JP2018185903A - Electrode lamination device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electrode lamination device capable of restraining decrease of lamination efficiency, while reducing damage to an electrode.SOLUTION: An electrode lamination device 20 includes a lamination unit 25, a positive electrode transport unit 21, a positive electrode exhaust unit 26, and a positive electrode mobile unit 28. A support part 32 of the positive electrode transport unit 21 receives and supports a positive electrode 11 with separator being supplied. The positive electrode exhaust unit 26 exhausts the positive electrode 11 with separator from each support part 32, by pushing out the positive electrode 11 with separator toward each lamination member 51 of lamination unit 25. The positive electrode mobile unit 28 is provided on farther upstream side than the positive electrode exhaust unit 26, and moves the positive electrode 11 with separator so that the positive electrode 11 with separator is located at the position P1 of the support part 32. The support part 32 includes a support surface 32c for receiving the positive electrode 11 with separator, and the length of the support surface 32c is longer than that of the positive electrode 11 with separator.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrode stacking apparatus.

  A manufacturing process of a power storage device such as a lithium ion secondary battery can be roughly divided into a manufacturing process of a positive electrode, a manufacturing process of a negative electrode, and an assembling process of assembling a battery using the manufactured positive electrode and negative electrode. When the structure of the electrode assembly of the power storage device is a stacked type, the assembly process includes a stacking process in which a plurality of positive electrodes and a plurality of negative electrodes are stacked using the electrode stacking apparatus. As a conventional electrode stacking apparatus, for example, an electrode stack forming apparatus for a secondary battery described in Patent Document 1 is known. This secondary battery electrode laminate manufacturing apparatus includes a positive electrode sheet conveying belt that continuously conveys a plurality of positive electrode sheets one by one, and a negative electrode sheet conveying belt that conveys a plurality of negative electrodes one by one. And a stacking device having a stacking unit that alternately stacks the positive plate sheets and the negative plates supplied via the positive plate transport belt and the negative plate transport belt one by one.

  In the secondary battery electrode laminate manufacturing apparatus described in Patent Document 1, for example, in the inspection process that is a process upstream of the lamination process, the positive electrode and the negative electrode are judged to be defective and removed. In addition, variations may occur in the conveyance timing of the negative electrode. As a device that corrects variations in workpiece conveyance timing such as a positive electrode and a negative electrode, for example, a conveyance device described in Patent Document 2 is known. This conveying device can continuously supply workpieces to the subsequent process while absorbing the capacity balance between the previous process and the subsequent process by a buffer mechanism provided between the previous process and the subsequent process. This buffer mechanism includes an annular chain that is intermittently driven, a plurality of trays provided on the chain, and means that can raise and lower the buffer mechanism body in synchronization with the operation of loading a work into or out of the work from the tray. And.

JP 2014-179304 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-201529

  Incidentally, one of the methods for improving the productivity of the power storage device manufacturing line is to increase the speed of the manufacturing line. In the stacking process using the secondary battery electrode stack forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, it is conceivable to increase the supply rate (stacking speed) of the electrodes to the stacking section (stacking section). However, when the electrode supply speed to the stacking unit is increased by increasing the transport speed of the positive electrode sheet transport belt and the negative electrode transport belt, the collision speed of the electrodes to the stacking unit increases. When the speed at which the electrode collides with the accumulating portion is increased, the electrode is damaged, for example, the amount of powder falling off the active material particles or the particle lump from the active material layer formed on the surface of the electrode increases. As described above, when the electrode is conveyed at a high speed, for example, powder falling increases at the time of contact with the equipment, which contributes to deterioration of the quality of the electrode assembly. In addition, even when an electrode is supplied as a workpiece to the transport device described in Patent Document 2, the electrode may be damaged by colliding with the buffer mechanism when the electrode is put into the tray.

  For such a problem, for example, it is conceivable to decelerate the electrode by increasing the length of the tray of the buffer mechanism in Patent Document 2. However, by increasing the length of the tray, the discharge time of the electrode from the buffer mechanism increases, which may hinder speeding up. In an apparatus used for such an electrode stacking process, it is desired to improve the electrode stacking efficiency.

  The present invention provides an electrode stacking apparatus capable of improving the stacking efficiency while reducing the damage received by the electrodes.

  An electrode stacking apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a stacking unit having a plurality of stacked members on which sheet-like electrodes are stacked, a transporting unit that transports the electrode, and a discharge that discharges the electrode from the transporting unit to the stacking unit And a moving unit that moves the electrode being conveyed by the conveying unit. The transport unit is provided on the outer peripheral surface along the circulation path and includes a circulation member including an outer peripheral surface that circulates so as to form a circulation path that descends after being lifted, and receives the electrodes in the first section in which the outer peripheral surface rises. And a plurality of support portions for supporting the electrodes. The discharge unit discharges the electrode from each of the plurality of support units by extruding the electrode supported by each of the plurality of support units toward the plurality of stacked members in the second section where the outer peripheral surface descends. The moving part is provided upstream of the discharge part in the second section, and moves the electrode away from the outer peripheral surface so that the electrode is arranged at a predetermined position of the supporting part. A support surface that extends across the plane and receives a supplied electrode at the support surface. The length of the support surface in the extending direction of the support surface is longer than the length of the electrode in the extending direction.

  In this electrode stacking apparatus, the support portion receives the supplied electrode on a support surface that extends across the outer peripheral surface of the circulation member. The length of the support surface in the extending direction of the support surface is longer than the length of the electrode in the same direction. Thereby, when an electrode is supplied from an upstream process, the electrode can slide on the support surface and decelerate. Therefore, the electrode stops before reaching the base end of the support part, or the electrode reaches the base end part of the support part in a state where the speed is lower than the supplied speed. Damage to the electrode due to collision with the can be reduced.

  On the other hand, if the length of the support surface is made longer than the length of the electrode, the distance that the discharge part pushes out the electrode from the support part can be increased. In this electrode stacking apparatus, in the second section, the moving part provided on the upstream side of the discharge part moves the electrode in a direction away from the outer peripheral surface, so the length of the support surface is made longer than the length of the electrode. Even in this case, the discharge portion can discharge the electrode from the support portion by pushing the electrode by a distance shorter than the length of the support surface. Therefore, an increase in the discharge time of the electrode is suppressed. As described above, it is possible to suppress a decrease in stacking efficiency while reducing damage to the electrodes.

  The moving part may include an extrusion member that pushes the electrode away from the outer peripheral surface. In this case, the electrode can be moved by a simple operation by the pushing member.

  The moving part may include an inclined surface extending obliquely downward from the outer peripheral surface toward the laminated part. In this case, as the support portion descends, the position of the inclined surface in the extending direction of the support surface of the support portion moves away from the outer peripheral surface. When the inclined surface comes into contact with the electrode supported by the support portion, the electrode is guided by the inclined surface, and the electrode can be moved away from the outer peripheral surface. Thus, the electrode can be moved with a simple configuration.

