JP6169419B2 - Flat battery manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a manufacturing apparatus and a manufacturing method for manufacturing a flat battery such as a coin battery.

  Conventionally, a flat battery in which a positive electrode material and a negative electrode material are disposed between a bottomed cylindrical outer can and a sealing can disposed so as to cover the opening of the outer can is known. As such a flat battery, for example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a configuration is known in which a positive electrode pellet obtained by forming a positive electrode mixture into a pellet shape by a positive electrode ring is known.

  In Patent Document 1, a cylindrical molding lower mold is placed in a through hole formed in a molding middle mold, and then a positive electrode mixture is put on the molding lower mold in the through hole to form a cylindrical molding. A manufacturing method is disclosed in which a positive electrode pellet is formed by sandwiching a positive electrode mixture between the upper mold and the lower mold. The formed positive electrode pellet is disposed inside the positive electrode ring and is fitted with the positive electrode ring.

JP-A-4-355053

  In the manufacturing method disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above, a positive electrode pellet (positive electrode material) is obtained by molding the positive electrode mixture into a pellet, and then the positive electrode pellet is fitted into a positive electrode ring (pedestal). ing. However, in addition to such a method for producing a positive electrode material, a method is also known in which a positive electrode mixture is pushed directly into a pedestal to form a positive electrode material in the pedestal. Even in the case of such a method, like the method disclosed in Patent Document 1, a pair of the pedestal and the positive electrode mixture is placed in a state in which the pedestal and the positive electrode mixture are disposed in the through hole formed in the mold. The positive electrode material is formed in the pedestal by being sandwiched between the columnar members. That is, in this case, the through hole of the molding die is formed in a size that allows a pedestal to be disposed therein, and the pedestal and the positive electrode mixture are sandwiched between the pair of columnar members inside the through hole.

  By the way, in the case where the positive electrode material is held by the pedestal as described above, the positive electrode material and the pedestal may move inside the battery when a strong impact is applied to the flat battery. Therefore, the structure which fixes a base with respect to an exterior can is considered so that a base may not move inside a flat battery. As one of such configurations, a pedestal is provided by providing a flange portion projecting outward in a holding portion of the pedestal holding the positive electrode material, and sandwiching the flange portion between the outer can and the sealing can. The structure which fixes to an exterior can is considered.

  When the positive electrode material is formed in the pedestal having the flange portion as described above, the flange portion interferes with the forming die even if the manufacturing device similar to the manufacturing device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is used as it is. It cannot be placed in the through hole of the mold. Then, the pedestal and the positive electrode mixture cannot be sandwiched and pressed by the pair of columnar members in the through hole of the mold, and the positive electrode material cannot be molded in the pedestal.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a flat battery manufacturing apparatus including a pedestal having a holding portion that holds either the positive electrode material or the negative electrode material, and a flange portion that is sandwiched between the outer can and the sealing can. An object of the present invention is to obtain a configuration in which the one member can be easily and more reliably formed in the base.

  A flat battery manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a positive electrode material and a negative electrode material in a base having a cylindrical holding portion and a flange portion extending outwardly from the outer peripheral surface of the holding portion. It is a manufacturing apparatus of the flat battery for forming any one member. In the flat battery manufacturing apparatus, a through hole extending in the axial direction is formed, and the flange portion is formed by a peripheral portion of one opening of the through hole in a state where the holding portion is positioned in the through hole. A supporting member to be supported, a columnar member disposed so as to extend inward of the through hole from the other opening of the through hole, and the base and the one member supported by the supporting member are configured. A pressing member that pushes the mixture into the holding portion of the pedestal by sandwiching the mixture to be held between the columnar members. The support member and the columnar member are configured to be relatively movable in the axial direction so as to sandwich the pedestal and the mixture between the pressing member and the columnar member at the one opening. First configuration).

  With the above configuration, since the support member and the columnar member are configured to be relatively movable in the axial direction, the pedestal having the flange portion has the flange portion formed by the peripheral portion of one opening of the through hole provided in the support member. In a supported state, it is sandwiched between the pressing member and the columnar member. Thereby, either a positive electrode material or a negative electrode material can be shape | molded in the holding | maintenance part of a base with a press member and a columnar member.

  Therefore, by using the manufacturing apparatus having the above-described configuration, the one member can be easily and more reliably formed in the holding portion of the pedestal having the flange portion.

  In the first configuration, the support member is configured to be movable in the axial direction with respect to the columnar member when the pedestal is sandwiched between the pressing member and the columnar member (second axis). Configuration).

  Thereby, a base can move to an axial direction with respect to the columnar member arrange | positioned in the through-hole of this support member with a support member. Therefore, by pressing the pedestal on the support member with the pressing member, the holding portion of the pedestal and the mixture can be sandwiched between the pressing member and the columnar member.

  In the second configuration, the support member is configured to move in the axial direction with respect to the columnar member by a pressing force of the pressing member (third configuration). Accordingly, when the pedestal is pressed by the pressing member, the support member that supports the pedestal moves in the axial direction with respect to the columnar member, and the pedestal can be sandwiched between the pressing member and the columnar member. By moving the support member using the pressing force of the pressing member, a means for moving the support member becomes unnecessary, so that the configuration of the entire apparatus can be simplified.

