JP2019117747A - Electrode manufacturing device, and electrode manufacturing method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an electrode manufacturing device capable of performing press and inspection in a state where an electrode is turned in an appropriate direction, and an electrode manufacturing method.SOLUTION: Press parts 24A and 24B press electrodes 20A and 20B in a state where an edge part 20a in which a tab 20e is formed extends in a direction orthogonal with a transfer direction, thereby suppressing crease generation or waviness generation. After the electrodes 20A and 20B are pressed in such a state, direction change parts 76A and 76B are capable of changing directions of the electrodes 20A and 20B with respect to the transfer direction. Therefore, the electrodes 20A and 20B are capable of changing the directions of the electrodes 20A and 20B with respect to the transfer direction into such a direction that the edge part 20a in which the tab 20e is formed extends in the transfer direction. Inspection parts 145 and 155 are capable of inspecting the electrodes 20A and 20B in a state where a width direction extends in an array direction of elements 120.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

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

  DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART Conventionally, what was described in patent document 1 as an electrode manufacturing apparatus which manufactures an electrode is known. In this electrode manufacturing apparatus, the electrode is conveyed by a conveyor, and the electrode is pressed by a press roller. The electrode has a longitudinal direction and a short direction, and has an uncoated portion of the active material layer on the edge side extending in the longitudinal direction.

Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2005-243581

  Here, after the electrode is pressed in the press unit, the inspection of the electrode is performed in the downstream inspection unit. Thus, when an electrode manufacturing apparatus performs a press and test | inspection, it is calculated | required that each process is performed in the state which made the direction of the electrode suitable direction.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an electrode manufacturing apparatus and an electrode manufacturing method capable of performing pressing and inspection in a state where the direction of the electrode is properly oriented.

  An electrode manufacturing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention is an electrode manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing an electrode having a longitudinal direction and a short direction, and having an uncoated portion of an active material layer on an edge side extending in the longitudinal direction. A press unit for pressing the electrode with a press roller, a first direction changing unit provided downstream of the press unit for changing the direction of the electrode with respect to the transport direction, and provided downstream of the first direction changing unit And an inspection unit that inspects the electrodes, and the inspection unit includes an array-type inspection apparatus in which elements are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction.

  Such an electrode manufacturing apparatus includes a press unit that presses the electrode with a press roller. By pressing the electrode in a state in which the edge portion where the uncoated portion is formed extends in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction, the press portion can suppress the occurrence of wrinkles and waviness. After pressing the electrode in such a state, the first direction changing unit can change the direction of the electrode with respect to the transport direction. Therefore, the electrode can change the direction of the electrode with respect to the transport direction such that the edge on which the uncoated portion is formed extends in the transport direction. That is, the electrode is transported to the inspection unit in a state in which the short direction extends in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction. Here, the inspection unit has an array-type inspection apparatus in which elements are arranged in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction. Therefore, the inspection unit can inspect the electrode in a state in which the short direction extends along the arrangement direction of the elements. That is, the inspection unit can perform the inspection with the visual field width based on the length in the short side direction shorter than the longitudinal direction. In this case, the inspection unit can narrow the field of view to a narrower range than the longitudinal direction, so that the inspection can be performed with high accuracy. As described above, pressing and inspection can be performed with the electrodes oriented properly.

  In the electrode manufacturing apparatus, by cutting the sheet member, a cutting portion forming an electrode in a state in which an edge portion in which the uncoated portion is formed extends in the transport direction, and a downstream side of the cutting portion and upstream of the pressing portion And a second direction changing unit provided on the side to change the direction of the electrode with respect to the transport direction. Thereby, the second direction changing unit can change the direction of the electrode even when the edge where the uncoated portion is formed extends in the transport direction at the time of cutting. Thereby, the press part can press the electrode of the state in which the edge part in which the uncoated part is formed extends in the direction orthogonal to a conveyance direction.

  The electrode manufacturing apparatus further includes a direction change unit provided between the press unit and the first direction change unit and performing direction change of the transfer direction in a state where the direction of the electrode with respect to the transfer direction is maintained. The electrode is fed and pressed in a direction along the transport direction of the electrode in the inspection unit, and the first direction changing unit transports the transport direction by changing the transport direction while maintaining the direction of the electrode with respect to the press unit. The orientation of the electrodes relative to the direction may be changed. In this case, the layout is such that the direction in which the electrodes are transported in the inspection unit and the direction in which the electrodes are sent in the press unit are the same, while appropriately orienting the electrodes in the press unit and the inspection unit as described above. It can be done.

