JP2019079768A - Electrode manufacturing device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an electrode manufacturing device suitable for electrodes arranged in multiple columns.SOLUTION: Electrodes 20A, 20B, formed while arranged in two columns, are branched to a conveyance path (first conveyance path ) 70A and a conveyance path (second conveyance path) 70B by a branch part 22. The conveyance path 70A is provided with a press part (first press part) 24A for pressing the electrode 20A, and the conveyance path 70B is provided with a press part (second press part) 24B for pressing the electrode 20B. Consequently, the electrodes 20A, 20B are not transported simultaneously in two columns for the press part, but are transported one-by-one for the press part 24A, and the electrodes 20B are transported one-by-one for the press part 24B. Since the electrodes 20A, 20B can be pressed one-by-one in each press part 24A, 24B, uniformity in thickness of the electrodes 20A, 20B can be improved.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrode manufacturing apparatus.

  An electrode assembly including an electrode (a positive electrode and a negative electrode) is accommodated in a storage device such as a lithium ion secondary battery. 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, two types of electrode assemblies, a laminated type and a wound type, are known. The stacked electrode assembly is formed by alternately stacking a plurality of generally rectangular positive and negative electrodes with a separator interposed therebetween. For this positive electrode and negative electrode, for example, a sheet member in which an active material layer precursor is formed on both sides of a strip-shaped metal foil is pressed to form a strip-shaped electrode base material. Thereafter, the electrode base material is cut into a substantially rectangular shape to manufacture an electrode.

  On the other hand, what was described in patent document 1 is also known as an electrode manufacturing apparatus. In this electrode manufacturing apparatus, the electrode cut in the cutting portion is conveyed along the conveyance path, and the pressing of the electrode is performed by the roll press in the pressing portion. The press unit presses the electrodes one by one.

Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2010-067507

  By the way, when cut | disconnecting the strip | belt-shaped electrode base material after a press and manufacturing an electrode, a cutting part may form the electrode arranged in multiple lines in the direction orthogonal to a sending direction. Also in the electrode manufacturing apparatus of Patent Document 1, it is conceivable to form the electrodes arranged in a plurality of rows by the cutting unit and then simultaneously press in the pressing unit. However, when the electrodes arranged in a plurality of rows are simultaneously pressed by the press unit, the thickness of the electrodes after pressing may be uneven. This is because the individual electrodes are easily displaced when being cut into the individual electrodes arranged in a plurality of rows. For example, a slight positional deviation may occur in the delivery direction when transferring to a transport means immediately after cutting, a belt conveyor, or the like. Due to the positional displacement, when one end of one electrode is pressed prior to other electrodes in a plurality of rows, an excessive load acts partially, resulting in uneven thickness.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an electrode manufacturing apparatus suitable for electrodes arranged in a plurality of rows.

  An electrode manufacturing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention is an electrode manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing an electrode having an active material layer on both sides of a metal foil, and by cutting and feeding a sheet member, a direction orthogonal to the delivery direction. A cutting portion for forming at least a first electrode and a second electrode arranged in a second electrode, a first carrying path for carrying the first electrode, a second carrying path for carrying the second electrode, and the cutting A branch unit for branching the first electrode and the second electrode delivered from the unit to the first transport path and the second transport path, and pressing the first electrode in the first transport path A first press unit is provided, and a second press unit for pressing a second electrode is provided in the second transport path.

  The electrode manufacturing apparatus comprises a cutting portion forming at least a first electrode and a second electrode arranged in a direction orthogonal to the delivery direction. Thus, the first electrode and the second electrode formed in a two-row array are branched by the branch portion to the first transport path and the second transport path. And a 1st press part which presses a 1st electrode is provided in a 1st conveyance path, and a 2nd press part which presses a 2nd electrode is provided in a 2nd conveyance path. Therefore, the first electrode and the second electrode are not simultaneously transported in two rows to the press unit, but the first electrodes are transported one by one to the first press unit, and The two electrodes are conveyed one by one to the second press unit. As a result, since the electrodes can be pressed one by one in each press portion, the uniformity of the thickness of the electrodes can be improved. According to the above, an electrode manufacturing apparatus suitable for the electrodes arranged in a plurality of rows can be provided.

  The electrode manufacturing apparatus further includes a joining portion for joining a first conveyance path downstream of the first press portion and a second conveyance path downstream of the second press portion, The press portion and the second press portion are provided at locations extending opposite to each other among the first transport path and the second transport path, and the first press portion is connected to the second press portion in the transport direction. It may be arranged at an offset position. In this case, the first transport path and the second transport path are branched at the branching portion and merged at the merging portion. Thus, the first transport path and the second transport path are generally annular. In addition, the first press unit and the second press unit are provided at locations of the first transport path and the second transport path that extend opposite to each other. Therefore, in the press unit, a large structure such as a drive mechanism can be disposed inside the first transport path and the second transport path. At this time, the first press unit is disposed at a position shifted with respect to the second press unit in the transport direction. Therefore, interference between the first press portion and the second press portion can be avoided inside the first transport path and the second transport path. Therefore, the layout of the electrode transfer device can be made compact.

  In the electrode manufacturing apparatus, the branch portion transports the first electrode and the second electrode in the delivery direction in a state in which the first electrode and the second electrode are arranged in the direction orthogonal to the delivery direction, and performs the first transport from any position in the delivery direction. When the path and the second transport path are branched and the first press unit is shifted upstream with respect to the second press section in the transport direction, the first transport path is the second transport path. When the first press unit is branched to the downstream side in the transport direction with respect to the second press unit, the first transport path The branch may branch off at a position shifted to the downstream side in the delivery direction with respect to the second transport path. In this case, the direction in which the first press portion deviates with respect to the second press portion coincides with the direction in which the branch position of the first conveyance path deviates with respect to the branch position of the second conveyance path. . In this case, it is possible to suppress the shortening of the path length of the transport path between the press portion and the branch portion which are displaced to the upstream side in the transport direction. In this case, when performing the attitude adjustment of the electrode on the upstream side of the press unit, it is possible to secure a sufficient path length for the attitude adjustment.

  In the electrode manufacturing apparatus, the first transport path is provided with a first positioning portion at a position adjacent to the upstream side of the first press portion to position the first electrode in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction. In the second transport path, at a position adjacent to the upstream side of the second press portion, a second positioning portion for positioning the second electrode in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction is provided. Thus, when the positioning portion is provided at a position adjacent to the upstream side of the pressing portion, a space for providing the positioning portion is required on the upstream side of the pressing portion. Therefore, the effect by making the direction of the shift of the press portion and the direction of the shift of the branch position as described above become more remarkable.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an electrode manufacturing apparatus in which the layout is properly set.

It is sectional drawing which shows the inside of the electrical storage apparatus manufactured by applying the electrode manufacturing apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment. It is the II-II sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is a schematic plan view which shows the structure of an electrode manufacturing apparatus. It is a schematic plan view which shows a part of electrode manufacturing apparatus. It is the VV sectional view taken on the line shown in FIG. It is a schematic plan view which shows the electrode manufacturing apparatus which concerns on a modification. It is a figure which shows the structure of the branch part shown in FIG. 6 in detail. It is a schematic plan view which shows the electrode manufacturing apparatus which concerns on a modification.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or equivalent elements will be denoted by the same reference symbols, without redundant description.

