JP6589438B2 - Transport device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a transport apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art A transport device that transports an object is known that includes a gripping unit that sandwiches and grips an object from both sides in a horizontal direction and an adsorption unit that attracts an upper surface of the object (for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3). reference). According to these conveyance apparatuses, a target object can be conveyed stably.

JP-A-9-131585 JP-A-2005-52921 JP 2013-39644 A

  In order to stably convey the object in the above-described conveying apparatus, it is necessary that the action by the fixing means appropriately reaches the object. For this reason, for example, when transporting to the next process of the production line in a state where a plurality of sheet-like materials such as paper, resin film, and metal foil are laminated, or a state where a plurality of objects are arranged on a jig In the case of transporting to the next step of the production line, it becomes difficult to transport the object stably. Even in such a case, the objects can be stably conveyed by fixing the objects to each other or the object and the jig once with a tape or the like and integrating them, but preparatory work is required. Therefore, the work efficiency has been reduced.

  The present invention provides a transfer device capable of suppressing a decrease in efficiency of transfer work.

  A transport apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a storage unit that stores a target object to be transported and a gripping unit that grips the storage unit. The storage unit stands on the bottom wall unit and the bottom wall unit. A side wall portion provided, and the object is accommodated in an accommodation space defined by the bottom wall portion and the side wall portion, and the gripping portion presses the object accommodated in the accommodation portion toward the bottom wall portion side. And a support portion that fixes and supports the housing portion by fitting in a groove portion provided in the side wall portion.

  In this transfer device, the object is accommodated in an accommodation space defined by the bottom wall portion and the side wall portion of the accommodation portion, and is pressed toward the bottom wall portion of the accommodation portion by the pressing portion. Thereby, since a target object is clamped by a press part and a bottom wall part, the movement of the target object to the opposing direction of a press part and a bottom wall part is suppressed. Moreover, according to the pressing force of a press part, a frictional force arises between a target object and a bottom wall part, and between a target object and a press part, respectively. Thereby, the movement of the target object in the direction along a bottom wall part is suppressed. Moreover, since the accommodation space is also defined by the side wall portion, the movement of the object in the direction along the bottom wall portion is further suppressed. In addition, the housing portion is fixed and supported by a support portion that fits into a groove portion provided in the side wall portion. As a result, the object is gripped by the gripper together with the storage portion. Therefore, not only when the object is a single object, but also when, for example, an object that forms a plurality of stacked sheets, for example, a plurality of stacked resin films and a plurality of stacked electrodes, is transported. However, since the objects can be gripped and transported without shifting only by the operation of the gripping part, it is not necessary to fix the objects with a tape or the like in advance. As a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the efficiency of the conveyance work.

  The pressing unit may include a pressing plate that presses the object toward the bottom wall. In this case, the object is pressed down by the surface. Therefore, damage to the object can be suppressed as compared with a case where the object is locally pressed by a point.

  The side wall portion may include a pair of first side wall portions facing each other and a second side wall portion extending in a facing direction of the pair of first side wall portions. In this case, the object is surrounded in three directions by the side wall. Therefore, the movement of the target object in the direction along the bottom wall portion is further suppressed.

  A lock portion may be further provided that is fixed to the gripping portion and arranged to face the second side wall portion via the accommodation space when the pressing portion presses the object. In this case, the object is surrounded by the lock portion in addition to the pressing portion, the bottom wall portion, the pair of first side wall portions, and the second side wall portion. Therefore, the movement of the object outside the accommodation space is prevented.

  Tapered portions that increase in distance from each other as the distance from the second side wall portion may be provided at the ends of the pair of first side wall portions in the direction away from the second side wall portion. When the object is accommodated in the accommodating space while passing between the pair of first side walls and sliding on the bottom wall, the object is first received by the wide portion of the taper and then guided by the taper. Is done. Therefore, compared with the case where the taper portion is not provided, the alignment accuracy between the position where the object is supplied and the accommodating portion is relaxed.

  The target object may be a stacked body that is stacked along the opposing direction of the bottom wall portion and the pressing portion. In this case, since it is not necessary to previously fix the objects constituting the laminated body with a tape and a bolt as described above, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the efficiency of the conveyance work.

  The laminate may include a positive electrode and a negative electrode that constitute an electrode assembly of the battery. In this case, since it is not necessary to fix the positive electrode and the negative electrode in advance with a tape, a bolt, or the like, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the efficiency of the conveyance work.

  The accommodating part may be used as a receiving part of the laminated body in a laminating apparatus that laminates the laminated body. In this case, since the laminated body laminated | stacked on the accommodating part with the lamination | stacking apparatus is conveyed with a receiving part, the efficiency of a conveyance work improves.

  The accommodating part may be provided with a positioning part for determining the stacking position. In this case, the accommodating portion is easily arranged at the stacking position.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the efficiency of transport work.

