JP2021002427A - Device for manufacturing power storage device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a device for manufacturing a power storage device, capable of reducing the cost and the manufacturing cost of a power storage device.SOLUTION: A device for manufacturing a power storage device that includes a cell stack held by a pair of end plates and a pair of restraint plates includes: a turntable on which the cell stack, the pair of end plates and the pair of restraint plates can be placed; a welding unit which is located on one side in a first direction from the central axis of the turntable in plan view and which welds the pair of end plates and the pair of restraint plates placed on the turntable; and a first restraint unit which restrains, along the first direction, the cell stack and the pair of end plates placed on the turntable. The first restraint unit includes: a first pressing device which presses one of the pair of end plates placed on the turntable; and a second pressing device which presses the other of the pair of end plates placed on the turntable. One of the first pressing device and the second pressing device, which is closer to the welding unit, has a higher pressing force than the other of the first pressing device and the second pressing device, which is far from the welding unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a manufacturing device for a power storage device.

As a kind of power storage device, there is an assembled battery (cell stack) composed of a plurality of arranged battery cells (cells). Patent Document 1 below discloses an embodiment in which a plurality of cells arranged in a row are held by a pair of end plates and bolts and nuts.

JP-A-2015-79564

In the case of the above-described embodiment, the number of parts (that is, the number of bolts and nuts) for holding the cell stack tends to increase from the viewpoint of reliably holding a plurality of cells. Therefore, the cost of the power storage device and the manufacturing cost are high.

An object of the present invention is to provide a power storage device manufacturing device capable of reducing the cost and manufacturing cost of the power storage device.

The power storage device manufacturing device according to one aspect of the present invention is a power storage device manufacturing device including a cell stack held by a pair of end plates and a pair of restraint plates. The manufacturing apparatus is located on a turntable on which a cell stack, a pair of end plates and a pair of restraint plates can be arranged, and on one side in the first direction from the central axis of the turntable in a plan view. It includes a welding unit for welding a pair of end plates and a pair of restraint plates to be formed, and a first restraint unit for restraining a cell stack and a pair of end plates arranged on a turntable along a first direction. The first restraint unit has a first pressing device that presses one of the pair of end plates arranged on the turntable and a second pressing device that presses the other of the pair of end plates arranged on the turntable. Of the first pressing device and the second pressing device, the pressing force closer to the welding unit is larger than the pressing force farther from the welding unit.

Since the manufacturing apparatus includes a turntable, the cell stack or the like arranged on the turntable can also be rotated. Therefore, even when the manufacturing apparatus includes a single welding unit, both of the pair of end plates can be welded to the pair of restraint plates. By fixing the pair of end plates and the pair of restraint plates for holding the cell stack by welding in this way, the number of parts for holding the cell stack can be reduced. Further, the area occupied by the manufacturing apparatus can be reduced in a plan view. In addition, the first restraint unit includes a first pressing device that presses one of the pair of end plates arranged on the turntable and a second pressing device that presses the other of the pair of end plates arranged on the turntable. Of the first pressing device and the second pressing device, the pressing force closer to the welding unit is larger than the pressing force farther from the welding unit. As a result, it is possible to suppress variations in the positions of the end plates located near the welding unit among the pair of end plates arranged on the turntable. Therefore, the end plate and the restraint plate can be satisfactorily welded without correcting the welding position by, for example, image processing. Therefore, the configuration of the manufacturing apparatus itself can be simplified. Therefore, by using such a manufacturing apparatus, it is possible to reduce the cost of the power storage device and the manufacturing cost.

The manufacturing apparatus may further include a cell stack arranged on a turntable and a second restraint unit for restraining a pair of restraint plates in a second direction intersecting the first direction in a plan view. In this case, the positions of the cell stack and the pair of restraint plates arranged on the turntable along the second direction are well defined. As a result, the end plate and the restraint plate can be welded well.

The second restraint unit may be fixed to the turntable. In this case, the turntable can be rotated while restraining the cell stack and the pair of restraint plates. As a result, it is possible to suppress the displacement of the cell stack or the like due to the rotation of the turntable.

The first pressing device and the second pressing device are fixed to the turntable, and the first restraint unit includes a first pressing force adjusting device for adjusting the pressing force of the first pressing device and a pressing force of the second pressing device. It may further have a second pressing force adjusting device for adjusting the pressure. In this case, the turntable can be rotated while restraining the cell stack and the pair of end plates. As a result, it is possible to suppress the displacement of the cell stack or the like due to the rotation of the turntable. In addition, by using the first pressing force adjusting device and the second pressing force adjusting device, each of the first pressing device and the second pressing device can exert the pressing force according to the position after rotation. Therefore, the pressing force of the first pressing device and the second pressing device, whichever is closer to the welding unit, can always be increased.

The first pressing force adjusting device and the second pressing force adjusting device are separated from each other with respect to the turntable, and the rotation angle of the turntable may be 135 ° or more and 225 ° or less. In this case, it is possible to improve the life of the pipe connecting the first pressing device and the first pressing pressure adjusting device, and the life of the piping connecting the second pressing device and the second pressing pressure adjusting device.

The first pressing device and the second pressing device are fixed to the turntable, the first restraint unit is fixed to the turntable, and the first coupler attached to the first pressing device and the first coupler are fixed to the turntable. 2 The second coupler attached to the pressing device and both the first coupler and the second coupler can be attached to and detached, and the pressing force of one of the first pressing device and the second pressing device is set to the first pressing force. A second pressing force that is removable from both the first pressing force setting device and the first coupler and the second coupler, and the pressing force of the other of the first pressing device and the second pressing device is smaller than the first pressing force. It further has a second pressing force setting device for setting the pressing force, and the first pressing force setting device and the second pressing force setting device are separated from each other with respect to the turntable, and the first pressing force is set. The setting device may be located closer to the welding unit than the second pressing force setting device. In this case, by using the first coupler, the second coupler, the first pressing force setting device, and the second pressing force setting device, each of the first pressing device and the second pressing device presses according to the position after rotation. Can exert pressure. Therefore, the pressing force of the first pressing device and the second pressing device, whichever is closer to the welding unit, can always be increased.

