JP3450066B2 - Coin-type battery cleaning method and cleaning device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a coin-type battery cleaning method and cleaning device, and more particularly, to a coin-type battery assembly process in which an opening of a coin-type exterior body containing a battery element is sealed. The present invention relates to a cleaning method and a cleaning device for removing an electrolytic solution and dirt adhering to the surface after sealing (crimp sealing) with a body.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art So-called coin-type batteries, such as a coin-type lithium battery whose main structure is shown in cross section in FIG. 5, are generally manufactured by the following steps. That is, the coin-shaped exterior body 1 that constitutes one of the electrode terminals
In which the positive electrode layer 2a, the separator layer 2b, and the negative electrode layer 2c are provided, and a required electrolytic solution is further injected into the battery element 2 to provide the battery element 2 therein. A sealing body 4 that forms the other electrode terminal is fitted and mounted via the above-mentioned structure to seal the liquid tightly. In the process of assembling the coin-type battery, the electrolytic solution injected into the positive electrode and the negative electrode seals and seals the opening of the coin-type outer casing 1 with the sealing body 4 (fitting / crimping). Since it adheres to the outer surface of the battery, it is commercialized by cleaning with cleaning water. FIG. 6 schematically shows an embodiment of a conventional coin-type battery cleaning method. For example, a coin-type battery 6 is arranged in a plastic endless transfer path 5 with the cathode terminal surface facing upward and fixed. While transporting at a constant speed, the nozzle 7a fixedly installed on the transport path 5 jets (radiates) hot water of about 55 to 60 ° C to wash it, and then the hot water jet nozzle 7a is used or almost the same. The nozzle 7b separately provided at the position ejects (radiates) wind at about room temperature to perform drying.

[0003]

However, in the above coin-type battery cleaning method, the following problems may occur in practical use. That is, since the coin-type battery 6 is arranged on the transport path 5 in a fixed posture and undergoes a required cleaning process, cleaning of the upper surface side facing the cleaning water nozzle 7a, particularly the sealing body 4 surface, etc. is attempted. Easy to use, but the transport path 5 for the coin type battery 6
The surface (back surface) in contact with is hardly cleaned. Even on the upper surface side facing the cleaning water nozzle 7a, the gap between the contact portion between the opening of the outer casing 1 forming the sealing portion and the insulating layer (packing layer) 3, and the insulating layer (packing layer) ) It is often recognized that the electrolytic solution adhering to the gap between the contact portion 3 and the sealing body 4 cannot be removed by washing with water. Then, there is a possibility that the residual of the cleaning water containing the electrolytic solution may be confused with so-called leakage of the electrolytic solution, and the reliability for the user is likely to be impaired.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and provides a cleaning method and a cleaning apparatus capable of completely cleaning and removing the electrolytic solution adhering to and remaining on the surface of a crimp-sealed coin-type battery. To aim.

[0005]

A coin-type battery cleaning method according to the present invention is a coin-type battery cleaning method in which an opening of a coin-type exterior body for accommodating a battery element is sealed with a sealing body. It is characterized in that the coin-type battery is rotatably held in a vertical shape, and washing water is radiated from above and obliquely above to be washed and then dried at least twice.

The coin-type battery cleaning device according to the present invention is
A battery carrier that holds the coin type battery rotatably in a vertical direction; a guide mechanism that moves and guides the coin type battery held by the battery carrier in a predetermined direction; and a battery carrier that holds the coin type battery by the guide mechanism. A drive mechanism for intermittently moving and a first mechanism arranged along the moving direction of the battery carrier holding the coin type battery and capable of irradiating the washing water from above and obliquely above the coin type battery. A cleaning water irradiating nozzle, a first drying treatment means installed in the installation area of the first cleaning water irradiating nozzle or in an area close to the first cleaning water irradiating nozzle, and drying the washed coin-type battery; and the first cleaning water irradiating nozzle. Is located away from the installation area of the battery, along the moving direction of the battery carrier, and to allow the washing water to be radiated from above and obliquely above the coin type battery. A cleaning water emission nozzle of the second
And a second drying processing means which is installed in the installation area of the cleaning water radiating nozzle or in an adjacent area and which dries the washed coin type battery.

That is, the coin-type battery cleaning means according to the present invention is arranged such that the coin-type battery as the object to be cleaned is vertically arranged (raised at 90 °) and rotated / self-propelled. Upward and oblique (30 ~
The main point is to irradiate (inject) the washing water from about 35 °), to subsequently carry out the drying treatment, and to repeat the series of the washing treatment and the drying treatment at least twice.

