JP6825319B2 - Electrode stacking device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an electrode laminating device.

For example, in a power storage device having a laminated electrode assembly such as a lithium ion secondary battery, a P & P (pick and place) method using a robot equipped with an adsorption means is often used as a method for laminating the electrodes. ing. By the way, as one of the methods for improving the productivity of the production line of the power storage device, it is considered to increase the speed of the production line, and in the lamination process, it is necessary to increase the supply speed (lamination speed) of the electrodes to the lamination portion. There is. However, when the electrodes are laminated on the laminated portion by using the above robot, for example, the negative pressure control of the adsorption means is involved, so that it is difficult to increase the electrode lamination speed, which hinders the speeding up of the production line. It ends up. On the other hand, as an electrode laminating device capable of high-speed laminating, for example, the device described in Patent Document 1 is known.

The electrode stacking device described in Patent Document 1 has two supply mechanisms for supplying a positive electrode and a negative electrode, respectively, and a positive electrode and a positive electrode respectively supplied below the supply mechanisms so as to be orthogonal to each other. Two drop moving means for moving the negative electrode to a predetermined position by using gravity, and a positive electrode and a negative electrode arranged below the drop moving means and discharged from the discharge part of each drop moving means, respectively. It is provided with a guide laminating means for sequentially guiding and laminating to a predetermined position. There are two guide laminating means, one is the bottom wall on which the laminated body is placed, and the other is the electrode that is projected perpendicular to the bottom wall and is ejected from the discharging portion of the falling moving means to stop and position the electrode. It has a vertical wall. When stacking the positive electrode and the negative electrode, the positive electrode is supplied in the direction facing one of the standing walls, and the negative electrode is supplied in the direction facing the other standing wall. The positive electrode and the negative electrode supplied to the guide laminating means fall on the bottom wall or the laminated positive electrode and the negative electrode, and then collide with the vertical wall to stop.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-91372

Here, in the case of an electrode laminating device in which positive electrodes and negative electrodes are alternately laminated, such as the electrode laminating device of Patent Document 1, the negative electrode is charged after the positive electrode is charged and the positive electrode is completely laminated on the laminated portion. Is done. Further, after the negative electrode is charged, the positive electrode is charged after the lamination of the negative electrode to the laminated portion is completed. For such an electrode laminating device, further speeding up of laminating the positive electrode and the negative electrode has been required.

An object of the present invention is to provide an electrode laminating device capable of improving the laminating speed of a positive electrode and a negative electrode.

The electrode laminating device according to one aspect of the present invention is a first input that is arranged on one side in the horizontal direction with respect to the laminated portion in which the positive electrode and the negative electrode are laminated and the positive electrode is charged toward the laminated portion. It is provided with a portion and a second input portion which is arranged on the other side in the horizontal direction with respect to the laminated portion and in which the negative electrode is charged toward the laminated portion, and one of the first input portion and the second input portion. From the start of charging one electrode by the charging section to the end of the downstream end in the moving direction of one of the loaded electrodes reaching a collision avoidance position that does not collide with the other electrode loaded by the other charging section. When the time is set to the first time and the time from the start of charging of one electrode by one charging portion to the completion of lamination of one of the charged electrodes to the laminated portion is set to the second time, the other charging portion is , After the start of charging one electrode by one charging unit, the other electrode is charged after the first hour and before the second time.

In such an electrode stacking device, the other charging unit charges the other electrode after the first time and before the second time after the charging of one electrode is started by the one charging unit. In the first time, from the start of charging of one electrode by one charging portion, the downstream end in the moving direction of one of the charged electrodes does not collide with the other electrode charged by the other charging portion. It is the time to reach the avoidance position. The second time is the time from the start of charging one electrode by one charging portion to the completion of lamination of the charged one electrode to the laminated portion. Therefore, the other charging section avoids collision with one electrode that is first charged by one charging section, but the other electrode is charged before the lamination of the one electrode to the laminated portion is completed. By starting, the waiting time for waiting for the completion of stacking of one electrode can be shortened. As described above, the speed of laminating the positive electrode and the negative electrode can be improved.

The first input section is composed of a first extrusion section that pushes the positive electrode supported by the positive electrode support section toward the laminated section, and the second input section pushes the negative electrode supported by the negative electrode support section toward the laminated section. It may be configured by a second extrusion. In this way, when the charging portion is composed of an extrusion portion that pushes out the electrode supported by the support portion, the timing of charging the electrode can be easily adjusted by controlling the extrusion timing of each extrusion portion. it can.

The other extrusion may start extruding the other electrode after one extrusion has started extruding one electrode and before one extrusion has returned to its original position. .. As a result, it is possible to shorten the waiting time for waiting for the completion of stacking of the previously inserted electrodes.

The electrode laminating device has a first circulation member having a loop shape extending in the vertical direction and having a plurality of positive electrode support portions attached to the outer peripheral surface thereof, and a loop shape extending in the vertical direction, and a plurality of negative electrode supports on the outer peripheral surface thereof. A second circulation member to which the portion is attached and a lamination unit which is arranged between the first circulation member and the second circulation member and has a plurality of stages of lamination portions are further provided, and the first extrusion portion has a plurality of plurality of lamination portions. The positive electrode supported by the positive electrode support portion may be extruded simultaneously toward the plurality of laminated portions, and the second extruded portion may simultaneously extrude the negative electrode supported by the plurality of negative electrode support portions toward the plurality of laminated portions. As a result, a plurality of negative electrodes and a plurality of positive electrodes can be charged at the same time.

According to the present invention, there is provided an electrode laminating device capable of improving the laminating speed of a positive electrode and a negative electrode.

It is sectional drawing which shows the inside of the power storage device manufactured by applying the electrode stacking device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. It is a side view (including a part cross section) which shows the electrode laminating apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the support part. It is a top view of the electrode stacking apparatus. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of operation of an electrode stacking apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the control flow of a circulation member. It is a partial side view explaining the operation of a circulation member at the time of a preparatory operation. It is a partial side view explaining the operation of a circulation member at the time of a stacking operation. It is a partial side view explaining the operation of a circulation member at the time of a return operation. It is a flowchart which shows the control flow of a positioning unit. It is a flowchart which shows the control flow of the extrusion unit on the positive electrode supply side. It is a flowchart which shows the control flow of the extrusion unit on the negative electrode supply side. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the support structure and the drive mechanism of the circulation member of a positive electrode transport unit. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the support structure and the drive mechanism of the circulation member of a positive electrode transport unit. It is a figure which shows the 1st operation example of a circulation member. It is a figure which shows the 2nd operation example of a circulation member. It is a figure which shows the 3rd operation example of a circulation member.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or equivalent elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description will be omitted.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the inside of a power storage device manufactured by applying the electrode lamination device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the power storage device 1 is a lithium ion secondary battery having a laminated electrode assembly.

The power storage device 1 includes, for example, a case 2 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and an electrode assembly 3 housed in the case 2. The case 2 is made of a metal such as aluminum. Although not shown, a non-aqueous (organic solvent-based) electrolytic solution is injected into the case 2. The positive electrode terminal 4 and the negative electrode terminal 5 are arranged on the case 2 so as to be separated from each other. The positive electrode terminal 4 is fixed to the case 2 via the insulating ring 6, and the negative electrode terminal 5 is fixed to the case 2 via the insulating ring 7. Further, although not shown, an insulating film is arranged between the electrode assembly 3 and the inner side surface and the bottom surface of the case 2, and the insulating film insulates the case 2 from the electrode assembly 3. There is. In FIG. 1, for convenience, a slight gap is provided between the lower end of the electrode assembly 3 and the bottom surface of the case 2, but in reality, the lower end of the electrode assembly 3 is inside the case 2 via an insulating film. Is in contact with the bottom of the. A gap may be formed between the electrode assembly 3 and the case 2 by arranging the spacer between the electrode assembly 3 and the case 2.

The electrode assembly 3 has a structure in which a plurality of positive electrodes 8 and a plurality of negative electrodes 9 are alternately laminated via a bag-shaped separator 10. The positive electrode 8 is wrapped in a bag-shaped separator 10. The positive electrode 8 in a state of being wrapped in the bag-shaped separator 10 is configured as a positive electrode 11 with a separator. Therefore, the electrode assembly 3 has a structure in which a plurality of positive electrodes 11 with separators and a plurality of negative electrodes 9 are alternately laminated. The electrodes located at both ends of the electrode assembly 3 are negative electrodes 9.

