JP7111683B2 - Winding device and winding element manufacturing method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to, for example, a winding device for obtaining a wound element incorporated in a secondary battery or the like, and a method for manufacturing the wound element.

For example, in a wound element used in a secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery, a positive electrode sheet coated with a positive electrode active material and a negative electrode sheet coated with a negative electrode active material are separated from each other by a separator sheet made of an insulating material. It is manufactured by being wound in a state in which it is superimposed on each other.

In a winding apparatus for manufacturing a wound element, each of the electrode sheets and the separator sheet is supplied to a rotatable winding core from a raw material wound into a roll. Then, the wound element is obtained by winding the electrode sheets and the separator sheets on the outer circumference of the winding core in a state of being superimposed thereon.

Further, as a positive electrode sheet or a negative electrode sheet, there is known a sheet having an electrode main body portion having an active material on the surface and a molded tab projecting from the width direction edge of the electrode main body portion (see, for example, Patent Documents 1st prize). The molded tabs are formed by cutting a part of the electrode material or the like, and are integrated with the electrode main body. ing. Generally, the resulting wound element is such that each molded tab is positioned within a certain range along the circumference of the wound element. It should be noted that, in a post-process after manufacturing the wound element, a treatment such as welding may be performed after gathering the formed tabs.

JP 2014-82055 A

As shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, when the electrode sheets 4 and 5 have formed tabs 4b and 5b, the formed tabs 4b and 5b are very thin like the electrode main body, so the winding When the electrode sheets 4, 5, etc. are wound around the core 13, the formed tabs 4b, 5b may not be aligned with the rotation axis RA of the winding core 13 due to the effects of slight curvature, wrinkles, residual stress, etc. present in the electrode sheets 4, 5. There is a risk that it will be deformed so as to separate from it, and it may bend or stand up. 20 and 21 show a state in which the molded tab 4b of the positive electrode sheet 4 is deformed, but the molded tab 5b of the negative electrode sheet 5 can also be deformed in the same manner.

When the forming tab 4b (5b) is bent (see FIG. 20), the electrode sheets 4, 5, etc. are wound around the bent forming tab 4b (5b), and the forming tab 4b (5b) becomes the electrode sheet. 4, 5, etc., or the electrode sheets 4, 5, etc. are wound out of alignment. In addition, if the formed tabs 4b (5b) rise (see FIG. 21), problems may occur when the formed tabs 4b (5b) are welded together, or the formed tabs 4b (5b) may be damaged during transportation of the wound element. may come into contact with a peripheral device or the like, resulting in damage or deformation of the molded tab 4b (5b), which may cause problems in subsequent processes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a winding apparatus capable of more reliably preventing deformation such as rising or bending of a formed tab when winding an electrode sheet around a winding core. An object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a wound element.

Each means suitable for solving the above object will be described below by itemizing. It should be noted that actions and effects peculiar to the corresponding means will be added as necessary.

Means 1. Equipped with a rotatable core,
an electrode main body portion having an active material on the surface; A strip-shaped electrode sheet provided with a plurality of formed tabs and a strip-shaped separator sheet made of an insulating material are supplied to the core and rotated to overlap the electrode sheet and the separator sheet. A winding device for winding while
Blowing means for applying a force toward the rotating shaft side of the winding core to the forming tab by blowing a predetermined gas onto the forming tab,
The forming tab is configured to pass through a winding start position corresponding to a position where the electrode sheet starts winding around the winding core as the winding core rotates,
The winding device, wherein the blow means is configured to blow the gas against the forming tab positioned at the winding start position.

The conveying path of the electrode sheet immediately upstream of the winding core is generally linear. Therefore, the electrode sheet deforms from a flat state to a curved state when it reaches the stage where it starts to be wound by the winding core. Bending and rising of the formed tab are particularly likely to occur when the deformation of the electrode sheet occurs, that is, when the formed tab is placed at the winding start position.

In this respect, according to the above-described means 1, a predetermined gas (for example, air) is blown to the formed tab located at the winding start position, where there is a particular concern about the occurrence of bending or rising. A force directed toward the rotating shaft side of the winding core is applied. That is, a force is applied in a direction opposite to the direction in which bending or rising occurs to the formed tab positioned at the winding start position. Therefore, when the electrode sheet is wound around the winding core, it is possible to more reliably prevent the forming tab from being bent or the like. As a result, productivity and product quality can be improved.

Moreover, according to the above means 1, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of bending or the like without directly touching the forming tab. Therefore, it is possible to prevent unnecessary damage to the molded tab and improve product quality more reliably.

Means 2. The direction in which the gas is blown from the blowing means is parallel to the rotation axis of the winding core and extends outward from the center side in the width direction of the electrode sheet wound around the winding core. The winding device according to means 1, wherein the winding device is set within a range up to a direction toward the winding core which is a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the winding core.

According to the above means 2, it is possible to more reliably prevent a situation in which the blown gas goes around the back of the surface of the forming tab to which the gas is blown, and a force in the direction causing bending or the like is applied to the forming tab. As a result, the effect of preventing bending of the molded tab can be further enhanced.

Means 3. The winding device according to means 1 or 2, wherein the blowing means is configured to blow the gas intermittently.

According to the above means 3, the blow means intermittently blows gas onto the forming tab positioned at the winding start position, not continuously. Therefore, it is possible to minimize adverse effects caused by the blowing gas coming into contact with the forming tabs that are not positioned at the winding start position, and it is possible to more reliably improve productivity and product quality.

Means 4. 4. The winding device according to any one of means 1 to 3, wherein the blowing means is configured to blow gas against the root portion of the forming tab.

According to the above means 4, it is possible to more effectively apply a force in the direction opposite to the direction in which bending occurs to the formed tab, so that the occurrence of bending can be prevented more reliably.