It is a block diagram of the conveying apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a perspective view of the accommodating part shown by FIG. It is a perspective view of the accommodating part shown by FIG. It is a perspective view of the holding part shown by FIG. It is process drawing of the manufacturing line which shows the outline of the whole manufacturing method of the laminated battery which applies the conveying apparatus of FIG. It is an example of the block diagram of the lamination | stacking apparatus used at an electrode lamination process. It is a top view of the accommodating part in which the laminated electrode was mounted. It is a figure explaining the state which a protrusion part approachs into a groove part. It is a figure explaining the state which the chuck | zipper opened. (A) is sectional drawing along the Xa-Xa line of FIG. 8, (b) is sectional drawing along the Xb-Xb line of FIG. (A) is a figure explaining the state before a projection part fits into the 1st groove part, and (b) is a figure explaining the state after a projection part fits into the 1st groove part. It is a block diagram of the conveying apparatus which concerns on a modification. It is a top view of the lamination apparatus concerning a modification. It is a front view of the lamination apparatus of FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same reference numerals are used for the same or equivalent elements, and redundant descriptions are omitted. The dimensional ratios in the drawings do not necessarily match those described. Further, in the description, words indicating directions such as “up” and “down” are convenient words based on the state shown in the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a transport apparatus according to the embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the transport device 1 transports a storage unit 10 that stores a target object to be transported, a grip unit 20 that grips the storage unit 10, and a target object gripped by the grip unit 20. And a transport unit (not shown). The grip 20 is a so-called end effector (robot hand). The transport unit includes, for example, an articulated arm. Here, description will be made assuming that the object is the laminated electrode L. The laminated electrode L is formed by laminating a plurality of sheet-like electrodes 50 along the first direction D1.

  2 and 3 are perspective views of the accommodating portion shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the accommodating portion 10 includes a bottom wall portion 11 and a side wall portion 12. The accommodating part 10 accommodates the laminated electrode L in the accommodating space S defined by the bottom wall part 11 and the side wall part 12.

  The bottom wall portion 11 is a rectangular plate-like member on which the stacked electrode L is placed, and is made of, for example, a metal such as stainless steel. The bottom wall portion 11 has an inner surface 11a and an outer surface 11b. The inner surface 11a is a surface on which the laminated electrode L is placed. The outer surface 11b is a surface opposite to the inner surface 11a. The outer surface 11b is provided with a plurality of pin holes 11c. The plurality of pin holes 11c function as positioning portions for determining a stacking position in a stacking apparatus 2 (see FIG. 6) described later.

  The side wall 12 is erected on the peripheral edge of the bottom wall 11. The side wall part 12 has a pair of first side wall parts 13 and a second side wall part 14, and defines three directions of the accommodation space S.

  A pair of 1st side wall part 13 is a rectangular-shaped plate-shaped member, for example, is comprised with metals, such as stainless steel. A pair of 1st side wall part 13 is standingly arranged in each of the both-ends edge part of the bottom wall part 11 in the 2nd direction D2 orthogonal to the 1st direction D1. The pair of first side wall portions 13 face each other in the second direction D2 and are separated in the second direction D2. The pair of first side wall portions 13 extends in a third direction D3 orthogonal to the first direction D1 and the second direction D2.

  A pair of 1st side wall part 13 has a pair of inner surface 13a, a pair of outer surface 13b, and a pair of upper end surface 13c. The pair of inner surfaces 13a oppose each other in the second direction D2. The pair of outer surfaces 13b are surfaces opposite to the inner surfaces 13a. The pair of upper end surfaces 13c are separated from the inner surface 11a in the first direction D1. A pair of grooves 16 are provided on the pair of outer surfaces 13b. Each groove portion 16 includes a first groove portion 17 extending along the third direction D3 and a second groove portion 18 extending from the first groove portion 17 to the upper end surface 13c along the first direction D1. Yes.

  Tapered portions 13t that are spaced apart from each other as the distance from the second side wall portion 14 increases at the ends of the pair of first side wall portions 13 in the direction away from the second side wall portion 14. The distance between the portions of the pair of first side wall portions 13 other than the tapered portion 13t is such that the manufacturing error of the width of each electrode 50 and the respective electrodes 50 and the stacked electrodes L are smooth to the width (design value) of each electrode 50. It is said to be the sum of the margin that can be taken in and out. The interval between the tapered portions 13t is wider than the interval between the portions other than the tapered portion 13t, and the interval between the tapered portions 13t approaches the interval between the portions other than the tapered portion 13t as the second side wall portion 14 is approached.

  The 2nd side wall part 14 is a rectangular-shaped plate-shaped member, for example, is comprised with metals, such as stainless steel. The second side wall portion 14 extends in the second direction D2. The second side wall portion 14 connects the pair of first side wall portions 13 to each other. More specifically, both end portions of the second side wall portion 14 in the second direction D2 are connected to end portions of the first side wall portions 13 in the third direction D3.