  An electrode manufacturing method according to an aspect of the present invention is an electrode manufacturing method for manufacturing an electrode having a longitudinal direction and a short direction and having an uncoated portion of an active material layer on an edge side extending in the longitudinal direction. A pressing step of pressing the electrode in a state in which the edge on which the uncoated portion is formed extends in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction; and the direction of the electrode pressed in the pressing step, the edge on which the uncoated portion is formed And an inspection step of inspecting the electrode whose direction has been changed in the direction changing step, and in the inspection step, the elements are arranged in the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction. Test with an array-type inspection system.

  According to such an electrode manufacturing method, it is possible to obtain the same operation and effect as the electrode manufacturing device described above.

  According to the present invention, pressing and inspection can be performed with the electrodes oriented properly.

It is sectional drawing which shows the inside of the electrical storage apparatus manufactured using the electrode manufacturing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is the II-II sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is a schematic plan view showing the electrode manufacturing device concerning the embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic side view showing an electrode inspection device concerning an embodiment of the present invention. It is a typical block diagram which shows operation | movement of an electrode manufacturing apparatus. It is process drawing which shows the electrode manufacturing method concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the cutting | disconnection aspect of the electrode cut | disconnected from a sheet member by a cutting part. It is a figure which shows the cutting | disconnection aspect of the electrode cut | disconnected from a sheet member by a cutting part.

  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 manufactured by the electrode inspection apparatus according to the 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

  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. .

  When manufacturing the electricity storage device 1 configured as described above, after the positive electrode 8 or the negative electrode 9 is manufactured, the positive electrode 8 is processed into the positive electrode 11 with a separator. The positive electrode 11 with a separator and the negative electrode 9 are alternately stacked, and the positive electrode 11 with a separator and the negative electrode 9 are fixed to obtain an 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, and the inspection thereof. 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. In addition, the pressed positive electrode 8 and negative electrode 9 are inspected.

  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 schematic 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. Further, the electrode 20 is formed by being cut into the shape of the electrode at the cutting portion 21 and then pressed by the pressing portion. 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”. In the electrode manufacturing apparatus 100, an inspection is performed by the electrode inspection apparatus 82 after pressing to complete the electrode.

  The electrode manufacturing apparatus 100 corresponds to a cutting unit 21 for cutting the sheet member 30 into an electrode shape, press units 24A and 24B including a press roller for pressing the electrode 20 after cutting, and a first direction changing unit. The apparatus includes an orientation changer 76A, 76B that changes the orientation of the electrode 20 with respect to the transport direction, and an electrode inspection apparatus 82 that inspects the electrode after the orientation change. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the electrode manufacturing apparatus 100 corresponds to a second direction changing unit, and changes the direction of the electrode 20 with respect to the transport direction between the cutting unit 21 and the pressing units 24A and 24B. The change units 75A and 75B are provided. In addition, it includes direction changing parts 39A, 39B, 43A, 43B for changing the transport direction, a branch part 22 for double stripping, a merging part 27 and the like. Note that the direction changing units 75A and 75B, the direction changing units 39A, 39B, 43A, and 43B, or the branching units 22 and the merging unit 27 are the same as the number and the direction of simultaneous cutting of the electrodes 20 in the cutting unit 21 according to this embodiment. It depends on the specifications such as the layout of the document, and is not necessarily required if the specifications are different. The completed electrode 20 is subsequently sent to a post-process on the manufacturing line to assemble the storage device 1 using the electrode 20. Hereinafter, these configurations will be specifically described in detail.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the electrode manufacturing apparatus 100 includes a cutting portion 21 and a branching portion 22 in order from the upstream side in the transport direction. In addition, the electrode manufacturing apparatus 100 includes, in one of the lines branched from the branch portion 22, a conveyance path 23A, a press portion 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 in an order 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.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the cutting unit 21 is configured as a rotary die cutting type cutting device provided with a pair of rollers 21a and 21b. 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 21 a and 21 b of the cutting unit 21. The pair of rollers 21a and 21b is formed with a blade for cutting the sheet member 30 into a desired shape. Therefore, the pair of rollers 21a and 21b sandwich the sheet member 30 by the blade portion and 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 feeds the sheet 20 in the longitudinal direction of the sheet member 30, that is, in the delivery direction orthogonal to the direction in which the rotation axes of the rollers 21a and 21b extend, thereby forming the electrode 20. 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.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the cutting unit 21 forms an electrode 20 </ b> A and an electrode 20 </ b> B 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 cutting unit 21 cuts the sheet member 30 to form the electrodes 20A and 20B in a state in which the edge 20a on which the tab 20e is formed extends in the transport 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. 5, the electrode 20 has a rectangular shape including edges 20a and 20b opposed to each other in the short direction and edges 20c and 20d opposed to each other in the longitudinal direction. The edges 20a and 20b and the edges 20c and 20d are orthogonal to each other. A tab 20 e is formed on the edge 20 a side of the electrode 20. The tab 20e protrudes from the edge 20a. The tab 20 e is configured as an uncoated portion of the active material layer 20 g where the metal foil is exposed. The active material layer 20 g is the positive electrode active material layer 15 or the negative electrode active material layer 17. The uncoated portion may be formed to extend in the longitudinal direction not only in the tab 20 e but in the area near the edge 20 a.

