side) (step S403). For example, the controller 350 confirms that a predetermined time has elapsed since the extrusion operation of the extrusion unit 322 of the negative electrode transport unit 302 is started, so that the negative electrode 9 is being inserted and the separator 350 It can be confirmed that the attached positive electrode 11 can be charged. The “predetermined time” here is set to a time after the time T1 and before the time T2. As described above, the time T1 is the time from when the negative electrode 9 is started to be charged by the pressing member 322a until the negative electrode 9 reaches the first collision avoidance position. The time T2 is the time from the start of the insertion of the negative electrode 9 by the push member 322a until the stacking of the loaded negative electrode 9 on the stacked portion 316 is completed. When attention is paid to the operation of the push member 322a, the push member 322a is provided with a separator at a timing after the push member 322a starts to push out the negative electrode 9 and before the push member 322a returns to the original position. Extrusion of the positive electrode 11 is started.

  The controller 350 determines whether or not stacking is possible (that is, whether or not the push-out operation by the push member 321a of the push-out unit 321 can be performed) based on the confirmation results of steps S401 to S403 described above (step S404). Specifically, the support portion 311 that supports the separator-attached positive electrode 11 is present at the stacking position, the positioning operation by the positioning unit 47 is completed, the negative electrode 9 is in the process of being inserted, and the separator-attached positive electrode 11 is attached. When it is confirmed that the charging is possible, the controller 350 determines that stacking is possible (step S404: YES). On the other hand, if at least one of the above confirmation items cannot be confirmed, the controller 350 determines that stacking is not possible (step S404: NO), and returns to step S401.

  Subsequently, when the controller 350 determines that stacking is possible (step S404: YES), the controller 350 performs an extrusion operation by the extrusion unit 321 (step S405). Specifically, the controller 350 controls the drive unit in the extrusion unit 321 so as to simultaneously push the four separator-attached positive electrodes 11 toward the upper and lower four-stage stacked portions 316 by the pressing member 321a.

  Subsequently, the controller 350 determines whether or not the stacking is completed by the same determination as in step S205 of FIG. 7 described above (step S406). When it is determined that the stacking is completed (step S406: YES), the controller 350 ends the control of the extrusion unit 321. On the other hand, when it is not determined that the stacking is completed (step S406: NO), the controller 350 performs a circulation operation in which the height position of the support portion 311 on the stacking unit 305 side changes relative to the stacking unit 305 (ie, The operation of the extrusion unit 321 is stopped until the above-described return operation of the circulation member 310 occurs (step S407: NO). When the controller 350 confirms that the circulation operation has occurred (that is, when the controller 350 switches the circulation member 310 to the return operation), the controller 350 returns to step S401 and continues to control the extrusion unit 321 (step S407: YES). .

  Next, the control flow of the extrusion unit 322 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a control flow of the extrusion unit 322. In this embodiment, as an example, it is determined that the negative electrode 9 is first stacked on the stacked portion 316. For this reason, in the control flow of the extrusion unit 322 of the negative electrode 9, the control flow (steps S501 to S505) in the case where the first negative electrode 9 is stacked on the stacked unit 316 includes the second and subsequent negative electrodes 9 stacked on the stacked unit. This is partly different from the control flow (steps S506 to S512) in the case of stacking on 316.

  Specifically, since the negative electrode 9 is first laminated on the laminated part 316, when the first negative electrode 9 is laminated on the laminated part 316, it is not necessary to check the operation on the positive electrode 11 side with separator. For this reason, in the control flow (steps S501 to S505) in the case where the first negative electrode 9 is stacked on the stacking unit 316, the operation check on the other pole side (the step corresponding to step S403 in FIG. 12) is omitted. . Further, since the lamination is not completed in the state where only one negative electrode 9 is laminated, the determination as to whether or not the lamination is completed (the step corresponding to step S406 in FIG. 12) is also omitted.

  On the other hand, the control flow (steps S506 to S512) when the second and subsequent negative electrodes 9 are laminated on the lamination unit 316 is the same as the control flow (steps S401 to 407 in FIG. 12) of the extrusion unit 321 described above.

