JP6520210B2 - APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING SEPARATOR ELECTRODE, AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING SEPARATOR ELECTRODE - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing a separator-equipped electrode and a method for manufacturing a separator-equipped electrode.

  Patent Document 1 describes an electrode laminating apparatus that manufactures an electrode laminate in which a positive electrode and a negative electrode are alternately stacked with a separator interposed therebetween. The electrode laminating apparatus includes a roll pair for welding a first separator sheet and a 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 welding portion at the timing when the welding 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 welding part is supported by the welding part, whereby the electrode can be positioned in the vertical direction. However, in the above-described electrode laminating apparatus, the positioning of the positive electrode in directions other than the vertical direction has not been sufficiently studied, and room for improvement in the positional accuracy of the electrode with respect to the separator still remains.

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

  The manufacturing apparatus of a separator-equipped electrode according to the present invention is a manufacturing apparatus of a separator-equipped electrode that manufactures a separator-equipped electrode by accommodating the electrode in a bag-shaped separator, and a long sheet shape constituting a bag-shaped separator A moving member for relatively moving the separator member including the first separator portion and the second separator portion and the electrode along the longitudinal direction of the separator member, and the separator member being relatively moved by the moving portion; The first welding portion forming a first welding region in the separator member and the separator member are relatively moved by the moving portion by welding the first separator portion and the second separator portion to each other along the short direction. And a supply unit for supplying an electrode to the separator member in a state where the separator member has a width direction The first separator portion and the second separator portion are connected to each other by using one edge portion of the first and second separator portions as a connection portion, and the first separator portion and the second separator portion are configured to face each other. The electrode includes a lower end portion and a side end portion intersecting the lower end portion, the moving portion moves the separator member relative to the horizontal surface in a state of being inclined with respect to the horizontal surface, and the supply portion abuts the lower end portion to the connection portion The electrode is supplied to the separator member by dropping the electrode between the first separator portion and the second separator portion so that the side end portion is in contact with the first welding region.

  The manufacturing method of a separator-equipped electrode according to the present invention is a manufacturing method of a separator-equipped electrode in which a separator-equipped electrode is manufactured by accommodating the electrode in a bag-shaped separator, and a long sheet shape constituting a bag-shaped separator A moving step portion for relatively moving the separator member including the first separator portion and the second separator portion and the electrode along the longitudinal direction of the separator member, and the separator member in a state in which the separator member is relatively moved in the moving step A state in which the separator member is moved relative to each other in a welding step of forming a first welding region in the separator member by welding the first separator portion and the second separator portion to each other along the short direction of the Supplying an electrode to the separator member, The separator member connects the first separator portion and the second separator portion to each other by using one edge portion of the first and second separator portions in the short direction as a connection portion, and the first separator portion and the second separator portion And the electrode includes a lower end portion and a side end portion intersecting the lower end portion, and in the moving step, the separator member is moved relative to the horizontal surface in the inclined state to supply In the step, the separator is dropped by dropping the electrode between the first separator portion and the second separator portion so that the lower end portion is in contact with the connection portion and the side end portion is in contact with the first welding region. Supply an electrode to the member.

  In these manufacturing apparatuses and methods, the separator member including the first and second separator portions is moved relative to the electrode in a state of being inclined with respect to the horizontal surface. Then, the electrode is dropped toward the separator member thus moved relatively, and supplied to the separator member. At this time, the lower end portion of the electrode is in contact with the connection portion of the first and second separator portions. The connection portion is an edge portion of the first and second separator portions in the lateral direction of the separator member. Therefore, the electrode is positioned with respect to the separator member with reference to the connection portion in the short direction of the separator member. Furthermore, when the electrode is supplied to the separator member as described above, the side end of the electrode is in contact with the first welding area formed along the short direction of the separator member. Therefore, in the longitudinal direction of the separator member, the electrode is positioned with respect to the separator member with reference to the first welding area. As described above, according to these manufacturing apparatuses and manufacturing methods, the electrodes are positioned with respect to the separator member in a plurality of directions. Therefore, it is possible to improve the position accuracy of the electrode with respect to the separator.

  The manufacturing apparatus of the electrode with a separator concerning the present invention welds the 1st separator part and the 2nd separator part which mutually face mutually in the front part side of a supply part in the edge part, and the 2nd welding field as a connection part And a second welding portion forming the separator member. Thus, a separator member can be easily comprised by welding the 1st and 2nd separator part which is mutually different body.

