JP5341784B2 - Ultrasonic bonding method, ultrasonic bonding apparatus, and battery electrode manufacturing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and apparatus for ultrasonic bonding that performs stable ultrasonic bonding on a workpiece to be bonded which is sequentially conveyed by a conveying device across the whole area in a conveying direction of the workpiece, and to provide a method for manufacturing an electrode for a battery using the apparatus for the ultrasonic bonding. <P>SOLUTION: A strip of a three-dimensional metal porous body 81 as an electrode plate to be bonded and a strip of a conductor as a lead 82 are conveyed on a sponge belt SB which is the convey device in the same direction, and the three-dimensional metal porous body 81 and the lead 82 are ultrasonically bonded while being pressurized by an anvil 60 and an ultrasonic horn 50. A bonding energy used for the ultrasonic bonding, that is, such as pressure given to the anvil 60 and an ultrasonic output given to the ultrasonic horn 50, is made to be variable in accordance with a change in a conveying speed of the three-dimensional metal porous body 81 and the lead 82 due to the sponge belt SB. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic bonding method, an ultrasonic bonding apparatus, and a method for manufacturing a battery electrode for bonding a three-dimensional metal porous body constituting a battery electrode and a lead using the ultrasonic bonding apparatus.

  For example, a square sealed battery as the battery is composed of a plurality of single cells. As shown in FIG. 14 (a), the unit cell has current collecting plates 25 and 26 joined to both sides of an electrode plate group 21 composed of a plurality of positive and negative electrode plates together with an electrolyte. It is housed in a tank. As shown in FIG. 14B, the electrode plate group 21 is configured by laminating a rectangular positive electrode plate 22 and a negative electrode plate 23 with a separator 24 interposed therebetween, as shown in FIG. Further, the positive electrode plate 22 and the negative electrode plate 23 of the electrode plate group 21 are projected to the opposite side portions to constitute lead portions 22a and 23a of the positive electrode plate 22 and the negative electrode plate 23, and these lead portions 22a, The current collector plates 25 and 26 are joined to the side edge of the 23a, respectively.

  Among the positive electrode plate 22 and the negative electrode plate 23 constituting the electrode plate group 21, in particular, the positive electrode plate 22 is shown in FIG. 15A and FIG. 15B, which is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC. Thus, the lead 28 for ensuring electrical conduction is joined to one side of the three-dimensional metal porous body 27 as a support made of nickel foam or the like. Usually, as shown in FIG. 16, the positive electrode plate 22 is formed by joining two strip-shaped leads 28A to the plate-like three-dimensional metal porous body 27A, and then cutting the same as shown by a one-dot chain line in FIG. By cutting at the position of the line 10, in this example, the one divided into 8 (4 × 2 rows) is used as one positive plate.

  Here, for such bonding of the three-dimensional porous metal body 27A and the lead 28A, for example, a method using an ultrasonic bonding apparatus as described in Patent Document 1 is known. An outline of the ultrasonic bonding apparatus described in Patent Document 1 is shown in FIG.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 17, this apparatus includes an ultrasonic horn 31 that is a rotatable disk-shaped ultrasonic vibrating body, and an anvil 32 that is also a rotatable disk-shaped pressurizing body. Configured. When a workpiece, that is, a three-dimensional metal porous body and a lead are joined by this apparatus, first, the lead 28A and the three-dimensional metal porous body 27A shown in FIG. In a state where conductor strips made of iron and nickel are superposed, these strips are placed on a conveyor such as a belt conveyor. Next, when the transport device is driven, the belt-shaped bodies that are the three-dimensional metal porous body 27 </ b> A and the leads 28 </ b> A are transported between the ultrasonic horn 31 and the anvil 32. As shown in FIG. 18, the belt-like bodies conveyed between the ultrasonic horn 31 and the anvil 32 in this manner are consolidated by the ultrasonic horn 31 and the anvil 32, and the axis of the band is obtained by the ultrasonic horn 31. Ultrasonic vibration is applied in the core direction. Thereby, the three-dimensional metallic porous body 27A (band-shaped body) and the lead 28A (band-shaped body) vibrate in parallel with each other, and the so-called vibration welding caused by frictional heat at that time causes one surface of the three-dimensional metallic porous body 27A (band-shaped body). The lead 28A (strip-shaped body) is joined.

JP 2001-297747 A

  By the way, at the start and end of ultrasonic bonding using the above-described apparatus, the conveyance speed of each band-like body that is a workpiece (bonding target) changes with the start and stop of driving of the conveyance apparatus. The ultrasonic bonding by the ultrasonic horn 31 is performed in a state where the conveyance speed of the bonding target is insufficient. For this reason, the ultrasonic output per unit time with respect to each strip | belt body used as the three-dimensional metal porous body 27A and the lead | read | reed 28A increases, and there existed a possibility that an excessive ultrasonic vibration might be transmitted to these strip | belt bodies.

  Therefore, at the time of starting or stopping the conveying device, as shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B, the ultrasonic output is temporarily stopped, and the conveying speed by the conveying device is equal to or higher than a predetermined speed. It has also been proposed to resume the application of ultrasonic output under conditions. However, in this case, until the conveyance speed becomes equal to or higher than the predetermined speed (period t1-t2), the cross-sections of the band-shaped bodies as the three-dimensional metallic porous body 27A and the leads 28A viewed from the side surface direction of the conveyance direction. As shown in FIG. 19 (c), the strips that are the three-dimensional porous metal body 27 </ b> A and the leads 28 </ b> A are not joined, and there are portions where the strips are not joined.

  In addition, it is not limited to the joining of the three-dimensional metal porous body as a battery electrode and the lead thereof, but is applicable to ultrasonic joining while carrying two belt-like joining objects as workpieces by a conveying device such as a conveyor. As such, these issues are generally common.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and can realize stable ultrasonic bonding over the entire area in the conveying direction with respect to workpieces to be bonded that are sequentially conveyed by a conveying device. An ultrasonic bonding method, an ultrasonic bonding apparatus, and a battery electrode manufacturing method using the ultrasonic bonding apparatus.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the first aspect of the invention described in claim 1 is that the first and second strips to be joined are transported in the same direction by the transport device, and the first and second strips are transported. In the ultrasonic bonding method for ultrasonic bonding of the belt-shaped body, the bonding energy used for the ultrasonic bonding is made variable according to the change in the transport speed of the first and second belt-shaped bodies by the transport device. The gist.

