JP6531293B2 - Sheet cutting apparatus, sheet cutting method, and method of manufacturing battery electrode - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet cutting apparatus using a laser, and more particularly, to a sheet cutting apparatus for efficiently collecting dust generated in cutting a sheet, a sheet cutting method, and a method of manufacturing a battery electrode.

  Conventionally, there has been proposed a laser processing apparatus which irradiates a laser beam oscillated and collected from a laser oscillator toward a work from a tip of a processing head and cuts the work with the laser light. This laser processing apparatus is widely adopted for the drilling of aluminum sheets, metals such as nonmetals, cemented carbides and stainless steels, cutting of various metals, ceramics, etc. due to the excellent properties of the laser light.

JP-A-11-314190

  However, in the above-mentioned conventional laser processing apparatus, the cut pieces at the time of cutting become dust and scatter. In particular, in the case of cutting the electrode sheet having the active material layer, the scattered dust is cut and attached to the active material layer of the separated electrode, so that the element formed of the electrode and the separator is formed. The dust attached to the active material layer of the electrode may damage the separator or cause a short circuit between the electrodes. For example, the electrode (positive electrode, negative electrode) of a secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery is preferably a long electrode sheet having an active material layer by applying an electrode active material on the surface of a long metal thin film sheet It is manufactured to be cut to the size of. However, in this cutting step, there is a risk that dust generated and scattered during cutting may adhere to the active material layer. In addition, the battery element is formed by laminating the manufactured electrode in a state where the positive electrode and the negative electrode are disposed to face each other with the separator interposed therebetween, but after the battery element is formed, dust remains attached to the electrode In such a case, there is a problem that dust may damage the separator or cause a short circuit between the electrodes.

  In addition, the scattered dust adheres to the laser head and the drive mechanism system of the head, and thus there is a problem that the light path may be covered or malfunction of the drive mechanism system may occur.

  Then, this invention is made in view of the above-mentioned subject, and provides the sheet cutting device, the sheet cutting method, and the manufacturing method of a battery electrode which collect dust generated efficiently in the cutting of a sheet efficiently. To aim.

  The present invention proposes the following matters in order to solve the above-mentioned problems. In addition, in order to make an understanding easy, although the code | symbol corresponding to embodiment of this invention is attached and demonstrated, it is not limited to this.

  (1) The present invention is a sheet cutting apparatus which irradiates a laser beam and cuts a strip-like electrode sheet having an active material layer into electrode sheet pieces, and transport means for transporting the strip-like electrode sheet on the transport surface And a processing head which is movably attached and which irradiates the laser beam to the electrode sheet on the transport surface transported by the transport means, the electrode at a position where the processing head is movable A sheet cutting device characterized in that a saw blade-like gap is formed on a transport surface on which the sheet is transported, and suction means for sucking dust generated in the cutting of the electrode sheet in the gap is provided. is suggesting.

  According to the present invention, the transport means transports the strip-shaped electrode sheet on the transport surface. In addition, at a position where the processing head which is movably attached and which emits a laser beam to the electrode sheet on the transport surface transported by the transport means is movable, the transport surface on which the electrode sheet is transported A void is formed, and the suction means sucks dust generated in cutting of the electrode sheet in the void. That is, at the position where the processing head is movable, since the sawtooth-like gap is formed on the conveyance surface on which the electrode sheet is conveyed, the conveyance of the band-like sheet is not hindered. Further, since the suction means sucks the dust generated in the cutting of the electrode sheet in the void portion, the dust generated in the cutting of the belt-like sheet can be suctioned efficiently.

  (2) The present invention proposes the sheet cutting device according to (1), wherein the gap portion is formed by facing the saw blade-like members at the same height. There is.

  According to the present invention, the gap portion is formed by facing the saw blade-like members at the same height. That is, even when the gap is formed by using two opposing saw-tooth-shaped members, the height of the gap is flat with respect to the transport surface, so that the belt-like sheet is transported It does not inhibit. In addition, since the laser light is always emitted perpendicularly to the sheet surface, the cutting and processing accuracy can be maintained uniformly.