  In the manufacturing apparatus of the electrode with a separator which concerns on this invention, a moving part may be relatively moved in the state which made the separator member incline further with respect to the vertical surface. In this case, when the electrode is supplied to the separator member, the electrode can be supported by the separator positioned vertically below one of the first and second separators. Therefore, the electrode can be further positioned in the thickness direction of the separator portion. Therefore, the positional accuracy of the electrode with respect to the separator can be further improved.

  In the manufacturing apparatus of the electrode with a separator which concerns on this invention, a moving part may move a separator member. In this case, welding of the first and second separator portions by the first welding portion and supply of the electrode by the supply portion can be performed while moving the separator member.

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

It is sectional drawing of an electrical storage apparatus provided with the positive electrode with a separator. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II in 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. (A) is a perspective view which shows a part of separator member. (B) is a cross-sectional view of the separator member along the line Vb-Vb. It is a side view which shows a mode that a positive electrode is supplied with respect to a separator member.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same elements will be denoted by the same reference symbols, without redundant description.

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

  The storage device 1 includes, for example, a hollow case 2 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and an electrode assembly 3 housed in the case 2. The case 2 is formed of, for example, a metal such as aluminum. An insulating film (not shown) is provided on the inner wall surface of the case 2. For example, a non-aqueous organic solvent-based electrolytic solution is injected into the inside of 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 electrolyte solution . The positive electrode terminal 5 and the negative electrode terminal 6 are disposed apart from each other on the upper surface portion of the case 2. The positive electrode terminal 5 is fixed to the case 2 via the insulating ring 7, and the negative electrode terminal 6 is fixed to the case 2 via the 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. In a state where the positive electrode 11 is accommodated 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 includes the separator-attached positive electrode (separator-attached electrode) 10 configured by housing the positive electrode 11 in the bag-like 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 one example, the lower end of the positive electrode 10 with separator and the negative electrode 12 (positive electrode terminal 5 And the end 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 separator-attached positive electrode 10 and the negative electrode 12 are in contact with the bottom surface of the case 2 via the insulating member. However, a minute gap may be formed between the lower end of the positive electrode 10 with separator and the lower end of the negative electrode 12 and the bottom surface of the case 2 in addition to the space occupied by the insulating member.

  FIG. 3 is a view schematically showing a positive electrode with a separator. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the positive electrode 11 has a metal foil 14 made of, for example, aluminum foil, and a positive electrode active material layer 15 formed on both sides of the metal foil 14. The metal foil 14 of the positive electrode 11 has a main body portion 14 a and a tab 14 b. The main body portion 14a is rectangular. The main body portion 14a includes a lower end portion 14x, an upper end portion 14y opposite to the lower end portion 14x, and a pair of side end portions 14r and 14p connecting the lower end portion 14x and the upper end portion 14y to each other. The side ends 14r and 14p intersect the lower end 14x and the upper end 14y. The tab 14 b protrudes from the upper end 14 y of the main body 14 a so as to correspond to the position of the positive electrode terminal 5. The tab 14b is rectangular.

  The positive electrode active material layer 15 is a porous layer formed by containing a positive electrode active material and a binder. The positive electrode active material layer 15 is formed by supporting the positive electrode active material on at least a central portion between the lower end portion 14 x and the upper end portion 14 y on both surfaces of the main body portion 14 a. Examples of the positive electrode active material include composite oxides, metallic lithium, sulfur and the like. The composite oxide includes, for example, at least one of manganese, nickel, cobalt and aluminum, and lithium. As an example, here, the positive electrode active material is not supported on the tab 14 b. However, an active material may be supported on the base end portion of the tab 14b on the side of the main body portion 14a. The tab 14 b extends upward from the upper end 14 y of the main body 14 a and is connected to the positive electrode terminal 5 via the conductive member 16.

  The negative electrode 12 has, for example, a metal foil 17 made of copper foil and a negative electrode active material layer 18 formed on both sides of the metal foil 17. The metal foil 17 of the negative electrode 12 has a main body 17a and a tab 17b. The main body 17a has a rectangular shape. The main body 17a includes a lower end, an upper end opposite to the lower end, and a pair of side ends connecting the lower end and the upper end to each other. The tab 17 b protrudes from one end of the main body 17 a so as to correspond to the position of the negative electrode terminal 6. The tab 17b is rectangular.