  In particular, the operation of step S508 will be described. In the positive electrode transport unit 301 on the other electrode side (here, the positive electrode 11 with a separator), the controller 350 confirms whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed after the start of the insertion of the positive electrode 11 with a separator (step S508). For example, the controller 350 is in the middle of feeding the positive electrode 11 with the separator by confirming that a predetermined time has elapsed since the extrusion operation of the extrusion unit 321 of the positive electrode transport unit 301 is started, and It can be confirmed that the negative electrode 9 can be charged. Here, the “predetermined time” is set to a time after the time T3 and before the time T4. Note that, as described above, the time T3 is the time from when the positive electrode 11 with a separator 11 starts to be fed by the pressing member 321a until the positive electrode 11 with a separator reaches the second collision avoidance position. The time T4 is the time from the start of the charging of the separator-attached positive electrode 11 by the pressing member 321a to the completion of the stacking of the loaded separator-attached positive electrode 11 on the stacked portion 316. When attention is paid to the operation of the push member 322a, the push member 322a is after the push member 321a starts to push out the positive electrode 11 with the separator and before the push member 321a returns to the original position. The extrusion of the negative electrode 9 is started.

  Next, another example of a mechanism for realizing driving (vertical movement and circulation) of the conveying member will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, the support structure and drive mechanism of the positive electrode transport unit 301 will be described. The same support structure and drive mechanism can be adopted for the negative electrode transport unit 302.

  FIGS. 14 and 15 are views focusing on the configuration necessary for the description of the support structure and drive mechanism of the positive electrode transport unit 301, and the other configurations are omitted as appropriate. As shown in FIG. 14, the positive electrode transport unit 301 includes a support frame 401 installed on the floor surface, and a circulation frame 402 that is supported so as to be movable in the vertical direction with respect to the support frame 401. . On the circulation frame 402, a pair of pulleys 403 and 404 (members corresponding to the roller 26a of the first embodiment) arranged at a predetermined interval in the vertical direction are rotatably supported. A circulating member 310 having a plurality of support portions 311 disposed on the outer peripheral surface is wound around the pulleys 403 and 404.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the positive electrode transport unit 301 includes motors 405 and 406 fixed to the support frame 401 or the floor surface. Drive gears 405 a and 406 a are fixed to the drive shafts of the motors 405 and 406. The pulleys 403 and 404 have drive gears 407 and 408 at one end of their rotation shafts. A timing belt 409 is wound around the drive gears 405a, 406a, 407, and 408. In addition to the drive gears 405a, 406a, 407, and 408, the guide roller 410 (four guide rollers 410 in the example of FIG. 15) supported by the support frame 401 causes the circulation path of the timing belt 409 to extend substantially vertically and horizontally. It has a cross shape.

  As shown in FIG. 16, when the drive gears 405a and 406a are rotated at an equal speed, the entire circulation frame 402 and the circulation member 310 do not move up and down with respect to the support frame 401 or the floor surface. The circulation member 310 and the timing belt 409 perform only the circulation operation.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 17, when only the drive gear 405a is rotated, the circulation member 310 circulates clockwise on the positive electrode supply conveyor 303 side, while the circulation member 310 stops on the laminated portion 316 side. ing. For this reason, the timing belt 409 rises only at the portion on the positive electrode supply conveyor 303 side. With the operation of the timing belt 409, the circulation frame 402 rises with respect to the support frame 401 or the floor surface. Accordingly, the reference height position of the circulation member 310 supported by the circulation frame 402 via the pulleys 403 and 404 (for example, the center position in the vertical direction of the circulation member 310) is also raised. Further, as shown in FIG. 18, when only the drive gear 406a is rotated, the laminated portion 316 side of the circulation member 310 circulates in the clockwise direction, but stops on the positive electrode supply conveyor 303 side. For this reason, the timing belt 409 is lowered only on the laminated unit 305 side (right side portion in FIG. 18). With the operation of the timing belt 409, the circulation frame 402 is lowered with respect to the support frame 401 or the floor surface. Along with this, the reference height position of the circulation member 310 is also lowered. Further, when both the drive gears 405a and 406a are rotated by changing the rotation speed of the drive gear 405a and the rotation speed of the drive gear 406a, the circulation frame 402 is raised or lowered according to the difference in rotation speed, The reference height position of the circulation member 310 can be raised or lowered. Therefore, by adjusting the rotation speed of the drive gears 405a and 406a, the above-described preparation operation, stacking operation, and return operation can be realized. That is, the controller 350 can realize the preparation operation, the stacking operation, and the return operation by adjusting the rotation speeds of the drive gears 405a and 406a according to the operation mode of the circulation member 310 to be executed.