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

  The storage device 1 includes, for example, a substantially rectangular case 2 and an electrode assembly 3 housed in the case 2. The case 2 is formed of, for example, a metal such as aluminum. Although not illustrated, for example, a non-aqueous (organic solvent-based) electrolytic solution is injected into the inside of the case 2. The positive electrode terminal 4 and the negative electrode terminal 5 are disposed apart from each other on the case 2. The positive electrode terminal 4 is fixed to the case 2 via the insulating ring 6, and the negative electrode terminal 5 is fixed to the case 2 via the insulating ring 7. In addition, an insulating film is disposed between the electrode assembly 3 and the inner side surface and the bottom surface of the case 2, and the insulating film insulates the case 2 from the electrode assembly 3. Although a slight gap is provided between the lower end of the electrode assembly 3 and the bottom of the case 2 in FIG. 1 for the sake of convenience, the lower end of the electrode assembly 3 is actually the inside of the case 2 via the insulating film. In contact with the bottom of the Further, in order to reduce the rattling of the electrode assembly 3 in the stacking direction of the electrode assembly 3, several spacers are disposed in the gap between the electrode assembly 3 and the case 2. The number of spacers is appropriately adjusted according to the thickness of the electrode assembly 3.

  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-like separator 10. The positive electrode 8 is wrapped in a bag-like separator 10. The positive electrode 8 in a state of being wrapped in the bag-like 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 negative electrodes 9.

  The positive electrode 8 has a metal foil 14 which is a positive electrode current collector made of, for example, aluminum foil, and a positive electrode active material layer 15 formed on both sides of the metal foil 14. The metal foil 14 has a foil main body portion 14a having a rectangular shape in plan view, and a tab 14b integrated with the foil main 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. 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 from the foil, and are connected to the positive electrode terminal 4 via the conductive member 12. In FIG. 2, the tab 14 b is omitted for the sake of convenience.

  The positive electrode active material layer 15 is formed on both the front and back sides of the foil body portion 14a. The positive electrode active material layer 15 is a porous layer formed by containing a positive electrode active material and a binder. Examples of the positive electrode active material include composite oxides, 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 has, for example, a metal foil 16 which is a negative electrode current collector made of copper foil, and a negative electrode active material layer 17 formed on both sides of the metal foil 16. The metal foil 16 has a foil main body 16a having a rectangular shape in plan view, and a tab 16b integrated with the foil main body 16a. The tab 16b protrudes from an edge near one longitudinal end of the foil body 16a. The tab 16 b is connected to the negative electrode terminal 5 via the conductive member 13. In FIG. 2, the tab 16 b is omitted for the sake of convenience.

  The negative electrode active material layer 17 is formed on both the front and back sides of the foil body 16a. The negative electrode active material layer 17 is a porous layer formed by containing a negative electrode active material and a binder. As the negative electrode active material, for example, graphite, highly oriented graphite, meso carbon micro beads, hard carbon, carbon such as soft carbon, alkali metals such as lithium and sodium, metal compounds, SiO x (0.5 ≦ x ≦ 1.5) Etc.) or boron-added carbon and the like.

  The separator 10 has a rectangular shape in plan view. Examples of the material for forming the separator 10 include porous films made of polyolefin resins such as polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), and woven or non-woven fabrics made of polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), methyl cellulose and the like. .

  In the case of manufacturing the electricity storage device 1 configured as described above, first, the positive electrode 11 with a separator and the negative electrode 9 are manufactured, and then the positive electrode 11 with a separator and the negative electrode 9 are alternately stacked to form a laminate. After pressing the laminated body to adhere the separator-attached positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 9, the separator-attached positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 9 are fixed with a tape or the like to obtain the electrode assembly 3. The tab 14b of the separator-attached positive electrode 11 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. 2 to accommodate. The present embodiment relates to the manufacture of the positive electrode 8 or the negative electrode 9 in the first half of this process. First, the active material mixture is applied to a strip-shaped metal foil and then dried, and a sheet member 30 provided with an active material layer precursor on both sides of the strip-shaped metal foil is manufactured. After cutting the sheet member 30, the positive electrode 8 or the negative electrode 9 is manufactured by pressing each of them.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 3, an electrode manufacturing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the configuration of the electrode manufacturing apparatus 100. As shown in FIG. The electrode manufacturing apparatus 100 is an apparatus which manufactures the electrode 20 which has an active material layer on both surfaces of metal foil. The electrode manufacturing apparatus 100 manufactures the electrode 20 while conveying a member to be a material of the electrode 20 in the conveyance direction. The electrode 20 manufactured by the electrode manufacturing apparatus 100 may be either the positive electrode 8 or the negative electrode 9. Moreover, the electrode 20 is completed by being pressed by the below-mentioned press part. However, in order to facilitate the description, even if it is a member before being pressed, the one formed in the shape of the electrode 20 at the cutting portion is referred to as the “electrode 20”.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the electrode manufacturing apparatus 100 includes a cutting unit 21 and a branching unit 22 in order from the upstream side in the transport direction. In addition, the electrode manufacturing apparatus 100 includes, in the one line branched from the branch unit 22, a conveyance path 23A, a press unit 24A, and a conveyance path 26A in order from the upstream side in the conveyance direction. The electrode manufacturing apparatus 100 is provided with the conveyance path 23B, the press part 24B, and the conveyance path 26B sequentially from the upstream side in the conveyance direction in the other line branched from the branch part 22. Moreover, the electrode manufacturing apparatus 100 is provided with the confluence | merging part 27 which merges the conveyance path 26A and the conveyance path 26B.

  The cutting unit 21 is configured, for example, as a rotary die cutting type cutting device provided with a pair of rollers. The belt-like sheet member 30 is conveyed in the longitudinal direction of the sheet member 30 so as to pass between the pair of rollers of the cutting unit 21. The pair of rollers is provided with blade portions for cutting the sheet member 30 into a desired shape. Accordingly, the pair of rollers sandwiches the sheet member 30 by the blade portion to cut the sheet member 30. The cutting unit 21 forms the electrode 20 by cutting the belt-like sheet member 30. The cutting unit 21 cuts the sheet member 30 and forms the electrode 20 by feeding the sheet member 30 in the longitudinal direction of the sheet member 30, that is, in the delivery direction orthogonal to the direction in which the rotation axis of the roller extends. However, as long as the cutting part 21 can form the electrode 20, it may have a structure other than the rotary die cutting method.

  The cutting unit 21 forms an electrode 20A and an electrode 20B which are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the delivery direction. That is, the cutting unit 21 cuts the so-called “two-strip” cutting of two sheets of the electrodes 20 in the short direction from the band-like sheet member 30. The cutting unit 21 cuts the band-like sheet member 30 into two sheets of the size and shape of the electrode 20 in the lateral direction. In addition, the cutting unit 21 cuts the belt-like sheet member 30 at a pitch of one sheet of the electrode 20 in the longitudinal direction.

  The "X axis" is set in one direction in the horizontal direction, and the "Y axis" is set in the direction orthogonal to the X axis in the horizontal direction. The direction in which the sheet member 30 is fed corresponds to the X-axis direction, and the upstream side in the feed direction of the sheet member 30 corresponds to the positive side in the X-axis direction. The direction orthogonal to the X-axis direction corresponds to the Y-axis direction, and one of the Y-axis directions corresponds to the positive side in the Y-axis direction. In the following description, the description may be made using “X axis” and “Y axis”.