  The negative electrode active material layer 18 is formed by supporting the negative electrode active material on at least a central portion between the lower end portion and the upper end portion on both surfaces of the main body portion 17a. The negative electrode active material layer 18 is a porous layer formed by containing a negative electrode active material and a binder. As the negative electrode active material, for example, graphite, highly oriented graphite, meso carbon micro beads, hard carbon, carbon such as soft carbon, alkali metals such as lithium and sodium, metal compounds, SiO x (0.5 ≦ x ≦ 1.5) Etc., boron-added carbon, and the like. As an example, the negative electrode active material is not supported on the tab 17 b here. However, an active material may be supported on the base end portion of the tab 17b on the main body 17a side. The tab 17 b extends upward from the upper end of the main body 17 a and is connected to the negative electrode terminal 6 through the conductive member 19.

  The separator 13 accommodates the positive electrode 11 inside as an example. The separator 13 has a rectangular shape as 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 separators to each other. Specifically, the separator 13 has a bag whose outer edge is defined by a first welding area W1, a second welding area W2, a third welding area W3 and a fourth welding area W4 formed by welding the separators to each other. It is a state. In FIG. 3, the first welding area W1 to the fourth welding area W4 are shaded for the sake of explanation.

  The first welding area W1 is an area facing the side end 14r of the main body 14a and extending along the side end 14r. The third welding area W3 is an area facing the side end 14p of the main body 14a and extending along the side end 14p. The second welding area W2 is an area facing the lower end portion 14x of the main body portion 14a and extending along the lower end portion 14x. The fourth welding area W4 is an area facing the upper end portion 14y of the main body portion 14a and extending along the upper end portion 14y. The 1st welding field W1-the 4th welding field W4 are mutually connected so that it may become rectangular ring shape. A non-welding region W5 is interposed in the fourth welding region W4.

  That is, the separator 13 is not closed in the non-welding region W5. In the separator 13, the tab 14b is made to project through the non-welding area W5. Examples of materials for forming the separator 13 include porous films made of polyolefin resins such as polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), and woven or non-woven fabrics made of polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), methyl cellulose and the like. Note that the first welding region W1 to the fourth welding region W4 may be intermittently formed in a range in which no displacement of the positive electrode 11 occurs in the separator 13.

  Subsequently, main steps of a method of manufacturing power storage device 1 will be described. First, the kneading step is carried out. In the kneading step, the active material particles, which are the main components of the active material layer, and particles such as a binder and a conductive additive are kneaded in a solvent in the kneader to produce an electrode mixture having good dispersibility of each particle. . The binder may be, for example, a thermoplastic resin such as polyamide imide or polyimide, or may be a polymer resin having an imide bond in the main chain. The solvent may be, for example, an organic solvent such as NMP (N-methyl pyrrolidone), methanol, methyl isobutyl ketone or the like, or may be water. The conductive aid is, for example, a carbon-based material such as acetylene black, carbon black, or graphite.

  Next, a coating process is implemented. In the coating step, a strip-shaped metal foil wound in a roll shape is drawn 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 inside of a drying furnace immediately after the application of the electrode mixture. Thus, the solvent contained in the electrode mixture is dried and removed, and the binder made of a resin bonds the active material particles to each other. Thus, an active material layer having fine gaps (voids) between active material particles is formed.

  Then, a press process is implemented. In the pressing step, the active material layer formed on the surface of the strip-shaped metal foil is pressed by a roll at a predetermined pressure. As a result, 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 step, the surface condition of the active material layer is confirmed by a camera or the like to judge the non-defective product and the defective product.

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

  Then, an electrode accommodation process is implemented. In the electrode accommodation step, the positive electrode 11 is manufactured by accommodating the positive electrode 11 in the separator 13 while forming the rectangular bag-shaped separator 13 from the pair of long sheet-like separator portions. At this time, positioning of the positive electrode 11 with respect to the separator 13 is performed (details will be described later).

  Next, a lamination process is performed. In the laminating step, the positive electrode 10 with a separator and the negative electrode 12 are alternately laminated sequentially. The assembly process is then carried out. In the assembly process, the positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 12 integrate the laminated body laminated through the separator 13, and the tab 14 b of the positive electrode 11 and the tab 17 b of the negative electrode 12 are respectively welded. Thereby, an electrode assembly 3 is obtained. Then, the conductive member 16 and the conductive member 19 are respectively welded to the tab 14 b of the positive electrode 11 and the tab 17 b of the negative electrode 12.