  The bonding energy per unit time applied to the first band and the second band as the objects to be bonded is the same as that of the first and second bands that are transported when the bonding energy to be applied is constant. It has been confirmed by the inventors that the speed varies depending on the conveyance speed. That is, when the conveyance speed of the 1st and 2nd strip | belt bodies which are joining objects falls, the joining energy per unit time with respect to these joining objects becomes excessive, and the failure | damage of the 1st or 2nd strip | belt body etc. There is a risk of inviting. On the other hand, when the conveyance speed of the 1st and 2nd strip | belt bodies which are joining objects rises, the joining energy per unit time with respect to a joining object runs short, and a 1st strip | belt body and a 2nd strip | belt body There is a possibility that an unjoined portion is formed between the two.

In this regard, according to the above method, since the bonding energy used for ultrasonic bonding can be changed according to the conveyance speed of the first and second strips to be bonded, for example, each of the bonding targets. Even when the transport speed of the strips changes, such as when the transport of the strips starts or stops, the bonding energy corresponding to the transport speed of the strips is applied. Become. As a result, each band-like body is provided with a necessary and sufficient bonding energy for bonding them, and the first band-like shape is used even when the conveyance speed changes at the start or stop of conveyance. The body and the second belt-like body are appropriately joined. In addition, since the bonding energy used for ultrasonic bonding is made variable in accordance with the change in the conveyance speed in this way, when each strip is conveyed at an extremely low speed such as immediately after the start of conveyance or immediately before stopping, Excessive bonding energy is not applied to each of the strips. That is, stable ultrasonic bonding is realized over the entire area in the conveyance direction for the objects to be sequentially conveyed by the conveyance device.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the ultrasonic bonding method according to the first aspect, the bonding energy is higher as the conveying speed of the first and second strips is higher, and the conveying speed is lower. The gist is that it is variable in such a manner that it becomes lower.

  As in the above method, if the bonding energy used for ultrasonic bonding is increased as the conveyance speed of the first and second strips is increased, the necessary and sufficient bonding energy can be applied to the bonding of the strips. It becomes possible. As a result, even if the conveyance speed is increased, the bonding energy of each band can be reliably bonded without the bonding energy for each band being insufficient. Moreover, if the joining energy used for ultrasonic joining is made lower as the conveyance speed of the first and second strips is lower, it is possible to suppress application of excessive joining energy to each strip. As a result, even if the conveyance speed is low, the bonding energy for each band is not excessive, and stable bonding of each band can be performed.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the ultrasonic bonding method according to the second aspect, the bonding energy is a bonding energy per unit time with respect to the first belt and the second belt that are transported. The gist of the present invention is that it can be varied in such a manner that it has a specific energy that can guarantee the joining of the first and second strips.

  According to the above method, the joining energy is variable in such a manner that the joining energy per unit time applied to each strip is a specific energy that can guarantee the joining of the first and second strips. For this reason, even if it is a case where those conveyance speeds change to each strip | belt body, joining energy in the range required and sufficient for joining will be provided. In addition, even when the transport speed of each strip is decreased, only the joining energy necessary for joining the strips is applied, so that it is ensured that excessive joining energy is applied to each strip. Will be suppressed. Thereby, it becomes possible to more stably join the first strip and the second strip without being affected by the change in the conveyance speed.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the ultrasonic bonding method according to the second or third aspect, the change in the bonding energy is an ultrasonic bonding position with respect to the first and second strips to be conveyed. The present invention is carried out as a change in at least one element of the pressure to be applied in (1), the frequency to be used for the ultrasonic bonding, and the vibration amplitude to be used for the ultrasonic bonding.

  The above-mentioned bonding energy has a pressure to be applied to the first and second strips to be bonded at the ultrasonic bonding position, a frequency to be used for ultrasonic bonding, and a vibration amplitude to be used for ultrasonic bonding. It has also been confirmed by the inventors that they change in correlation. For this reason, according to the said method, it becomes possible to change, that is, to make variable joining energy through the change and adjustment of those elements. In particular, the correlation between the pressure to be applied to the first and second strips at the ultrasonic bonding position and the bonding energy is close, and the bonding energy can be adjusted with high accuracy through such pressure change. It also becomes.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the ultrasonic bonding method according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the conveyance speed of the first and second belt-shaped bodies that are targets of variable bonding energy. The gist is that the change is a speed change accompanying the start or stop of the conveyance of the first and second strips by the conveyance device.

  As described above, at the start or stop of the transport of the strips to be joined, the transport speed of the strips is likely to change along with acceleration or deceleration, and the amount of change is large. In this regard, according to the above method, even if the transport speed of each strip has changed with the start or stop of transport of each strip by the transport device, the bonding energy corresponding to the changed transport speed can be obtained. Can be applied to each strip. Thereby, even if it is a case where stop and start of those conveyance were performed in the middle of joining of the 1st belt and the 2nd belt, each belt can be joined continuously.

  In the invention described in claim 6, the first and second strips to be joined are conveyed in the same direction by the transport device, and the first and second strips are ultrasonically joined. In the ultrasonic bonding apparatus, the first and second strips transported by the transport device are pressurized with an anvil and an ultrasonic horn while bonding energy is applied to the pressurized first and second strips. It is provided with a bonding energy applying unit for applying, and a bonding energy control unit for variably controlling the bonding energy to be applied in accordance with a change in the conveying speed of the first and second belts by the conveying device. And

  According to the above configuration, since the bonding energy used for ultrasonic bonding is variably controlled by the bonding energy control unit according to the conveyance speed of the first and second band-shaped bodies to be bonded, for example, each band-shaped body Even when the transport speed of the strips changes, such as when transport is started or stopped, bonding energy corresponding to the transport speed of the strips is applied. As a result, each band-like body is provided with a necessary and sufficient bonding energy for bonding them, and the first band-like shape is used even when the conveyance speed changes at the start or stop of conveyance. The body and the second belt-like body are appropriately joined. In addition, since the bonding energy used for ultrasonic bonding is made variable in accordance with the change in the conveyance speed in this way, when each strip is conveyed at an extremely low speed such as immediately after the start of conveyance or immediately before stopping, Excessive bonding energy is not applied to each of the strips. That is, even with such an apparatus, it is possible to realize stable ultrasonic bonding over the entire area in the conveyance direction for the objects to be sequentially conveyed by the conveyance apparatus.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the ultrasonic bonding apparatus according to the sixth aspect, the bonding energy control unit increases as the conveyance speed of the first and second strips increases, and the first and second The gist of the invention is that the bonding energy is variably controlled in such a manner that the lower the conveying speed of the belt-like body is, the lower it is.

  As described above, if the bonding energy is variably controlled in such a manner that the bonding energy used for ultrasonic bonding is increased as the conveyance speed of the first and second belts is higher, Necessary and sufficient bonding energy can be applied. As a result, even if the conveyance speed is increased, the bonding energy of each band can be reliably bonded without the bonding energy for each band being insufficient. Further, if the joining energy is variably controlled in such a manner that the joining energy used for ultrasonic joining is lowered as the conveying speed of the first and second strips is lowered, excessive joining energy is imparted to each strip. Can be suppressed. As a result, even if the conveyance speed is low, the bonding energy for each band is not excessive, and stable bonding of each band can be performed.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the ultrasonic bonding apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the bonding energy control unit has a bonding energy per unit time with respect to the transported first and second strips. The gist of the invention is that the bonding energy is variably controlled in such a manner that the energy becomes a specific energy that can guarantee the bonding of the first and second strips.