  Here, the electrode 20 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the electrode 20 has a rectangular shape including edges 20 a and 20 b opposed to each other in the short direction and edges 20 c and 20 d opposed to each other in the longitudinal direction. The edges 20a and 20b and the edges 20c and 20d are orthogonal to each other. An uncoated portion 20 e of the active material layer 20 g in which the metal foil is exposed is formed on the edge portion 20 a side of the electrode 20. The uncoated portion 20e has a tab 20f projecting from the edge 20a. In addition, about the shape of the electrode 20, a transversal direction and a longitudinal direction may be reverse. Moreover, the uncoated part 20e consists only of the tab 20f, and the positive electrode active material layer 15 or the negative electrode active material layer 17 may be provided in the other location by the side of the edge part 20a.

  Returning to FIG. 3, in the state immediately after being sent from the cutting unit 21, the electrode 20 </ b> B is in a posture in which the tab 20 f protrudes to the positive side in the Y-axis direction. The electrode 20A is disposed on the negative side of the electrode 20B in the Y-axis direction, and the tab 20f protrudes to the negative side in the Y-axis direction.

  The branching unit 22 branches the electrode 20A and the electrode 20B sent from the cutting unit 21 into the transport path 23A and the transport path 23B. The branch part 22 is comprised by the adsorption conveyor 31 which conveys in the state which adsorb | sucked the electrodes 20A and 20B by the lower surface. The adsorption conveyor 31 extends in the X-axis direction so as to convey the electrodes 20A and 20B in the X-axis direction while being arranged in two rows.

  The adsorption conveyor 31 overlaps the transport path 23A in part in the transport direction. That is, a part of the transport path 23A is disposed below the suction conveyor 31. The transport path 23A extends to the edge 31b on the negative side in the Y-axis direction on the side where the electrode 20A is disposed among the edges in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the suction conveyor 31. The suction conveyor 31 transfers the electrode 20A to the transfer path 23A by dropping the electrode 20A transferred from the cutting unit 21 at the position of the transfer path 23A. The suction conveyor 31 is a part in the transport direction, and overlaps the transport path 23B at a position different from the transport path 23A in the transport direction. That is, a part of the transport path 23B is disposed below the suction conveyor 31. The transport path 23B extends to the edge 31a on the positive side in the Y-axis direction on the side where the electrode 20B is disposed among the edges in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the suction conveyor 31. The suction conveyor 31 transfers the electrode 20B to the transfer path 23B by dropping the electrode 20B transferred from the cutting unit 21 at the position of the transfer path 23B.

  The transport path 23A is a path for transporting the electrode 20A from the branch portion 22 to the press portion 24A. The transport path 23A includes a transport unit 32A, a transport unit 36A, and a direction change unit 39A. The transport unit 32A extends from the branch 22 toward the positive side in the Y-axis direction. The transport unit 36A extends from the downstream end of the transport unit 32A toward the press unit 24A toward the negative side in the X-axis direction. The direction change unit 39A changes the direction of the electrode 20A between the transport unit 32A and the transport unit 36A.

  The transport unit 32A includes a positioning unit 33A and a conveyor 34A in order from the upstream side in the transport direction. A positioning portion 33A is provided in a portion that receives the electrode 20A from the branch portion 22. In addition, in the transport unit 32A, the electrode 20A is transported in a state where the tab 20f protrudes to the negative side in the Y-axis direction.

  The positioning unit 33A positions the electrode 20A in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction. The positioning part 33A conveys the electrode 20A to the positive side in the Y-axis direction after positioning the electrode 20A in the X-axis direction, and the positioning part 33A conveys the electrode 20A to the positive side in the Y-axis direction Send to 34A. In the present embodiment, the positioning unit 33A includes a plurality of conveyance rollers 33a and a restriction unit 33b.

  The plurality of transport rollers 33a transport the electrode 20A in the transport direction, and are arranged in the transport direction. The conveyance roller 33a is connected to a drive unit (not shown) for rotating the conveyance roller 33a. Some of the plurality of transport rollers 33a are inclined with respect to the X-axis direction such that the end on the positive side in the X-axis direction is positioned upstream in the transport direction. The inclination of the conveyance roller 33a disposed on the upstream side is large, and the inclination of the conveyance roller 33a disposed on the downstream side is small. With such a configuration, the electrode 20A on the transport roller 33a is moved toward the positive side in the X-axis direction while being transported in the transport direction.

  The restricting portion 33b is disposed on the positive side in the X-axis direction with respect to the transport roller 33a, and restricts the movement of the electrode 20A to the positive side in the X-axis direction. As a result, the movement of the electrode 20A brought closer to the positive side in the X-axis direction by the transport roller 33a is restricted by the restricting portion 33b in the X-axis direction. The restricting portion 33 b is provided to rise upward from the transport roller 33 a. Thus, the edge of the electrode 20A abuts on the restricting portion 33b, and the edge is positioned parallel to the Y-axis direction. The restricting portion 33 b may be provided at least in a region where the transport roller 33 a is inclined with respect to the X-axis direction.

  The transport unit 36A includes a conveyor 37A and a positioning unit 38A in order from the upstream side in the transport direction. The positioning portion 38A conveys the electrode 20A to the negative side in the X-axis direction, and has a configuration similar to that of the positioning portion 33A except that the electrode 20A is regulated on the positive side in the Y-axis direction. In the transport unit 36A, the electrode 20A is transported in a state in which the tab 20f protrudes to the positive side in the X-axis direction.

  The direction changing unit 39A changes the direction of the transport direction to change the direction of the electrode 20A with respect to the press unit 24A. The direction changing unit 39A changes the transport direction of the electrode 20A transported in the Y-axis direction to the X-axis direction. The direction changer 39A forms a transport path that curves in a 90 ° arc. The direction change unit 39A transports the electrode 20A while keeping the angle of the electrode 20A substantially constant with respect to the curved transport path. Therefore, the angle of the electrode 20A with respect to the rotational axis direction of the pressing part 24A gradually changes as it is conveyed to the direction changing part 39A, and changes about 90 degrees before and after the direction changing part 39A. Thereby, the direction change part 39A can change the direction of the electrode 20A with respect to the press part 24A before and after the passage of the direction change part 39A. The configuration of the direction change unit 39A is not particularly limited. For example, the direction change unit 39A may be configured by a curve conveyor having a track that describes a 90 ° arc.

  The direction changing unit 39A changes the transport direction of the electrode 20A transported to the positive side in the Y-axis direction by the conveyor 34A to the negative side in the X-axis direction, and delivers it to the conveyor 37A. The electrode 20A has a posture in which the tab 20f protrudes to the negative side in the Y-axis direction on the upstream side of the direction changing portion 39A. The electrode 20A has a posture in which the tab 20f protrudes to the positive side in the X-axis direction on the downstream side of the direction changing portion 39A.

  The pressing unit 24A presses the electrode 20A. The press unit 24A includes a pair of press rollers. The press unit 24A presses the electrode 20A with a pair of press rollers. The pair of press rollers are vertically arranged in parallel with each other. The rotation axes of the pair of press rollers extend in parallel to the Y-axis direction. The electrode 20A is pressed by passing between a pair of press rollers.