  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. That is, in the electrodes 20A and 20B, the edge 20a extending in the longitudinal direction extends in the transport 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 adsorption 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, of the edge in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the suction conveyor 31. The suction conveyor 31 transfers the electrode 20B to the conveyance path 23B by dropping the electrode 20B conveyed from the cutting unit 21 at the position of the conveyance path 23B.

  The transport path 23A is a transport 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. That is, the transport unit 32A transports the electrode 20A in a state where the edge 20a extending in the longitudinal direction extends along the direction orthogonal to the transport direction. Thus, the electrode 20A is transferred from the branch portion 22 to the transport portion 32A, whereby the direction in the transport direction is changed. Therefore, the direction changing unit 75A configured to change the direction of the electrode 20A with respect to the transport direction is configured by the branch unit 22 and the transport unit 32A. The direction changing unit 75A changes the direction of the electrode 20A with respect to the conveyance direction by changing the conveyance direction while maintaining the direction of the electrode 20A with respect to the press unit 24A. The direction changing unit 75A changes the direction of the electrode 20A with respect to the transport direction by 90 ° by changing the transport direction by 90 °.

  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. That is, the electrode 20A is transported in a state where the edge 20a extending in the longitudinal direction extends along the direction orthogonal to the transport direction.

  The direction change unit 39A performs direction change of the transport direction, and directs the transport direction of the electrode 20A 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 electrode 20A is conveyed on the upstream side and the downstream side of the direction changing portion 39A while maintaining the state in which the longitudinally extending edge 20a extends in the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction.

  The pressing unit 24A presses the electrode 20A. The press unit 24A includes the pair 61. The press unit 24 </ b> A presses the electrode 20 </ b> A with the pair of press rollers 61. The pair of press rollers 61 are vertically arranged in parallel with each other. The rotation axes of the pair of press rollers 61 extend in parallel to the Y-axis direction. The electrode 20A is pressed by passing between the pair of press rollers 61. The press portion 24A presses the electrode 20A in a state where the edge 20a extending in the longitudinal direction extends along the direction orthogonal to the transport direction. The pressing unit 24A starts pressing the electrode 20A from the side of the edge 20b opposite to the tab 20e. The press unit 24A presses the electrode 20A while feeding it to the negative side in the X-axis direction.

  The transport path 26A is a transport path for transporting the electrode 20A from the press unit 24A to the merging unit 27. The conveyance path 26A includes a conveyance unit 41A, a conveyance unit 42A, and a direction changing 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. That is, on the upstream side and the downstream side of the direction changing portion 43A, the electrode 20A is conveyed while the state where the edge 20a extending in the longitudinal direction extends along the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction is maintained.

  The transport path 23B is a transport 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. That is, the transport unit 32B transports the electrode 20B in a state where the edge 20a extending in the longitudinal direction extends along the direction orthogonal to the transport direction. In the branch portion 22, the electrode 20B is transported in a state in which the longitudinally extending edge portion 20a extends along the transport direction. Thus, the electrode 20B is transferred from the branch portion 22 to the transport portion 32B, whereby the direction in the transport direction is changed. Therefore, the direction changing unit 75B configured to change the direction of the electrode 20B with respect to the conveyance direction is configured by the branch unit 22 and the conveyance unit 32B. The direction changing unit 75B changes the direction of the electrode 20B with respect to the conveyance direction by changing the conveyance direction while maintaining the direction of the electrode 20B with respect to the press unit 24B. The direction changing unit 75B changes the direction of the electrode 20B with respect to the transport direction by 90 ° by changing the transport direction by 90 °.

  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. That is, the electrode 20B is transported in a state where the edge 20a extending in the longitudinal direction extends along the direction orthogonal to the transport direction.

  The pressing unit 24B presses the electrode 20B. The press unit 24 </ b> B includes a pair of press rollers 61. The press unit 24B has the same structure as the press unit 24A. The press portion 24B presses the electrode 20B in a state where the edge 20a extending in the longitudinal direction extends along the direction orthogonal to the transport direction. The pressing unit 24B starts pressing the electrode 20B from the side of the edge 20b opposite to the tab 20e. The press unit 24B presses the electrode 20A while feeding it to the negative side in the X-axis direction.