According to the above configuration, the joining energy is variably controlled in such a manner that the joining energy per unit time applied to each strip is a specific energy that can guarantee the joining of the first and second strips. For this reason, even if it is a case where those conveyance speeds change to each strip | belt body, joining energy in the range required and sufficient for joining will be provided. In addition, even when the transport speed of each strip is decreased, only the joining energy necessary for joining the strips is applied, so that it is ensured that excessive joining energy is applied to each strip. Will be suppressed. Thereby, it becomes possible to more stably join the first strip and the second strip without being affected by the change in the conveyance speed.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the ultrasonic bonding apparatus according to the seventh or eighth aspect, the bonding energy control unit is applied to the transported first and second strips through the anvil. The joining energy can be varied by changing at least one of the pressure to be applied, the frequency to be applied to the ultrasonic horn during the ultrasonic bonding, and the vibration amplitude to be applied to the ultrasonic horn during the ultrasonic bonding. The gist is that it is controlled.

  As described above, the bonding energy may change in correlation with the pressure applied to each strip through the anvil, the frequency applied to the ultrasonic horn, and the vibration amplitude applied to the ultrasonic horn. Confirmed by the inventors. For this reason, according to the said structure, joining energy can be changed now, that is, it can be made variable through change and adjustment of those elements. In particular, the correlation between the pressure applied to each strip through the anvil and the bonding energy is close, and it is possible to adjust the bonding energy with high accuracy by changing the pressure.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the ultrasonic bonding apparatus according to any one of the sixth to ninth aspects, the first and second of the bonding energy control unit are targets of variable control of the bonding energy. The gist of the change in the transport speed of the belt-like body is a speed change accompanying the start or stop of the transport of the first and second belt-like bodies by the transport device.

  As described above, at the start or stop of the transport of the strips to be joined, the transport speed of the strips is likely to change along with acceleration or deceleration, and the amount of change is large. In this regard, according to the above configuration, even if the transport speed of each strip has changed with the start or stop of transport of each strip by the transport device, the bonding energy corresponding to the changed transport speed can be obtained. Can be applied to each strip. Thereby, even if it is a case where stop and start of those conveyance were performed in the middle of joining of the 1st belt and the 2nd belt, each belt can be joined continuously.

  The invention according to claim 11 is a method of manufacturing a battery electrode in which a conductor as a lead is joined to a three-dimensional metal porous body as an electrode plate. It is set as a strip | belt body, The material which consists of the said conductor is made into a 2nd strip | belt-shaped body, The said one-dimensional metal porous body is used for the one surface of the said three-dimensional porous metal body using the ultrasonic bonding apparatus as described in any one of Claims 6-10. The gist is to join conductors.

  The three-dimensional metal porous body used as the electrode plate is likely to be broken due to excessive application of bonding energy. When ultrasonically bonding a conductor as a lead to such a three-dimensional metal porous body, It is necessary to adjust the bonding energy with high accuracy. For this reason, according to the method for manufacturing a battery electrode, even if the transport speed of a three-dimensional metal porous body or a conductor as a bonding target is changed, the three-dimensional metal porous body and the conductor are changed. Application of excessive bonding energy is suppressed, and the conductor can be stably bonded to the three-dimensional porous metal body.

In addition, a battery electrode composed of such a three-dimensional metal porous body and a conductor is required to be bonded over the entire surface of the three-dimensional metal porous body and the conductor from the viewpoint of battery specifications and the like. Also in this respect, according to the method for manufacturing a battery electrode, since the bonding over the entire surface of the three-dimensional metal porous body and the conductor is realized, the reliability as the battery electrode is naturally enhanced. .

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the method for manufacturing a battery electrode according to the eleventh aspect, the electrode plate to be joined to the lead is a positive electrode plate of an electrode plate group constituting a unit cell of a rectangular sealed battery. It is a summary.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is particularly effective when applied to a positive electrode plate of an electrode plate group that constitutes a unit cell of a rectangular sealed battery as a lead bonding target. According to the above method, the three-dimensional metal porous body and the lead are attached to the entire surface. Thus, the reliability as a square sealed battery can be improved.

The invention according to claim 13 is the battery electrode manufacturing method according to claim 11, wherein the electrode plate to be joined to the lead is an electrode plate of a roll cylindrical battery.
The present invention is also effective when applied to a roll-type battery electrode as a lead bonding target. According to the above manufacturing method, the three-dimensional metal porous body and the lead are bonded over the entire surface. There is no need to remove the unjoined part. For this reason, the continuous winding of the three-dimensional porous metal body in which the leads are joined over the entire surface is possible, and as a result, the productivity as a roll cylindrical battery is also preferably improved.

  According to the ultrasonic bonding method, the ultrasonic bonding apparatus, and the battery electrode manufacturing method according to the present invention, the stability over the entire area in the conveyance direction with respect to the workpieces to be bonded sequentially conveyed by the conveyance device. Ultrasonic bonding can be realized.