  The third configuration further includes an elastic support portion that elastically supports the support member and generates elastic deformation by a pressing force of the pressing member (fourth configuration). Thereby, the third configuration can be realized.

  In the fourth configuration, the support member is disposed such that the axial direction of the through hole is in the vertical direction. The columnar member is disposed so as to be inserted from an opening below the through hole of the support member. The said pressing member is arrange | positioned so that the said base arrange | positioned on the said supporting member may be pressed from upper direction. The elastic support portion elastically supports the support member from below (fifth configuration).

  In the above-described configuration, when the pedestal is pressed from above by the pressing member, the elastic supporting portion that elastically supports the supporting member undergoes elastic deformation, and the supporting member moves downward. Therefore, either the positive electrode material or the negative electrode material can be easily formed in the pedestal by sandwiching the pedestal and the mixture in the vertical direction by the pressing member and the columnar member.

  In any one of the first to fifth configurations, the flat battery manufacturing apparatus further includes a turntable to which the support member and the columnar member are attached. The turntable is configured to be rotatable together with the support member and the columnar member according to a plurality of steps for forming the one member in the pedestal (sixth configuration).

  Thereby, it becomes possible to perform the some process for forming any one member of a positive electrode material and a negative electrode material in a base with one manufacturing apparatus. That is, by rotating the turntable to which the support member and the columnar member are attached for each step, the step of introducing the mixture into the through hole of the support member and the step of arranging the pedestal at the opening of the through hole Each step of forming the mixture in the pedestal by the pressing member and the columnar member can be performed on the turntable. Therefore, a manufacturing apparatus capable of efficiently molding the one member in the pedestal is obtained.

  A flat battery manufacturing method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a positive electrode material and a negative electrode material in a base having a cylindrical holding portion and a flange portion extending outwardly from the outer peripheral surface of the holding portion. It is a manufacturing method of the flat battery which forms any one member. The flat battery manufacturing method includes a preparation step of inserting a columnar member from the other opening of the through hole into the through hole formed in the support member that supports the flange portion so as to extend in the axial direction, A mixture feeding step of feeding a mixture constituting the one member into the through hole from one opening of the through hole; and the pedestal; the holding portion is located in the through hole; and the flange A pedestal setting step in which the portion is supported by the peripheral portion of the one opening in the through-hole, and the pressing member presses the pedestal against the peripheral portion of the one opening, and the support member And by moving one of the columnar members in the axial direction, the pedestal and the mixture are sandwiched between the pressing member and the columnar member at the one opening. And a pressing step of pressing the said mixture into the base (7 method).

  Thereby, any one member of a positive electrode material and a negative electrode material can be shape | molded easily and more reliably in the holding | maintenance part of the base which has a flange part.

  In the seventh method, in the pressing step, the pedestal and the support member are moved in the axial direction by pressing the pedestal with the pressing member, and the pedestal and the mixture are moved together with the pressing member. It is sandwiched between the columnar members (eighth method).

  The support member can be moved in the axial direction by pressing the pedestal with the pressing member. Therefore, since a mechanism for moving the support member alone is not required, either the positive electrode material or the negative electrode material can be formed in the holding portion of the base having the flange portion by a simpler method.

  In the flat battery manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, the supporting member that supports the pedestal having the flange portion and the columnar member disposed in the through hole of the supporting member press the pedestal by the pressing member. Move relative. Thereby, a base and a mixture are pinched | interposed with a press member and a columnar member, and any one member of a positive electrode material and a negative electrode material can be shape | molded in this base. Therefore, a flat battery manufacturing apparatus capable of easily and more reliably forming one member in the pedestal is obtained.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of a flat battery according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a top view of the positive electrode ring showing the positional relationship between the positive electrode ring and the open end of the peripheral wall portion of the negative electrode can. FIG. 3 is a view corresponding to FIG. 2 when the position of the positive electrode ring is shifted in the positive electrode can. FIG. 4 is a top view showing a schematic configuration of the molding apparatus. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. FIG. 6A is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing a state in which the positive electrode mixture is charged into the through hole of the molding die in the molding apparatus. FIG. 6B is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing a state in which the positive electrode ring is disposed in the opening of the through hole of the molding die in the molding apparatus. FIG. 6C is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing a state in which the positive electrode ring and the mold are pressed by the pressing member in the molding apparatus.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The same or corresponding parts in the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will not be repeated.

(overall structure)
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the flat battery 1. The flat battery 1 includes a bottomed cylindrical positive electrode can 10 (external can) as an outer can, a negative electrode can 20 as a sealing can covering the opening of the positive electrode can 10, an outer peripheral side of the positive electrode can 10, and a negative electrode A gasket 30 disposed between the outer periphery of the can 20 and a power generation element 40 housed in a space formed between the positive electrode can 10 and the negative electrode can 20 are provided. The flat battery 1 is formed into a flat coin shape as a whole by combining the positive electrode can 10 and the negative electrode can 20. In addition to the power generation element 40, a non-aqueous electrolyte (not shown) is also enclosed in the space formed between the positive electrode can 10 and the negative electrode can 20.