The first restraint unit may further include a first accumulator that maintains the pressing force set in the first pressing device, and a second accumulator that maintains the pressing force set in the second pressing device. In this case, it is possible to suppress a change over time in the position of the cell stack or the like on the turntable.

According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a power storage device manufacturing device capable of reducing the cost and manufacturing cost of the power storage device.

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing a manufacturing apparatus for a power storage device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2A is a schematic perspective view of the power storage device, and FIG. 2B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a region surrounded by the alternate long and short dash line shown in FIG. 2A. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the storage cell. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a method of forming the restraint member according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view showing a manufacturing apparatus of the power storage device according to the comparative example. FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view showing a manufacturing apparatus for the power storage device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view showing a manufacturing apparatus for the power storage device according to the third embodiment. FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view showing a manufacturing apparatus for the power storage device according to the fourth embodiment.

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

(First Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing a manufacturing apparatus for a power storage device according to the first embodiment. The manufacturing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 is an apparatus used for manufacturing the power storage device 100. In the following, the outline of the power storage device 100 will be described first with reference to FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b) and FIG. FIG. 2A is a schematic perspective view of the power storage device, and FIG. 2B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a region surrounded by the alternate long and short dash line shown in FIG. 2A. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the storage cell.

The power storage device 100 shown in FIG. 2A includes a cell stack 101 composed of a plurality of power storage cells 200 arranged along a predetermined direction, and a restraint member 102 that restrains the cell stack 101. In the following, the predetermined direction is defined as the direction X (first direction), the direction intersecting or orthogonal to the direction X is defined as the direction Y (second direction), and the direction intersecting or orthogonal to the direction X and the direction Y is defined as the direction Z. .. In the first embodiment, the directions X, Y, Z are orthogonal to each other. Further, "viewing from the direction Z" corresponds to a plan view.

The cell stack 101 includes a plurality of storage cells 200 constrained by the restraint member 102. Each storage cell 200 in the cell stack 101 is connected in series or in parallel to each other via a bus bar or the like (not shown). The cell stack 101 may appropriately include members (elastic members, metal plates, etc.) other than the storage cell 200. In the first embodiment, each of the storage cells 200 included in the cell stack 101 is held by a cell holder (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 3, the storage cell 200 is a secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery or a nickel hydrogen storage battery. The power storage cell 200 includes a main body 201 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and terminals 202 and 203 located on one surface 201a of the main body 201. The inside of the main body 201 is filled with a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a separator, and an electrolyte.

The restraint member 102 is a frame-shaped member that surrounds the cell stack 101 in a plan view, and includes a pair of end plates 111 and 112 and a pair of restraint plates 121 and 122. Therefore, in a plan view, the cell stack 101 is surrounded and held by a pair of end plates 111 and 112 and a pair of restraint plates 121 and 122.

The end plates 111 and 112 are plate-shaped members that restrain the cell stack 101 along the direction X. Therefore, the end plates 111 and 112 can be said to be restraint plates. The end plate 111 abuts on one end of the cell stack 101 in direction X, and the end plate 112 abuts on the other end of the cell stack 101 in direction X. Each of the end plates 111 and 112 is a metal plate or an alloy plate, and has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the direction X.

The restraint plates 121 and 122 are plate-shaped members that restrain the cell stack 101 along the direction Y. The restraint plate 121 abuts on one end of the cell stack 101 in the direction Y, and the restraint plate 122 abuts on the other end of the cell stack 101 in the direction Y. Each of the restraint plates 121 and 122 is a metal plate or an alloy plate, and has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the direction Y. Further, the restraint plate 121 has a substantially C shape when viewed from the direction X. That is, protrusions 121a extending toward the center of the cell stack 101 in the direction Y are provided at both ends of the restraint plate 121 along the direction Z. Similar to the restraint plate 121, protrusions 122a extending toward the center of the cell stack 101 in the direction Y are provided at both ends of the restraint plate 122 along the direction Z. The protruding portions 121a and 122a are portions that are hooked on the power storage cell 200 (or the cell holder of the power storage cell 200).

The end plate 111 and the restraint plates 121 and 122 are integrated via welded portions 131 and 132. The welded portion 131 is a fillet welded portion provided on one end portion 111a of the end plate 111 in the direction Y and the restraint plate 121. The welded portion 132 is a fillet welded portion provided on the other end of the end plate 111 in the direction Y and the restraint plate 122, similarly to the welded portion 131. Each of the one end 111a and the other end is a portion that is located outward in the direction X and has rounded corners extending along the direction Z. The one end 111a and the other end may be, for example, a notch. The end plates 112 and the restraint plates 121 and 122 are also integrated via the same welded portions as the welded portions 131 and 132. Therefore, it can be said that the restraint member 102 is a member formed by integrating the pair of end plates 111 and 112 and the pair of restraint plates 121 and 122.

Next, returning to FIG. 1, the configuration of the manufacturing apparatus 1 will be described in detail. In the first embodiment, the manufacturing apparatus 1 is an apparatus for forming a restraint member 102 for holding the cell stack 101. More specifically, the manufacturing apparatus 1 is an apparatus for welding the end plates 111 and 112 included in the restraint member 102 and the restraint plates 121 and 122. The manufacturing apparatus 1 includes a turntable 2, a welding unit 3, a first restraint unit 4, and a second restraint unit 5.