The front view which shows schematic structure of an ultrasonic bonding apparatus especially about one Embodiment of the ultrasonic bonding method concerning this invention, an ultrasonic bonding apparatus, and the manufacturing method of the electrode for batteries. The side view which shows schematic structure of the ultrasonic bonding apparatus. The top view which shows the manufacturing process of the battery electrode concerning the embodiment. The top view which shows the manufacturing process of the electrode for batteries using the conventional ultrasonic bonding apparatus as a comparison. (A) is a time chart which shows transition of the conveyance speed of the workpiece | work conveyed by a sponge belt. (B) is a time chart which shows transition of the joining energy provided to a workpiece | work by an ultrasonic joining apparatus. (C) is sectional drawing which looked at the three-dimensional metal porous body and the lead from the side surface direction of the conveyance direction. The top view which shows the manufacturing process of the battery electrode using the ultrasonic bonding apparatus of the embodiment. (A) is a graph which shows the example of transition of the command value and actual value of the conveyance speed at the time of starting of a sponge belt. (B) is a graph which shows the example of transition of the command value and measured value of an anvil's pressing force at the time of starting of an ultrasonic bonding apparatus. (C) is a graph which shows the transition example of each measured value of the pressing force of a sponge belt and an anvil. (A) is a graph which shows the example of transition of the command value and actual value of the conveyance speed at the time of a stop of a sponge belt. (B) is a graph which shows the example of a transition of the command value and measured value of an anvil pressing force at the time of a stop of an ultrasonic joining apparatus. (C) is a graph which shows the transition example of each measured value of the pressing force of a sponge belt and an anvil. (A) is the enlarged view which looked at the three-dimensional metal porous body and lead which were joined at the time of starting of a sponge belt from the upper surface. (B) is the enlarged view which looked at the three-dimensional metal porous body and lead which were joined at the time of the stop of a sponge belt from the upper surface. The graph which shows the example in which each measured value of the pressing force of a sponge belt and an anvil was corrected. (A) And (b) is a graph which shows an example of the measurement sample of the joint strength of the three-dimensional metal porous body manufactured with the ultrasonic bonding apparatus, and a lead. (A) is the time chart which shows transition of the conveyance speed of the workpiece | work conveyed by a sponge belt about other embodiment of the manufacturing method of the ultrasonic bonding method, ultrasonic bonding apparatus, and battery electrode concerning this invention. . (B) is a time chart which shows transition of the joining energy provided to a workpiece | work by an ultrasonic joining apparatus. (A) is the time chart which shows transition of the conveyance speed of the workpiece | work conveyed by a sponge belt about other embodiment of the manufacturing method of the ultrasonic bonding method, ultrasonic bonding apparatus, and battery electrode concerning this invention. . (B) is a time chart which shows transition of the joining energy provided to a workpiece | work by an ultrasonic joining apparatus. (C) is sectional drawing which looked at the three-dimensional metal porous body and the lead from the side surface direction of the conveyance direction. (A) is a figure which shows schematic structure of the cell which comprises a square sealed battery. (B) is sectional drawing which shows typically the expanded sectional structure which looked at the same battery cell from the upper surface. (A) is a front view which shows typically the structure of the positive electrode plate and lead which comprise a cell. (B) is sectional drawing which shows typically the expanded sectional structure of the positive electrode plate and lead which comprise a single battery. The front view which shows typically the structure of the positive electrode plate before a division | segmentation, and a lead | read | reed. The front view which shows schematic structure of the conventional ultrasonic bonding apparatus. The expanded sectional view which shows the joining state of the three-dimensional metal porous body and lead | read | reed by the conventional ultrasonic bonding apparatus. (A) is a time chart which shows transition of the conveyance speed of the workpiece | work conveyed by the conveying apparatus by the conventional ultrasonic manufacturing apparatus. (B) is a time chart which shows transition of the ultrasonic output provided to a workpiece | work by an ultrasonic bonding apparatus. (C) is sectional drawing which looked at the three-dimensional porous metal body and lead manufactured (joined) by the manufacturing method of the conventional battery electrode from the side surface direction of the conveyance direction.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment embodying an ultrasonic bonding method, an ultrasonic bonding apparatus, and a battery electrode manufacturing method according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. This embodiment is also in the electrode plate group constituting the unit cell of the square sealed battery shown in FIG. 14 and the three-dimensional metal porous body and lead (accurately) constituting the positive electrode plate (electrode plate). Are the objects to be bonded by ultrasonic bonding.

  First, FIG.1 and FIG.2 shows the schematic structure about the ultrasonic bonding apparatus concerning this Embodiment. 1 shows a schematic configuration of the apparatus viewed from the front, and FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of the apparatus viewed from the side.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, this ultrasonic bonding apparatus includes an ultrasonic horn 50 that applies ultrasonic vibration to a bonding target, and an anvil 60 disposed below the ultrasonic horn 50. Configured. And in this Embodiment, the joining energy provision part which provides joining energy with respect to the 1st and 2nd strip | belt body which is the joining object by the said ultrasonic joining apparatus is comprised by these ultrasonic horn 50 and the anvil 60. Has been.

Among these, the ultrasonic horn 50 is formed in a disk shape having a diameter of 240 mm and a thickness (width) of 8 mm, for example, and can be rotated around the central shaft body 51 by the central shaft body 51 and in the axial direction. It is supported movably. An oscillator 52 capable of generating longitudinal ultrasonic vibration with a frequency of 20 kHz is connected to one end of a central shaft body 51 that supports the ultrasonic horn 50. In addition, a motor M that rotationally drives the ultrasonic horn 50 is connected to the other end of the central shaft body 51. Thereby, the ultrasonic horn 50 can vibrate in the axial direction with an amplitude of 12 μm. The amplitude of the ultrasonic horn 50 can be changed, for example, in the range of 11.1 μm to 30 μm.

  On the other hand, the anvil 60 arranged to face the ultrasonic horn 50 is formed in a disk shape having a diameter of 60 mm and a circumferential width of 8 mm, for example, and is rotated by the central shaft body 61 with the central shaft body 61 as a central axis. It is supported movably. Both ends of the central shaft body 61 are supported by support bases 62 that support the central shaft body 61 and the anvil 60.

  The support base 62 is supported by a base 63 that supports the support base 62 so as to be movable up and down, and a lower surface thereof is connected to an air cylinder 64 as a pressurizing device that moves the support base 62 up and down. The air cylinder 64 is connected to a pressure gauge 65 for measuring the air pressure. In the present embodiment, the pressure control unit that variably controls the bonding energy to be applied according to the change in the conveyance speed of the first and second strips, that is, the pressure in this case, as the measurement result by the pressure gauge 65. 70. Through the drive control of the air cylinder 64 by the pressure control unit 70, the vertical movement of the support base 62, that is, the pressure applied to the object to be joined through the anvil 60 supported by the support base 62 is controlled.

  In addition, this ultrasonic bonding apparatus includes a sponge belt SB as a conveying device. The sponge belt SB is disposed on the left and right of the ultrasonic horn 50 and the anvil 60, respectively. This sponge belt SB includes a pair of upper belt SB1 and lower belt SB2 that sandwich a conveyance target (work) 80 in which a lead 82 as a conductor made of iron and nickel is superimposed on a three-dimensional metal porous body 81 made of nickel. And is composed of. Then, the upper belt SB1 and the lower belt SB2 rotate at a predetermined speed based on driving of a motor (not shown) as a driving source of the sponge belt SB, so that the work 80 sandwiched between the sponge belts SB is arbitrarily selected. It is conveyed in the direction of. In the present embodiment, the conveyance speed of the workpiece 80 by the sponge belt SB is taken into the pressure control unit 70. The pressure control unit 70 controls the pressure through the anvil 60 based on the taken conveyance speed.

Next, the joining process of the three-dimensional metal porous body 81 and the lead 82 performed by such an apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, in this joining step, first, the ultrasonic joining devices MCa and MCb are arranged at a distance W1 at positions facing each other via the sponge belt SB. Next, a strip-shaped three-dimensional metal porous body 81 (first strip) having a width of, for example, about 160 mm is disposed on the sponge belt SB, and leads 82a and 82b (second strips) made of two strip-shaped conductors are disposed. (Band-like body) is disposed at a position facing the ultrasonic horn 50 on the three-dimensional porous metal body 81.