  The positive electrode can 10 is made of a metal material such as stainless steel, and is formed into a bottomed cylindrical shape by press molding. The positive electrode can 10 includes a circular bottom portion 11 and a cylindrical peripheral wall portion 12 formed continuously with the bottom portion 11 on the outer periphery thereof. The peripheral wall portion 12 is provided so as to extend perpendicularly to the bottom portion 11 in a longitudinal sectional view. As described later, the positive electrode can 10 is crimped to the outer peripheral portion of the negative electrode can 20 by bending the opening end side of the peripheral wall portion 12 inward with the gasket 30 sandwiched between the positive electrode can 10 and the negative electrode can 20. ing. A symbol P in FIG. 1 is a cylinder axis of the positive electrode can 10. The peripheral wall portion 12 extends in the cylinder axis direction of the positive electrode can 10.

  The bottom 11 of the positive electrode can 10 is formed in a flat plate shape so that its inner surface is flat. That is, the positive electrode can 10 of the present embodiment has a flat bottom portion 11 on which no step is formed on the outer peripheral side.

  Similarly to the positive electrode can 10, the negative electrode can 20 is made of a metal material such as stainless steel and is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape by press molding. The negative electrode can 20 includes a circular plane portion 21 and a cylindrical peripheral wall portion 22 formed continuously with the plane portion 21 on the outer periphery thereof. Similar to the positive electrode can 10, the peripheral wall portion 22 is also provided so as to extend perpendicularly to the flat portion 21 in a longitudinal sectional view. The peripheral wall portion 22 has a diameter-enlarged portion 22 b whose diameter is increased stepwise with respect to the base end portion 22 a of the peripheral wall portion 22. That is, the peripheral wall portion 22 is formed with a step portion 22c between the base end portion 22a and the enlarged diameter portion 22b. As shown in FIG. 1, the open end side of the peripheral wall portion 12 of the positive electrode can 10 is bent and caulked with respect to the step portion 22c. Thereby, the positive electrode can 10 and the negative electrode can 20 are connected on the outer peripheral side thereof.

  The gasket 30 is mainly composed of polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), and is made of a resin composition containing an olefin elastomer in PPS. The gasket 30 is disposed so as to be sandwiched between the peripheral wall portion 12 of the positive electrode can 10 and the peripheral wall portion 22 of the negative electrode can 20. Further, the gasket 30 is disposed so as to be sandwiched between the open end of the peripheral wall portion 22 of the negative electrode can 20 and the bottom portion 11 of the positive electrode can 10.

  The gasket 30 includes a ring-shaped base portion 31, an outer cylindrical wall 32 protruding from the outer peripheral edge of the base portion 31, and an inner cylindrical wall 33 extending from the inner peripheral edge of the base portion 31 in the same direction as the outer cylindrical wall 32. With. In the present embodiment, the gasket 30 is formed integrally with a base portion 31, an outer cylindrical wall 32, and an inner cylindrical wall 33.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the gasket 30 has a base portion 31 disposed on a flange portion 44 b of a positive electrode ring 44 described later. The base portion 31 of the gasket 30 and the flange portion 44 b of the positive electrode ring 44 are sandwiched between the open end of the peripheral wall portion 22 of the negative electrode can 20 and the outer peripheral portion of the bottom portion 11 of the positive electrode can 10.

  Further, the gasket 30 is disposed so as to cover the enlarged diameter portion 22 b of the negative electrode can 20. That is, the gasket 30 is disposed in the enlarged diameter portion 22b of the negative electrode can 20 so that the enlarged diameter portion 22b of the negative electrode can 20 is positioned between the outer cylindrical wall 32 and the inner cylindrical wall 33 of the gasket 30. . That is, the outer cylindrical wall 32 of the gasket 30 is sandwiched between the peripheral wall portion 12 of the positive electrode can 10 and the peripheral wall portion 22 of the negative electrode can 20. The base portion 31 and the outer cylindrical wall 32 of the gasket 30 have a thickness capable of sealing the gap between the positive electrode can 10 and the negative electrode can 20 while being sandwiched between the positive electrode can 10 and the negative electrode can 20.

  Thus, by arranging the gasket 30 between the peripheral wall portion 12 of the positive electrode can 10 and the peripheral wall portion 22 of the negative electrode can 20, the positive electrode can 10 and the negative electrode can 20 can be insulated on the outer peripheral side thereof. it can. In addition, with the gasket 30 sandwiched between the peripheral wall portion 12 of the positive electrode can 10 and the peripheral wall portion 22 of the negative electrode can 20, the peripheral wall portion 12 of the positive electrode can 10 is folded and connected to the peripheral wall portion 22 of the negative electrode can 20. By tightening, the gasket 30 can seal between the peripheral wall portion 12 of the positive electrode can 10 and the peripheral wall portion 22 of the negative electrode can 20. That is, the gasket 30 includes the outer cylindrical wall 32 sandwiched between the peripheral wall portion 12 of the positive electrode can 10 and the step portion 22 c of the negative electrode can 20, and the opening end of the peripheral wall portion 22 of the negative electrode can 20 and the positive electrode can 10. The base portions 31 sandwiched between the bottom portion 11 each function as a seal.