  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. That is, on the upstream side and the downstream side of the direction changing portion 43B, the electrode 20B is conveyed while the state where the edge 20a extending in the longitudinal direction extends along the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction is maintained.

  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 end on the positive side 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 conveyance 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 conveyance 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. That is, the merging portion 27 transports the electrodes 20A and 20B in a state where the edge 20a extending in the longitudinal direction extends along the transport direction. In the transport units 42A and 42B, the electrodes 20A and 20B are transported in a state where the edge 20a extending in the longitudinal direction extends along the direction orthogonal to the transport direction. As described above, the electrodes 20A and 20B are transferred from the transport units 42A and 42B to the merging unit 27, so that the direction in the transport direction is changed. Therefore, direction change parts 76A and 76B which change direction of electrode 20A and 20B to a conveyance direction are constituted by conveyance parts 42A and 42B and junction part 27. The direction changing units 76A and 76B change the direction of the electrodes 20A and 20B with respect to the transport direction by changing the transport direction while maintaining the direction of the electrodes 20A and 20B with respect to the press units 24A and 24B. The direction changing units 75A and 75B change the direction of conveyance of the electrodes 20A and 20B by 90 degrees by changing the direction of conveyance by 90 degrees.

  A buffer device 81 for storing the electrodes 20A and 20B and a processing device 83 for post-processing the electrodes 20A and 20B after inspection are disposed in the electrode manufacturing apparatus 100 as equipment related to the post process in the manufacturing line. Ru. The buffer device 81 is disposed between the merging portion 27 and the electrode inspection device 82. The buffer device 81 is formed of, for example, a servo loop device, and receives the electrodes 20A and 20B from the merging section 27 and delivers the electrodes 20A and 20B downstream with appropriate timing. The processing unit 83 is disposed downstream of the electrode inspection unit 82. For example, when the electrodes 20A and 20B are positive electrodes, the processing device 83 may be configured by a packaging device or the like that wraps the positive electrodes with a separator.

  Next, the electrode inspection apparatus 82 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic side view showing the electrode inspection apparatus 82. As shown in FIG. The dimension in the longitudinal direction of the electrode 20 to be inspected is 100 to 200 mm, the dimension in the lateral direction is 100 to 200 mm, and the thickness may be 10 to 200 μm. The dimension in the lateral direction also includes the dimension of the tab 20e (see L1 in FIG. 5). Also, the longitudinal dimension is longer than the latitudinal dimension.

  The electrode inspection apparatus 82 is an apparatus which inspects the electrode 20 after the electrode 20 is cut and pressed. The electrodes 20 that have been inspected by the electrode inspection device 82 are transported by the transport conveyor 170 and supplied to the processing device 83. The transport conveyor 170 is provided with crosspieces 171 provided on the belt at a predetermined pitch, and conveys the electrodes 20 to the processing device 83 in a state in which the crosspieces 171 position the electrodes 20.

  The electrode inspection device 82 includes an alignment conveyor 130, an adsorption conveyor 140, an inspection unit 145, an adsorption conveyor 150, an inspection unit 155, and an adsorption conveyor 160. In the following description, the direction in which the electrode inspection device 82 transports the electrode 20 is referred to as “transport direction D1”.

  The alignment conveyor 130 conveys the electrodes 20 and adjusts the attitude of the electrodes 20. The alignment conveyor 130 includes a roller 131 and a restricting portion 132. The roller 131 transports the electrode 20 in the transport direction D1 by rotating. Further, the roller 131 can move the electrode 20 to one side in the width direction by the inclination of the attachment angle. Here, the roller 131 brings the electrode 20 in the direction in which the restricting portion 132 is provided in the width direction. The restricting portion 132 is, for example, a side wall having a flat surface rising upward from the roller 131 on one side in the width direction of the alignment conveyor 130. Accordingly, the electrode 20 is moved to one side in the width direction while being conveyed in the transport direction D1 by the roller 131, and the position and the attitude in the width direction are adjusted by the restriction portion 132 by contacting the restriction portion 132. . In addition, the control part 132 may be a belt in which the plane in contact with the electrode 20 moves in the transport direction.

  The adsorption conveyor 140 adsorbs the electrode 20 from the upper side, and transports the electrode 20. The adsorption conveyor 140 extends from the position facing the downstream end of the alignment conveyor 130 along the transport direction D1. The adsorption conveyor 140 adsorbs the electrode 20 transported by the alignment conveyor 130 to the lower surface 140 a. The suction conveyor 140 can suction the electrode 20 in contact with the lower surface 140 a by suctioning from the back side of the lower surface 140 a with a suction device. The adsorption conveyor 140 conveys the electrode 20 in the conveyance direction D1 in a state where the electrode 20 is adsorbed to the lower surface 140a.

