JP2022023473A - Lithium-ion secondary battery electrode manufacturing device and manufacturing method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a lithium-ion secondary battery electrode material manufacturing device and manufacturing method, which can suppress clogging of an electrode composition and suppress weight variation of the electrode composition supplied from a powder feeder to a base material when an electrode is molded using an electrode composition having a lower fluidity than a suspension-like electrode material.SOLUTION: A lithium-ion secondary battery electrode material manufacturing device includes a powder feeder 50 that supplies an electrode composition 14 containing electrode active material particles to a sheet-shaped base material 22, a second transport portion that transports the base material on which the electrode composition supplied from the powder feeder is placed, and a rolling portion that rolls the electrode composition supplied from the powder feeder to the base material, and the powder feeder includes an adhesion suppressing portion that suppresses adhesion of the electrode composition to its inner wall surface, and a flattening treatment portion that flattens the electrode composition supplied on the base material with a squeegee 80 prior to rolling by the rolling portion.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for manufacturing an electrode for a lithium ion secondary battery.

The electrode used in the lithium ion secondary battery has an electrode active material layer on a sheet-shaped current collector. Such an electrode active material layer is generally manufactured by supplying a slurry for forming an active material layer in which an electrode material containing active material particles is dispersed in a liquid medium to a current collector, drying the mixture, and then consolidating the electrode material. Can be done. On the other hand, without using a liquid medium, the drying step is omitted,
A method of energy-saving and low-cost manufacturing is also known.

For example, in Patent Document 1, composite particles obtained by granulating active material particles and binder are supplied onto a current collector by a powder feeder, and the composite particles are flattened by a squeegee before being rolled by a multi-step rolling roll. It is stated that it should be done.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-62654 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2017-054703 International Publication No. 2015-005117 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-255805 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-150905 International Publication No. 2015-005116

When a powder having a lower fluidity than a slurry-shaped electrode material (hereinafter, also referred to as an electrode composition) is supplied to the surface of a current collector to form an electrode, the powder is leveled before rolling with a rolling roll. Is required to form the desired electrode. Patent Document 1 describes that the composite particles supplied from the powder feeder by the squeegee are leveled before rolling with a rolling roll, but the composite particles, which are powders having low fluidity, are non-uniform in the width direction. If the particles are supplied from the powder feeder in such a state, the squeegee may not be able to suppress the weight variation (variation in the amount of grain) of the composite particles supplied from the powder feeder in the non-uniform state. Further, in the method of providing a squeegee and leveling the powder as in Patent Document 1, when a powder having a lower fluidity than that of a slurry-like electrode material is used, the squeegee may clog the powder.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention suppresses clogging of the electrode composition when molding an electrode using an electrode composition having a lower fluidity than that of a suspension-like electrode material, and an electrode composition supplied from a powder feeder to a substrate. It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and a method for manufacturing an electrode for a lithium ion secondary battery capable of suppressing a variation in the weight of an object.

In order to achieve the above object, one embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus for producing an electrode material for a lithium ion secondary battery, which is a powder for supplying an electrode composition containing electrode active material particles to a sheet-shaped base material. The body feeder, the second transport section for transporting the base material on which the electrode composition supplied from the powder feeder is placed, and the electrode composition supplied from the powder feeder to the base material are rolled. The powder feeder includes a rolled portion, and the powder feeder has an adhesion suppressing portion that suppresses adhesion of the electrode composition to the inner wall surface thereof, and is supplied onto the substrate prior to rolling by the rolled portion. It is characterized by having a flattening processing portion for flattening the electrode composition with a squeegee.

According to the above configuration, when an electrode is formed using an electrode composition having a lower fluidity than a suspension-like electrode material, clogging of the electrode composition is suppressed and the electrode composition is supplied from the powder feeder to the base material. It is possible to suppress the weight variation of the electrode composition.

(A) is an overall schematic view showing a lithium ion secondary battery manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and (b) is a cross-sectional view of the lithium ion secondary battery manufacturing apparatus of FIG. 1 (a). It is a figure. It is an overall schematic which shows the manufacturing apparatus of the lithium ion secondary battery which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the electric structure of the manufacturing apparatus of the lithium ion secondary battery which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the electric structure of the manufacturing apparatus of the lithium ion secondary battery which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is an overall schematic diagram which shows the manufacturing apparatus of the lithium ion secondary battery which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of the adhesion suppressing part of the manufacturing apparatus of a lithium ion secondary battery which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the electrode composition reserve supply apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. (A) It is a schematic diagram which shows the electrode composition preliminary supply apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention, and (b) is the schematic diagram which shows the electrode composition preliminary supply apparatus which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention. be. It is a schematic diagram which shows the electrode composition reserve supply apparatus which concerns on 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the appearance of the product of the lithium ion secondary battery which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, (a) shows the outline of the cross-sectional structure of a single cell battery, (b) is a single cell. It shows the outline of the cross-sectional structure of the assembled battery which is modularized by combining the batteries.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[Outline of manufacturing equipment for lithium-ion secondary batteries]
FIG. 1A is a diagram schematically showing a lithium ion secondary battery manufacturing apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1A schematically shows a manufacturing process in which the electrode composition 14 is supplied from the powder feeder 50 onto the base material 22 to manufacture the electrodes.
This manufacturing apparatus 1 is an electrode composition preliminary supply apparatus (FIGS. 7 to 9) provided with a mechanism (flattening adjustment unit) for leveling the electrode composition 14 before supplying the electrode composition 14 to the powder feeder 50. ) May be provided.

(Powder feeder)
The powder feeder 50 is arranged near the end of the first transport belt 12, and at the upper portion thereof, receives the electrode composition 14 supplied from the electrode composition reserve supply device. Specifically, a sieve (not shown) is provided in the upper opening of the powder feeder 50, and the charged electrode composition 14 is sieved and then charged into the powder feeder 50. Then, it is supplied onto the base material 22 through the outlet of the powder feeder 50.

The electrode composition 14 supplied from the powder feeder 50 forms the electrode active material layer 15 on the base material 22 by moving at least one of the powder feeder 50 and the base material 22. In FIG. 1A, the powder feeder 50 is moved in the direction of arrow p, and the recess 11 of the battery exterior 10 is uniformly filled with the electrode composition 14. Further, in another embodiment, the base material 22 may be moved in the feed direction by a transport mechanism such as a transport belt (not shown). In one embodiment, a pair of rolling rolls is provided in the middle of the transport path by the transport belt. The electrode composition 14 supplied from the powder feeder 50 onto the base material 22 of the transport belt is stretched while being compressed by a pair of rolling rolls to form an electrode sheet composed of a layer of the positive electrode active material 62. In this way, the electrode composition is rolled by the rolling roll 30 to form the electrode composition layer. A sheet composed of layers of the negative electrode active material 72 is also formed in the same process. The electrode composition 14 that has become an electrode sheet is then further transported by a transport belt, cut by a cutter mechanism, and formed to a length constituting the electrode of the single cell battery.

As the feed mechanism of the powder feeder of the present invention, a mechanism general in the powder feeding field can be used, and in addition to the one utilizing gravity and vibration as shown in FIG. 1, a belt feeder (see FIG. 2) and a screw feeder (see FIG. 2). Known powder feeding mechanisms such as (not shown) and piezoelectric feeders (not shown) can be utilized. In FIG. 2, the electrode active material layer 15 formed on the base material 22 by the powder feeder 50 passes through a gap between the lower end portion of the wall material 40 constituting one side of the supply port and the base material 22. Adjusts the thickness of the electrode active material layer 15 to a predetermined thickness.