  Further, a flange portion 44b of the positive electrode ring 44 described later is disposed between the base portion 31 of the gasket 30 and the bottom portion 11 of the positive electrode can 10, so that the flange portion 44b is connected to the base portion 31 of the gasket 30 and the positive electrode can 10. Between the bottom portion 11 and the bottom portion 11. Thereby, the flange portion 44 b of the positive electrode ring 44 can be fixed to the positive electrode can 10 without welding to the bottom portion 11 of the positive electrode can 10.

  The power generation element 40 includes a positive electrode material 41 in which a positive electrode active material or the like is formed into a disk shape, a negative electrode material 42 in which a metal lithium or lithium alloy as a negative electrode active material is formed in a disk shape, and a nonwoven fabric separator 43. As shown in FIG. 1, the positive electrode material 41 is positioned inside the positive electrode can 10, while the negative electrode material 42 is positioned inside the negative electrode can 20. A separator 43 is disposed between the positive electrode material 41 and the negative electrode material 42.

  The positive electrode material 41 contains manganese dioxide as a positive electrode active material. The positive electrode material 41 is formed as follows. First, graphite, tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymer and hydroxypropylcellulose are mixed with manganese dioxide to prepare a powdery positive electrode mixture.

  As will be described later, the positive electrode material 41 is formed by pressing and solidifying a powdered positive electrode mixture in the positive electrode ring 44 by a molding apparatus 50 (manufacturing apparatus). That is, the positive electrode material 41 is provided with a positive electrode ring 44 (pedestal) that covers a part of the side surface of the positive electrode material 41 so as to hold the positive electrode material 41. Detailed configurations of the positive electrode ring 44 and the molding apparatus 50 will be described later.

  The separator 43 is configured using a non-woven fabric made of a polybutylene terephthalate fiber. The separator 43 is impregnated with a non-aqueous electrolyte in the flat battery 1. Note that the thickness of the separator 43 is, for example, about 0.3 mm to 0.4 mm.

The non-aqueous electrolyte is a solution in which LiClO ₄ is dissolved in a solution obtained by mixing propylene carbonate and 1,2-dimethoxyethane.

(Configuration of positive ring)
A detailed configuration of the positive electrode ring 44 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

  The positive ring 44 is made of stainless steel or the like having predetermined rigidity and conductivity. The positive electrode ring 44 includes a cylindrical holding portion 44a in contact with the side surface of the positive electrode material 41, and an annular flange portion 44b extending outward from one end side of the holding portion 44a. In the present embodiment, the holding portion 44a and the flange portion 44b are integrally formed. That is, the positive electrode ring 44 is formed in a substantially hat shape.

  The holding portion 44a has an inner diameter equivalent to the outer diameter of the positive electrode material 41 so that the cylindrical positive electrode material 41 can be held inside. That is, the columnar positive electrode material 41 is held by the inner surface of the holding portion 44a.

  The flange portion 44b extends outward over the entire circumference of the cylindrical holding portion 44a. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the flange portion 44b is formed in an annular shape. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the flange portion 44 b has an outer peripheral end that is larger than the opening end of the enlarged diameter portion 22 b of the negative electrode can 20 (the opening end of the peripheral wall portion 22) when viewed from the cylindrical axis direction of the positive electrode can 10. It has a size that is located outside. In the case of the present embodiment, the flange portion 44 b has an outer diameter equivalent to the inner surface of the bottom portion 11 of the positive electrode can 10, or the outer diameter of the open end of the enlarged diameter portion 22 b of the negative electrode can 20 and the inner surface of the bottom portion 11 of the positive electrode can 10. Having an outer diameter between

  In this way, the flange portion 44b of the positive electrode ring 44 is sized so that the outer peripheral end is located outward from the opening end of the enlarged diameter portion 22b of the negative electrode can 20 when viewed from the cylinder axis direction of the positive electrode can 10. By doing so, the flange portion 44 b can be sandwiched between the peripheral wall portion 22 of the negative electrode can 20 and the bottom portion 11 of the positive electrode can 10. Thereby, the movement of the positive electrode ring 44 with respect to the positive electrode can 10 and the negative electrode can 20 can be suppressed. Further, the flange portion 44 b has an outer peripheral end located on the inner side of the outermost periphery of the inner surface of the bottom portion 11 of the positive electrode can 10 when viewed from the cylinder axis direction of the positive electrode can 10. Thereby, in addition to the contact between the flange portion 44 b and the bottom portion 11, the contact between the gasket 30 and the bottom portion 11 of the positive electrode can 10 can be ensured. Therefore, it can prevent that sealing performance is impaired.