  The inspection unit 145 inspects the electrode 20 conveyed by the suction conveyor 140 from the lower side. The inspection unit 145 is disposed at a position facing the lower surface 140 a of the suction conveyor 140 on the lower side. The inspection unit 145 is configured by an inspection device that inspects the electrode 20 adsorbed on the lower surface 140 a of the adsorption conveyor 140 from below. The details of the inspection apparatus will be described later. The inspection unit 145 transmits the data acquired by the inspection to a control device (not shown). The control device (not shown) processes the data and inspects the posture and shape of the electrode 20, the peeling of the active material, and the presence or absence of a defective state such as a hole.

  The adsorption conveyor 150 adsorbs the electrode 20 from the lower side by the upper surface 150 a and transports the electrode 20. The adsorption conveyor 150 extends from the position facing the downstream end of the adsorption conveyor 140 along the transport direction D1. The suction conveyor 150 is provided below the suction conveyor 140. The upper surface 50 a of the suction conveyor 150 is disposed below the lower surface 140 a of the suction conveyor 140. The suction conveyor 150 places the cut electrode 20 on the upper surface 150 a. In addition, the suction conveyor 150 can suction the electrode 20 in contact with the upper surface 150a by suctioning from the back side of the upper surface 150a with a suction device. The adsorption conveyor 150 conveys the electrode 20 in the conveyance direction D1 in a state where the electrode 20 is adsorbed to the upper surface 150a.

  The inspection unit 155 inspects the electrode 20 conveyed by the suction conveyor 150 from the upper side. The inspection unit 155 is disposed at a position facing the upper surface 150 a of the suction conveyor 150 at the upper side. The inspection unit 155 is configured by an inspection device that inspects the electrodes 20 placed on the upper surface 150 a of the suction conveyor 150 from below. The details of the inspection apparatus will be described later. The inspection unit 155 transmits the acquired data to a control device (not shown). The control device (not shown) processes the data and inspects the posture and shape of the electrode 20, the peeling of the active material, and the presence or absence of a defective state such as a hole.

  The adsorption conveyor 160 adsorbs the electrode 20 from the upper side by the lower surface 160 a and transports the electrode 20. The suction conveyor 40 extends from the position near the downstream end of the suction conveyor 50 along the transport direction D1. The suction conveyor 60 is provided above the suction conveyor 50. The lower surface 60 a of the suction conveyor 60 is disposed above the upper surface 50 a of the suction conveyor 50. The suction conveyor 160 is provided with a discharge mechanism for dropping the electrode 20 relating to the rejected product. The discharge mechanism may drop the electrode 20 by, for example, blowing air from above. The discharge mechanism drops the electrode 20 determined to be rejected based on the inspection result of the inspection unit 145, 155, and collects the electrode 20 in the collection box 193. The adsorption conveyor 160 adsorbs the electrode 20, which is classified as a accepted product, on the lower surface 160a. The suction conveyor 160 can suction the electrode 20 in contact with the lower surface 160 a by suctioning from the back side of the lower surface 160 a with a suction device. The adsorption conveyor 160 conveys the electrode 20 in the conveyance direction D1 in a state where the electrode 20 is adsorbed to the lower surface 160a. The suction conveyer 60 delivers the electrode 20 to the transfer conveyer 170.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 5, the inspection devices 146 and 156 that the inspection units 145 and 155 have will be described. The inspection devices 146 and 156 are array-type devices in which the elements 120 are arranged in the direction (Y-axis direction) orthogonal to the transport direction and the vertical direction. The inspection devices 146 and 156 may be cameras (for example, line cameras) that perform inspections by imaging. When the inspection devices 146 and 156 are imaging type inspection devices, an imaging device such as a CMOS or a CCD is employed as the element 120. The elements 120 are linearly arranged in a straight line along the Y-axis direction. The elements 120 may be arranged in at least one row in the transport direction, but may be arranged in a plurality of rows.

  The electrodes 20A and 20B are transported in a state (parallel to the X axis) in which the longitudinally extending edge portion 20a extends along the transport direction. In this case, the edge portions 20c and 20d in the short direction of the electrodes 20A and 20B extend along the arrangement direction of the elements 120 of the inspection devices 146 and 156. In the present embodiment, the edge portions 20c and 20d in the short side direction of the electrodes 20A and 20B are parallel to the arrangement direction of the elements 120 of the inspection devices 146 and 156, but the range does not affect the inspection. It may be inclined. In this case, the visual field width of the inspection devices 146 and 156 with respect to the electrodes 20A and 20B is “L1” which is the sum of the lengths of the edge portions 20c and 20d and the protrusion amount of the tab 20e. "L1" is smaller than the length "L2" of the longitudinal edges 20a, 20b. The smaller the detection range of the one element 120, the more finely the element 120 can be inspected. Therefore, when the visual field width is “L1 (+ α)”, the inspection devices 146 and 156 can perform the inspection with high accuracy as compared to the case where “L2 (+ α)”.