  The accommodating part 10 does not have a wall part in the position which opposes the bottom wall part 11 in the 1st direction D1, and the position which opposes the 2nd side wall part 14 in the 3rd direction D3, respectively. That is, the accommodation space S is open on the opposite side of the bottom wall portion 11 in the first direction D1 and on the opposite side of the second side wall portion 14 in the third direction D3, and communicates with the external space.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the gripping portion shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the grip portion 20 includes a base 22, an arm connection portion 24, a pair of chucks (support portions) 26, and a pressing portion 28.

  The base 22 is a rectangular plate-like member and is made of, for example, a metal such as stainless steel. The base 22 has an upper surface 22a and a lower surface 22b that face in opposite directions in the first direction D1, and a pair of end faces 22c that face in opposite directions in the second direction D2.

  The arm connecting portion 24 is a portion that is disposed on the upper surface 22a side of the base 22 and is connected to the arm of the transfer portion. The arm connecting portion 24 is connected to the arm by a fixing tool such as a bolt, for example.

  The pair of chucks 26 are disposed on the lower surface 22 b side of the base 22. The pair of chucks 26 oppose each other in the second direction D2. One chuck 26 is fixed to a pair of frames 32 extending downward along the first direction D1 from each of the two corners of the lower surface 22b on the one end surface 22c side. The other chuck 26 is fixed to a pair of frames 32 extending downward along the first direction D1 from each of the two corners on the other end face 22c side of the lower surface 22b.

  Each chuck 26 includes a rail 33 and a pair of sliding portions 34. The rail 33 is provided along the third direction D3. A pair of sliding part 34 changes the distance which mutually makes | forms along the 3rd direction D3 by moving on the rail 33. FIG. The sliding part 34 is provided with a protruding part 35. The sliding part 34 and the protrusion part 35 are integrated. The protrusion 35 has a cylindrical shape. The protruding portion 35 protrudes from the sliding portion 34 in the direction in which the pressing portion 28 is disposed along the second direction D2. The state where the pair of sliding portions 34 are separated from each other in the third direction D3 is a state where the chuck 26 is open, and the state where the pair of sliding portions 34 are in contact with each other is a state where the chuck 26 is closed.

  The pressing portion 28 is disposed in a space defined by the four frames 32 on the lower surface 22 b side of the base 22. The pressing unit 28 includes a pressing plate 38 and a cylinder 40. The pressing portion 28 is a device that is driven by the cylinder 40 and presses the laminated electrode L accommodated in the accommodating space S toward the bottom wall portion 11 by the pressing plate 38.

  The pressing plate 38 is a rectangular plate-like member that is slightly smaller than the base 22 and is made of, for example, a metal such as stainless steel. The pressing plate 38 is disposed between the pair of chucks 26. The pressing plate 38 is disposed substantially parallel to the base 22.

  The cylinder 40 extends downward along the first direction D1 from the central portion of the lower surface 22b. The cylinder 40 is a member that expands and contracts along the first direction D1. The cylinder 40 is an air cylinder, for example. The tip of the cylinder 40 is fixed to the pressing plate 38. The tip of the cylinder 40 is fixed at, for example, the center of gravity of the pressing plate 38 (that is, the center position in the second direction D2 and the third direction D3). The cylinder 40 has two guide rods.

  FIG. 5 is a process diagram of the production line showing the outline of the entire production method of the stacked battery to which the transfer device of this embodiment is applied. The stacked battery is, for example, a lithium ion secondary battery. The manufacturing method of a laminated battery includes a positive electrode manufacturing process and a negative electrode manufacturing process for manufacturing a positive electrode and a negative electrode that are electrodes. Specifically, the positive electrode manufacturing process includes kneading (S11), coating (S12), pressing (S13), inspection (S14), vacuum drying (S15), and cutting (S16). .

  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, and graphite.

  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 the 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.

  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. In the reduced-pressure drying step, the strip-shaped metal foil on which the active material layer is formed is housed 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 cutting process is performed. In the cutting step, for example, the positive electrode is formed by punching and cutting the metal foil on which the active material layer is formed into a predetermined shape using a punching machine.

  In the positive electrode manufacturing process, by performing each of these processes in order, a positive electrode having a positive electrode active material layer on both sides of a rectangular metal foil and a tab in which the metal foil extends on one side is manufactured. In the present embodiment, the positive electrode manufacturing process further includes an electrode housing process (S17) in which the positive electrode is housed in a bag-shaped separator to form a separator housing-type positive electrode.

  On the other hand, the negative electrode manufacturing step specifically includes the steps of kneading (S18), coating (S19), roll press (S20), inspection (S21), vacuum drying (S22), and cutting (S23). Contains. In the negative electrode manufacturing step, these steps are sequentially performed, whereby a negative electrode having a negative electrode active material layer on both sides of a rectangular metal foil and a tab in which the metal foil extends on one side is manufactured. The positive electrode manufacturing process and the negative electrode manufacturing process are performed in parallel.