  As shown in FIG. 3, when the flange portion 44 b is located at the outermost periphery of the inner surface of the bottom portion 11 of the positive electrode can 10 when viewed from the cylinder axis direction of the positive electrode can 10, It is more preferable that the portion has a size such that a portion on the opposite side in the radial direction across the holding portion 44a overlaps the opening end of the enlarged diameter portion 22b of the negative electrode can 20. Thereby, even when the position of the positive electrode ring 44 is shifted on the bottom 11 of the positive electrode can 10, the positive electrode ring 44 is positioned between the open end of the enlarged diameter portion 22 b of the negative electrode can 20 and the inner surface of the bottom 11 of the positive electrode can 10. Can be pinched. Therefore, the positive electrode ring 44 can be more reliably fixed to the positive electrode can 10 and the negative electrode can 20.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the flange portion 44 b of the positive electrode ring 44 is disposed between the base portion 31 of the gasket 30 and the bottom portion 11 of the positive electrode can 10. That is, the flange portion 44 b is sandwiched between the opening end of the peripheral wall portion 22 of the negative electrode can 20 and the inner surface of the bottom portion 11 of the positive electrode can 10 via the gasket 30.

(Manufacturing method of flat battery)
Next, a method for manufacturing the flat battery 1 having the above-described configuration will be described.

  First, a bottomed cylindrical positive electrode can 10 and a negative electrode can 20 are formed. A positive electrode ring 44 on which a positive electrode material 41 is formed as described later is disposed inside the positive electrode can 10, and a separator 43 and a negative electrode material 42 are stacked in this order on the positive electrode material 41. On the other hand, the gasket 30 is attached to the peripheral wall portion 22 of the negative electrode can 20.

  The negative electrode can 20 to which the gasket 30 is attached is arranged so as to cover the opening of the positive electrode can 10 in which the positive electrode ring 44, the separator 43, and the negative electrode material 42 are accommodated. The negative electrode can 20 is combined with the positive electrode can 10 such that the peripheral wall portion 22 is positioned inside the positive electrode can 10. In a state where the positive electrode can 10 and the negative electrode can 20 are combined, the open end side of the peripheral wall portion 12 of the positive electrode can 10 is caulked against the peripheral wall portion 22 of the negative electrode can 20.

  Thereby, the flat battery 1 as shown in FIG. 1 is obtained.

  Next, of the manufacturing method of the flat battery 1, a method of forming the positive electrode material 41 inside the positive electrode ring 44 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6C.

  4 and 5 show a schematic configuration of a forming apparatus 50 for forming the positive electrode material 41 inside the positive electrode ring 44. The molding apparatus 50 includes a substantially circular turntable 51 as viewed from above, a mixture charging unit 52, a ring supply unit 53, and a press unit 54, which are respectively arranged around the turntable 51. .

  The turntable 51 is configured to be rotatable in the circumferential direction when viewed from above (see the arrow in FIG. 4). That is, as shown in FIG. 5, a drive unit 55 including a motor or the like is provided below the center portion of the turntable 51. The drive part 55 is comprised so that rotation of the motor which is not illustrated may be transmitted to the turntable 51 via a gear, for example. By this drive unit 55, the turntable 51 rotates about the rotation axis Q. In the present embodiment, the drive unit 55 rotates the turntable 51 intermittently by 45 degrees. Note that the configuration of the drive unit 55 is the same as that of a general drive mechanism that rotates the table, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the turntable 51 is provided with a plurality of molding portions 60 over the entire circumference on the outer periphery side of the turntable 51 when viewed from above. That is, the plurality of molding parts 60 are arranged in a circle along the outer periphery of the turntable 51.

  As shown in FIG. 5, each molding unit 60 moves the molding die 61 in the vertical direction, a molding die 61 in which a through hole 61 a is formed, a columnar columnar member 62 fixed to the turntable 51, and the molding die 61. And a moving mechanism 65 that supports it. The mold 61 is made of a cemented carbide containing, for example, tungsten. The forming die 61 is formed with a through-hole 61a having a circular cross section that penetrates in the direction in which the axis R extends (hereinafter referred to as the axial direction; the vertical direction in FIG. 5). In addition, the shaping | molding die 61 may not be comprised entirely with a cemented carbide alloy, but may comprise only the part which comprises the side wall of the through-hole 61a with a cemented carbide alloy. In this way, by forming a part of the mold 61 that constitutes at least the side wall of the through hole 61a with a cemented carbide, when the positive electrode mixture is pressed and solidified in the through hole 61a as described later, It is possible to prevent the side wall of the through hole 61a of the mold 61 from being easily worn. That is, the wear resistance of the mold 61 can be improved by the configuration of the mold 61 as described above.

  As will be described later, the mold 61 is supported by a moving mechanism 65 so as to be movable in the vertical direction. As a result, when a force is applied to the mold 61 from above, the mold 61 moves downward.

  The columnar member 62 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape that can be inserted into the through hole 61 a of the molding die 61. The columnar member 62 is solidified on the turntable 51 by a fixing member 63. The fixing member 63 is fixed in a hole 51 a formed in the turntable 51. The columnar member 62 is attached so as to protrude upward with respect to the fixing member 63. The columnar member 62 is inserted into the through hole 61 a of the mold 61 from below while being fixed to the fixing member 63, that is, in a state of being fixed to the turntable 51.

  In the present embodiment, the through hole 61a of the mold 61 has a substantially circular cross section, and the columnar member 62 has a substantially cylindrical shape. However, the through hole 61a and the columnar member 62 are shaped so that the columnar member 62 is a through hole. Any shape may be used as long as it can be inserted into 61a.