The positive electrode 8 has, for example, a metal foil 14 which is a positive electrode current collector made of an aluminum foil, and a positive electrode active material layer 15 formed on both sides of the metal foil 14. The metal foil 14 has a rectangular foil main body portion 14a in a plan view and a tab 14b integrated with the foil main body portion 14a. The tab 14b projects from the edge of the foil body 14a near one end in the longitudinal direction. The tab 14b penetrates the separator 10. The plurality of tabs 14b extending from the plurality of positive electrodes 8 are connected (welded) to the conductive member 12 in a foil-collected state, and are connected to the positive electrode terminals 4 via the conductive member 12. In FIG. 2, tab 14b is omitted for convenience.

The positive electrode active material layer 15 is formed on both the front and back surfaces of the foil main body portion 14a. The positive electrode active material layer 15 is a porous layer formed by containing the positive electrode active material and the binder. Examples of the positive electrode active material include composite oxides, metallic lithium, sulfur and the like. Composite oxides include, for example, at least one of manganese, nickel, cobalt and aluminum and lithium.

The negative electrode 9 has, for example, a metal foil 16 which is a negative electrode current collector made of copper foil, and a negative electrode active material layer 17 formed on both sides of the metal foil 16. The metal foil 16 has a rectangular foil main body portion 16a in a plan view and a tab 16b integrated with the foil main body portion 16a. The tab 16b projects from the edge of the foil body 16a near one end in the longitudinal direction. The tab 16b is connected to the negative electrode terminal 5 via the conductive member 13. Note that in FIG. 2, tab 16b is omitted for convenience.

The negative electrode active material layer 17 is formed on both the front and back surfaces of the foil body portion 16a. The negative electrode active material layer 17 is a porous layer formed by containing the negative electrode active material and the binder. Examples of the negative electrode active material include graphite, highly oriented graphite, mesocarbon microbeads, carbon such as hard carbon and soft carbon, alkali metals such as lithium and sodium, metal compounds, and SiOx (0.5 ≦ x ≦ 1.5). ) And other metal oxides or boron-added carbon and the like.

The separator 10 has a rectangular shape in a plan view. Examples of the material for forming the separator 10 include a porous film made of a polyolefin resin such as polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), or a woven cloth or non-woven fabric made of polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), methyl cellulose and the like. ..

When manufacturing the power storage device 1 configured as described above, first, the positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 9 with a separator are manufactured, and then the positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 9 with a separator are alternately laminated, and the positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 9 with a separator are alternately laminated. The electrode assembly 3 is obtained by fixing the electrode assembly 3. Then, after connecting the tab 14b of the positive electrode 11 with a separator to the positive electrode terminal 4 via the conductive member 12, and connecting the tab 16b of the negative electrode 9 to the negative electrode terminal 5 via the conductive member 13, the electrode assembly 3 is connected to the case. It is housed in 2.

Next, the electrode laminating apparatus 300 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5. FIG. 3 is a side view (including a partial cross section) showing the electrode laminating device 300. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a support portion of the electrode laminating device 300. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the electrode laminating device 300.

The electrode laminating device 300 includes a positive electrode transport unit 301, a negative electrode transport unit 302, a positive electrode supply conveyor 303, a negative electrode supply conveyor 304, and a laminating unit 305. Further, the electrode stacking device 300 includes electrode supply sensors 306 and 307 and stacking position sensors 308 and 309.

The positive electrode transport unit 301 is a unit that sequentially transports the positive electrode 11 with a separator while storing it. The positive electrode transport unit 301 has a loop-shaped circulation member 310 extending in the vertical direction, a plurality of support portions 311 attached to the outer peripheral surface of the circulation member 310 to support the positive electrode 11 with a separator, and a drive for driving the circulation member 310. It has a unit 312.

The circulation member 310 is composed of, for example, an endless belt. The circulation member 310 is bridged over two rollers arranged apart from each other in the vertical direction, and is carried around with the rotation of each roller. As the circulation member 310 rotates (circulates) in this way, each support portion 311 circulates and moves. Further, the circulation member 310 can move in the vertical direction together with the two rollers. In order to prevent the phase shift between the circulation member 310 and the roller, the circulation member 310 may be a belt with teeth and the roller may be a pulley. For example, pulleys 403 and 404, which will be described later, correspond to two rollers.

The drive unit 312 rotates the circulation member 310 and moves the circulation member 310 in the vertical direction. For example, although not particularly shown, the drive unit 312 moves the circulation member 310 in the vertical direction via a rotation motor that rotates (orbits) the circulation member 310 by rotating a roller and an elevating mechanism (not shown). It may have an elevating motor to move. At this time, the drive unit 312 rotates the circulation member 310 clockwise when viewed from the front side (the front side of the paper surface of FIG. 3) of the electrode laminating device 300. Therefore, the support portion 311 on the positive electrode supply conveyor 303 side rises with respect to the circulation member 310, and the support portion 311 on the lamination unit 305 side descends with respect to the circulation member 310.

FIG. 4A is a side view of the support portion 311 in a state where the positive electrode 11 with a separator is supported, and FIG. 4B is a cross section taken along line bb of FIG. 4A. It is a figure. As shown in FIG. 4, the support portion 311 is a member having a U-shaped cross section having a bottom wall 311a and a pair of side walls 311b. The bottom wall 311a is a rectangular plate-shaped member attached to the outer peripheral surface of the circulation member 310. The pair of side walls 311b are rectangular plate-shaped members erected on both edges of the bottom wall 311a in the direction in which the circulation member 310 circulates. As shown in FIG. 4B, the side wall 311b is formed in a bifurcated shape as an example in the present embodiment. However, the shape of the side wall 311b may be any shape as long as it can support the positive electrode 11 with a separator. The pair of side walls 311b face each other and are separated to an extent that the positive electrode 11 with a separator can be accommodated. The bottom wall 311a and the side wall 311b are integrally formed of a metal such as stainless steel.

A cushioning material 311d such as a sponge is provided on the inner surface of the bottom wall 311a. The positive electrode 11 with a separator supplied from the positive electrode supply conveyor 303 to the support portion 311 collides with the cushioning material 311d when the transport speed of the positive electrode supply conveyor 303 is high, but the impact of the collision is caused by the cushioning material 311d. Is relaxed. That is, the cushioning material 311d functions as an impact mitigation portion that alleviates the impact on the separator-equipped positive electrode 11 when the support portion 311 receives the separator-equipped positive electrode 11. As a result, when the positive electrode 11 with a separator is supplied to the support portion 311, peeling of the positive electrode active material layer 15 of the positive electrode 11 with a separator can be suppressed.

The negative electrode transport unit 302 is a unit that sequentially transports the negative electrode 9 while storing it. The negative electrode transport unit 302 has a loop-shaped circulation member 313 extending in the vertical direction, a plurality of support portions 314 attached to the outer peripheral surface of the circulation member 313 to support the negative electrode 9, and a drive unit 315 for driving the circulation member 313. And have. Here, the configuration of the support portion 314 is the same as that of the support portion 311.

Like the circulation member 310 described above, the circulation member 313 is composed of, for example, an endless belt. The circulation member 313 is bridged over two rollers arranged apart from each other in the vertical direction, and is carried around with the rotation of each roller. As the circulation member 313 rotates (circulates) in this way, each support portion 314 circulates and moves. Further, the circulation member 313 can move in the vertical direction together with the two rollers.

The drive unit 315 rotates the circulation member 313 and moves the circulation member 313 in the vertical direction. For example, although not particularly shown, the drive unit 315 moves the circulation member 313 in the vertical direction via a rotation motor that rotates (orbits) the circulation member 313 by rotating a roller and an elevating mechanism (not shown). It has an elevating motor to move it. At this time, the drive unit 315 rotates the circulation member 313 counterclockwise when viewed from the front side (the front side of the paper surface in FIG. 3) of the electrode laminating device 300. Therefore, the support portion 314 on the negative electrode supply conveyor 304 side rises with respect to the circulation member 313, and the support portion 314 on the lamination unit 305 side descends with respect to the circulation member 313.