  The transport path 26A is a path for transporting the electrode 20A from the press portion 24A to the merging portion 27. The transport path 26A includes a transport unit 41A, a transport unit 42A, and a direction change unit 43A. The transport unit 41A extends from the press unit 24A toward the negative side in the X-axis direction. The transport unit 41A is configured of a conveyor 47A. The transport unit 42A extends from the downstream end of the transport unit 41A toward the merging unit 27 toward the negative side in the Y-axis direction. The transport unit 42A is configured by a conveyor 48A. The direction changing unit 43A changes the direction of the electrode 20A between the transport unit 41A and the transport unit 42A. The direction change unit 43A has the same configuration as the direction change unit 39A described above except for the transport direction. In the transport unit 41A, the electrode 20A is transported in a state in which the tab 20f protrudes to the positive side in the X-axis direction. In the transport unit 42A, the electrode 20A is transported in a state where the tab 20f protrudes to the positive side in the Y-axis direction.

  The transport path 23B is a path for transporting the electrode 20B from the branch portion 22 to the press portion 24B. The conveyance path 23B includes a conveyance unit 32B, a conveyance unit 36B, and a direction changing unit 39B. The transport unit 32B extends from the branch 22 toward the negative side in the Y-axis direction. The conveyance unit 36B extends from the downstream end of the conveyance unit 32B toward the press unit 24B toward the negative side in the X-axis direction. The direction changing unit 39B changes the direction of the electrode 20B between the transport unit 32B and the transport unit 36B.

  The transport unit 32B includes a positioning unit 33B and a conveyor 34B in order from the upstream side in the transport direction. A positioning portion 33B is provided in a portion that receives the electrode 20B from the branch portion 22. The positioning portion 33B conveys the electrode 20B to the negative side in the Y-axis direction, and has a configuration similar to that of the positioning portion 33A except that the electrode 20B is regulated on the positive side in the X-axis direction. In addition, in the transport unit 32B, the electrode 20B is transported in a state in which the tab 20f protrudes to the positive side in the Y-axis direction.

  The conveyance unit 36B includes a conveyor 37B and a positioning unit 38B in order from the upstream side in the conveyance direction. The positioning portion 38B conveys the electrode 20B to the negative side in the X-axis direction, and has a configuration similar to that of the positioning portion 33A except that the electrode 20B is regulated on the negative side in the Y-axis direction. In addition, in the transport unit 36B, the electrode 20B is transported in a state where the tab 20f protrudes to the positive side in the X-axis direction.

  The pressing unit 24B presses the electrode 20B. The press unit 24B includes a pair of press rollers. The press unit 24B has the same structure as the press unit 24A.

  The transport path 26B is a path for transporting the electrode 20B from the press portion 24B to the merging portion 27. The conveyance path 26B includes a conveyance unit 41B, a conveyance unit 42B, and a direction changing unit 43B. The transport unit 41B extends from the press unit 24B toward the negative side in the X-axis direction. The transport unit 41B is configured by a conveyor 47B. The conveyance unit 42B extends from the downstream end of the conveyance unit 41B toward the merging unit 27 toward the positive side in the Y-axis direction. The transport unit 42B is configured by a conveyor 48B. The direction changing unit 43B changes the direction of the electrode 20B between the transport unit 41B and the transport unit 42B. The direction change unit 43B has the same configuration as the direction change unit 39A described above except for the transport direction. In addition, in the transport unit 41B, the electrode 20B is transported in a state in which the tab 20f protrudes to the positive side in the X-axis direction. In the transport unit 42B, the electrode 20B is transported in a state in which the tab 20f protrudes to the negative side in the Y-axis direction.

  The merging portion 27 is a portion where the transport path 26A and the transport path 26B merge. The merging portion 27 merges the electrode 20A transported by the transport path 26A and the electrode 20B transported by the transport path 26B. The merging portion 27 is configured by an adsorption conveyor 46 which transports the electrodes 20A and 20B in a state of adsorbing the electrodes 20A and 20B on the lower surface. The suction conveyor 46 extends in the X-axis direction so as to convey the electrodes 20A and 20B in the second row in the negative direction of the X-axis direction.

  The suction conveyor 46 overlaps the transport path 26A at the edge 46a on the positive side in the Y-axis direction, near the positive-side end in the X-axis direction. That is, a part of the transport path 26A is disposed below the suction conveyor 46. The adsorption conveyor 46 transfers the electrode 20A to the adsorption conveyor 46 by adsorbing the electrode 20A on the transport path 26A on the lower surface. The suction conveyor 46 overlaps the transport path 26B at the edge 46b near the positive side in the X-axis direction and on the negative side in the Y-axis direction. That is, a part of the transport path 26B is disposed below the suction conveyor 46. The adsorption conveyor 46 transfers the electrode 20B to the adsorption conveyor 46 by adsorbing the electrode 20B on the transport path 26B on the lower surface.

  The adsorption conveyor 46 conveys the adsorbed electrodes 20A and 20B to the negative side in the X-axis direction. The electrode 20A is transported in a region on the positive side of the suction conveyor 46 in the Y-axis direction. At this time, the electrode 20A is in a posture in which the tab 20f protrudes to the positive side in the Y-axis direction. The electrode 20B is transported in a region on the negative side of the suction conveyor 46 in the Y-axis direction. At this time, the electrode 20B has a posture in which the tab 20f protrudes to the negative side in the Y-axis direction. The electrodes 20A and 20B transported to the suction conveyor 46 are transferred to positioning portions 49A and 49B disposed on the downstream side of the suction conveyor 46. The positioning portion 49A conveys the electrode 20A to the negative side in the X-axis direction, and has a configuration similar to that of the positioning portion 33A except that the electrode 20A is regulated on the negative side in the Y-axis direction. The positioning unit 49B conveys the electrode 20B to the negative side in the X-axis direction, and has a configuration similar to that of the positioning unit 33A except that the electrode 20B is restricted on the positive side in the Y-axis direction.

  Next, the electrode manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described in more detail. The electrode manufacturing apparatus 100 includes a transport path 70A and a transport path 70B which are branched from the branch portion 22 and joined at the merging portion 27. Thus, the electrode manufacturing apparatus 100 has an annular layout as a whole. Therefore, in the area near the center of the electrode manufacturing apparatus 100, a space SP surrounded by the transport path 70A and the transport path 70B is formed.

  The transport path 70A is a path for transporting the electrode 20A. The transport path 70A is configured of the above-described transport path 23A, the press unit 24A, and the transport path 26A. The transport path 70B is a path for transporting the electrode 20B. The transport path 70B is configured of the above-described transport path 23B, the press unit 24B, and the transport path 26B.

  As described above, the conveyance path 70A is provided with the press unit 24A. In the transport path 70A, the electrodes 20A are sequentially supplied to the press unit 24A one by one. Accordingly, the press unit 24A presses one electrode 20A. As mentioned above, the press part 24B is provided in the conveyance path 70B. In the transport path 70B, the electrodes 20B are sequentially supplied to the press unit 24B one by one. Therefore, the press unit 24B presses one electrode 20B.

  The press unit 24A and the press unit 24B are provided at locations of the transport path 70A and the transport path 70B that extend opposite to each other. Specifically, the portion formed by the transport portions 36A and 41A of the transport path 70A extends parallel to the X-axis direction. The portion formed by the transport portions 36B and 41B of the transport path 70B extends parallel to the X-axis direction. Therefore, the transport units 36A and 41A and the transport units 36B and 41B are opposed to each other in the Y-axis direction, and extend parallel to the X-axis direction. The press unit 24A is provided between the transport unit 36A and the transport unit 41A. The press unit 24B is provided between the transport unit 36B and the transport unit 41B.