The electrode composition 14 used in the present embodiment may be, for example, a powder containing coating active material particles and a conductive auxiliary agent (for example, a conductive material similar to the conductive filler contained in the current collector). It may be a wet powder containing an electrolytic solution in the powder. The coated active material particles are those in which at least a part of the surface of the electrode active material particles (positive electrode active material particles, negative electrode active material particles) is coated with a coating material containing a polymer compound. When the periphery of the electrode active material particles is covered with a coating material, the volume change of the electrode is alleviated and the expansion of the electrode can be suppressed. As the polymer compound constituting the coating material, those described as the active material coating resin in Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3 and the like can be preferably used. The covering material may contain a conductive agent. As the conductive agent, the same conductive filler as that contained in the current collector can be preferably used.

The mixing ratio of the electrode active material and the electrolytic solution in the wet powder is not particularly limited, but the electrode active material: electrolytic solution = 99: 1 to 80:20 is preferable in terms of weight ratio. The electrolytic solution may contain an electrolyte and a non-aqueous solvent. As the electrolyte, those used in known electrolytic solutions can be used, for example, lithium salts of inorganic acids such as LiPF ₆ , LiBF ₄ , LiSbF ₆ , LiAsF ₆ , LiN (FSO ₂ ) 2 and LiClO ₄ . Examples thereof include lithium salts of organic acids such as LiN (CF 3 SO ₂ ) ₂ , LiN (C ₂ F ₅ SO ₂ ) ₂ and LiC (CF ₃ SO ₂ ) ₃ , and LiN (FSO ₂ ) ₂ (also referred to as LiFSI). preferable. As the non-aqueous solvent, those used in known electrolytic solutions can be used, and for example, a lactone compound, a cyclic or chain carbonate ester, a chain carboxylic acid ester, a cyclic or chain ether, a phosphoric acid ester, or a nitrile can be used. Compounds, amide compounds, sulfones, sulfolanes and the like and mixtures thereof can be used.

The electrode composition 14 as a wet powder is preferably a solid-liquid mixture having low fluidity (also referred to as pendular or funicular) containing the electrode active material and the electrolytic solution. When the electrolytic solution is added to the densely packed electrode active material, if the amount of the electrolytic solution is small, the electrolytic solution adheres in a ring shape around the contact point between the active material particles and exists discontinuously. This state is called the pendulum state (pendular shape). Then, when the amount of the electrolytic solution increases, the ring of the electrolytic solution adhering to the ring becomes large, the rings are connected to each other, and the phase due to the electrolytic solution has a continuous structure although there are voids. Such a state is called a furnitureal state (fanicular state). Among these solid-liquid mixtures, the electrode composition is more preferably a pendular mixture containing an active substance and an electrolytic solution and having no continuous phase due to the electrolytic solution.

It is also preferable that the electrode composition 14 further contains an adhesive resin or the like. When the electrode composition 14 contains an adhesive resin, the electrode composition 14 is continuously sent out into the recess 11 so that the electrode composition 14 is in a state of being crimped in the recess 11 and the conductivity between the active materials is increased. It is preferable because it becomes good. As the adhesive resin, a small amount of an organic solvent is mixed with a polymer compound constituting the coating layer (such as the resin for coating a non-aqueous secondary battery active material described in Patent Document 2), and the glass transition temperature thereof is raised from room temperature. Highly adjusted ones and those described as an adhesive in Patent Document 4 and the like can be preferably used. When the adhesive resin is contained, the adhesive resin may be used in combination with the electrode active material by adhering it to the surface of the electrode active material, or the electrode active material and the adhesive resin may be separately used in the electrode composition. It may be mixed with 14 and used. Further, the electrode composition 14 may be prepared by using a coating active material as the electrode active material and mixing the coating active material, the adhesive resin and the electrolytic solution. At this time, the polymer compound constituting the coating layer of the coating active material and the adhesive resin may be the same or different from each other. The solution-drying type electrode binder used for the known electrode for lithium ion batteries is dried and solidified by volatilizing the solvent component to firmly fix the active substances to each other. It is a resin that does not completely solidify even if the contained volatile components are removed and has adhesiveness. It is a material different from the solution-drying type electrode binder used for known electrodes for lithium ion batteries and the adhesive resin. be.

The electrode composition 14 is preferably a non-binding body containing a coating active material and an electrolytic solution. The non-bonded body containing the coating active material and the electrolytic solution means that the electrode active materials constituting the electrode composition 14 are not fixed to each other by a solution-drying type binder for electrodes, and the electrodes It means that all the electrode active materials in the composition are not bound to each other. In the present embodiment, when the electrode composition contains a conductive auxiliary agent, the coated electrode active material particles in the electrode composition 14 and the conductive auxiliary agent are not bound to each other. Further, in the present embodiment, the electrode composition 14 is a solid-liquid mixture having a lower fluidity than a suspension-like mixture (a mixture prepared by suspending a known electrode active material in a solvent), and is a coated electrode. When the active material particles and the electrolytic solution are contained, the solid-liquid mixture does not contain a binder for binding the electrode active material particles to each other.

The base material 22 on which the electrode composition layer 15 is formed or the cut sheet (hereinafter, simply referred to as “electrode sheet”) is coated with an electrolytic solution by an electrolytic solution application mechanism (not shown). In the present embodiment, when the electrode composition 14 (positive electrode composition, negative electrode composition) supplied from the powder feeder 50 contains an electrolytic solution, the step of applying the electrolytic solution is simplified or the coating process of the electrolytic solution is simplified. The step of applying the electrolytic solution may be omitted.

The electrode sheet composed of the layer of the positive electrode active material 62 (negative electrode active material 72; FIG. 8) coated with the electrolytic solution is mounted on the positive electrode current collector 61 (negative electrode current collector 71; FIG. 8). After that, the positive electrode current collector 61 (negative electrode current collector 71) on which the electrode sheet composed of the layer of the positive electrode active material 62 (negative electrode active material 72) is placed is cut to the length of the single cell battery 100.

After the positive electrode current collector 61 (negative electrode current collector 71) on which the electrode sheet is placed is cut to the length of the single cell battery 100, the positive electrode and the negative electrode are bonded to each other with the separator 101 sandwiched between them, and further, in vacuum. It is packed with a sealing material and the electrode terminals are taken out from the battery outer container. Then, the single-cell battery is modularized into an assembled battery 200, and finally packaged, and is transported and sold for each package.

As the positive electrode current collector 61, a current collector used in a known lithium ion cell can be used. For example, a known metal current collector and a resin current collector composed of a conductive material and a resin can be used. (The resin current collectors and the like described in Patent Document 5 and National Patent Document 6 and the like) can be used. The positive electrode current collector 61 is preferably a resin current collector from the viewpoint of battery characteristics and the like.

The metal collector includes, for example, copper, aluminum, titanium, nickel, tantalum, niobium, hafnium, zirconium, zinc, tungsten, bismuth, antimon, alloys containing one or more of these metals, and a group consisting of stainless alloys. One or more metallic materials selected from. These metal materials may be used in the form of a thin plate, a metal foil, or the like. Further, a metal current collector having the metal material formed on the surface of a base material other than the metal material by a method such as sputtering, electrodeposition, or coating may be used.