The turntable 2 is an index table on which a cell stack 101, a pair of end plates 111, 112 and a pair of restraint plates 121, 122 can be arranged, and a pedestal 11 that can be rotated in a plan view and a servo that rotates the pedestal 11. It includes a drive unit (not shown) such as a motor. The pedestal 11 is a member on which the cell stack 101, the pair of end plates 111, 112, the pair of restraint plates 121, 122, etc. are placed, and has a substantially circular shape in a plan view. The pedestal 11 may be rotated clockwise, counterclockwise, or clockwise and counterclockwise about a central axis C extending along direction Z. May be good. The surface of the pedestal 11 may be provided with a structure (marker, protrusion, etc.) for aligning the cell stack 101 or the like.

The welding unit 3 is a device for welding a pair of end plates 111, 112 and a pair of restraint plates 121, 122 arranged on the pedestal 11 of the turntable 2, and can perform, for example, spot welding, arc welding, and the like. The welding unit 3 is located on one side in the direction X with respect to the central axis C in a plan view, and is separated from the turntable 2. That is, the turntable 2 and the welding unit 3 are provided independently of each other. The welding unit 3 includes a power supply 21, a robot arm 22 connected to the power supply 21, and an end effector 23 attached to the tip of the robot arm 22. The power supply 21 is a power supply source and a control unit having a controller for driving the robot arm 22 and the end effector 23. The robot arm 22 has one or more joints and a motor, and is a component that moves the mounted end effector 23 in the directions X, Y, and Z. The end effector 23 is a component that executes welding by supplying electric power from the power source 21.

The first restraint unit 4 is a device that restrains the cell stack 101 and the pair of end plates 111 and 112 arranged on the pedestal 11 of the turntable 2 along the direction X. The first restraint unit 4 includes a first pressing device 31 that presses one of the end plates 111 and 112 arranged on the pedestal 11 of the turntable 2, and an end plate 111 arranged on the pedestal 11 of the turntable 2. It has a second pressing device 32 that presses the other of 112.

The first pressing device 31 is a device that presses the cell stack 101 along the direction X via one of the end plates 111 and 112, and is separated from the turntable 2. That is, the first pressing device 31 and the turntable 2 are provided independently of each other. The first pressing device 31 includes a main body 33 and a cylinder 34 that is attached to the main body 33 and can move forward and backward along the direction X. The main body 33 is a portion that controls the advance / retreat of the cylinder 34, and is located between the turntable 2 and the power supply 21 of the welding unit 3 in the direction X. A fluid (gas, liquid) may be supplied to the main body 33. The cylinder 34 has a substantially rod shape and has a tip portion 34a that can come into contact with one of the end plates 111 and 112. The cylinder 34 moves forward and backward due to, for example, an electronic signal from the main body 33 and a fluid supplied to or discharged from the main body 33. The first pressing device 31 is, for example, an actuator, a hydraulic cylinder, a gas cylinder (gas spring), or the like. The dimension of the tip portion 34a along the direction Y is shorter than the dimension of the end plates 111 and 112 along the direction Y. Therefore, for example, when the tip portion 34a comes into contact with the end plate 111, one end portion 111a and the other end portion of the end plate 111 are exposed.

The second pressing device 32 is a device that presses the cell stack 101 along the direction X via the other of the end plates 111 and 112, and is separated from the turntable 2. That is, the second pressing device 32 and the turntable 2 are provided independently of each other. The second pressing device 32 includes a main body 35 and a cylinder 36 that is attached to the main body 35 and can move forward and backward along the direction X. The main body 35 is a portion that controls the advance / retreat of the cylinder 36, and is located on the opposite side of the first pressing device 31 with the turntable 2 in the direction X. Therefore, the second pressing device 32 is located on the other side in the direction X from the central axis C in a plan view, and is located farther from the welding unit 3 than the first pressing device 31. The cylinder 36 has a substantially rod shape and has a tip portion 36a that can come into contact with the other of the end plates 111 and 112. The cylinder 36 advances and retreats due to, for example, an electronic signal from the main body 35 and a fluid supplied to or discharged from the main body 35. The second pressing device 32 is, for example, an actuator, a hydraulic cylinder, a gas cylinder (gas spring), or the like, like the first pressing device 31. The dimension of the tip portion 36a along the direction Y is shorter than the dimension of the end plates 111 and 112 along the direction Y. Therefore, for example, when the tip portion 36a comes into contact with the end plate 112, both ends of the end plate 112 in the direction Y are exposed.

The pressing force of the first pressing device 31 (that is, the thrust of the cylinder 34) and the pressing force of the second pressing device 32 (that is, the thrust of the cylinder 36) are different from each other. In the first embodiment, the pressing force of the first pressing device 31 is larger than the pressing force of the second pressing device 32. That is, in the first embodiment, the pressing force of the first pressing device 31 and the second pressing device 32 closer to the welding unit 3 is larger than the pressing force farther from the welding unit 3. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the main body 33 may be larger than the main body 35. For example, the pressing force of the first pressing device 31 is about 1.5 times or more and about twice or less the pressing force of the second pressing device 32. The pressing force of the second pressing device 32 corresponds to the binding force of the cell stack 101, and is, for example, 1 kN or more and 10 kN or less.

The second restraint unit 5 is a device that restrains the cell stack 101 and the pair of restraint plates 121 and 122 arranged on the pedestal 11 of the turntable 2 along the direction Y. The second restraint unit 5 includes a third pressing device 41 that presses one of the restraint plates 121 and 122 arranged on the pedestal 11 of the turntable 2, and a restraint plate 121 arranged on the pedestal 11 of the turntable 2. It has a fourth pressing device 42 that presses the other of 122.