  The predetermined position may be a position where the distance between the edge of the electrode on the base end side of the support portion and the tip of the support portion is shorter than the length of the support surface in the extending direction. Here, the distance between the edge of the electrode on the base end side of the support portion and the tip of the support portion is a distance to push the electrode before the discharge portion discharges the electrode from the support portion. Since the electrode is disposed at a position where the distance at which the discharge unit pushes out the electrode is shorter than the length of the support surface, the discharge time of the electrode can be further shortened.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the fall of lamination | stacking efficiency can be suppressed, reducing the damage which an electrode receives.

It is sectional drawing which shows the inside of the electrical storage apparatus manufactured by applying the electrode lamination apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment. It is sectional drawing along the II-II line of FIG. It is a top view of the positive electrode with a separator and negative electrode which were shown by FIG. 1 is a side view (including a partial cross section) illustrating an electrode stacking apparatus according to a first embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating a circulation path | route. It is a figure which shows the structure of the support part shown by FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the movement unit and discharge unit which were shown by FIG. It is a side view for demonstrating operation | movement of the electrode lamination apparatus shown by FIG. It is a side view (partial cross section is included) which shows the electrode lamination apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

  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. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG. 3 is a plan view of the positive electrode with a separator and the negative electrode shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 (a) is a plan view of the positive electrode with a separator, and FIG. 3 (b) is a plan view of the negative electrode. The power storage device 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is configured as a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery.

  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. An insulating film F 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 F. The lower end of the electrode assembly 3 is in contact with the bottom surface inside the case 2 via the insulating film F. By arranging the spacer S between the electrode assembly 3 and the case 2, the gap between the electrode assembly 3 and the case 2 is filled. The spacer S includes one or a plurality of sheets, and the number of the sheets is adjusted corresponding to the variation in the thickness of the electrode assembly 3.

  The electrode assembly 3 has a structure in which a plurality of sheet-like positive electrodes 8 and a plurality of sheet-like negative electrodes 9 are alternately stacked via bag-like separators 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 as electrodes and a plurality of negative electrodes 9 as electrodes are alternately stacked. The electrodes located at both ends of the electrode assembly 3 are the negative electrodes 9.

  The positive electrode 8 includes, for example, a metal foil 14 that is a positive electrode current collector made of an aluminum foil, and a positive electrode active material layer 15 formed on both surfaces of the metal foil 14. The metal foil 14 includes 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 14 b penetrates the separator 10 in the vicinity of the side edge in the longitudinal direction of 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 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.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the positive electrode 11 with a separator includes an upper edge 11a, a bottom edge 11b, a side edge 11c, a side edge 11d, a surface 11e, and a surface 11f. The upper edge 11a is an edge on the tab 14b side of the positive electrode 11 with a separator, and is an edge of the separator 10 through which the tab 14b penetrates. The bottom edge 11b is an edge on the opposite side to the tab 14b in the positive electrode 11 with a separator. The side edge 11c and the side edge 11d are edges that connect the upper edge 11a and the bottom edge 11b to each other, and intersect the upper edge 11a and the bottom edge 11b. The surface 11e and the surface 11f are surfaces defined by the upper edge 11a, the bottom edge 11b, the side edge 11c, and the side edge 11d, and are located on the opposite sides.

  The negative electrode 9 includes a metal foil 16 that is a negative electrode current collector 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 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.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, the negative electrode 9 includes an upper edge 9a, a bottom edge 9b, a side edge 9c, a side edge 9d, a surface 9e, and a surface 9f. The upper edge 9a is an edge on the tab 16b side in the negative electrode 9 (foil body portion 16a). The bottom edge 9b is an edge of the negative electrode 9 opposite to the tab 16b. The side edge 9c and the side edge 9d are edges that connect the upper edge 9a and the bottom edge 9b to each other, and intersect the upper edge 9a and the bottom edge 9b. The surface 9e and the surface 9f are surfaces defined by the upper edge 9a, the bottom edge 9b, the side edge 9c, and the side edge 9d, and are located on the opposite sides. In the present embodiment, the length (height Hn) from the upper edge 9a to the bottom edge 9b of the negative electrode 9 is smaller than the length (height Hp) from the upper edge 11a to the bottom edge 11b of the positive electrode 11 with a separator. The length (width Wn) from the side edge 9c to the side edge 9d of the negative electrode 9 is substantially the same as the length (width Wp) from the side edge 11c to the side edge 11d of the positive electrode 11 with a separator.

  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. Hereinafter, an electrode laminating apparatus for alternately laminating the positive electrode 11 with separator and the negative electrode 9 will be described.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 4 is a side view (including a partial cross section) showing the electrode stacking apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the circulation path. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the support portion illustrated in FIG. 4. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of the moving unit and the discharging unit shown in FIG.

  4 and 5 includes a positive electrode transport unit 21 (transport unit), a negative electrode transport unit 22 (transport unit), a positive electrode supply conveyor 23, a negative electrode supply conveyor 24, and a stack unit. 25 (lamination part), positive electrode discharge unit 26 (discharge part), negative electrode discharge unit 27 (discharge part), positive electrode moving unit 28 (moving part), negative electrode moving unit 29 (moving part), and controller 30 ( Control unit). In the electrode stacking apparatus 20, the positive electrode 11 with a separator supplied by the positive electrode supply conveyor 23 is received and conveyed by the positive electrode conveyance unit 21. Similarly, the negative electrode 9 supplied by the negative electrode supply conveyor 24 is received and conveyed by the negative electrode conveyance unit 22. The conveyed positive electrode 11 with separator and negative electrode 9 are pushed out by the positive electrode discharge unit 26 and the negative electrode discharge unit 27 and are alternately stacked on the stacking unit 25. After a predetermined number of separator-attached positive electrodes 11 and a predetermined number of negative electrodes 9 are laminated, they are taken out by a laminate take-out conveyor.

  The positive electrode supply conveyor 23 conveys the positive electrode 11 with a separator in a horizontal direction toward the positive electrode conveyance unit 21, and supplies the positive electrode 11 with a separator to a support portion 32 of the positive electrode conveyance unit 21 described later. The positive electrode supply conveyor 23 has a plurality of claw portions 34 provided at equal intervals along the circulation direction of the positive electrode supply conveyor 23. The nail | claw part 34 contact | abuts the edge part of the conveyance direction rear side of the positive electrode 11 with a separator. Accordingly, the positive electrode 11 with a separator is supplied to the positive electrode transport unit 21 at regular intervals. The positive electrode 11 with a separator is supplied to the positive electrode transport unit 21 from the side edge 11d (end edge) side.