The resin current collector preferably contains a conductive filler and a matrix resin. Examples of the matrix resin include polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polymethylpentene (PMP), polycycloolefin (PCO), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyether nitrile (PEN), and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). ), Styrene butadiene rubber (SBR), polyacrylonitrile (PAN), polymethylacrylate (PMA), polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVdF), epoxy resin, silicone resin, or a mixture thereof. From the viewpoint of electrical stability, polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polymethylpentene (PMP) and polycycloolefin (PCO) are preferable, and polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) and poly are more preferable. It is methylpentene (PMP).

The conductive filler is selected from materials having conductivity. Specifically, metals [nickel, aluminum, stainless steel (SUS), silver, copper, titanium, etc.], carbon [graphite and carbon black (acetylene black, ketjen black, furnace black, channel black, thermal lamp black, etc.), etc.), etc. ], And a mixture thereof, etc., but is not limited thereto. These conductive fillers may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Moreover, you may use these alloys or metal oxides. From the viewpoint of electrical stability, aluminum, stainless steel, carbon, silver, copper, titanium and mixtures thereof are preferable, silver, aluminum, stainless steel and carbon are more preferable, and carbon is more preferable. Further, as these conductive fillers, a particle-based ceramic material or a resin material may be coated with a conductive material (a metal material among the above-mentioned conductive filler materials) by plating or the like.

The shape (form) of the conductive filler is not limited to the particle form, and may be a form other than the particle form, or may be a form practically used as a so-called filler-based conductive resin composition such as carbon nanotubes. good.

The conductive filler may be a conductive fiber whose shape is fibrous. The conductive fibers include carbon fibers such as PAN-based carbon fibers and pitch-based carbon fibers, conductive fibers in which a metal having good conductivity and graphite are uniformly dispersed in synthetic fibers, and a metal such as stainless steel. Examples thereof include fibrous metal fibers, conductive fibers in which the surface of organic fibers is coated with metal, and conductive fibers in which the surface of organic fibers is coated with a resin containing a conductive substance. Among these conductive fibers, carbon fibers are preferable. Further, a polypropylene resin kneaded with graphene is also preferable.

The resin current collector may contain other components (dispersant, cross-linking accelerator, cross-linking agent, colorant, ultraviolet absorber, plasticizer, etc.) in addition to the matrix resin and the conductive filler. Further, a plurality of resin current collectors may be laminated and used, or a resin current collector and a metal foil may be laminated and used.

The resin current collector can be obtained, for example, by forming a conductive resin composition obtained by melt-kneading a matrix resin, a conductive filler, and a dispersant for a filler used if necessary into a film by a known method. .. Examples of the method for forming the conductive resin composition into a film include known film forming methods such as a T-die method, an inflation method, and a calender method.

Examples of the positive electrode active material include composite oxides of lithium and transition metals {composite oxides having one type of transition metal (LiCoO ₂ , LiNiO ₂ , LiAlMnO ₄ , LiMnO ₂ , LiMn ₂ O ₄ , etc.) and transition metal elements. Two types of composite oxides (eg LiFemnO ₄ , LiNi _1-x Co _x O ₂ , LiMn _1-y Co _y O ₂ , LiNi _1/3 Co _1/3 Al _1/3 O ₂ and LiNi _0.8 Co _0.15 Al _0.05 O ₂ ) and a composite oxide having three or more kinds of metal elements [for example, LiM _a M'b _M''c O ₂ (M, _M'and M'' are different transition metal elements, and a + b + c = 1 For example, LiNi _1/3 Mn _1/3 Co _1/3 O ₂ ), etc.}, lithium-containing transition metal phosphates (eg LiFePO ₄ , LiCoPO ₄ , LiMnPO ₄ and LiNiPO ₄ ), transition metal oxides. (Eg MnO ₂ and V ₂ O ₅ ), transition metal sulfides (eg MoS ₂ and TiS ₂ ) and conductive polymers (eg polyaniline, polypyrrole, polythiophene, polyacetylene and poly-p-phenylene and polyvinylcarbazole) and the like. However, two or more types may be used in combination. The lithium-containing transition metal phosphate may be obtained by substituting a part of the transition metal site with another transition metal.

As the negative electrode current collector 71, the same configuration as that described in the positive electrode current collector 61 can be appropriately selected and used, and can be obtained by the same method. The negative electrode current collector 71 is preferably a resin current collector from the viewpoint of battery characteristics and the like.

Examples of the negative electrode active material include carbon-based materials [graphite, refractory carbon, amorphous carbon, fired resin (for example, phenol resin, furan resin, etc. baked and carbonized), cokes (for example, pitch coke, needle). Coke and petroleum coke etc.) and carbon fibers], silicon-based materials [silicon, silicon oxide (SiOx), silicon-carbon composite (carbon particles whose surface is coated with silicon and / or silicon carbide, silicon particles or oxidation) Silicon particles whose surface is coated with carbon and / or silicon carbide, silicon carbide, etc.) and silicon alloys (silicon-aluminum alloy, silicon-lithium alloy, silicon-nickel alloy, silicon-iron alloy, silicon-titanium alloy, silicon) -Manganese alloys, silicon-copper alloys, silicon-tin alloys, etc.)], conductive polymers (eg, polyacetylene and polypyrrole, etc.), metals (tin, aluminum, zirconium, titanium, etc.), metal oxides (titanium oxide and titanium oxides, etc.) Examples thereof include lithium-titanium oxides, etc.), metal alloys (for example, lithium-tin alloys, lithium-aluminum alloys, lithium-aluminum-manganese alloys, etc.) and mixtures of these with carbon-based materials. Among the above-mentioned negative electrode active materials, those which do not contain lithium or lithium ions inside may be pre-doped with a part or all of the negative electrode active materials containing lithium or lithium ions in advance.

[Control configuration of manufacturing equipment]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control unit of a lithium ion secondary battery manufacturing apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the electric field composition 14 is supplied to the powder feeder 50 by the first transfer belt 12 of the electrode reserve supply device, and is supplied from the powder feeder 50 to the base material 22 by the second transfer belt 21.

The control unit 300 includes a CPU 301, a RAM 302, a ROM 303, a first conveyor belt driver 305, and a second conveyor belt driver 306. By executing the control program stored in the ROM 303, the CPU 301 controls the entire manufacturing apparatus 1 including the driving of each of the above-mentioned mechanisms. The RAM 302 is used as a work area when the CPU 301 is controlled and executed. The first transport belt driver 305 controls the drive for transport movement of the first transport belt 12, and the second transport belt driver 306 controls the drive for transport movement of the second transport belt 21.

Further, as will be described later, in another embodiment of the present invention, when the electrode spare supply device has the spare roll 16D, the spare roll driver 304 controls the rotational drive of the spare roll 16D. The first transport belt driver 305 controls the drive for transport movement of the first transport belt 12, and the second transport belt driver 306 controls the drive for transport movement of the second transport belt 21 (. See Figure 4). Note that FIGS. 3 and 4 show a part of the control configuration in the manufacturing apparatus 1, and the illustration and description of the other control configurations are omitted.