Means 5. an electrode main body portion having an active material on the surface; A strip-shaped electrode sheet provided with a plurality of formed tabs and a strip-shaped separator sheet made of an insulating material are supplied to a rotatable core while the core is rotated to obtain the electrode sheet and the separator. A method for manufacturing a wound element, which is used when obtaining a wound element formed by winding a sheet,
As the winding core rotates, the forming tab passes through a winding start position corresponding to a position where the electrode sheet starts winding around the winding core,
a blowing step of blowing a predetermined gas against the forming tab positioned at the winding start position to apply a force toward the rotating shaft side of the winding core to the forming tab. A method of manufacturing a circuit element.

According to the above means 5, the same effect as that of the above means 1 can be achieved.

Means 6. The blowing direction of the gas in the blowing step is a direction that is parallel to the rotation axis of the core and extends from the center side in the width direction of the electrode sheet wound around the core to the outside. The method for manufacturing a wound element according to means 5, wherein the direction is set within a range up to the direction toward the winding core which is a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis of the core.

According to the above means 6, the same effect as that of the above means 2 can be achieved.

Means 7. 7. The method of manufacturing a wound element according to means 5 or 6, wherein the blowing step is performed intermittently.

According to the means 7, the same effect as the means 3 can be obtained.

Means 8. 8. The method of manufacturing a wound element according to any one of means 5 to 7, characterized in that in the blowing step, gas is blown against the root portion of the forming tab.

According to the means 8, the same effect as the means 4 can be obtained.

It is a perspective schematic diagram which shows schematic structure of a battery element. It is a plane schematic diagram which shows schematic structure of a positive electrode sheet. It is a plane schematic diagram which shows schematic structure of a negative electrode sheet. It is a schematic block diagram of a winding device. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of a winding portion; FIG. It is a perspective schematic diagram which shows a blow apparatus etc. FIG. It is a side view schematic diagram showing a blow device and the like. It is a perspective schematic diagram of a blow device etc. for demonstrating the blowing direction of gas. It is a perspective schematic diagram of a blow device etc. for demonstrating the blowing direction of gas. It is an enlarged schematic side view of a blow device or the like for explaining the blowing direction of gas. FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of a winding portion when a separator sheet is arranged in a slit; 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of a winding portion when cutting the separator sheet; FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of a winding portion at the end of winding the electrode sheet or the like; FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a first pass roll, a tab guide mechanism, and the like; It is a perspective schematic diagram of a first pass roll, a tab guide mechanism, and the like. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a tab guide roll and the like that have moved due to changes in the transport path of the positive electrode sheet. FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram showing pass rolls and the like provided corresponding to the transport path of the positive electrode sheet. It is a perspective schematic diagram of pass rolls and the like. It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram, such as a pass roll. It is a perspective schematic diagram of positive electrode sheets etc. for showing the bending of a shaping|molding tab. It is a perspective schematic diagram of a positive electrode sheet etc. for showing rising of a molding tab.

An embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, the configuration of a lithium ion battery element as a wound element obtained by a winding device will be described.

As shown in FIG. 1, a lithium ion battery element 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as "battery element 1") is composed of a positive electrode sheet 4 and a negative electrode sheet 5 superimposed with two separator sheets 2 and 3 interposed therebetween. It is manufactured by being wound in a state. Incidentally, instead of the two separator sheets 2 and 3, a single folded separator sheet may be used. Further, hereinafter, the separator sheets 2, 3 and the electrode sheets 4, 5 are sometimes referred to as "various sheets 2 to 5" for convenience of explanation.

The separator sheets 2 and 3 are strip-shaped with the same width, and are made of an insulating material such as polypropylene (PP) to prevent short circuits caused by contact between the different electrode sheets 4 and 5. It is composed of

Each of the electrode sheets 4 and 5 is made of a thin metal sheet. The positive electrode sheet 4 is made of, for example, an aluminum foil sheet, and the negative electrode sheet 5 is made of, for example, a copper foil sheet. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each electrode sheet 4, 5 comprises an electrode body portion 4a, 5a and a shaped tab 4b, 5b.

The electrode main bodies 4a and 5a have substantially the same width as the separator sheets 2 and 3, and the active material is applied to both front and back surfaces of the electrode main bodies 4a and 5a. A positive electrode active material (for example, lithium manganate particles) is applied to the electrode body portion 4a of the positive electrode sheet 4 (in FIGS. 2 and 3, the active material-applied portion is indicated by a dotted pattern). An electrode main body portion 5a of the negative electrode sheet 5 is coated with a negative electrode active material (for example, activated carbon). Ions can be exchanged between the positive electrode sheet 4 and the negative electrode sheet 5 via the active material. 2 and 3 show a configuration in which the active material is not applied to part of the electrode main bodies 4a and 5a (for example, widthwise edge portions). It is good also as composition which applies.

The molded tabs 4b, 5b are formed by cutting a part of the electrode material or the like, and are integrated with the electrode main bodies 4a, 5a. The formed tabs 4b protrude from one edge in the width direction of the electrode main body 4a, and are provided in plurality along the longitudinal direction of the electrode main body 4a at intervals. The molded tabs 5b protrude from the other edge in the width direction of the electrode main body 5a, and are provided in plurality along the longitudinal direction of the electrode main body 5a at intervals. It should be noted that both molded tabs 4b and 5b may be configured to protrude from the edge on the same side of the electrode body portions 4a and 5a.

In this embodiment, in an ideal state, the formed tabs 4b are arranged in a row at one end of the battery element 1, and the formed tabs 5b are arranged in a row at the other end of the battery element 1 (FIG. 1).

When obtaining a lithium ion battery, the wound battery element 1 is arranged in a cylindrical battery container (case) (not shown) made of metal, and the formed tabs 4b and 5b are put together. Also, if necessary, the combined formed tabs 4b, 5b are welded to each other. Then, the formed tabs 4b that are grouped together are connected to a positive electrode terminal component (not shown), and the formed tabs 5b that are also grouped together are connected to a negative terminal component (not shown), and both terminal components are connected to the battery container. A lithium ion battery can be obtained by being provided so as to block the openings at both ends.