  The electrode stacking apparatus 300 described above stacks the electrodes (the positive electrode 11 with the separator 11 and the negative electrode 9) supplied by the positive electrode supply conveyor 303 (conveyance device) and the negative electrode supply conveyor 304 (conveyance device). This is a device for forming an electrode laminate formed on the laminate portion 316. The electrode lamination apparatus 300 includes support portions 311 and 314 (electrode support portions), circulation members 310 and 313, a lamination unit 305, extrusion units 321 and 322, and a controller 350 (control portion). The support portions 311 and 314 receive the positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 9 with the separator supplied by the positive electrode supply conveyor 303 and the negative electrode supply conveyor 304 and support the positive electrode 11 with the separator and the negative electrode 9. The circulation members 310 and 313 have a loop shape extending in the vertical direction, and support portions 311 and 314 are attached to the outer peripheral surfaces thereof. The laminated unit 305 is disposed on the opposite side of the positive electrode supply conveyor 303 with the circulation member 310 interposed therebetween, and is disposed on the opposite side of the negative electrode supply conveyor 304 with the circulation member 313 interposed therebetween. Has a plurality of stacked portions 316 on which are stacked. The extrusion unit 321 simultaneously extrudes the positive electrode 11 with a separator supported by a plurality of support portions 311 toward a plurality of stacked portions 316. The extruding unit 322 simultaneously extrudes the negative electrode 9 supported by the plurality of support portions 314 toward the plurality of stacked portions 316. The controller 350 controls the circulation and elevation of the circulation members 310 and 313 and the operation of the extrusion units 321 and 322 (that is, the operation of the push members 321a and 321b). The controller 350 controls the operation of the extrusion unit 321 so that the positive electrode 11 with separator is pushed out toward the stacking unit 316 at a speed slower than the conveying speed of the positive electrode 11 with separator by the positive electrode supply conveyor 303. In addition, the controller 350 controls the operation of the extrusion unit 322 so as to push the negative electrode 9 toward the stacking unit 316 at a speed slower than the conveyance speed of the negative electrode 9 by the negative electrode supply conveyor 304.

  In the electrode stacking apparatus 300 as described above, electrodes (the positive electrode 11 with a separator or the negative electrode 9) sequentially supplied to the support portions 311 and 314 are simultaneously extruded and stacked on different stack portions 316, respectively. In this way, by simultaneously extruding and laminating more electrodes than the number of electrodes to be sequentially supplied, the discharge speed when extruding the electrodes to the laminating unit 316 can be controlled by the transfer device (positive electrode supply conveyor 303 or negative electrode supply). It can be made slower than the electrode conveyance speed (supply speed) by the conveyor 304). Thereby, the position shift of the electrode at the time of electrode lamination | stacking can be suppressed, preventing the fall of the pace where an electrode is laminated | stacked. Therefore, according to the electrode stacking apparatus 300, it is possible to increase the stacking speed while suppressing the increase in size of the apparatus.

  In addition, the electrode transport speed by the transport device (the positive electrode supply conveyor 303 or the negative electrode supply conveyor 304) is higher than the electrode discharge speed. For this reason, the position of the electrode transported at high speed varies when stopped on the support portions 311 and 314. If a large number of electrodes are stacked with their positions varied, it is difficult to realign them after stacking due to surface friction such as the negative electrode active material layer. However, since the electrodes on the support portions 311 and 314 are in a state of individual pieces before a large number of electrodes are stacked in the stacking portion 316, the positions are easily corrected by reversal by the circulation members 310 and 313. .