  The method for manufacturing a stacked battery further forms an electrode assembly using the positive electrode manufactured in the positive electrode manufacturing step (S11 to S17) and the negative electrode manufactured in the negative electrode manufacturing step (S18 to S23). Assembly process. The assembly process includes a lamination process including each process of electrode lamination (S24), thickness measurement (S25), and thickness adjustment (S26), and a tab welding process (S27).

  FIG. 6 is an example of a configuration diagram of a laminating apparatus used in the electrode laminating process. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the stacking apparatus 2 includes an electrode transport unit 53, a sliding unit 54, and a stacking unit 55 as main components.

  The electrode conveyance part 53 is a belt conveyor, for example. The electrode transport section 53 transports the separator-housing positive electrode 51 and the negative electrode 52 that are the electrodes 50 alternately. The electrode transport unit 53 transports the positive electrode 51 and the negative electrode 52 such that the tab 51a of the positive electrode 51 and the tab 52a of the negative electrode 52 are positioned on the upstream side in the transport direction. The sliding part 54 slides the electrode 50 conveyed by the electrode conveying part 53 downward. The sliding portion 54 includes a bottom plate portion 54a that slides the electrode 50 downward, and a pair of side plate portions 54b that are erected on both edge portions in the width direction of the bottom plate portion 54a.

  The stacking unit 55 stacks the electrodes 50 that have been guided and dropped by the sliding unit 54. The stacked portion 55 includes a receiving portion 56 and a support portion 57. As the receiving portion 56, the accommodating portion 10 is used. The receiving portion 56 guides and stacks the electrode 50 dropped from the sliding portion 54 into the accommodation space S (see FIG. 2). The support part 57 supports the receiving part 56. The support part 57 supports the receiving part 56 so that the bottom wall part 11 of the receiving part 56 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. The support portion 57 is provided with a plurality of positioning pins (not shown) corresponding to the plurality of pin holes 11 c provided on the bottom wall portion 11 on the surface that supports the bottom wall portion 11. Thereby, the receiving part 56 is positioned with respect to the support part 57.

  In the electrode stacking process by the stacking apparatus 2, the electrode 50 is transported by the electrode transport unit 53 and falls onto the sliding surface of the bottom plate portion 54 a of the sliding unit 54. The electrode 50 dropped on the sliding portion 54 slides downward while being in contact with the side plate portion 54 b and guided to a predetermined position, and falls from the lower end portion of the sliding portion 54. The electrode 50 dropped from the sliding portion 54 is received by the receiving portion 56 of the stacking portion 55 and sequentially stacked.

  FIG. 7 is a plan view of the accommodating portion on which the laminated electrode is placed. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, since the tapered portion 13t is provided in the receiving portion 56, the electrode 50 is first received by the wide portion of the tapered portion 13t. Thereafter, the electrode 50 is guided by the taper portion 13t as it slides downward on the bottom wall portion 11. Thereby, in the receiving part 56, the position of the edge part of the width direction of the electrode 50 is aligned. Furthermore, the electrode 50 is stopped when the end portion on which the tabs 51a and 52a are not provided contacts the second side wall portion 14. Thereby, in the receiving part 56, the position of the edge part in which the tabs 51a and 52a of the electrode 50 are not provided is aligned. As a result, the laminated electrode L is formed on the receiving portion 56 in a state where the positions of the end portions of the electrode 50 are aligned.

  In the thickness measurement step, the laminated electrode L is conveyed to an inspection device, and the thickness is measured in a state where a predetermined load is applied. This transport method will be described later. In the thickness adjusting step, a thickness adjustment sheet made of resin is added to the laminated electrode L in accordance with the measurement result of the thickness measuring step, and the thickness of the laminated electrode L is adjusted. In the tab welding process, tabs having the same polarity are connected by resistance welding and integrated. Thereby, an electrode assembly is formed.

  The manufacturing method of the stacked battery further includes steps of can accommodation (S28), sealed can (S29), liquid injection (S30), temporary sealing (S31), aging (S32), and main sealing (S33). Is further included. In the can housing step, for example, the electrode assembly formed in the assembly step (S24 to S27) is housed in a bottomed battery case that opens on one side. In the sealing can step, a lid is joined to the opening of the battery case by welding or the like to close the opening of the battery case. In the liquid injection process, the electrolytic solution is injected from the liquid injection port into the case formed of the battery case can and the lid. In the temporary sealing step, the liquid injection port is temporarily sealed. In the aging step, the temporarily sealed battery is held for a predetermined time and at a predetermined high temperature after being charged. In the main sealing step, after temporary sealing is released and the gas generated inside is discharged, the liquid injection port is finally sealed with a sealing member. Thereafter, it is shipped through an inspection process as a battery, but is omitted here.