The positive electrode supply conveyor 303 horizontally conveys the positive electrode 11 with a separator toward the positive electrode transfer unit 301, and supplies the positive electrode 11 with a separator to the support portion 311 of the positive electrode transfer unit 301. The positive electrode supply conveyor 303 has a plurality of claw portions 303a provided at equal intervals along the circulation direction of the positive electrode supply conveyor 303. The claw portion 303a extends in a direction orthogonal to the circulation direction and abuts on the rear end portion of the positive electrode 11 with a separator in the transport direction. As a result, the positive electrode 11 with a separator is supplied to the positive electrode transport unit 301 at regular intervals.

The negative electrode supply conveyor 304 horizontally conveys the negative electrode 9 toward the negative electrode transfer unit 302, and supplies the negative electrode 9 to the support portion 314 of the negative electrode transfer unit 302. The negative electrode supply conveyor 304 has a plurality of claws 304a provided at equal intervals along the circulation direction of the negative electrode supply conveyor 304. The claw portion 304a extends in a direction orthogonal to the circulation direction and comes into contact with the end portion of the negative electrode 9 rearward in the transport direction. As a result, the negative electrode 9 is supplied to the negative electrode transport unit 302 at regular intervals.

The positive electrode 11 with a separator transferred from the positive electrode supply conveyor 303 to the support portion 311 of the positive electrode transport unit 301 circulates so as to rise and then fall due to the rotation of the circulation member 310. At this time, the front and back sides of the positive electrode 11 with a separator are reversed at the upper part of the circulation member 310. The negative electrode 9 transferred from the negative electrode supply conveyor 304 to the support portion 314 of the negative electrode transfer unit 302 circulates so as to rise and then fall due to the rotation of the circulation member 313. At this time, the front and back sides of the negative electrode 9 are reversed at the upper part of the circulation member 313.

The stacking unit 305 is arranged between the positive electrode transfer unit 301 and the negative electrode transfer unit 302. As an example, the lamination unit 305 has a loop-shaped circulation member (not shown) extending in the vertical direction, and a plurality of lamination portions attached to the outer peripheral surface of the circulation member and in which positive electrodes 11 with separators and negative electrodes 9 are alternately laminated. It has 316 and a drive unit (not shown) for driving the circulation member.

The laminated portion 316 is erected on a plate-shaped base 316a on which the positive electrode 11 with a separator and the negative electrode 9 are placed and the base 316a, and the bottom edge 11c and the side edge 11d of the positive electrode 11 with a separator (see FIG. 4). It has a side wall 316b having a U-shaped cross section for positioning the bottom edge 9c and the side edge 9d (see FIG. 5) of the negative electrode 9. Further, as an example here, as shown in FIG. 3, the upper surface of the side wall 316b on the positive electrode transport unit 301 side is an inclined surface that inclines downward toward the base 316a. Similarly, the upper surface of the side wall 316b on the negative electrode transport unit 302 side is also an inclined surface that inclines downward toward the base 316a. With the above configuration, the positive electrode 11 with a separator and the negative electrode 9 can be smoothly moved to the base 316a.

A wall portion 317 extending in the vertical direction is arranged between the stacking unit 305 and the positive electrode transport unit 301. The wall portion 317 is provided with a plurality of (here, four) slits 318 through which the positive electrode 11 with a separator extruded by the extrusion unit 321 described later passes. The slits 318 are arranged at equal intervals in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, as an example, the upper portion of the slit 318 is an inclined surface that inclines downward from the positive electrode transport unit 301 side toward the laminated portion 316 side. Further, the lower portion of the slit 318 is an inclined surface that inclines upward from the positive electrode transport unit 301 side toward the laminated portion 316 side. As a result, the positive electrode 11 with a separator can be appropriately guided to the laminated portion 316, and the opening portion of the slit 318 on the inlet side (positive electrode transport unit 301 side) can be enlarged. As a result, even if the height position of the positive electrode 11 with a separator extruded by the extrusion unit 321 is slightly displaced, the positive electrode 11 with a separator can be passed through the slit 318.

A wall portion 319 extending in the vertical direction is arranged between the laminating unit 305 and the negative electrode conveying unit 302. The wall portion 319 is provided with a plurality of (here, four) slits 320 through which the negative electrode 9 extruded by the extrusion unit 322 described later passes. The height position of each slit 320 is the same as the height position of each slit 318. In the present embodiment, as an example, the upper portion of the slit 320 is an inclined surface that inclines downward from the negative electrode transport unit 302 side toward the laminated portion 316 side. Further, the lower portion of the slit 320 is an inclined surface that inclines upward from the negative electrode transport unit 302 side toward the laminated portion 316 side. As a result, the negative electrode 9 can be appropriately guided to the laminated portion 316, and the opening portion on the inlet side (negative electrode transport unit 302 side) of the slit 320 can be enlarged. As a result, even if the height position of the negative electrode 9 extruded by the extrusion unit 322 is slightly displaced, the negative electrode 9 can be passed through the slit 320.

Further, the electrode laminating device 300 includes an extrusion unit 321 and an extrusion unit 322.

The extrusion unit 321 simultaneously extrudes a plurality of (here, four) positive electrodes with separators 11 toward the laminated portion 316 of a plurality of upper and lower stages (here, four upper and lower stages) in the laminated area where the positive electrodes 11 with separators are laminated. The four positive electrode 11s with separators are simultaneously laminated on the four-stage laminated portion 316. The extrusion unit 321 has a pair of push members 321a (first extrusion section, first input section) that push the four positive electrodes 11 with separators together, and a drive that moves the push members 321a to the four-stage laminated section 316 side. It has a part 44 (see FIG. 5). The drive unit 44 is composed of, for example, a motor and a link mechanism.

The extrusion unit 322 simultaneously extrudes a plurality of (four in this case) negative electrodes 9 toward the laminated portions 316 in a plurality of stages (here, four upper and lower stages) in the stacking area where the negative electrodes 9 are laminated, thereby causing the four negative electrodes 9 to be laminated. Are simultaneously laminated on the four-stage laminated portion 316. The extrusion unit 322 includes a pair of push members 322a (second extrusion section, second input section) that push the four negative electrodes 9 together, and a drive section 46 that moves the push member 322a to the four-stage laminated section 316 side. (See FIG. 5). The configuration of the drive unit 46 is the same as that of the drive unit of the extrusion unit 321. The drive unit of the extrusion units 321 and 322 may have a cylinder or the like.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the electrode laminating device 300 includes a positioning unit 47 that aligns the positions of the bottom edges 11c of the positive electrode 11 with a separator, and a positioning unit 48 that aligns the positions of the bottom edges 9c of the negative electrode 9. .. The positioning units 47 and 48 are arranged in a stacking area where the positive electrode 11 with a separator and the negative electrode 9 are laminated. The bottom edge 11c of the positive electrode 11 with a separator is the edge of the positive electrode 11 with a separator opposite to the tab 14b side. The bottom edge 9c of the negative electrode 9 is the edge of the negative electrode 9 opposite to the tab 16b side.

The positioning unit 47 is arranged on the front side of the positive electrode transport unit 301 (the front side of the paper in FIG. 3), and is arranged on the receiving portion 49 that abuts on the bottom edge 11c of the positive electrode 11 with a separator and on the rear side of the positive electrode transport unit 301. It has a pressing portion 50 that presses the attached positive electrode 11 against the receiving portion 49. A plurality of free rollers are provided side by side on the receiving portion 49. The surface of the receiving portion 49 may be made of a slippery resin.

The pressing portion 50 has a pushing plate 51 that pushes the positive electrode 11 with a separator, and a driving portion 52 that moves the pushing plate 51 toward the receiving portion 49. The drive unit 52 has, for example, a cylinder. The push plate 51 is fixed to the tip of the piston rod of the cylinder. The push plate 51 is provided with a slit 51a for allowing the tab 14b of the positive electrode 11 with a separator to escape.

