JP6488764B2 - Separator electrode manufacturing apparatus and separator electrode manufacturing method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrode manufacturing apparatus with a separator and a method of manufacturing an electrode with a separator.

  Patent Document 1 describes an electrode stacking apparatus that manufactures an electrode stack in which positive and negative electrodes are alternately stacked with separators in between. The electrode stacking device includes a roll pair for welding the first separator sheet and the second separator sheet, and a positive electrode supply device for supplying a positive electrode between the first separator sheet and the second separator sheet. . The roll pair welds the first separator sheet and the second separator sheet to form a welded portion that supports the lower portion of the positive electrode. The positive electrode supply device drops the positive electrode toward the welded portion at the timing when the welded portion is formed.

JP 2012-199210 A

  In the electrode laminating apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the lower part of the positive electrode dropped toward the welded portion is supported by the welded portion, thereby positioning the electrodes in the vertical direction. However, in the electrode stacking apparatus, the positive electrode positioning in a direction other than the vertical direction has not been sufficiently studied, and there is still room for improvement in the positional accuracy of the electrode with respect to the separator.

  Then, an object of this invention is to provide the manufacturing method of the electrode with a separator and the electrode with a separator which can improve the positional accuracy of the electrode with respect to a separator.

  The separator-attached electrode manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention is a separator-attached electrode manufacturing apparatus that manufactures an electrode with a separator by housing the electrode in a bag-like separator, and a pair of long pieces constituting the bag-like separator. A first welding is performed by welding a sheet-shaped separator member in the conveying direction along the longitudinal direction of the separator member and a pair of separator members conveyed by the conveying unit to each other along the short direction of the separator member. A first welding part that forms a region; a supply part that supplies an electrode between the pair of separator members; and an electrode that is provided between the first welding part and the supply part and that is supplied by the supply part. A guide member that guides between the members, the transport direction is a direction including a vertically downward component, and the electrode includes a main body portion having one end portion and the other end portion. A tab protruding from one end, and the supply unit supplies the electrode between the pair of separator members by dropping the electrode so that the other end contacts the first welding region. The members are opposed to each other in the short direction and are opposed to each other in the thickness direction of the separator member that intersects the longitudinal direction and the short direction, and a pair of first restriction surfaces that restrict the movement of the electrodes in the short direction. A pair of second restriction surfaces for restricting movement of the electrodes in the vertical direction.

  In this separator-equipped electrode manufacturing apparatus, the supply unit drops the electrode so that the other end of the electrode contacts the first welding region, and supplies the electrode between the pair of separator members. For this reason, the electrode is positioned with respect to the separator member in the longitudinal direction (conveying direction) of the separator member with reference to the first welding region. Further, in this separator-equipped electrode manufacturing apparatus, when the electrode is supplied as described above, the movement of the electrode in the short direction of the separator member (direction intersecting the transport direction) is caused by the first regulating surface of the guide member. Is regulated. Further, the movement of the electrode in the thickness direction of the separator member (another direction intersecting the transport direction) is restricted by the second restriction surface of the guide member. Thus, in this manufacturing apparatus for an electrode with a separator, the electrode is positioned with respect to the separator member in a plurality of directions. For this reason, it becomes possible to improve the positional accuracy of the electrode with respect to the separator.

  In the separator-equipped electrode manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention, the interval between the first restriction surfaces on the first welding portion side is narrower than the interval between the first restriction surfaces on the supply portion side. The interval between the second restriction surfaces on the part side may be narrower than the interval between the second restriction surfaces on the supply unit side. In this case, the electrode can be easily put into the guide member on the supply unit side, and the electrode can be reliably regulated on the first welded portion side.

  The separator-equipped electrode manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention further includes a hole forming portion that provides a through hole in the separator member on the upstream side of the first welding portion, and the other end portion of the electrode has the first welding region. You may provide a through-hole wider than a tab with respect to the part in which the base end of the tab in a separator member is located when it contact | abuts. In this case, for example, when the separator member is cut in the short direction to cut out the electrode with the separator, a cut may be made so as to reach the edge of the through hole from the edge portion in the short direction of the separator member. For this reason, the separator member can be easily cut.

  In the separator-attached electrode manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention, after the other end of the electrode comes into contact with the first welding region, the edges in the short direction of the pair of separator members are welded together to form the second welding region. You may provide the 2nd welding part which forms. In this case, after making the other end part of an electrode contact | abut reliably to a 1st welding area | region, the 2nd welding area | region can be formed and the edge part of a separator member can be closed. For this reason, the positioning accuracy of the electrodes in the transport direction is further improved.

  In the apparatus for manufacturing an electrode with a separator according to the present invention, the first welded portion and the second welded portion may be configured by a single heater roller. In this case, the number of parts can be reduced.

  In the method for manufacturing an electrode with a separator according to the present invention, an electrode including a main body having one end and another end and a tab protruding from the one end is accommodated in a bag-like separator. A manufacturing method of an electrode with a separator to be manufactured, wherein a pair of long sheet-like separator members constituting a bag-like separator are arranged in a direction along a longitudinal direction of the separator member and including a vertically downward component. A conveying step for conveying, a welding step for welding the pair of separator members conveyed in the conveying step to each other along the short direction of the separator member to form a first welding region, and the movement of the electrodes in the short direction are regulated. And the other end of the first welding region while restricting the movement of the electrode in the thickness direction of the separator member that intersects the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction. By dropping the electrodes so as to abut, and a supply step of supplying electrodes between a pair of separator member.

  According to this method for manufacturing an electrode with a separator, in the supplying step, the electrode is dropped so that the other end of the electrode is in contact with the first welding region, and the electrode is supplied between the pair of separator members. For this reason, the electrode is positioned with respect to the separator member in the longitudinal direction (conveying direction) of the separator member with reference to the first welding region. Furthermore, in this method of manufacturing an electrode with a separator, when the electrode is supplied as described above, the movement of the electrode in the short direction (direction intersecting the transport direction) of the separator member is restricted, and the separator member The movement of the electrode in the thickness direction (another direction crossing the transport direction) is restricted. Thus, in this method for manufacturing an electrode with a separator, the electrode is positioned with respect to the separator member in a plurality of directions. For this reason, it becomes possible to improve the positional accuracy of the electrode with respect to the separator.