  When the air cylinder 64 (FIGS. 1 and 2) is driven, the support base 62 is raised, and the three-dimensional metal porous body 81 where the lead 82 is overlapped by the ultrasonic horn 50 and the anvil 60 is sandwiched. As the motor M and the oscillator 52 connected to the central shaft body 51 (FIGS. 1 and 2) are driven, ultrasonic vibration in the axial direction is applied to the ultrasonic horn 50. The At the same time, the sponge belt SB is driven, and the three-dimensional porous metal body 81 and the lead 82 to be joined arranged on the sponge belt SB are conveyed at a speed of “speed SP1” in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. Is done.

In this way, first, the lead 82a out of the two leads 82a and 81b is ultrasonically bonded to the three-dimensional metal porous body 81 by the ultrasonic bonding apparatus MCa in front of the sponge belt SB in the conveying direction. In addition, the lead 82b of the two leads 82a and 82b is ultrasonically bonded to the three-dimensional metal porous body 81 by the ultrasonic bonding apparatus MCb at the rear of the sponge belt SB in the conveying direction. As a result, the two leads 82a and 82b are continuously joined to the belt-like (plate-like) three-dimensional metal porous body 81. Then, when the leads 82a and 82b are joined to the three-dimensional metal porous body 81 in this way, it is cut at the position of the broken line shown by the one-dot chain line in FIG. 3 to form the rectangular positive plate shown in FIG. Become so.

  By the way, in the case where the operation of the sponge belt SB is stopped due to the stoppage of work or the occurrence of an abnormality in such a joining process, the sponge belt SB is not to be joined until the sponge belt SB actually stops after receiving the stop command. The transport speed of the certain three-dimensional metal porous body 81 and the lead 82 is stopped while gradually decreasing. At this time, the conveyance speed of the three-dimensional metal porous body 81 and the lead 82 is insufficient for the ultrasonic output set according to the steady speed of the three-dimensional metal porous body 81 and the lead 82. Further, when the sponge belt SB is driven, the speed at which the transport speed of the three-dimensional metal porous body 81 and the lead 82 to be joined is insufficient until the transport speed by the sponge belt SB reaches a predetermined speed. It becomes. That is, as the conveyance speed of the three-dimensional metal porous body 81 and the lead 82 to be bonded changes, the ultrasonic output per unit time for the three-dimensional metal porous body 81 and the lead 82 to be bonded becomes excessive. End up.

  On the other hand, when the ultrasonic output by the ultrasonic bonding apparatuses MCa and MCb is stopped in order to prevent the three-dimensional metal porous body 81 from being damaged when the sponge belt SB is started or stopped, as shown in FIG. Thus, an unjoined portion of the lead 82 of about 120 mm, for example, is generated in the three-dimensional metal porous body 81.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the transport speed of the three-dimensional metal porous body 81 and the lead 82 is changed with the start operation and the stop operation of the sponge belt SB, the ultrasonic wave is tracked in accordance with the transport speed. The bonding energy used for bonding is adjusted.

  The bonding energy used for such ultrasonic bonding is “W” for the bonding energy, “μ” for the friction coefficient, “P” for the pressure (pressing force) applied to the object to be bonded through the anvil 60, When the frequency to be applied to the acoustic horn 50 is “f” and the vibration amplitude to be applied to the ultrasonic horn 50 is “ε”, the following equation (1) is obtained.

W = μ · P · 2πf · ε (1)

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the pressure “P” applied to the object to be joined through the anvil 60 among these elements is changed by the pressure control unit 70, so that the joining energy is matched to the conveyance speed of the object to be joined. Is variable. In the present embodiment, the variable bonding energy (pressure P) is determined by the bonding energy per unit time with respect to the three-dimensional metal porous body 81 and the lead 82 conveyed by the sponge belt SB. It is assumed that the specific energy (constant value) that can guarantee the bonding of 81 and the lead 82 is set.

  Specifically, the increase / decrease rate of the conveyance speed and the increase / decrease rate of the bonding energy (pressure P) applied to the three-dimensional metal porous body 81 and the lead 82 are adjusted to be the same value. The specific energy is set to an energy that is equal to or higher than the lowest energy that can guarantee the bonding between the three-dimensional metal porous body 81 and the lead 82 and that does not damage the three-dimensional metal porous body 81 and the lead 82.

Hereinafter, the adjustment mode of the bonding energy in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. 5A shows an example of transition of the conveyance speed of the three-dimensional metal porous body 81 and the lead 82 by the sponge belt SB, and FIG. 5B shows the transition of joining energy by the ultrasonic joining apparatus. An example is shown. FIG. 5C shows a joined state of the three-dimensional metal porous body 81 and the lead 82 when the three-dimensional metal porous body 81 and the lead 82 are viewed from the side in the transport direction.

  That is, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, when the sponge belt SB is driven in a steady state, the output “W1” exceeding the set value “speed SP1” that is the steady speed of the sponge belt SB is exceeded. Sound waves are output (period: t0-t1). The joining energy applied to the joining object in a manner that follows the decrease in the conveyance speed from when the sponge belt SB stop command is issued at the timing t1 until the sponge belt SB actually stops at the timing t3. Is adjusted (period (b) in FIG. 5: t1-t3). That is, in the pressure control unit 70, the pressure of the air cylinder 64 is adjusted in such a manner that the pressing force “P” applied to the three-dimensional metal porous body 81 and the lead 82 through the anvil 60 gradually decreases.

  On the other hand, when the sponge belt SB is activated, as shown in FIG. 5A, the conveyance speed of the sponge belt SB gradually increases after the sponge belt SB is activated at the timing t3, and reaches the steady speed “SP1” at the timing t5. To reach (period (a) in FIG. 5: t3-t5). For this reason, the joining energy given to the joining object is also adjusted so as to gradually increase in such a manner as to follow the increase in the conveying speed (period (b) in FIG. 5: t3 to t5). That is, the pressure control unit 70 adjusts the pressure of the air cylinder 64 so that the pressing force “P” applied to the three-dimensional metal porous body 81 and the lead 82 through the anvil 60 gradually increases from “0”. .

  In the present embodiment, in order to reliably prevent the damage to the three-dimensional metal porous body 81, in the region of, for example, 5 mm before and after the conveyance stop position where the output of ultrasonic waves tends to concentrate, the ultrasonic bonding apparatus performs super The sonic wave output, that is, the application and pressurization of ultrasonic vibrations to the objects to be joined through the ultrasonic horn 50 and the anvil 60 are stopped (period (b) in FIG. 5: t2-t4). As a result, even if the transport speed of the three-dimensional metal porous body 81 and the lead 82 changes with the stop operation and start operation of the sponge belt SB, as shown in FIG. 5C, before and after the transport stop position. Except for the 5 mm region, the lead 82 is appropriately joined to the three-dimensional porous metal body 81.

