JPWO2012020480A1 - Method for laminating positive and negative electrode plates and apparatus therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided are a positive and negative electrode plate laminating method and an apparatus capable of laminating positive and negative electrode plates with high production efficiency while minimizing misalignment of positive and negative electrode plates. For the coated positive electrode plate array of the positive electrode plates coated with the separator and welded between the electrode plates, perforations are formed in each welded portion, and each positive electrode plate is alternately distributed to the left and right with the perforation as a fulcrum. While being folded in a zigzag shape, “positioned different electrode plates” are inserted between the electrode plates, and positive and negative electrode plates are alternately stacked. At that time, in order to prevent stacking misalignment, for example, the positive electrode plate is cut out from the positive electrode plate sheet material to a predetermined size, covered with a separator, and positioned so that the initial positioning state is always maintained after positioning. Is sent out while being pressed or sucked in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction.

Description

  The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for laminating positive and negative electrode plates, and in particular, a positive and negative electrode plate capable of laminating positive and negative electrode plates with high production efficiency while minimizing misalignment of positive and negative electrode plates regardless of terminal shape. The present invention relates to a lamination method and an apparatus therefor.

In an electrode plate laminating device that laminates a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate, it is required to stack the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate with high positioning accuracy that minimizes the stacking deviation, in addition to the large production amount per unit time. ing.
As a stacking apparatus for positive and negative electrodes, for example, after a plurality of positive plates are aligned and placed on the separator at right angles to the unwinding direction of the separator, the separators are 180 so that each terminal of the positive plate is exposed. Folded to cover the positive electrode plate, and intermittently form welds (two places) between the positive electrode plates with a heat sealer, and then cut between the welds with a cutter to form a bag-like coated positive plate Then, a secondary battery manufacturing method (hereinafter, referred to as “first prior art”) in which negative plates punched into predetermined dimensions are alternately stacked is known. (For example, see Patent Document 1).
By the way, as in the above laminating method, either one of the positive electrode plate or the negative electrode plate is coated, and the individual non-coated different electrode plates are individually laminated one by one by cutting each piece individually. First, positive and negative electrode plates are alternately and serially arranged on the separator, and then the positive and negative electrode plate rows are covered from above with another separator, and then the separators between both electrode plates and at both open ends are welded and Form perforations at the welds between the electrode plates, then cut the number of positive and negative electrode plates required for battery assembly together, lower the cut positive and negative electrode plate along the slope, and fold it at the perforations 2. Description of the Related Art A manufacturing method of a secondary battery in which a negative electrode plate is stacked and a stacking apparatus (hereinafter referred to as “second prior art”) are known (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

JP 2009-289418 A JP 2010-157366 A

Covering the positive electrode plate in a bag shape as in the first prior art described above is because the rotation in the horizontal direction of the positive electrode plate is completely restricted and the rotation in the vertical direction is also restricted to some extent. This is effective in preventing the misalignment (position) of the film.
However, it is time-consuming and less preferable in terms of production efficiency to cut one by one from the positive electrode plate row (serial row) coated in a bag shape and to alternately stack the positive and negative electrode plates one by one alternately. Absent.
In the second prior art in which a perforation is formed in the welded portion between the electrode plates, each electrode plate is constrained from rotating in the lateral direction by the welded portion between the electrode plates, and each electrode is further separated by the welded portion at both opening ends. Since the vertical rotation of the plates is constrained, the positive and negative plates are maintained in positioning accuracy by the welded portions after welding between the electrode plates, and the effect of the perforations formed in the welded portions Thus, it becomes possible to fold the cut positive and negative electrode plate rows accurately at high speed.
However, the separator itself is a thin film, and it is extremely difficult to accurately arrange the positive and negative electrode plates having flexibility on the separator with a predetermined positioning accuracy. Even if the positive and negative electrode plates can be arranged with a predetermined positioning accuracy, the separator on which the positive and negative electrode plates are arranged performs an intermittent motion that repeats movement → stop → movement →. Therefore, it is extremely difficult to maintain the positioning accuracy of the positive and negative electrodes until the electrodes are welded. Furthermore, it is necessary that the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate received by the robot arm are accurately arranged with high positioning accuracy. In the case of the second prior art, for example, the positive electrode plate 12 and the negative electrode plate 13 on the separator 15A are in a free state until they are welded by the welding portion 38 (see FIG. 4 of Patent Document 2). Therefore, it is considered difficult to weld the separators between the two electrode plates and the two open ends while maintaining a predetermined positioning accuracy with respect to the positive and negative electrode plates.
By the way, the shape of the terminal of the electrode plate which takes out electricity is divided roughly into a horizontally long type (for example, this application, patent document 1) and a vertically long type (for example, patent document 2). In the case of the vertically long type, it is possible to weld separators in the vicinity of the four sides due to the structure. On the other hand, in the case of the horizontally long type, the separators in the vicinity of the three sides excluding the terminal side are only welded due to the structure. Therefore, in the coated electrode plate array in which the terminal shape is a horizontally long type and is welded only between adjacent electrode plates, each electrode plate is free in the vertical direction. If the above-mentioned second prior art is applied to this horizontally long coated electrode plate array, “a perforation is formed in the welded part and the coated electrode plate array is lowered along the slope and folded in a zigzag shape” It is considered extremely difficult to fold in a zigzag shape while minimizing the stacking deviation of the plates. In other words, in the second prior art, it is extremely difficult to stack positive and negative electrodes while minimizing the stacking deviation with respect to a coated electrode plate array whose terminal shape is a horizontally long type and is welded only between adjacent electrode plates. it is conceivable that.
In the second conventional technique, since the negative electrode plate also needs to be coated with a separator, the amount of separator used is twice as much as that of a normal manufacturing method, and the material cost and the viewpoint of battery performance are also required. Therefore, it is considered that it is not so preferable.
Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the problems of the prior art, and the problem to be solved is that the positive and negative electrodes are positively and efficiently produced while minimizing the misalignment of the positive and negative electrode plates regardless of the terminal shape. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for laminating positive and negative electrode plates capable of laminating negative electrode plates and an apparatus therefor.