  In the method for manufacturing an electrode with a separator according to the present invention, the method further includes a hole forming step for forming a through hole in the separator member before the welding step, and in the hole forming step, the other end of the electrode is provided in the supplying step. You may provide a through-hole wider than a tab with respect to the part in which the base end of the tab in a separator member is located when it contact | abuts to a 1st welding area | region. In this case, for example, when the separator member is cut in the short direction to cut out the electrode with the separator, a cut may be made so as to reach the edge of the through hole from the edge portion in the short direction of the separator member. For this reason, the separator member can be easily cut.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the manufacturing apparatus of the electrode with a separator and the manufacturing method of an electrode with a separator which can improve the positional accuracy of the electrode with respect to a separator can be provided.

It is sectional drawing of an electrical storage apparatus provided with the positive electrode with a separator. It is sectional drawing along the II-II line of FIG. It is a figure which shows the positive electrode with a separator typically. It is the schematic which shows the manufacturing apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a perspective view for demonstrating the manufacturing apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which expands and shows the heater roller of FIG. (A) is a perspective view for demonstrating a guide member. (B) is sectional drawing which followed VIIb-VIIb in (a). (C) is sectional drawing along VIIc-VIIc in (a). (A) is sectional drawing which shows the modification of a guide member. (B) is sectional drawing which shows the other modification of a guide member. It is sectional drawing which shows the other modification of a guide member.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a power storage device including a positive electrode with a separator. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG. The power storage device 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is configured as an in-vehicle non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery.

  The power storage device 1 includes a hollow case 2 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, for example, and an electrode assembly 3 accommodated in the case 2. The case 2 is made of a metal such as aluminum. On the inner wall surface of the case 2, an insulating film (not shown) is provided. For example, a non-aqueous organic solvent-based electrolyte is injected into the case 2. In the electrode assembly 3, the positive electrode active material layer 15 of the positive electrode 11, the negative electrode active material layer 18 of the negative electrode 12, and the separator 13 described later are porous, and the pores are impregnated with the electrolytic solution. . On the upper surface of the case 2, the positive terminal 5 and the negative terminal 6 are disposed so as to be separated from each other. The positive electrode terminal 5 is fixed to the case 2 via an insulating ring 7, and the negative electrode terminal 6 is fixed to the case 2 via an insulating ring 8.

  The electrode assembly 3 includes a positive electrode (electrode) 11, a negative electrode 12, and a bag-like separator 13 disposed between the positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 12. For example, the positive electrode 11 is accommodated in the separator 13. With the positive electrode 11 housed in the separator 13, the positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 12 are alternately stacked via the separator 13. That is, the electrode assembly 3 has a positive electrode with a separator 10 (electrode with separator) configured by housing the positive electrode 11 in a bag-shaped separator 13.

  From the viewpoint of improving the space efficiency and increasing the volume of the electrode assembly 3 occupying the space in the case 2, as an example, the electrode assembly 3 is connected to the lower ends of the positive electrode with separator 10 and the negative electrode 12 (positive electrode terminal 5 And the end on the side opposite to the negative electrode terminal 6) can be accommodated in the case 2 so as to be in contact with the bottom surface of the case 2. An insulating member (not shown) is disposed on the inner surface of the case 2. Therefore, in this case, the lower ends of the positive electrode 10 with a separator and the negative electrode 12 are in contact with the bottom surface of the case 2 via an insulating member. However, a minute gap may be formed between the lower ends of the positive electrode with separator 10 and the negative electrode 12 and the bottom surface of the case 2 other than the space occupied by the insulating member.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing a positive electrode with a separator. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the positive electrode 11 includes a metal foil 14 made of, for example, an aluminum foil, and a positive electrode active material layer 15 formed on both surfaces of the metal foil 14. The metal foil 14 of the positive electrode 11 includes a rectangular main body portion 14a having one end portion 14x and the other end portion 14y opposite to the one end portion 14x, and one end portion 14x of the main body portion 14a so as to correspond to the position of the positive electrode terminal 5. And a rectangular tab 14b projecting from the head. The positive electrode active material layer 15 is a porous layer formed including a positive electrode active material and a binder. The positive electrode active material layer 15 is formed by supporting a positive electrode active material on at least a central portion between the one end portion 14x and the other end portion 14y on both surfaces of the main body portion 14a. Examples of the positive electrode active material include composite oxide, metallic lithium, and sulfur. The composite oxide includes, for example, at least one of manganese, nickel, cobalt, and aluminum and lithium. Here, as an example, the tab 14b does not carry a positive electrode active material. However, an active material may be carried on the base end portion on the main body portion 14a side of the tab 14b. The tab 14 b extends upward from the one end portion 14 x of the main body portion 14 a and is connected to the positive electrode terminal 5 via the conductive member 16.

  The negative electrode 12 includes a metal foil 17 made of, for example, copper foil, and a negative electrode active material layer 18 formed on both surfaces of the metal foil 17. Similarly to the metal foil 14 of the positive electrode 11, the metal foil 17 of the negative electrode 12 has a main body portion corresponding to the position of the rectangular main body portion 17 a having one end portion and the other end portion (not shown) and the negative electrode terminal 6. A rectangular tab 17b projecting from one end of 17a. The negative electrode active material layer 18 is formed by supporting a negative electrode active material on at least a central portion between one end and the other end on both surfaces of the main body portion 17a. The negative electrode active material layer 18 is a porous layer formed including a negative electrode active material and a binder. Examples of the negative electrode active material include carbon such as graphite, highly oriented graphite, mesocarbon microbeads, hard carbon, and soft carbon, alkali metals such as lithium and sodium, metal compounds, SiOx (0.5 ≦ x ≦ 1.5 ) And the like, and boron-added carbon. Here, as an example, the tab 17b does not carry a negative electrode active material. However, an active material may be carried on the base end portion on the main body portion 17a side of the tab 17b. The tab 17 b extends upward from the upper edge portion of the main body portion 17 a and is connected to the negative electrode terminal 6 via the conductive member 19.