In the present invention, when a plurality of objects to be cleaned are mounted on the battery carrier and the guide mechanism is intermittently rotated / self-propelled in a predetermined direction, the cleaning water is supplied at this rotation / self-propelled (conveyance) speed. It is preferable that the radiating mechanism and the drying mechanism of (3) are followed, a certain area is allowed to run, and then the original position is restored. In other words, within a certain area where the object to be cleaned rotates and self-propels, after the cleaning and drying process is completed, the object to be cleaned returns to its original position and newly rotates and self-propels the object to be cleaned within a certain area. When the method of performing the washing and drying process again is adopted, and such a method is set in at least two places, the preceding processing area and the subsequent processing area are separated from each other, and space efficiency and cleaning efficiency are increased. This is because it is easy to improve.

[0009]

According to the method of cleaning a coin battery according to the present invention, the coin battery, which is the object to be cleaned, is washed and dried while rotating and self-propelled in an upright state. In other words, by rotating and self-propelling, the cleaning and drying processes are performed while changing the posture, so that the electrolytic solution adhering to the gaps such as the sealing part can easily flow out and be removed, and the cleaning water can also be removed. It is easily drained and dried effectively. Moreover, since this step is performed at least twice, complete removal of the adhering electrolytic solution and dirt can be easily achieved.

Further, according to the coin-type battery cleaning device of the present invention, the action and effect of the cleaning method can be easily achieved, which greatly contributes to improvement in productivity and yield of highly reliable coin-type batteries. It can be said to be a thing.

[0011]

EXAMPLES Examples of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a process flow chart of a coin-type battery cleaning method according to the present invention. That is, it is a method of cleaning a coin-type battery, for example, a coin-type lithium battery, in which an opening of a coin-type exterior body that houses a battery element is sealed with a sealing body, and the coin-type battery can be vertically rotated. (rotation·
It is kept self-propelled), and if necessary, preliminary cleaning 8 is first performed. Then, upward and obliquely upward (for example, an angle of about 30-35 °
5 kg of washing water from the position), for example, warm water at 55 to 60 ° C
After irradiating (injecting) for about 1 minute at a pressure of about / cm ² and washing with water (first washing) 9a, wind from above and obliquely above (for example, at an angle and position of about 30 to 35 °), for example, at room temperature. Air is radiated (sprayed) at a pressure of about 5 kg / cm ² for about 10 seconds to perform drying (first drying) 10a. Then again
In the second washing region, under the same conditions as above, washing water is radiated (sprayed) from above and obliquely above to wash (second washing) 9b and then perform drying (second drying) 10b. In other words, a series of steps consisting of the cleaning treatment 9a and the drying treatment 10a is performed in two steps.
It should be repeated more than once. More specifically, in the process of assembling a coin-type lithium battery, after the sealing body is fitted and sealed in the opening of the coin-type exterior body that houses the battery element, the cleaning method is applied to the product. With respect to the converted coin-type battery, the state of adhesion and contamination of the electrolytic solution on the outer surface and the state of contamination were observed and evaluated. As a result, residual adhesion and contamination of the electrolytic solution and the cleaning solution were completely eliminated.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing an example of the essential structure of a coin-type battery cleaning device according to the present invention. In FIG. 2, 11 is a battery carrier that rotatably holds the coin type battery 6 in a vertical shape, and 12 is a guide mechanism that moves and guides the coin type battery 6 held by the battery carrier 11 in a predetermined direction. Here, in the battery carrier 11, as shown in a side view in FIG. 3, the coin type battery 6 can be loosely fitted in the slits formed in the central portion along the length direction so as to be separated from each other. It is composed.

Further, the guide mechanism 12 includes the coin type battery 6
Rotating / self-propelled with their peripheral surfaces facing each other
Rails 12a and a pair of chains 12b that move (convey) in a predetermined direction by supporting both sides of the battery carrier 11 respectively.
And a pair of second rails 12d corresponding to the transport system 12c. And, the coin-shaped battery 6 vertically mounted on the battery carrier 11.
The position of the wheel is sequentially changed as its peripheral surface rotates and runs on the first rail 12a. At this time, if the surface of the first rail 12a that is in contact with the peripheral surface of the rotating / self-propelled coin type battery 6 is inclined by, for example, about 5 to 15 °, the first surface of the washing water or the electrolytic solution will Adhesion residue on the rail 12a surface is more easily eliminated.