Next, the winding device 10 for manufacturing the battery element 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the winding device 10 includes a winding section 11 for winding various sheets 2 to 5, and a positive electrode sheet supply mechanism 31 for supplying the positive electrode sheet 4 to the winding section 11. , a negative electrode sheet supply mechanism 41 for supplying the negative electrode sheet 5 to the winding section 11, separator supply mechanisms 51 and 61 for supplying the separator sheets 2 and 3 to the winding section 11, respectively, and a control device. 91. Various mechanisms in the winding device 10 , such as the winding portion 11 and the supply mechanisms 31 , 41 , 51 , 61 , are configured to be operated and controlled by the control device 91 .

The positive electrode sheet supply mechanism 31 includes a positive electrode sheet material 32 formed by winding the positive electrode sheet 4 into a roll. The original positive electrode sheet 32 is rotatably supported, and the positive electrode sheet 4 is pulled out from here as appropriate.

Further, the positive electrode sheet supply mechanism 31 includes a sheet insertion mechanism 71 , a sheet cutting cutter 72 and a tension imparting mechanism 73 .

The sheet inserting mechanism 71 is for gripping the positive electrode sheet 4 and feeding it to the winding section 11 .

The sheet cutting cutter 72 is for cutting the positive electrode sheet 4 . The cutting of the positive electrode sheet 4 is performed while the positive electrode sheet 4 is gripped by the sheet inserting mechanism 71 . Further, the sheet cutting cutter 72 can be separated from the conveying path of the positive electrode sheet 4 so as not to hinder the supply of the positive electrode sheet 4 by the sheet inserting mechanism 71 .

The tension applying mechanism 73 is for applying tension to the positive electrode sheet 4, and includes a plurality of rollers (for example, dancer rollers). By controlling the operation of these rollers by the control device 91, the tension applied to the positive electrode sheet 4 from the tension applying mechanism 73 can be adjusted. In this embodiment, the tension applying mechanism 73 always applies constant tension to the positive electrode sheet 4 .

The negative electrode sheet supply mechanism 41 has, on its most upstream side, a raw negative electrode sheet 42 formed by winding the negative electrode sheet 5 into a roll. The raw negative electrode sheet 42 is rotatably supported, and the negative electrode sheet 5 is pulled out from there as appropriate.

In addition, in the middle of the conveying path of the negative electrode sheet 5 from the negative electrode sheet original fabric 42 to the winding portion 11, similarly to the conveying path of the positive electrode sheet 4, a sheet inserting mechanism 71, a sheet cutting cutter 72 and a tension applying mechanism 71 are provided. A mechanism 73 is provided. These are the same as those provided in the transport path for the positive electrode sheet 4 except that they function for the negative electrode sheet 5 .

On the other hand, the separator supply mechanisms 51 and 61 are provided with separator raw sheets 52 and 62 formed by winding the separator sheets 2 and 3 into rolls, respectively. The separator raw sheets 52, 62 are supported so as to be freely rotatable, and the separator sheets 2, 3 are pulled out therefrom as appropriate.

Furthermore, the separator supply mechanisms 51 and 61 are provided with a tension imparting mechanism 73 like the electrode sheet supply mechanisms 31 and 41 . This is the same as that provided in the positive electrode sheet supply mechanism 31 except that it functions for the separator sheets 2 and 3 .

Next, the configuration of the winding portion 11 will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, the winding section 11 includes a turret 12 consisting of two disc-shaped tables facing each other and rotatably provided by a drive mechanism (not shown), and a turret 12 with an interval of 180° in the rotation direction of the turret 12 . two cores 13 and 14 provided in , two support rollers 15a and 15b provided at positions shifted by approximately 90° from the cores 13 and 14 in the rotational direction of the turret 12, and a separator cutter 16, a pressing roller 17 for pressing the various sheets 2 to 5 immediately before the winding is completed, a tape sticking mechanism 18 for sticking a predetermined fixing tape, and a blowing device 19 as a blowing means. . The winding portion 11 also has a removal device (not shown) for removing the battery element 1 from the winding cores 13 and 14 around a removal position P2, which will be described later.

The winding cores 13 and 14 are for winding various sheets 2 to 5 on their outer peripheral sides, respectively, and are configured to be rotatable about their central axes by a drive mechanism (not shown). The amount of rotation of the winding cores 13 and 14 can be grasped by an encoder (not shown), and information about the amount of rotation is input to the control device 91 from the encoder.

The outer peripheral surface of the core 13 (14), that is, the portion around which the various sheets 2 to 5 are wound, is configured to have an elliptical shape in a cross section orthogonal to its central axis (rotational axis). ing. The winding core 13 (14) includes a first core piece 131 (141) and a second core piece 132 (142). Furthermore, a slit 133 (143) is formed between the core pieces 131, 132 (141, 142) to extend in a direction perpendicular to the rotating shaft. A chuck mechanism (not shown) for clamping the separator sheets 2 and 3 inserted through the slit 133 (143) is provided at the portion of the core 13 (14) where the slit 133 (143) is formed. ing.

In addition, the cores 13 and 14 are provided so as to be retractable with respect to one of the tables constituting the turret 12 along the axial direction of the turret 12 (the depth direction of the paper surface of FIG. 5). When the winding cores 13 and 14 protrude from one of the tables, their tip end portions are inserted into receiving holes formed in the other table, and are rotatably supported by both tables. be.

Furthermore, the winding cores 13 and 14 are configured to be pivotally movable between the winding position P1 and the removing position P2 by rotating the turret 12 . The winding position P1 is a position where the winding cores 13 and 14 are arranged when the various sheets 2 to 5 are wound. The removal position P2 is a position where the winding cores 13 and 14 are arranged when the various sheets 2 to 5 (that is, the battery element 1) are removed after being wound.