  The negative electrode supply conveyor 24 conveys the negative electrode 9 toward the negative electrode conveyance unit 22 in the horizontal direction, and supplies the negative electrode 9 to a support portion 42 of the negative electrode conveyance unit 22 described later. The negative electrode supply conveyor 24 has a plurality of claw portions 44 provided at equal intervals along the circulation direction of the negative electrode supply conveyor 24. The claw portion 44 abuts on the end of the negative electrode 9 on the rear side in the conveyance direction. Accordingly, the negative electrode 9 is supplied to the negative electrode transport unit 22 at regular intervals. The negative electrode 9 is supplied to the negative electrode transport unit 22 from the side edge 9d (end edge) side.

  The positive electrode transport unit 21 is a unit for transporting the positive electrode 11 with a separator. The positive electrode transport unit 21 sequentially transports the positive electrodes 11 with separators while storing them. The positive electrode transport unit 21 sequentially reverses the plurality of separator-attached positive electrodes 11 during transport. The positive electrode transport unit 21 is provided on a loop-shaped circulation member 31 extending in the vertical direction, a plurality of support portions 32 provided on the outer peripheral surface 31 b of the circulation member 31, and driving the circulation member 31. Part 33.

  The circulation member 31 is composed of an endless belt, for example. The circulating member 31 is stretched over two rollers 31a that are spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction, and is rotated along with the rotation of each roller 31a. That is, the outer peripheral surface 31b of the circulation member 31 circulates so as to form a circulation path Lp that descends after rising. As the circulation member 31 rotates (circulates) in this manner, each support portion 32 circulates and moves. Further, the circulation member 31 is movable in the vertical direction together with the two rollers 31a. In order to prevent a phase shift between the circulation member 31 and the roller 31a, the circulation member 31 may be a toothed belt and the roller 31a may be a sprocket.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 5A, the circulation path Lp includes a first section Rp1, a second section Rp2, a third section Rp3, and a fourth section Rp4. The first section Rp1 is a portion of the circulation path Lp that is located on the positive electrode supply conveyor 23 side (left side in FIG. 5) and extends in the vertical direction. The second section Rp2 is a part of the circulation path Lp that is located on the stacking unit 25 side (right side of the drawing in FIG. 5) and extends in the vertical direction. The third section Rp3 is a portion that connects the upper end of the first section Rp1 and the upper end of the second section Rp2 and is along the outer peripheral surface of the upper roller 31a. The fourth section Rp4 is a portion that connects the lower end of the first section Rp1 and the lower end of the second section Rp2 and is along the outer peripheral surface of the lower roller 31a.

  The plurality of support portions 32 are provided on the outer peripheral surface 31b along the circulation path Lp of the outer peripheral surface 31b. Here, the plurality of support portions 32 are arranged at a constant interval L1 (interval between two adjacent support portions 32). The support part 32 receives the positive electrode 11 with a separator supplied by the positive electrode supply conveyor 23 and supports the positive electrode 11 with a separator in the first section Rp1 in the circulation path Lp of the outer peripheral surface 31b.

  The drive unit 33 rotates the circulation member 31 and moves the circulation member 31 in the vertical direction. At this time, the drive unit 33 rotates the circulation member 31 clockwise (in the direction of arrow A in the drawing) when viewed from the front side of the electrode stacking apparatus 20 (the front side of the paper surface of FIG. 4). Therefore, the support part 32 in the first section Rp1 of the circulation path Lp rises with respect to the circulation member 31, and the support part 32 in the second section Rp2 of the circulation path Lp descends with respect to the circulation member 31.

  6A is a side view of the support portion 32 in a state where the separator-attached positive electrode 11 is supported, and FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line bb in FIG. 6A. FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the support portion 32 is a member having a U-shaped cross section having a bottom wall 32a and a pair of side walls 32b. The bottom wall 32 a is a rectangular plate member that is attached to the outer peripheral surface 31 b of the circulation member 31. The pair of side walls 32 b are rectangular plate-like members provided upright on both edge portions of the bottom wall 32 a in the circulation direction of the circulation member 31. The bottom wall 32a and the side wall 32b are integrally formed of metal such as stainless steel.

  The pair of side walls 32b face each other in the circulation direction of the circulation member 31, and are separated to such an extent that the separator-equipped positive electrode 11 can be accommodated. The pair of side walls 32b includes a pair of support surfaces 32c that extend so as to intersect (for example, orthogonal to) the outer peripheral surface 31b and face each other. The separator-attached positive electrode 11 is disposed on the lower support surface 32c between the pair of side walls 32b. That is, the support part 32 receives the positive electrode 11 with a separator on the support surface 32c. The separator-attached positive electrode 11 is disposed on the support surface 32c such that the upper edge 11a and the bottom edge 11b are along the extending direction of the support surface 32c (the direction intersecting the outer peripheral surface 31b). The length D1 of the support surface 32c in the extending direction of the support surface 32c is longer than the length D2 (here, the width Wp) of the separator-attached positive electrode 11 in the extending direction of the support surface 32c. The length D1 is, for example, about 1.1 to 2 times the length D2. The length of the support surface 32c in the direction intersecting the extending direction of the support surface 32c is shorter than the length (height Hp) of the separator-equipped positive electrode 11 in the direction intersecting the extending direction of the support surface 32c.

  A cushioning material 32d such as a sponge is provided on the inner surface of the bottom wall 32a. That is, the cushioning material 32 d is arranged at the base end portion 32 e of the support portion 32. Here, the separator-attached positive electrode 11 supplied from the positive electrode supply conveyor 23 to the support portion 32 slides on the support surface 32c, decelerates, and stops before reaching the buffer material 32d. Thereafter, the separator-attached positive electrode 11 descends in the support portion 32 by its own weight when the support portion 32 supporting the separator-attached positive electrode 11 moves in the third section Rp3 (when the separator-attached positive electrode 11 is reversed). Thus, the buffer material 32d is reached. Alternatively, the separator-attached positive electrode 11 supplied from the positive electrode supply conveyor 23 reaches the cushioning material 32d while sliding on the support surface 32c and decelerating. When the separator-attached positive electrode 11 reaches the buffer material 32d, in other words, when it collides with the buffer material 32d, the shock of the collision is reduced by the buffer material 32d. In other words, the cushioning material 32d functions as an impact reducing portion that reduces the impact on the positive electrode 11 with separator when the positive electrode 11 with separator collides with the support portion 32. In the positive electrode 11 with a separator, a part (intermediate part) of the side edge 11d is brought into contact with the buffer material 32d, and the remaining part of the side edge 11d (the part on the upper edge 11a side and the part on the bottom edge 11b side) is placed on the side wall 32b. It is arranged between the pair of side walls 32b in a state of protruding from both ends 32f.

  The negative electrode transport unit 22 is a unit that transports the negative electrode 9. The negative electrode transport unit 22 sequentially transports the plurality of negative electrodes 9 while storing them. The negative electrode transport unit 22 sequentially reverses the negative electrode 9 during the transport. The negative electrode transport unit 22 is provided on a loop-shaped circulation member 41 extending in the vertical direction, an outer peripheral surface 41 b of the circulation member 41, a plurality of support parts 42 that support the negative electrode 9, and a drive part 43 that drives the circulation member 41. And have.