  As a result, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6 as a diagram corresponding to FIG. 4, the unbonded region of the lead 82 accompanying the stop and start of the conveyance of the three-dimensional metal porous body 81 and the lead 82 is “ 120 mm "is greatly reduced to" 10 mm (front and rear 5 mm) ". In the present embodiment, the ultrasonic output from the ultrasonic device is monitored, and the ultrasonic output to be monitored is lower than the lowest energy that can guarantee the bonding of the lead 82 to the three-dimensional metal porous body 81. In this case, the lead 82 is not bonded to the three-dimensional metal porous body 81 at this time, and the same portion is determined as a “defective product”. Further, the frequency of this monitoring is higher when the conveyance speed is changed, that is, when stopping or starting than when the sponge belt SB is driven steadily. Thereby, it becomes possible to detect an unjoined area reliably.

Next, a relationship between a command value for determining the conveying speed of the sponge belt SB and an actual value of the conveying speed of the sponge belt SB driven based on the command value, and a command value for determining the pressing force of the anvil 60; The relationship between the measured value of the pressing force of the anvil 60 driven based on this command value will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that characteristics Lss1 and Lss2 indicated by solid lines in FIG. 7A indicate the relationship between the conveyance speed command value and the actual measurement value when the sponge belt SB is activated. Also, the characteristics Lps1 and Lps2 indicated by solid lines in FIG. 7B indicate the relationship between the command value of the pressing force applied to the object to be joined through the anvil 60 and the measured value when the ultrasonic bonding apparatus is activated. Show. And FIG.7 (c) superimposes each measured value shown to Fig.7 (a) and (b). On the other hand, FIG.
Characteristics Lse1 and Lse2 indicated by solid lines in a) show the relationship between the command value of the conveyance speed and the actual measurement value when the sponge belt SB is stopped. Also, the characteristics Lpe1 and Lpe2 indicated by solid lines in FIG. 8B indicate the relationship between the command value of the pressing force applied to the object to be joined through the anvil 60 and the actual measurement value when the ultrasonic welding apparatus is stopped. Show. And FIG.8 (c) superimposes each measured value shown to Fig.8 (a) and (b). The graphs shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 are based on the experimental results obtained by the inventors.

  First, as shown in FIG. 7A, the change in the conveyance speed when the sponge belt SB is activated changes so that the actual measurement value Lss2 gradually increases with a delay of time Tx1 from the command value Lss1. For this reason, the measured value is lower than the command value during the period from the activation of the sponge belt SB at the timing t0 to the timing t1. On the other hand, the measured value Lss2 becomes higher than the command value Lss1 during the period in which the conveyance speed reaches the steady speed SP1 from the timing t2 to the timing t3.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 7 (b), the transition of the pressing force by the anvil 60 when the ultrasonic bonding apparatus is activated also indicates that the measured value Lps2 is delayed by the time Tx1 from the command value Lps1. It is expected to increase under the same trend.

  Then, the relationship between the measured value Lss2 of the conveyance speed and the measured value Lps2 of the pressing force is, as shown in FIG. 7C, the measured value Lps2 of the pressing force with respect to the measured value Lss2 of the conveying speed. There will be a shortage of the area indicated by the diagonal lines. However, when the three-dimensional metal porous body 81 and the lead 82 are bonded under these conditions, the three-dimensional metal porous body 81 is shown in FIG. It has been confirmed that the lead 82 can be joined to the three-dimensional porous metal body 81 without breaking the body 81 or the like.

  On the other hand, the transition of the conveyance speed when the sponge belt SB is stopped, as shown in FIG. 8A, the actual measurement value Lse2 decelerates faster than the command value Lse1, and is earlier than the command value Lse1 by time Tx1. Stop.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8B, the transition of the pressing force by the anvil 60 when the ultrasonic bonding apparatus is stopped is such that the actually measured value Lps2 decreases with a delay from the command value Lps1. Then, the transition is made to stop after a time Tx1 from the command value Lps1.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 8C, the relationship between the actually measured value Lse2 of the conveying speed and the actually measured value Lpe2 of the pressing force is such that the measured value Lpe2 of the pressing force is the time Tx2 with respect to the actually measured value Lse2 of the conveying speed. Therefore, the measured value Lps1 of the pressing force is excessively increased by an area indicated by diagonal lines with respect to the measured value Lss2 of the conveyance speed. For this reason, when the three-dimensional metal porous body 81 and the lead 82 are joined under this condition, the three-dimensional metal is shown in FIG. It was confirmed that the porous body 81 was torn.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, when the sponge belt SB and the ultrasonic bonding apparatus are stopped, the pressing time applied to the objects to be bonded through the anvil 60 in consideration of the delay time Tx1 with respect to the command value. The command value for determining the pressing force of the anvil 60 is set so that the timing for reducing the force is advanced by the time Tx2 above the timing for reducing the conveying speed of the sponge belt SB. As a result, the three-dimensional metal porous body 81 and the lead 82 can be suitably joined without causing the above-described damage or the like.

Next, an example of the measurement results of the strength characteristics of the three-dimensional metal porous body 81 and the lead 82 bonded by the ultrasonic bonding apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.
In addition, the measurement of this intensity | strength characteristic was performed on the following each conditions, as shown to Fig.11 (a).

Condition a: The ultrasonic horn 50 and the anvil 60 having a short travel distance were used as the ultrasonic horn 50 and the anvil 60.
Condition b: As the ultrasonic horn 50 and the anvil 60, the ultrasonic horn 50 having a small traveling distance and the anvil 60 having a large traveling distance were used.

Condition c: As the ultrasonic horn 50 and the anvil 60, the ultrasonic horn 50 having a large traveling distance and the anvil 60 having a small traveling distance were used.
Condition d: As the ultrasonic horn 50 and the anvil 60, the ultrasonic horn 50 and the anvil 60 having a large traveling distance were used.

Moreover, FIG.11 (b) shows the measurement result of the joint strength obtained on the basis of these conditions a-d. Note that Ls indicated by a straight line in FIG. 11B indicates a change in the conveyance speed of the sponge belt SB. Characteristic La to characteristic Ld indicated by solid lines indicate transitions in bonding strength corresponding to the conveying speed of the sponge belt SB when the conditions of the ultrasonic horn 50 and the anvil 60 are the conditions a to d. . On the other hand, the characteristic L ₀ indicated by a broken line indicates that the ultrasonic horn 50 and the anvil 60 are bonded by a conventional ultrasonic bonding apparatus (where the application of bonding energy is interrupted when starting and stopping) when the condition a is the above condition a. It shows the transition of strength.