  The separator 13 accommodates only the positive electrode 11 inside. The separator 13 has a rectangular shape when viewed from the stacking direction of the positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 12. The separator 13 is formed in a bag shape by welding a pair of long sheet-like separator members constituting the bag-like separator 13 separator. Specifically, the separator 13 has a bag shape in which an outer edge is defined by a first welding region W1, a second welding region W2, and a third welding region W3 formed by welding the separator members to each other. In FIG. 3, the first welding region W1 to the third welding region W3 are shaded for explanation.

  The first welding region W1 is a region that faces the other end portion 14y of the main body portion 14a and extends along the other end portion 14y. The third welding region W3 is a region that faces the one end portion 14x of the main body portion 14a and extends along the one end portion 14x. The pair of second welding regions W2 are regions that extend in parallel to each other and connect the first welding region W1 and the third welding region W3 to each other. A non-welding region W4 is interposed in the third welding region W3. That is, the separator 13 is not closed in the non-welding region W4. In the separator 13, the tab 14b is protruded through the non-welding region W4. In the illustrated example, the first welding region W1 to the third welding region W3 are continuously formed. However, the first welding region W1 to the third welding region W3 are partly welded as long as the positive electrode 11 is not displaced in the separator 13. It may be formed intermittently by forming a region that is not. As a forming material of the separator (separator member) 13, a porous film made of a polyolefin resin such as polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP), a woven fabric or a non-woven fabric made of polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), methyl cellulose, or the like. Illustrated.

  Then, the main processes of the manufacturing method of the electrical storage apparatus 1 are demonstrated. First, a kneading step is performed. In the kneading step, active material particles, which are the main components of the active material layer, and particles such as a binder and a conductive auxiliary agent are kneaded in a solvent in a kneader to produce an electrode mixture having good dispersibility of each particle. . The binder may be a thermoplastic resin such as polyamideimide or polyimide, or may be a polymer resin having an imide bond in the main chain. The solvent may be an organic solvent such as NMP (N-methylpyrrolidone), methanol, methyl isobutyl ketone, or water. The conductive assistant is, for example, a carbon-based material such as acetylene black, carbon black, or graphite.

  Next, a coating process is implemented. In the coating process, a strip-shaped metal foil wound in a roll shape is fed out, and an electrode mixture is intermittently or continuously applied to the surface of the metal foil. The metal foil coated with the electrode mixture passes through the drying furnace immediately after the application of the electrode mixture. Thereby, the solvent contained in the electrode mixture is dried and removed, and a binder made of resin bonds the active material particles to each other. Thereby, an active material layer having fine gaps (holes) between the active material particles is formed.

  Next, a pressing process is performed. In the pressing step, the active material layer formed on the surface of the strip-shaped metal foil is pressed with a roll at a predetermined pressure. Thereby, the active material layer is compressed, and the density of the active material is increased to an appropriate value. Next, an appearance inspection process is performed. In the appearance inspection process, the surface state of the active material layer is confirmed with a camera or the like, and a non-defective product and a defective product are determined.

  Next, a vacuum drying step is performed. Here, the strip-shaped metal foil on which the active material layer is formed is accommodated in a vacuum drying furnace and dried by increasing the temperature under reduced pressure. Thereby, a slight solvent remaining in the active material layer is removed. Next, a punching process is performed. In the punching process, the positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 12 are formed by punching the metal foil on which the active material layer is formed into a predetermined shape using a punching machine.

  Next, an electrode housing step is performed. In the electrode housing step, the positive electrode 10 with a separator is manufactured by housing the positive electrode 11 in the separator 13 while forming the rectangular bag-shaped separator 13 from the pair of long sheet-shaped separator members. At this time, the positive electrode 11 is positioned with respect to the separator 13 (details will be described later).

  Next, a lamination process is performed. In the laminating step, the separator-attached positive electrode 10 and the negative electrode 12 are sequentially laminated. Next, an assembly process is performed. In the assembly process, the stacked body in which the positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 12 are stacked via the separator 13 is integrated, and the tab 14b of the positive electrode 11 and the tab 17b of the negative electrode 12 are welded respectively. Thereby, the electrode assembly 3 is obtained. Then, the conductive member 16 and the conductive member 19 are welded to the tab 14b of the positive electrode 11 and the tab 17b of the negative electrode 12, respectively.

  Note that the separator-attached positive electrode 10 and the negative electrode 12 have substantially the same shape and size. That is, the width and height of the negative electrode 12 and the width and height of the positive electrode with separator 10 are substantially equal to each other. Therefore, the width and height of the main body portion 14 a of the positive electrode 11 are slightly smaller than the width and height of the main body portion 17 a of the negative electrode 12.

  Subsequently, the electrode housing step will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7 show the orthogonal coordinate system S. In the orthogonal coordinate system S, the X direction indicates a vertically downward direction, and the Y direction and the Z direction indicate horizontal directions. Here, the electrode housing step is a method for producing an electrode with a separator for producing a positive electrode with a separator (electrode with separator) 10 by housing the positive electrode (electrode) 11 in a bag-shaped separator 13. This manufacturing method is performed by the manufacturing apparatus 20. That is, the manufacturing apparatus 20 is an electrode manufacturing apparatus with a separator that manufactures the positive electrode with a separator 10 by housing the positive electrode 11 in a bag-shaped separator 13. The manufacturing apparatus 20 includes a pair of supply rollers (supply section) 21 facing each other, a pair of guide rollers 22 facing each other, a heater roller (first welding section, second welding section) 23, and a pair of conveyances facing each other. A roller (conveying unit) 24, a cutting roller 25, a guide member 26, and a pair of hole forming units 27 are provided.

  The supply roller (supply unit) 21, the guide roller 22, the heater roller 23, the transport roller 24, and the cutting roller 25 are arranged in order along the X direction so that the rotation axis thereof is along the Y direction. Here, a pair of long sheet-like separator members 13a and 13b, which are the basis of the separator 13, are prepared. Separator members 13a and 13b are each fed from a raw roll (not shown) and conveyed along the longitudinal direction thereof by conveying roller 24. At that time, the separator members 13a and 13b are guided by the guide roller 22, and are conveyed substantially parallel to each other along the X direction (vertically downward direction). Accordingly, here, the conveying direction of the separator members 13a and 13b is along the vertically downward direction (including the vertically downward component). In this case, the lateral direction of the separator members 13a and 13b is along the Y direction, and the thickness direction of the separator members 13a and 13b is along the Z direction.