The positioning unit 48 is arranged on the front side of the negative electrode transfer unit 302 (the front side of the paper in FIG. 3), and is arranged on the receiving portion 53 that abuts on the bottom edge 9c of the negative electrode 9 and on the rear side of the negative electrode transfer unit 302. It has a pressing portion 54 that presses against the receiving portion 53. The structure of the receiving portion 53 is the same as that of the receiving portion 49. The pressing portion 54 has a pushing plate 55 that pushes the negative electrode 9, and a driving portion 56 that moves the pushing plate 55 toward the receiving portion 53. The push plate 55 is provided with a slit 55a for allowing the tab 16b of the negative electrode 9 to escape. The configuration of the drive unit 56 is the same as that of the drive unit 52.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the electrode laminating device 300 includes a controller 350. The controller 350 is composed of a CPU, RAM, ROM, an input / output interface, and the like. The controller 350 includes a transfer control unit that controls the drive units 312 and 315 described above, a stacking control unit that controls the drive unit of the stacking unit 305, and an extrusion unit that controls the drive unit of the extrusion unit 321 and the drive unit of the extrusion unit 322. It has a control unit and a positioning control unit that controls the drive units of the positioning units 47 and 48. Further, the controller 350 is connected to the electrode supply sensors 306, 307 and the stacking position sensors 308, 309, and can receive the detection signals from these sensors. The controller 350 determines the control content based on the detection signal from each sensor and the program stored in the ROM, and drives and controls each drive unit via each control unit.

The electrode supply sensor 306 is arranged near the end of the positive electrode supply conveyor 303 on the positive electrode transport unit 301 side, and detects the presence or absence of the positive electrode 11 with a separator or the claw portion 303a and the positive electrode 11 with a separator. The electrode supply sensor 306 periodically transmits a detection signal indicating the presence / absence of the claw portion 303a or the positive electrode 11 with a separator to the controller 350.

The electrode supply sensor 307 is arranged near the end of the negative electrode supply conveyor 304 on the negative electrode transfer unit 302 side, and detects the presence or absence of the claw portion 304a or the negative electrode 9. The electrode supply sensor 307 periodically transmits a detection signal indicating the presence / absence of the claw portion 304a or the negative electrode 9 to the controller 350.

The stacking position sensor 308 indicates that the support portion 311 supporting the positive electrode 11 with a separator has reached a predetermined stacking position (for example, the lower end position of the slit 318 corresponding to the stacking portion 316 at the bottom of the stacking unit 305). Detect. The stacking position sensor 308 is independent of the vertical movement of the circulation member 310, and the height position of the stacking position sensor 308 is fixed with respect to the slit 318. For example, the stacking position sensor 308 may be fixed to the wall portion 317. When the stacking position sensor 308 detects that the support portion 311 supporting the positive electrode 11 with a separator has reached the stacking position, it transmits a detection signal indicating that fact to the controller 350.

The stacking position sensor 309 detects that the support portion 314 supporting the negative electrode 9 has reached a predetermined stacking position (for example, the lower end position of the slit 320 corresponding to the stacking portion 316 at the bottom of the stacking unit 305). .. The stacking position sensor 309 is independent of the vertical movement of the circulation member 313, and the height position of the stacking position sensor 309 is fixed with respect to the slit 320. When the stacking position sensor 309 detects that the support portion 314 supporting the negative electrode 9 has reached the stacking position, the stacking position sensor 309 transmits a detection signal indicating that fact to the controller 350.

The characteristic configuration of the electrode stacking device 300 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 6, only the one-stage laminated portion 316 is shown for easy understanding, but the same operation is performed in the laminated portion 316 related to the other stages.

Here, a case where the negative electrode is charged in a state where the positive electrode 11 with a separator is charged first will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, the pushing member 322a that functions as a second charging portion for charging the negative electrode 9 into the laminated portion 316 is a pushing member that functions as a first charging portion for first charging the positive electrode 11 with a separator into the laminated portion 316. While avoiding collision with the separator-equipped positive electrode 11 charged by 321a, the negative electrode 9 is started before the lamination of the separator-equipped positive electrode 11 with the laminated portion 316 is completed. Specifically, the time from the start of charging the positive electrode with a separator (one electrode) 11 by the pushing member (one charging portion) 321a to the arrival of the positive electrode 11 with a separator at the second collision avoidance position is the time (the first). 1 hour) T3. Further, the time (second time) T4 is defined as the time from the start of charging the positive electrode 11 with a separator by the pushing member 321a to the completion of stacking of the charged positive electrode 11 with a separator on the laminated portion 316. In this case, the pushing member 322a inserts the negative electrode 9 after the time T3 and before the time T4 after the pressing member 321a starts charging the separator-equipped positive electrode 11. The collision between the positive electrode 11 with a separator and the negative electrode 9 means that the downstream ends of the positive electrode 11 with a separator and the negative electrode 9 collide with each other. When such a state occurs, for example, the positive electrode 11 with a separator and the negative electrode 9 warp upward from the collision point, and the intended laminated state cannot be obtained. On the other hand, other than the downstream end of the separator-equipped positive electrode 11, for example, the negative electrode 9 may come into contact with the upper surface of the separator-equipped positive electrode 11, but the negative electrode 9 slides on the upper surface of the separator-equipped positive electrode 11 and both sides. Both can continue to be laminated. When they come into contact with each other as described above, friction acts on both the positive electrode 11 with a separator and the negative electrode 9, but since the double push members 321a and 322a are in contact with the rear end (upstream end) and are pushed in. It does not stop in the middle.

The "second collision avoidance position" means that the downstream end 11a of the inserted positive electrode 11 with a separator in the moving direction is the negative electrode (the other electrode) 9 inserted by the pushing member (the other charging portion) 322a. It is a position that does not collide. The second collision avoidance position can be arbitrarily set according to the device configuration and operating conditions as long as the above-mentioned collision can be avoided. The position is not particularly limited, but for example, if the end portion 11a of the positive electrode 11 with a separator reaches a position where it comes into contact with the side wall 316b on the negative electrode 9 side (right side of the paper in FIG. 6), the negative electrode 9 is avoided. Therefore, the side wall 316b may be used as the second collision avoidance position. Alternatively, when the end portion 11a of the positive electrode 11 with a separator reaches a predetermined position on the negative electrode 9 side of the center line of the laminated portion 316, the position of the end portion 11a moves downward to the negative electrode 9. Collisions can be avoided. Therefore, a predetermined position on the negative electrode 9 side of the center line of the laminated portion 316 may be set as the second collision avoidance position.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 6A, the positive electrode 11 with a separator is laminated on the laminated portion 316 by being pushed by the pushing member 321a, while the positive electrode 11 with a separator is in a state before the stacking is completed. The pushing member 322a can start pushing out the negative electrode 9. At this time, since the pushing member 322a starts charging the negative electrode 9 after the time T3 after the pressing member 321a starts charging the positive electrode 11 with a separator, at least the negative electrode 9 collides with the end portion 11a of the positive electrode 11 with a separator. Can be avoided, so that the negative electrode 9 can move above the positive electrode 11 with a separator so as to alternate with the positive electrode 11 with a separator.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the case where the negative electrode is inserted in the state where the positive electrode 11 with the separator is inserted first has been described, but instead of this, the positive electrode 11 with the separator is inserted in the state where the negative electrode 9 is inserted first. May be input. The pushing member 321a that functions as the first charging section for charging the positive electrode 11 with a separator into the laminated portion 316 is the negative electrode 9 that is charged by the pushing member 322a that functions as the second charging section for charging the negative electrode 9 into the laminated portion 316 first. While avoiding collision with the negative electrode 9, the positive electrode 11 with a separator is started to be charged before the lamination of the negative electrode 9 with the laminated portion 316 is completed. Specifically, the time from the start of charging the negative electrode (one electrode) 9 by the pushing member (one charging portion) 322a to the arrival of the negative electrode 9 at the first collision avoidance position is defined as time T1. Further, the time from the start of charging the negative electrode 9 by the pushing member 322a to the completion of laminating the charged negative electrode 9 on the laminated portion 316 is defined as time T2. In this case, the pushing member 321a inserts the positive electrode 11 with a separator after the time T1 and before the time T2 after the negative electrode 9 is started by the pushing member 322a.