The support rollers 15a, 15b are for hooking and supporting the various sheets 2 to 5 between the cores 13, 14 moved to the removal position P2 and the supply mechanisms 31, 41, 51, 61 described above.

A separator cutter 16 is for cutting the separator sheets 2 and 3 . The pressing roller 17 is for pressing the wound various sheets 2-5. The tape attaching mechanism 18 is for attaching a fixing tape to the end portions of the separator sheets 2 and 3 after the winding is finished.

The blow device 19 is for blowing a predetermined gas (for example, air) onto the forming tabs 4b, 5b of the electrode sheets 4, 5 wound by the winding cores 13, 14, respectively. The blowing device 19 is installed in the vicinity of the winding core 13 (14) arranged at the winding position P1, and is supplied with a predetermined gas from a compressor (not shown). As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 (in FIG. 6, etc., the molded tabs 4b, 5b, etc. are shown thicker than they actually are), the blow device 19 includes a positive electrode blow mechanism 191 corresponding to the positive electrode sheet 4, a negative electrode A negative electrode blow mechanism 192 corresponding to the seat 5 is provided.

The positive electrode blowing mechanism 191 blows gas against the forming tab 4b of the positive electrode sheet 4 to apply force to the forming tab 4b toward the rotation axis RA of the winding core 13 (14). The negative electrode blowing mechanism 192 blows gas against the forming tab 5b of the negative electrode sheet 5 to apply force toward the rotating shaft RA to the forming tab 5b. Incidentally, the gas outlets of the blow mechanisms 191 and 192 may be composed of one hole, or may be composed of a large number of fine holes.

Further, each blow mechanism 191, 192 is set to blow gas against the forming tabs 4b, 5b positioned at the winding start position P3, respectively. The winding start position P3 is a position corresponding to the position where the various sheets 2 to 5 start winding around the winding core 13 (14) as the winding core 13 (14) rotates. The electrode sheets 4 and 5 that have reached the winding start position P3 are deformed from a flat state to a curved state. When the electrode sheets 4 and 5 are deformed, the formed tabs 4b and 5b are particularly likely to bend or rise.

Further, the blowing direction of the gas from each of the blow mechanisms 191 and 192 is oblique to the rotation axis RA of the core 13 (14), and the electrode sheet 4 wound around the core 13 (14). , 5 in the width direction toward the outside. Incidentally, the blowing direction of the gas from each of the blow mechanisms 191 and 192 may be changed as appropriate. However, the blowing direction of the gas is a direction parallel to the rotation axis RA and directed outward from the center side in the width direction of the electrode sheets 4 and 5 wound around the core 13 (14) (see FIG. 8). It is preferable to set it within a range from the direction of the thick arrow in FIG. In other words, it is preferable to set the blowing direction of the gas so as to be within the range HA in FIG.

Furthermore, each of the blow mechanisms 191 and 192 blows gas onto the forming tabs 4b and 5b only at the timing when the forming tabs 4b and 5b are positioned at the winding start position P3. That is, each blow device 191, 192 intermittently blows gas onto the forming tabs 4b, 5b. The control device 91 controls the timing of blowing gas by the blow devices 191 and 192 . In this embodiment, the control device 91 pre-stores various data such as data relating to the formation intervals of the forming tabs 4b, 5b along the longitudinal direction of the electrode sheets 4, 5, and transmits the various data and the encoder. Based on the amount of rotation of the winding cores 13 and 14 obtained, the blowing timing of the gas is determined, and the operation of each blow device 191 and 192 is controlled based on the determined timing. The means for determining the timing of blowing the gas can be changed as appropriate. The gas blowing timing may be determined based on the detection result of the sensor.

In addition, each blow mechanism 191, 192 blows gas against the root portions of the forming tabs 4b, 5b.

In the winding device 10 configured as described above, the various sheets 2 to 5 are wound as follows. That is, one core 13 (14) arranged at the winding position P1 is protruded from one table of the turret 12 while the separator sheets 2 and 3 are stretched over the support rollers 15a (15b) and the like. Then, the separator sheets 2 and 3 are arranged in the slit 133 (143) of the winding core 13 (14) (see FIG. 11). Next, the separator sheets 2 and 3 arranged in the slit 133 (143) are clamped by the chuck mechanism. Then, one of the winding cores 13 (14) is rotated a predetermined number of times, so that a predetermined amount of the separator sheets 2 and 3 are wound around the winding core 13 (14).

Next, the electrode sheets 4 and 5 are sequentially supplied to one winding core 13 (14) by the sheet insertion mechanism 71, and then the winding core 13 (14) is rotated to wind various sheets 2 to 5. To go.

When the various sheets 2 to 5 are wound, at the timing when the forming tabs 4b and 5b are positioned at the winding start position P3, a step of blowing gas against the forming tabs 4b and 5b by the blow mechanisms 191 and 192, that is, a blowing step is performed. done. As a result, the blowing process is performed intermittently. Then, when the various sheets 2 to 5 of a predetermined length are wound, the rotation of one winding core 13 (14) is temporarily stopped, and the electrode sheets 4 and 5 are cut by the sheet cutting cutter 72. FIG.

After that, by rotating the turret 12, one winding core 13 (14) around which the various sheets 2 to 5 are wound is removed and moved to the position P2. As a result, the separator sheets 2 and 3 are stretched over the support rollers 15a (15b) and the like. Further, the rotation of the turret 12 moves the other winding core 14 (13) to the winding position P1. The next winding of various sheets 2 to 5 is performed by this winding core 14 (13).