When the electrode composition 14 is a powder containing the above-mentioned coating active material particles and a conductive auxiliary agent or a wet powder containing an electrolytic solution in the powder, the electrode active material is suspended in a solvent. The fluidity is lower than that of the suspension-like electrode material produced in the above process. When an electrode is formed using such an electrode composition 14 having low fluidity, the electrode composition 14 is conveyed to the powder feeder 50 or the base material 22 in a non-uniform thickness. Even if the electrode composition 14 supplied from the powder feeder 50 to the base material 22 is pressed by the rolling roll 30, it may not be possible to suppress the variation in the amount of the electrode composition 14. Therefore, in the first embodiment, by providing the following configuration, it is possible to suppress such variation in the basis weight of the electrode composition 14.

[First Embodiment]
The configuration of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. The powder feeder 50 in the first embodiment includes an adhesion suppressing portion that suppresses adhesion of the electrode composition 14 to the inner wall surface thereof.

A mesh structure 53A (adhesion suppressing portion) exists on the inner wall surface 52 of the powder feeder 50. 6 (a) to 6 (c) are views illustrating an example of a powder feeder 50 having various mesh structures 53A on the inner wall surface 52. By providing the mesh structure 53A on the surface of the inner wall surface 52 of the powder feeder 50, unevenness is provided on the surface. The mesh of the mesh structure 53A may be any as long as it does not cause so-called clogging of the electrode composition 14 and prevents the electrode composition 14 from adhering to the inner wall surface 52 of the powder feeder 50. For example, the mesh may be formed by providing a through hole in a flat surface (see FIG. 6 (a)), or may be formed by weaving in a mesh pattern (see FIGS. 6 (b) and 6 (c)). ). For the through hole, a polygonal structure such as a circle, a square, or a hexagon can be used.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the mesh structure 53A may have an opening size of 30 μm to 150 μm. Further, it may be 100 mesh to 440 mesh (JIS3555: 2004). If the opening is too small, the electrode composition 14 will clog the recesses of the mesh structure 53A.

The mesh structure 53A includes, for example, a resin such as polyacetal (POM), polyamide (PA), polycarbonate (PC), modified polyphenylene ether (m-PPE), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), a metal such as stainless steel, and ceramics. It can be formed using various materials. It is preferably a resin. In another embodiment of the present invention, the surface of the mesh structure 53A may be coated with a coating that suppresses adhesion of the electrode composition 14.

As described above, the mesh structure 53A has a small frictional force with the electrode composition 14 due to the uneven structure, and the opening is sufficiently large, so that the particles of the electrode composition 14 are suppressed from being fitted. As described above, if the adhesion suppressing portion 53 is a predetermined mesh structure, even when another powder supply mechanism such as a belt feeder or a screw feeder is used, the electrode composition 14 and the powder feeder 50 are contained. Liquid cross-linking due to the liquid components in the stored electrode composition 14 is less likely to occur.

Further, the first embodiment further includes a flattening processing unit for flattening the electrode composition 14 supplied on the base material 22 with a squeegee 80 prior to rolling by the rolling roll 30.

According to such a configuration, the electrode composition 14 on the base material 22 can be leveled prior to rolling on the rolling roll 30. As a result, the electrode can be manufactured while suppressing the variation in the amount (weighting amount) of the electrode composition 14 per unit area. In particular, by providing the above-mentioned mesh structure 53A (adhesion suppressing portion) and the flattening processing portion, clogging of the electrode composition 14 in the powder feeder 50 is suppressed, and the electrode composition is suppressed from the powder feeder 50. Since the object 14 is smoothly supplied and the electrode composition 14 supplied on the substrate 22 is flattened by the squeegee 80, it is possible to further suppress the variation in the amount of the electrode composition 14.

In the embodiment described below, the thicknesses of the first transport belt 12 for transporting the electrode composition 14 to the powder feeder 50 and the electrode composition 14 placed on the first transport belt 12 are adjusted. The electrode composition preliminary supply device (FIGS. 7 to 9) including the flattening adjusting unit 16 for flattening is provided, and the electrode composition 14 is supplied to the powder feeder 50. By providing such a configuration, the electrode composition is provided before being pressurized by the rolling roll 30 (roll for rolling the electrode composition 14 supplied to the base material 22) and before being supplied to the powder feeder 50. Since the electrode composition 14 can be transported while adjusting the thickness, it is possible to prevent the electrode composition 14 from being transported to the powder feeder 50 in a non-uniform state. As a result, it is possible to suppress the variation in the basis weight of the electrode composition 14 supplied from the powder feeder 50 to the base material 22.

[Electrode composition reserve supply device]
FIGS. 7 to 9 show the electrode composition reserve supply device, and are mainly views schematically showing the relationship between the first transport belt 12 and the flattening adjusting portion.

[Second Embodiment]
A second embodiment of the present invention includes a first transport belt 12 and an electrode composition preliminary supply device having a blade 16A as a flattening adjusting portion (see FIG. 7).

(1st transport belt)
The first transport belt 12 is provided in the electrode composition reserve supply device, and is configured to be rotated by the drive mechanisms 12A and 12B driven by the drive control of the driver 305 (FIG. 3). By this rotation, the electrode composition 14 is conveyed and sent to the blade 16A, and the electrode composition 14 homogenized by the blade 16A is conveyed and supplied to the powder feeder 50. In the transport / supply of the electrode composition 14, the electrode composition 14 is first supplied from an electrode composition supply unit (not shown) and placed in the vicinity thereof so as to form a mound on the first transport belt 12. Then, it is conveyed by the first conveying belt 12 and sent to the blade 16A.

(blade)
The blade 16A according to the embodiment of the present invention constitutes an electrode composition preliminary supply device as a flattening adjustment unit, and is arranged on the first transport belt 12. The blade 16 homogenizes the electrode composition 14 transported on the first transport belt 12 in the width direction. In this way, the blade 16A flattens the electrode composition 14 placed on the first transport belt 12 and smoothes it in the width direction of the first transport belt 12, and the first transport belt 12 is leveled in the width direction. The electrode composition 14 in the state of being transferred to the powder feeder 50. Further, in the present specification, the "width direction" means a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the electrode composition and parallel to the transport surface. The distance between the blade 16A and the first transport belt 12 may be fixed or may be adjustable to any distance. If the position of the blade 16A is adjustable, the blade 16A can be adjusted by an automatic or manual control device.

(Mechanism of homogenization of electrode composition)
The electrode composition 14 resting on the first transport belt 12 receives the pressure applied by the blade 16A by coming into contact with the blade 16A. This pressing force has a resistance component with respect to the electrode composition 14 in the direction opposite to the transport direction thereof. On the other hand, the electrode composition 14 at the portion in contact with the blade 16A receives a reaction pressure along the transport direction from the rear electrode composition 14 in the transport direction. That is, the electrode composition 14 at the portion in contact with the blade 16A receives two forces in opposite directions to each other, but the action of these forces causes the electrode composition 14 to move in the escape direction. Then, the movement in the escape direction has a component in the width direction, whereby the electrode composition 14 moves in the width direction.

In this case, the thicker the electrode composition 14, the greater the force acting in the width direction. As described above, in the movement in the width direction, a substantially uniform force acts regardless of the amount of the electrode composition 14 in contact with the blade 16A, and the movement in the width direction in which the thickness is smoothed as a whole is performed.