The third pressing device 41 is a device that presses the cell stack 101 along the direction Y via one of the restraint plates 121 and 122, and is separated from the turntable 2. That is, the third pressing device 41 and the turntable 2 are provided independently of each other. The third pressing device 41 includes a main body 43 and a cylinder 44 that is attached to the main body 43 and can move forward and backward along the direction Y. The main body 43 is a portion that controls the advance / retreat of the cylinder 44, and is located on one side in the direction Y with respect to the turntable 2 in a plan view. The cylinder 44 has a substantially rod shape and has a tip portion 44a that can come into contact with one of the restraint plates 121 and 122. The cylinder 44 moves forward and backward due to, for example, an electronic signal from the main body 43 and a fluid supplied to or discharged from the main body 43. The third pressing device 41 is, for example, an actuator, a hydraulic cylinder, a gas cylinder (gas spring), or the like. The dimensions of the tip portion 44a along the direction X may be the same as or different from the dimensions of the restraint plates 121 and 122 along the direction X.

The fourth pressing device 42 is a device that presses the cell stack 101 along the direction Y via the other of the restraint plates 121 and 122, and is separated from the turntable 2. That is, the fourth pressing device 42 and the turntable 2 are provided independently of each other. The fourth pressing device 42 includes a main body 45 and a cylinder 46 that is attached to the main body 45 and can move forward and backward along the direction Y. The main body 45 is a portion that controls the advance / retreat of the cylinder 46, and is located on the opposite side of the third pressing device 41 with the turntable 2 in the direction Y. That is, the main body 45 is located on the other side in the direction Y from the turntable 2 in a plan view. The cylinder 46 has a substantially rod shape and has a tip portion 46a that can come into contact with the other of the restraint plates 121 and 122. The cylinder 46 advances and retreats due to, for example, an electronic signal from the main body 45 and a fluid supplied to or discharged from the main body 45. The fourth pressing device 42 is, for example, an actuator, a hydraulic cylinder, a gas cylinder (gas spring), or the like. The dimensions of the tip portion 46a along the direction X may be the same as or different from the dimensions of the restraint plates 121 and 122 along the direction X.

In the first embodiment, the pressing force of the third pressing device 41 (that is, the thrust of the cylinder 44) and the pressing force of the fourth pressing device 42 (that is, the thrust of the cylinder 46) are the same as each other. For example, the pressing force of the third pressing device 41 corresponds to the binding force of the cell stack 101, and is, for example, 50 N or more and 500 N or less.

Next, an example of a method of forming the restraint member 102 using the manufacturing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a method of forming the restraint member according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 4, first, the cell stack 101 arranged on the pedestal 11 of the turntable 2 is restrained (step S1). In step S1, first, the cell stack 101, the pair of end plates 111, 112, and the pair of restraint plates 121, 122 are arranged on the pedestal 11. At this time, the end plate 111 faces the welding unit 3 and the first pressing device 31 in the direction X, the end plate 112 faces the second pressing device 32 in the direction X, and the restraint plate 121 faces the third pressing device 32 in the direction Y. A pair of end plates 111 and 112 and a pair of restraint plates 121 and 122 are arranged so as to face the 41 and the restraint plate 122 faces the fourth pressing device 42 in the direction Y (see FIG. 1). Subsequently, the first restraint unit 4 restrains the cell stack 101 and the pair of end plates 111 and 112 along the direction X, and the second restraint unit 5 restrains the cell stack 101 and the pair of restraint plates 121 along the direction Y. , 122 are restrained. Specifically, by advancing the cylinders 34, 36, 44, 46, the binding force along the directions X and Y is applied to the cell stack 101 via the pair of end plates 111 and 112 and the pair of restraining plates 121 and 122. Is given. At this time, the first pressing device 31 abuts on the end plate 111, the second pressing device 32 abuts on the end plate 112, the third pressing device 41 abuts on the restraining plate 121, and the fourth pressing device 42 abuts on the restraining plate. It is in contact with 122 (see FIG. 1).

Next, the end plate 111 and the restraint plates 121 and 122 are welded (step S2). In step S2, first, one end portion 111a of the end plate 111 and the restraint plate 121 are welded by the welding unit 3. Subsequently, the welding unit 3 welds the other end of the end plate 111 to the restraint plate 122. As a result, the end plate 111 and the restraint plates 121 and 122 are integrated.

Next, the restraint of the cell stack 101 is released (step S3). In step S3, the restraint of the cell stack 101 and the pair of end plates 111 and 112 by the first restraint unit 4 and the restraint of the cell stack 101 and the pair of restraint plates 121 and 122 by the second restraint unit 5 are released. Specifically, by retracting the cylinders 34, 36, 44, 46, the binding force applied to the cell stack 101 via the pair of end plates 111, 112 and the pair of restraining plates 121, 122 is released.

Next, the turntable 2 is rotated (step S4). In step S4, the pedestal 11 is rotated half a turn about the central axis C. As a result, the end plate 111 faces the second pressing device 32 in the direction X, the end plate 112 faces the welding unit 3 and the first pressing device 31 in the direction X, and the restraint plate 121 faces the fourth pressing device 32 in the direction Y. A pair of end plates 111 and 112 and a pair of restraint plates 121 and 122 are arranged so as to face the 42 and the restraint plate 122 to face the third pressing device 41 in the direction Y.