  The number of inspection devices 146 and 156 with respect to the electrodes 20A and 20B per sheet is not particularly limited, and one detection may be performed, but a plurality of (for example, two) inspection devices 146 and 156 may be used as the elements 120. The detectable width may be increased by arranging in the arrangement direction (Y-axis direction). The inspection devices 146 and 156 are not limited to the imaging device as long as they can inspect the electrode 20, and may be employed as long as they are array type devices in which elements are arrayed. For example, as the inspection devices 146 and 156, devices that detect electromagnetic waves, magnetism, and the like may be employed. For example, as the inspection devices 146 and 156, a proximity sensor (a photodiode such as a CCD for detecting near infrared light is used, or a piezoelectric element for detecting an ultrasonic wave is used), a laser displacement meter (CCD for detecting a laser, etc. The photo diode of (1), thermography (a photo diode such as a CCD for detecting far infrared light is used), a magnetic sensor, an X-ray camera and the like are applied.

  Next, with reference to FIG.5 and FIG.6, the electrode manufacturing method which concerns on this embodiment is demonstrated. First, the cutting unit 21 executes the cutting step of forming the electrodes 20A and 20B by cutting the sheet member 30 (step S10). At this time, the electrodes 20A and 20B are transported in a state where the edge 20a extending in the longitudinal direction extends along the transport direction. For example, as shown in FIG. 7A, the sheet member 30 has a coated region 91 in which an active material layer is formed at the center position in the width direction, and uncoated regions 92A and 92B on both sides in the width direction. Have. The cutting unit 21 cuts out two rows of the electrodes 20 (portions corresponding to the active material layer 20 g) from the coated region 91, and cuts out the tabs 20e of the electrodes 20 in each row from the uncoated regions 92A and 92B.

  Thereafter, the direction changing units 75A and 75B execute a direction changing process of changing the direction of the electrodes 20A and 20B with respect to the transport direction (step S20). The electrodes 20A and 20B are changed in orientation so that the longitudinally extending edge portion 20a extends along a direction orthogonal to the transport direction. The direction change units 39A and 39B perform the direction change process of changing the direction of the electrodes 20A and 20B with respect to the press units 24A and 24B by changing the direction of the transport direction (step S30). A pressing step of pressing the electrodes 20A and 20B in a state where the edge portions 20a extending in the longitudinal direction extend along the direction orthogonal to the transport direction is performed (step S40).

  The direction change units 43A and 43B perform the direction change process of changing the direction of the electrodes 20A and 20B with respect to the press units 24A and 24B by changing the direction of the transport direction (step S50). The direction changing units 76A and 76B execute a direction changing process of changing the direction of the electrodes 20A and 20B with respect to the transport direction (step S60). The electrodes 20A and 20B are changed in direction so that the longitudinally extending edge 20a extends along the transport direction. The inspection units 145 and 155 execute an inspection process of inspecting the electrodes 20A and 20B whose orientations have been changed in the orientation change process S60 (step S70). In the inspection step S70, the array-type inspection devices 146 and 156 in which the elements 120 are arranged in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction are electrodes 20A and 20B in a state where the edge 20a extends in the longitudinal direction in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction. To check.

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

  The electrode manufacturing apparatus 100 includes press units 24A and 24B that press the electrodes 20A and 20B with the press roller 61. For example, when the pressing portions 24A and 24B start pressing the electrodes 20A and 20B from the side of the edge portions 20c and 20d, wrinkles and waves may occur. On the other hand, in the press portions 24A and 24B, wrinkles are generated by pressing the electrodes 20A and 20B in a state in which the edge portion 20a on which the tab 20e (uncoated portion) is formed extends in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of swell. After pressing the electrodes 20A and 20B in such a state, the direction changing units (first direction changing units) 76A and 76B can change the direction of the electrodes 20A and 20B with respect to the transport direction. Therefore, the electrodes 20A and 20B can change the orientation of the electrodes 20A and 20B in the transport direction such that the edge 20a on which the tab 20e is formed extends in the transport direction. That is, the electrodes 20A and 20B are transported to the inspection units 145 and 155 in a state in which the short direction extends in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction. Here, the inspection units 145 and 155 have array type inspection devices 146 and 156 in which the elements 120 are arranged in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction. Therefore, the inspection units 145 and 155 can inspect the electrodes 20A and 20B in a state in which the lateral direction extends along the arrangement direction of the elements 120. That is, the inspection units 145 and 155 can perform the inspection with the visual field width based on the length (L1) in the short direction shorter than the longitudinal direction. In this case, the inspection units 145 and 155 can narrow the visual field width to a range narrower than the longitudinal direction, so that the inspection can be performed with high accuracy. In addition, in the case where a plurality of inspection devices 146 and 156 are arranged for one electrode, the length (L1) to be inspected may be shortened to inspect the longitudinal length (L2). It is also possible to reduce the number of inspection devices 146 and 156. As described above, pressing and inspection can be performed with the electrodes 20A and 20B oriented properly.