In the present embodiment, the homogenization of the electrode composition 14 in the width direction by the blade 16A is performed upstream of the electrode composition 14 being charged into the powder feeder 50 and sieved. In this case, the electrode composition 14 is sieved by the powder feeder 50 in a state of being uniformized in the width direction, and the variation of the electrode composition 14 can be suppressed upstream of the powder feeder 50, and the second transport belt The thickness of the electrode composition 14 can be made more uniform while being placed on the 21.

[Third Embodiment]
A third embodiment of the present invention includes an electrode composition preliminary supply device having a first transport belt 12 and a partition block 16B which is a flattening adjusting portion (see FIG. 8A).

(1st transport belt)
The first transport belt 12 is provided in the electrode composition reserve supply device, and is configured to be rotated by the drive mechanisms 12A and 12B driven by the drive control of the driver 305 (FIG. 3). By this rotation, the electrode composition 14 is conveyed and sent to the partition block 16B, and the electrode composition 14 homogenized by the partition block 16B is conveyed and supplied to the powder feeder 50. In the transport / supply of the electrode composition 14, the electrode composition 14 is first supplied from an electrode composition supply unit (not shown) and placed in the vicinity thereof so as to form a mound on the first transport belt 12. Then, it is conveyed by the first conveying belt 12 and sent to the partition block 16B.

(Partition block)
The partition block 16B according to the third embodiment of the present invention constitutes an electrode composition preliminary supply device as a flattening adjustment unit, and is arranged on the first transport belt 12. The partition block 16B homogenizes the electrode composition 14 transported on the first transport belt 12 in the width direction. In this way, the partition block 16B flattens the electrode composition 14 placed on the first transport belt 12 and smoothes it in the width direction of the first transport belt 12, and the first transport belt 12 is leveled in the width direction. The electrode composition 14 in the finished state is transferred to the powder feeder 50. The distance between the partition block 16B and the first transport belt 12 may be fixed or may be adjustable to any distance. If the position of the partition block 16B is adjustable, the position of the partition block 16B can be adjusted by an automatic or manual control device.

(Mechanism of homogenization of electrode composition)
The electrode composition 14 resting on the first transport belt 12 receives the pressure applied by the partition block 16B by coming into contact with the partition block 16B. This pressing force has a resistance component with respect to the electrode composition 14 in the direction opposite to the transport direction thereof. On the other hand, the electrode composition 14 at the portion in contact with the partition block 16B receives a reaction pressure along the transport direction from the electrode composition 14 rearward in the transport direction. That is, the electrode composition 14 at the portion in contact with the partition block 16B receives two forces in opposite directions to each other, but moves in the escape direction by the action of these forces. Then, the movement in the escape direction has a component in the width direction, whereby the electrode composition 14 moves in the width direction.

In this case, the thicker the electrode composition 14, the greater the force acting in the width direction. As described above, in the movement in the width direction, a substantially uniform force acts regardless of the amount of the electrode composition 14 in contact with the partition block 16B, and the movement in the width direction in which the thickness is smoothed as a whole is performed. ..

In the present embodiment, the homogenization of the electrode composition 14 in the width direction by the partition block 16B is performed upstream of the electrode composition 14 being charged into the powder feeder 50 and sieved. In this case, the electrode composition 14 is sieved by the powder feeder 50 in a state of being uniformized in the width direction, and the variation of the electrode composition 14 can be suppressed upstream of the powder feeder 50, and the second transport belt The thickness of the electrode composition 14 can be made more uniform while being placed on the 21.

[Fourth Embodiment]
A fourth embodiment of the present invention comprises an electrode composition preliminary supply device having a first transport belt 12, a partition block 16C, a tunnel 18C extending thereafter, and a through hole 17C formed in the tunnel 18C. (See FIG. 8 (b)).

(1st transport belt)
The first transport belt 12 is provided in the electrode composition reserve supply device, and is configured to be rotated by the drive mechanisms 12A and 12B driven by the drive control of the driver 305 (FIG. 3). By this rotation, the electrode composition 14 is conveyed and sent to the partition block 16C, and the electrode composition 14 homogenized by the partition block 16C is conveyed and supplied to the powder feeder 50. In the transport / supply of the electrode composition 14, the electrode composition 14 is first supplied from an electrode composition supply unit (not shown) and placed in the vicinity thereof so as to form a mound on the first transport belt 12. Then, it is conveyed by the first conveying belt 12 and sent to the partition block 16C.

(Partition block)
In the third embodiment of the present invention, the partition block 16C is arranged on the first transport belt 12, and as shown in FIG. 8B, a tunnel extending downstream of the first transport belt 12. 18C may be further provided. The electrode composition 14 will be further flattened in the tunnel 18C and will be adjusted to a more uniform thickness. Further, the tunnel 18C may be provided with a through hole 17C for fluid communication with the outside in addition to the tunnel outlet. As a result, the gas extruded from the electrode composition 14 traveling through the tunnel 18C is discharged through the through hole 17C, and a more uniform electrode composition 14 can be provided. Further, the distance between the partition block 16C and the first transport belt 12 may be fixed or may be adjustable to an arbitrary distance. If the position of the partition block 16C is adjustable, the position of the partition block 16C can be adjusted by an automatic or manual control device.

(Mechanism of homogenization of electrode composition)
The electrode composition 14 resting on the first transport belt 12 receives the pressure applied by the partition block 16C by coming into contact with the partition block 16C. This pressing force has a resistance component with respect to the electrode composition 14 in the direction opposite to the transport direction thereof. On the other hand, the electrode composition 14 at the portion in contact with the partition block 16C receives a reaction pressure along the transport direction from the electrode composition 14 rearward in the transport direction. That is, the electrode composition 14 at the portion in contact with the partition block 16C receives two forces in opposite directions to each other, but moves in the escape direction by the action of these forces. Then, the movement in the escape direction has a component in the width direction, whereby the electrode composition 14 moves in the width direction.

In this case, the thicker the electrode composition 14, the greater the force acting in the width direction. As described above, in the movement in the width direction, a substantially uniform force acts regardless of the amount of the electrode composition 14 in contact with the partition block 16C, and the movement in the width direction in which the thickness is smoothed as a whole is performed. ..

In the present embodiment, the homogenization of the electrode composition 14 in the width direction by the partition block 16C is performed upstream of the electrode composition 14 being charged into the powder feeder 50 and sieved. In this case, the electrode composition 14 is sieved by the powder feeder 50 in a state of being uniformized in the width direction, and the variation of the electrode composition 14 can be suppressed upstream of the powder feeder 50, and the second transport belt The thickness of the electrode composition 14 can be made more uniform while being placed on the 21.

[Fifth Embodiment]
A fifth embodiment of the present invention includes an electrode composition preliminary supply device including a first transfer belt 12 and a preliminary roll 16D which is a flattening adjusting portion (see FIG. 9).

(1st transport belt)
The first transport belt 12 is provided in the electrode composition reserve supply device, and is configured to be rotated by the drive mechanisms 12A and 12B driven by the drive control of the driver 305 (FIG. 4). By this rotation, the electrode composition 14 is conveyed and sent to the preliminary roll 16D, and the electrode composition 14 homogenized by the preliminary roll 16D is conveyed and supplied to the powder feeder 50. In the transport / supply of the electrode composition 14, the electrode composition 14 is first supplied from an electrode composition supply unit (not shown) and placed in the vicinity thereof so as to form a mound on the first transport belt 12. Then, it is conveyed by the first conveying belt 12 and sent to the spare roll 16D.

