KR102629070B1 - Electrode plate stacking apparatus having means for providing first electrode plate and method using same - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of stacking electrode plates is disclosed. The electrode plate stacking method includes an electrode plate feeding unit for simultaneously supplying a negative electrode plate, a positive plate, and a separator sandwiched between them - the negative electrode plate is supplied on the separator and the positive plate is placed under the separator - by the electrode plate feeding unit. An electrode stack unit including a stack table on which the supplied electrode plates and separators are placed, and a pusher for suppressing shaking of the electrode plates and separators on the stack table - the pusher has a plurality of suction holes on its bottom surface -, and A method of stacking electrode plates in a battery cell manufacturing apparatus including a discharge unit for discharging the stacked product from the stack table when a preset number of electrode plates are stacked on the stack table, wherein the pusher descends and the stack table Pressing the upper electrode plate and the separator while adsorbing the uppermost negative electrode plate through the suction hole, lifting the pusher while adsorbing the negative electrode plate, discharging the laminate by the discharge unit, and A pusher is lowered to seat the adsorbed negative electrode plate on the stack table.

Description

Electrode stacking device and method including means for supplying the first single electrode plate {ELECTRODE PLATE STACKING APPARATUS HAVING MEANS FOR PROVIDING FIRST ELECTRODE PLATE AND METHOD USING SAME}

The present invention relates to a prismatic battery cell manufacturing apparatus and method, and more specifically, to a battery cell manufacturing apparatus and method including an electrode stacking apparatus provided with means for initially supplying a single electrode plate onto a stack table.

In general, a chemical battery is a battery that consists of a pair of electrodes (positive and negative plates) and an electrolyte, and the amount of energy that can be stored varies depending on the materials that make up the electrodes and electrolyte. These chemical batteries are divided into primary batteries, which have a very slow charging reaction and are used only for one-time discharge, and secondary batteries, which can be reused through repeated charging and discharging. Recently, the use of secondary batteries has been increasing due to the advantage of being able to charge and discharge. .

Due to their advantages, secondary batteries are being applied to various technical fields across industries. They are not only widely used as an energy source for mobile communication devices such as smartphones, but are also attracting attention as an energy source for electric vehicles.

These secondary batteries are made up of a positive electrode plate, a separator, and a negative electrode plate sequentially stacked and immersed in an electrolyte solution. There are two major ways to manufacture the internal cells of such secondary batteries.

In the case of small secondary batteries, the method of placing the negative and positive plates on a separator and winding them to form a jelly-roll is often used, whereas in the case of medium to large secondary batteries with more electric capacity, the method is often used. A method of manufacturing the cathode plate and the anode plate by stacking them with a separator in an appropriate order is widely used.

In the zigzag type (also known as 'z-folding' type) stacking method, which is one of the stacking methods used to manufacture the inner cells of medium to large-sized secondary batteries, that is, prismatic secondary batteries, the separator forms a zigzag folded shape. The negative and positive plates are stacked in an alternating manner between them.

Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-2014-0062761 (published on May 26, 2014) discloses a high-speed stacking device and method for secondary batteries. This invention proposes a device with a gripper and a pressurizing unit that presses the cell stack in the stacking direction so that unit cells with a positive electrode plate placed on one of the two sides of the separator and a negative electrode plate placed on the other side are folded and stacked in a Z-shape.

The object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for stacking electrode plates including means for initially supplying a single electrode plate onto a stack table.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is not limited to the above problem, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

The electrode plate stacking method and device according to the present invention for achieving the above-described object include the following aspects and any combination thereof.

One aspect of the present invention is an electrode plate feeding unit for simultaneously supplying a negative electrode plate, a positive plate, and a separator sandwiched between them - the negative electrode plate is supplied on the separator, and the positive plate is placed under the separator -, the electrode plate feeding unit An electrode stack unit including a stack table on which the electrode plates and separators supplied by are placed, and a pusher for suppressing shaking of the electrode plates and separators on the stack table - the pusher has a plurality of suction holes on its bottom surface - , When a preset number of electrode plates are stacked on the stack table, a method of stacking electrode plates in a battery cell manufacturing apparatus including a discharge unit for discharging the stack from the stack table, wherein the pusher descends to stack the stack. Pressing the electrode plate and separator on the table while adsorbing the uppermost negative electrode plate through the suction hole, lifting the pusher while adsorbing the negative electrode plate, discharging the laminate by the discharge unit, and An electrode plate stacking method including the step of lowering the pusher to seat the adsorbed negative electrode plate on the stack table.

Another aspect of the present invention is a method of stacking electrode plates in which the adsorption step is performed after the electrode plate feeding unit completes a series of feeding operations for producing the laminate.

Another aspect of the present invention is an electrode plate stacking method in which only one layer of the separator is placed on the stack table immediately after the discharge step, and the seating step is to stack the adsorbed negative electrode plate as the lowest negative electrode plate on the one layer of the separator. .

Another aspect of the present invention is an electrode plate stacking method in which, after the seating step, the pusher separates from the lowermost negative electrode plate and rises, and the electrode plate feeding unit subsequently supplies electrode plates and a separator onto the lowermost negative electrode plate.