  In the method for manufacturing a stacked battery, a stacked battery is manufactured by sequentially performing these steps using the electrode assembly formed in the assembly steps (S24 to S27).

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 8-11, the method to convey the lamination | stacking electrode L laminated | stacked with the lamination | stacking apparatus 2 to the inspection apparatus for thickness measurement with the conveying apparatus 1 of this embodiment is demonstrated. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the protruding portion enters the groove portion. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a state where the chuck is opened. 8 and 9, the transfer device 1 is shown in a state in which each of the accommodating portion 10 and the laminated electrode L is broken. 10A is a cross-sectional view taken along line Xa-Xa in FIG. 8, and FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view taken along line Xb-Xb in FIG. 10 (a) and 10 (b), only the first side wall portion 13, the sliding portion 34, and the protruding portion 35 are shown. FIG. 11A is a cross-sectional view of the first groove portion (a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the first direction seen from the second groove portion side), and illustrates a state before the protruding portion is fitted into the first groove portion. FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional view of the first groove portion (a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the first direction as viewed from the second groove portion side), and after the protrusion is fitted into the first groove portion. It is a figure explaining a state. 11 (a) and 11 (b), only the first side wall portion 13, the sliding portion 34, and the protruding portion 35 are shown.

  As illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 10A, the transport device 1 sets the grip 20 to an initial state. That is, each chuck 26 is closed, and the cylinder 40 is contracted. In this state, the transport apparatus 1 moves the gripping part 20 and arranges the gripping part 20 at a position where the pressing plate 38 of the gripping part 20 and the bottom wall part 11 of the housing part 10 face each other in the first direction D1. Subsequently, the transport device 1 brings the grip portion 20 close to the accommodating portion 10 along the first direction D1, and causes the protruding portion 35 of the chuck 26 to enter the groove portion 16 from the upper end surface 13c side. The width of the second groove 18 (the length in the third direction D3) is wider than the width (the length in the third direction D3) formed by the pair of protrusions 35 in a state where the chuck 26 is closed. Thereby, a pair of protrusion part 35 can approach into the 2nd groove part 18 along the 1st direction D1. The conveying apparatus 1 moves the grip 20 along the first direction D1 until the protrusion 35 reaches the first groove 17 through the second groove 18.

  Subsequently, as illustrated in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10B, the transfer device 1 opens each chuck 26. That is, the conveyance device 1 causes the pair of sliding portions 34 to be separated from each other in the third direction D3 along the rails 33 in each chuck 26. The inner surfaces of both end portions 17a in the third direction D3 of the pair of first groove portions 17 have the same curvature as the outer surface of the protruding portion 35 when viewed from the second direction D2 (see FIG. 2). Therefore, when the chuck 26 is in the open state, the pair of protruding portions 35 are fitted to the both end portions 17a, so that the accommodating portion 10 can be fixed and supported by the chuck 26. Here, since the holding part 10 is fixed and supported by the pair of chucks 26, the holding part 10 is sandwiched in the second direction D2, so that the support stability of the holding part 10 can be improved.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B, the inner surface of the first groove portion 17 on the inner surface 13a side is tapered in the vicinity of both end portions 17a. As approaching 17a, the distance in the second direction D2 from the outer surface 13b decreases. Therefore, the protrusions 35 are separated from each other in the third direction D3, and are guided by the tapered inner surface as they approach the both ends 17a, and are fitted to the both ends 17a. As a result, the relative position in the second direction D2 between the housing portion 10 (see FIG. 9) and the pair of chucks 26 (see FIG. 9) is adjusted, thereby further improving the stability of the support of the housing portion 10. Can do.

  Subsequently, the transport device 1 extends the cylinder 40 of the pressing unit 28 and moves the pressing plate 38 along the first direction D1. Thereby, the laminated electrode L is pressed by the pressing part 28 to the bottom wall part 11 side. That is, the laminated electrode L is sandwiched between the bottom wall portion 11 and the pressing plate 38. After this state, the transfer device 1 operates the arm that is the transfer unit, and transfers the laminated electrode L together with the storage unit 10 to the inspection device of the next process.

  In the transport device 1 according to the embodiment configured as described above, the laminated electrode L is pressed against the bottom wall portion 11 side of the housing portion 10 by the pressing portion 28 while being housed in the housing space S of the housing portion 10. Is done. Thereby, since the laminated electrode L is clamped by the pressing plate 38 and the bottom wall part 11 of the pressing part 28, the movement of the laminated electrode L to the 1st direction D1 is suppressed. Further, according to this pressing force, between the bottom wall portion 11 and the electrode 50 in contact with the bottom wall portion 11, between the pressing plate 38 and the electrode 50 in contact with the pressing plate 38, and between the electrodes 50. Each generates friction. Thereby, the movement of the stacked electrode L in the second direction D2 and the third direction D3 is suppressed. Here, the movement of the laminated electrode L includes not only the case where the whole laminated electrode L is moved, but also the case where the electrodes 50 are displaced from each other.