(Preliminary rolling section)
The spare roll 16D according to an embodiment of the present invention constitutes an electrode composition preliminary supply device as a flattening adjustment unit, is arranged on the first transport belt 12, and is not controlled by the driver 304 (FIG. 4). It is configured to be rotatable by the drive mechanism shown in the figure. The rotation of the spare roll 16D homogenizes the electrode composition 14 transported on the first transport belt 12 in the width direction. In this way, the spare roll 16D is leveled in the width direction of the first transport belt 12 by rolling and flattening the electrode composition 14 placed on the first transport belt 12, and the first transport belt 12 is , The electrode composition 14 in a state of being leveled in the width direction is conveyed to the powder feeder 50.

The radius of the spare roll 16D from the center of the shaft 17D to the outer circumference of the roll is r. The drive force of the drive mechanism rotates the shaft 17D, so that the spare roll 16D rotates in the direction of arrow a in the figure. That is, the direction of the tangential velocity v _R in the rotation of the spare roll 16D is the same direction as the transport direction indicated by the arrow A in the figure by the first transport belt 12. There is a gap of a distance G between the spare roll 16D and the first transport belt, and the first transport belt 12 forms an angle of θ with respect to the horizontal direction.

The speed v _R in the tangential direction of the spare roll 16D, the traveling speed v _B of the first transport belt 12 (the transport speed of the electrode composition 14), the size such as the radius r of the spare roll 16D, the gap distance G, and the first transport belt. By appropriately determining the angle θ formed by 12 in the horizontal direction, the uniformity of the electrode composition described below in the width direction is optimized.

(Mechanism of homogenization of electrode composition)
The electrode composition 14 resting on the first transport belt 12 receives the pressure applied by the spare roll 16D by coming into contact with the spare roll 16D. This pressing force has a resistance component with respect to the electrode composition 14 in the direction opposite to the transport direction thereof. On the other hand, the electrode composition 14 at the portion in contact with the spare roll 16D receives a reaction pressure along the transport direction from the rear electrode composition 14 in the transport direction. That is, the electrode composition 14 at the portion in contact with the preliminary roll 16D receives two forces in opposite directions to each other, but moves in the escape direction by the action of these forces. Then, the movement in the escape direction has a component in the width direction, whereby the electrode composition 14 moves in the width direction.

In this case, the thicker the electrode composition 14, the greater the force acting in the width direction. As described above, in the movement in the width direction, a substantially uniform force acts regardless of the amount of the electrode composition 14 in contact with the preliminary roll 16D, and the movement in the width direction in which the thickness is smoothed as a whole is performed. ..

It is preferable that the tangential direction of the rotation direction a of the spare roll 16D coincides with the transport direction A of the electrode composition 14 by the first transport belt 12. In the opposite case, since the electrode composition 14 sent to the spare roll 16D receives a large resistance force, the first frictional force applied to the spare roll 16D in the slope direction is applied to the electrode composition 14. This is because the transport force by the transport belt 12 and the component force of gravity in the slope direction become larger and are dammed.

Further, in the present embodiment, regarding the homogenization of the electrode composition 14 in the width direction by the spare roll 16D, the speed v _R in the tangential direction of the spare roll 16D and the transport speed v _B of the first transport belt 12 are the same. However, the present invention is not limited to this form. For example, an appropriate relationship between the speed v _R and the transport speed v _B can be determined according to the size of the spare roll 16D, the amount of the electrode composition 14 to be transported, and the like.

In the present embodiment, the homogenization of the electrode composition 14 in the width direction by the preliminary roll 16D is performed upstream of the electrode composition 14 being charged into the powder feeder 50 and sieved. In this case, the electrode composition 14 is sieved by the powder feeder 50 in a state of being uniformized in the width direction, and the variation of the electrode composition 14 can be suppressed upstream of the powder feeder 50, and the second transport belt The thickness of the electrode composition 14 can be made more uniform while being placed on the 21.

In the above example, the spare roll 16D has a circular cross section having a radius r, but any form may be used as long as the above-mentioned homogenization mechanism can be realized. For example, it may be in the form of a roll having an elliptical cross section.

In addition to the configurations of the first to fifth embodiments described above, a level sensor (not shown) for detecting the storage level (amount) of the electrode composition 14 temporarily stored inside the powder feeder 50 is provided. A control device (not shown) that controls the transfer speed of the first transfer belt 12 based on the detection result of the level sensor may be provided. For example, a predetermined storage level (amount) is set in advance (storage standard value), and when a value larger than the storage standard value is detected by the level sensor, the first transport is performed so as to reduce the storage level to the storage standard value. Control is performed to reduce the transport speed of the belt 12. Thereby, the electrode composition 14 stored inside the powder feeder 50 can be controlled to a constant amount.

Since the electrode composition 14 is discharged from the lower opening (outlet) of the powder feeder 50 by gravity downward in the vertical direction, the amount of the electrode composition 14 stored inside the powder feeder 50 is based on the storage reference value. If it is also large, the amount of the electrode composition 14 supplied from the powder feeder 50 to the second transport belt 21 becomes larger than the supply amount in the state of the storage reference value. On the contrary, when the amount of the electrode composition 14 stored inside the powder feeder 50 is smaller than the storage reference value, the amount of the electrode composition 14 supplied from the powder feeder 50 to the second transport belt 21 is increased. It will be smaller than the supply amount in the state of the storage standard value. According to the above configuration, since the electrode composition 14 in the powder feeder 50 can be controlled to a fixed amount (preset storage reference value), the electrode composition 14 is supplied to the second transport belt 21 from the outlet of the powder feeder 50. It is possible to suppress variations in the amount of the electrode composition 14. As a result, it is possible to further suppress the variation in the weight of the electrode composition 14 conveyed by the second conveying belt 21, and the variation in the basis weight of the electrode composition 14 after rolling.

[Lithium-ion secondary battery products]
10 (a) and 10 (b) are diagrams showing a schematic cross-sectional view of a product of a lithium ion secondary battery.

(Single cell battery)
FIG. 10A shows a single cell battery 100. The single cell battery 100 includes a positive electrode active material 62 and a negative electrode active material 72 with a separator 101 sandwiched between them, a positive electrode current collector 61 for collecting and extracting current, and a negative electrode current collector 71. As shown in FIG. 10A, the single cell battery 100 is formed by stacking a positive electrode current collector 61, a positive electrode active material 62, a separator 101, a negative electrode active material 72, and a negative electrode current collector 71 in this order. be. The single cell battery 100 has a configuration in which an electrolytic solution is sealed by sealing the outer periphery of the positive electrode active material layer 13 and the negative electrode active material layer 23. As a method of sealing the outer periphery of the positive electrode active material layer 13 and the negative electrode active material layer 23, for example, a method of sealing with a sealing material 90 can be mentioned. The sealing material 90 is arranged between the positive electrode current collector 61 and the negative electrode current collector 71, and has a function of sealing the outer periphery of the separator 101.