Next, the pressing roller 17 is brought close to one of the cores 13 (14) arranged at the removal position P2, and after pressing the various sheets 2 to 5 with the pressing roller 17, the separator sheets 2 and 3 are separated by the separator cutter 16. (see FIG. 12). After that, one winding core 13 (14) is rotated to completely wind up the various sheets 2 to 5, and the fixing tape is applied to the end portions of the separator sheets 2 and 3 by the tape applying mechanism 18. . As a result, the battery element 1 subjected to the winding stop treatment is obtained (see FIG. 13). The obtained battery element 1 is removed from the winding core 13 (14) by the removing device.

As described in detail above, according to the present embodiment, the forming tabs 4b and 5b located at the winding start position P3, which are particularly concerned about bending and rising, are blown with gas to prevent the forming tabs from forming. A force is applied to the tabs 4b, 5b toward the rotation axis RA of the winding cores 13, 14. As shown in FIG. That is, force is applied in the direction opposite to the direction in which bending or rising occurs to the forming tabs 4b and 5b positioned at the winding start position P3. Therefore, when the electrode sheets 4 and 5 are wound around the winding cores 13 and 14, it is possible to more reliably prevent the forming tabs 4b and 5b from being bent or the like. As a result, productivity and product quality can be improved.

In addition, since the gas is blown, the tabs 4b and 5b do not come into direct contact with each other, thereby preventing the tabs from bending or the like. Therefore, the molding tabs 4b and 5b can be prevented from being damaged unnecessarily, and the product quality can be improved more reliably.

Furthermore, since the blowing direction of the gas is set within the range HA, the blown gas wraps around the back of the target surface of the forming tabs 4b, 5b to which the gas is blown, and the force in the direction causing bending or the like is applied to the forming tabs 4b. , 5b can be more reliably prevented. As a result, the effect of preventing bending of the molded tabs 4b and 5b can be further enhanced.

In addition, the blowing device 19 blows gas not continuously but intermittently onto the forming tabs 4b, 5b located at the winding start position P3. Therefore, it is possible to minimize adverse effects caused by the blowing gas coming into contact with the forming tabs 4b and 5b which are not positioned at the winding start position P3, so that productivity and product quality can be improved more reliably.

Further, since the gas is blown to the root portions of the formed tabs 4b, 5b, it is possible to effectively apply a force in the opposite direction to the direction in which the formed tabs 4b, 5b are bent. can be more reliably prevented from occurring.

In addition, it is not limited to the description content of the said embodiment, For example, you may implement as follows. Of course, other applications and modifications not exemplified below are naturally possible.

(a) As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 , the winding device 10 may include a first pass roll 74 and a tab guide mechanism 75 .

Among the plurality of pass rolls provided corresponding to the conveying path of the positive electrode sheet 4 (defining the conveying path of the positive electrode sheet 4), the first pass roll 74 is the positive electrode sheet raw roll 32 (“electrode sheet raw roll”). corresponding) is the first to be hung. The first pass roll 74 is freely rotatable like the other pass rolls.

When the positive electrode sheet 4 passes through the first pass rolls 74, the forming tabs 4b are bent or the like, so that the positive electrode sheet 4 is bent. There is a particular concern that the positive electrode sheet 4 (particularly, the base portion of the formed tab 4b) may be wrinkled, which easily causes the formed tab 4b to bend or the like when the sheet 4 is wound.

The tab guide mechanism 75 includes a tab guide roll 751 and a guide position adjusting mechanism 752 as guide position adjusting means.

The tab guide roll 751 is rotatably supported, and is arranged at a position sandwiching the forming tab 4b between at least the rotation axis RB of the first pass roll. The tab guide roll 751 contacts the molded tab 4b (more specifically, the molded tab 4b that is about to rise) of the positive electrode sheet 4 being conveyed, so that the tab guide roll 751 is directed in the direction away from the rotation axis RB. It is installed at a position capable of suppressing deformation (for example, rising) of the forming tab 4b.

The guide position adjusting mechanism 752 adjusts the transport path of the positive electrode sheet 4 between the original positive electrode sheet 32 and the first pass rolls 74 as the positive electrode sheet 4 is pulled out from the original positive electrode sheet 32. It is for adjusting the position of the tab guide roll 751 . The guide roll position adjustment mechanism 752 includes an adjustment roll 752a and a link portion 752b.

The adjustment roll 752a is in contact with the surface of the positive electrode sheet 4 conveyed between the original positive electrode sheet 32 and the first pass roll 74, and is urged by a predetermined biasing means (for example, a spring) (not shown). It is designed to be maintained in contact with the surface of the electrode sheet 4 . Therefore, when the conveying path changes according to the remaining amount of the positive electrode sheet 4 in the original positive electrode sheet 32, the adjustment roll 752a changes its arrangement position in accordance with the change in the conveying path. (See FIG. 16).

The link portion 752b has a shape bent at a substantially right angle, and includes a pair of plate-like parts installed at positions sandwiching the transport path of the positive electrode sheet 4. It is rotatably supported on the same rotating shaft as the rotating shaft RB of the one-pass roll 74 . One end of the link portion 752b supports the tab guide roll 751 in a freely rotatable state, and the other end supports the adjustment roll 752a in a freely rotatable state.

In the guide roll position adjusting mechanism 752 configured as described above, the conveying path of the positive electrode sheet 4 is changed while the adjusting roll 752a is kept in contact with the positive electrode sheet 4, so that the link portion 752b is changed. rotates. As a result, the arrangement position of the tab guide roll 751 is adjusted to an appropriate position according to the transport path of the positive electrode sheet 4 (see FIGS. 14 and 16). Here, the "appropriate position" refers to a position where the forming tab 4b passing through the outer periphery of the first pass roll 74 and the tab guide roll 751 can come into contact with each other.

According to the configuration provided with the above-described tab guide mechanism 75 and the like, the tab guide roll 751 contacts the forming tab 4b, thereby preventing deformation (that is, bending, etc.) of the forming tab 4b in the direction away from the rotation axis RB. can be suppressed. Therefore, when the positive electrode sheet 4 passes through the first pass rolls 74, it is possible to more reliably prevent the positive electrode sheet 4 from being wrinkled, which easily causes bending of the forming tab 4b. As a result, it is possible to effectively prevent the forming tab 4b from being bent or the like when the positive electrode sheet 4 is wound around the winding cores 13 and 14. As a result, productivity and product quality can be improved. .