  The accommodation space S is defined by the bottom wall portion 11, the first side wall portion 13, and the pair of second side wall portions 14. Therefore, the laminated electrode L is surrounded in three directions by the first side wall part 13 and the pair of second side wall parts 14 in addition to the bottom wall part 11 and the pressing plate 38. Thereby, the movement of the laminated electrode L to the 2nd direction D2 and the 3rd direction D3 is further suppressed. That is, the movement of the stacked electrode L in the second direction D2 is suppressed by the pair of first side wall portions 13, and the movement of the stacked electrode L to one side in the third direction D3 is suppressed by the second side wall portion 14. It is suppressed.

  The accommodating portion 10 is supported by being fixed to the chuck 26 by fitting the protruding portion 35 of the chuck 26 into the groove portion 16 provided in the first side wall portion 13. Therefore, even when the transport device 1 transports the stacked electrodes L, the electrodes 50 can be gripped and transported without shifting, so it is necessary to fix the electrodes 50 with a tape, a bolt, or the like in advance. Absent. As a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the efficiency of the conveyance work. In particular, since the accommodating portion 10 is sandwiched in the second direction D2 together with the stacked electrodes L by the pair of chucks 26, the transport device 1 can transport the stacked electrodes L more stably.

  The laminated electrode L is pressed toward the bottom wall 11 by the pressing plate 38. Thus, since the laminated electrode L is pressed down by the surface, the damage of the laminated electrode L is suppressed rather than the case where the laminated electrode L is pressed down locally by a point.

  The accommodating portion 10 is used as a receiving portion 56 for the laminated electrode L in the laminating apparatus 2 for laminating the laminated electrodes L. Thereby, since the conveyance apparatus 1 conveys the lamination | stacking electrode L laminated | stacked on the accommodating part 10 with the lamination | stacking apparatus 2 with the accommodating part 10, the efficiency of conveyance work improves.

  The pair of first side wall portions 13 of the housing portion 10 is provided with tapered portions 13t. In the laminating apparatus 2, the electrode 50 passes between the pair of first side wall portions 13 and slides on the bottom wall portion 11, and is accommodated in the accommodating space S, so that the laminated electrode L is formed. At this time, the electrode 50 is first received in the wide portion of the tapered portion 13t. Therefore, compared with the case where the taper portion 13t is not provided, the alignment accuracy between the position where the electrode 50 is supplied and the accommodating portion 10 is relaxed. Thereafter, the electrode 50 is guided by the taper portion 13t as it slides on the bottom wall portion 11 toward the second side wall portion 14 side. Thereby, the electrode 50 is accommodated in the accommodating part 10 in the state where the positions in the width direction are aligned.

  A plurality of pin holes 11 c for determining a stacking position in the stacking apparatus 2 are provided on the outer surface 11 b of the bottom wall portion 11. In the laminating apparatus 2, a plurality of positioning pins corresponding to these pin holes 11 c are provided on the support surface of the support portion 57 that supports the accommodating portion 10. For this reason, the accommodating part 10 can be easily positioned with respect to the support part 57 by fitting a positioning pin into the plurality of pin holes 11c. Thereby, the accommodating part 10 is easily arrange | positioned in the lamination position of the lamination apparatus 2. FIG.

  As mentioned above, although each embodiment of the present invention was described, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and is modified within the range not changing the gist described in each claim, or applied to others. It may be.

  FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram of a transport apparatus according to a modification. As illustrated in FIG. 12, the conveyance device 1A according to the modification is mainly different from the conveyance device 1 according to the embodiment in that the conveyance device 1A further includes a lock portion 42 fixed to the grip portion 20A. Hereinafter, the difference will be mainly described.

  The lock portion 42 has an L shape and includes a first member 43 and a second member 44. The lock part 42 is a member for preventing the laminated electrode L from moving out of the accommodation space S during conveyance of the laminated electrode L by the conveying device 1A. The first member 43 is a bar-shaped member having a rectangular cross section extending in the third direction D3. The second member 44 is a rod-shaped member having a rectangular cross section that extends in the first direction D1. The thickness of the first member 43 (length in the first direction D1) and the thickness of the second member 44 (length in the third direction D3) are the thickness of the pressing plate 38 (length in the first direction D1). Is set to be equivalent. The width of the first member 43 (length in the second direction D2) and the width of the second member (length in the second direction D2) are set to be narrower than the interval between the tab 51a and the tab 52a in the stacked electrode L. ing.