  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 above-mentioned electrode accommodation step will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. An electrode accommodation process is a manufacturing method of a separator with an electrode which manufactures a positive electrode with a separator (electrode with a separator) 10 here by accommodating positive electrode (electrode) 11 in bag-like separator 13. This manufacturing method is implemented by the manufacturing apparatus 20. That is, the manufacturing apparatus 20 is a manufacturing apparatus of the separator-equipped electrode which manufactures the separator-equipped positive electrode 10 by accommodating the positive electrode 11 in the bag-like separator 13.

  First, an outline of the manufacturing apparatus 20 will be described. The manufacturing apparatus 20 includes a pair of guide rollers 21 facing each other, a first heater roller (second welding portion) 22, a second heater roller (first welding portion) 23, a third heater roller 24, and a pair of facing each other. A conveyance roller (moving unit) 25 and a supply unit 26 are provided. Here, the long sheet-like first separator portion 13a and the second separator portion 13b which constitute the bag-like separator 13 are prepared. The first separator portion 13a and the second separator portion 13b are respectively fed out from an original roll (not shown) and conveyed by the conveying roller 25 along the longitudinal direction thereof. At that time, the first separator portion 13a and the second separator portion 13b are guided by the guide roller 21 and conveyed so as to face each other along the illustrated first direction D1.

  Further, the first separator portion 13 a and the second separator portion 13 b are connected to each other while being transported, and constitute a single separator member 30 which is the source of the separator 13. The separator member 30 connects the first separator portion 13a and the second separator portion 13b to each other by using one edge E2 in the short direction of the first separator portion 13a and the second separator portion 13b as a connection portion, and The separator portion 13a and the second separator portion 13b are configured to face each other (see particularly FIG. 5). Here, the connection portion between the first separator portion 13a and the second separator portion 13b is a second welding area W2 formed by welding.

  The first direction D1, which is the transport direction of the separator member 30 (that is, the first separator portion 13a and the second separator portion 13b) configured in this manner, is inclined at an inclination angle θ with respect to the horizontal plane including the horizontal direction D2. (See especially Figure 6). The first direction D1 is along the vertical plane defined by the horizontal direction D2 and the vertical direction D3. That is, here, the separator member 30 is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane and is along the vertical plane. In particular, the separator member 30 is inclined with respect to the horizontal surface so as to be lower along the first direction D1 (as it goes to the rear side in the transport direction).

  In the manufacturing apparatus 20, the guide roller 21, the first heater roller 22, the second heater roller 23, the third heater roller 24, and the transport roller 25 are arranged in order along the first direction D1. Therefore, the installation heights of the guide roller 21, the first heater roller 22, the second heater roller 23, the third heater roller 24, and the conveyance roller 25 correspond to the inclination of the separator member 30 along the first direction D1. It becomes low in order (as it goes to the latter part side of a conveyance direction).

  Subsequently, details of each part of the manufacturing apparatus 20 will be described. The transport rollers 25 are each cylindrical and disposed downstream (downstream) of the third heater roller 24. Here, the transport roller 25 moves the separator member 30 (the first separator portion 13a and the second separator portion 13b) along the first direction D1. More specifically, the transport roller 25 is rotated in the direction of the arrow while holding the separator member 30 by a drive source (not shown), so that the separator member 30 is inclined (in the inclined state) relative to the horizontal surface. Transport in one direction D1.

  The first heater roller 22 is disposed between the guide roller 21 and the second heater roller 23. The first heater roller 22 includes a pair of cylindrical rollers 22a and 22b facing each other. The rollers 22 a and 22 b rotate, for example, as the first separator portion 13 a and the second separator portion 13 b are transported by the transport roller 25. However, the rollers 22 a and 22 b may be rotationally driven by a drive source independent of the transport roller 25. The first heater roller 22 constitutes the separator member 30 by connecting the first separator portion 13 a and the second separator portion 13 b on the front side of the supply portion 26. Therefore, the first heater roller 22 welds the first separator portion 13a and the second separator portion 13b, which are conveyed so as to face each other by the conveyance roller 25, at one edge E2 in the short side direction of each other. And forming a second welding area W2 as a connection portion.