The "first collision avoidance position" means that the downstream end portion 9a of the charged negative electrode 9 in the moving direction is the positive electrode with a separator (the other electrode) 11 inserted by the pushing member (other charging portion) 321a. It is a position that does not collide. The first collision avoidance position can be arbitrarily set according to the device configuration and operating conditions as long as the above-mentioned collision can be avoided. The position is not particularly limited, but for example, if the end portion 9a of the negative electrode 9 reaches a position where it comes into contact with the side wall 316b on the side of the positive electrode 11 with a separator (left side of the paper in FIG. 6), the positive electrode 11 with a separator 11 The side wall 316b may be used as the first collision avoidance position. Alternatively, when the end 9a of the negative electrode 9 reaches a predetermined position on the positive electrode 11 side with a separator from the center line of the laminated portion 316, the position of the end 9a moves downward, so that the positive electrode 11 with a separator 11 Collision with can be avoided. Therefore, a predetermined position on the positive electrode 11 side with a separator from the center line of the laminated portion 316 may be set as the first collision avoidance position.

As a result, the negative electrode 9 is laminated on the laminated portion 316 by being pushed by the pushing member 322a, while the pushing member 321a can start extruding the positive electrode 11 with a separator in the state before the stacking of the negative electrode 9 is completed. .. At this time, since the push member 321a starts the insertion of the positive electrode 11 with a separator after the time T1 after the negative electrode 9 is started by the push member 322a, at least the positive electrode 11 with a separator collides with the end portion 9a of the negative electrode 9. Can be avoided, so that the positive electrode 11 with a separator can move above the negative electrode 9 so as to alternate with the negative electrode 9.

The “start of charging” is the timing at which the push member 321a starts to move toward the laminated portion 316 with respect to the support portion 311 and the positive electrode 11 with a separator starts to move toward the laminated portion 316. .. Further, on the negative electrode 9 side, the “start of charging” means the timing at which the push member 322a starts to move toward the laminated portion 316 side with respect to the support portion 314, so that the negative electrode 9 starts moving toward the laminated portion 316 side. That is. Further, the "stacking completed" state means that the electrodes are dropped between the side walls 316b on both sides in the laminated portion 316 and then laminated on the base 316a or on the laminated electrodes. ..

The times T1 to T4 may be set by measuring the time T1 to T4 by performing a trial run on the actual machine after the actual electrode laminating device 300 is completed. Alternatively, it may be set by performing a simulation in advance. Alternatively, various sensors may be provided in the device, and the times T1 to T4 may be set based on the monitoring results monitored by the sensors. The time T1 and the time T3 may be the same time or may be slightly different times. Further, the time T2 and the time T4 may be the same time or may be slightly different times.

Subsequently, the operation control of the circulation members 310, 313, the positioning units 47, 48 (see FIG. 5), and the extrusion units 321 and 322 by the controller 350 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 13.

First, the control flow of the circulation member (here, the circulation member 310 as an example) will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 10. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a control flow common to the circulation member 310 and the circulation member 313. FIG. 8 is a partial side view illustrating the operation of the circulation member 310 during the preparatory operation (step S201 of FIG. 7). FIG. 9 is a partial side view illustrating the operation of the circulation member 310 during the stacking operation (step S203 of FIG. 7). FIG. 10 is a partial side view illustrating the operation of the circulation member 310 during the return operation (step S206 of FIG. 7). Since the control flow of the circulation member 313 of the negative electrode transfer unit 302 is the same as the control flow of the circulation member 310, the description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 7, the controller 350 starts the preparatory operation of the circulation member 310 in response to a trigger (for example, an input by an operator or the like) of the production line including the electrode laminating device 300 (step S201).

In the preparatory operation, from the initial state in which the positive electrode 11 with a separator is not supported by any of the support 311s, each support 311 between the receiving position and the stacking position of the positive electrode 11 with a separator supports the positive electrode 11 with a separator. It is an operation to make it in a state of being. Specifically, the preparatory operation is an operation of moving the support portion 311 only by rotating (circulating) the circulation member 310 without moving up and down (see FIG. 8). More specifically, when the amount of movement of the distance between the support portions 311 adjacent to each other in the circulation member 310 is 1, the controller 350 has a separator on the support portion 311 at the receiving position of the positive electrode 11 with a separator in the circulation member 310. Every time it is confirmed that the positive electrode 11 is supplied, the circulation member 310 is circulated clockwise (hereinafter, simply referred to as “clockwise”) by the amount of movement 1 when viewed from the front side of the paper surface of FIG. In the following description, the movement amount is expressed with the clockwise movement as the positive direction for the circulation of the circulation member 310 and the upward direction as the positive direction for the vertical movement of the circulation member 310.

During the preparatory operation, the controller 350 determines at any time whether or not a detection signal is received from the stacking position sensor 308 (that is, whether or not the support portion 311 supporting the positive electrode 11 with a separator has reached the stacking position) (that is, whether or not the support portion 311 supporting the positive electrode 11 with a separator has reached the stacking position). Step S202). The controller 350 continues the preparatory operation of the circulation member 310 until the detection signal is received from the stacking position sensor 308 (step S202: NO). On the other hand, when the controller 350 receives the detection signal from the stacking position sensor 308 (that is, detects that the support portion 311 supporting the positive electrode 11 with a separator has reached the stacking position), the controller 350 switches the circulation member 310 to the stacking operation (that is, when it detects that the support portion 311 supporting the positive electrode 11 with a separator has reached the stacking position). Step S202: YES, step S203).

The laminating operation is an operation for laminating the positive electrode 11 with a separator on the laminating portion 316. Specifically, in the stacking operation, the height position of the support portion 311 on the stacking unit 305 side is stopped relative to the stacking portion 316, and one positive electrode 11 with a separator is supplied from the positive electrode supply conveyor 303. This is an operation of raising the support portion 311 on the positive electrode supply conveyor 303 side by the amount of movement 1 with respect to the positive electrode supply conveyor 303. More specifically, in the controller 350, the time between the supply of one positive electrode 11 with a separator from the positive electrode supply conveyor 303 and the supply of the next positive electrode 11 with a separator (hereinafter referred to as "unit time"). ), The circulation member 310 is circulated clockwise with a movement amount of 0.5, and is raised with a movement amount of 0.5 (see FIG. 9).

During the stacking operation, the controller 350 determines at any time whether or not the simultaneous supply of the four positive electrodes with separators to the four-stage laminated portion 316 is completed (step S204). Specifically, it is determined whether or not the extrusion operation by the extrusion unit 321 described later is completed. For example, by detecting that the pushing member 321a has returned to the original position (the position before pushing out the positive electrode 11 with the separator), it is possible to detect that the extrusion operation is completed. The controller 350 continues the laminating operation of the circulation member 310 until it detects that the extrusion operation by the extrusion unit 321 is completed (step S204: NO). On the other hand, when the controller 350 detects that the extrusion operation by the extrusion unit 321 is completed (step S204: YES), it determines whether or not to complete the lamination of the positive electrode 11 with a separator on the lamination unit 305 (step S205). ..

Specifically, the controller 350 detects, for example, the number of electrodes laminated on each laminated portion 316 by a sensor or the like, and determines whether or not the number of laminated electrodes has reached a predetermined number. It can be determined whether or not the lamination is completed. That is, the controller 350 determines that the lamination is completed when the number of laminated electrodes reaches a predetermined number, and that the lamination is not completed when the number of laminated electrodes does not reach the predetermined number. Can be done.

When it is determined that the stacking is completed (step S205: YES), the controller 350 ends the control of the circulation member 310. On the other hand, when it is not determined that the stacking is completed (step S205: NO), the controller 350 switches the circulation member 310 to the return operation (step S206). When it is determined that the stacking is completed (step S205: YES), the controller 350 once finishes the control of the circulation member 310, then further completes the replacement of the stacking portion 316, and is instructed by the operator or the like to start the control. After receiving the above, the control of the circulation member 310 may be resumed. In this case, the return operation (step S206) will be started.

The return operation is an operation of returning (lowering) the circulation member 310 that has moved to a position higher than the original position (the position before the start of the stacking operation) in the stacking operation. Specifically, in the return operation, the height position of the leading support portion 311 that supports the positive electrode 11 with a separator is slid to the stacking position on the stacking unit 305 side, and the support portion 311 on the positive electrode supply conveyor 303 side is moved. This is an operation of raising the amount by 1. More specifically, the controller 350 circulates the circulation member 310 clockwise with a movement amount of 2.5 and lowers the circulation member 310 with a movement amount of −1.5 in the above-mentioned unit time (see FIG. 10).