The method for laminating positive and negative electrode plates according to claim 1 for achieving the object is a laminating method of alternately laminating positive and negative electrode plates through separators,
While covering and positioning with the separator and forming a welded portion between adjacent electrode plates, the coated electrode plate row is always pressed or sucked in the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction and sent out, while being alternately distributed and folded in a zigzag shape, It is characterized in that positive and negative plates are alternately stacked by alternately inserting “positioned different electrode plates” between adjacent electrode plates from both lateral directions.
The positive and negative electrode plate stacking method is the same as that of the conventional stacking method, in which the coated positive electrode plate array is cut one by one at the welded portion to form a single coated positive plate. Unlike the laminating method in which the “positioned negative electrode plates” are alternately laminated on the plate one by one, the coated positive electrode plate array in which the positioning accuracy is maintained is folded in a zigzag shape without misalignment, and at the same time, Similarly, a “positioned negative electrode plate” is inserted, and the positive and negative electrode plates necessary for battery assembly are stacked with high production efficiency and accurately.
Therefore, in the above laminating method, in order to minimize laminating deviation, the positive electrode plate and the positive electrode plate When the coated positive electrode plate (positive electrode plate or the like) is sent out, the positive electrode plate or the like is sent out while being pressed in a direction intersecting the conveying direction by a roller or a rod, for example. Further, as will be described later, when the coated positive electrode plate rows are alternately arranged on the left and right sides, the positioning accuracy is maintained by alternately sucking and sending the left and right sides while pressing the left and right rollers. In addition, when the divided coated electrode plate array is folded in a zigzag manner, the positioning accuracy is maintained by folding the coated electrode plate array while pressing the end portion.
Further, in the above laminating method, a fold is formed in the welded portion so that the coated positive electrode plate array can be folded in a zigzag shape with high production efficiency, and the coated positive electrode plate array is folded in a zigzag shape with the fold as a fulcrum. did.
This makes it possible to stack the positive and negative electrode plates with high production efficiency while minimizing the stacking deviation of the positive and negative electrode plates. In addition, since the positioning accuracy of the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate is always maintained throughout the above-described laminating method, the above laminating method is applied to the electrode plate of any terminal shape because the positive electrode plate or the negative electrode plate is sent out, sorted, and folded. I can do it.

In the laminating method of the positive and negative electrode plates according to claim 2, a crease is formed in the welded portion, the conveying direction of the coated electrode plate row is converted to a vertical direction, and the electrodes are alternately arranged by suction means from both lateral directions. It was decided to fold in a zigzag shape while aspirating and distributing left and right.
In the above-described method of laminating the positive and negative electrode plates, it is possible to distribute them to the left and right while maintaining positioning accuracy by the crease and suction effect of the welded portion, and as a result, the zigzag shape with high production efficiency while suppressing the misalignment of the positive and negative electrode plates. Can be folded.

4. The method of laminating positive and negative electrode plates according to claim 3, wherein the coated electrode plate rows are alternately turned left and right within a 1/4 arc from the vicinity of the outlet of the left and right rollers while the coated electrode plate rows are pressed and sent by the left and right rollers. The coated electrode plate array was alternately distributed on the left and right sides.
In the method of laminating the positive and negative electrodes, by setting the adsorption range to the above range, the electrode plate is attracted by the roller while the electrode plate is folded, and the positioning accuracy is suitably maintained.

In the method of laminating the positive and negative electrode plates according to claim 4, when the coated electrode plate array is folded in a zigzag shape, the electrode plates already landed or laminated on the cradle are positioned by the fixing means.
In the method of laminating the positive and negative electrodes, the electrode plate to be folded is pressed or sucked by the left and right rollers in the upper part and the fixing means in the lower part, for example, so that the positioning accuracy of the electrode plate is suitably maintained and folded without any misalignment. It becomes possible.

In the method for laminating positive and negative electrode plates according to claim 5, the fold is a perforation.
Generally, as a crease in the welded portion, it is conceivable to form a notch in the partition portion or a reduced thickness portion such as a through hole.
In the method for laminating the positive and negative electrode plates, a crease is formed by a through hole (perforation) from the viewpoint of forming a crease simply and accurately (without variation).

In the laminating method of the positive and negative electrode plates according to claim 6, the welding means for forming the welded portion moves with the adjacent electrode plates while holding the adjacent end portions of the adjacent electrode plates, and moves between the adjacent electrode plates. We decided to weld.
In the case of the conventional welding means fixed at a fixed position, the positive electrode plate inevitably becomes a free state at the time of welding or when the positive electrode plate is sent out after welding. Therefore, there has been a problem that the positioning accuracy of the positive electrode plate cannot be maintained throughout the entire process.
Therefore, in order to solve the above problem, in the method of laminating the positive and negative electrodes, the adjacent electrode plates are pressed when welding the electrode plates, and at the same time, the electrode plates and the accompanying plates are held while both adjacent electrode plates are pressed. It was decided to send out while welding between electrode plates.

In the method of laminating the positive and negative electrode plates according to claim 7, the electrode plates are positioned by the positioning means while the welding means returns to the original position.
In the method of laminating the positive and negative electrodes, the welding means also moves together with the electrode plates and welds between the electrode plates. However, when welding the subsequent adjacent electrode plates, it is necessary to return to the original position.
Therefore, in the above-described method of laminating the positive and negative electrodes, while the welding means returns to the original position, the positioning means restrains the rotation of the positive electrode plate and prevents the positive electrode plate from becoming temporarily free.

The positive and negative electrode plate laminating apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the positive and negative electrode plates are alternately laminated via separators.
The pressure-contact feeding means that feeds the coated electrode plate array, which is coated and positioned with the separator and has a welded portion between adjacent electrode plates, always pressed or sucked in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction, and the coated electrode plate array alternately on the left and right Distributing means that distributes to each other, folding means that folds in a zigzag manner, and insertion of a different polar plate that alternately inserts “positioned different polar plates” between the adjacent polar plates from both lateral directions and alternately stacks positive and negative plates Means are provided.
In the laminating apparatus for positive and negative electrodes, the method for laminating positive and negative electrodes according to claim 1 can be suitably implemented.

The laminating apparatus for positive and negative electrodes according to claim 9 comprises crease forming means for forming a crease in the welded portion and suction means for alternately sucking the coated electrode plate row from both lateral directions.
In the laminating apparatus for positive and negative electrodes, the method for laminating positive and negative electrodes according to claim 2 can be suitably implemented.