  The moving mechanism 65 supports the mold 61 so as to be movable upward with respect to the turntable 51. Specifically, the moving mechanism 65 includes a slide mechanism 66 having a slider 66a and a slide rail 66b, and a spring 67 (elastic support portion) that elastically supports the slider 66a from below with respect to the rotary base 51. The slide rail 66b is fixed to the upper surface of the turntable 51 so as to extend in the vertical direction. The slider 66a is disposed on the slide rail 66b so as to be slidable in the vertical direction. The spring 67 is disposed so as to connect the slider 66 a and the turntable 51.

  With the configuration of the moving mechanism 65 as described above, the molding die 61 supported by the moving mechanism 65 is elastically supported so as to be movable in the vertical direction with respect to the turntable 51.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the mixture feeding part 52 is configured to feed the positive electrode mixture into the molding part 60 positioned at the feeding position by the rotation of the turntable 51. In other words, the mixture charging part 52 is disposed above the turntable 51, and when the molding part 60 reaches the charging position below the mixture charging part 52, the mixture charging part 52 is in the through hole 61 a of the molding part 60. A specified amount of the positive electrode mixture is added to. The mixture charging unit 52 has the same configuration as that of a general powder supply device for supplying a specified amount of powder, and thus a detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Note that the mixture charging section 52 has a plurality of charging sections so that the positive electrode mixture can be charged into the plurality of molding sections 60 almost simultaneously. As a result, the positive electrode mixture can be efficiently fed into the plurality of molded parts 60.

  The ring supply unit 53 is configured to supply the positive electrode ring 44 to the molding unit 60 positioned at the supply position by the rotation of the turntable 51. The ring supply unit 53 drops the positive electrode ring 44 supplied from a not-shown parts feeder or the like into the through hole 61a from above the forming unit 60 when the forming unit 60 reaches the supply position. The ring supply unit 53 may have any configuration as long as the positive electrode ring 44 can be supplied into the through hole 61 a of the molding unit 60.

  The ring supply unit 53 also has a plurality of supply units so that the positive electrode ring 44 can be supplied almost simultaneously to the plurality of molding units 60, similarly to the mixture charging unit 52. Thereby, the positive electrode ring 44 can be efficiently supplied to the plurality of molded portions 60.

  The press part 54 is configured to press the positive electrode ring 44 and the positive electrode mixture in the through hole 61 a against the molding part 60 positioned at the press position by the rotation of the turntable 51. The press part 54 has a pressing member 54a shown in FIG. 6C and a drive mechanism (not shown) that moves the pressing member 54a up and down. The pressing member 54a presses the molding die 61 of the molding unit 60 from above by moving downward by the drive mechanism. The drive mechanism of the press unit 54 may have any configuration as long as the pressing member 54a can be moved up and down, such as a drive mechanism using air pressure or hydraulic pressure.

  The pressing unit 54 also has a plurality of pressing members 54a so that the positive electrode ring 44 and the positive electrode mixture can be pressed almost simultaneously with respect to the plurality of molding units 60, similarly to the mixture charging unit 52 and the ring supply unit 53. Have

  In addition to the above-described configuration, the molding apparatus 50 includes a step of feeding the mesh into the positive electrode mixture, a step of cleaning the columnar member 62 and the molding die 61, and the positive electrode mixture fed into the through hole 61 a of the molding die 61. You may be comprised so that the process etc. which level an agent may be performed. Further, the turntable 51 may be configured to always rotate instead of intermittently rotating. In this case, the molding apparatus 50 is configured to perform each process in accordance with the rotation of the turntable 51.

  Next, how the positive electrode material 41 is formed in the positive electrode ring 44 by the forming apparatus 50 having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 6A to 6C.

  First, as shown in FIG. 6A, the mold 61 and the columnar member 62 are rotated so that the columnar member 61 is inserted into the through hole 61a of the mold 61 from the lower opening 61c (the other opening). Set on stand 51. When the turntable 51 rotates and the molding part 60 is positioned at the charging position, the positive electrode mixture M (mixture) is charged into the through-hole 61a of the molding die 61 by the mixture charging part 52 of the molding apparatus 50. . Then, as shown in FIG. 6A, the positive electrode mixture M is positioned on the columnar member 62 in the through hole 61a.

  After that, when the turntable 51 rotates and the molding part 60 in which the positive electrode mixture M is introduced into the through hole 61a is positioned at the supply position, as shown in FIG. The positive electrode ring 44 is disposed in the opening 61b (one opening) on the upper side of the through hole 61a. At this time, the positive electrode ring 44 is disposed with respect to the mold 61 so that the cylindrical holding portion 44a is positioned in the through hole 61a. Since the flange portion 44b of the positive electrode ring 44 is in contact with the peripheral portion of the opening 61b of the through hole 61a, it is supported by the peripheral portion.

  When the turntable 51 rotates and the forming portion 60 on which the positive electrode ring 44 is disposed is positioned at the pressing position, the pressing member 54a is pressed from above the forming die 61 by the pressing portion 54 as shown in FIG. 6C ( (See the white arrow in the figure). At this time, the downward force that the molding die 61 receives from the pressing member 54 a is transmitted to the slider 66 a of the moving mechanism 65 that supports the molding die 61 and acts on the spring 67 in a contracting direction. Thereby, the shaping | molding die 61 and the slider 66a move below. Since the columnar member 62 that penetrates the through hole 61a of the molding die 61 from below is fixed to the turntable 51, the molding die 61 and the slider 66a are downward, that is, columnar with respect to the columnar member 62. It moves in the axial direction of the member 62 (see solid line arrow in FIG. 6C).