  Subsequently, details of each part of the manufacturing apparatus 20 will be described. The conveyance roller 24 has a cylindrical shape and is disposed between the heater roller 23 and the cutting roller 25. As described above, the transport roller 24 transports the pair of separator members 13a and 13b in the transport direction along the longitudinal direction. More specifically, the transport roller 24 transports the separator members 13a and 13b in the transport direction by rotating in the arrow direction while sandwiching the separator members 13a and 13b by a drive source (not shown).

  The heater roller 23 is disposed between the guide roller 22 and the transport roller 24. The heater roller 23 rotates as the separator members 13 a and 13 b are transported by the transport roller 24. However, the heater roller 23 may be rotationally driven by a drive source independent of the conveyance roller 24. In this case, the rotation speed of the heater roller 23 is basically matched to the transport speed of the separator members 13a and 13b by the transport roller 24. In this case, the welding position can be adjusted by controlling the number of rotations of the heater roller 23.

  The heater roller 23 forms a bag-like separator 13 by welding a pair of separator members 13a and 13b to each other. Therefore, the heater roller 23 welds a pair of separator members 13a and 13b conveyed by the conveyance roller 24 to each other along the short direction of the separator members 13a and 13b, thereby forming a first welding region W1. Further, the heater roller 23 welds the edge portions E2 in the short direction of the pair of separator members 13a and 13b to form the second welding region W2. Furthermore, the heater roller 23 forms the third welding region W3 by welding the pair of separator members 13a and 13b to each other along the short direction at a position different from the first welding region W1.

  The heater roller 23 includes a cylindrical roller 23a and a roller 23b facing each other. A convex portion H is formed on the outer surface of the roller 23a. The height of the convex portion H is substantially constant along the circumferential direction of the roller 23a. As an example, a heater is provided inside the roller 23 a so that the heat can be transmitted to the convex portion H. A heater may also be provided inside the roller 23b to heat both the roller 23a and the roller 23b. On the other hand, the roller 23b is not provided with unevenness. In such a heater roller 23, the pair of separator members 13a and 13b are sandwiched between the top surface of the convex portion H of the heated roller 23a and the outer peripheral surface of the roller 23b, whereby the first welding region W1 to the third welding region. W3 is formed.

  Therefore, the shape of the convex part H is set so that the shape of the 1st welding area | region W1-the 3rd welding area | region W3 may become a shape like the example shown in figure. More specifically, the convex portion H includes a first convex portion H1, a second convex portion H2, and a third convex portion H3 (see particularly FIG. 6). The first convex portion H1 extends linearly along the direction of the rotation axis of the roller 23a (the short direction of the separator members 13a and 13b) in order to form the first welding region W1.

  The second convex portion H2 extends along the circumferential direction of the roller 23a in order to form the second welding region W2. The starting ends of the second convex portions H2 in the circumferential direction of the roller 23a are both end portions of the first convex portion H1. Therefore, the second protrusion H2 is formed by welding the edge portions E2 in the short direction of the pair of separator members 13a and 13b to each other following the formation of the first welding region W1 by the first protrusion H1. A welding region W2 is formed.

  As described above, in the manufacturing apparatus 20, the first welding portion that forms the first welding region W1 by welding the separator members 13a and 13b to each other along the short direction of the separator members 13a and 13b, as will be described later. After the other end portion 14y of the positive electrode 11 contacts the first welding region W1 (that is, following the formation of the first welding region W1), the edge portion E2 in the short direction of the pair of separator members 13a and 13b is formed. A second welding portion that forms a second welding region W2 by welding to each other is constituted by a single heater roller 23.

  The third protrusion H3 extends along the direction of the rotation axis of the roller 23a (short direction of the separator members 13a and 13b) at a position different from the first protrusion H1 in order to form the third welding region W3. Yes. That is, the 1st convex part H1 and the 3rd convex part H3 are mutually spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the roller 23a. And the termination | terminus of the 2nd convex part H2 in the circumferential direction of the roller 23a is made into the both ends of the 3rd convex part H3. Therefore, on the outer peripheral surface of the roller 23a, a flat portion H2a where the convex portion H is not provided is set between the first convex portion H1 and the third convex portion H3. In the flat portion H2a, the roller 23a does not contact the separator member 13a, and the separator members 13a and 13b are not welded. The width of the flat portion H2a in the circumferential direction of the roller 23a (the interval between the first convex portion H1 and the third convex portion H3) is at least larger than the protruding length of the tab 14b from the main body portion 14a.

  The third convex portion H3 is provided with a concave portion H3a. The third convex portion H3 does not contact the separator member 13a in the concave portion H3a. That is, the separator members 13a and 13b are not welded even in the recess H3a. The portion that is not welded is the above-described non-welded region W4. The recess H3a is provided at a position corresponding to a through hole 27h described later.

  The supply roller 21 supplies the positive electrode 11 between the pair of separator members 13a and 13b. The supply roller 21 has a cylindrical shape and is disposed above the guide roller 22. The supply roller 21 rotates while sandwiching the positive electrode 11, thereby supplying the positive electrode 11 between the separator members 13 a and 13 b while conveying the positive electrode 11. The supply of the positive electrode 11 by the supply roller 21 is synchronized with the conveyance of the separator members 13a and 13b by the conveyance roller 24 and the formation of the first welding region W1 by the heater roller 23. That is, the supply roller 21 causes the positive electrode 11 to fall between the pair of separator members 13a and 13b by dropping the positive electrode 11 so that the other end portion 14y of the main body portion 14a of the positive electrode 11 is brought into contact with the first welding region W1. Supply. Accordingly, the positive electrode 11 is positioned with respect to the separator members 13a and 13b in the longitudinal direction (conveyance direction) of the separator members 13a and 13b with reference to the first welding region W1.