In the laminating apparatus for positive and negative electrode plates according to claim 10, the distribution means alternately adsorbs the coated electrode plate rows left and right within 1/4 arc from the vicinity of the outlet, and distributes the coated electrode plate rows alternately left and right. Left and right rollers.
In the laminating apparatus for positive and negative electrodes, the method for laminating positive and negative electrodes according to claim 3 can be suitably implemented.

In the laminating apparatus for positive and negative electrode plates according to claim 11, when the coated electrode plate row is folded in a zigzag shape, a fixing means for positioning the electrode plate already landed or laminated on the cradle is provided.
In the laminating apparatus for positive and negative electrodes, the method for laminating positive and negative electrodes according to claim 4 can be suitably implemented.

In the laminating apparatus for positive and negative plates according to claim 12, the crease forming means forms a perforation.
In the laminating apparatus for positive and negative electrodes, the method for laminating positive and negative electrodes according to claim 5 can be suitably implemented.

The apparatus for laminating positive and negative electrodes according to claim 13, further comprising welding means for moving between the adjacent electrode plates while welding the electrode plates at the adjacent ends of the adjacent electrode plates and welding the adjacent electrode plates. It was.
In the laminating apparatus for positive and negative electrodes, the method for laminating positive and negative electrodes according to claim 6 can be suitably implemented.

In the laminating apparatus for positive and negative electrode plates according to claim 14, positioning means for positioning the electrode plate is provided while the welding means returns to the original position.
In the laminating apparatus for positive and negative electrodes, the method for laminating positive and negative electrodes according to claim 7 can be suitably implemented.

According to the method for laminating positive and negative electrode plates of the present invention, it is possible to laminate the positive and negative electrode plates with high production efficiency while minimizing the misalignment of the positive and negative electrode plates regardless of the terminal shape. That is, in the laminating method of the present invention, a crease is formed in each welded portion of the coated positive electrode plate array coated with the separator and welded between the electrode plates so that the positive and negative electrode plates can be laminated with high production efficiency. The coated positive electrode rows are distributed alternately to the left and right with the folds as fulcrums, and at the same time, the folds are folded into a zigzag shape as fulcrums, and the `` positioned negative plates '' are inserted between these positive plates, and the correct number of sheets is required for battery assembly. The negative electrode plate was laminated. At that time, in order to minimize the stacking deviation, for example, after the positive electrode plate is cut out from the sheet material for the positive electrode plate with a predetermined dimension and covered and positioned with the separator, the initial positioning accuracy is always maintained. The positive electrode plate is sent out while being pressed in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction, and when the coated positive electrode plate row is distributed to the left and right, the coated positive electrode plate row is distributed to the left and right while being alternately sucked by left and right rollers. In addition, when the positive and negative electrode plates are folded, the pedestal is lowered while the stacked positive and negative electrode plates are pressed by the left and right pressing devices to receive the positive electrode plate or the negative electrode plate.
As described above, the method for laminating the positive and negative electrode plates of the present invention sends out the positive electrode plate or the negative electrode plate so that the positioning accuracy of the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate is always maintained throughout the entire process, and distributes and folds the positive and negative electrode plates. Thus, it is possible to stack the positive and negative electrode plates with high production efficiency while minimizing the stacking misalignment, and it can be applied to electrode plates of any terminal shape.
Moreover, the positive / negative plate laminating apparatus of this invention can implement | achieve the said lamination | stacking method suitably.

It is principal part explanatory drawing which shows the positive / negative electrode board lamination apparatus of this invention. It is principal part explanatory drawing which shows the positive / negative electrode board lamination apparatus of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the covering positive electrode plate row | line | column which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the lamination | stacking positive / negative electrode board which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement of the positive / negative electrode board lamination apparatus of this invention after sending out the sheet | seat material for positive electrode plates until it starts heat welding between positive electrode plates. It is explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement of the positive / negative electrode board lamination apparatus of this invention after finishing heat welding between positive electrode plates until it finishes next heat welding. It is explanatory drawing which shows the sorting suction roller, integrated lifter, integrated presser claw, and negative electrode plate insertion arm which concern on this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the lamination | stacking method of the positive electrode plate (P) and negative electrode plate (N) of this invention.

1 Positive Reel 2 Positive Feed Roller 3 Positive Cutter 4 Upper Separator Reel 5 Lower Separator Reel 6 Positive Plate Feed Roller 7 Welding Heaters 8a and 8b Positioning Plate 9 Sewing Needle 10 Pressing Roller 11 Separator Cutter 12 Pressing Roller 13 Sorting Suction Roller 14 Integrated Lifter 15L Left integrated presser claw 15R Right integrated presser claw 16L Left negative plate insert arm 16R Right negative plate insert arm 17L Left negative reel 17R Right negative reel 18L Left negative feed roller 18R Right negative feed roller 19L Left negative cutter 19R Right negative cutter 20L Left Negative electrode lifter 20R Right negative electrode lifter 100 Positive and negative electrode plate laminating apparatus 200 Coated positive electrode plate array 300 Multilayer positive and negative electrode plate

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings.

1 and 2 are main part explanatory views showing a positive and negative electrode plate laminating apparatus 100 of the present invention.
In this positive and negative electrode plate laminating apparatus 100, after a certain positive electrode plate (P) is cut out from the positive electrode plate sheet material (PS) with a predetermined dimension and positioned once with respect to the separator (S), the negative electrode plate (N) Until the layers are alternately stacked, the positive electrode plate (P) is configured to always maintain the initial positioning accuracy. Similarly, the negative electrode plate (N) is also configured so that the initial positioning state is always maintained after it is once positioned. Therefore, after the positive electrode plate (P) is positioned once, it is sent out in the horizontal direction while being pressed in the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction by the pressure-feeding means (roller or rod), and left and right rollers (sorting means, sorting suction roller 13) ) And left and right alternately while being suctioned, and one end is sucked by the left and right rollers (sorting means, sorting suction roller 13) and the other end is fixed by fixing means (folding means, left and right integrated presser claws 15L, 15R) In the pressed state, it is accurately folded in a zigzag shape with the perforation (fold) as a fulcrum, and at the same time, the negative electrode plate (N) positioned by the different polar plate insertion means (left / right negative plate insertion arms 16L, 16R) Is inserted between the positive electrode plates, and the positive electrode plate (P) and the negative electrode plate (N) are laminated with high production efficiency. Hereinafter, the configuration will be described.