  Therefore, the first separator portion 13a and the second separator portion 13b are separately transported on the front side of the first heater roller 22. On the other hand, on the downstream side of the first heater roller 22, the first separator portion 13 a and the second separator portion 13 b are welded (connected) to be integrally transported as the separator member 30. The second welding area W2 extends along the longitudinal direction of the separator member 30. Such a second welding area W2 can be formed as follows, as an example.

  That is, for example, with respect to the roller 22a, a convex portion is provided to extend along the entire circumferential direction. In addition, a heater is provided inside the roller 22a. The rollers 22a and 22b are rotated in the direction of the arrows while the first separator portion 13a and the second separator portion 13b are held between the top surface of the convex portion of the roller 22a heated by the heater and the outer peripheral surface of the roller 22b. Let As a result, the first separator portion 13a and the second separator portion 13b are continuously welded at the edge portion E2, and a continuous second welding region W2 is formed. A heater may be provided inside the roller 22b to heat both the roller 22a and the roller 22b.

  The second heater roller 23 is disposed between the first heater roller 22 and the third heater roller 24. The second heater roller 23 includes a pair of cylindrical rollers 23a and 23b facing each other. The rollers 23 a and 23 b rotate as the separator member 30 is transported by the transport roller 25. However, the rollers 23 a and 23 b may be rotationally driven by a drive source independent of the transport roller 25. In this case, the rotational speed of the rollers 23 a and 23 b is basically matched to the transport speed of the separator member 30 by the transport roller 25. In this case, the welding position can also be adjusted by controlling the number of rotations of the rollers 23a and 23b.

  The second heater roller 23 welds the first separator portion 13 a and the second separator portion 13 b along the short direction of the separator member 30 in a state where the separator member 30 is transported by the transport roller 25. Thereby, the second heater roller 23 forms, with respect to the separator member 30, a first welding region W1 and a third welding region W3 extending in the short direction of the separator member 30.

  The 1st welding field W1 and the 3rd welding field W3 can be formed as follows as an example. That is, for example, a convex portion extending in the rotation axis direction is provided for the roller 23a. In addition, a heater is provided inside the roller 23a. Then, the rollers 23a and 23b are rotated in the direction of the arrows while sandwiching the separator member 30 between the top surface of the convex portion of the roller 23a heated by the heater and the outer peripheral surface of the roller 23b. Thereby, the first separator portion 13a and the second separator portion 13b are welded at intervals according to the length of the outer periphery of the roller 23a. A heater may be provided inside the roller 23b to heat both the roller 23a and the roller 23b.

  As a result, a plurality of first welding regions W1 and third welding regions W3 which are alternately arranged apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the separator member 30 are formed. Here, for convenience, as will be described later, when a specific positive electrode 11 is supplied to the separator member 30, the welding region located on the side end 14r side of the specific positive electrode 11 is first welded. The welding area | region called the area | region W1 and located in the side edge part 14p side is called 3rd welding area | region W3. Therefore, here, the first welding area W1 and the third welding area W3 are the same, and their names are changed according to the positional relationship with the positive electrode 11 of interest.

  The supply unit 26 supplies the positive electrode 11 to the separator member 30 in a state where the separator member 30 is conveyed by the conveyance roller 25. The supply unit 26 transports, for example, the positive electrode 11 from a predetermined storage location to the upper side of the separator member 30, and directs the positive electrode 11 from above the separator member 30 to between the first separator portion 13a and the second separator portion 13b. Let it fall. Here, the falling position of the positive electrode 11 in the transport direction of the separator member 30 is a position between the first heater roller 22 and the second heater roller 23.

  The timing of the drop (supply) of the positive electrode 11 by the supply unit 26 is the conveyance of the separator member 30 by the conveyance roller 25, the formation of the second welding area W2 by the first heater roller 22, and the first welding area W1 by the second heater roller 23. It is associated with the formation of the (third welding area W3). More specifically, for example, after the second welding area W2 and the specific first welding area W1 have been formed, the supply unit 26 is configured to generate a new first welding area adjacent to the specific first welding area W1. The positive electrode 11 is dropped at a timing before the first welding area W1 (that is, the third welding area W3) is formed.