  The hole forming part 27 is installed at least on the upstream side (upstream side) of the heater roller 23. Here, the hole forming portion 27 is disposed further upstream than the guide roller 22. The hole forming portion 27 is provided with a through hole 27h in the separator members 13a and 13b. More specifically, the hole forming portion 27 is a portion where the base end of the tab 14b in the separator members 13a and 13b is located when the other end portion 14y of the main body portion 14a of the positive electrode 11 contacts the first welding region W1. On the other hand, a through hole 27h wider than the tab 14b is provided. The hole forming part 27 can provide the through hole 27h by pressing a blade having the shape of the through hole 27h against the separator members 13a and 13b, for example. The width of the through hole 27h is a dimension along the short direction of the separator members 13a and 13b. The width of the tab 14b is a dimension in the direction in which the tab 14b protrudes from the main body 14a and the direction intersecting the thickness direction of the tab 14b (the width direction of the tab 14b).

  The cutting roller 25 is disposed on the rear side (downstream side) of the conveying roller 24. The cutting roller 25 includes a cylindrical roller 25a and a roller 25b facing each other. The roller 25a is provided with cutting portions 25c and 25d. The cutting portions 25c and 25d cut the separator members 13a and 13b so as to sandwich the separator members 13a and 13b between the rollers 25b. In particular, the cutting portions 25c and 25d cut the separator members 13a and 13b in the first welding region W1 and the third welding region W3 of the separator members 13a and 13b, respectively, with the rotation of the roller 25a. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 3, the separated bag-like separator 13 is formed, and the positive electrode 10 with a separator in which the positive electrode 11 is accommodated in the separator 13 is obtained. Instead of the cutting roller 25, one using a rotating blade and a fixed blade may be used, or one using heat fusing may be used.

  Here, the guide member 26 positions the positive electrode 11 with respect to the separator 13. The guide member 26 is provided between the supply roller 21 and the heater roller 23, and guides the positive electrode 11 supplied by the supply roller 21 between the pair of separator members 13a and 13b. Therefore, the guide member 26 includes a pair of first restriction surfaces 26a that face each other in the short direction of the separator members 13a and 13b and a pair of second restriction surfaces 26b that face each other in the thickness direction of the separator members 13a and 13b. And including. The first regulating surface 26a regulates the movement of the positive electrode 11 in the short direction of the separator members 13a and 13b. The second regulating surface 26b regulates the movement of the positive electrode 11 in the thickness direction of the separator members 13a and 13b.

  More specifically, the guide member 26 has a square frustum cylindrical shape that gradually narrows from the supply roller 21 side toward the heater roller 23 side (see particularly FIG. 7). The first restriction surface 26 a and the second restriction surface 26 b are inner surfaces of the cylindrical guide member 26. Therefore, each of the first restriction surface 26a and the second restriction surface 26b has a trapezoidal shape that gradually narrows from the supply roller 21 side toward the heater roller 23 side. For this reason, the space | interval of the 1st control surfaces 26a in the heater roller 23 side is narrow compared with the space | interval of the 1st control surfaces 26a in the supply roller 21 side. Similarly, the distance between the second restriction surfaces 26b on the heater roller 23 side is narrower than the distance between the second restriction surfaces 26b on the supply roller 21 side.

  The positive electrode 11 dropped from the supply roller 21 is input into the guide member 26 from an input port 26x which is an opening on the supply roller 21 side in the guide member 26. The positive electrode 11 put into the guide member 26 is discharged from a discharge port 26y that is an opening on the heater roller 23 side of the guide member 26, and goes between the pair of separator members 13a and 13b.

  When the positive electrode 11 passes through the guide member 26, as described above, the movement of the positive electrode 11 is restricted by the first restriction surface 26a and the second restriction surface 26b. More specifically, when the positive electrode 11 is inserted into the guide member 26 in a state shifted from the reference position with respect to the separator members 13a and 13b, the first restriction surface 26a and / or the second restriction surface 26b is positive. 11 is contacted. Thereby, the position shift of the positive electrode 11 is corrected. Even if the positive electrode 11 is inserted into the guide member 26 without being displaced from the reference position, if the positive electrode 11 is displaced in the guide member 26, the positive electrode 11 is displaced. The movement of the positive electrode 11 in the direction is restricted by the first restriction surface 26a and the second restriction surface 26b. Thus, the positive electrode 11 is positioned with respect to the separator members 13a and 13b by passing through the guide member 26 while falling.

  Subsequently, description will be continued for an example of an electrode housing step (a method for producing an electrode with a separator). In this manufacturing method, first, the pair of long sheet-like separator members 13a and 13b are conveyed by the conveying roller 24 in the conveying direction along the longitudinal direction of the separator members 13a and 13b (conveying step). As described above, the transport direction at this time is along the vertically downward direction (X direction). That is, the transport direction of the separator members 13a and 13b in the transport step includes a vertically downward component.

  Subsequently, while the separator members 13a and 13b are being transported in the transport step, the pair of separator members 13a and 13b transported by the transport roller 24 are welded together along the short direction of the separator members 13a and 13b by the heater roller 23. Then, the first welding region W1 serving as a reference for positioning the positive electrode 11 is formed (welding step).

  Then, in synchronization with the conveyance of the separator members 13a and 13b in the conveyance step and the formation of the first welding area W1 in the welding step, the other end 14y of the main body portion 14a of the positive electrode 11 is first welded by the supply roller 21. By dropping the positive electrode 11 so as to contact the region W1, the positive electrode 11 is supplied between the pair of separator members 13a and 13b (supplying step). Accordingly, the positive electrode 11 is positioned with respect to the separator members 13a and 13b in the longitudinal direction (conveyance direction) of the separator members 13a and 13b with the first welding region W1 as a reference.

  Further, in this supply step, the positive electrode 11 is supplied between the separator members 13a and 13b using the guide member 26 while restricting the movement of the positive electrode 11 in the short direction and the thickness direction of the separator members 13a and 13b. To do. Specifically, in the supply step, the positive electrode 11 is dropped into the guide member 26 by dropping the positive electrode 11 toward the insertion port 26 x of the guide member 26 by the supply roller 21. As described above, the positive electrode 11 put into the guide member 26 is discharged from the discharge port 26y and supplied between the separator members 13a and 13b while being positioned with respect to the separator members 13a and 13b. . Thereby, the positioning of the positive electrode 11 with respect to the separator members 13a and 13b in the lateral direction and the thickness direction of the separator members 13a and 13b is performed.