  Then, the positive electrode mixture M located on the columnar member 62 in the through hole 61 a of the mold 61 is sandwiched between the columnar member 62 and the pressing member 54 a together with the positive electrode ring 44. As a result, the positive electrode mixture M is pressed into the cylindrical holding portion 44a of the positive electrode ring 44, and the positive electrode material 41 is formed inside the holding portion 44a.

  Here, the step of setting the forming die 61 and the columnar member 62 so that the columnar member 62 is inserted into the through hole 61a of the forming die 61 is a preparation step, and the step of introducing the positive electrode mixture M into the through hole 61a. Corresponds to the mixture charging step.

  Further, the step of placing the positive electrode ring 44 in the opening 61b of the through hole 61a of the mold 61 is a pedestal setting step, and the positive member 44 and the mold 61 are pressed by the pressing member 54a to press the pressing member 54a and the columnar member 62. The step of sandwiching the positive electrode ring 44 and the positive electrode mixture M between the two corresponds to the pressing step.

(Effect of embodiment)
In the molding apparatus 50 for forming the positive electrode material 41 in the positive electrode ring 44 having the flange portion 44b, the holding portion 44a of the positive electrode ring 44 and the positive electrode mixture M are positioned in the through hole 61a of the molding die 61, and the positive electrode ring The flange portion 44 b of 44 is supported by the molding die 61. And the shaping | molding die 61 is comprised so that a downward movement is possible according to the pressing force of the pressing member 54a, and the holding | maintenance part 44a and the positive electrode mixture M are inserted | pinched between the pressing member 54a and the columnar member 62. FIG. Thereby, even when forming the positive electrode material 41 in the positive electrode ring 44 having the flange portion 44b, the positive electrode material 41 can be easily and more reliably formed.

  Moreover, since the shaping | molding apparatus 50 is provided with the shaping | molding part 60 containing the shaping | molding die 61 on the turntable 51, by rotating the turntable 51, each for shape | molding the positive electrode material 41 in the positive electrode ring 44 is possible. The steps can be performed in order. Thereby, the positive electrode material 41 can be efficiently formed in the positive electrode ring 44 using the molding apparatus 50.

  Further, the molding device 50 is configured such that the molding die 61 is movable with respect to the columnar member 62, so that the pressing member 54 a and the columnar member are not inserted into the through hole 61 a of the molding die 61. The positive electrode ring 44 and the positive electrode mixture M can be sandwiched between the positive electrode ring 44 and the positive electrode mixture M. Therefore, the high positioning accuracy of the pressing member, which is required when the pressing member is inserted into the through hole of the fixed mold and the pedestal and the positive electrode mixture are compressed between the columnar members, becomes unnecessary. . Therefore, the molding apparatus 50 can be realized with a simpler configuration.

  In addition, the positive ring 44 is arranged with respect to the molding die 61 by disposing the positive ring 44 so that the holding portion 44a is positioned in the through hole 61a with respect to the opening 61b of the through hole 61a of the molding die 61. It can be positioned well. Therefore, the positive electrode material 41 can be accurately formed in the positive electrode ring 44 with a simple configuration.

(Other embodiments)
While the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above-described embodiments are merely examples for carrying out the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented by appropriately modifying the above-described embodiment without departing from the spirit thereof.

  In the embodiment, the slider 66 a that supports the mold 61 is elastically supported with respect to the turntable 51 by the spring 67. The columnar member 62 is fixed to the turntable 51. However, the mold 61 may be fixed to the turntable 51 and the columnar member 62 may be configured to be movable with respect to the turntable 51. In other words, the molding apparatus 50 only needs to be configured such that the molding die 61 and the columnar member 62 are relatively movable.

  In the said embodiment, the flange part 44b of the positive electrode ring 44 is formed in the annular | circular shape over the outer periphery perimeter of the holding | maintenance part 44a. However, the flange portion may be provided only on a part of the holding portion 44a. However, in the case of having the relationship of FIG. 3, it is necessary to provide a flange portion on the opposite side in the radial direction with the holding portion 44a interposed therebetween. Further, the shape of the flange portion may be a shape other than an annular shape. Similarly, the shape of the holding portion 44a may be other than a cylindrical shape.

  In the embodiment, the peripheral wall portion 22 of the negative electrode can 20 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape so that the end surface on the opening side is located on the bottom 11 side of the positive electrode can 10. However, the opening side of the peripheral wall portion of the negative electrode can may be bent, and the gasket 30 may be sandwiched between the bent portion and the bottom portion 11 of the positive electrode can 10.

  In the embodiment, the positive electrode can 10 is an outer can and the negative electrode can 20 is a sealed can. Conversely, the positive electrode can may be a sealed can and the negative electrode can may be an outer can. In this case, the arrangement of the positive electrode material and the negative electrode material is also reversed. Also in this case, if the positive electrode ring that holds the positive electrode material has a flange portion, the positive electrode material can be formed in the positive electrode ring by the molding apparatus 50 according to the embodiment.