  One end of the first member 43 is connected to one edge of the pressing plate 38 in the third direction D3 and the center in the second direction D2. The other end of the first member 43 is connected to one end of the second member 44. The second member 44 is disposed so as to face the second side wall portion 14 via the accommodation space S when the pressing portion 28 presses the laminated electrode L. In this state, the second member 44 is disposed along the side surface between the plurality of tabs 51a and the plurality of tabs 52a in the stacked electrode L. By arranging the second member 44 in this way, the movement of the stacked electrode L in one direction in the third direction D3 is prevented. That is, the laminated electrode L accommodated in the accommodation space S is surrounded by the lock portion 42 in addition to the pressing plate 38, the bottom wall portion 11, the pair of first side wall portions 13 and the second side wall portion 14. Therefore, the movement of the laminated electrode L outside the accommodation space S is prevented.

  The lock part 42 is integrated with the pressing plate 38. Therefore, the grip part 20 can move the lock part 42 to a predetermined position simultaneously with pressing the laminated electrode L with the pressing plate 38 by the cylinder 40. Thereby, the grip part 20 does not need to move the lock part 42 separately and arrange it at a predetermined position. As a result, the efficiency of the transporting operation of the laminated electrode L is improved.

  For example, when the movement of the laminated electrode L is sufficiently prevented during the conveyance only by the pressing of the pressing portion 28, for example, the conveyance device 1 includes the second side wall portion 14 as the side wall portion 12. It does not have to be. Further, the side wall part 12 may not have the pair of the first side wall part 13 and the second side wall part 14 connected to each other. Further, the side wall portion 12 may include a pair of second side wall portions 14 that face each other in the third direction D3. In this case, the movement of the stacked electrode L to the other side in the third direction D3 is further suppressed.

  Further, the side wall portion 12 is not necessarily a plate-like member, and may be any as long as each electrode 50 is positioned in the width direction, the posture is aligned, and can be gripped by the grip portion 20. The side wall portion 12 may be formed by, for example, a plurality of rod-shaped members (columnar members) that are erected on the peripheral edge portion of the bottom wall portion 11. In addition, the accommodating portion 10 does not have the second side wall portion 14, and instead of the second side wall portion 14, a member that abuts on the end portion of the electrode 50 where the tabs 51 a and 52 a are not provided is held by the holding portion 20. May have.

  FIG. 13 is a plan view of a laminating apparatus according to a modification. FIG. 14 is a front view of the laminating apparatus of FIG. 13 (a front view as seen from the lower side in FIG. 13). As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the laminating apparatus 2 </ b> A according to the modification is an embodiment in that it does not have the sliding portion 54 (see FIG. 6) and the accommodating portion 10 </ b> A is used as the receiving portion 56. This is mainly different from the laminating apparatus 2 according to the above. In FIGS. 13 and 14, the support portion 57 (see FIG. 6) is not shown. The accommodating portion 10A is different from the accommodating portion 10 (see FIG. 2) in that the tapered portion 13t is not provided, and is identical in other points.

  In the stacking apparatus 2A, the electrode transport unit 53 transports the positive electrodes 51 and the negative electrodes 52 alternately arranged. In the electrode transport unit 53, the positive electrode 51 and the negative electrode 52 are arranged in the same direction so that the tab 51 a and the tab 52 a are positioned on one side in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the electrode transport unit 53. The accommodating portion 10 </ b> A is disposed below the terminal end of the electrode transport portion 53. The accommodating portion 10 </ b> A is disposed so that the second side wall portion 14 is located on the other side in the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the electrode conveying portion 53. The accommodating portion 10A is arranged with the bottom wall portion 11 inclined. The bottom wall portion 11 is inclined so that the second side wall portion 14 side is positioned slightly below.

  The positive electrode 51 and the negative electrode 52 are transported by the electrode transport unit 53, reach the end of the electrode transport unit 53, and then directly drop into the housing unit 10 </ b> A. The dropped positive electrode 51 and negative electrode 52 collide with one inner surface 13a of the accommodating portion 10A at one end in the width direction, and then move toward the second side wall portion 14 along the inclination of the bottom wall portion 11. Thereby, the positive electrode 51 and the negative electrode 52 are accommodated in a state of being positioned in the accommodation space S (see FIG. 2). In the stacking apparatus 2A, the storage unit 10 may be used instead of the storage unit 10A.

  The grip part 20 may include a plurality of pressing parts 28. The pressing part 28 does not necessarily have the pressing plate 38. By pressing the laminated electrode L by the plurality of pressing portions 28, the laminated electrode L is suppressed from being locally pressed. Thereby, damage to the laminated electrode L is suppressed.