  (3) The present invention proposes the sheet cutting device according to (1) or (2), wherein the void portion is formed so as to include the moving region of the laser beam. ing.

  According to the present invention, the void portion is formed to include the moving region of the laser beam. Therefore, since a space is formed immediately below the cut portion of the sheet, dust generated at the time of cutting can be efficiently collected.

  (4) The present invention proposes the sheet cutting device according to (3), wherein the laser beam linearly moves in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the electrode sheet.

  According to the present invention, the laser light linearly moves in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the electrode sheet, and the moving area is included in the moving area of the laser light, so dust generated at the time of cutting is efficiently collected. It can dust.

  (5) In the sheet cutting device according to (1) to (4) of the present invention, the saw blade-shaped gap portion is provided to extend in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the electrode sheet In the sheet cutting device, the length in the extending direction of the sheet is longer than the length in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the electrode sheet.

  According to the present invention, the saw blade-like gap portion is provided to extend in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the electrode sheet, and the length in the extension direction of the gap portion is orthogonal to the transport direction in the electrode sheet Longer than the direction length. That is, since the void portion longer than the length of the electrode sheet in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the electrode sheet is provided, the dust generated at the end portion of the electrode sheet can be reliably suctioned and recovered.

  (6) The present invention transports a strip-shaped electrode sheet having an active material layer, and cuts the strip-shaped electrode sheet into electrode sheet pieces by irradiating the electrode sheet with laser light from the processing head. In the method, at the position where the processing head is movable, a sawtooth-shaped air gap is formed in a conveyance surface on which the electrode sheet is conveyed, and the electrode sheet is conveyed so as to pass over the air gap. The sheet cutting method is characterized in that dust generated in cutting of the electrode sheet is suctioned in the void portion.

  According to the present invention, at the position where the processing head is movable, a sawtooth-shaped air gap is formed on the conveyance surface on which the electrode sheet is conveyed, and the electrode sheet is conveyed so as to pass over the air gap. Suction the dust generated at the time of cutting the electrode sheet. Therefore, dust generated in the cutting of the belt-like sheet can be efficiently sucked without inhibiting the conveyance of the belt-like sheet.

  (7) The present invention transports a strip-like electrode sheet having an active material layer in order to manufacture a battery electrode, and applies a laser beam to the electrode sheet from a processing head to form a strip-like electrode sheet It is a manufacturing method of a battery electrode which conveys the cut said electrode sheet piece cut into a sheet piece, and the position where a processing head is movable WHEREIN: A sawtooth-like gap part is in the conveyance surface where the electrode sheet is conveyed The electrode sheet is conveyed so as to pass over the void portion, and a laser beam is irradiated from the processing head in the void portion to cut the electrode sheet and suction the dust generated in the cutting, A method of manufacturing a battery electrode is proposed, which comprises conveying an electrode sheet piece obtained by cutting the electrode sheet.

  According to the present invention, at the position where the processing head is movable, a sawtooth-shaped gap is formed on the transport surface on which the electrode sheet is transported, and the electrode sheet is transported so as to pass over the gap. A laser beam is irradiated from the processing head to cut the electrode sheet and suck dust generated in the cutting, and cut the electrode sheet to convey the electrode sheet piece obtained. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently attract dust generated in the cutting of the belt-like sheet without obstructing the transportation of the belt-like sheet, and in a posture in which the electrode sheet obtained by cutting can be easily handled in the next step. It can be transported.

  According to the present invention, at the position where the processing head is movable, a sawtooth-like void is formed in the conveyance surface of the strip-like electrode sheet, and the void sucks dust generated in cutting the strip-like electrode sheet. For this reason, there is an effect that the dust collection efficiency can be enhanced without inhibiting the conveyance of the strip electrode sheet. As a result, the scattered dust adheres to the active material layer, thereby preventing quality problems such as damaging the separator after element formation or causing a short between electrodes, and the scattered dust drives the laser head and the head. By adhering to the mechanism system, it is possible to prevent the optical path from being covered and malfunction of the drive mechanism system.