(Assembled battery)
FIG. 10B shows an assembled battery 200 modularized by combining a single cell battery 100. The assembled battery 200 is provided with a current extraction unit 210 at the upper and lower ends. The method of stacking the plurality of single cell batteries 100 in the assembled battery 200 is not particularly limited, but for example, each single cell battery 100 may be laminated and connected in series as follows. Specifically, the positive electrode collector 61 in one single cell battery 100 and the negative electrode current collector 71 in another single cell battery 100 adjacent to the single cell battery 100 in the stacking direction are in mutual contact with each other. As such, a plurality of single cell batteries 100 are stacked, and each single cell battery 100 is connected in series. In this laminated structure, the current collector is formed by laminating the positive electrode current collector 61 and the negative electrode current collector 71. In such a laminated structure, a positive electrode is formed on one surface of the current collector and a negative electrode is formed on the other surface to form a bipolar (bipolar) type electrode, and the bipolar (bipolar) type electrode is laminated with a separator. It can also be said that it has a structure. The positive electrode terminal (not shown) contacts the positive electrode current collector 61 of one single cell battery 100 located at the bottom layer of the plurality of single cell batteries 100. On the other hand, the negative electrode terminal (not shown) contacts the negative electrode current collector 71 of the single cell battery 100 located on the uppermost layer of the plurality of single cell batteries 100.

As described above, the apparatus for manufacturing the electrode material for a lithium ion secondary battery according to the embodiment includes a powder feeder that supplies an electrode composition containing electrode active material particles to a sheet-shaped substrate, and the powder. A second transport section for transporting the base material on which the electrode composition supplied from the body feeder is placed, and a rolling section for rolling the electrode composition supplied from the powder feeder to the substrate are provided. The powder feeder has an adhesion suppressing portion that suppresses adhesion of the electrode composition to the inner wall surface thereof, and the electrode composition supplied onto the substrate is squeezed prior to rolling by the rolling portion. It has a flattening processing unit for flattening.

Further, the method for manufacturing an electrode material for a lithium ion secondary battery according to an embodiment is a powder feeder that supplies an electrode composition containing electrode active material particles, and suppresses adhesion of the electrode composition to the inner wall surface thereof. A first transport step of transporting the electrode composition to the powder feeder having an adhesion suppressing portion by a first transport portion, and a supply step of supplying the electrode composition from the powder feeder to a sheet-shaped substrate. A second transport step of transporting the base material on which the electrode composition supplied from the powder feeder is placed, a pressurizing step of rolling the electrode composition supplied to the base material, and the rolling. A flattening treatment step of flattening the electrode composition supplied onto the substrate with a squeegee prior to rolling by the portion is included.

Further, as described above, the apparatus for manufacturing the electrode material for a lithium ion secondary battery according to the embodiment includes a powder feeder that supplies an electrode composition containing electrode active material particles to a sheet-shaped base material, and the above-mentioned. A preliminary supply unit including a first transport unit for transporting the electrode composition to the powder feeder, a flattening adjustment unit for adjusting the thickness of the electrode composition placed on the first transport unit, and the powder. It includes a second transport section for transporting the base material on which the electrode composition supplied from the feeder is placed, and a rolling section for rolling the electrode composition supplied from the powder feeder to the base material.

In the above embodiment, the flattening adjustment unit may be a blade.

In the above embodiment, the electrode active material particles may be coated electrode active material particles in which at least a part of the surface thereof is coated with a coating layer containing a polymer compound.

In the above embodiment, the electrode composition may contain a conductive auxiliary agent, and the coated electrode active material particles in the electrode composition and the conductive auxiliary agent may not be bound to each other.

In one embodiment, the electrode composition contains the coated electrode active material particles and an electrolytic solution, and has lower fluidity than a suspension-like mixture prepared by suspending the electrode active material in a solvent. It may be a solid-liquid mixture.

In the above embodiment, the solid-liquid mixture may not contain a binder for binding the electrode active material particles to each other.

In the above embodiment, the flattening adjustment unit flattens the electrode composition placed on the first transport unit and smoothes the electrode composition in the width direction of the first transport unit. , The electrode composition in a state of being leveled in the width direction may be conveyed to the powder feeder.

Further, in the method for producing an electrode material for a lithium ion secondary battery according to an embodiment, the electrode composition is conveyed by a first transfer unit to a powder feeder that supplies an electrode composition containing electrode active material particles. 1 The transfer step, the supply step of supplying the electrode composition from the powder feeder to the sheet-shaped substrate, and the transfer of the substrate on which the electrode composition supplied from the powder feeder is placed. 2 The thickness of the electrode composition in the transfer step, the pressurizing step of rolling the electrode composition supplied to the substrate, and the first transfer step prior to the supply step and the second transfer step. Includes a preliminary step to adjust.

In one embodiment, in the preliminary step, the electrode composition transported in the first transport step is flattened and leveled in the width direction of the first transport portion, and in the first transport step, in the width direction. The electrode composition in a leveled state may be conveyed to the powder feeder.

Further, the apparatus for manufacturing an electrode material for a lithium ion secondary battery according to an embodiment has a powder feeder for supplying an electrode composition containing electrode active material particles to a sheet-shaped base material, and the powder feeder to the powder feeder. It is supplied from a first transport section for transporting the electrode composition, a preliminary supply section provided with a flattening adjusting section for adjusting the thickness of the electrode composition placed on the first transport section, and a powder feeder. A second transport section for transporting the base material on which the electrode composition is placed and a rolling section for rolling the electrode composition supplied from the powder feeder to the base material are provided.

In the above embodiment, the flattening adjustment unit may be a partition block.

In the above embodiment, the electrode active material particles may be coated electrode active material particles in which at least a part of the surface thereof is coated with a coating layer containing a polymer compound.

In the above embodiment, the electrode composition may contain a conductive auxiliary agent, and the coated electrode active material particles in the electrode composition and the conductive auxiliary agent may not be bound to each other.

In one embodiment, the electrode composition contains the coated electrode active material particles and an electrolytic solution, and has lower fluidity than a suspension-like mixture prepared by suspending the electrode active material in a solvent. It may be a solid-liquid mixture.

In the above embodiment, the solid-liquid mixture may not contain a binder for binding the electrode active material particles to each other.

In the above embodiment, the flattening adjustment unit rolls the electrode composition placed on the first transport unit and smoothes it in the width direction of the first transport unit, and the first transport unit is , The electrode composition in a state of being leveled in the width direction may be conveyed to the powder feeder.

In the above embodiment, the partition block may have a tunnel portion extending in the downstream direction of the first transport portion.

In the above embodiment, the tunnel portion may have a through hole.
Further, in the method for producing an electrode material for a lithium ion secondary battery according to an embodiment, the electrode composition is conveyed by a first transfer unit to a powder feeder that supplies an electrode composition containing electrode active material particles. 1 The transfer step, the supply step of supplying the electrode composition from the powder feeder to the sheet-shaped substrate, and the transfer of the substrate on which the electrode composition supplied from the powder feeder is placed. 2 The thickness of the electrode composition in the transfer step, the pressurizing step of rolling the electrode composition supplied to the substrate, and the first transfer step prior to the supply step and the second transfer step. Includes a preliminary step to adjust.

In one embodiment, in the preliminary step, the electrode composition transported in the first transport step is flattened and leveled in the width direction of the first transport portion, and in the first transport step, the width direction is used. The electrode composition in a state of being leveled may be conveyed to the powder feeder.