  Subsequently, in the supply step, after the positive electrode 11 is supplied between the separator members 13a and 13b, the edge E2 in the short direction of the pair of separator members 13a and 13b is welded to each other by the heater roller 23 to form the second welding region. W2 is formed. Thereafter, the third welding region W3 is formed by welding the pair of separator members 13a and 13b to each other along the short direction at a position opposite to the first welding region W1 with the positive electrode 11 interposed therebetween by the heater roller 23. . Thereby, the bag-like separator 13 is formed with respect to the continuous separator members 13 a and 13 b, and the positive electrode 11 is accommodated in the separator 13. That is, the positive electrode 10 with a separator is manufactured.

  Then, the separator members 13a and 13b are cut by the cutting roller 25 (cutting step). Specifically, the separator members 13a and 13b are cut in the first welding region W1 and the third welding region W3 of the separator members 13a and 13b by the cutting portions 25c and 25d, respectively. Thereby, the positive electrode 10 with a separator is separated into pieces (cut out).

  In this manufacturing method, the through hole 27h is provided in the separator members 13a and 13b by the hole forming portion 27 before the welding step (hole forming step). More specifically, in the hole forming step, the tabs 14b of the separator members 13a and 13b in the state where the other end portion 14y of the main body portion 14a of the positive electrode 11 is in contact with the first welding region W1 in the supplying step. A through hole 27h having a width wider than that of the tab 14b is provided by the hole forming portion 27 in the portion where the base end of the hole is located. Thus, in the cutting step, the separator members 13a and 13b can be cut in the third welding region W3 by making a cut so as to reach the edge of the through hole 27h from the edge E2 in the short direction of the separator members 13a and 13b. . Moreover, the tab 14b can be protruded from the separator 13 by using the through hole 27h as a non-welding region W4.

  As described above, in the manufacturing apparatus 20 according to the present embodiment, the supply roller 21 drops the positive electrode 11 so that the other end 14y of the positive electrode 11 is in contact with the first welding region W1, and thus a pair of separators. The positive electrode 11 is supplied between the members 13a and 13b. For this reason, the positive electrode 11 is positioned with respect to the separator members 13a and 13b in the longitudinal direction (conveyance direction, X direction) of the separator members 13a and 13b with reference to the first welding region W1. Further, in the manufacturing apparatus 20, when the positive electrode 11 is supplied as described above, the first regulating surface 26a of the guide member 26 causes the short side direction of the separator members 13a and 13b (the direction intersecting the transport direction, Y The movement of the positive electrode 11 in the direction) is restricted. The movement of the positive electrode 11 in the thickness direction of the separator members 13a and 13b (another direction that intersects the transport direction, the Z direction) is restricted by the second restriction surface 26b of the guide member 26. Thus, in this manufacturing apparatus 20, the positive electrode 11 is positioned with respect to the separator members 13a and 13b in a plurality of directions (X direction, Y direction, and Z direction). For this reason, the positional accuracy of the positive electrode 11 with respect to the separator 13 can be improved.

  In the manufacturing apparatus 20 according to the present embodiment, the interval between the first restriction surfaces 26a on the heater roller 23 side is narrower than the interval between the first restriction surfaces 26a on the supply roller 21 side. Further, the interval between the second restriction surfaces 26b on the heater roller 23 side is narrower than the interval between the second restriction surfaces 26b on the supply roller 21 side. For this reason, it is easy to feed the positive electrode 11 into the guide member 26 on the supply roller 21 side, and the positive electrode 11 can be reliably regulated on the heater roller 23 side.

  Further, in the manufacturing apparatus 20 according to the present embodiment, when the other end portion 14y of the positive electrode 11 comes into contact with the first welding region W1 by the hole forming portion 27, the base ends of the tabs 14b in the separator members 13a and 13b are A through hole 27h having a width wider than that of the tab 14b is provided for the portion to be positioned. Thus, for example, when the separator members 13a and 13b are cut in the short direction to cut out the positive electrode 10 with a separator, the separator members 13a and 13b reach the edge of the through hole 27h from the edge portion E2 in the short direction. You just need to make a notch. For this reason, the separator members 13a and 13b can be easily cut.

  Further, in the manufacturing apparatus 20 according to the present embodiment, after the other end portion 14y of the main body portion 14a of the positive electrode 11 is brought into contact with the first welding region W1 by the heater roller 23, the short direction of the separator members 13a and 13b The second edge region E2 is welded to each other to form a second welding region W2. Thereby, after making the other end part 14y of the positive electrode 11 contact | abut to the 1st welding area | region W1 reliably, the 2nd welding area | region W2 can be formed and the edge part E2 of separator member 13a, 13b can be closed. For this reason, the positioning accuracy of the positive electrode 11 in the transport direction is further improved.

  On the other hand, in the method for manufacturing an electrode with a separator (electrode housing step) according to the present embodiment, in the supply step, the positive electrode 11 is dropped so that the other end portion 14y of the positive electrode 11 is in contact with the first welding region W1. The positive electrode 11 is supplied between the pair of separator members 13a and 13b. For this reason, the positive electrode 11 is positioned with respect to the separator members 13a and 13b in the longitudinal direction (conveyance direction) of the separator members 13a and 13b with reference to the first welding region W1. Furthermore, in this method of manufacturing an electrode with a separator, when supplying the positive electrode 11 as described above, the electrode is passed through the guide member 26 in the short direction of the separator members 13a and 13b (direction intersecting the transport direction). While restricting the movement of the positive electrode 11, the movement of the positive electrode 11 in the thickness direction of the separator members 13a and 13b (another direction intersecting the transport direction) is restricted. For this reason, the positive electrode 11 is positioned with respect to the separator members 13a and 13b in the lateral direction and the thickness direction of the separator members 13a and 13b of the positive electrode 11. Thus, in this method for manufacturing an electrode with a separator, the positive electrode 11 is positioned with respect to the separator members 13a and 13b in a plurality of directions (X direction, Y direction, and Z direction). For this reason, it becomes possible to improve the positional accuracy of the positive electrode 11 with respect to the separator.