Furthermore, the battery carrier 11 holding the coin-type battery battery 6 is intermittently moved in a fixed direction by the guide mechanism 12 which is intermittently driven by a drive mechanism (not shown). Reference numeral 13 is along the moving direction of the battery carrier 11 holding the coin-type battery cell 6, and is upward and obliquely above the coin-type battery cell 6 (for example, 30
This is the first washing water radiating nozzle arranged so as to be able to radiate the washing water from an angle / position of about 35 °. Then, in the installation area of the first cleaning water radiating nozzle 13 or in an adjacent area thereof, a first drying processing means for drying a coin-type battery that is used together with the first cleaning water radiating nozzle 13 or separately rinsed ( (Not shown) is installed. Further, 14 is separated from the installation region of the first washing water radiating nozzle 13, along the moving direction of the battery carrier 11, and above and obliquely above the coin type battery 6 (for example, about 30 to 35 °). Is a second cleaning water irradiating nozzle arranged so that the cleaning water can be radiated from an angle and a position). Also in this case, the second cleaning treatment means for drying the coin type battery which is used together with the second cleaning water irradiating nozzle 14 or separately rinsed in the installation area or the adjacent area of the second cleaning water irradiating nozzle 14. (Not shown) is installed. Then, the first cleaning water emission nozzle 13 and the second cleaning water emission nozzle 14 are
It is configured integrally (connected), and is configured to reciprocate within a certain area in synchronization with the battery carrier 11 that moves intermittently by the guide mechanism 12.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of this constitutional example, in which the first cleaning water emission nozzle 13 and the second cleaning water emission nozzle 14 which are integrally formed are supported so as to be able to move forward and backward in a certain direction. It is fixed and attached to the shaft 15. Also,
This shaft 15 responds to the rotation of the variable speed motor 18 via a circumferential cam follower 16 and a turntable 17 incorporated at one end side, following the moving speed of the battery carrier 11,
The battery carrier 11 is configured to move forward or backward (arrow) in the moving direction or the opposite direction. In addition, in FIG.
Reference numeral 19 denotes a bearing portion that rotatably supports a shaft 15 on which the first cleaning water emission nozzle 13 and the second cleaning water emission nozzle 14 are fixed and mounted.

Next, the operation of the coin-type battery cleaning device having the above structure will be described.

According to the above-mentioned cleaning method, if necessary, a coin-shaped battery as an object to be cleaned, which has been pre-cleaned, is mounted on the battery carrier 11 and set on the guide mechanism 12. In this state, the guide mechanism 12 is driven to move the battery carrier 11 on which the coin-type battery 6 is mounted to the side where the first cleaning water radiation nozzle 13 is installed. At this time, the variable speed motor 18 is driven synchronously, and the shaft 15 is retracted to bring the first washing water radiating nozzle 13 closer to the advancing battery carrier 11 side. In this way, when the coin type battery 6 mounted on the battery carrier 11 is positioned so as to face the first washing water radiating nozzle 13, the shaft 15 is converted from the backward movement to the forward movement along with the battery carrier 11. Then, with respect to the coin-type battery 6 which is mounted on the battery carrier 11 and which rotates and self-propels, upward and obliquely upward (for example, an angle and position of about 30 to 35 °) from the first washing water radiating nozzle 13. Wash water, for example, warm water of about 55 to 60 ° C, is radiated (sprayed) for about 1 minute at a pressure of about 5 kg / cm ² to proceed with washing (first washing).

After this washing (water washing), the coin type battery 6
The battery carrier 11 mounted with advances to the first dry area,
Drying with the same shape or the same shape as the first cleaning water radiating nozzle 13, for example, radiating (spraying) air at room temperature at a pressure of about 5 kg / cm ² for about 10 seconds (first drying)
Proceed.

Thereafter, the battery carrier 11 having the coin type battery 6 mounted thereon advances to the side of the area where the second washing water radiating nozzle 14 is installed, while the battery carrier 11 having the coin type battery 6 separately mounted is mounted on the guide mechanism 12. The variable speed motor 18 is set in synchronization with this, and the first cleaning water irradiating nozzle 13 is brought closer to the side of the battery carrier 11 moving backward by moving the shaft 15 backward. In this way, when the coin type battery 6 mounted on the battery carrier 11 is positioned so as to face the first washing water radiating nozzle 13 and the second washing water radiating nozzle 14, respectively, the shaft 15 runs along with the battery carrier 11. Convert from retreat to progress in the form of And
With respect to the coin-type battery 6 mounted on the battery carrier 11 and rotating and self-propelled, from the first cleaning water emission nozzle 13 and the second cleaning water emission nozzle 14, upward and obliquely upward (for example, 30 to 35). 1) with washing water, such as warm water at 55 to 60 ° C, at a pressure of about 5 kg / cm ^2.
Irradiate (jet) within about a minute and proceed with water washing (second water washing, first water washing).