Further, since the tab guide roll 751 is rotatable, the load applied to the forming tab 4b during contact can be reduced as much as possible. Thereby, the improvement of product quality can be aimed at more reliably.

Furthermore, the position of the tab guide roll 751 can be appropriately adjusted by the guide roll position adjusting mechanism 752 according to the change of the transport path of the positive electrode sheet 4 . Therefore, the above effects can be obtained more stably.

In addition, since the guide roll position adjusting mechanism 752 has a relatively simple configuration that does not use electric power, it is possible to suppress an increase in costs related to production of the winding element 1 and maintenance of the winding device 10. can.

Even when the conveying position of the positive electrode sheet 4 is changed, the guide roll 751 is arranged so that it can always come into contact with the forming tab 4b passing through the bending start position described below. Preferably, the position adjustment mechanism 752 is constructed. The "curving start position" is a position corresponding to the position where the positive electrode sheet 4 starts contacting the first pass roll 74, and the conveying path of the positive electrode sheet 4 from upstream to downstream changes from a straight line to a curved line. A changing position. Bending or the like of the forming tab 4b is likely to occur particularly when passing through the bending start position. Therefore, by configuring the guide position adjusting mechanism 752 so that the tab guide roll 751 is always arranged at a position where it can contact the forming tab 4b passing through the bending start position, bending of the forming tab 4b can be effectively prevented. In addition, it is possible to more reliably prevent the positive electrode sheet 4 from being wrinkled as described above.

In addition, as a guide roll position adjusting mechanism, route grasping means for grasping the conveying route of the positive electrode sheet 4 between the original positive electrode sheet 32 and the first pass roll 74 (for example, the distance from a predetermined position to the conveying route measuring sensor, etc.), and moving means for moving the tab guide roll 751 to an appropriate position in accordance with the position of the transport path based on the results of grasping by the route grasping means.

In the above description, an example is described in which the tab guide mechanism 75 is provided corresponding to the first pass roll 74 on which the positive electrode sheet 4 pulled out from the original positive electrode sheet material 32 is initially hung. A tab guide mechanism may be provided corresponding to the first pass roll on which the negative electrode sheet 5 pulled out from the original electrode sheet 42 (corresponding to the "original electrode sheet") is initially wound.

Next, technical ideas that can be grasped from the above configuration will be described together with their effects.

Means a. Equipped with a rotatable core,
an electrode main body portion having an active material on the surface; A strip-shaped electrode sheet provided with a plurality of formed tabs and a strip-shaped separator sheet made of an insulating material are supplied to the core and rotated to overlap the electrode sheet and the separator sheet. A winding device for winding while
an original electrode sheet material obtained by winding the electrode sheet supplied to the winding core into a roll;
a rotatable first pass roll on which the electrode sheet pulled out from the original electrode sheet is initially hung;
It is arranged at a position sandwiching the forming tab between at least the rotating shaft of the first pass roll, and by contacting with the forming tab, it is possible to suppress deformation of the forming tab in a direction away from the rotating shaft. and a rotatable tab guide roll comprising:

When the electrode sheet pulled out from the original electrode sheet passes through pass rolls (first pass rolls) on which the electrode sheet is initially placed, the electrode sheet is distorted by bending or rising of the forming tab. As a result, the electrode sheet (especially the root portion of the formed tab) tends to have wrinkles that easily cause bending of the formed tab when the electrode sheet is wound around the winding core.

In this regard, according to the above means a, a rotatable tab guide roll is provided at a position sandwiching the forming tab between at least the rotating shaft of the first pass roll, and the tab guide roll contacts the forming tab. Thus, deformation (that is, bending or the like) of the forming tab in the direction away from the rotation axis of the first pass roll can be suppressed. Therefore, when the electrode sheet passes through the first pass rolls, it is possible to more reliably prevent the electrode sheet from being wrinkled, which easily causes bending of the forming tab. As a result, it is possible to effectively prevent the forming tab from being bent or the like when the electrode sheet or the like is wound around the winding core. As a result, productivity and product quality can be improved.

Moreover, according to the above means a, since the tab guide roll is rotatable, the load applied to the forming tab during contact can be reduced as much as possible. Thereby, the improvement of product quality can be aimed at more reliably.

Means b. A guide capable of adjusting the position of the tab guide roll according to a change in the conveying path of the electrode sheet between the raw electrode sheet and the first pass rolls as the electrode sheet is pulled out from the raw electrode sheet. Winding device according to means a, characterized in that it comprises roll position adjusting means.

According to the means b, the position of the tab guide roll can be appropriately adjusted by the guide roll position adjusting means in accordance with the change in the conveying path of the electrode sheet between the original electrode sheet and the first pass rolls. Therefore, it is possible to more stably obtain the effects of the means a.

Means c. The guide roll position adjusting means is
a rotatable adjustment roll maintained in contact with the electrode sheet stock and the electrode sheet conveyed between the first pass rolls;
a link portion configured to be rotatable on the same rotation axis as the rotation axis of the first pass roll and supporting the tab guide roll and the adjustment roll in a rotatable state;
The link portion is rotated by changing the conveying path of the electrode sheet while the adjustment roll is kept in contact with the electrode sheet being conveyed between the original electrode sheet and the first pass roll. The winding device according to means b, characterized in that the position of the tab guide roll is adjusted by means of.

According to the means c, the guide roll position adjusting means can be realized with a relatively simple configuration that does not use electric power. As a result, it is possible to suppress an increase in costs related to production of the wound element, maintenance of the winding device, and the like.