  In the electrode manufacturing apparatus 100, the cutting portion 21 which cuts the electrodes 20A and 20B from the sheet member 30 in a state where the edge 20a on which the tab 20e is formed extends in the transport direction, and the pressing portion 24A downstream of the cutting portion 21 , 24B, and further includes direction changing units (second direction changing units) 75A and 75B that change the direction of the electrodes 20A and 20B with respect to the transport direction. Thus, even when the edge 20a on which the tab 20e is formed extends in the transport direction, the electrodes 20A and 20B can change the direction of the electrodes 20A and 20B at the time of cutting. it can. Thus, the press portions 24A and 24B can press the electrodes 20A and 20B in a state in which the edge portion 20a on which the tab 20e is formed extends in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction.

  In the electrode manufacturing apparatus 100, a direction changing unit which is provided between the pressing units 24A and 24B and the direction changing units 76A and 76B and performs direction change of the transfer direction while maintaining the direction of the electrodes 20A and 20B with respect to the transfer direction. 43 A and 43 B are further provided, and the pressing parts 24 A and 24 B send the electrodes 20 A and 20 B in the direction along the conveyance direction of the electrodes 20 A and 20 B in the inspection parts 145 and 155 and press them, and the direction changing parts 76 A and 76 B The direction of the electrodes 20A and 20B with respect to the transport direction is changed by changing the transport direction while maintaining the direction of the electrodes 20A and 20B with respect to the press portions 24A and 24B. In this case, while the directions of the electrodes 20A and 20B in the press units 24A and 24B and the inspection units 145 and 155 are appropriately oriented as described above, the directions in which the electrodes 20A and 20B are transported in the inspection units 145 and 155 The layout can be such that the direction in which the electrodes 20A and 20B are sent is the same in the portions 24A and 24B.

  The electrode manufacturing method according to the present embodiment manufactures the electrodes 20A and 20B having the longitudinal direction and the short direction and having the tab 20e which is the uncoated portion of the active material layer on the side of the edge 20a extending in the longitudinal direction. A method of manufacturing an electrode, the press step S40 of pressing the electrodes 20A and 20B in a state where the edge 20a on which the tab 20e is formed extends in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction, and the electrodes 20A and 20B pressed in the press step S40 A direction changing step S60 in which the edge 20a on which the tab 20e is formed extends in the transport direction, and an inspection step S70 in which the electrodes 20A and 20B whose orientation is changed in the direction changing step S60 are inspected. In the inspection step S70, inspection is performed by array type inspection devices 146 and 156 in which the elements 120 are arranged in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction.

  According to such an electrode manufacturing method, it is possible to obtain the same operation and effect as the electrode manufacturing device 100 described above.

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

  For example, the cutting mode when the cutting unit cuts the electrode from the sheet member is not limited to that shown in FIG. 7 (a). For example, the cutting mode shown in FIG. 7 (b) may be employed. In this case, the sheet member 190 has the coated portion 191 at the center position in the width direction, and the uncoated portions 192A and 192B at both ends. Further, the coated portions 191 are formed at a predetermined pitch in the longitudinal direction, and uncoated portions 133 are formed between the coated portions 191. In this case, the electrodes 20 are formed intermittently in the longitudinal direction of the sheet member 190. Also, for example, a cutting mode shown in FIG. 7 (c) may be adopted. In this case, the sheet member 230 has the coated portion 231 at the center position in the width direction, and the uncoated portions 232A and 232B at both ends. In addition, an uncoated portion 234 is formed at the central position of the coated portion 231. In this case, the rows of the electrodes 20 are separated from each other through the uncoated portion 234. Also, for example, a cutting mode shown in FIG. 8 (a) may be adopted. In this case, the sheet member 330 has the coated portion 331 at the center position in the width direction, and the uncoated portions 332A and 332B at both ends. Further, the coated portions 331 are formed at a predetermined pitch in the longitudinal direction, and uncoated portions 333 are formed between the coated portions 331. In addition, an uncoated portion 334 is formed at the central position in the width direction of the coated portion 331. In this case, the electrode 20 is formed in a state of being separated from the other electrodes 20.