  The circulation member 41 is configured by, for example, an endless belt, similarly to the circulation member 31 described above. The circulation member 41 is stretched over two rollers 41a that are spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction, and is rotated along with the rotation of each roller 41a. That is, the outer peripheral surface 41b of the circulation member 41 circulates so as to form a circulation path Ln that descends after rising. As the circulation member 41 rotates (circulates) in this way, each support portion 42 circulates and moves. Further, the circulation member 41 is movable in the vertical direction together with the two rollers 41a.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 5B, the circulation path Ln includes a first section Rn1, a second section Rn2, a third section Rn3, and a fourth section Rn4. The first section Rn1 is a portion of the circulation path Ln that is located on the negative electrode supply conveyor 24 side (the right side in FIG. 5) and extends in the vertical direction. The second section Rn2 is a portion of the circulation path Ln that is located on the stacking unit 25 side (the left side of FIG. 5) and extends in the vertical direction. The third section Rn3 connects the upper end of the first section Rn1 and the upper end of the second section Rn2, and is a portion along the outer peripheral surface of the upper roller 41a. The fourth section Rn4 connects the lower end of the first section Rn1 and the lower end of the second section Rn2, and is a portion along the outer peripheral surface of the lower roller 41a.

  The plurality of support portions 42 are provided on the outer peripheral surface 41b along the circulation path Ln of the outer peripheral surface 41b. Here, the plurality of support portions 42 are arranged at a constant interval L2 (interval between two adjacent support portions 42). Here, the interval L2 is the same as the interval L1. The support portion 42 receives the negative electrode 9 supplied by the negative electrode supply conveyor 24 and supports the negative electrode 9 in the first section Rn1 of the circulation path Ln of the outer peripheral surface 41b.

  The drive unit 43 rotates the circulation member 41 and moves the circulation member 41 in the vertical direction. At this time, the drive unit 43 rotates the circulation member 41 counterclockwise (in the direction of the arrow B in the drawing) when viewed from the front side of the electrode stacking apparatus 20 (the front side of the drawing in FIG. 4). Therefore, the support part 42 in the first section Rn1 of the circulation path Ln rises with respect to the circulation member 41, and the support part 42 in the second section Rn2 of the circulation path Ln descends with respect to the circulation member 41. The configuration of the support portion 42 is the same as that of the support portion 32.

  The positive electrode moving unit 28 moves the positive electrode 11 with a separator conveyed by the positive electrode conveying unit 21 to the position P1 (predetermined position) in the second section Rp2 of the circulation path Lp. Here, the position P1 is a position where the distance D3 between the side edge 11d of the positive electrode 11 with a separator and the tip 32g of the support portion 32 is shorter than the length D1 of the support surface 32c (see FIG. 7B). ). As an example, the position P <b> 1 is a position where the side edge 11 c of the separator-attached positive electrode 11 protrudes from the tip 32 g of the support portion 32. The positive electrode moving unit 28 is provided on the upstream side of the positive electrode discharge unit 26 in the second section Rp2. The positive electrode moving unit 28 moves the plurality of positive electrodes 11 with separators to the position P1 by extruding the positive electrodes 11 with separators supported by the plurality of support portions 32 in a direction away from the outer peripheral surface 31b. In the present embodiment, the positive electrode moving unit 28 simultaneously extrudes four positive electrodes 11 with separators. Thereby, the positive electrode moving unit 28 moves the four separator-attached positive electrodes 11 simultaneously. The positive electrode moving unit 28 includes a pair of pushing members 28a that push the four separator-equipped positive electrodes 11 together, and a drive unit 28b that moves the pushing members 28a away from the outer peripheral surface 31b. The drive part 28b is comprised from the motor and the link mechanism, for example.

  FIG. 7A is a plan view of the positive electrode moving unit 28. As shown in FIG. 7A, in the second section Rp2, the positive electrode 11 with a separator supported by the support portion 32 upstream of the positive electrode moving unit 28 has a part of the side edge 11d as a base end portion. 32e. From this state, the positive electrode moving unit 28 moves the positive electrode 11 with the separator to the tip 32g side of the support portion 32 so that the positive electrode 11 with the separator is disposed at the position P1 of the support portion 32. Thereby, the positive electrode moving unit 28 arranges the positive electrode 11 with the separator at the position P <b> 1 of the support portion 32. The pair of extruding members 28a is formed by extending portions of the side edge 11d of the separator-attached positive electrode 11 from the support portion 32 (portions on the upper edge 11a side and bottom edge 11b side) of the support surface 32c of the support portion 32. Extrude along the direction toward the direction away from the outer peripheral surface 31b.

  The negative electrode moving unit 29 moves the negative electrode 9 conveyed by the negative electrode conveying unit 22 to the position P2 in the second section Rn2 of the circulation path Ln. Here, the position P2 is a position where the distance D3 between the side edge 9d of the negative electrode 9 and the tip 42g of the support portion 42 is shorter than the length D1 of the support surface 42c. As an example, the position P <b> 2 is a position where the side edge 9 c of the negative electrode 9 protrudes from the tip of the support portion 42. The negative electrode moving unit 29 is provided on the upstream side of the negative electrode discharge unit 27 in the second section Rn2. The negative electrode moving unit 29 moves the plurality of negative electrodes 9 to the position P2 by pushing out the negative electrodes 9 supported by the plurality of support portions 42 in a direction away from the outer peripheral surface 41b. In the present embodiment, the negative electrode moving unit 29 pushes out the four negative electrodes 9 simultaneously. Thereby, the negative electrode moving unit 29 moves the four negative electrodes 9 simultaneously. The negative electrode moving unit 29 has a pair of pushing members 29a that push the four negative electrodes 9 together, and a drive unit 29b that moves the pushing members 29a away from the outer peripheral surface 41b. The drive part 29b is comprised from the motor and the link mechanism, for example. The configuration of the drive unit 29 b is the same as that of the drive unit 28 b of the positive electrode moving unit 28. In addition, a cylinder etc. may be used as the drive parts 28b and 29b. The configuration in which the negative electrode moving unit 29 pushes the negative electrode 9 to the position P2 of the support portion 32 is the same as that of the positive electrode moving unit 28.