  The positive and negative electrode laminating apparatus 100 includes a positive electrode reel 1 on which a positive electrode plate sheet material (PS) is wound, a positive electrode feed roller 2 that sends out the positive electrode sheet material (PS), and a positive electrode plate sheet material ( PS) is cut to a predetermined length to form a positive electrode plate (P), and upper and lower separator reels 4 and 5 for supplying a separator (S) for covering the positive electrode plate (P), A positive plate feed roller 6 that feeds the positive plate (P) while being coated with the separator (S), a welding heater 7 that welds between adjacent positive plates to form a welded portion on the separator (S), and a welding heater 7 Positioning plates 8a and 8b that hold the positive electrode plate (P) and restrain the rotation of the positive electrode plate (P) and welding on the separator (S) while the motor is free (while away from the positive electrode plate (P)) And a positive electrode plate (P ) And the press roller 10 that restrains the rotation of the positive electrode plate (P) while the sewing needle 9 forms a crease in the welded portion, and the positive electrode plate row of the positive electrode plate (P) for each required number of sheets. The separator cutter 11 and the positive electrode plate (P) are separated and sent out, and the separator cutter 11 presses the positive electrode plate (P) and restrains the rotation of the positive electrode plate (P) when the separator cutter 11 cuts the welded portion. The roller 12 and the distribution suction roller 13 that changes the conveying direction of the coated positive electrode plate row of the positive electrode plate (P) from the horizontal direction to the vertical direction and distributes the coated positive plate row alternately left and right while being pressed and sent out, and the positive electrode while descending The integrated lifter 14 that receives the plate (P) or the negative electrode plate (N), the positive electrode plate (P), and the negative electrode plate (N) are alternately stacked to prevent the misalignment by pressing the electrode plate. P) breaks Left and right integrated presser claws 15L and 15R, and left and right negative electrode plate insertion arms 16L and 16R for alternately inserting negative electrode plates (N) between the electrode plates of the positive electrode plate row of the positive electrode plate (P). Left and right negative reels 17L and 17R wound with negative electrode sheet (NS), left and right negative feed rollers 18L and 18R for feeding the negative electrode sheet (NS), and negative electrode sheet The left and right negative electrode cutters 19L and 19R, which are made by cutting the material (NS) into a predetermined length to form the negative electrode plate (N), and the negative electrode plate (N) are positioned to the left and right negative electrode plate insertion arms 16L and 16R. The left and right negative electrode plate lifters 20L and 20R to be set, and a tape applying device 21 (FIG. 2) for applying a tape (T) to the laminated positive and negative electrode plates (FIG. 4) are provided. The operation of the welding heater 7 will be described later with reference to FIGS.

  A web controller (WC) is provided on each downstream side of the positive reel 1, the upper / lower separator reels 4, 5 and the left / right negative reels 17L, 17R. By these controllers, the positive plate (P) and the separator are provided. The relative position between (S) and the relative position between the positive electrode plate (P) and the negative electrode plate (N) are controlled to be within a predetermined range.

  The positive plate feed roller 6 presses and feeds the cut positive plate (P) while being covered with the separator (S) from above and below, and restrains the rotation of the positive plate (P) during welding.

  The welding heater 7 is a so-called heat sealer that forms a welded portion by welding a separator (S) between the positive and negative electrodes from above and below. The details will be described later with reference to FIGS. 5 to 6. As in a conventional heat sealer, two heaters fixed at a fixed position move in the axial direction to apply the separator (S) for a certain period of time from the vertical direction. Rather than contacting and heating, the two heaters contact and heat the separator (S) from above and below, move in a predetermined section (pitch) with the positive electrode plate (P) while maintaining that state, and again It is configured to return to the original position.

  The welding heater 7 is welded between the positive plates while moving with the positive plate (P). Therefore, when welding the subsequent positive plates, it is necessary to return the same pitch in the reverse direction. The positioning plates 8a and 8b come into contact with the positive electrode plate (P) and restrain the rotation of the positive electrode plate (P) while the welding heater 7 returns to the original position.

  The sewing needle 9 forms a perforation (P.L. in FIG. 3) between the electrode plates of the positive electrode plate (P). The perforated positive electrode plate row of the positive electrode plate (P) is alternately distributed to the left and right by the perforation and the distribution suction roller 13 and the like, and further distributed by the perforation and the left and right integrated presser claws 15L and 15R. It is possible to accurately fold the coated positive electrode plate row in a zigzag shape without stacking misalignment, and as a result, it is possible to stack the positive electrode plate (P) and the negative electrode plate (N) with high production efficiency without stacking misalignment.

  The presser roller 10 is a mechanism that sends out the positive electrode plate (P) while pressing the positive electrode plate (P) from above and below to suppress the rotation of the positive electrode plate (P). By this feed mechanism, it is possible to maintain the positioning accuracy of the positive electrode plate (P) until the positive electrode plate (P) is covered with the separator (S) and positioned and then folded (suppresses the free state). It becomes. Further, the presser roller 12 functions in the same manner in cooperation with the sorting suction roller 13.

  The distribution suction roller 13 will be described later in detail with reference to FIG. 7, and is composed of a pair of left and right rollers. Each roller has a double cylindrical structure including an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder. The inner cylinder is rotationally locked while it is free of rotation. A large number of through holes are provided in the outer peripheral surface of the outer cylinder, while an opening is formed in the circumferential direction of a quarter arc from the vicinity of the outlet of the inner cylinder, and a vacuum channel is formed inside. Therefore, when the positive electrode plate (P) passes through the opening, in combination with the effect of the perforation, the positive electrode plate (P) is sucked by the left and right rollers and distributed to the left and right. It is sent out while adsorbed on the outer cylindrical surface. Therefore, the positioning accuracy is suitably maintained while the positive electrode plate (P) is sent out after being distributed.