  Further, in the transport path 70A, a positioning portion 38A is provided at a position adjacent to the upstream side of the press portion 24A. In the transport path 70B, a positioning portion 38B is provided at a position adjacent to the upstream side of the press portion 24B.

  The press unit 24A is disposed at a position shifted with respect to the press unit 24B in the transport direction. In the present embodiment, the press unit 24A is disposed at a position shifted to the upstream side in the transport direction with respect to the press unit 24B. That is, the press unit 24A is disposed on the positive side in the X-axis direction of the press unit 24B.

  Here, the press portion 24A includes a roller arrangement section 62A in which a pair of rollers 61 for sandwiching and pressing the electrode 20A is disposed, and a drive mechanism arrangement in which a drive mechanism such as a motor for driving the roller 61 is disposed. And a section 63A. The press portion 24B includes a roller placement section 62B in which a pair of rollers 61 for sandwiching and pressing the electrode 20B is disposed, and a drive mechanism placement section 63B in which a drive mechanism such as a motor for driving the roller 61 is disposed. And. Among these, the drive mechanism disposition sections 63A and 63B are portions that occupy a large volume as compared with the roller disposition sections 62A and 62B. The drive mechanism disposition sections 63A and 63B are disposed inside the space SP surrounded by the transport paths 70A and 70B. Since the press unit 24A is disposed at a position shifted from the press unit 24B in the transport direction, the drive mechanism arrangement section 63A of the press unit 24A is arranged without interference with the drive mechanism arrangement section 63B of the press unit 24B. Ru. The drive mechanism arrangement section 63A of the press unit 24A and the drive mechanism arrangement section 63B of the press unit 24B overlap each other in the X-axis direction.

  Further, the branch unit 22 transports the electrodes 20A and the electrodes 20B in the delivery direction (X-axis direction) by the suction conveyor 31 in a state where the electrodes 20A and the electrodes 20B are arranged in the direction orthogonal to the delivery direction. Further, the branching unit 22 branches the transport path 70A and the transport path 70B from any position in the delivery direction. The press unit 24A is shifted upstream with respect to the press unit 24B in the transport direction. Therefore, the transport path 70A branches from the branch portion 22 at a position shifted to the upstream side in the delivery direction with respect to the transport path 70B. That is, the transport path 70A branches from the branch portion 22 at a position on the positive side in the X-axis direction with respect to the transport path 70B.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the branch structure by the branch part 22 is demonstrated in detail. FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view showing a part of the electrode manufacturing apparatus 100. As shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic side view showing the electrode manufacturing apparatus 100. As shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line V-V shown in FIG. In addition, in order to make an understanding easy, in FIG. 4, a part of adsorption | suction conveyor 31 is shown by the virtual line. In FIG. 5, the conveying rollers 33a of the positioning portions 33A and 33B and the supporting structure thereof are not cross sectional views but are schematic side views showing a configuration in the case where it is assumed that the conveying rollers 33a are not inclined with respect to the X axis. There is.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the adsorption conveyor 31 includes at least a pair of rollers 51 disposed at both ends in the transport direction (X-axis direction), and an endless belt 52 stretched over the rollers 51. . The belt 52 has a portion 52 a bridged to the upper end side of the pair of rollers 51 and a portion 52 b bridged to the lower end sides of the pair of rollers 51. The suction conveyor 31 sucks the electrodes 20A and 20B on the lower surface 31d of the portion 52b on the lower end side of the belt 52. The belt 52 circulates as the roller 51 rotates. The roller 51 is driven so that the portion 52b on the lower end side of the belt 52 moves in the transport direction. Thus, the electrodes 20A and 20B attracted to the lower surface 31d of the belt 52 are transported in the transport direction as the portion 52b on the lower end side of the belt 52 moves. Further, the suction conveyor 31 has an edge 31a on the side where the electrode 20A is disposed (the negative side in the Y-axis direction) in the width direction, and on the side where the electrode 20B is disposed (the positive side in the Y-axis direction) It has an edge 31 b (see FIG. 4).

  Here, the suction conveyor 31 includes a suction box 53 between the upper end 52 a and the lower end 52 b of the belt 52. The suction box 53 is provided with an opening 53a on the lower surface side. The suction box 53 sucks air from the opening by being connected to a vacuum pump or blower separately disposed outside by a pipe line. On the other hand, in the belt 52, a plurality of through holes are formed substantially over the entire surface. Therefore, the lower surface 31 d of the suction conveyor 31 generates suction power through the plurality of through holes by suction of air by the suction box 53. The adsorption conveyor 31 is provided at least at a place where the electrodes 20A and 20B can pass.

  As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the branch unit 22 includes a transport unit 60A that transports the electrode 20A, and a transport unit 60B that transports the electrode 20B. The transport unit 60A is configured by a part of a suction conveyor 31 that sucks and transports the electrode 20A on the lower surface side. The conveyance part 60B is comprised by a part of adsorption | suction conveyor 31 which adsorb | sucks and conveys electrode 20B by the lower surface side. Specifically, the transport unit 60A is configured by an area on the edge 31a side (negative side in the Y-axis direction) in the suction conveyor 31 than the center position in the width direction. The transport unit 60B is configured by an area on the edge 31b side (positive side in the Y-axis direction) in the suction conveyor 31 than the center position in the width direction. In addition, although conveyance part 60A, 60B is comprised by the one part area | region of one adsorption conveyor 31, it may be comprised by two adsorption conveyors mutually independent.

  Positioning part 33A arranges electrode 20A on the upper surface side, and conveys it. The positioning portion 33A is disposed below the suction conveyor 31. The positioning portion 33 </ b> A is embedded in the lower surface side of the suction conveyor 31 from the edge 31 b of the suction conveyor 31. An end 33Aa on the upstream side (the negative side in the Y-axis direction) of the positioning portion 33A in the transport direction is disposed near the edge 31a of the suction conveyor 31. The positioning portion 33A extends further toward the positive side in the Y-axis direction than the edge portion 31b of the suction conveyor 31. The positioning portion 33A is disposed at a midway position in the transport direction of the suction conveyor 31. Specifically, the positioning portion 33A is disposed at a position separated from the downstream end portion 31c in the transport direction of the suction conveyor 31 on the upstream side in the transport direction.

  With such a configuration, the positioning portion 33A of the transport path 23A is disposed at a position different from the transport portion 60B in the vertical direction. Further, the positioning unit 33A intersects the transport unit 60B as viewed in the vertical direction. The positioning unit 33A intersects the transport unit 60B so as to be orthogonal to it. In the present embodiment, the transport path 23A is disposed below the transport unit 60A and has a portion that vertically overlaps with the transport unit 60A. Here, a portion near the end 33Aa on the upstream side in the transport direction of the positioning portion 33A overlaps the transport portion 60A. Further, when the conveyance path 23A passes below the conveyance unit 60B, the conveyance path 23A intersects with the conveyance unit 60B as viewed from above and below. The positioning portion 33A of the transport path 23A is orthogonal to the transport portion 60B. The height of the positioning portion 33A is set such that the electrode 20A conveyed on the upper surface of the positioning portion 33A does not interfere with the electrode 20B conveyed by the conveyance portion 60B.