  The positive electrode discharge unit 26 discharges the separator-attached positive electrode 11 from the positive electrode transport unit 21 to the stacked unit 25 in the second section Rp2 of the circulation path Lp. At this time, the speed at which the positive electrode 11 with separator is discharged is slower than the speed at which the positive electrode 11 with separator is supplied to the positive electrode transport unit 21 from the positive electrode supply conveyor 23. The positive electrode discharge unit 26 extrudes the positive electrode 11 with a separator from each of the plurality of support portions 32 by extruding the positive electrode 11 with a separator supported by each of the plurality of support portions 32 toward a plurality of laminated members 51 described later. Discharge. In the present embodiment, the positive electrode discharge unit 26 simultaneously extrudes four positive electrodes 11 with separators. Thus, the above-mentioned speed change becomes possible by simultaneously discharging a large number of separator-attached positive electrodes 11 with respect to the supply. As a result, the positive electrode discharge unit 26 simultaneously stacks the four separator-attached positive electrodes 11 on the four-layered stack member 51. The positive electrode discharge unit 26 includes a pair of pushing members 26a that push the four separator-attached positive electrodes 11 together, and a drive unit 26b that moves the pushing members 26a to the four-layered laminated member 51 side. The drive part 26b is comprised from the motor and the link mechanism, for example.

  FIG. 7B is a plan view of the positive electrode discharge unit 26. As shown in FIG. 7B, in the second section Rp <b> 2, the positive electrode 11 with a separator is disposed at a position P <b> 1 in the support portion 32 by the positive electrode moving unit 28 upstream of the positive electrode discharge unit 26. . At this time, the distance D3 is shorter than the length D2 (that is, the width Wp) of the positive electrode 11 with a separator. The pair of extruding members 26a is formed by supporting portions (a portion on the upper edge 11a side and a portion on the bottom edge 11b side) protruding from the support portion 32 on the side edge 11d of the separator-attached positive electrode 11 with a support surface 32c (FIG. 6). (See reference) is extended to at least the tip 32 g of the support portion 32. Accordingly, the positive electrode discharge unit 26 pushes out the positive electrode 11 with the separator by the distance D3 before discharging the positive electrode 11 with the separator from the support portion 32.

  The negative electrode discharge unit 27 discharges the negative electrode 9 from the negative electrode transport unit 22 to the stacked unit 25 in the second section Rn2 of the circulation path Ln. At this time, the speed at which the negative electrode 9 is discharged is slower than the speed at which the negative electrode 9 is supplied from the negative electrode supply conveyor 24 to the negative electrode transport unit 22. The negative electrode discharge unit 27 discharges the negative electrode 9 from each of the plurality of support portions 42 by extruding the negative electrode 9 supported by each of the plurality of support portions 42 toward the multi-stage laminated member 51. In the present embodiment, the negative electrode discharge unit 27 pushes out the four negative electrodes 9 simultaneously. Thus, the above-mentioned speed change becomes possible by simultaneously discharging a large number of negative electrodes 9 with respect to the supply. As a result, the negative electrode discharge unit 27 simultaneously stacks the four negative electrodes 9 on the four-layered stack member 51. The negative electrode discharge unit 27 includes a pair of pushing members 27a that push the four negative electrodes 9 together, and a drive unit 27b that moves the pushing members 27a toward the four-layer laminated member 51 side. The drive part 27b is comprised from the motor and the link mechanism, for example. The configuration of the drive unit 27 b is the same as that of the drive unit 26 b of the positive electrode discharge unit 26. In addition, a cylinder etc. may be used as the drive parts 26b and 27b. The configuration in which the negative electrode discharge unit 27 pushes out the negative electrode 9 supported by the support portion 42 is the same as that of the positive electrode discharge unit 26.

  The stacked unit 25 is disposed between the positive electrode transport unit 21 and the negative electrode transport unit 22. The laminated unit 25 has a plurality of laminated members 51 in which the positive electrodes 11 with separators and the negative electrodes 9 as electrodes are alternately laminated, and a drive unit 52 that moves these laminated members 51 in the vertical direction. In the present embodiment, a four-stage laminated member 51 configured by a rectangular plate member is disposed.

  A wall portion 53 extending in the vertical direction is disposed between the stacked unit 25 and the positive electrode transport unit 21. The wall portion 53 is provided with a plurality (four in this case) of slits 53a through which the separator-attached positive electrode 11 pushed out by the positive electrode discharge unit 26 passes. The slits 53a are arranged at equal intervals (interval L1) in the vertical direction. In the present embodiment, as an example, the upper portion of the slit 53a is an inclined surface that is inclined downward from the positive electrode transport unit 21 side toward the laminated member 51 side. The lower portion of the slit 53a is an inclined surface that is inclined upward from the positive electrode transport unit 21 side toward the laminated member 51 side. Thus, the separator-attached positive electrode 11 can be appropriately guided to the laminated member 51, and the opening portion on the inlet side (positive electrode transport unit 21 side) of the slit 53a can be enlarged. As a result, even if a slight shift occurs in the height position of the positive electrode 11 with separator pushed out by the positive electrode discharge unit 26, the positive electrode 11 with separator can be passed through the slit 53a.

  A wall portion 54 extending in the vertical direction is disposed between the stacked unit 25 and the negative electrode transport unit 22. The wall portion 54 is provided with a plurality of (here, four) slits 54a through which the negative electrode 9 pushed out by the negative electrode discharge unit 27 passes. The slits 54a are arranged at equal intervals (interval L2) in the vertical direction. In the present embodiment, as an example, the upper portion of the slit 54a is an inclined surface that is inclined downward from the negative electrode transport unit 22 side toward the laminated member 51 side. The lower portion of the slit 54a is an inclined surface that is inclined upward from the negative electrode transport unit 22 side toward the laminated member 51 side. Accordingly, the negative electrode 9 can be guided appropriately to the laminated member 51, and the opening portion on the inlet side (negative electrode transport unit 22 side) of the slit 54a can be enlarged. As a result, the negative electrode 9 can be passed through the slit 54a even if a slight shift occurs in the height position of the negative electrode 9 pushed out by the negative electrode discharge unit 27.

  The controller 30 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), an input / output interface, and the like. The controller 30 controls the conveyance control unit that controls the driving units 33 and 43, the stacking control unit that controls the driving unit 52, the discharge control unit that controls the driving units 26b and 27b, and the driving units 28b and 29b. And a movement control unit. The controller 30 performs overall control of the operation of the electrode stacking apparatus 20.

  The operation of the electrode stacking apparatus 20 will be described. First, the operating state of the positive electrode transport unit 21 will be described. The same applies to the negative electrode transport unit 22. The positive electrode transport unit 21 performs periodic driving, for example, intermittent driving, in synchronization with the interval at which the separator-attached positive electrode 11 is supplied. The normal operation of the positive electrode transport unit 21 includes three operations: a preparation operation, a stacking operation, and a return operation. In the following, as an example, the positive electrode transport unit 21 is intermittently driven to move the support portion 32 during a period in which the separator-attached positive electrode 11 supplied from the positive electrode supply conveyor 23 is not received. This period is set as a unit travel time. Further, a distance that the support part 32 moves during the unit movement time, that is, an interval L1 between the support parts 32 is defined as a unit distance.