Further, in one embodiment, the apparatus for manufacturing an electrode material for a lithium ion secondary battery has a powder feeder that supplies an electrode composition containing electrode active material particles to a sheet-shaped base material, and the electrode to the powder feeder. A preliminary supply unit including a first transport unit for transporting the composition, a flattening adjustment unit for adjusting the thickness of the electrode composition placed on the first transport unit, and the powder feeder. A second transport section for transporting the base material on which the electrode composition is placed and a rolling section for rolling the electrode composition supplied from the powder feeder to the base material are provided.

In the above embodiment, the flattening adjustment section may be a preliminary rolling section.

In one embodiment, the control device for controlling the pre-rolling section is provided, and the control device controls the rotational drive of the pre-rolling section so as to rotate in a direction along the transport direction of the first transport section. May be good.

In the above embodiment, the electrode active material particles may be coated electrode active material particles in which at least a part of the surface thereof is coated with a coating layer containing a polymer compound.

In the above embodiment, the electrode composition may contain a conductive auxiliary agent, and the coated electrode active material particles in the electrode composition and the conductive auxiliary agent may not be bound to each other.

In one embodiment, the electrode composition contains the coated electrode active material particles and an electrolytic solution, and has lower fluidity than a suspension-like mixture prepared by suspending the electrode active material in a solvent. It may be a solid-liquid mixture.

In the above embodiment, the solid-liquid mixture may not contain a binder for binding the electrode active material particles to each other.

In one embodiment, the pre-rolling section rolls the electrode composition placed on the first transport section and smoothes it in the width direction of the first transport section, and the first transport section comprises the first transport section. The electrode composition in a state of being leveled in the width direction may be conveyed to the powder feeder.

In one embodiment, the tangential speed of the pre-rolled section may be the same as the speed at which the first transport section transports the electrode composition.

Further, the method for manufacturing the electrode material for the lithium ion secondary battery according to the embodiment includes a first transport step of transporting the electrode composition to a powder feeder that supplies the electrode composition containing the electrode active material particles. A supply step of supplying the electrode composition from the powder feeder to the sheet-shaped substrate, and a second transfer step of transporting the substrate on which the electrode composition supplied from the powder feeder is placed. A preliminary step of adjusting the thickness of the electrode composition in the pressurizing step of rolling the electrode composition supplied to the substrate and the first transport step prior to the supply step and the second transport step. In the preliminary step, the flattening adjusting portion for adjusting the thickness of the electrode composition rotates in the direction along the conveying direction of the first conveying portion.

In one embodiment, in the preliminary step, the electrode composition transported in the first transport step is rolled and leveled in the width direction of the first transport portion, and in the first transport step, the width direction is reached. The electrode composition in a state of being leveled may be conveyed to the powder feeder.

As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the electrode sheet of the electrode composition 14 constituting the electrode of the lithium ion secondary battery can be uniformly produced in the width direction, and the desired texture of the active material can be obtained. The amount can be obtained to improve the performance of the lithium ion secondary battery.

The embodiments described above are for facilitating the understanding of the present invention, and are not for limiting the interpretation of the present invention. The sequence described in the embodiment, each element included in the embodiment, its arrangement, materials, conditions, shape, size, and the like are not limited to those exemplified, and can be appropriately changed. It is also possible to replace some of the components shown in different embodiments or add and combine other components.

1 Lithium-ion secondary battery manufacturing equipment 10 Battery exterior 11 Battery exterior recess 12 First transport belt 14 Electrode composition 15 Electrode active material layer 16A Blade 16B Partition block 16C Partition block 16D Spare roll 17C Through hole 17D Shaft 18C Tunnel 21 2nd transport belt 22 Base material 30 Rolled roll 40 Wall material 50 Powder feeder 53 Adhesion suppression part 53A Mesh structure 61 Positive electrode current collector 62 Positive electrode active material 71 Negative electrode current collector 72 Negative electrode active material 80 Squeegee 100 Single cell Battery 200 sets Battery A First transport belt transport direction B Base plate 22 transport direction b Transport mechanism rotation direction p Powder feeder movement direction G Distance between the spare roll and the first transport belt V _R Spare roll Speed in the tangential direction V _B Traveling speed of the first transport belt a Rotational direction of the spare roll r Radius of the spare roll

Claims (9)

A device for manufacturing electrode materials for lithium-ion secondary batteries.
A powder feeder that supplies an electrode composition containing electrode active material particles to a sheet-shaped substrate,
A second transport unit for transporting the base material on which the electrode composition supplied from the powder feeder is placed, and a second transport unit.
A rolling portion for rolling the electrode composition supplied from the powder feeder to the substrate, and a rolling portion.
Equipped with
The powder feeder has an adhesion suppressing portion that suppresses adhesion of the electrode composition to the inner wall surface thereof.
An apparatus for manufacturing an electrode material for a lithium ion secondary battery, which comprises a flattening processing portion for flattening an electrode composition supplied onto the substrate with a squeegee prior to rolling by the rolling portion. The adhesion suppressing portion is a mesh.
The apparatus for manufacturing an electrode material for a lithium ion secondary battery according to claim 1. The electrode active material particles are coated electrode active material particles in which at least a part of the surface is coated with a coating layer containing a polymer compound.
The apparatus for manufacturing an electrode material for a lithium ion secondary battery according to claim 1. The electrode composition contains a conductive auxiliary agent and contains.
The coated electrode active material particles in the electrode composition and the conductive auxiliary agent are not bound to each other.
The apparatus for manufacturing an electrode material for a lithium ion secondary battery according to claim 3. The electrode composition is a solid-liquid mixture containing the coated electrode active material particles and an electrolytic solution, and has a lower fluidity than a suspension-like mixture prepared by suspending the electrode active material in a solvent.
The apparatus for manufacturing an electrode material for a lithium ion secondary battery according to claim 3. The solid-liquid mixture does not contain a binder for binding the electrode active material particles to each other.
The apparatus for manufacturing an electrode material for a lithium ion secondary battery according to claim 5. The flattening processing section flattens the electrode composition placed on the first transport section and smoothes it in the width direction of the first transport section.
The first transport unit transports the electrode composition in a state of being leveled in the width direction to the powder feeder.
The apparatus for manufacturing an electrode material for a lithium ion secondary battery according to any one of claims 1 to 6. A method for manufacturing electrode materials for lithium-ion secondary batteries.
The electrode composition is supplied to the powder feeder that supplies the electrode composition containing the electrode active material particles and has an adhesion suppressing portion that suppresses the adhesion of the electrode composition to the inner wall surface thereof. The first transport process for transporting goods and
A supply step of supplying the electrode composition from the powder feeder to the sheet-shaped base material, and
A second transport step of transporting the base material on which the electrode composition supplied from the powder feeder is placed, and
A pressurizing step of rolling the electrode composition supplied to the substrate, and
A method for producing an electrode material for a lithium ion secondary battery, which comprises a flattening treatment step of flattening an electrode composition supplied onto the substrate with a squeegee prior to rolling by the rolling portion. .. In the first transfer step, the electrode composition in a state of being leveled in the width direction is transferred to the powder feeder.
The method for manufacturing an electrode material for a lithium ion secondary battery according to claim 8.

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