  In the transport apparatus 1A, the lock portion 42 is disposed so as to face the second side wall portion 14 with the accommodation space S interposed therebetween, and can be provided anywhere as long as the movement of the stacked electrode L in one direction in the third direction D3 can be prevented. May be. That is, the second member 44 may be disposed at a position corresponding to one side surface of the stacked electrode L in the third direction D3 in the accommodation space S. For example, in the accommodation space S, the second member 44 may be disposed at positions corresponding to both end sides of the second direction D2 on one side surface in the third direction D3. Further, the lock part 42 may not be integrated with the pressing plate 38. In addition, the grip portion 20 may include a plurality of lock portions 42.

  The object to be transported is not limited to the laminated electrode L, and may be any object as long as it can be accommodated in the accommodating portion 10 and can be pressed by the pressing portion 28. For example, not a laminated body but a box such as a cardboard box may be used. In addition, for example, retort foods and detergent pouches that are not stable in shape may be used as objects. Even when an object having such an unstable shape is used as an object, the object is accommodated in the accommodating portion 10, the object is sandwiched between the bottom wall portion 11 and the pressing plate 38, and pressure is applied, so that the conveying device 1 Can stably convey the object. Furthermore, even when a plurality of objects whose shapes are not stable are arranged as an object, the object can be sandwiched between the bottom wall portion 11 and the pressing plate 38 so as to be stabilized at the same time. Can be transported.

  The plurality of pin holes 11c and positioning pins are not necessarily provided, and one pin hole 11c and positioning pins may be provided. Further, the accommodating portion 10 may be a dedicated product for the transport device 1. In this case, since it is not used for the laminating apparatus 2, the plurality of pin holes 11 c are not required, and the configuration of the accommodating portion 10 can be simplified.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,1A ... Conveyance apparatus, 2, 2A ... Laminating apparatus 10, 10A ... Accommodating part, 11 ... Bottom wall part, 11c ... Pin hole (positioning part), 12 ... Side wall part, 13 ... 1st side wall part, 13t ... Taper part, 14 ... second side wall part, 16 ... groove part, 20 ... grip part, 26 ... chuck (support part), 28 ... pressing part, 38 ... pressing plate, 42 ... lock part, 50 ... electrode, 51 ... positive electrode, 52 ... negative electrode, 56 ... receiving part, L ... laminated electrode, S ... accommodating space.

Claims (8)

A storage unit that stores an object to be transported, and a gripping unit that grips the storage unit;
The accommodating portion is
A bottom wall, and a side wall erected on the bottom wall,
Accommodating the object in an accommodation space defined by the bottom wall and the side wall;
The gripping part is
A pressing portion that presses the object accommodated in the accommodating portion toward the bottom wall portion; and
A support portion for fixing and supporting the housing portion by fitting in a groove portion provided in the side wall portion;
The side wall portion includes a pair of first side wall portions facing each other, and a second side wall portion extending in a facing direction of the pair of first side wall portions,
Wherein the end portion in a direction away from said second side wall portions of the pair of first side wall portion, the tapered portion of the interval which forms together with distance from said second side wall portion is wider is provided, conveyance device. A storage unit that stores an object to be transported, and a gripping unit that grips the storage unit;
The accommodating portion is
A bottom wall, and a side wall erected on the bottom wall,
Accommodating the object in an accommodation space defined by the bottom wall and the side wall;
The gripping part is
A pressing portion that presses the object accommodated in the accommodating portion toward the bottom wall portion; and
A support portion for fixing and supporting the housing portion by fitting in a groove portion provided in the side wall portion;
The side wall portion includes a pair of first side wall portions facing each other, and a second side wall portion extending in a facing direction of the pair of first side wall portions,
Fixed to said grip portion, when the pressing portion presses the object, further comprises a locking portion which is disposed opposite to the second side wall portion through the receiving space, conveyance device. The pressing portion includes a pressing plate for pressing the object to the bottom wall portion, the transport apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. The said target object is a conveying apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-3 which is a laminated body laminated | stacked along the opposing direction of the said bottom wall part and the said press part. The said laminated body is a conveying apparatus of Claim 4 containing the positive electrode and negative electrode which comprise the electrode assembly of a battery. The conveying device according to claim 4 or 5 , wherein the accommodating portion is used as a receiving portion of the laminated body in a laminating apparatus that laminates the laminated body. The conveying device according to claim 6 , wherein the accommodating portion is provided with a positioning portion for determining a stacking position. A storage unit that stores an object to be transported, and a gripping unit that grips the storage unit;
The accommodating portion is
A bottom wall, and a side wall erected on the bottom wall,
Accommodating the object in an accommodation space defined by the bottom wall and the side wall;
The gripping part is
A pressing portion that presses the object accommodated in the accommodating portion toward the bottom wall portion; and
A support portion for fixing and supporting the housing portion by fitting in a groove portion provided in the side wall portion;
The object is a laminated body laminated along the facing direction of the bottom wall portion and the pressing portion,
The accommodating portion is used as a receiving portion of the laminated body in a laminating apparatus for laminating the laminated body,
In the housing unit, the positioning unit for determining a stacking position is provided, conveyance device.

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