As a result, in a unit time, the support portion 311 on the positive electrode supply conveyor 303 side rises by one with respect to the positive electrode supply conveyor 303. On the other hand, on the stacking unit 305 side, the support portion 311 is lowered by four with respect to the stacking unit 305. As a result, while receiving the positive electrode 11 with a separator supplied from the positive electrode supply conveyor 303, the extrusion operation of simultaneously pushing out the four positive electrodes with a separator by the extrusion unit 321 becomes feasible. Therefore, the controller 350 switches the circulation member 310 to the stacking operation after the return operation of the circulation member 310 is completed (step S206 → S203).

Next, the control flow of the positioning units 47 and 48 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a control flow common to the positioning unit 47 (see FIG. 5) of the positive electrode transfer unit 301 and the positioning unit 48 (see FIG. 5) of the negative electrode transfer unit 302. Here, the control of the positioning unit 47 will be described as an example. Since the control flow of the positioning unit 48 is the same as the control flow of the positioning unit 47, the description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 11, the controller 350 periodically checks whether or not a detection signal is received from the stacking position sensor 308, so that the electrode (here, the positive electrode 11 with a separator) is located at a position where the positioning unit 47 can position the controller 350. It is confirmed whether or not (step S301). The controller 350 continues the above check until it receives the detection signal from the stacking position sensor 308 (step S301: NO). When the controller 350 receives the detection signal from the stacking position sensor 308 and detects that the support portion 311 supporting the positive electrode 11 with a separator has reached the stacking position (step S301: YES), the controller 350 performs a positioning operation on the positioning unit 47. It is executed (step S302). Specifically, the controller 350 controls to execute the pressing operation by the pressing portion 54 of the positioning unit 47 as described in the first embodiment. Since such a positioning operation has already been described in the first embodiment, further detailed description will be omitted.

Subsequently, the controller 350 determines whether or not to complete the lamination by the same determination as in step S205 of FIG. 7 described above (step S303). When it is determined that the stacking is completed (step S303: YES), the controller 350 ends the control of the positioning unit 47. On the other hand, when it is not determined that the stacking is completed (step S303: NO), the controller 350 performs a circulation operation in which the height position of the support portion 311 on the stacking unit 305 side changes relative to the stacking unit 305 (that is,). , The operation of the positioning unit 47 is stopped until the return operation of the circulation member 310 described above occurs (step S304: NO). When the controller 350 confirms that the circulation operation has occurred (that is, when the controller 350 switches the circulation member 310 to the return operation), the controller 350 returns to step S301 and continues to control the positioning unit 47 (step S304: YES). ..

A determination standard other than the determination standard used in the above-mentioned determination may be used for the determination to cause the positioning unit 47 to execute the positioning operation. For example, the fact that the extrusion unit 321 is stopped may be added as a determination condition for executing the positioning operation in step S302.

Next, the control flow of the extrusion unit 321 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a control flow of the extrusion unit 321.

In FIG. 12, the controller 350 confirms whether or not the support portion 311 supporting the positive electrode 11 with a separator exists at the stacking position based on the detection signal received from the stacking position sensor 308 (step S401). Further, the controller 350 confirms whether or not the positioning operation by the positioning unit 47 (step S302 in FIG. 11) is completed (step S402). The controller 350 confirms that the positioning operation of the positioning unit 47 is completed, for example, by confirming that the pressing portion 54 of the positioning unit 47 has returned to the original position (the position before pressing). be able to. Further, the controller 350 confirms whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed after the start of charging the negative electrode 9 in the negative electrode transport unit 302 on the other electrode side (here, the negative electrode 9 side) (step S403). The controller 350 is in the middle of charging the negative electrode 9 and is a separator by confirming that, for example, a preset predetermined time has elapsed since the extrusion operation of the extrusion unit 322 of the negative electrode transfer unit 302 was started. It can be confirmed that the positive electrode 11 can be inserted. The "predetermined time" here is set to a time after the time T1 and before the time T2. As described above, the time T1 is the time from the start of charging the negative electrode 9 by the pushing member 322a until the negative electrode 9 reaches the first collision avoidance position. The time T2 is the time from the start of charging the negative electrode 9 by the pushing member 322a to the completion of laminating the charged negative electrode 9 on the laminated portion 316. When paying attention to the operation of the pushing member 322a, the pushing member 322a has a separator at a timing after the pushing member 322a starts pushing out the negative electrode 9 and before the pushing member 322a returns to the original position. The extrusion of the positive electrode 11 is started.

The controller 350 determines whether or not stacking is possible (that is, whether or not the extrusion operation by the pushing member 321a of the extrusion unit 321 can be executed) based on the confirmation results of steps S401 to S403 described above (step S404). Specifically, the support portion 311 that supports the positive electrode 11 with a separator exists at the laminated position, the positioning operation by the positioning unit 47 is completed, the negative electrode 9 is in the process of being charged, and the positive electrode 11 with a separator is used. When it is confirmed that the input is possible, the controller 350 determines that the stacking is possible (step S404: YES). On the other hand, if the controller 350 cannot confirm at least one of the above confirmation items, it determines that stacking is not possible (step S404: NO), and returns to step S401.

Subsequently, when the controller 350 determines that stacking is possible (step S404: YES), the controller 350 executes an extrusion operation by the extrusion unit 321 (step S405). Specifically, the controller 350 controls the drive unit in the extrusion unit 321 so that the push member 321a simultaneously pushes out the four positive electrode 11s with separators toward the upper and lower four-stage laminated portions 316.

Subsequently, the controller 350 determines whether or not to complete the lamination by the same determination as in step S205 of FIG. 7 described above (step S406). When it is determined that the stacking is completed (step S406: YES), the controller 350 ends the control of the extrusion unit 321. On the other hand, when it is not determined that the stacking is completed (step S406: NO), the controller 350 performs a circulation operation in which the height position of the support portion 311 on the stacking unit 305 side changes relative to the stacking unit 305 (that is,). The operation of the extrusion unit 321 is stopped until the return operation of the circulation member 310 described above occurs (step S407: NO). When the controller 350 confirms that the circulation operation has occurred (that is, when the controller 350 switches the circulation member 310 to the return operation), the controller 350 returns to step S401 and continues the control of the extrusion unit 321 (step S407: YES). ..

Next, the control flow of the extrusion unit 322 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a control flow of the extrusion unit 322. In the present embodiment, as an example, it is defined that the negative electrode 9 is first laminated on the laminated portion 316. Therefore, in the control flow of the extrusion unit 322 of the negative electrode 9, in the control flow (steps S501 to S505) when the first negative electrode 9 is laminated on the laminated portion 316, the second and subsequent negative electrodes 9 are laminated. It is partially different from the control flow (steps S506 to S512) in the case of stacking on 316.

Specifically, since the negative electrode 9 is first laminated on the laminated portion 316, it is not necessary to check the operation of the positive electrode 11 side with a separator when the first negative electrode 9 is laminated on the laminated portion 316. Therefore, in the control flow (steps S501 to S505) when the first negative electrode 9 is laminated on the laminated portion 316, the operation check on the other electrode side (step corresponding to step S403 in FIG. 12) is omitted. .. Further, since the lamination is not completed when only one negative electrode 9 is laminated, the determination of whether or not the lamination is completed (step corresponding to step S406 in FIG. 12) is also omitted.

On the other hand, the control flow (steps S506 to S512) when the second and subsequent negative electrodes 9 are laminated on the laminated portion 316 is the same as the control flow of the extrusion unit 321 described above (steps S401 to 407 in FIG. 12).