  The positioning unit 33B arranges the electrode 20B on the upper surface side and conveys it. The positioning portion 33 </ b> B is embedded in the lower surface side of the suction conveyor 31 from the edge 31 a of the suction conveyor 31. An end 33 </ b> Ba on the upstream side (positive side in the Y-axis direction) of the positioning portion 33 </ b> B in the transport direction is disposed near the edge 31 b of the suction conveyor 31. The positioning portion 33 </ b> B extends further toward the negative side in the Y-axis direction than the edge portion 31 a of the suction conveyor 31. The positioning portion 33 </ b> B is disposed near the end portion 31 c on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the suction conveyor 31. The positioning portion 33B is disposed at a position shifted to the downstream side (negative side in the X-axis direction) in the conveyance direction of the suction conveyor 31 with respect to the positioning portion 33A.

  With such a configuration, the positioning portion 33B of the transport path 23B is disposed at a position different from the transport portion 60A in the vertical direction. Further, the positioning portion 33B does not intersect the transport portion 60A as viewed in the vertical direction. The positioning portion 33B intersects with a non-sucking portion 56 (details will be described later) provided on the downstream side of the transport portion 60A as viewed in the vertical direction. In the present embodiment, the transport path 23B is disposed below the transport unit 60B and has a portion that vertically overlaps with the transport unit 60B. Here, a portion near the upstream end portion 33Ba in the transport direction of the positioning portion 33B overlaps with the transport portion 60B. In addition, when the transport path 23B passes below the non-sucking portion 56, the non-sucking portion 56 intersects with the non-sucking portion 56 as viewed from above and below. The positioning portion 33B of the transport path 23B is orthogonal to the non-sucking portion 56.

  By being configured as described above, the electrode 20A transported by the transport unit 60A drops to a portion overlapping with the transport unit 60A in the positioning unit 33A. Thereby, the electrode 20A is transferred from the transport unit 60A to the positioning unit 33A, and is transported by the positioning unit 33A. In the transport unit 60A, the electrode 20A is transported to the negative side in the X-axis direction in a posture in which the tab 20f protrudes to the negative side in the Y-axis direction. Then, in the positioning section 33A, the electrode 20A is transported to the positive side in the Y-axis direction in a posture in which the tab 20f protrudes to the negative side in the Y-axis direction.

  Further, the electrode 20B transported by the transport unit 60B falls to a portion overlapping with the transport unit 60B in the positioning unit 33B. Thereby, the electrode 20B is transferred from the transport unit 60B to the positioning unit 33B, and is transported by the positioning unit 33B. In the transport unit 60B, the electrode 20B is transported to the negative side in the X-axis direction in a posture in which the tab 20f protrudes to the positive side in the Y-axis direction. Then, in the positioning portion 33B, the electrode 20B is transported to the negative side in the Y-axis direction in a posture in which the tab 20f protrudes to the positive side in the Y-axis direction.

  Here, the suction conveyor 31 has a mechanism for causing the positioning unit 33A to drop the electrode 20A transported by the transport unit 60A, and a mechanism for causing the positioning unit 33B to drop the electrode 20A transported by the transportation unit 60B. Have a mechanism of Although the said structure may be employ | adopted what kind of structure, the structure of the non adsorption | suction part 56 may be employ | adopted. The suction conveyor 31 has a non-sucking portion 56 in which suction of the electrodes 20A and 20B is suppressed or stopped on a part of a portion overlapping with the positioning portion 33A and a part of a portion overlapping the positioning portion 33B when viewed from the vertical direction. . The non-sucking portion 56 is a region where the suction power of the lower surface 31 d which is the suction surface is lower than that of the other portion or where the suction force is not generated. The non-sucking portion 56 may be configured, for example, by closing the opening 53 a of the suction box 53 with the blocking member 57 at a position corresponding to the non-sucking portion 56. By the opening 53a of the suction box 53 being closed by the blocking member 57, suction of air by the suction box 53 is not performed in the closed portion. Therefore, the suction force associated with the suction of the suction box 53 does not occur on the lower surface 31 d of the portion.

  In addition, the method for comprising the non adsorption | suction part 56 is not specifically limited. For example, when the suction box 53 divided into multiple parts is provided with respect to the adsorption conveyor 31, you may comprise the non-adsorption part 56 by abbreviate | omitting the suction box 53 in a corresponding part. As a result, in the non-sucking portion 56, suction by the suction box 53 is not performed, so that the suction force on the lower surface 31d is not generated. The suction force of the suction box 53 in the non-sucking portion 56 may be reduced by forming a through hole in the blocking member 57. In this case, the adsorptive power at the lower surface 31 d of the non-sucking portion 56 is lower than the adsorptive power at the portion where the blocking member 57 is not provided. In the state where the adsorption of the non-adsorption portion 56 is suppressed, even if the suction force generated by the lower surface of the non-adsorption portion 56 is applied to the entire area of the electrode 20A on the positioning portion 33A, the electrode 20A The adsorption force is suppressed to such an extent that the lower surface of the non-adsorption portion is not adsorbed.

  The path lengths of the electrode 20A and the electrode 20B of the electrode manufacturing apparatus 100 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the path length of the electrode 20A from the cutting portion 21 to the merging portion 27 and the path length of the electrode 20B are set to be substantially equal. The path length is the length of the path along which the electrodes 20A and 20B move by transportation.

  As described above, the transport path 70A branches from the branch portion 22 at a position shifted to the upstream side in the transport direction with respect to the transport path 70B. Therefore, the path length of the electrode 20A is shorter than that of the electrode 20B in the state of being transported by the cutting unit 21 in a state of being adsorbed to the adsorption conveyor 31. The path length of a portion of the transport path 70A extending in the Y-axis direction from the downstream end of the positioning portion 33A to the direction changing portion 39A, and the direction from the downstream end of the positioning portion 33B of the transport path 70B The path lengths of the portions extending in the Y-axis direction to the conversion portion 39B are approximately equal. The path lengths of the direction changing portions 39A and 39B are substantially equal.

  The path length of the portion extending in the X-axis direction from the direction changing portion 39A to the direction changing portion 43A in the transfer path 70A extends in the X axis direction from the direction changing portion 39B to the direction changing portion 43B in the transfer path 70B. Longer than the path length of the part. However, the difference in the path lengths is substantially equal to the difference in the path lengths in which the electrodes 20A and 20B are transported to the suction conveyor 31 (the electrode 20B is longer). The path lengths of the direction changing portions 43A and 43B are substantially equal. Of the transport path 70A, a path length of a portion extending in the Y-axis direction from the direction changing portion 43A to the merging portion 27 and a portion of the transport path 70B extending in the Y axis direction from the direction changing portion 43B to the merging portion 27 The path lengths are approximately equal.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, the path length of the electrode 20A from the cutting portion 21 to the merging portion 27 and the path length of the electrode 20B are set to be substantially equal. Thus, the electrode 20A and the electrode 20B that were paired when cut at the cutting portion 21 can be paired again at the time of merging at the merging portion 27. Further, even if the electrode 20A and the electrode 20B paired in the cutting unit 21 do not completely pair in the merging unit 27, the electrodes 20A and 20B close in timing when cut by the cutting unit 21 are paired in the merging unit 27 Can be If the timing of cutting by the cutting unit 21 is near, the conditions for variation in thickness of the active material layer in the sheet member 30 can be made close to each other. As described above, management of the electrodes 20A and 20B is facilitated by pairing the electrodes 20A and 20B that are paired at the time of cutting or electrodes 20A and 20B that are close in timing at the time of merging.