It is a figure showing a sheet cutting process including a sheet cutting device concerning an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure showing electric composition of a sheet cutting device concerning an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure for demonstrating regarding the opening part of the conveyance path which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a sectional view of Drawing 3 (B) concerning an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the opening part of the conveyance path which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a sectional view including an opening of a conveyance way concerning an embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing containing the opening part of the conveyance path which concerns on another example. It is a figure showing processing of a sheet cutting device concerning an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail using the drawings.
In addition, the component in this embodiment can be suitably substituted with the existing component etc., and various variations including combinations with other existing components are possible. Therefore, the description of the present embodiment does not limit the contents of the invention described in the claims.

Embodiment
The present embodiment will be described using FIGS. 1 to 8.

<Electrode sheet cutting process>
The electrode sheet cutting process according to the present embodiment will be described using FIG. 1.
As shown in FIG. 1, the electrode sheet cutting process according to the present embodiment includes a conveyance path 2 having an opening 2 A and a sheet cutting apparatus 100, and the electrode sheet 1 is conveyed on the conveyance path 2. In addition, in FIG. 1, the mode before electrode sheet cutting process is shown in the left figure, and the mode at the time of electrode sheet cutting process is shown in the right figure.

  The electrode sheet 1 is, for example, an electrode sheet including an active material layer 1A and an uncoated layer 1B. The electrode sheet may be, for example, an electrode sheet of a battery in which the active material layer 1A is provided on a part of the base electrode sheet, or another electrode sheet on which the active material layer 1A is provided. The sheet of the above may be laminated, etc.

  The transport path 2 may be a conveyor type that is made of a material that is excellent in the adsorptivity of the electrode sheet 1 or can be transported by a roller that is made of a material that is excellent in the adsorptivity of the electrode sheet 1 Or the like.

  The electrode sheet 1 is conveyed on the conveyance path 2. When the cut position of the electrode sheet reaches a predetermined position with respect to the opening 2A of the conveyance path 2 by the control unit described later, the conveyance of the electrode sheet 1 is stopped, and is on the opening 2A and By moving the sheet cutting apparatus 100 at a predetermined speed in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the electrode sheet 1, the electrode sheet 1 is cut into an electrode sheet piece.

  When the sheet cutting apparatus 100 is moved for cutting the electrode sheet 1, for example, when the electrode sheet 1 is first inserted, the electrode sheet is detected by sensors provided at both ends of the conveyance path 2 (not shown). The position of the end is measured and determined by time counting from the transport speed. Further, after that, the conveyance distance may be determined by time counting, and the movable cutting timing of the sheet cutting apparatus 100 may be generated. In addition, when the electrode sheet 1 reaches a predetermined position, the conveyance of the electrode sheet 1 may be stopped, and the sheet cutting device 100 may be moved by using this as a trigger.

  The configuration of the opening 2A will be described later.

<Electric Configuration of Sheet Cutting Device>
The electrical configuration of the sheet cutting device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the sheet cutting apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes a processing unit 110, a movable unit 120, a dust collection unit 130, and a control unit 140.

  The processing unit 110 is configured of a processing head that irradiates and cuts the electrode sheet 1 with laser light, and a storage case that stores the processing head. The processing unit 110 irradiates the electrode sheet 1 with a laser beam according to a control signal from the control unit 140.

  The movable portion 120 moves the processing portion 110 on the opening 2A and in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the electrode sheet 1. The moving speed and moving time at this time depend on the control signal from the control unit 140. The mechanical configuration of the movable portion 120 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a type that moves on a rail by motor drive.