Next, the cell stack 101 is constrained again (step S5). In step S5, similarly to step S1, the cell stack 101 and the pair of end plates 111 and 112 are re-constrained by the first restraint unit 4 along the direction X, and the cell is restrained along the direction Y by the second restraint unit 5. The stack 101 and the pair of restraint plates 121 and 122 are restrained again. At this time, the first pressing device 31 abuts on the end plate 112, the second pressing device 32 abuts on the end plate 111, the third pressing device 41 abuts on the restraining plate 122, and the fourth pressing device 42 abuts on the restraining plate. It is in contact with 121.

Next, the end plate 112 and the restraint plates 121 and 122 are welded (step S6). In step S6, first, one end of the end plate 112 and the restraint plate 121 are welded by the welding unit 3. Subsequently, the welding unit 3 welds the other end of the end plate 112 and the restraint plate 122. As described above, the end plates 111 and 112 and the restraint plates 121 and 122 are integrated to form the restraint member 102. The power storage device 100 is manufactured by performing, for example, a step of attaching a bus bar or the like, a step of accommodating the cell stack 101 in a case, or the like on the cell stack 101 held by the restraint member 102.

Next, the effects exerted by the manufacturing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment described above will be described with reference to the following comparative examples. FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view showing a manufacturing apparatus of the power storage device according to the comparative example. Hereinafter, the differences between the manufacturing apparatus 1 and the manufacturing apparatus 300 will be described. Unlike the manufacturing apparatus 1, the manufacturing apparatus 300 shown in FIG. 5 does not include the turntable 2. Instead, the manufacturing apparatus 300 includes a fixation base 302, another welding unit 303, and a first restraint unit 304 having pressing devices 331 and 332 exhibiting the same pressing force. The welding unit 303 is the same device as the welding unit 3, and is located on the opposite side of the welding unit 3 with the fixing base 302 sandwiched in the direction X. The main body 333 of the pressing device 331 is located between the fixed base 302 and the welding unit 3 in the direction X, and the main body 335 of the pressing device 332 is located between the fixed base 302 and the welding unit 303 in the direction X. The pressing force of the pressing devices 331 and 332 (that is, the thrust of the cylinders 334 and 336) corresponds to the binding force of the restraining member 102.

When the pressing pressures of the pressing devices 331 and 332 are the same, the positions of the end plates 111 and 112 tend to be determined according to the position of the cell stack 101 first arranged on the fixed base 302. Therefore, if the position of the cell stack 101 first arranged on the fixed base 302 is displaced, the positions of the end plates 111 and 112 are also displaced. Further, the positions of the end plates 111 and 112 also shift due to the integration of the thickness dimension variation of each cell. Therefore, in the comparative example, the positions of the end plates 111 and 112 in the direction X are likely to shift for each work. Therefore, when the restraint member 102 is formed by using the manufacturing apparatus 300 according to the comparative example, the quality of the welded portion formed on the end plates 111 and 112 and the restraint plates 121 and 122 tends to vary.

In order to suppress the variation in the quality of the welded portion, for example, the welding position correction function by image processing or the like may be provided to the welding units 3, 303. In this case, since the welding units 3, 303 are expensive, the cost of the manufacturing apparatus 300 is high. As a result, there is a problem that the manufacturing cost of the power storage device becomes high. In addition, since the manufacturing apparatus 300 includes the welding units 3, 303, the area occupied by the manufacturing apparatus 300 tends to be large in a plan view.

On the other hand, since the manufacturing apparatus 1 of the power storage device 100 according to the first embodiment includes the turntable 2, the cell stack 101 or the like arranged on the turntable 2 can also rotate. Therefore, even when the manufacturing apparatus 1 includes a single welding unit 3, both of the pair of end plates 111 and 112 can be welded to the pair of restraint plates 121 and 122. By fixing the pair of end plates 111 and 112 for holding the cell stack 101 and the pair of restraint plates 121 and 122 by welding in this way, the number of parts for holding the cell stack 101 can be reduced. In addition, as compared with the manufacturing apparatus 300 according to the above comparative example, since the manufacturing apparatus 1 does not include the welding unit 303, the area occupied by the manufacturing apparatus 1 in a plan view can be reduced.

In addition, the first restraint unit 4 included in the manufacturing apparatus 1 includes a first pressing device 31 that presses one of a pair of end plates 111 and 112 arranged on the turntable 2 and a pair of a pair arranged on the turntable 2. It has a second pressing device 32 that presses the other of the end plates 111 and 112, and the pressing force of the first pressing device 31 is larger than the pressing force of the second pressing device 32. As a result, it is possible to suppress variations in the positions of the end plates located near the welding unit 3 among the pair of end plates 111 and 112 arranged on the turntable 2. Therefore, the end plates 111 and 112 and the restraint plates 121 and 122 can be satisfactorily welded without correcting the welding position by, for example, image processing. Therefore, the configuration of the manufacturing apparatus 1 itself can be simplified. Therefore, by manufacturing the power storage device 100 using such a manufacturing device 1, the cost and the manufacturing cost of the power storage device 100 can be reduced.

In the first embodiment, the manufacturing apparatus 1 includes a second restraint unit 5 that restrains the cell stack 101 arranged on the turntable 2 and the pair of restraint plates 121 and 122 in the direction Y in a plan view. Therefore, the positions of the cell stack 101 and the pair of restraint plates 121 and 122 along the direction Y on the turntable 2 are well defined. As a result, the end plates 111 and 112 and the restraint plates 121 and 122 can be welded well.

(Second Embodiment)
Hereinafter, the manufacturing apparatus of the power storage device according to the second embodiment will be described. In the description of the second embodiment, the description overlapping with the first embodiment will be omitted, and the part different from the first embodiment will be described. That is, the description of the first embodiment may be appropriately used for the second embodiment to the extent technically possible.

FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view showing a manufacturing apparatus for the power storage device according to the second embodiment. The manufacturing apparatus 1A includes a turntable 2A to which the first restraint unit 4A and the second restraint unit 5A are fixed. That is, the first pressing device 31A and the second pressing device 32A of the first restraint unit 4A and the third pressing device 41 and the fourth pressing device 42 of the second restraint unit 5A are fixed to the pedestal 11A of the turntable 2A. ing. More specifically, the main body 33A of the first pressing device 31A, the main body 35A of the second pressing device 32A, the main body 43A of the third pressing device 41, and the main body 45A of the fourth pressing device 42 are on the pedestal 11A. It is fixed. Therefore, as the turntable 2A rotates, the first pressing device 31A, the second pressing device 32A, the third pressing device 41, and the fourth pressing device 42 also rotate.

In addition to the first pressing device 31A and the second pressing device 32A, the first restraint unit 4A applies the pressing pressure of the first pressing force adjusting device 51 and the second pressing device 32A for adjusting the pressing force of the first pressing device 31A. The second pressing force adjusting device 52 to be adjusted, the pipes 53 and 54 connecting the first pressing device 31A and the first pressing force adjusting device 51, and the piping 55 connecting the second pressing device 32A and the second pressing force adjusting device 52. , 56. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the pressing force of the first pressing device 31A and the pressing force of the second pressing device 32A are variable.

The first pressing pressure adjusting device 51 is a device that supplies a fluid to the first pressing device 31A via pipes 53 and 54 or recovers the fluid from the first pressing device 31A, and includes, for example, a pump or the like. The first pressing force adjusting device 51 is separated from the turntable 2A. That is, the first pressing force adjusting device 51 and the turntable 2A are provided independently of each other. The pipes 53 and 54 have, for example, excess length or elasticity. As a result, damage to the pipes 53 and 54 due to the rotation of the turntable 2A can be suppressed. The pipe 53 is mounted on the rear end side of the main body 33A, and the pipe 54 is mounted on the front end side of the main body 33A. In the second embodiment, the cylinder 34 is advanced by recovering the fluid from the first pressing device 31A via the pipe 54 and supplying the fluid to the first pressing device 31A via the pipe 53. Further, the cylinder 34 is retracted by supplying the fluid to the first pressing device 31A via the pipe 54 and collecting the fluid from the first pressing device 31A via the pipe 53.

The second pressing force adjusting device 52 is a device that supplies fluid to or recovers fluid from the second pressing device 32A via pipes 55 and 56, and includes, for example, a pump or the like. The second pressing force adjusting device 52 is separated from the turntable 2A like the first pressing force adjusting device 51. That is, the first pressing force adjusting device 51 and the turntable 2A are provided independently of each other. The pipes 55 and 56, like the pipes 53 and 54, have, for example, excess length or elasticity. The pipe 55 is mounted on the front end side of the main body 35A, and the pipe 56 is mounted on the rear end side of the main body 35A.

In the second embodiment, the pedestal 11A of the turntable 2A rotates, for example, about half a turn. The rotation angle of the turntable 2A is, for example, 135 ° or more and 225 ° or less. In this case, damage to the pipes 53 to 56 due to the rotation of the turntable 2A can be satisfactorily suppressed. In the second embodiment, the rotation angle of the pedestal 11A is not necessarily limited to the above range.

Even when the manufacturing apparatus 1A according to the second embodiment is used, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. For example, even when the manufacturing apparatus 1A includes a single welding unit 3, the end plates 111 and 112 can be welded to the restraint plates 121 and 122, respectively. In addition, in the second embodiment, since the first restraint unit 4A has the first pressing force adjusting device 51 and the second pressing force adjusting device 52, the pressing force of the first pressing device 31A and the pressing force of the second pressing device 32A The pressing force is variable. As a result, each of the first pressing device 31A and the second pressing device 32A can exert a pressing force according to the position after rotation. Therefore, the pressing force of the first pressing device 31A and the second pressing device 32A, whichever is closer to the welding unit 3, can always be increased. Therefore, also in the second embodiment, the end plates 111 and 112 and the restraint plates 121 and 122 can be satisfactorily welded without correcting the welding position by, for example, image processing.

In addition, in the second embodiment, the first restraint unit 4A is fixed to the turntable 2A. Therefore, the turntable 2A can be rotated while the cell stack 101 and the end plates 111 and 112 are restrained by the first restraint unit 4A. As a result, the misalignment of the cell stack 101 and the like due to the rotation of the turntable 2A can be suppressed. Further, in the second embodiment, the second restraint unit 5A is also fixed to the turntable 2A. Therefore, the turntable 2A can be rotated while the cell stack 101 and the restraint plates 121 and 122 are restrained by the second restraint unit 5A. As a result, the displacement of the cell stack 101 or the like due to the rotation of the turntable 2A can be satisfactorily suppressed. Further, according to the second embodiment, for example, the steps S3 and S5 in the first embodiment can be omitted. As a result, the productivity of the power storage device 100 can be improved.

(Third Embodiment)
Hereinafter, the manufacturing apparatus of the power storage device according to the third embodiment will be described. In the description of the third embodiment, the description overlapping with the second embodiment is omitted, and the part different from the second embodiment is described. That is, the description of the first embodiment and the second embodiment may be appropriately used for the third embodiment to the extent technically possible.

FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view showing a manufacturing apparatus for the power storage device according to the third embodiment. The manufacturing apparatus 1B includes a first restraint unit 4B having a first pressing device 31B and a second pressing device 32B instead of the first restraint unit 4A. In the first restraint unit 4B, in addition to the first pressing device 31A and the second pressing device 32A, the first coupler 61 attached to the first pressing device 31A via the pipes 53A and 54A and the pipes 55A and 56A are used. Either the second coupler 62 attached to the second pressing device 32A, the first pressing pressure setting device 63 detachable from either the first coupler 61 or the second coupler 62, or the first coupler 61 or the second coupler 62. Also has a detachable second pressing force setting device 64. The pipes 53A to 56A, the first coupler 61, and the second coupler 62 are fixed to the turntable 2A. Therefore, as the turntable 2A rotates, the pipes 53A to 56A, the first coupler 61, and the second coupler 62 also rotate.

The first pressing force setting device 63 is a device that sets the pressing force of the first pressing device 31A or the second pressing device 32A to the first pressing force. The first pressing force setting device 63 has, for example, a connector (not shown) that can move forward and backward along the direction X and is detachable from both the first coupler 61 and the second coupler 62. For example, when the connector is fitted to the first coupler 61, the pressing force of the first pressing device 31A is set to the first pressing force via the first coupler 61 and the pipes 53A and 54A. For example, the pressing force of the first pressing device 31A is applied to the first pressing force by supplying the fluid from the first pressing device 63 to the first pressing device 31A or collecting the fluid from the first pressing device 31A. Set to.

The second pressing force setting device 64 is a device that sets the pressing force of the first pressing device 31A or the second pressing device 32A to a second pressing force smaller than the first pressing force. The second pressing force setting device 64 has, for example, a connector (not shown) that can move forward and backward along the direction X and is detachable from both the first coupler 61 and the second coupler 62. For example, when the connector is fitted to the first coupler 61, the pressing force of the first pressing device 31A is set to the second pressing force via the first coupler 61 and the pipes 53A and 54A. For example, the pressing force of the first pressing device 31A is applied to the second pressing force by supplying the fluid from the second pressing device 64 to the first pressing device 31A or collecting the fluid from the first pressing device 31A. Set to. For example, the first pressing force is about 1.5 times or more and about 2 times or less the second pressing force. The second pressing force may correspond to the binding force of the cell stack 101.

The first pressing force setting device 63 and the second pressing force setting device 64 are separated from the turntable 2A. That is, the first pressing force setting device 63 and the second pressing force setting device 64 are provided independently of the turntable 2A. The first pressing force setting device 63 is located on one side of the central axis C of the turntable 2A in the direction X and in the vicinity of the welding unit 3. On the other hand, the second pressing force setting device 64 is located on the other side of the central axis C of the turntable 2A in the direction X. Therefore, the first pressing force setting device 63 is located closer to the welding unit 3 than the second pressing force setting device 64. In the third embodiment, the first pressing force setting device 63 and the second pressing force setting device 64 are arranged so as to be point-symmetrical about the central axis C in a plan view. As a result, for example, when the turntable 2A rotates half a turn from the state shown in FIG. 7, the first coupler 61 can be arranged at a position where it can be satisfactorily connected to the second pressing force setting device 64, and the second coupler 62 is the first. It can be arranged at a position where it can be well connected to the pressing force setting device 63.

In the method for manufacturing the power storage device 100 using the manufacturing device 1B according to the third embodiment, for example, in step S1 of the first embodiment, the following first to third steps are sequentially carried out. The first step is a step of connecting the first coupler 61 and the first pressing force setting device 63 and connecting the second coupler 62 and the second pressing force setting device 64. The second step is a step of setting the pressing force of the first pressing device 31A to the first pressing force and setting the pressing force of the second pressing device 32A to the second pressing force. The third step is a step of releasing the connection between the first coupler 61 and the first pressing force setting device 63 and also releasing the connection between the second coupler 62 and the second pressing force setting device 64. The opening and closing ends of the first coupler 61 and the second coupler 62 are sealed. Therefore, after the third step, the pressing force of the first pressing device 31A is maintained at the first pressing force, and the pressing force of the second pressing device 32A is maintained at the second pressing force.

In addition, in the above manufacturing method, for example, in the above step S5 in the first embodiment, the following fourth to sixth steps are sequentially carried out. The fourth step is a step of connecting the first coupler 61 and the second pressing force setting device 64 and connecting the second coupler 62 and the first pressing force setting device 63. The fifth step is a step of setting the pressing force of the first pressing device 31A to the second pressing force and setting the pressing force of the second pressing device 32A to the first pressing force. The sixth step is a step of disconnecting the first coupler 61 and the second pressing force setting device 64 and also releasing the connection between the second coupler 62 and the first pressing force setting device 63. After the sixth step, the pressing force of the first pressing device 31A is maintained at the second pressing force, and the pressing force of the second pressing device 32A is maintained at the first pressing force.

Even when the manufacturing apparatus 1B according to the third embodiment is used, the same effects as those of the second embodiment can be obtained. In addition, by fixing the pipes 53A to 56A to the turntable 2A, deterioration of the pipes 53A to 56A due to the rotation of the turntable 2A can be suppressed. Further, unlike the second embodiment, it is not necessary to consider the swing of the pipes 53 to 56, so that the operation restriction of each device can be relaxed. Thereby, for example, the workability of the welding unit 3 and the like can be improved.

(Fourth Embodiment)
Hereinafter, the manufacturing apparatus of the power storage device according to the fourth embodiment will be described. In the description of the fourth embodiment, the description overlapping with the third embodiment will be omitted, and the part different from the third embodiment will be described. That is, the description of the first embodiment, the second embodiment, and the third embodiment may be appropriately used in the fourth embodiment to the extent technically possible.

FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view showing a manufacturing apparatus for the power storage device according to the fourth embodiment. The first accumulator unit 4C of the manufacturing apparatus 1C has, in addition to the configuration of the first restraint unit 4B, a first accumulator 71 connected to the pipe 54A and a second accumulator 72 connected to the pipe 56A. The first accumulator 71 is a device that maintains the pressing force set in the first pressing device 31A. The first accumulator 71 has, for example, a first pressure maintaining portion for maintaining the pressure in the pipe 54A. The second accumulator 72 is a device that maintains the pressing force set in the second pressing device 32A. The second accumulator 72 has, for example, a second pressure maintaining portion that maintains the pressure in the pipe 56A. The first accumulator 71 and the second accumulator 72 are fixed to the turntable 2A. Therefore, as the turntable 2A rotates, both the first accumulator 71 and the second accumulator 72 also rotate.

Even when the manufacturing apparatus 1C according to the fourth embodiment is used, the same effects as those of the third embodiment can be obtained. Further, even after the first coupler 61 is separated from the first pressing force setting device 63 or the second pressing force setting device 64, the pressing force of the first pressing device 31A can be satisfactorily maintained by the first accumulator 71. In addition, even after the second coupler 62 is separated from the first pressing force setting device 63 or the second pressing force setting device 64, the pressing force of the second pressing device 32A can be satisfactorily maintained by the second accumulator 72. Therefore, the change in the position of the cell stack 101 or the like on the turntable 2A with time can be suppressed, so that the welding quality can be improved.

Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the above embodiment, the welding unit or the like may be provided with a sensor for detecting the position of the cell stack or the like. In this case, the welding quality can be further improved.

In the above embodiment, in the second restraint unit, the pressing force of the third pressing device and the pressing force of the fourth pressing device are the same as each other, but are not limited to this. The pressing force of the third pressing device and the pressing force of the fourth pressing device may be different from each other.

In the second to fourth embodiments, both the first restraint unit and the second restraint unit are fixed to the turntable, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the second restraint unit does not have to be fixed to the turntable. Further, in the first embodiment, the second restraint unit may be fixed to the turntable.

In the second to fourth embodiments, the pressing force of the first pressing device and the second pressing device is set by using a fluid, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the pressing force of the first pressing device and the second pressing device may be set by using an electronic signal or the like.

1,1A to 1C ... Manufacturing equipment, 2,2A ... Turntable, 3,303 ... Welding unit, 4,4A to 4C ... 1st restraint unit, 5,5A ... 2nd restraint unit, 11,11A ... Pedestal, 31 , 31A, 31B ... 1st pressing device, 32, 32A, 32B ... 2nd pressing device, 34, 36, 44, 46 ... Cylinder, 34a, 36a, 44a, 46a ... Tip, 41 ... 3rd pressing device, 42 ... 4th pressing device, 51 ... 1st pressing pressure adjusting device, 52 ... 2nd pressing pressure adjusting device, 53 to 56, 53A to 56A ... Piping, 61 ... 1st coupler, 62 ... 2nd coupler, 63 ... 1st Pressurizing pressure setting device, 64 ... 2nd pressing force setting device, 71 ... 1st accumulator, 72 ... 2nd accumulator, 100 ... power storage device, 101 ... cell stack, 102 ... restraint member, 111, 112 ... end plate, 121, 122 ... Restraint plate, 131, 132 ... Welded part, C ... Central axis.

Claims (7)

A device for manufacturing a power storage device including a cell stack held by a pair of end plates and a pair of restraint plates.
A turntable on which the cell stack, the pair of end plates and the pair of restraint plates can be arranged,
A welding unit that is located on one side in the first direction from the central axis of the turntable in a plan view and welds the pair of end plates and the pair of restraint plates arranged on the turntable.
A first restraint unit that restrains the cell stack and the pair of end plates arranged on the turntable along the first direction, and
With
The first restraint unit has a first pressing device that presses one of the pair of end plates arranged on the turntable and a second pressing device that presses the other of the pair of end plates arranged on the turntable. Have a device and
Of the first pressing device and the second pressing device, the pressing force closer to the welding unit is larger than the pressing force farther from the welding unit.
Manufacturing equipment. The production according to claim 1, further comprising a second restraint unit for restraining the cell stack and the pair of restraint plates arranged on the turntable in a second direction intersecting the first direction in a plan view. apparatus. The manufacturing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second restraint unit is fixed to the turntable. The first pressing device and the second pressing device are fixed to the turntable.
The first restraint unit further includes a first pressing force adjusting device for adjusting the pressing force of the first pressing device and a second pressing force adjusting device for adjusting the pressing force of the second pressing device. The manufacturing apparatus according to any one of 1 to 3. The first pressing force adjusting device and the second pressing force adjusting device are separated from each other with respect to the turntable.
The manufacturing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the rotation angle of the turntable is 135 ° or more and 225 ° or less. The first pressing device and the second pressing device are fixed to the turntable.
The first restraint unit is
A first coupler fixed to the turntable and attached to the first pressing device,
A second coupler fixed to the turntable and attached to the second pressing device,
A first pressing force setting device that is removable from both the first coupler and the second coupler and sets the pressing force of one of the first pressing device and the second pressing device to the first pressing force. ,
It is removable to both the first coupler and the second coupler, and the pressing force of the other of the first pressing device and the second pressing device is set to a second pressing force smaller than the first pressing force. It also has a second pressing force setting device to set,
The first pressing force setting device and the second pressing force setting device are separated from each other with respect to the turntable.
The manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first pressing force setting device is located closer to the welding unit than the second pressing force setting device. The first restraint unit is
A first accumulator that maintains the pressing force set in the first pressing device, and
The manufacturing apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a second accumulator for maintaining a second pressing force set in the second pressing device.

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