  In the preparatory operation, the positive electrode transport unit 21 is configured such that each support portion 32 between the receiving position of the positive electrode with separator 11 and the stacking position from the state where none of the support portions 32 supports the positive electrode 11 with separator is a separator. An operation for supporting the attached positive electrode 11 is performed. The preparation operation is performed immediately after the operation of the electrode stacking apparatus 20. In the preparation operation, the circulation member 31 performs only rotation (circulation) by intermittent driving. At this time, the height of the circulation member 31 is constant.

  In the stacking operation, the positive electrode transport unit 21 performs an operation for allowing the positive electrode 11 with separator to move by the positive electrode moving unit 28 and for discharging the positive electrode 11 with separator by the positive electrode discharge unit 26. In the stacking operation, the positive electrode transport unit 21 stops the support portion 32 so that the positive electrode discharge unit 26 can push the separator-attached positive electrode 11 into the stack unit 25 in the second section Rp2. On the other hand, in the first section Rp1, in the first section Rp1, the support portion 32 in a state where there is no positive electrode 11 with a separator (that is, a state where the positive electrode 11 with a separator is not supported) is provided with a separator from each positive electrode supply conveyor 23. The support portion 32 is sequentially moved so that the positive electrodes 11 can be received sequentially. Specifically, the positive electrode transport unit 21 circulates the circulation member 31 by ½ of the unit distance within the unit movement time, and simultaneously raises the circulation member 31 by the same distance. As a result, in the second section Rp2, the support portion 32 stops, and in the first section Rp1, the support portion 32 rises by the unit distance.

  In the return operation, the positive electrode transport unit 21 lowers the circulating member 31 that has been raised during the movement operation, that is, returns it to the original position. In the return operation, the positive electrode transport unit 21 moves the separator-attached positive electrode 11 supported by the support portion 32 to a position where it can be pushed out by the positive electrode movement unit 28, and the positive electrode movement unit 28 moves the position P <b> 1 of the support portion 32. The positive electrode 11 with a separator disposed in the position is moved to a position where it can be pushed out by the positive electrode discharge unit 26. For this reason, the positive electrode transport unit 21 lowers the circulation member 31 within the unit movement time and circulates the circulation member 31 by an amount obtained by adding a unit distance to the lowering amount of the circulation member 31. The descending amount of the circulation member 31 depends on the number of layers stacked at the same time per stacking, the time required for stacking, and the like. Here, the positive electrode transport unit 21 lowers the support part 32 by 4 unit distances within the unit movement time in the second section Rp2, and moves the support part 32 within the unit movement time by the unit distance in the first section Rp1. Only raised. For this purpose, the positive electrode transport unit 21 lowers the circulation member 31 by 1.5 unit distances and circulates the circulation member 31 by 2.5 unit distances.

  The operation when the positive electrode transport unit 21 is abnormal includes, for example, an operation when there is a shortage in the supply of the positive electrode 11 with a separator from the positive electrode supply conveyor 23. As an example, a case where a shortage of the separator-attached positive electrode 11 occurs will be described. In this case, the operation of the positive electrode transport unit 21 differs depending on the state of the second section Rp2. For example, if the extrusion member 26a of the positive electrode discharge unit 26 is being extruded, the positive electrode transport unit 21 does not operate and maintains the current state. On the other hand, if the extruding member 26a of the positive electrode discharge unit 26 returns to the original position after being pushed out, the support portion 32 is stopped on the second section Rp2 side while the support section 32 is stopped on the first section Rp1 side. Move by 4 unit distances. Specifically, the positive electrode transport unit 21 circulates the circulation member 31 by two unit distances and simultaneously lowers the circulation member 31 by the same distance.

  The overall operation of the electrode stacking apparatus 20 will be described. FIG. 8 is a side view for explaining the operation of the electrode stacking apparatus shown in FIG. Here, although the operation | movement which conveys the positive electrode 11 with a separator by the normal driving | operation of the positive electrode conveyance unit 21 mentioned above is demonstrated, the case where the negative electrode 9 is conveyed by the negative electrode conveyance unit 22 is the same. FIG. 8 is a side view showing the separator-attached positive electrode 11 being conveyed by the positive electrode conveyance unit 21.

  During the preparatory operation of the positive electrode transport unit 21 described above, as shown in FIG. 8, the positive electrode 11 with a separator is supplied from the positive electrode supply conveyor 23 to the support portion 32 without the positive electrode 11 with a separator. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the separator-attached positive electrode 11 supplied to the support portion 32 decelerates by sliding on the support surface 32 c and stops before reaching the base end portion 32 e of the support portion 32. The support portion 32 that supports the separator-equipped positive electrode 11 circulates and moves so as to rise once and then descend due to the rotation of the circulation member 31. At this time, the positive electrode 11 with the separator is reversed in the third section Rp3 of the circulation path Lp and reaches the base end portion 32e of the support portion 32 by its own weight. The separator-attached positive electrode 11 supported by the support unit 32 in contact with the base end portion 32 e of the support unit 32 is transported to a position where it can be pushed out by the positive electrode moving unit 28.

  Next, the stacking operation of the positive electrode transport unit 21 is performed. During the stacking operation of the positive electrode transport unit 21, the height position of the support portion 32 in the second section Rp2 is constant. In this state, the positive electrode 11 with separators is simultaneously disposed at the position P1 of the support portion 32 by simultaneously extruding the four positive electrodes with separators 11 in the direction away from the outer peripheral surface 31b by the positive electrode moving unit 28. After the separator-attached positive electrode 11 is disposed at the position P1 of the support portion 32 and the pushing member 28a returns to the original position (two-dot chain line in FIG. 8), the return operation of the positive electrode transport unit 21 is performed. During the return operation, the separator-attached positive electrode 11 supported by the support portion 32 while being in contact with the base end portion 32 e of the support portion 32 is moved to a position where it can be pushed out by the positive electrode moving unit 28. Further, the support 32 where the positive electrode 11 with separator is disposed at the position P1 is moved to a position where it can be pushed out by the positive electrode discharge unit 26 (for example, the lower end position of the slit 53a corresponding to the lowermost laminated member 51). The

  The stacking operation of the positive electrode transport unit 21 is performed again. During the stacking operation of the positive electrode transport unit 21, the height position of the support portion 32 in the second section Rp2 is constant. In this state, the positive electrode discharge unit 26 simultaneously extrudes the four positive electrodes 11 with separators toward each of the four layers of the laminated members 51, whereby the positive electrodes 11 with separators are simultaneously laminated on the respective laminated members 51. At this time, the positive electrode 11 with a separator is also moved by the positive electrode moving unit 28. After the extruding member 26a and the extruding member 28a return to their original positions (the two-dot chain line in FIG. 8), the return operation of the positive electrode transport unit 21 is performed in the same manner as described above.