  The dust collection part 130 is provided in the vicinity of the lower part of the opening 2A provided in the conveyance path 2, and is constituted by a duct for exhausting air containing dust generated in cutting of the electrode sheet.

  The control unit 140 has, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory) as a storage unit, and controls the overall operation of the sheet cutting apparatus in accordance with a control program stored in advance in the ROM. For example, the conveyance speed and the position of the electrode sheet are detected from a sensor or the like provided in the conveyance unit 20, and the movement timing of the movable unit 120 is generated to perform control. Further, the control is performed by generating the irradiation start timing and the irradiation stop timing of the laser light from the sensor provided in the processing unit 110. Further, control is performed by generating start timing and stop timing of the dust collection unit 130 from a sensor provided in the processing unit 110.

<Mechanical structure of the opening>
The mechanical configuration of the opening according to the present embodiment will be described using FIGS. 3 to 7.

  FIG. 3 is a view of the transport path 2 as viewed from above, and the electrode sheet is transported from the upstream transport path side toward the downstream transport path. As in the present embodiment, when the opening 2A is provided on the lower surface of the electrode sheet corresponding to the cut position of the electrode sheet to collect dust generated in the cutting of the electrode sheet, the area through which the dust passes Is preferably as wide as possible. For example, as shown in FIG. 3B, it is desirable that the space of the opening 2A be as wide as possible. However, if the gap of the opening 2A is too wide, the electrode sheet to be transported falls into this gap as shown in FIG.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, as shown in FIG. 3A, it is necessary not to make the gap of the opening 2A too wide and to secure the opening area of the opening 2A as wide as possible. However, if the opening area is too narrow, the dust collection efficiency can not be obtained sufficiently.

Therefore, in the present invention, as shown in FIG. 5, the shape of the opening 2A is formed in a saw blade shape.
Thereby, at the position where the processing head is movable, since the sawtooth-like gap is formed on the conveyance surface on which the electrode sheet is conveyed, the conveyance of the strip-like electrode sheet is not hindered. In addition, since the suction means sucks the dust generated in the cutting of the electrode sheet in the gap (in the direction opposite to the processing head), the dust generated in the cutting of the strip electrode sheet can be suctioned efficiently. The suction may be always performed, or may be performed by the control unit 140 at predetermined times at the time of cutting the electrode sheet and before and after the cutting.

  Further, the air gap of the opening 2A is formed so as to include the moving region of the laser beam. Thereby, since the space directly under the cut portion of the electrode sheet is a void, dust generated in the cut can be efficiently collected.

  Further, the laser light linearly moves in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the electrode sheet. Therefore, dust generated in cutting can be collected efficiently.

  Further, the sawtooth-shaped air gap is provided to extend in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the electrode sheet, and the length in the extension direction of the air gap is longer than the length in the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction in the electrode sheet . Therefore, since the void portion longer than the length of the electrode sheet in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the electrode sheet is provided, the dust generated at the end portion of the electrode sheet can be reliably suctioned and recovered.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, the gap on the saw blade is formed so that the peak on one side of the saw blade and the valley on the other side face each other, and the distance between the peak and the valley of the saw blade (o = p = q) is larger than the moving region of the laser beam. Also, the distance W1 between the peak of one saw blade and the valley of the other saw blade (or the valley of one saw blade and the peak of the other saw blade) is slightly smaller than the moving area of the laser light It is preferable to make the This is because, when the electrode sheet is cut by laser light, as the electrode sheet is cut sequentially as the laser light moves, dust is likely to be collected at the portion where the laser light was located. This is based on the fact that the dust can be reliably collected by the above-mentioned structure.

  Further, as described above, by making the distance between the crest of one saw blade supporting the electrode sheet during conveyance and the valley of the other saw blade slightly larger than the moving area of the laser beam, It is possible to make it difficult for the drop to the gap to occur.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the dimensions a and b of the saw blade are a = b, and there is no phase difference between the opposing saw blades, that is, the gap length is the same from any cross section Preferably, o = p = q). This is because non-uniform voids may affect the dust collection characteristics of the dust. In addition, the above is an example and it is comprised so that there may be no phase difference of the opposing saw blade, and as long as it is a range which does not affect the dust collection characteristic of dust, a and b need not be equal.