  Next, the operation and effects of the electrode manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  The electrode manufacturing apparatus 100 includes at least an electrode (first electrode) 20A and a cutting portion 21 forming an electrode (second electrode) 20B arranged in a direction orthogonal to the delivery direction. Thus, the electrodes 20A and the electrodes 20B formed in a state of being arranged in two rows are branched by the branch portion 22 into the conveyance path (first conveyance path) 70A and the conveyance path (second conveyance path) 70B. Ru. Then, a press portion (first press portion) 24A for pressing the electrode 20A is provided in the transport path 70A, and a press portion (second press portion) 24B for pressing the electrode 20B is provided in the transport path 70B. Be Therefore, the electrodes 20A and the electrodes 20B are not simultaneously transported in two rows to the press unit, but the electrodes 20A are transported one by one to the press unit 24A, and the electrodes 20B are transferred to the press unit 24B. It is transported one by one. As a result, since the electrodes 20A and 20B can be pressed one by one in each of the press portions 24A and 24B, the uniformity of the thickness of the electrodes 20A and 20B can be improved. Thus, the electrode manufacturing apparatus 100 suitable for the electrodes 20 arranged in a plurality of rows can be provided.

  The electrode manufacturing apparatus 100 further includes a joining portion 27 for joining the conveyance path 70A on the downstream side of the pressing portion 24A and the conveyance path 70B on the downstream side of the pressing portion 24B. The pressing portion 24A and the pressing portion 24B The conveyance path 70A and the conveyance path 70B are provided at locations opposed to each other in the Y-axis direction and extending in the X-axis direction, and the press portion 24A is disposed at a position shifted with respect to the press portion 24B in the conveyance direction. Good. In this case, the transport path 70 </ b> A and the transport path 70 </ b> B branch off at the branching portion 22 and merge at the merging portion 27. Therefore, the transport path 70A and the transport path 70B are annular as a whole. Further, the press unit 24A and the press unit 24B are provided at locations of the transport path 70A and the transport path 70B that extend opposite to each other. Therefore, among the press parts 24A and 24B, a large structure such as a drive mechanism can be disposed inside the transport path 70A and the transport path 70B. At this time, the press unit 24A is disposed at a position shifted with respect to the press unit 24B in the transport direction. Therefore, interference between the press portion 24A and the press portion 24B can be avoided inside the transport path 70A and the transport path 70B. Therefore, the layout of the electrode manufacturing apparatus 100 can be made compact. When the drive mechanism placement sections 63A and 63B are provided inside the roller placement sections 62A and 62B, the roller placement sections 62A and 62B can be easily accessed from the outside of the electrode manufacturing apparatus 100. Thereby, the maintainability of the electrode manufacturing apparatus 100 is improved.

  In the electrode manufacturing apparatus 100, the branch portion 22 transports the electrodes 20A and the electrodes 20B in the delivery direction in a state in which the electrodes 20A and the electrodes 20B are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the delivery direction, and transports the transport path 70A and the transport path from any position in the transport direction. When 70B is branched and the press part 24A is shifted upstream with respect to the press part 24B in the transport direction, the transport path 70A is branched at a position shifted upstream with respect to the transport path 70B in the delivery direction. When branched from the portion 22 and the press portion 24A is shifted downstream with respect to the press portion 24B in the transport direction, the transport path 70A is shifted at a position shifted downstream with respect to the transport path 70B in the delivery direction You may branch from 22. In this case, the direction in which the press portion 24A deviates with respect to the press portion 24B coincides with the direction in which the branch position of the transport path 70A deviates with respect to the branch position of the transport path 70B. In this case, it is possible to suppress shortening of the path length of the conveyance path (the conveyance part 36A) between the press part 24A and the branch part 22 which are shifted to the upstream side in the conveyance direction. In this case, when the attitude adjustment of the electrode 20A is performed on the upstream side of the press unit 24A, a sufficient path length for the attitude adjustment can be secured.

  In the electrode manufacturing apparatus 100, the transport path 70A is provided with a positioning portion (first positioning portion) 38A for positioning the electrode 20A in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction at a position adjacent to the upstream side of the press portion 24A. In the transport path 70B, a positioning portion (second positioning portion) 38B for positioning the electrode 20B in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction is provided at a position adjacent to the upstream side of the press portion 24B. As described above, when the positioning portion 38A is provided adjacent to the upstream side of the pressing portion 24A, a space for providing the positioning portion 38A is required on the upstream side of the pressing portion 24A. Therefore, the effect by making the direction of the shift of the press part 24A as described above coincide with the direction of the shift of the branch position becomes more remarkable. For example, when the branch position from the branch portion 22 of the transport path 70A and the branch position from the branch portion 22 of the transport path 70B are opposite to each other, the path length of the transport portion 36A becomes very short. In this case, it may be difficult to arrange the positioning unit 38A in the transport unit 36A. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the path length of the transport unit 36A is sufficiently secured. Therefore, a space for disposing the positioning portion 38A is secured in the transport portion 36A.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention and its modification were described, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment or the said modification.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the press unit 24A is offset upstream of the press unit 24B in the transport direction, and the branch position of the transport path 70A is offset upstream of the branch position of the transport path 70B. The Instead of this, the press part 24A may be shifted downstream in the transport direction than the press part 24B. Further, in response to this, the branch position of the transport path 70A may be shifted to the downstream side in the sending direction than the branch position of the transport path 70B. The press portions 24 and 24B may not be displaced from each other, and the branch positions may not be displaced from each other.

  The layout of each component of the electrode manufacturing apparatus may be appropriately changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  For example, an electrode manufacturing apparatus 200 shown in FIG. 6 may be employed. The electrode manufacturing apparatus 200 includes a cutting unit 201 and a branching unit 202. The electrode manufacturing apparatus 200 further includes a transport path 220A for transporting the electrode 20A and a transport path 220B for transporting the electrode 20B. The transport path 220A includes a curved conveyor 203A, a positioning unit 204A, a conveyor 206A, a pressing unit 207A, a conveyor 208A, a curved conveyor 209A, and a positioning unit 201A. The transport path 220B includes a curve conveyor 203B, a positioning unit 204B, a conveyor 206B, a press unit 207B, a conveyor 208B, a curve conveyor 209B, and a positioning unit 201B.

  The branch portion 202 transfers the electrodes 20A and 20B to the positive side in the X-axis direction so that the gap between the electrodes 20A and 20B becomes large in order to deliver the electrodes 20A and 20B to the curve conveyors 203A and 203B on the rear stage side. Transport Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the branch portion 202 includes a support portion 202 a that circulates in the transport direction, a placement member 202 b for placing the electrode 20 A, and a placement member 202 c for placing the electrode 20 B. And. The placement members 202b and 202c are slidably attached to the support portion 202a. In addition, a guide member (not shown) is provided below the placement members 202b and 202c, and the guide members are placed on the placement member 202b so that the gap between them spreads as the support portion 202a moves in the transport direction. , 202c. As shown in FIG. 6, the curve conveyors 203A and 203B receive the electrodes 20A and 20B from the branch portion 202, respectively, and turn 90 degrees in an arc shape so as to be away from the branch portion 202 in the Y axis direction. Thereby, the tab 20f of the electrode 20A faces the positive side in the Y-axis direction on the branch portion 202, and after being transported by the curve conveyor 203A, faces the negative side in the X-axis direction, that is, the upstream side in the transport direction. The tab 20f of the electrode 20B faces the negative side in the Y-axis direction on the branch portion 202, and after being transported by the curve conveyor 203B, faces the negative side in the X-axis direction, that is, the upstream side in the transport direction.