  In the electrode stacking apparatus 20 described above, the support portion 42 receives the negative electrode 9 supplied from the negative electrode supply conveyor 24 on the support surface 42c extending so as to intersect the outer peripheral surface 41b of the circulation member 41. For example, when the supply speed of the negative electrode 9 to the laminated unit 25 is increased by increasing the conveyance speed of the negative electrode supply conveyor 24, the collision speed of the negative electrode 9 against the support portion 42 is correspondingly increased. When the speed at which the negative electrode 9 collides with the support portion 42 is increased, even if there is a buffer material, the active material particles or the particle lump is separated from the active material layer formed on the surface of the negative electrode 9, so-called powder falling. For example, the negative electrode 9 is easily damaged. When the active material particles or the particle lump increases as described above, for example, the active material particles or particle lump easily adheres to the electrode assembly 3, and the separator 10 is damaged by the active material particles or particle lump, so that a short circuit is easily caused. Moreover, when the increase of powder fall is remarkable, there exists a possibility of contributing to a performance fall by reducing the corresponding area of the active material layers of the positive electrode 8 and the negative electrode 9 by the area reduction of the active material layer of the negative electrode 9. is there. As a result, the quality of the electrode assembly 3 may be degraded.

  According to the electrode stacking apparatus 20, the length D1 of the support surface 42c in the extending direction of the support surface 42c is longer than the length of the negative electrode 9 in the extending direction (here, the width Wn of the negative electrode 9). Thereby, when the negative electrode 9 is supplied from the negative electrode supply conveyor 24, the negative electrode 9 can slide on the support surface 42c and decelerate. Accordingly, the negative electrode 9 stops before reaching the base end portion 42e of the support portion 42, or the negative electrode 9 reaches the base end portion 42e in a state where the speed is lower than the supplied speed. Damage to the negative electrode 9 due to the collision between the base end portion 42e and the base end portion 42e (buffer member) can be reduced.

  On the other hand, when the length D1 of the support surface 42c is longer than the width Wn of the negative electrode 9, the distance that the negative electrode discharge unit 27 pushes out the negative electrode 9 from the support portion 42 can be increased. Thus, the discharge time of the negative electrode 9 can be increased by increasing the distance by which the negative electrode discharge unit 27 pushes out the negative electrode 9. In the electrode stacking apparatus 20, in the second section Rp2, the negative electrode moving unit 29 provided on the upstream side of the negative electrode discharge unit 27 moves the negative electrode 9 away from the outer peripheral surface 41b. By moving the negative electrode 9 by the negative electrode moving unit 29, the negative electrode 9 is disposed at the position P2 of the support portion 42. Therefore, even if the length D1 of the support surface 42c is longer than the width Wn of the negative electrode 9. The negative electrode discharge unit 27 can discharge the negative electrode 9 from the support portion 42 by pushing out the negative electrode 9 by a distance D3 shorter than the length D1 of the support surface 42c. Therefore, an increase in discharge time of the negative electrode 9 is suppressed. As described above, it is possible to suppress a decrease in stacking efficiency while reducing damage to the negative electrode 9.

  The positive electrode moving unit 28 includes an extruding member 28a that extrudes the positive electrode 11 with a separator in a direction away from the outer peripheral surface 31b. Similarly, the negative electrode moving unit 29 includes an extrusion member 29a that pushes the negative electrode 9 away from the outer peripheral surface 41b. For this reason, the positive electrode 11 with a separator and the negative electrode 9 can be moved by a simple operation by the extruding member 28a and the extruding member 29a.

  The position P1 of the support portion 32 is a position where the distance D3 between the side edge 11d of the separator-attached positive electrode 11 and the tip 32g of the support portion 32 is shorter than the length D1 of the support surface 32c. Here, the distance D3 is a distance to push out the positive electrode 11 with separator before the positive electrode discharge unit 26 discharges the positive electrode 11 with separator from the support portion 32. Since the positive electrode 11 with a separator is disposed at a position where the distance at which the positive electrode discharge unit 26 pushes out the positive electrode 11 with a separator (that is, the distance D3) is shorter than the length D1 of the support surface 32c, the discharge time of the positive electrode 11 with a separator is Can be made shorter. The same applies to the negative electrode 9 disposed at the position P2 of the support portion.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 9 is a side view (including a partial cross section) showing the electrode stacking apparatus according to the second embodiment. The electrode stacking apparatus 60 shown in FIG. 9 includes a positive electrode moving member 68 (moving part) instead of the positive electrode moving unit 28, and a negative electrode moving member 69 (moving part) instead of the negative electrode moving unit 29. It is different from the electrode laminating apparatus 20 in the point provided, and is the same as that of the electrode laminating apparatus 20 in other configurations. Hereinafter, differences will be described.

  The positive electrode moving member 68 moves the separator-attached positive electrode 11 conveyed by the positive electrode conveyance unit 21 to the position P1 in the second section Rp2 of the circulation path Lp. The positive electrode moving member 68 is provided upstream of the positive electrode discharge unit 26 in the second section Rp2. The positive electrode moving member 68 moves the plurality of positive electrodes 11 with separators to the position P1 by sequentially pushing out the plurality of positive electrodes 11 with separators supported by the plurality of support portions 32 in a direction away from the outer peripheral surface 31b.

  The positive electrode moving member 68 is configured by a substantially right triangular plate member. The positive electrode moving member 68 is arranged with the acute angle 68a facing upward. The positive electrode moving member 68 extends along the outer peripheral surface 31b and is fixed to the outer peripheral surface 31b. The inclined surface 68c extends obliquely with respect to the side surface 68b. The bottom surface 68d extends orthogonally to the side surface 68b. have. A connection portion between the side surface 68b and the inclined surface 68c forms an acute angle 68a. The inclined surface 68c extends obliquely downward from the outer peripheral surface 31b toward the stacked unit 25. The positive electrode moving member 68 is disposed across a plurality (here, four) of the support portions 32 in a side view. The width of the positive electrode moving member 68 (the length in the extending direction of the support surface 32c) becomes wider toward the lower side. The width of the bottom surface 68d of the positive electrode moving member 68 is the same as the length from the outer peripheral surface 31b to the position P1. The side edge 11d of the separator-attached positive electrode 11 supported by the support portion 32 comes into contact with the inclined surface 68c when the support portion 32 is lowered. In this state, the separator-attached positive electrode 11 is pushed away from the outer peripheral surface 31b along the inclined surface 68c as the support portion 32 descends, and moves to the position P1 in the support portion 32. The lowering of the support portion 32 in the second section Rp2 described above occurs when the preparation operation or the return operation of the positive electrode transport unit 21 is performed.

  The negative electrode moving member 69 moves the negative electrode 9 conveyed by the negative electrode conveyance unit 22 to the position P2 in the second section Rn2 of the circulation path Ln. The negative electrode moving member 69 is provided upstream of the negative electrode discharge unit 27 in the second section Rn2. The negative electrode moving member 69 moves the plurality of negative electrodes 9 by sequentially extruding the plurality of negative electrodes 9 supported by the plurality of support portions 42 in a direction away from the outer peripheral surface 41b.