(b) As shown in FIG. 17, the winding device 10 has the positive electrode sheet 4 hung on its outer peripheral surface, and is provided corresponding to the transport path of the positive electrode sheet 4 (the transport path of the positive electrode sheet 4 is (defined) may include a plurality of freely rotatable pass rolls 76,77,78. In this case, when the positive electrode sheet 4 passes through the pass rolls 76 to 78, the forming tabs 4b are bent or the like, so that the positive electrode sheet 4 is crooked. When the electrode sheet 4 is wound, there is a risk that the positive electrode sheet 4 (especially the base portion of the formed tab 4b) will be wrinkled, which will easily cause the formed tab 4b to bend or the like.

In consideration of this point, in FIGS. 18 and 19 (in FIGS. 18 and 19, for convenience of illustration, the positive electrode sheet 4 is shown thicker than it actually is, and in FIG. 19, the molded tab 4b is given a dotted pattern. ), at least one of the pass rolls 76 to 78 (the pass roll 76 in this example) is configured such that the central portion of the pass roll 76 along the direction of the rotation axis RC bulges. You may

Such a shape is more preferably applied to the pass rolls 76, which are pass rolls (that is, first pass rolls) on which the positive electrode sheet 4 pulled out from the original positive electrode sheet 32 is initially hung. This is because, when the positive electrode sheet 4 passes through the first pass rolls, the positive electrode sheet 4 is particularly prone to wrinkles as described above.

According to the configuration provided with the pass rolls 76 as described above, the positive electrode sheet 4 hung on the pass rolls 76 is separated from the rotation axis RC at the center in the width direction and at the edges in the width direction. It is possible to bend the molded tab 4b so as to be close to the RC, thereby making it more difficult for the molded tab 4b to bend or the like. Therefore, when the positive electrode sheet 4 passes through the pass rolls 76, it is possible to more reliably prevent the positive electrode sheet 4 from being wrinkled, which easily causes the forming tab 4b to bend. As a result, when the positive electrode sheet 4 or the like is wound around the winding cores 13 and 14, the forming tab 4b can be prevented from being bent or the like more reliably, and productivity and product quality can be improved.

Further, at least the pass roll 76, which is the first pass roll, has a bulging shape in the central portion, so that the positive electrode sheet 4 can be more reliably prevented from being wrinkled as described above. As a result, bending or the like of the molded tab 4b can be prevented more effectively.

In the above description, the pass rolls 76 corresponding to the conveying path of the positive electrode sheet 4 have a shape with a bulging central portion. It may be Also, the pass rolls other than the first pass roll may have a shape with a bulging central portion.

Next, technical ideas that can be grasped from the above configuration will be described together with their effects.

Means x. Equipped with a rotatable core,
an electrode main body portion having an active material on the surface; A strip-shaped electrode sheet provided with a plurality of formed tabs and a strip-shaped separator sheet made of an insulating material are supplied to the core and rotated to overlap the electrode sheet and the separator sheet. A winding device for winding while
a rotatable pass roll provided corresponding to the conveying path of the electrode sheet with respect to the winding core and having the electrode sheet hung on the outer peripheral surface;
The winding device, wherein the pass roll has a shape in which a central portion along the rotation axis direction of the pass roll bulges.

When the electrode sheet passes through the pass rolls, the forming tabs are bent or raised, causing the electrode sheet to become crooked, and there is a risk that the electrode sheet (especially the root portion of the forming tab) will be wrinkled. Such "wrinkles" make it easier for the formed tab to bend or the like when the electrode sheet is wound around the winding core.

In this respect, according to the means x, the pass roll has a shape (for example, a barrel shape) in which the central portion along the rotation axis direction of the pass roll bulges. Therefore, it is possible to bend the electrode sheet hung on the pass rolls so that the center portion in the width direction is away from the rotating shaft while the edge portions in the width direction are closer to the rotating shaft, thereby forming the tab. It is possible to make bending or the like more difficult to occur. Therefore, when the electrode sheet passes through the pass rolls, it is possible to more reliably prevent the electrode sheet from being wrinkled, which easily causes bending of the forming tab. As a result, when the electrode sheet or the like is wound around the winding core, it is possible to more reliably prevent the forming tab from being bent or the like, thereby improving productivity and product quality.

means y. An electrode sheet raw fabric obtained by winding the electrode sheet supplied to the winding core into a roll,
The pass roll, on which at least the electrode sheet pulled out from the original electrode sheet is initially hung, has a shape in which a central portion along the direction of the rotation axis bulges. winding device.

"Wrinkles" that easily cause bending of the forming tab when the electrode sheet is wound around the winding core are caused by the pass roll (first pass roll) on which the electrode sheet pulled out from the original electrode sheet is initially placed. particularly prone to occur.

In this regard, according to the above means y, at least the first pass roll has a shape in which the central portion along the rotation axis direction bulges. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably prevent the electrode sheet from forming "wrinkles" that easily cause bending of the molded tab. As a result, it is possible to more effectively prevent the forming tab from bending or the like when the electrode sheet or the like is wound around the winding core. )
From the point of view of more effectively preventing bending of the molded tab, etc., it is preferable to appropriately combine the means 1 to 8, a to c, x, and y. Of course, the means 1 to 8, a to c, x and y may be used alone.

(c) The pass roll corresponding to the conveying path of the electrode sheets 4 and 5 may have suction means for sucking the forming tabs 4b and 5b on the surface of the pass roll. The suction means is composed of, for example, a device having a plurality of suction holes opened on the surface of the pass roll and a negative pressure supply means (such as a vacuum pump) for supplying negative pressure to the suction holes. When the suction means is provided, the forming tabs 4b, 5b can be prevented from being bent or the like when the electrode sheets 4, 5 pass through the pass rolls. It is possible to more reliably prevent the electrode sheets 4 and 5 from being wrinkled, which easily causes bending of the electrode 5b. In addition, deformation of the molded tabs 4b, 5b can be prevented, and the molded tabs 4b, 5b can be prevented from being greatly damaged, thereby further improving product quality.