That is, as shown in FIG. 11 (b) as the characteristic La~Ld and _{L 0,} in the region where the bonding process is performed in the period T1 and T5 of the conveying speed of the sponge belt SB is in the steady speed SP1 above, In both cases, the bonding strength between the three-dimensional metal porous body 81 and the lead 82 exceeds both the standard standard N1 and the management standard N2.

On the other hand, when the conveyance speed of the sponge belt SB changes from the period T2 to the period T4 and becomes less than the steady speed SP1, the characteristic L ₀ (conventional ultrasonic bonding apparatus) is bonded according to the change in the conveyance speed. Since the variable energy control is not performed and the application of the bonding energy is interrupted, the bonding strength of the region subjected to the bonding process at this time is less than the standard standard N1 and the management standard N2. On the other hand, in the characteristics La to Ld, the bonding strength in the regions T2 and T4 in which the conveyance speed is changed by performing the variable control of the bonding energy according to the change in the conveyance speed. Both exceed the standard standard N1 and the management standard N2. Note that, in the present embodiment, the ultrasonic output is stopped at the front and rear 5 mm, which is the position where the sponge belt SB is stopped, and therefore the bonding strength is limited to the standard reference N1 and the region corresponding to the period T3. although it is less than the management reference N2, space beyond standard reference N1 and control standards N2 than the characteristic L ₀ can be confirmed to have been greatly expanded.

As described above, according to the ultrasonic bonding method, the ultrasonic bonding apparatus, and the battery electrode manufacturing method according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) The bonding energy applied to the three-dimensional metal porous body 81 and the lead 82, particularly the pressure applied to the anvil 60 in this case, is variable according to the conveyance speed of the three-dimensional metal porous body 81 and the lead 82. For this reason, even if the conveyance speed changes at the start or stop of conveyance of the three-dimensional metal porous body 81 and the lead 82, it is applied to the three-dimensional metal porous body 81 and the lead 82 in a manner that follows the change in the conveyance speed. The bonding energy can be adjusted. Thereby, at the start or stop of the conveyance of the three-dimensional metal porous body 81 and the lead 82, it is suppressed that excessive bonding energy is applied to the three-dimensional metal porous body 81 and the lead 82, and the three-dimensional metal porous body 81 and lead 82 can be stably joined.

  (2) The bonding energy applied to the three-dimensional metal porous body 81 and the lead 82 is reduced as the conveyance speed of the three-dimensional metal porous body 81 and the lead 82 decreases. Further, the bonding energy applied to the three-dimensional metal porous body 81 and the lead 82 is increased as the conveyance speed of the three-dimensional metal porous body 81 and the lead 82 increases. Thereby, even if the conveyance speed of the three-dimensional metal porous body 81 and the lead 82 changes, the bonding energy per unit time applied to the three-dimensional metal porous body 81 and the lead 82 can be made constant, and the steady speed. The three-dimensional metal porous body 81 and the lead 82 can be joined under the same conditions as in the case of SP1.

  (3) The bonding energy applied to the three-dimensional metal porous body 81 and the lead 82 is the same as the bonding energy per unit time for the three-dimensional metal porous body 81 and the lead 82 conveyed. It was decided to make it variable in such a way as to have a specific energy that can guarantee the joining. As a result, even if the transport speed of the three-dimensional metal porous body 81 and the lead 82 as the bonding target is changed, bonding energy in a range necessary and sufficient for bonding is given, and the tertiary The original metal porous body 81 and the lead 82 are reliably bonded. In addition, when the conveyance speed of the three-dimensional metal porous body 81 and the lead 82 is decreased, only the joining energy necessary for joining the three-dimensional metal porous body 81 and the lead 82 is applied. It is reliably suppressed that excessive bonding energy is applied to the body 81 and the lead 82.

  (4) The adjustment of the bonding energy is performed by changing the pressure to be applied through the anvil 60 as described above. Accordingly, the bonding energy can be adjusted with high accuracy through adjustment of the pressure applied to the three-dimensional porous metal body 81 and the lead 82 through the anvil 60.

  (5) The pressure applied to each strip through the anvil 60 is adjusted using an air cylinder as a drive source. Therefore, a constant pressure can be applied to the three-dimensional metal porous body 81 and the lead 82 regardless of changes in the thickness and undulation of the three-dimensional metal porous body 81 and the lead 82 to be joined. As a result, even when the shapes of the three-dimensional metal porous body 81 and the lead 82 that are sequentially conveyed change irregularly, the pressure applied to the three-dimensional metal porous body 81 and the lead 82, and hence the bonding energy. Excess and deficiency can be suppressed.

  (6) Changes in the transport speed of the three-dimensional metal porous body 81 and the leads 82 that are targets of variable bonding energy are changed according to the start or stop of the transport of the three-dimensional metal porous body 81 and the leads 82 by the sponge belt SB. It was. Thus, the three-dimensional metal porous body 81 and the lead 82 can be stably joined, particularly in a period in which the amount of change in the conveyance speed is large, and in a period in which excessive or insufficient ultrasonic output per unit time is likely to occur. become.

  (7) In making the joining energy variable, reaction characteristics with respect to each command value of the conveyance speed by the sponge belt SB and the pressing force by the anvil 60 are taken into consideration. As a result, it becomes possible to set the bonding energy based on the command value in which the error between each command value for the sponge belt SB and the anvil 60 and the actual measurement value is corrected, and as a result, the reliability related to the variable control of the bonding energy. Will be enhanced.

In addition, the said embodiment can also be implemented with the following forms.
In the above-described embodiment, assuming that the transport speed of the three-dimensional metal porous body 81 and the lead 82 is lower than the steady speed SP1 at the start and stop of transport, the bonding energy is variably controlled. did. Not limited to this, as shown in FIG. 12 as a diagram corresponding to FIG. 5, the transport speed of the three-dimensional metal porous body 81 and the lead 82 is a speed SP2 higher than the steady speed SP1. The application of the present invention is possible. That is, as shown as a period T1 in FIG. 12, the junction energy is gradually increased as the conveyance speed increases, and the junction energy W2 increased corresponding to the speed SP2 after the conveyance speed reaches the speed SP2. You may make it provide continuously. For this reason, even when the conveyance speed of the three-dimensional metal porous body 81 and the lead 82 is higher than the steady speed, the bonding energy necessary and sufficient for bonding the three-dimensional metal porous body 81 and the lead 82 is applied. Become so. As a result, the three-dimensional metal porous body 81 and the lead 82 can be stably joined without being affected by changes in the conveyance speed of the three-dimensional metal porous body 81 and the lead 82.