  Here, consider the case where the push member 321a starts to feed the positive electrode 11 with separator after the lamination of the negative electrode 9 is completed, and the push member 322a starts to throw the negative electrode 9 after the lamination of the positive electrode 11 with separator is completed. . In this case, since the mutual pressing members 321a and 322a need to wait until the electrodes are completely inserted by the other pressing members 321a and 322a, the total electrode stacking time may be increased. On the other hand, the case where the pushing member 321a and the pushing member 322a perform extrusion simultaneously is considered. In this case, the end portion 9a of the extruded negative electrode 9 and the end portion 11a of the positive electrode 11 with a separator may collide with each other, which may make stacking difficult.

  On the other hand, in the form shown in FIG. 6, the pushing member 322a throws the negative electrode 9 after the time T3 and before the time T4 after the pushing member 321a starts feeding the positive electrode 11 with the separator. From time when the positive electrode 11 with separator is started by the pressing member 321a to the time T3, the end 11a on the downstream side in the moving direction of the positive electrode 11 with separator is moved to the second collision avoidance position where the negative electrode 9 does not collide. It is the time to reach. The time T4 is the time from the start of the loading of the separator-attached positive electrode 11 by the pressing member 321a to the completion of the lamination of the loaded separator-attached positive electrode 11 with respect to the laminated portion 316. Therefore, the pressing member 322a prevents the collision with the separator-attached positive electrode 11 previously input by the pressing member 321a, and the negative electrode 9 is input before the stacking of the separator-attached positive electrode 11 on the stacked portion 316 is completed. By starting, the standby time for waiting for the completion of the lamination of the positive electrode 11 with a separator can be shortened. By the above, the lamination | stacking speed | rate of the positive electrode 11 with a separator and the negative electrode 9 can be improved.

  Alternatively, in the embodiment in which the separator-attached positive electrode 11 is introduced in a state where the negative electrode 9 has been introduced first, the pressing member 321a is after the time T1 and before the time T2 after the start of the introduction of the negative electrode 9 by the pressing member 322a. The positive electrode 11 with a separator is put into the. The time T1 is the first collision in which the downstream end portion 9a in the moving direction of the inserted negative electrode 9 does not collide with the separator-attached positive electrode 11 introduced by the pressing member 321a from the start of the introduction of the negative electrode 9 by the second introduction unit. This is the time to reach the avoidance position. The time T2 is the time from the start of negative electrode charging by the second charging unit until the stacking of the loaded negative electrode 9 on the stacked unit 316 is completed. Therefore, the pressing member 321a avoids collision with the negative electrode 9 previously input by the pressing member 322a, but starts to input the positive electrode 11 with the separator before the stacking of the negative electrode 9 on the stacked portion 316 is completed. Thus, the standby time for waiting for the completion of the lamination of the negative electrode 9 can be shortened. By the above, the lamination | stacking speed | rate of the positive electrode 11 with a separator and the negative electrode 9 can be improved.

  In addition, the first input unit is configured by a first pushing unit 321a that extrudes the positive electrode 11 with a separator supported by the support unit 311 toward the stacked unit 316, and the second input unit is supported by the support unit 314. The negative electrode 9 is constituted by a pushing member 322a that pushes the negative electrode 9 toward the laminated portion 316. As described above, when the input unit is configured by the pressing members 321a and 322a that extrude the electrodes supported by the support units 311 and 314, the input timing of the electrodes can be controlled by controlling the timing of the pressing of the respective pressing members 321a and 322a. Can be easily adjusted.

  In the form shown in FIG. 6, the push member 321 a pushes out the positive electrode 11 with the separator after the push member 322 a starts pushing the negative electrode 9 and before the push member 322 a returns to the original position. Start. In the embodiment in which the separator-attached positive electrode 11 is introduced in a state where the negative electrode 9 is introduced first, the push member 322a is after the push member 321a starts to push out the separator-attached positive electrode 11, and the push member 321a is the original. Extrusion of the negative electrode 9 is started at a timing before returning to the position. As a result, the waiting time for waiting for the completion of the stacking of the previously input electrodes can be shortened.