In particular, the operation of step S508 will be described. The controller 350 confirms whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed after the start of charging the positive electrode 11 with a separator in the positive electrode transport unit 301 on the other electrode side (here, the positive electrode 11 side with a separator) (step S508). The controller 350 is in the process of charging the positive electrode 11 with a separator by confirming that a preset predetermined time has elapsed since the extrusion operation of the extrusion unit 321 of the positive electrode transport unit 301 was started. , It can be confirmed that the negative electrode 9 can be inserted. The "predetermined time" here is set to a time after the time T3 and before the time T4. As described above, the time T3 is the time from the start of charging the positive electrode 11 with a separator by the pushing member 321a to the arrival of the positive electrode 11 with a separator at the second collision avoidance position. The time T4 is the time from the start of charging the positive electrode 11 with a separator by the pushing member 321a to the completion of laminating the charged positive electrode 11 with a separator on the laminated portion 316. When paying attention to the operation of the pushing member 322a, the pushing member 322a is at a timing after the pushing member 321a starts pushing out the positive electrode 11 with a separator and before the pushing member 321a returns to the original position. The extrusion of the negative electrode 9 is started.

Next, another example of the mechanism for realizing the drive (vertical movement and circulation) of the transport member will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 to 18. Here, the support structure and the drive mechanism of the positive electrode transfer unit 301 will be described. A similar support structure and drive mechanism can be adopted for the negative electrode transfer unit 302.

14 and 15 are views focusing on the configurations necessary for explaining the support structure and the drive mechanism of the positive electrode transport unit 301, and the other configurations are not shown as appropriate. As shown in FIG. 14, the positive electrode transport unit 301 includes a support frame 401 installed on the floor surface and a circulation frame 402 movably supported in the vertical direction with respect to the support frame 401. .. A pair of pulleys 403 and 404 (members corresponding to the rollers 26a of the first embodiment) rotatably supported on the circulation frame 402 are arranged at intervals of a predetermined distance in the vertical direction. Circulation members 310 having a plurality of support portions 311 arranged on the outer peripheral surface are wound around the pulleys 403 and 404.

Further, as shown in FIG. 15, the positive electrode transport unit 301 includes motors 405 and 406 fixed to the support frame 401 or the floor surface. Drive gears 405a and 406a are fixed to the drive shafts of the motors 405 and 406. The pulleys 403 and 404 have drive gears 407 and 408 at one end of the rotation shaft thereof. A timing belt 409 is wound around the drive gears 405a, 406a, 407, and 408. In addition to the drive gears 405a, 406a, 407, and 408, the guide rollers 410 (four guide rollers 410 in the example of FIG. 15) supported by the support frame 401 extend the circulation path of the timing belt 409 vertically and horizontally. It forms a cross.

As shown in FIG. 16, when the drive gears 405a and 406a are rotated at a constant speed, the entire circulation frame 402 and circulation member 310 do not move up and down with respect to the support frame 401 or the floor surface. The circulation member 310 and the timing belt 409 only perform the circulation operation.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 17, when only the drive gear 405a is rotated, the circulation member 310 circulates clockwise on the positive electrode supply conveyor 303 side, while the circulation member 310 stops on the laminated portion 316 side. ing. Therefore, only the portion of the timing belt 409 on the positive electrode supply conveyor 303 side rises. With the operation of the timing belt 409, the circulation frame 402 rises with respect to the support frame 401 or the floor surface. Along with this, the reference height position of the circulation member 310 supported by the circulation frame 402 via the pulleys 403 and 404 (for example, the central position in the vertical direction of the circulation member 310) also rises. Further, as shown in FIG. 18, when only the drive gear 406a is rotated, the laminated portion 316 side of the circulation member 310 circulates clockwise, while the positive electrode supply conveyor 303 side stops. Therefore, the timing belt 409 is lowered only on the laminating unit 305 side (the right side portion in FIG. 18). With the operation of the timing belt 409, the circulation frame 402 descends with respect to the support frame 401 or the floor surface. Along with this, the reference height position of the circulation member 310 is also lowered. Further, when both the drive gears 405a and 406a are rotated by making the rotation speed of the drive gear 405a different from the rotation speed of the drive gear 406a, the circulation frame 402 is raised or lowered according to the difference in the rotation speed. The reference height position of the circulation member 310 can be raised or lowered. Therefore, by adjusting the rotation speeds of the drive gears 405a and 406a, the above-mentioned preparatory operation, stacking operation, and return operation can be realized. That is, the controller 350 can realize the preparatory operation, the stacking operation, and the return operation by adjusting the rotation speeds of the drive gears 405a and 406a according to the operation mode of the circulation member 310 to be executed.

In the electrode lamination device 300 described above, the electrodes (positive electrode 11 with separator and negative electrode 9) supplied by the positive electrode supply conveyor 303 (conveyor device) and the negative electrode supply conveyor 304 (conveyor device) are laminated, and the laminates (each). It is an apparatus for forming an electrode laminate) formed on the laminate 316. The electrode laminating device 300 includes support portions 311, 314 (electrode supporting portions), circulation members 310, 313, laminating units 305, extrusion units 321, 322, and a controller 350 (control unit). The support portions 311, 314 receive the positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 9 with a separator supplied by the positive electrode supply conveyor 303 and the negative electrode supply conveyor 304, and support the positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 9 with a separator. The circulation members 310 and 313 have a loop shape extending in the vertical direction, and support portions 311, 314 are attached to the outer peripheral surfaces thereof. The laminating unit 305 is arranged on the opposite side of the positive electrode supply conveyor 303 with the circulation member 310 interposed therebetween, and on the opposite side of the negative electrode supply conveyor 304 with the circulation member 313 sandwiched between the positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 9 with a separator. Has a multi-stage laminated portion 316 on which The extrusion unit 321 simultaneously extrudes the positive electrode 11 with a separator supported by the plurality of support portions 311 toward the multi-stage laminated portion 316. The extrusion unit 322 simultaneously extrudes the negative electrodes 9 supported by the plurality of support portions 314 toward the multi-stage laminated portions 316. The controller 350 controls the circulation and elevating of the circulation members 310 and 313, and the operations of the extrusion units 321 and 322 (that is, the operations of the push members 321a and 321b). The controller 350 controls the operation of the extrusion unit 321 so as to push the positive electrode 11 with a separator toward the laminated portion 316 at a speed slower than the transport speed of the positive electrode 11 with a separator by the positive electrode supply conveyor 303. Further, the controller 350 controls the operation of the extrusion unit 322 so as to push the negative electrode 9 toward the laminated portion 316 at a speed slower than the transfer speed of the negative electrode 9 by the negative electrode supply conveyor 304.

In the electrode laminating device 300 as described above, the electrodes (positive electrode 11 with separator or negative electrode 9) sequentially supplied to the support portions 311, 314 are simultaneously extruded and laminated on different laminating portions 316. In this way, by simultaneously extruding and stacking more electrodes than the number of electrodes that are sequentially supplied, the discharge speed when the electrodes are extruded to the laminated portion 316 is set to the transport device (positive electrode supply conveyor 303 or negative electrode supply). It can be slower than the transfer speed (supply speed) of the electrodes by the conveyor 304). As a result, it is possible to suppress the displacement of the electrodes during the electrode stacking while preventing the pace at which the electrodes are laminated from decreasing. Therefore, according to the electrode laminating device 300, it is possible to achieve a high laminating speed while suppressing an increase in the size of the device.

Further, the transfer speed of the electrodes by the transfer device (positive electrode supply conveyor 303 or negative electrode supply conveyor 304) is higher than the electrode discharge speed. Therefore, the positions of the electrodes transported at high speed vary when stopped on the support portions 311, 314. If a large number of electrodes are laminated in a state of varying positions, it is difficult to realign them after lamination due to friction on the surface of the negative electrode active material layer or the like. However, since the electrodes on the support portions 311, 314 are in the state of individual pieces before a large number of electrodes are laminated on the laminated portion 316, the positions can be easily corrected by inversion by the circulating members 310 and 313. ..

Here, a case will be examined in which the pushing member 321a starts charging the positive electrode 11 with a separator after the lamination of the negative electrode 9 is completed, and the pushing member 322a starts charging the negative electrode 9 after the stacking of the positive electrode 11 with a separator is completed. .. In this case, since the push members 321a and 322a need to wait until the electrodes of the other push members 321a and 322a are completely charged, the total electrode lamination time may become long. On the other hand, a case where the pushing member 321a and the pushing member 322a are extruded at the same time will be examined. In this case, the extruded negative electrode 9 end 9a and the separator-equipped positive electrode 11 end 11a may collide with each other, making stacking difficult.