  Also, the distance W1 between the ridge of one saw blade and the valley of the other saw blade (or the valley of one saw blade and the peak of the other saw blade) is such that the laser light does not hit the transport path Thus, it is necessary to make the diameter of the laser beam (the spot diameter of the laser beam) or more. In addition, after confirming that the distance about 10 times the maximum thickness of the electrode sheet is the maximum value at which the electrode sheet does not fall into the void, it is confirmed that the distance W1 = 10 w against the maximum thickness w of the electrode sheet. It was found that it is preferable to maximize it. Therefore, it is desirable that the distance W1 be 10 times or less of the maximum thickness of the electrode sheet to be processed with the spot diameter of the laser beam or more.

  In addition, the angle between the crests and troughs of the saw blade should meet the above conditions, but if the angle is small, for example, the bottom of the trough and its vicinity form a narrow space and dust tends to accumulate . In addition, when the length of the gap is the same (o = p = q), the shape of the gap approaches a straight line as the angle increases, and the area (opening area) of the void region for dust collection decreases. Therefore, the dust collection effect is reduced. Furthermore, if the arrangement is such that the crest of the saw blade on the upstream conveyance path and the crest of the saw blade on the downstream conveyance path face each other, the distance between the valley of one saw blade and the valley of the other saw blade If the dimensions a and b of the saw blade are large, the foil may be easily flexed and the warped portion of the foil may enter into this wide void and interfere with the smooth transport of the foil. For this reason, it is preferable that the angle formed by the peaks and valleys of the saw blade be 60 degrees ≦ α ≦ 120 degrees, and it is preferable to set α = 90 degrees.

  In consideration of the transport of the electrode sheet, as shown in FIG. 7A, it is also conceivable to form the opening 2A so that the downstream transport path is lower than the upstream transport path. However, in the case of this configuration, as shown in FIG. 7B, the electrode sheet is bent due to the difference in height, and this curved surface is irradiated with laser light. That is, when the electrode sheet is placed horizontally, as in the case where laser light is applied obliquely, the laser light is not irradiated vertically to the electrode sheet, which causes a problem in cutting quality. Further, in this case, there is a concern that the dust collection efficiency may be deteriorated since the scattering distribution of dust generated by cutting by the laser light is changed. From such a thing, as shown in FIG. 6, it is desirable that the upstream conveyance path and the downstream conveyance path sandwiching the opening 2A be horizontal.

<Processing of sheet cutting device>
The process of the sheet cutting device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, it is detected that the cut portion of the belt-like sheet having the active material layer has been transported from the saw blade-like gap of the transport path to a predetermined position (step S110), and based on the detection result, the processing head The movement of the sheet in the direction perpendicular to the sheet conveyance direction is started (step S120).

  Next, when the sensor provided in the processing unit detects the end face of the sheet (step S130), the emission of laser light is started and the dust collection operation by suction is started (step S140).

  Further, when the sensor provided in the processing unit detects the other end face of the sheet (step S150), the emission of the laser beam is stopped, and the sheet piece obtained by cutting is conveyed (step S160).

  The sheet is cut by performing such a series of processes. In addition, when a sheet | seat is an electrode sheet used for a battery, the electrode sheet used for the inside of a battery can be manufactured by said process.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, a saw blade-shaped gap is formed in the conveyance surface of the strip electrode sheet according to the present embodiment, and the gap cuts the strip electrode sheet. Suction dust generated at For this reason, there is an effect that the dust collection efficiency can be enhanced without inhibiting the conveyance of the strip electrode sheet. As a result, the scattered dust adheres to the active material layer, thereby preventing quality problems such as damaging the separator after element formation or causing a short between electrodes, and the scattered dust drives the laser head and the head. By adhering to the mechanism system, it is possible to prevent the optical path from being covered and malfunction of the drive mechanism system.