  The integrated lifter 14 is a cradle that can move in the axial direction and receives positive and negative plates that are alternately stacked. When receiving the positive electrode plate (P), the positive electrode plate (P) is received while descending. On the other hand, when receiving the negative electrode plate (N), the “positioned negative electrode plate (N)” can always be laminated on the positive electrode plate (P) from the left or right direction at the same horizontal position. Thus, the integrated lifter 14 receives the negative electrode plate (N) while being lowered by the thickness of the positive electrode plate (P). Further, in order to prevent stacking misalignment, the positive and negative electrode plates are received while sucking the stacked positive and negative electrode plates.

  The left and right integrated presser claws 15L and 15R serve as guides for folding the positive electrode plate (P) by lightly pressing the positive electrode plate (P) when the positive electrode plate (P) is folded. On the other hand, when the negative electrode plate (N) is inserted, the laminated electrode plate is pressed to prevent the misalignment between the positive electrode plate (N) and the negative electrode plate (N).

  The left and right negative electrode plate insertion arms 16L, 16R move the “positioned negative electrode plate (N)” on the positive electrode plate (P) folded in a zigzag shape to move from left or right to the horizontal direction. Laminate accurately without any problems. Therefore, while the left and right negative electrode plate insertion arms 16L and 16R receive the negative electrode plate (N) from the left and right negative electrode plate lifters 20L and 20R and are stacked on the positive electrode plate (P), the negative electrode plate (N) is displaced. The negative electrode plate (N) is sucked so as not to rotate, and the positioning accuracy is maintained.

  The left and right negative plate lifters 20L and 20R are cut out from the negative plate material (NS) to a predetermined size, and the “positioned negative plate (N)” is moved upward to move the left and right negative plate insertion arms. Set to 16L and 16R, respectively. Therefore, the left and right negative electrode plate lifters 20L and 20R receive the negative electrode plate (N), and set the left and right negative electrode plate insertion arms 16L and 16R so that the negative electrode plate (N) is not displaced or rotated. N) Aspirate and position.

  After the predetermined number of positive plates (P) and negative plates (N) are laminated, the integrated lifter 14 is fixed by the left and right integrated presser claws 15L and 15R as shown in FIG. By alternately moving to predetermined places provided on both sides in the transport direction, the tape applicator 21 attaches four places of the laminated electrode plate along the thickness direction with the tape (T), and fixes the laminated state. The laminated electrode plate fixed with the tape (T) is conveyed to the next process by a forklift.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a coated positive electrode plate array 200 according to the present invention.
The coated positive electrode plate column 200 is cut at regular intervals at a constant width (= L ₂ mm) by positive cutter 3 from a constant width (= L ₁ mm) electrolyte (E) the coated cathode plate sheet material (PS) The positive electrode plate (P) is covered and positioned from above and below so that the terminal (ET) is exposed by the separator (S) having a constant width (= L ₃ mm), and is positioned by the positive electrode plate feed roller 6 and the heater 7. While maintaining the state, the separators (S) between the electrode plates are welded at a constant (= L ₄ mm) pitch to form weld portions (H) with a constant width (= L ₅ mm) at regular intervals. Next, while being positioned by the positioning plate 8b and the presser roller 10, the perforations (PL) that pass through the center of the welded portion (H) at the same constant (= L ₄ mm) pitch are equally spaced. Is formed.

  The perforation (P.L.) is formed so as to pass through the center of the welded portion (H) and vertically between the electrode plates, but may be formed only on the welded portion (H). Further, instead of the perforation (P.L.), a crease such as a rupture portion or a thin portion (thinned portion) may be formed.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a laminated positive and negative electrode plate 300 according to the present invention. 4A is a front view thereof, and FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA.
This laminated positive and negative electrode plate 300 distributes the positive electrode plate (P) and the negative electrode plate (N) necessary for battery assembly alternately and left and right while maintaining the positioning state of the positive electrode plate (P) by the distribution suction roller 13. While receiving and lowering the positive electrode plate (P) with the lifter 14, simultaneously holding the positive electrode plate (P) with the left and right integrated presser pawls 15L and 15R and holding it in a zigzag shape, the left and right negative electrode insertion arms 16L and 16R are used to move the “positioned negative electrode plate (N)” from the left direction or the right direction to the horizontal direction and stack it on the positive electrode plate (P), and finally with the tape (T) along the thickness direction. Four places are fixed.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing the operation of the positive and negative electrode plate laminating apparatus 100 of the present invention from when the sheet material for positive electrode plates (PS) is sent out until the positive electrode plates are thermally welded.
As described above, in this positive / negative electrode plate laminating apparatus 100, the positive electrode plate (P) and the negative electrode plate (N) are always constrained from rotating after being positioned once until they are laminated (a state in which they are always free). The positive electrode plate (P) and the negative electrode plate (N) are stacked with high production efficiency without stacking misalignment. Hereinafter, a process from when the positive electrode sheet material (PS) is fed out until the positive electrode plates are thermally welded will be briefly described. For convenience of explanation, the positive electrode plate (P) is numbered in chronological order.

First, as shown in FIG. 5 (a), the positive electrode feed roller 2 starts to feed out the positive electrode plate sheet material (PS). At this time, the positive plate P _n is moved by the positioning plate 8a, the positive plate P _n-1 is moved by the positioning plate 8b, the positive plate P _n-2 is moved by the pressing roller 10, and the positive plate P _n-3 is pressed by the pressing roller 12. The plates P _n-4 are respectively positioned by the distribution suction rollers 13 and 13 and the right integrated presser claw 15R (not shown).

At this time, the welded portion (H) between the positive electrode plate P _n-3 and the positive electrode plate P _{n- 2} is cut by the separator cutter 11, and the positive electrode plate P _n-3 is the last in the laminated positive and negative electrode plates. On the other hand, the positive electrode plate P _n-2 becomes the positive electrode plate (P) which is first folded and stacked in the next stacked positive and negative electrode plates.