After this washing (washing with water), the coin type battery 6 is used.
The battery carrier 11 equipped with advances to the second dry area,
Drying with the same shape or the same shape as the second washing water radiating nozzle 14 and the first washing water radiating nozzle 13, for example, radiating (spraying) air at room temperature at a pressure of about 5 kg / cm ² for about 10 seconds. (Second drying) is advanced. In other words, while the surface to be cleaned and the surface to be dried are displaced by the rotation and self-propelling of the coin-shaped battery as the object to be cleaned, on the other hand, the spray of cleaning water or wind from the upper and upper oblique directions is intermittently divided. The cleaning process of the coin-type battery can be achieved more efficiently because it is continuously and automatically performed at least twice in the defined area.

The present invention is not limited to the above-exemplified construction, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, an example in which the cleaning and drying means is set in two stages has been described above, but it is also possible to set three or more stages.

[0023]

As can be seen from the above description, according to the coin-type battery cleaning means (method, device) of the present invention, it is possible to easily remove the electrolytic solution adhered to / remaining on the sealing portion or the like during the battery assembly process. And can be completely removed. In other words, the electrolytic solution that has adhered / remained in the gap in the area where the opening of the exterior body forming the sealing portion, the insulator (shield packing), and the peripheral surface of the sealing body are in contact with each other is easily washed away with water. In addition, the cleaning water used for cleaning is easily drained and completely removed by drying, so that misidentification of defective products due to liquid leakage can be avoided and highly reliable coin-type batteries can be produced with good yield. It becomes possible to provide.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a coin-type battery cleaning method according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing a configuration example of a main part of a coin-type battery cleaning device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged side view of the coin-type battery cleaning device of FIG. 2 in the vertical direction.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing a part of the coin-type battery cleaning device of FIG. 2 in an enlarged manner.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of a coin battery.

FIG. 6 is a side view schematically showing an embodiment of a conventional coin-type battery cleaning method.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Exterior body 2 ... Battery element 2a ... Positive electrode layer
2b …… Separator 2c …… Negative electrode layer 4
...... Encapsulation 5 ...... Transport path 6 ...... Coin-type battery (cleaning object) 7a …… Washing nozzle 7b …… Drying nozzle 8 …… Preliminary drying 9a, 10a …… Washing 9b, 10b ……
Drying 11 …… Battery carrier 12 …… Guide mechanism 12a …… First rail 12b …… Chain
12c …… Transport system 12d …… Second rail
13 …… First washing nozzle 14 …… Second washing nozzle 15 …… Shaft 16 …… Cam follower
17 …… Rotary plate 18 …… Variable speed motor 19
……bearing

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H01M 6/02 H01M 10/04 B08B 3/02 C23G 1/00 C23G 3/00

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A method of cleaning a coin-type battery, which comprises sealing an opening of a coin-type exterior body containing a battery element with a sealing body, the coin-type battery being rotatably held vertically. A method for cleaning a coin-type battery, characterized in that the step of irradiating cleaning water from above and obliquely above and washing and then drying is repeated at least twice. 2. A battery carrier that rotatably holds a coin type battery in a vertical shape, a guide mechanism that moves and guides the coin type battery held by the battery carrier in a predetermined direction, and a coin type battery battery by the guide mechanism. And a drive mechanism for intermittently moving the battery carrier holding the battery carrier, along with the moving direction of the battery carrier holding the coin-type battery battery, and the emission of washing water from above and obliquely above the coin-type battery battery. A first wash water radiating nozzle that is arranged so that it is possible; and a first drying treatment unit that is installed in the installation region of the first wash water radiating nozzle or in an adjacent region to dry the washed coin-type battery, Away from the installation area of the first wash water radiating nozzle,
A second washing water radiating nozzle arranged along the moving direction of the battery carrier and capable of radiating washing water from above and obliquely above the coin type battery, and an installation area of the second washing water radiating nozzle. Alternatively, the coin-type battery cleaning device is provided with a second drying processing unit which is installed in an adjacent area and which is configured to dry the coin-type battery washed with water.