  Thereby, the positive electrode 11 is introduced between the first separator portion 13a and the second separator portion 13b. In the positive electrode 11 introduced between the first separator portion 13a and the second separator portion 13b, the lower end portion 14x abuts on the second welding region W2 and the side end portion 14r abuts on the first welding region W1. Thus, the supply unit 26 causes the first separator portion 13a and the first separator portion 13a to contact the lower end portion 14x to the second welding area (connection portion) and the side end portion 14p to the first welding area W1. The positive electrode 11 is supplied to the separator member 30 by dropping the positive electrode 11 between the two separators 13 b. The positive electrode 11 introduced between the first separator portion 13a and the second separator portion 13b is a separator while sliding in the second welding region W2 under the influence of gravity according to the inclination angle θ of the separator member 30. It may move in the longitudinal direction of the member 30 and abut on the first welding area W1.

  The third heater roller 24 is disposed between the second heater roller 23 and the conveyance roller 25. The third heater roller 24 includes a pair of cylindrical rollers 24a and 24b facing each other. The rollers 24 a and 24 b rotate as the separator member 30 is transported by the transport roller 25. However, the rollers 24 a and 24 b may be rotationally driven by a drive source independent of the transport roller 25. The third heater roller 24 welds the first separator portion 13a and the second separator portion 13b to each other at the other edge E4 in the short direction while the separator member 30 is transported by the transport roller 25. Thus, the fourth welding area W4 is formed. The fourth welding area W4 extends in the longitudinal direction of the separator member 30. Such a fourth welding area W4 can be formed as follows, as an example.

  That is, for example, a convex portion extending along the circumferential direction is provided on the roller 24a. The convex portion does not extend over the entire circumferential direction of the roller 24a. That is, the convex portion of the roller 24a is provided with a missing portion in which the start and end thereof are separated. Furthermore, a heater is provided inside the roller 24a. Then, the rollers 24a and 24b are rotated in the direction of the arrows while sandwiching the separator member 30 between the top surface of the convex portion of the roller 24a heated by the heater and the outer peripheral surface of the roller 24b.

  As a result, the first separator portion 13a and the second separator portion 13b are welded at the edge E4 thereof to form a fourth welding area W4. In addition, the first separator portion 13a and the second separator portion 13b are not welded at the missing portion of the convex portion, and the non-welded region W5 is formed. The tab 14b of the positive electrode 11 is made to project from the non-welding region W5. That is, the lacked portion of the convex portion is set to form the non-welded region W5 at a position corresponding to the tab 14b of the positive electrode 11.

  A cutting unit (not shown) for cutting the separator member 30 is provided downstream of the transport roller 25. The cutting unit cuts the separator member 30 in the first welding area W1 and the third welding area W3. Thereby, the separated positive electrode with separator 10 is obtained.

  The description will be continued regarding an example of the electrode accommodation step (a method of manufacturing an electrode with a separator). In this manufacturing method, first, the separator 30 (the first separator 13 a and the second separator 13 b) is moved (conveyed) along the longitudinal direction (first direction D 1) of the separator 30 by the conveyance roller 25. Do (move step). At this time, the separator member 30 is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane.

  Subsequently, in a state where the first separator portion 13a and the second separator portion 13b are conveyed in the moving step, the first separator portion 13a and the second separator portion 13b opposed to each other by the first heater roller 22 are By welding together at one edge E2 in the short side direction, the second welding area W2 as a connection portion is formed, and the separator member 30 is configured.

  Subsequently, while the separator member 30 is being conveyed in the moving step, the first heater portion 13 a and the second separator portion 13 b are welded to each other along the short direction of the separator member 30 by the second heater roller 23. Thus, the first welding area W1 is formed in the separator member 30 (welding step).

  Subsequently, in a state in which the separator member 30 is transported in the moving step, the supply unit 26 supplies the positive electrode 11 to the separator member 30 (supply step). More specifically, in the supply step, the lower end 14x of the positive electrode 11 is brought into contact with the second welding area W2 (connection part) and the side end 14r is brought into contact with the first welding area W1. The positive electrode 11 is supplied to the separator member 30 by dropping the positive electrode 11 between the first separator portion 13 a and the second separator portion 13 b.

  Subsequently, in a state where the separator member 30 is conveyed in the moving step, the first separator portion 13a and the second separator portion 13b are welded to each other by the second heater roller 23 and the third heater roller 24. A third welding area W3 (another first welding area W1) along the short direction and a fourth welding area W4 along the longitudinal direction of the separator member 30 are formed (welding step). Thus, the separator-equipped positive electrode 10 is formed by accommodating the positive electrode 11 in the internal space defined by the first welding region W1 to the fourth welding region W4 with respect to the continuous separator member 30.