  At this time, the welding heater 7 and the sewing needle 9 are separated from the separator (S). The welding heater 7 has a structure including a heater 7a at the center and two presser bars 7b on both sides thereof. As will be described later, welding of the separator (S) between the positive electrode plates is performed by two heaters 7a arranged on the upper and lower sides, and the presser bar 7b is disposed adjacent to the positive electrode while the heater 7a melts the separator (S). The positioning of the adjacent positive electrode plates (P, P) is held across the adjacent end portions of the plates (P, P) (rotation is constrained). The presser rods 7c and 7c have a structure in which the heater 7a is removed from the welding heater 7, and the adjacent positive electrode plates (P, P) adjacent to the adjacent positive electrode plates (P, P) in cooperation with the welding heater 7 sandwich the adjacent positive electrode plates. The positioning state of (P, P) is maintained.

FIG. 5B shows a state in which the positive electrode feed roller 2 has sent out the positive electrode sheet material (PS) by a predetermined length. Even in this state, all the positive plates (P) on the conveyor are positioned. The positive electrode plate P _n-3 is in a state of being positioned by being sucked by the sorting suction roller 13 and pressed by the left integrated presser claw 15L (not shown). Moreover, the welding heater 7 and the sewing needle 9 are in a state of being separated from the separator (S).

FIG. 5 (c) shows that the presser bars 7b and 7b sandwich the end of the positive electrode sheet material (PS) and the positive cutter 3 cuts the positive electrode sheet material (PS) to form the positive electrode plate _{Pn + 1} . Indicates the state to be created. After cutting, the heater 7a welds the separator (S) between the positive electrode plate _Pn and the positive electrode plate _{Pn + 1} . At this time, the positive electrode plate P _{n + 1} is positioned by the presser bar 7b and the positive electrode plate feed roller 6, the positive electrode plate _Pn is positioned by the presser bars 7b and 7c, and the positive electrode plate _Pn-1 is positioned by the presser bar 7c. Further, the positive electrode plate P _n-2 is positioned by the presser roller 10.

Further, in a state where these coated positive electrode plate rows P _{n + 1} , P _n , P _n-1 , P _n-2 are positioned, the perforation needle 9 forms a perforation at the welded portion (H).

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing the operation of the positive and negative electrode plate laminating apparatus 100 of the present invention from the end of heat welding between the positive electrodes to the next end of heat welding.
In FIG. 6A, the two heaters 7a contact and heat the separator (S) from above and below, and the presser bars 7b on both sides press the adjacent ends of the positive electrode plate _Pn and the positive electrode plate _{Pn + 1} . The state where the positive electrode plate moves in a predetermined section (pitch) is shown. At this time, by the other end presser bar 7c of the positive electrode plate P _n, the positive electrode plate P _n-1 is positioned state by the presser bar 7c and the pressing roller 10 is maintained. Further, the positive electrode plate P _n-2 is held in the positioning state by the presser roller 12 and the distribution suction roller 13.

FIG. 6B shows a state in which the welding heater 7 returns to the initial position. In this case, the positive plate P _{n + 1} is positioned by the positioning plate 8a, and the positive plate P _n is positioned by the positioning plate 8b. Further, the positive electrode plate P _n-1 is positioned by the presser roller 10, and the positive electrode plate _Pn is positioned by the presser roller 12 and the sorting suction roller 13, respectively.
At this time, a positive electrode sheet material (PS) having a predetermined length is fed by the positive electrode feed roller 2 and positioned by the positive electrode plate feed roller 6.

FIG. 6C shows a state where a new positive electrode plate P _{n + 2} is cut out and the welding heater 7 starts to be welded between the electrode plates. At this time, a perforation is formed in the welded portion (H) by the sewing needle 9.
The positive electrode plate P _{n + 2} is pressed by the positive electrode plate feed roller 6 and the presser bar 7b, the positive electrode plate _{Pn + 1} is pressed by the presser bars 7b and 7c, the positive electrode plate _Pn is pressed by the presser bar 7c, and the positive electrode plate _Pn-1 is pressed. The positive plate P _n-2 is positioned by the roller 10 by the pressing roller 12 and the distribution suction roller 13, respectively.

In FIG. 6 (d), as in FIG. 6 (a), the two heaters 7a contact and heat the separator (S) from above and below, and the presser bars 7b on both sides are the positive plate _{Pn + 1} and the positive plate. A state is shown in which the positive electrode plate moves in a predetermined section (pitch) while pressing the adjacent end portion of P _{n + 2} . At this time, the other end of the positive electrode plate P _{n + 1} is held by the presser bar 7c, and the positive electrode plate _Pn is held by the presser bar 7c and the presser roller 10. Further, the positive plate P _n-1 is held in the positioning state by the presser roller 12 and the sorting suction roller 13, and the positive plate _Pn-2 is held in the positioning state by the sorting suction roller 13 and the right integrated presser claw 15R (not shown).

  Thus, the positive electrode plate (P) is cut from the positive electrode plate sheet material (PS) and covered with the separator (S) until it is distributed to the left and right by the distribution suction roller 13. The presser bar 7b, the presser bar 7c, the positioning plates 8a and 8b, the presser rollers 10 and 12, or the distribution suction roller 13 are preferably positioned or the positioning state is maintained.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a sorting suction roller, an integrated lifter, an integrated presser claw, and a negative electrode plate insertion arm according to the present invention.
As described above, the distribution suction roller 13 includes two rollers 13L and 13R, and each roller has a double cylindrical structure. The outer cylinders 13-1L and 13-1R can rotate, but the inner cylinders 13-2L and 13-2R cannot rotate. A plurality of through holes 13-3L and 13-3R are formed radially and at equal intervals in the outer cylinder, and vacuum channels 13-4L and 13-4R are formed in the inner cylinder, respectively. Therefore, the outer cylinders 13-1L and 13-1R corresponding to the range extending from the vicinity of the roller outlet portion to a quarter arc (for example, 80 ° <θ _L , θ _R <160 °) become suction surfaces and pass through them. The positive electrode plate (P) is attracted to any one of the suction surfaces and is alternately distributed to the left and right.

  The integrated lifter 14 is a receiving base that is movable in the axial direction for receiving the positive electrode plate (P) and the negative electrode plate (N). In order to prevent misalignment of the laminated positive and negative electrode plates, a vacuum channel is formed inside, and a suction port is formed on the receiving surface, so that the laminated positive and negative electrode plates can be sucked.