  Moreover, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the cutting part formed the electrode of the state in which the edge part 20a in which the tab 20e is formed extends in the direction along a conveyance direction. Alternatively, the cutting portion may form an electrode in a state in which the edge 20a extends in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction. For example, the cutting mode shown in FIG. 8 (b) may be employed. In this case, the sheet member 430 has the coated portion 431 at the center position in the width direction, and the uncoated portions 432A and 432B at both ends. Further, the coated portions 431 are formed at a predetermined pitch in the longitudinal direction, and uncoated portions 433 are formed between the coated portions 431. Then, the tab 20 e is formed on the uncoated portion 433. Alternatively, a cutting mode shown in FIG. 8 (c) may be employed. In this case, the sheet member 530 has the coated portion 531 at the center position in the width direction, and the uncoated portions 532A and 532B at both ends. Moreover, the coating part 531 is formed in a longitudinal direction at a predetermined pitch, and the uncoated part 533 is formed between the coating parts 531. Moreover, the uncoated part 534 is formed in the center position of the width direction of the coated part 531. In this case, the electrode 20 is formed in a state of being separated from the other electrodes 20. Also, the tab 20 e is formed on the uncoated portion 533.

  As shown in FIGS. 8B and 8C, when forming an electrode in a state in which the cutting portion extends in a direction along the direction orthogonal to the transport direction, the pressing portions 24A and 24B and the cutting portion 21 are formed. And the direction changing units 75A and 75B may be omitted. At that time, a device may be provided to increase the distance between the electrode 20A transported from the cutting unit 21 and the electrode 20B and transport the press unit 24A or 24B.

  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, the feed direction of the electrodes 20A and 20B of the press units 24A and 24B may be orthogonal to the transport direction of the electrodes 20A and 20B of the inspection units 145 and 155. In this case, after the electrodes 20A and 20B are sent from the press parts 24A and 24B, the direction changing part (without passing through the direction changing part) maintains the direction with respect to the press parts 24A and 24B, and only 90 in the transport direction. ° Change may be made. Then, the electrodes 20A and 20B may be conveyed straight to the inspection units 145 and 155 as they are.

  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 form one electrode in the short direction from the sheet member, or may be configured to form three or more electrodes.

  Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the storage device 1 is a lithium ion secondary battery, but the present invention is not particularly limited to a lithium ion secondary battery, for example, other secondary batteries such as a nickel hydrogen battery, an electric double layer The present invention is also applicable to stacking of electrodes in a storage device such as a capacitor or a lithium ion capacitor.

  20, 20A, 20B ... electrode, 21 ... cutting section, 24A, 24B ... pressing section, 30, 190, 230, 330, 430, 530 ... sheet member, 43A, 43B ... direction changing section, 75A, 75B ... direction changing section (Second direction changing unit), 76A, 76B ... direction changing unit (first direction changing unit), 120 ... element, 145, 155 ... inspection unit, 146, 156 ... inspection device, 100 ... electrode manufacturing device.

Claims (4)

An electrode manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing an electrode having a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction and having an uncoated portion of an active material layer on an edge side extending in the longitudinal direction,
A press unit that presses the electrode with a press roller;
A first direction changing unit provided downstream of the press unit and changing the direction of the electrode with respect to the transport direction;
An inspection unit provided on the downstream side of the first direction changing unit and inspecting the electrode;
The said inspection part is an electrode manufacturing apparatus which has an array type inspection apparatus with which an element is arranged in the direction orthogonal to the said conveyance direction. A cutting portion for forming the electrode in a state in which the edge portion on which the uncoated portion is formed extends in the transport direction by cutting the sheet member;
The electrode manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a second direction changing unit provided downstream of the cutting unit and upstream of the pressing unit and changing the direction of the electrode with respect to the transport direction. . The device further comprises a direction change unit provided between the press unit and the first direction change unit, and performing direction change of the transfer direction while maintaining the direction of the electrode with respect to the transfer direction,
The press unit feeds and presses the electrode in a direction along the conveyance direction of the electrode in the inspection unit.
The first direction changing unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the direction of the electrode with respect to the conveyance direction is changed by changing the conveyance direction while maintaining the direction of the electrode with respect to the press unit. Electrode manufacturing equipment. An electrode manufacturing method for manufacturing an electrode having a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction and having an uncoated portion of an active material layer on an edge side extending in the longitudinal direction,
A pressing step of pressing the electrode in a state in which the edge on which the uncoated portion is formed extends in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction;
A direction changing step of changing the direction of the electrode pressed in the pressing step so that the edge where the uncoated portion is formed extends in the transport direction;
An inspection step of inspecting the electrode whose direction has been changed in the direction changing step;
The electrode manufacturing method which inspects with an inspection machine of array type by which an element is arranged in the direction which intersects perpendicularly with the transportation direction at the inspection process.