On the other hand, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the pushing member 322a inserts the negative electrode 9 after the time T3 and before the time T4 after the pressing member 321a starts charging the separator-equipped positive electrode 11. The time T3 is from the start of charging the positive electrode 11 with a separator by the pushing member 321a to the second collision avoidance position where the downstream end 11a of the charged positive electrode 11 with a separator in the moving direction does not collide with the charged negative electrode 9. It is the time to reach. Further, the time T4 is the time from the start of charging the positive electrode 11 with a separator by the pushing member 321a to the completion of laminating the charged positive electrode 11 with a separator on the laminated portion 316. Therefore, the push member 322a avoids collision with the separator-equipped positive electrode 11 previously inserted by the push member 321a, and the negative electrode 9 is charged before the lamination of the separator-equipped positive electrode 11 with the laminated portion 316 is completed. By starting, the waiting time for waiting for the completion of stacking of the positive electrode 11 with a separator can be shortened. As described above, the speed of laminating the positive electrode 11 with a separator and the negative electrode 9 can be improved.

Alternatively, in the form in which the positive electrode 11 with a separator is charged with the negative electrode 9 inserted first, the pushing member 321a is after the time T1 and before the time T2 after the negative electrode 9 is started to be charged by the pushing member 322a. The positive electrode 11 with a separator is put into the. In the time T1, the first collision in which the downstream end portion 9a in the moving direction of the charged negative electrode 9 does not collide with the separated positive electrode 11 inserted by the pushing member 321a from the start of charging the negative electrode 9 by the second charging portion. It is the time to reach the avoidance position. Further, the time T2 is the time from the start of charging the negative electrode by the second charging portion to the completion of laminating the charged negative electrode 9 on the laminated portion 316. Therefore, the push member 321a starts the insertion of the positive electrode 11 with a separator before the lamination of the negative electrode 9 with the laminated portion 316 is completed, while avoiding the collision with the negative electrode 9 previously inserted by the push member 322a. As a result, the waiting time for waiting for the completion of stacking of the negative electrodes 9 can be shortened. As described above, the speed of laminating the positive electrode 11 with a separator and the negative electrode 9 can be improved.

Further, the first input portion is composed of a pushing member 321a first extrusion portion that pushes the positive electrode 11 with a separator supported by the support portion 311 toward the laminated portion 316, and the second input portion is supported by the support portion 314. It is composed of a pushing member 322a that pushes the negative electrode 9 toward the laminated portion 316. In this way, when the charging portion is composed of the pushing members 321a and 322a that push out the electrodes supported by the supporting portions 311, 314, the electrode is fed by controlling the pushing timing of the pushing members 321a and 322a. The timing of the can be easily adjusted.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the pushing member 321a extrudes the positive electrode 11 with a separator at a timing after the pushing member 322a starts extruding the negative electrode 9 and before the pushing member 322a returns to the original position. Start. In the form in which the positive electrode 11 with a separator is inserted in the state where the negative electrode 9 is inserted first, the pushing member 322a is after the pushing member 321a starts extruding the positive electrode 11 with a separator, and the pushing member 321a is the original. The extrusion of the negative electrode 9 is started at a timing before returning to the position. As a result, it is possible to shorten the waiting time for waiting for the completion of stacking of the previously inserted electrodes.

The electrode laminating device 200 has a loop shape extending in the vertical direction, and has a circulation member 310 having a plurality of support portions 311 attached to its outer peripheral surface, and a loop shape extending in the vertical direction, and a plurality of support portions on the outer peripheral surface thereof. It further includes a circulation member 313 to which the 314 is attached, and a stacking unit 305 arranged between the circulation member 310 and the circulation member 313 and having a plurality of stages of stacking portions 316. The pushing member 321a simultaneously extrudes the positive electrode 11 with a separator supported by the plurality of supporting portions 311 toward the multi-stage laminated portion 316, and the pushing member 322a simultaneously extrudes the negative electrode 9 supported by the plurality of supporting portions 314 in a plurality of stages. Simultaneously extrude toward the laminated portion 316 of. As a result, a plurality of negative electrodes 9 and a plurality of positive electrodes with separators 11 can be charged at the same time.

Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments.

In the above-described embodiment, the charging portion is composed of a pushing member that pushes out from the supporting portion of the electrode provided on the circulation member. Instead of this, a belt conveyor for the positive electrode and a belt conveyor for the negative electrode are arranged on both sides of the laminated portion, and the conveyor belts are horizontally fed from each belt conveyor toward the laminated portion to adopt a stacking configuration. You may. In this case, the belt conveyor for the positive electrode functions as the first input section, and the belt conveyor for the negative electrode functions as the second input section.

For example, in the above embodiment, the positive electrode 11 with a separator and the negative electrode 9 in which the positive electrode 8 is wrapped in the bag-shaped separator 10 are alternately laminated on the laminated portion, but the present invention is not particularly limited to the positive electrode. And the negative electrode with a separator in which the negative electrode is wrapped in a bag-shaped separator may be alternately laminated on the laminated portion.

Further, in the above embodiment, the laminated portion 316 is provided with a U-shaped side wall 316b, but even if the left and right portions facing the wall portion 317 are omitted from the side wall 316b and the wall portion 317 is directly positioned. Good.

Further, in the above embodiment, the positioning units 47 and 48 are provided, but other positioning means can also be used. For example, a guide plate having tapered surfaces is arranged on both sides of the circulation path of the support portion 311, and the position of the electrode is guided to the center of the support portion 311 as the support portion 311 descends. May be good.

Further, in the above embodiment, the power storage device 1 is a lithium ion secondary battery, but the present invention is not particularly limited to the lithium ion secondary battery, and other secondary batteries such as a nickel hydrogen battery and an electric double layer. It can also be applied to stacking electrodes in a power storage device such as a capacitor or a lithium ion capacitor.

9 ... Negative electrode, 11 ... Positive electrode with separator (positive electrode), 200, 300 ... Electrode laminating device, 311 ... Support part (positive electrode support part), 314 ... Support part (negative electrode support part), 316 ... Laminated part, 321a, 322a ... Pushing member (extruded part, input part), 350 ... Controller.

Claims (4)

A laminated portion where positive and negative electrodes are laminated, and
A first charging portion that is arranged on one side in the horizontal direction with respect to the laminated portion and that charges the positive electrode toward the laminated portion.
A second charging portion, which is arranged on the other side in the horizontal direction with respect to the laminated portion and for charging the negative electrode toward the laminated portion, is provided.
From the start of charging one electrode by one of the first charging section and the second charging section, the end on the downstream side in the moving direction of the one electrode that has been loaded is determined by the other charging section. The first time is the time required to reach the collision avoidance position that does not collide with the other electrode that has been inserted.
When the time from the start of charging of the one electrode by the one charging portion to the completion of stacking of the charged one electrode on the laminated portion is defined as the second time.
The other charging unit is an electrode stacking device that charges the other electrode after the first time and before the second time after the charging of the one electrode is started by the one charging unit. The first input portion is composed of a first extrusion portion that pushes the positive electrode supported by the positive electrode support portion toward the laminated portion.
The electrode laminating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second input portion is composed of a second extruded portion that pushes the negative electrode supported by the negative electrode supporting portion toward the laminating portion. One of the first extrusion section and the second extrusion section is one extrusion section that constitutes the one input section, and the other is the other extrusion section that constitutes the other input section.
The one extruded portion is configured to extrude the one electrode toward the laminated portion.
The other extruded portion is configured to extrude the other electrode toward the laminated portion.
The other extruded portion extrudes the other electrode after the one extruded portion starts extruding the one electrode and before the one extruded portion returns to the original position. 2. The electrode laminating apparatus according to claim 2. A first circulation member having a loop shape extending in the vertical direction and having a plurality of positive electrode support portions attached to the outer peripheral surface thereof.
A second circulation member having a loop shape extending in the vertical direction and having a plurality of the negative electrode support portions attached to the outer peripheral surface thereof.
A stacking unit arranged between the first circulation member and the second circulation member and having a plurality of stages of the laminated portions is further provided.
The first extruded portion simultaneously extrudes the positive electrode supported by the plurality of positive electrode support portions toward the laminated portion in a plurality of stages.
The electrode laminating apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the second extruded portion simultaneously extrudes the negative electrode supported by the plurality of negative electrode supporting portions toward the laminated portion in a plurality of stages.

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