  Further, the integrated lifter 14 receives the positive plate (P) while being lowered, and on the other hand, when receiving the negative plate (N), the integrated lifter 14 is received by being lowered by the thickness of the positive plate (P). ing.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the left and right presser claws 15L and 15R are fixing means for pressing the laminated positive and negative plates, and the folded positive plate (P) is folded at the perforation (fold). It also functions as a guide.

  The left negative electrode plate insertion arm 16L is laminated on the positive electrode plate (P) folded on the integrated lifter 14 while sucking the negative electrode plate (N) so that the positioning state is maintained. Therefore, a vacuum channel is formed inside, and a suction port is formed on the surface. The right negative plate insertion arm 16R has the same structure.

  In this way, the positive electrode plate (P) is distributed alternately left and right by the distribution suction roller 13 with the perforation (fold) as a fulcrum, and then sucked by any roller, received by the integrated lifter 14, and While being pressed and guided by the left and right integrated presser claws 15L and 15R, the perforation is accurately folded at the fulcrum. On the other hand, the negative electrode plate (N) is accurately placed on the positive electrode plate (P) so that the positioning accuracy is maintained by the left and right negative electrode plate insertion arms 16L and 16R. Therefore, according to the positive and negative electrode plate laminating apparatus 100, it is possible to laminate the positive and negative electrode plates with high production efficiency while suppressing the misalignment of the positive and negative electrode plates.

  The electrode plate laminating method and apparatus of the present invention can be applied to a battery manufacturing method having a laminated structure of a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate.

The method for laminating positive and negative electrode plates according to claim 1 for achieving the object is a laminating method of alternately laminating positive and negative electrode plates through separators,
The coated electrode plate columns forming the welded portion to the adjacent electrode plates coated and positioning in the separator, the crease is formed constantly on the welded part while feeding in pressure contact in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction, the covering electrode plate column The direction of conveyance of the sheet is changed to the vertical direction, suctioned alternately by the suction means from both lateral directions, and alternately distributed to the left and right, while being folded in a zigzag manner around the folds as fulcrums, It is characterized in that positive and negative plates are alternately stacked by alternately inserting “different plates” from both lateral directions.
The positive and negative electrode plate stacking method is the same as that of the conventional stacking method, in which the coated positive electrode plate array is cut one by one at the welded portion to form a single coated positive plate. Unlike the laminating method in which the “positioned negative electrode plates” are alternately laminated on the plate one by one, the coated positive electrode plate array in which the positioning accuracy is maintained is folded in a zigzag shape without misalignment, and at the same time, Similarly, a “positioned negative electrode plate” is inserted, and the positive and negative electrode plates necessary for battery assembly are stacked with high production efficiency and accurately.
Therefore, in the above laminating method, in order to minimize laminating deviation, the positive electrode plate and the positive electrode plate When the coated positive electrode plate (positive electrode plate or the like) is sent out, the positive electrode plate or the like is sent out while being pressed in a direction intersecting the conveying direction by a roller or a rod, for example. Further, as will be described later, when the coated positive electrode plate rows are alternately arranged on the left and right sides, the positioning accuracy is maintained by alternately sucking and sending the left and right sides while pressing the left and right rollers. In addition, when the divided coated electrode plate array is folded in a zigzag manner, the positioning accuracy is maintained by folding the coated electrode plate array while pressing the end portion.
Further, in the above laminating method, a fold is formed in the welded portion so that the coated positive electrode plate array can be folded in a zigzag shape with high production efficiency, and the coated positive electrode plate array is folded in a zigzag shape with the fold as a fulcrum. did.
This makes it possible to stack the positive and negative electrode plates with high production efficiency while minimizing the stacking deviation of the positive and negative electrode plates. In addition, since the positioning accuracy of the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate is always maintained throughout the above-described laminating method, the above laminating method is applied to the electrode plate of any terminal shape because the positive electrode plate or the negative electrode plate is sent out, sorted, and folded. I can do it.

In the above-described method of laminating the positive and negative electrode plates, it is possible to distribute them to the left and right while maintaining positioning accuracy by the crease and suction effect of the welded portion, and as a result, the zigzag shape with high production efficiency while suppressing the misalignment of the positive and negative electrode plates. Can be folded .

The positive and negative electrode plate stacking method according to claim 2 , wherein the coated electrode plate rows are alternately turned left and right within a 1/4 arc from the vicinity of the left and right roller outlets while the coated electrode plate rows are pressed and sent by the left and right rollers. The coated electrode plate array was alternately distributed on the left and right sides.
In the method of laminating the positive and negative electrodes, by setting the adsorption range to the above range, the electrode plate is attracted by the roller while the electrode plate is folded, and the positioning accuracy is suitably maintained.

In the method of laminating the positive and negative electrode plates according to claim 3, when the coated electrode plate row is folded in a zigzag shape, the electrode plate already landed or laminated on the cradle is positioned by the fixing means.
In the method of laminating the positive and negative electrodes, the electrode plate to be folded is pressed or sucked by the left and right rollers in the upper part and the fixing means in the lower part, for example, so that the positioning accuracy of the electrode plate is suitably maintained and folded without any misalignment. It becomes possible.

In the method of laminating positive and negative electrode plates according to claim 4 , the fold is a perforation.
Generally, as a crease in the welded portion, it is conceivable to form a notch in the partition portion or a reduced thickness portion such as a through hole.
In the method for laminating the positive and negative electrode plates, a crease is formed by a through hole (perforation) from the viewpoint of forming a crease simply and accurately (without variation).

In the laminating method of the positive and negative electrode plates according to claim 5 , the welding means for forming the welded portion moves with the adjacent electrode plates while holding the adjacent end portions of the adjacent electrode plates, and between the adjacent electrode plates. We decided to weld.
In the case of the conventional welding means fixed at a fixed position, the positive electrode plate inevitably becomes a free state at the time of welding or when the positive electrode plate is sent out after welding. Therefore, there has been a problem that the positioning accuracy of the positive electrode plate cannot be maintained throughout the entire process.
Therefore, in order to solve the above problem, in the method of laminating the positive and negative electrodes, the adjacent electrode plates are pressed when welding the electrode plates, and at the same time, the electrode plates and the accompanying plates are held while both adjacent electrode plates are pressed. It was decided to send out while welding between electrode plates.