  The above-described processing of the sheet cutting apparatus is recorded on a recording medium readable by a computer system, and the program recorded on the recording medium is read by the sheet cutting apparatus to execute the sheet cutting apparatus of the present invention. be able to. The computer system referred to here includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices.

  The "computer system" also includes a homepage providing environment (or display environment) if the WWW (World Wide Web) system is used. The program may be transmitted from a computer system in which the program is stored in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or by transmission waves in the transmission medium. Here, the “transmission medium” for transmitting the program is a medium having a function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) such as the Internet or a communication line (communication line) such as a telephone line.

  Further, the program may be for realizing a part of the functions described above. Furthermore, it may be a so-called difference file (difference program) that can realize the above-described functions in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and includes design and the like within the scope of the present invention.

1; electrode sheet 1A; active material layer 1B; uncoated layer 2; conveyance path 2A; opening 20; conveyance unit 100; sheet cutting device 110; processing unit 120; movable unit 130; dust collection unit 140;

Claims (7)

A sheet cutting apparatus which irradiates a laser beam and cuts a strip-like electrode sheet having an active material layer to form an electrode sheet piece,
Transport means having a transport surface on which the electrode sheet is transported;
A processing head which is movably attached above the transport surface so as to cut the strip-like electrode sheet, and which irradiates the laser beam to the electrode sheet on the transport surface;
Equipped with
When the transport surface is viewed from above , an open space is formed in a region located below the moving processing head, and the shape of the transport surface in the space is a plurality of peaks and valleys. Are alternately provided continuously, and are formed to face each other in the direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the laser beam irradiated to the gap,
A sheet cutting apparatus comprising: a suction unit for suctioning dust generated in the cutting of the electrode sheet in the gap portion.   The sheet cutting device according to claim 1, wherein the gap portion is input so that the peak portion and the valley portion face each other.   The interval between the peak portion provided in the void portion and the valley portion facing the peak portion is made uniform in the direction horizontal to the conveyance direction of the electrode sheet. The sheet cutting device according to Item 2.   The sheet cutting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the laser beam linearly moves in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the electrode sheet.   The void portion is provided to extend in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the electrode sheet, and the length of the void portion in the extension direction is the length of the electrode sheet in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction The sheet cutting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which is long. A strip-like electrode sheet having an active material layer is transported on the transport surface of the transport means, and the electrode sheet is irradiated with laser light while moving the processing head mounted above the transport surface. A sheet cutting method for cutting the strip-shaped electrode sheet into an electrode sheet piece,
When the transport surface is viewed from above , an open space is formed in a region located below the moving processing head, and the shape of the transport surface in the space is a plurality of peaks and valleys. Are alternately provided continuously, and are formed to face in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the laser beam irradiated to the gap, and the electrode sheet is formed on the gap A sheet cutting method comprising conveying so as to pass through and sucking dust generated in cutting of the electrode sheet in the void portion. In order to manufacture a battery electrode, a strip-like electrode sheet having an active material layer on the transport surface of the transport means is transported, and the processing head mounted above the transport surface is moved relative to the electrode sheet It is a manufacturing method of the battery electrode which cuts said strip-like electrode sheet by irradiating a laser beam, makes it an electrode sheet piece, and conveys said electrode sheet piece,
When the transport surface is viewed from above , an open space is formed in a region located below the moving processing head, and the shape of the transport surface in the space is a plurality of peaks and valleys. Are alternately provided continuously, and are formed to face each other in the direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the laser beam irradiated to the gap,
Conveying the electrode sheet so as to pass over the gap;
A laser beam is irradiated while moving the processing head in the gap portion to cut the electrode sheet and suction dust generated in the cutting.
Conveying an electrode sheet piece obtained by cutting the electrode sheet;
A method of manufacturing a battery electrode characterized by

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