  In the above embodiment, the ultrasonic output is stopped in a region 5 mm before and after the stop position of the three-dimensional metal porous body 81 and the lead 82. Not limited to this, the bonding target can withstand the output of ultrasonic waves in the same region by adjusting the bonding energy with higher accuracy, and changing the thickness of the three-dimensional metal porous body 81 and the lead 82 and the material of the bonding target. If possible, as shown in FIGS. 13 (a) and 13 (b) corresponding to FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b), it may be an area 5 mm before and after the conveyance stop position. You may make it provide the output of an ultrasonic wave. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 13C as a diagram corresponding to the previous FIG. 5C, bonding over the entire surface of each bonding target is realized.

  In the above embodiment, the sponge belt SB is used as the conveying device. Not limited to this, various conveyors and roller-shaped feeding devices can be used as the conveying device. In short, any material can be used as long as it can be transported between the ultrasonic horn 50 and the anvil 60 in a state where the two strips are overlapped.

  In the above embodiment, the adjustment of the pressing force by the anvil 60 is performed using the air cylinder 64 as a drive source. Not limited to this, the adjustment of the pressing force by the anvil 60 may be performed through the vertical movement of the support base 62 by a driving means such as a motor.

  In the above embodiment, the bonding energy applied to the three-dimensional metal porous body 81 and the lead 82 is adjusted by changing the pressure applied to the three-dimensional metal porous body 81 and the lead 82 through the anvil 60. . The adjustment of the bonding energy is not limited to this, and it is also possible to perform the adjustment of the bonding energy based on the vibration frequency to be applied to the ultrasonic horn 50 or the vibration amplitude to be applied to the ultrasonic horn 50 during the ultrasonic bonding. In short, the variable control of the bonding energy is performed by the pressure applied to the three-dimensional metal porous body 81 and the lead 82 through the anvil 60, the frequency to be applied to the ultrasonic horn 50 during the ultrasonic bonding, What is necessary is just to change as at least one element of the vibration amplitude to be applied to the ultrasonic horn 50 at the time of the sonic bonding. And the part which performs variable control of these joining energy becomes a joining energy control part.

  In the embodiment described above, the positive electrode plate of the electrode plate group constituting the unit cell of the rectangular sealed battery is the target of joining the lead 82. Not only this but the positive electrode plate which comprises a roll cylindrical battery is good also as a candidate for joining of the above-mentioned lead 82. In this case, since the three-dimensional metal porous body and the lead are joined over the entire surface, it is not necessary to excise the unjoined portion of the lead. For this reason, continuous winding of the three-dimensional metal porous body in which the leads are joined over the entire surface is possible, and as a result, the productivity of the roll cylindrical battery as a battery can be improved.

In the above embodiment, the three-dimensional metal porous body 81 and the lead 82 made of a conductor are bonded as the bonding target by the ultrasonic bonding. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an aluminum stay may be used, and in addition to this, the present invention can be applied as long as it has a band shape and is continuously ultrasonically bonded.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 50 ... Ultrasonic horn, 51 ... Center shaft body, 52 ... Oscillator, 60 ... Anvil, 61 ... Center shaft body, 62 ... Support stand, 63 ... Base, 64 ... Air cylinder, 65 ... Pressure gauge, 70 ... Pressure Control unit, 80 ... work, 81 ... three-dimensional metal porous body (first strip), 82 ... lead (second strip), 82a ... lead, 82b ... lead, MCa, MCb ... ultrasonic bonding apparatus, SB1 ... sponge belt, SB1 ... upper belt, SB2 ... lower belt.

Claims (13)

In the ultrasonic bonding method of ultrasonically bonding the first and second strips while transporting the first strip and the second strip to be joined in the same direction by the transport device,
An ultrasonic bonding method characterized in that the bonding energy used for the ultrasonic bonding is variable in accordance with a change in the conveying speed of the first and second strips by the conveying device. 2. The ultrasonic bonding method according to claim 1, wherein the bonding energy is variable in such a manner that the higher the conveying speed of the first and second strips is, the lower the lower the conveying speed is. The bonding energy is variable in such a manner that the bonding energy per unit time with respect to the first and second belts to be conveyed is a specific energy that can guarantee the bonding of the first and second belts. The ultrasonic bonding method according to claim 2. The change of the bonding energy is performed by changing the pressure to be applied to the first and second belts to be conveyed at the ultrasonic bonding position, the frequency to be used for the ultrasonic bonding, and the ultrasonic bonding. The ultrasonic bonding method according to claim 2, wherein the ultrasonic bonding method is performed as a change of at least one element of vibration amplitude to be used. The change in the transport speed of the first and second strips, which is the variable of the bonding energy, is a speed change associated with the start or stop of the transport of the first and second strips by the transport device. The ultrasonic bonding method according to any one of claims 1 to 4. In the ultrasonic bonding apparatus for ultrasonically bonding the first and second band-shaped bodies while conveying the first band-shaped body and the second band-shaped body to be bonded in the same direction by the transfer device,
A bonding energy applying unit that applies bonding energy to the pressurized first and second belts while pressing the first and second belts transported by the transport device with an anvil and an ultrasonic horn; ,
An ultrasonic bonding apparatus comprising: a bonding energy control unit that variably controls the bonding energy to be applied in accordance with a change in the conveyance speed of the first and second belts by the conveyance apparatus. The bonding energy control unit variably controls the bonding energy in such a manner that the higher the conveying speed of the first and second strips is, the lower the lower the conveying speed of the first and second strips is. The ultrasonic bonding apparatus according to claim 6. The bonding energy control unit is configured such that the bonding energy per unit time with respect to the first and second strips to be transported becomes specific energy that can guarantee the bonding of the first and second strips. The ultrasonic bonding apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the bonding energy is variably controlled. The bonding energy control unit includes a pressure to be applied through the anvil to the first and second belts to be conveyed, a frequency to be applied to the ultrasonic horn during the ultrasonic bonding, and the The ultrasonic bonding apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the bonding energy is variably controlled as a change in at least one element of vibration amplitude to be applied to the ultrasonic horn during ultrasonic bonding. The change in the conveyance speed of the first and second strips, which is the target of the bonding energy control by the bonding energy control unit, is the start of conveyance of the first and second strips by the conveyance device or The ultrasonic bonding apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 9, which is a speed change accompanying a stop. In the method for manufacturing a battery electrode in which a conductor as a lead is joined to a three-dimensional metal porous body as an electrode plate,
The ultrasonic bonding apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein the material made of the three-dimensional metal porous body is a first belt-like body, and the material made of the conductor is a second belt-like body. A method for producing an electrode for a battery, comprising bonding the conductor to one surface of the three-dimensional porous metal body. The method for producing a battery electrode according to claim 11, wherein the electrode plate to be joined with the lead is a positive electrode plate of a group of electrode plates constituting a unit cell of a rectangular sealed battery. The method of manufacturing a battery electrode according to claim 11, wherein the electrode plate to be joined with the lead is an electrode plate of a roll cylindrical battery.