In the method of laminating the positive and negative electrode plates according to claim 6 , the electrode plate is positioned by the positioning unit while the welding unit returns to the original position.
In the method of laminating the positive and negative electrodes, the welding means also moves together with the electrode plates and welds between the electrode plates. However, when welding the subsequent adjacent electrode plates, it is necessary to return to the original position.
Therefore, in the above-described method of laminating the positive and negative electrodes, while the welding means returns to the original position, the positioning means restrains the rotation of the positive electrode plate and prevents the positive electrode plate from becoming temporarily free.

The positive and negative electrode plate laminating apparatus according to claim 7 for achieving the object, wherein the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate are alternately laminated via a separator,
To cover electrode plate columns forming the welded portion to the adjacent electrode plates coated and positioning in the separator, a pressure-feeding means for feeding always pressed in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction, the fold forming a crease in said welding portion Forming means, sorting means for alternately distributing left and right by converting the conveying direction of the coated electrode plate row to a vertical direction and alternately sucking from both lateral directions , folding means for folding the folds in a zigzag manner on fulcrums , Different electrode plate insertion means for alternately inserting “positioned different electrode plates” between the adjacent electrode plates from both lateral directions and alternately laminating positive and negative electrode plates is provided.
In the laminating apparatus for positive and negative electrodes, the method for laminating positive and negative electrodes according to claim 1 can be suitably implemented.

In the laminating apparatus for positive and negative electrode plates according to claim 8 , the distribution means alternately adsorbs the coated electrode plate rows left and right within 1/4 arc from the vicinity of the outlet, and distributes the coated electrode plate rows alternately left and right. Left and right rollers.
In the laminating apparatus for positive and negative electrodes, the method for laminating positive and negative electrodes according to claim 2 can be suitably implemented.

In the laminating apparatus for positive and negative electrode plates according to claim 9, when the coated electrode plate row is folded in a zigzag shape, a fixing means for positioning the electrode plate already landed or laminated on the cradle is provided.
In the laminating apparatus for positive and negative electrodes, the method for laminating positive and negative electrodes according to claim 3 can be suitably implemented.

In the laminating apparatus for positive and negative electrodes according to claim 10 , the crease forming means forms a perforation.
In the laminating apparatus for positive and negative electrodes, the method for laminating positive and negative electrodes according to claim 4 can be suitably implemented.

The laminating apparatus for positive and negative electrodes according to claim 11 , further comprising welding means for moving between the adjacent electrode plates while welding the electrode plates at the adjacent ends of the adjacent electrode plates to weld the adjacent electrode plates. It was.
In the laminating apparatus for positive and negative electrodes, the method for laminating positive and negative electrodes according to claim 5 can be suitably implemented.

In the laminating apparatus for positive and negative electrodes according to claim 12 , positioning means for positioning the electrode plate is provided while the welding means returns to the original position.
In the laminating apparatus for positive and negative electrodes, the method for laminating positive and negative electrodes according to claim 6 can be suitably implemented.

Claims (14)

A laminating method of alternately laminating positive and negative electrode plates via a separator,
While covering and positioning with the separator and forming a welded portion between adjacent electrode plates, the coated electrode plate row is always pressed or sucked in the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction and sent out, while being alternately distributed and folded in a zigzag shape, A method of laminating positive and negative electrode plates, wherein positive and negative electrode plates are alternately laminated by alternately inserting “positioned different electrode plates” between adjacent electrode plates from both lateral directions.   2. A crease is formed in the welded portion, the conveying direction of the coated electrode plate array is changed to a vertical direction, and each electrode plate is alternately sucked by suction means from both lateral directions and folded in a zigzag shape while being distributed to the left and right. The method for laminating positive and negative electrode plates according to 1.   While the pressure-sensitive electrode plate row is pressed and sent by the left and right rollers, the covered electrode plate row is alternately attracted to the left and right within 1/4 arc from the vicinity of the outlet of the left and right rollers, and the covered electrode plate row is alternately distributed to the left and right. The method for laminating positive and negative electrode plates according to claim 2.   The method for laminating positive and negative electrode plates according to claim 1, wherein when the covered electrode plate row is folded in a zigzag shape, the electrode plate already landed or laminated on the cradle is positioned by a fixing means.   The method for laminating positive and negative electrode plates according to claim 2, wherein the fold is a perforation.   2. The method of laminating positive and negative electrode plates according to claim 1, wherein the welding means for forming the welded portion moves together with the adjacent electrode plates while pressing adjacent end portions of the adjacent electrode plates to weld the adjacent electrode plates. .   The method for laminating positive and negative electrode plates according to claim 6, wherein the electrode plate is positioned by positioning means while the welding means returns to the original position. A laminating apparatus for alternately laminating positive and negative plates through separators,
The pressure-contact feeding means that feeds the coated electrode plate array, which is coated and positioned with the separator and has a welded portion between adjacent electrode plates, always pressed or sucked in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction, and the coated electrode plate array alternately on the left and right Distributing means that distributes to each other, folding means that folds in a zigzag manner, and insertion of a different polar plate that alternately inserts “positioned different polar plates” between the adjacent polar plates from both lateral directions and alternately stacks positive and negative plates Means for laminating positive and negative electrode plates.   The laminating apparatus for positive and negative electrodes according to claim 8, further comprising: a crease forming unit that forms a crease in the weld portion; and the distribution unit that alternately sucks the coated electrode plate row from both lateral directions.   10. The positive and negative electrode plates according to claim 9, wherein the distribution means is a left and right roller that alternately adsorbs the coated electrode plate rows left and right and distributes the coated electrode plate rows alternately left and right within a quarter arc from the vicinity of the exit. Laminating equipment.   The laminating apparatus for positive and negative electrodes according to claim 8, further comprising a fixing means for positioning an electrode plate that has already been landed or laminated on a cradle when the covered electrode plate array is folded in a zigzag shape.   The laminating apparatus for positive and negative electrodes according to claim 9, wherein the crease forming means forms perforations.   The laminating apparatus for positive and negative electrodes according to claim 8, further comprising welding means for moving between the adjacent electrode plates while welding the electrode plates at the adjacent end portions of the adjacent electrode plates and welding the adjacent electrode plates.   The laminating apparatus for positive and negative electrodes according to claim 13, further comprising positioning means for positioning the electrode plate while the welding means returns to the original position.

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