(d) In the above embodiment, the blowing device 19 is configured to be maintained at a fixed position, but the blowing device 19 may , the blow device 19 may be configured to move away from the rotation axis RA. In this case, the blow device 19 can always be brought as close as possible to the forming tabs 4b, 5b, and the gas can be blown more intensively to the forming tabs 4b, 5b. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably prevent the influence of the blown gas from reaching the molding tabs 4b and 5b other than the object to be blown.

In addition, the volume of gas blown from the blow device 19 onto the forming tabs 4b and 5b may be changed in accordance with the winding thickness of the winding cores 13 and 14 due to the winding of the various sheets 2-5. For example, when the winding amount of the various sheets 2 to 5 is relatively small, that is, the distance from the forming tabs 4b, 5b positioned at the winding start position P3 to the blow device 19 tends to be relatively large, When the formed tabs 4b and 5b that have reached the attachment start position P3 bend relatively sharply (that is, when the formed tabs 4b and 5b are more likely to bend or the like), the air volume is set to be relatively large. can be configured to On the other hand, when the winding amount of the various sheets 2 to 5 is relatively large, that is, the distance from the forming tabs 4b, 5b positioned at the winding start position P3 to the blow device 19 tends to be relatively small, When the forming tabs 4b and 5b that have reached the attachment start position P3 curve relatively gently (that is, when bending or the like of the forming tabs 4b and 5b is relatively difficult to occur), the air volume is relatively small. It may be configured as By configuring as described above, it is possible to more reliably prevent bending of the forming tabs 4b and 5b, and to make it more difficult for the adverse effects of the blown gas to occur.

(e) In the above embodiment, the positive electrode blowing mechanism 191 corresponding to the molding tab 4b of the positive electrode sheet 4 and the negative electrode blowing mechanism 192 corresponding to the molding tab 5b of the negative electrode sheet 5 are provided separately. Both blow mechanisms 191 and 192 may be integrated.

(f) In the above embodiment, the blowing device 19 blows the gas intermittently, but it may be blown continuously.

(g) In the above-described embodiment, the winding portion 11 has two winding cores 13 and 14, but may have one or three or more winding cores. In addition, the outer peripheral shape of the core is not limited to those mentioned in the above embodiments. good too. Furthermore, the winding core may not have slits. In addition, the electrode sheets 4, 5 and the like may be wound around a cylindrical core component provided on the outer periphery of the winding core.

(h) In the above embodiment, the battery element 1 of the lithium ion battery is manufactured by the winding device 10, but the wound element manufactured by the winding device 10 is not limited to this. , wound elements of electrolytic capacitors, and the like.

(i) In the above embodiment, the wound element 1 includes the separator sheets 2, 3 and the electrode sheets 4, 5. However, when used in an all-solid-state battery, for example, the separator sheets 2, 3 are not provided. There may be. In this case, instead of the separator sheets 2 and 3, a solid electrolyte capable of insulating between the electrode sheets 4 and 5 may be provided.

(j) The materials of the separator sheets 2 and 3 and the electrode sheets 4 and 5 are not limited to those in the above embodiment, and may be changed as appropriate. Of course, the active material applied to the electrode sheets 4 and 5 may be changed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Battery element (wound element), 2, 3... Separator sheet, 4... Positive electrode sheet (electrode sheet), 4a, 5a... Electrode body part, 4b, 5b... Molded tab, 5... Negative electrode sheet (electrode sheet ), 10... Winding device, 13, 14... Winding core, 19... Blow device (blow means), P3... Winding start position.

Claims (8)

Equipped with a rotatable core,
an electrode main body portion having an active material on the surface; A strip-shaped electrode sheet provided with a plurality of formed tabs and a strip-shaped separator sheet made of an insulating material are supplied to the core and rotated to overlap the electrode sheet and the separator sheet. A winding device for winding while
Blowing means for applying a force toward the rotating shaft side of the winding core to the forming tab by blowing a predetermined gas onto the forming tab,
The forming tab is configured to pass through a winding start position corresponding to a position where the electrode sheet starts winding around the winding core as the winding core rotates,
The winding device, wherein the blow means is configured to blow the gas against the forming tab positioned at the winding start position. The direction in which the gas is blown from the blowing means is parallel to the rotation axis of the winding core and extends outward from the center side in the width direction of the electrode sheet wound around the winding core. 2. The winding device according to claim 1, wherein the winding device is set within a range extending in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis of the winding core and toward the winding core side. 3. The winding device according to claim 1, wherein the blowing means is configured to blow the gas intermittently. 4. The winding apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said blowing means is configured to blow gas against the root portion of said forming tab. an electrode main body portion having an active material on the surface; A strip-shaped electrode sheet provided with a plurality of formed tabs and a strip-shaped separator sheet made of an insulating material are supplied to a rotatable core while the core is rotated to obtain the electrode sheet and the separator. A method for manufacturing a wound element, which is used when obtaining a wound element formed by winding a sheet,
As the winding core rotates, the forming tab passes through a winding start position corresponding to a position where the electrode sheet starts winding around the winding core,
a blowing step of blowing a predetermined gas against the forming tab positioned at the winding start position to apply a force toward the rotating shaft side of the winding core to the forming tab. A method of manufacturing a circuit element. The blowing direction of the gas in the blowing step is a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the winding core and extending from the center side in the width direction of the electrode sheet wound around the winding core toward the outside. 6. The method of manufacturing a wound element according to claim 5, wherein the direction is set within a range up to a direction toward the winding core which is a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis of the core. 7. The method of manufacturing a wound element according to claim 5, wherein said blowing step is performed intermittently. 8. The method of manufacturing a wound element according to claim 5, wherein in said blowing step, gas is blown against the root portion of said forming tab.

Images