  Moreover, in the manufacturing method of the electrode with a separator which concerns on this embodiment, the process of a hole formation step is performed before the welding step. In the hole forming step, the positive electrode 11 is in contact with the first welding region W1 in the supplying step, and the portion of the separator members 13a and 13b where the base end of the tab 14b is located is wider than the tab 14b. A hole 27h is provided. Thus, in the cutting step, the cutting may be performed so as to reach the edge of the through hole 27h from the edge E2 in the short direction of the separator members 13a and 13b. For this reason, the separator members 13a and 13b can be easily cut.

  In addition, when the positional accuracy of the positive electrode 11 with respect to the separator 13 is low, the positive electrode 11 needs to be set sufficiently small with respect to the internal space of the separator 13 defined by the first welding region W1 to the third welding region W3. There is. This is because even when the positional deviation of the positive electrode 11 with respect to the separator 13 is large, the first welding region W1 to the third welding region W3 and the positive electrode 11 are prevented from interfering with each other, and the positive electrode 11 is reliably attached to the separator 13. It is for accommodating. In this respect, according to the manufacturing apparatus 20 and the electrode manufacturing method with the separator according to the present embodiment, the positional accuracy of the positive electrode 11 with respect to the separator 13 is improved. Is done. For this reason, it is not necessary to consider the above circumstances, and the positive electrode 11 can be set relatively large. Therefore, the capacity of the power storage device 1 can be improved. Even when the positive electrode 11 is formed relatively large, the positive electrode 11 is reliably accommodated inside the separator 13, so that the positive electrode 11 is reliably insulated and safety is ensured.

  The above embodiment explains one Embodiment of the manufacturing apparatus of the electrode with a separator which concerns on this invention, and the electrode with a separator. Therefore, the manufacturing apparatus of the electrode with a separator and the manufacturing method of the electrode with a separator according to the present invention are not limited to those described above. The manufacturing apparatus of the electrode with a separator and the method of manufacturing the electrode with a separator according to the present invention can be arbitrarily modified from the above without departing from the scope of the claims.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 8A, the guide member 26 is connected to a first portion P1 located on the supply roller 21 side and a second portion P2 located on the heater roller 23 side relative to the first portion P1. And may be configured. The first portion P1 has a cylindrical shape of a truncated pyramid that gradually narrows from the supply roller 21 side toward the heater roller 23 side. The second portion P2 has a rectangular tube shape having substantially the same dimensions as the end portion on the heater roller 23 side in the first portion P1. For this reason, the 1st control surface 26a and the 2nd control surface 26b are trapezoid shape which narrows gradually toward the heater roller 23 side from the supply roller 21 side in the area | region corresponding to the 1st part P1. On the other hand, the 1st control surface 26a and the 2nd control surface 26b are rectangular shapes in the area | region corresponding to the 2nd part P2. Therefore, also in this case, the interval between the first restriction surfaces 26a on the heater roller 23 side is narrower than the interval between the first restriction surfaces 26a on the supply roller 21 side. Similarly, the distance between the second restriction surfaces 26b on the heater roller 23 side is narrower than the distance between the second restriction surfaces 26b on the supply roller 21 side.

  Alternatively, in the guide member 26, as shown in FIG. 8B, the interval between the first regulating surfaces 26a is gradually narrowed from the supply roller 21 side toward the heater roller 23 side, and the narrowing is the heater roller 23 side. It may be configured to be relatively gentle. In this case, the guide member 26 may be configured so that the second restricting surface 26b is the same. That is, in the guide member 26, the distance between the first restriction surfaces 26a and the distance between the second restriction surfaces 26b on the heater roller 23 side are the same as the distance between the first restriction surfaces 26a on the supply roller 21 side and the second restriction surface, respectively. It can be set to an arbitrary shape that becomes narrower than the interval between the 26b.

  Furthermore, a guide member 26A as shown in FIG. 9 can be used. The guide member 26A has a shape in which the intermediate portion is cut off with only the both end portions of the guide member 26 remaining in the short direction (Y direction) of the separator members 13a and 13b. In this case, the second restriction surface 26b is composed of a plurality of discontinuous surfaces.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the positive electrode 11 is accommodated in the separator 13 has been described. However, the negative electrode 12 may be accommodated in the separator 13. That is, it is only necessary that one of the positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 12 is accommodated in the separator 13 to form an electrode with a separator.

  Further, the conveying direction is not limited to the vertically downward direction, and can be any direction including a vertically downward component as long as the positive electrode 11 can be brought into contact with the first welding region W1 by dropping.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Positive electrode with separator (electrode with separator), 11 ... Positive electrode (electrode), 13 ... Separator, 13a, 13b ... Separator member, 14a ... Main body part, 14b ... Tab, 14x ... One end part, 14y ... Other end part, 20 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Manufacturing apparatus, 21 ... Supply roller (supply part), 23 ... Heater roller (1st welding part, 2nd welding part), 24 ... Conveyance roller (conveyance part), 26 ... Guide member, 26a ... 1st control surface, 26b ... 2nd regulation surface, 27 ... Hole formation part, 27h ... Through-hole, E2 ... Edge part, W1 ... 1st welding area | region, W2 ... 2nd welding area | region.