  In the said embodiment, the negative electrode material 42 is obtained by forming the metal lithium or lithium alloy of a negative electrode active material in a disk shape. However, the negative electrode material may be formed of a powdery mixture or the like.

  In the said embodiment, the shaping | molding apparatus 50 has the turntable 51 which rotates in the circumferential direction, and performs each process which forms the positive electrode material 41 by rotating this turntable 51 in order. However, the forming apparatus may be configured to sequentially perform the steps of forming the positive electrode material 41 by moving the forming portion 60 in a straight line.

  In the said embodiment, the shaping | molding apparatus 50 is comprised so that the positive electrode ring 44 and the positive electrode mixture M may be pinched | interposed into the up-down direction by the pressing member 54a and the columnar member 62 by moving the pressing member 54a below. . However, if the positive electrode ring 44 and the positive electrode mixture M can be sandwiched between the pressing member 54a and the columnar member 62, the molding apparatus is configured such that the pressing member 54a moves in a direction other than the downward direction. May be.

  In the embodiment, the molding apparatus 50 is configured to place the positive electrode ring 44 in the opening 61b of the through hole 61a after the positive electrode mixture M is introduced into the through hole 61a of the mold 61. However, the molding apparatus 50 may be configured to put the positive electrode mixture M into the through hole 61a after the positive electrode ring 44 is disposed in the opening 61b.

  The flat battery manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention can be used when manufacturing a flat battery in which either one of a positive electrode material and a negative electrode material is formed in a pedestal having a flange portion.

1: flat battery, 41: positive electrode material, 42: negative electrode material, 44: positive electrode ring (pedestal), 44a: holding portion, 44b: flange portion, 51: rotating base, 54a: pressing member, 61: mold (support) Member), 61a: through-hole, 61b: opening (one opening), 62: columnar member, 67: spring (elastic support), M: positive electrode mixture (mixture), R: axis

Claims (7)

Manufacture of a flat battery for forming either a positive electrode material or a negative electrode material in a pedestal having a cylindrical holding portion and a flange portion extending outwardly from the outer peripheral surface of the holding portion A device,
A support member that is formed with a through hole extending in the axial direction and supports the flange portion by a peripheral portion of one opening of the through hole in a state where the holding portion is positioned in the through hole;
A columnar member arranged to extend from the other opening of the through hole toward the inside of the through hole;
A pressing member that pushes the mixture into the holding portion by sandwiching the mixture that constitutes the base and the one member supported by the support member with the columnar member;
The support member and the columnar member are configured to be relatively movable in the axial direction so as to sandwich the pedestal and the mixture between the pressing member and the columnar member at the one opening ,
The flat battery manufacturing apparatus , wherein the support member is configured to be movable in the axial direction with respect to the columnar member when the pedestal is sandwiched between the columnar member by the pressing member . The flat battery manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 ,
The flat battery manufacturing apparatus, wherein the support member is configured to move in the axial direction with respect to the columnar member by a pressing force of the pressing member. The flat battery manufacturing apparatus according to claim 2 ,
An apparatus for manufacturing a flat battery, further comprising an elastic support portion that elastically supports the support member and generates elastic deformation by a pressing force of the pressing member. In the flat battery manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3 ,
The support member is arranged so that the axial direction of the through hole is in the vertical direction,
The columnar member is disposed so as to be inserted from an opening below the through hole of the support member,
The pressing member is disposed so as to press the pedestal disposed on the support member from above,
The flat battery manufacturing apparatus, wherein the elastic support portion elastically supports the support member from below. In the flat battery manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
It further comprises a turntable to which the support member and the columnar member are attached,
The said rotary base is a flat battery manufacturing apparatus comprised so that rotation with the said supporting member and the said columnar member was possible according to the several process for forming said one member in the said base. A flat battery manufacturing method in which either a positive electrode material or a negative electrode material is formed in a pedestal having a cylindrical holding portion and a flange portion extending outwardly from the outer peripheral surface of the holding portion. There,
A preparatory step of inserting a columnar member from the other opening of the through hole into the through hole formed to extend in the axial direction on the support member supporting the flange portion;
A mixture feeding step of feeding a mixture constituting the one member into the through hole from one opening of the through hole,
A pedestal setting step for arranging the pedestal so that the holding portion is located in the through hole and the flange portion is supported by a peripheral portion of the one opening in the through hole;
The pressing member presses the pedestal against the peripheral portion of the one opening, and moves one of the support member and the columnar member in the axial direction, thereby allowing the pedestal and the opening to move in the one opening. A flat battery manufacturing method comprising: a pressing step of sandwiching the mixture between the pressing member and the columnar member and pressing the mixture into the pedestal. In the manufacturing method of the flat battery according to claim 6 ,
In the pressing step, the pedestal and the support member are moved in the axial direction by pressing the pedestal with the pressing member, and the pedestal and the mixture are placed between the pressing member and the columnar member. A method for manufacturing a flat battery, which is sandwiched.

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