  Then, in a state in which the separator member 30 (the positive electrode 10 with a separator) is conveyed in conveyance, the separator member 30 is cut by the cutting portion. Here, the cutting part cuts the separator member 30 in each of the first welding area W1 and the third welding area W3. Thus, the separator-attached positive electrode 10 is separated (cut out).

  As described above, in the manufacturing apparatus 20 and the manufacturing method (electrode accommodation step) according to the present embodiment, the separator member 30 including the first separator portion 13a and the second separator portion 13b is inclined with respect to the horizontal surface Is moved relative to the positive electrode 11 (here, the separator member 30 is moved). Then, the positive electrode 11 is dropped toward the separator member 30 so moved and supplied to the separator member 30. At this time, the lower end portion 14x of the positive electrode 11 is in contact with the connection portion (here, the second welding area W2) between the first separator portion 13a and the second separator portion 13b.

  The connection portion is an edge E2 in the short direction of the first separator portion 13a and the second separator portion 13b. Therefore, the positive electrode 11 is positioned with respect to the separator member 30 in the short direction of the separator member 30 with reference to the connection portion. Furthermore, when supplying the positive electrode 11 to the separator member 30 as described above, the side end 14 r of the positive electrode 11 is abutted against the first welding region W1 formed along the short direction of the separator member 30. Ru. Therefore, the positive electrode 11 is positioned with respect to the separator member 30 in the longitudinal direction of the separator member 30 with reference to the first welding region W1. Thus, according to these manufacturing apparatuses 20 and manufacturing methods, the positive electrode 11 is positioned with respect to the separator member 30 in a plurality of directions. Therefore, it is possible to improve the position accuracy of the positive electrode 11 with respect to the separator 13.

  Generally, when the positional accuracy of the positive electrode 11 with respect to the separator 13 is low, the positive electrode 11 is set sufficiently smaller than the internal space of the separator 13 defined by the first welding region W1 to the fourth welding region W4. There is a need to. This prevents the first welding region W1 to the fourth welding region W4 and the positive electrode 11 from interfering with each other even when the positional deviation of the positive electrode 11 with respect to the separator 13 is large, and ensures that the positive electrode 11 is used as the separator 13. It is for accommodating.

  In this respect, according to the manufacturing apparatus 20 and the manufacturing method according to the present embodiment, the positional accuracy of the positive electrode 11 with respect to the separator 13 is improved, so that the positional deviation of the positive electrode 11 with respect to the separator 13 is suppressed. For this reason, it is not necessary to consider the above situations, and the positive electrode 11 can be set relatively large. Therefore, the capacity of power storage device 1 can be improved. In addition, 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.

  Further, the manufacturing apparatus 20 according to the present embodiment functions as a connection portion by welding the first separator portion 13a and the second separator portion 13b facing each other at the edge portion E2 on the front side of the supply portion 26. The first heater roller 22 forming the second welding area W2 and configuring the separator member 30 is provided. Thus, the separator member 30 can be easily comprised by mutually welding the 1st separator part 13a and the 2nd separator part 13b which are separate bodies mutually.

  Furthermore, in the manufacturing apparatus 20 according to the present embodiment, the transport roller 25 moves the separator member 30. In this case, welding of the first separator portion 13a and the second separator portion 13b by the second heater roller 23 and supply of the positive electrode 11 by the supply portion 26 can be performed while the separator member 30 is moved (conveyed).

  The above-mentioned embodiment explains one embodiment of a manufacturing device of an electrode with a separator concerning the present invention, and a manufacturing method of an electrode with a separator. Therefore, the manufacturing apparatus of the electrode with a separator which concerns on this invention, and the manufacturing method of the electrode with a separator are not limited to what was mentioned above. The manufacturing apparatus of the electrode with a separator which concerns on this invention, and the manufacturing method of the electrode with a separator can be what changed arbitrarily what was mentioned in the range which does not change the summary of each claim.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the first separator portion 13a and the second separator portion 13b which are separate bodies are connected by welding while being conveyed so as to face each other, thereby forming the separator member 30. However, the separator member 30 may be configured by causing the first and second separators, which are connected and integrated with each other in advance at the connection portion, to be folded at the connection portion and face each other.