Claims (9)

A separator-equipped manufacturing apparatus that manufactures an electrode with a separator by housing the electrode in a bag-shaped separator,
A transport unit configured to transport a pair of long sheet-shaped separator members constituting the bag-shaped separator in a transport direction along a longitudinal direction of the separator member;
A first welding portion that forms a first welding region by welding the pair of separator members conveyed by the conveying portion to each other along a short direction of the separator member;
A supply section for supplying the electrode between a pair of separator members;
A guide member that is provided between the first welding portion and the supply portion and guides the electrode supplied by the supply portion between the pair of separator members,
The transport direction is a direction including a vertically downward component,
The electrode includes a main body having one end and the other end, and a tab protruding from the one end,
The supply unit supplies the electrode between a pair of separator members by dropping the electrode so that the other end is in contact with the first welding region,
The guide member includes a pair of first restriction surfaces that face each other in the short direction and restrict movement of the electrode in the short direction, and a thickness of the separator member that intersects the longitudinal direction and the short direction. a pair of second regulating surface for regulating the movement of the electrode in the thickness direction, was perforated with facing each other in the direction,
The second restriction surface is composed of a plurality of discontinuous surfaces.
Equipment for manufacturing electrodes with separators. A separator-equipped manufacturing apparatus that manufactures an electrode with a separator by housing the electrode in a bag-shaped separator,
A transport unit configured to transport a pair of long sheet-shaped separator members constituting the bag-shaped separator in a transport direction along a longitudinal direction of the separator member;
A first welding portion that forms a first welding region by welding the pair of separator members conveyed by the conveying portion to each other along a short direction of the separator member;
A supply section for supplying the electrode between a pair of separator members;
A guide member that is provided between the first welding portion and the supply portion and guides the electrode supplied by the supply portion between the pair of separator members,
The transport direction is a direction including a vertically downward component,
The electrode includes a main body having one end and the other end, and a tab protruding from the one end,
The supply unit supplies the electrode between a pair of separator members by dropping the electrode so that the other end is in contact with the first welding region,
The guide member includes a pair of first restriction surfaces that face each other in the short direction and restrict movement of the electrode in the short direction, and a thickness of the separator member that intersects the longitudinal direction and the short direction. A pair of second restricting surfaces that oppose each other in the thickness direction and restrict the movement of the electrode in the thickness direction,
In a state where the other end is in contact with the first welding region, a distance along the transport direction from the one end to the other end is an opening that is an opening on the first welding portion side of the guide member. Longer than the distance along the transport direction from the outlet to the other end contacting the first welding region,
In a state where the other end portion is in contact with the first welding region, at least the one end portion is included on the first welding portion side in the guide member.
Equipment for manufacturing electrodes with separators. A separator-equipped manufacturing apparatus that manufactures an electrode with a separator by housing the electrode in a bag-shaped separator,
A transport unit configured to transport a pair of long sheet-shaped separator members constituting the bag-shaped separator in a transport direction along a longitudinal direction of the separator member;
A first welding portion that forms a first welding region by welding the pair of separator members conveyed by the conveying portion to each other along a short direction of the separator member;
A supply section for supplying the electrode between a pair of separator members;
A guide member that is provided between the first welding portion and the supply portion and guides the electrode supplied by the supply portion between the pair of separator members,
The transport direction is a direction including a vertically downward component,
The electrode includes a main body having one end and the other end, and a tab protruding from the one end,
The supply unit supplies the electrode between a pair of separator members by dropping the electrode so that the other end is in contact with the first welding region,
The guide member includes a pair of first restriction surfaces that face each other in the short direction and restrict movement of the electrode in the short direction, and a thickness of the separator member that intersects the longitudinal direction and the short direction. A pair of second restricting surfaces that oppose each other in the thickness direction and restrict the movement of the electrode in the thickness direction,
A hole forming portion for providing a through hole in the separator member on the front side of the first welded portion;
The hole forming portion is wider than the tab with respect to a portion of the separator member where the base end of the tab is located when the other end of the electrode contacts the first welding region. Providing a hole,
Equipment for manufacturing electrodes with separators. The interval between the first restriction surfaces on the first welded portion side is narrower than the interval between the first restriction surfaces on the supply portion side,
The interval between the second restriction surfaces on the first welded portion side is narrower than the interval between the second restriction surfaces on the supply portion side.
The manufacturing apparatus of the electrode with a separator as described in any one of Claims 1-3. After the other end of the electrode comes into contact with the first welding region, a second welding portion that forms a second welding region by welding edges in the short direction of the pair of separator members to each other. Prepare
The manufacturing apparatus of the electrode with a separator as described in any one of Claims 1-4 . The first welded portion and the second welded portion are configured by a single heater roller.
The manufacturing apparatus of the electrode with a separator of Claim 5 . A method for manufacturing an electrode with a separator, wherein an electrode including a main body having one end and another end and a tab projecting from the one end is accommodated in a bag-shaped separator to produce an electrode with a separator. ,
A conveying step of conveying a pair of long sheet-shaped separator members constituting the bag-shaped separator in a conveying direction including a vertical downward component in a direction along a longitudinal direction of the separator member;
A welding step in which a pair of separator members conveyed in the conveying step are welded to each other along a short direction of the separator member to form a first welding region;
By dropping the electrode, the regulating Shinano movement of the electrode in the thickness direction of the longitudinal direction and the separator member which intersects the in the transverse direction as well as restricting the movement of the electrode in the lateral direction et and a front SL other end is brought into contact with the first weld region, e Bei and a supply step of supplying said electrodes between a pair of the separator member,
In a state where the other end is in contact with the first welding region, at least the movement of the one end is restricted in the short side direction and the thickness direction.
Manufacturing method of electrode with separator. Before the welding step, further comprising a hole forming step of forming a through hole in the separator member,
In the hole forming step, when the other end portion of the electrode is in contact with the first welding region in the supplying step, a portion of the separator member where the base end of the tab is located is Providing a wide through-hole,
The manufacturing method of the electrode with a separator of Claim 7 . A method for manufacturing an electrode with a separator, wherein an electrode including a main body having one end and another end and a tab projecting from the one end is accommodated in a bag-shaped separator to produce an electrode with a separator. ,
A conveying step of conveying a pair of long sheet-shaped separator members constituting the bag-shaped separator in a conveying direction including a vertical downward component in a direction along a longitudinal direction of the separator member;
A welding step in which a pair of separator members conveyed in the conveying step are welded to each other along a short direction of the separator member to form a first welding region;
While restricting the movement of the electrode in the short-side direction and restricting the movement of the electrode in the thickness direction of the separator member intersecting the longitudinal direction and the short-side direction, the other end is attached to the first weld. A supply step of supplying the electrode between a pair of separator members by dropping the electrode so as to abut the region;
Before the welding step, a hole forming step for forming a through hole in the separator member,
In the hole forming step, when the other end portion of the electrode is in contact with the first welding region in the supplying step, a portion of the separator member where the base end of the tab is located is Providing a wide through-hole,
Manufacturing method of electrode with separator.

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