  As described above, the electrodes 20A and 20B in which the tab 20f is oriented toward the upstream side in the transport direction are transported to the positive side in the X-axis direction by the positioning portions 204A and 204B and the conveyors 206A and 206B, and the press portion 207A , 207B. Thereafter, the electrodes 20A and 20B are conveyed to the positive side in the X-axis direction by the conveyors 208A and 208B, and delivered to the curve conveyors 209A and 209B. The curved conveyor 209A turns the tab 20f to the positive side in the Y-axis direction by turning the electrode 20A 90 ° in an arc shape toward the negative side in the Y-axis direction. Thereafter, the electrode 20A is transported to the positive side in the X-axis direction by the positioning unit 210A in a state in which the opposite edge of the tab 20f is positioned. The curved conveyor 209B turns the tab 20f to the negative side in the Y-axis direction by turning the electrode 20B 90 ° in a circular arc toward the positive side in the Y-axis direction. Thereafter, the electrode 20B is transported to the positive side in the X-axis direction by the positioning portion 210B in a state in which the opposite edge of the tab 20f is positioned. The positioning units 210A and 210B also function as the merging unit 230.

  According to such an electrode manufacturing apparatus 200 as shown in FIG. 6, the use of the curved conveyors 203A and 203B allows the electrodes 20A and 20B to branch without being accompanied by a drop or a collision. It is possible to suppress powdering of substances. In addition, since the transport path extends straight in the X-axis direction in portions other than the curved conveyor, the electrode manufacturing apparatus 200 can make the layout compact.

  Further, an electrode manufacturing apparatus 300 shown in FIG. 8 may be employed. The electrode manufacturing apparatus 300 includes a cutting unit 301 and a branching unit 302. Moreover, the electrode manufacturing apparatus 300 is provided with the conveyance path 320A which conveys the electrode 20A, and the conveyance path 320B which conveys the electrode 20B. The transport path 320A includes a conveyor 303A, a positioning unit 304A, a press unit 306A, a conveyor 307A, and a positioning unit 310A. The transport path 320B includes a curve conveyor 303B, a positioning unit 304B, a press unit 306B, a conveyor 307B, a curve conveyor 308B, a conveyor 309B, and a positioning unit 310B.

  The branching unit 302 transfers the electrode 20A to the downstream conveyor 303A, and transports the electrodes 20A and 20B to the positive side in the X-axis direction so as to transfer the electrode 20B to the downstream curved conveyor 303B. The conveyor 303A transports the electrode 20A to the positive side in the X-axis direction so as to deliver the electrode 20A to the positioning unit 304A. The positioning unit 304A transports the electrode 20A to the negative side in the Y-axis direction. The electrode 20A is conveyed in a posture in which the tab 20f faces the positive side in the Y-axis direction from the branched portion 303 to the positioning portion 304A. The curved conveyor 303B receives the electrode 20B from the branch portion 302, and turns the electrode 20B in an arc shape by 180 °. Thus, the tab 20f of the electrode 20B faces the negative side in the Y-axis direction on the branch portion 302, and faces the positive side in the Y-axis direction after being transported by the curve conveyor 303B.

  The electrodes 20A and 20B in which the tab 20f is in the posture directed to the upstream side in the transport direction are transported to the press units 306A and 306B by the positioning units 304A and 304B. Thereafter, the electrode 20A is conveyed to the negative side in the Y-axis direction by the conveyor 307A, and is conveyed to the positive side in the X-axis direction by the positioning portion 310A in a state where the edge opposite to the tab 20f is positioned. . The electrode 20B is conveyed by the conveyor 307B to the negative side in the Y-axis direction, and is delivered to the curve conveyor 308B. The curved conveyor 308B turns the tab 20f to the negative side in the Y-axis direction by turning the electrode 20B in an arc shape by 180 °. Thereafter, the electrode 20B is transported to the positive side in the X-axis direction by the positioning unit 310B via the conveyor 309B in a state where the opposite edge of the tab 20f is positioned. The positioning units 310A and 310B also function as the merging unit 330.

  According to the electrode manufacturing apparatus 300 as shown in FIG. 8 as described above, the electrodes 20A and 20B are transported in the direction orthogonal to the delivery direction of the cutting unit 301, and are pressed by the pressing units 306B and 306A. In this case, the size of the electrode manufacturing apparatus 300 in the X-axis direction is compact. Therefore, when the space in the X axis direction of the installation place is small and it is easy to secure the space in the Y axis direction, the electrode manufacturing apparatus 300 can be installed smoothly.

  In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment and modification, the apparatus of the "double strip" which forms the electrode for two sheets in a transversal direction from the sheet member was illustrated. Instead of this, the electrode manufacturing apparatus may be configured to form three or more electrodes in the lateral direction from the sheet member. In this case, a transport path and a press unit corresponding to each electrode may be provided.

  20, 20A, 20B ... electrode, 21, 201, 301 ... cutting section, 22, 202, 302 ... branching section, 24A ... pressing section (first pressing section), 24B ... pressing section (second pressing section), 27, 230, 330 ... merging section, 38A ... positioning section (first positioning section), 38B ... positioning section (second positioning section), 70A ... transport path (first transport path), 70B ... transport path ( Second transport route), 100, 200, 300...

Claims (4)

An electrode manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing an electrode having an active material layer on both sides of a metal foil,
A cutting unit that forms at least a first electrode and a second electrode arranged in a direction orthogonal to the delivery direction by cutting and delivering the sheet member;
A first transport path for transporting the first electrode;
A second transport path for transporting the second electrode;
And a branching unit that branches the first electrode and the second electrode delivered from the cutting unit to the first transport path and the second transport path.
A first press unit for pressing the first electrode is provided in the first transport path,
The electrode manufacturing apparatus provided with the 2nd press part which presses a said 2nd electrode in a said 2nd conveyance path | route. It further comprises a joining portion for joining the first conveyance path downstream of the first press portion and the second conveyance path downstream of the second press portion,
The first press unit and the second press unit are provided at locations of the first transport path and the second transport path that extend opposite to each other.
The electrode manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first press unit is disposed at a position shifted with respect to the second press unit in the transport direction. The branch portion transports the first electrode and the second electrode in the delivery direction in a state in which the first electrode and the second electrode are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the delivery direction, and the first portion is transported from any position in the delivery direction. The transfer route and the second transfer route are branched,
When the first press unit is offset upstream with respect to the second press unit in the transport direction, the first transport route is upstream of the second transport route in the delivery direction. Branch from the branch at a position shifted to
In the case where the first press portion is offset to the downstream side in the transport direction with respect to the second press portion, the first transport path is downstream of the second transport path in the delivery direction. The electrode manufacturing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the branch part branches from the branch part at a position shifted to a position. In the first transport path, a first positioning portion is provided at a position adjacent to the upstream side of the first press portion to position the first electrode in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction;
In the second transport path, a second positioning portion is provided at a position adjacent to the upstream side of the second press portion to position the second electrode in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction. The electrode manufacturing apparatus of Claim 3.