  Similarly to the positive electrode moving member 68, the negative electrode moving member 69 is configured by a substantially right triangle plate member. The negative electrode moving member 69 is disposed with the acute angle 69a facing upward. The negative electrode moving member 69 extends along the outer peripheral surface 41b and is fixed to the outer peripheral surface 41b. The inclined surface 69c extends obliquely with respect to the side surface 69b. The bottom surface 69d extends orthogonally to the side surface 69b. have. A connection portion between the side surface 69b and the inclined surface 69c forms an acute angle 69a. The inclined surface 69c extends obliquely downward from the outer peripheral surface 41b toward the stacked unit 25. The negative electrode moving member 69 is disposed across a plurality (four in this case) of the support portions 42 in a side view. The width of the negative electrode moving member 69 is increased toward the lower side. The width of the bottom surface 69d of the negative electrode moving member 69 is the same as the length from the outer peripheral surface 41b to the position P2. The side edge 9d of the negative electrode 9 supported by the support portion 42 comes into contact with the inclined surface 69c when the support portion 42 is lowered. In this state, the negative electrode 9 is pushed out in the direction away from the outer peripheral surface 41b along the inclined surface 69c as the support portion 42 descends, and moves to the position P2 in the support portion 42. The lowering of the support portion 42 in the second section Rn2 described above occurs when the preparation operation or the return operation of the negative electrode transport unit 22 is performed.

  According to the positive electrode moving member 68, as the support portion 32 descends, the position of the inclined surface 68c in the direction along the support surface 32c of the support portion 32 moves away from the outer peripheral surface 31b. The inclined surface 68c contacts the positive electrode 11 with a separator on the support surface 32c, whereby the positive electrode 11 with a separator is guided to the inclined surface 68c, and the positive electrode 11 with a separator can be moved away from the outer peripheral surface 31b. Thus, the separator-equipped positive electrode 11 can be moved with a simple configuration. Similarly, in the negative electrode transport unit 22, the negative electrode 9 can be moved with a simple configuration.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the first embodiment, the positive electrode moving unit 28 moves the four separator-equipped positive electrodes 11 simultaneously by simultaneously extruding the four separator-equipped positive electrodes 11 by the pair of pushing members 28a. You may move for every positive electrode 11. For example, in the intermittent drive of the positive electrode transport unit 21, the positive electrode 11 with the separator may be pushed out one by one and sequentially moved from when the support portion 32 stops until it starts moving again. The same applies to the negative electrode moving unit 29.

  Further, in the first embodiment, the positive electrode moving unit 28 is disposed on the front side of the positive electrode transport unit 21 (the front cover side in FIG. 4), and a receiving portion that comes into contact with the bottom edge 11b of the positive electrode 11 with a separator; There may be further provided a pressing portion that is disposed on the rear side of the positive electrode transport unit 21 and presses the positive electrode with separator 11 against the receiving portion, and the bottom edge 11b of the positive electrode with separator 11 may be positioned. In the receiving part, for example, a plurality of free rollers may be provided side by side. Further, the receiving part may be formed of a resin whose surface is slippery. The pressing part may have a cylinder and a pressing plate fixed to the tip of the piston rod of the cylinder. The same applies to the negative electrode moving unit 29.

  In the above embodiment, the positive electrode discharge unit 26 simultaneously laminates the four separator-attached positive electrodes 11 on the four-layer laminate member 51 by simultaneously extruding the four separator-attached positive electrodes 11 by the pair of extrusion members 26a. You may laminate | stack for every positive electrode 11 with a separator. For example, in the intermittent drive of the positive electrode transport unit 21, the positive electrode 11 with a separator may be pushed out one by one and stacked in order on the four-layer laminated member 51 after the support portion 32 stops and starts moving again. Good. The same applies to the negative electrode discharge unit 27.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the positive electrode 8 with the separator and the negative electrode 9 which are the states in which the positive electrode 8 was wrapped in the bag-shaped separator 10 are laminated | stacked on a lamination | stacking member alternately, it is not restricted to the form in particular, A negative electrode A negative electrode with a separator and a positive electrode in a state of being wrapped in a bag-like separator may be alternately laminated on a laminated member. Alternatively, a sheet-like separator may be attached to one side of the positive electrode and the negative electrode.

  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 is also applicable 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), 9c, 9d ... Side edge (edge), 11 ... Positive electrode (electrode) with a separator, 11c, 11d ... Side edge (edge), 20 ... Electrode lamination apparatus, 21 ... Positive electrode conveyance unit ( Transport unit), 22 ... Negative electrode transport unit (transport unit), 25 ... Laminate unit (stack unit), 26 ... Positive electrode discharge unit (discharge unit), 27 ... Negative electrode discharge unit (discharge unit), 28 ... Positive electrode transfer unit (moving) Part), 28a ... extruded member, 29 ... negative electrode moving unit (moving part), 29a ... extruded member, 31 ... circulating member, 31b ... outer peripheral surface, 32 ... support part, 32c ... support surface, 32e ... base end part, 32g ... tip, 41 ... circulating member, 41b ... outer peripheral surface, 42 ... support part, 51 ... laminated member, 68 ... positive electrode moving member (moving part), 68c ... inclined surface, 69 ... negative electrode moving member (moving part), 69c ... Inclined surface, D1, D2 ... Length, Lp Ln ... circulation path, Rp1, Rn1 ... first section, Rp2, Rn2 ... second interval, P1, P2 ... position.

Claims (4)

A laminated portion having a plurality of laminated members on which sheet-like electrodes are laminated;
A transport section for transporting the electrodes;
A discharge unit for discharging the electrode from the transport unit to the stacked unit;
A moving unit for moving the electrode being conveyed by the conveying unit,
The conveying unit includes a circulation member including an outer circumferential surface that circulates so as to form a circulation path that descends after being raised, and a first section that is provided on the outer circumferential surface along the circulation path and the outer circumferential surface rises. A plurality of support portions for receiving the electrodes and supporting the electrodes;
In the second section in which the outer peripheral surface descends, the discharge portion pushes the electrodes supported by the plurality of support portions toward the multi-stage laminated member, thereby Drain the electrodes from each,
The moving unit is provided upstream of the discharge unit in the second section, and moves the electrode away from the outer peripheral surface so that the electrode is disposed at a predetermined position of the support unit. ,
The support part includes a support surface extending across the outer peripheral surface, and receives the supplied electrode at the support surface;
The length of the support surface in the extending direction of the support surface is an electrode stacking apparatus that is longer than the length of the electrode in the extending direction.   The electrode stacking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the moving unit includes an extruding member that extrudes the electrode in a direction away from the outer peripheral surface.   The electrode stacking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the moving unit includes an inclined surface extending obliquely downward from the outer peripheral surface toward the stacked unit.   The predetermined position is a position at which a distance between an edge of the electrode on the base end side of the support portion and a tip of the support portion is shorter than the length of the support surface in the extending direction. The electrode lamination apparatus as described in any one of -3.

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