  In the above embodiment, only the separator member 30 is moved (conveyed) in the longitudinal direction (first direction D1) of the separator member 30. However, at least one of the separator member 30 and the positive electrode 11 may be moved relative to the other. In this case, the state in which the separator member 30 in the above embodiment is conveyed is the state in which the separator member 30 is relatively moved. Furthermore, the state in which the separator member 30 is relatively moved includes the state in which the separator member 30 is continuously moved in a relative manner and the state in which the separator member 30 is intermittently moved in a relative manner. That is, in the state in which the separator member 30 is relatively moved, it may be intended to temporarily stop after starting the relative movement of the separator member 30, and then to resume the relative movement thereafter. In that case, the various welding in the separator member 30 can be implemented at the time of the temporary stop of the relative movement.

  Further, the separator member 30 may be conveyed while being further inclined with respect to the vertical surface by the conveyance roller 25 (it may be moved relatively). In this case, when the positive electrode 11 is supplied to the separator member 30, the positive electrode 11 can be supported by the vertically lower one of the first separator portion 13a and the second separator portion 13b. Therefore, it is possible to further position the positive electrode 11 in the thickness direction of the separator portion. Therefore, the positional accuracy of the positive electrode 11 with respect to the separator 13 can be further improved.

  Furthermore, in the said embodiment, the case where the positive electrode 11 was accommodated in the separator 13 was demonstrated. However, the negative electrode 12 may be accommodated in the separator 13. That is, any one of the positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 12 may be accommodated in the separator 13 to form an electrode with a separator.

  10: positive electrode with separator (electrode with separator), 11: positive electrode (electrode), 13: separator, 13a: first separator portion, 13b: second separator portion, 14x: lower end portion, 14r: side end portion, 20: manufacture Device (a device for manufacturing an electrode with a separator), 22: first heater roller (second welding portion), 23: second heater roller (first welding portion), 25: conveyance roller (moving portion), 26: feeding portion, 30: Separator member, E2 ... edge part, D1 ... first direction (longitudinal direction), W1 ... first welding area, W2 ... second welding area (connection part).

Claims (3)

An apparatus for manufacturing a separator-equipped electrode that manufactures a separator-equipped electrode by housing the electrode in a bag-like separator,
A moving unit you conveyed along the separator member made from said bag-like first separator unit long sheet of constituting the separator and the second separator section in the longitudinal direction of said separator member,
In the state in which the separator member is conveyed by the moving unit, the first separator portion and the second separator portion are welded to each other along the short direction of the separator member to form the first separator member. A first weld forming a weld area;
A supply unit configured to supply the electrode to the separator member in a state in which the separator member is conveyed by the moving unit;
The separator member connects the first separator portion and the second separator portion to each other by using one edge portion of the first and second separator portions in the short side direction as a connection portion, and the first separator portion And the second separator portion are configured to face each other,
The electrode includes a lower end and a side end intersecting the lower end,
The transport direction of the moving unit is inclined with respect to the horizontal surface so that the separator member becomes lower toward the subsequent stage side of the transport direction,
The supply unit is configured to allow the lower end portion to abut the connection portion and the side end portion to abut the first welding area, the space between the first separator portion and the second separator portion. Supplying the electrode to the separator member by dropping the electrode;
Equipment for manufacturing separators and electrodes. By welding the first separator portion and the second separator portion facing each other to each other at the edge portion on the front side of the supply portion, a second welding region as the connection portion is formed, and the separator member is formed. Further comprising a second weld forming a
The manufacturing apparatus of the electrode with a separator of Claim 1. A method of manufacturing an electrode with a separator, which manufactures an electrode with a separator by housing the electrode in a bag-like separator,
A moving step for conveying along the separator member made from said bag-like first separator unit long sheet of constituting the separator and the second separator section in the longitudinal direction of said separator member,
While the separator member is being conveyed in the moving step, the first separator portion and the second separator portion are welded to each other along the short direction of the separator member, thereby forming the first separator member. A welding step forming a welding area;
Supplying the electrode to the separator member in a state in which the separator member is transported in the moving step;
The separator member connects the first separator portion and the second separator portion to each other by using one edge portion of the first and second separator portions in the short side direction as a connection portion, and the first separator portion And the second separator portion are configured to face each other,
The electrode includes a lower end and a side end intersecting the lower end,
The transport direction of definitive to moving step is inclined with respect to low so as horizontal plane as the separator member moves toward the rear stage side in the transport direction,
In the supplying step, between the first separator portion and the second separator portion so that the lower end portion is in contact with the connection portion and the side end portion is in contact with the first welding region. The electrode is supplied to the separator member by dropping the electrode.
The manufacturing method of the electrode with a separator.

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