  The electrode stacking apparatus 200 has a loop shape extending in the vertical direction, a circulation member 310 having a plurality of support portions 311 attached to the outer peripheral surface thereof, and a loop shape extending in the vertical direction, and a plurality of support portions on the outer peripheral surface thereof. Further, a circulation member 313 to which 314 is attached, and a lamination unit 305 that is disposed between the circulation member 310 and the circulation member 313 and includes a plurality of stages of lamination portions 316 are further provided. The pressing member 321a simultaneously pushes the separator-attached positive electrode 11 supported by the plurality of supporting portions 311 toward the plurality of stacked portions 316, and the pressing member 322a pushes the negative electrode 9 supported by the plurality of supporting portions 314 in a plurality of stages. It extrudes toward the lamination | stacking part 316 simultaneously. Thereby, the some negative electrode 9 and the some positive electrode 11 with a separator can be thrown in simultaneously.

  As mentioned above, although several embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment.

  In the above-described embodiment, the input unit is configured by a pushing member that pushes out from the electrode support provided in the circulation member. Instead of this, a positive belt conveyor and a negative belt conveyor are arranged on both sides of the stacking section, and a stacking structure is adopted by horizontally feeding from each belt conveyor to the stacking section. May be. In this case, the positive belt conveyor functions as the first charging unit, and the negative belt conveyor functions as the second charging unit.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the positive electrode with separator 11 and the negative electrode 9 in which the positive electrode 8 is encased in the bag-shaped separator 10 are alternately stacked in the stacked portion. And the negative electrode with a separator in a state where the negative electrode is wrapped in a bag-like separator may be alternately stacked on the stacked portion.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the lamination | stacking part 316 is provided with the U-shaped side wall 316b, even if it is the structure which abbreviate | omits the left and right site | part which faces the wall part 317 from the side wall 316b, and positions directly on the wall part 317. Good.

  In the above embodiment, the positioning units 47 and 48 are provided, but other positioning means can be used. For example, a guide plate having tapered surfaces is arranged along the circulation path of the support part 311, and a structure is adopted in which the position of the electrode is guided to the center of the support part 311 as the support part 311 descends. Also good.

  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, 11 ... Positive electrode (positive electrode) with a separator, 200, 300 ... Electrode laminating device, 311 ... Support part (positive electrode support part), 314 ... Support part (negative electrode support part), 316 ... Laminate part, 321a, 322a ... Push member (extrusion part, input part), 350... Controller.

Claims (4)

A laminated portion where the positive electrode and the negative electrode are laminated;
A first input unit that is arranged on one side in the horizontal direction with respect to the stacked unit, and inputs the positive electrode toward the stacked unit;
A second input unit that is disposed on the other side in the horizontal direction with respect to the stacked unit, and inputs the negative electrode toward the stacked unit,
The end on the downstream side in the moving direction of the one electrode introduced from the start of introduction of one electrode by one of the first introduction part and the second introduction part is moved by the other introduction part. The time required to reach a collision avoidance position that does not collide with the other electrode that is input is defined as the first time,
When the time from the start of the introduction of the one electrode by the one input part to the completion of the stacking of the one electrode input to the stacked part is the second time,
The electrode stacking apparatus, wherein the other input unit inputs the other electrode after the first time and before the second time after the one input unit starts to input the one electrode. The first input unit is configured by a first extrusion unit that extrudes the positive electrode supported by the positive electrode support unit toward the stacked unit,
2. The electrode stacking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second input unit includes a second extruding unit that extrudes the negative electrode supported by the negative electrode support unit toward the stacked unit.   The other extruding unit is configured to extrude the other electrode at a timing after the one extruding unit starts to extrude the one electrode and before the one extruding unit returns to the original position. The electrode stacking apparatus according to claim 2, wherein A first circulation member having a loop shape extending in the vertical direction and having a plurality of the positive electrode support portions attached to the outer peripheral surface thereof;
A second circulation member having a loop shape extending in the vertical direction and having a plurality of the negative electrode support portions attached to the outer peripheral surface thereof;
A lamination unit that is disposed between the first circulation member and the second circulation member and has a plurality of layers of the lamination part; and
The first extruding part simultaneously extrudes the positive electrode supported by a plurality of the positive electrode supporting parts toward the plurality of stacked parts,
4. The electrode stacking apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second extruding unit simultaneously extrudes the negative electrode supported by a plurality of the negative electrode support units toward the multi-layered stack unit. 5.

Images