Another aspect of the present invention includes an electrode plate feeding unit for simultaneously supplying a negative electrode plate, a positive plate, and a separator interposed between them, a stack table on which the electrode plate and separator supplied by the electrode plate feeding unit are placed, and the electrode plate and the separator on the stack table. An electrode plate stack unit including a pusher to suppress shaking of the separator, and a discharge unit for discharging the stacked body from the stack table when a preset number of electrode plates are stacked on the stack table, wherein the electrode plate feeding When the negative electrode plate, positive plate, and separator are supplied to the electrode plate stack table by the unit, the negative electrode plate is placed on the separator and the positive plate is placed below the separator, and the pusher creates a plurality of suction holes on the bottom surface. It is a battery cell manufacturing device that is provided.

In another aspect of the present invention, the battery cell manufacturing apparatus sequentially lowers the pusher to press the electrode plate and separator on the stack table, while adsorbing the negative electrode plate placed at the top through the suction hole, the pusher A battery cell configured to perform the following steps: rising while adsorbing the negative electrode plate, the discharge unit discharging the laminate, and the pusher descending to seat the adsorbed negative electrode plate on the stack table. It is a manufacturing device.

Another aspect of the present invention is a battery cell manufacturing apparatus in which the adsorption step is performed after the electrode plate feeding unit completes a series of feeding operations for producing the laminate.

Another aspect of the present invention is a battery cell manufacturing apparatus in which only one layer of the separator is placed on the stack table immediately after the discharge step, and the seating step stacks the adsorbed negative electrode plate as the lowest negative electrode plate on the one layer of the separator. am.

Another aspect of the present invention is a battery cell manufacturing apparatus in which, after the seating step, the pusher separates from the lowermost negative electrode plate and rises, and the electrode plate feeding unit subsequently supplies electrode plates and a separator onto the lowermost negative electrode plate.

According to the present invention, in a method of simultaneously stacking the cathode, separator, and anode electrode, the initial cathode electrode can be placed and waited, so that the stacking arrangement of the electrodes can be adjusted.

The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

The description below may be better understood when viewed in conjunction with the attached drawings. Components having the same reference numerals in different drawings have similar functions, so they are not repeatedly described unless necessary for understanding the invention, and well-known components are briefly described or omitted, but in the embodiments of the present invention. It should not be understood as being excluded.
Figure 1 shows a plate feeding device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a view from below of the electrode plate feeding device shown in Figure 1.
Figure 3 shows a battery cell manufacturing device centered on the electrode plate feeding device and adjacent units according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged view of the battery cell manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. 3.
Figures 5a to 5c are enlarged views of one gripper portion of the electrode plate feeding device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figures 6a to 6c are examples of two cams applied to a pole plate feeding device, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 7 is another example of two cams applied to the plate feeding device of the present invention, and sequentially shows the closing and opening operations of the gripper according to the rotation angle of the cam.
Figure 8 shows a timing chart of the cams applied as shown in Figure 7.
Figure 9 shows the operation of the cam and the corresponding operation of the gripper when the electrode plate feeding device moves between the first position and the second position, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figures 10a and 10b show camera units arranged around a plate feeding unit and a plate stacking unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figures 11a and 11b are views from above and below, respectively, of a state in which the electrode plate feeding unit grips the electrode plate according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 12 is a view of the gripper portion of Figures 5a to 5c from another angle.
Figure 13 is an additional display of the separator and positive plate compared to Figure 11b.
Figure 14 shows a stack table and its surrounding configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 15 is a top view of the state in which both fixing pieces in Figure 14 are fixing the electrode plate.
Figures 16a and 16b show a perspective view and a front view, respectively, of an electrode plate stack unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 17 is an oblique view of the pusher according to an embodiment of the present invention from below.
Figure 18 shows the process of supplying the first electrode plate onto a stack table, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but may be subject to various changes and may be implemented in various different forms. Only this example is provided to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but substitutes or adds to the configuration of one embodiment and the configuration of another embodiment, as well as all changes and equivalents included in the technical spirit and scope of the present invention. It should be understood to include substitutes.

The attached drawings are only for easy understanding of the embodiments disclosed in the present specification, and the technical idea disclosed in the present specification is not limited by the attached drawings, and all changes and equivalents included in the spirit and technical scope of the present invention are not limited to the attached drawings. It should be understood to include water or substitutes. In the drawings, components may be expressed exaggeratedly large or small in size or thickness for convenience of understanding, etc., but the scope of protection of the present invention should not be construed as limited due to this.

The terms used in this specification are only used to describe specific implementations or examples, and are not intended to limit the invention. And singular expressions include plural expressions, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In the specification, terms such as ~include, ~consist of, etc. are intended to indicate the existence of features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or a combination thereof described in the specification. That is, in the specification, terms such as ~include, ~consist of, etc. should be understood as not precluding the existence or addition possibility of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

Terms containing ordinal numbers, such as first, second, etc., may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by the terms. The above terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. The same applies to terms such as primary and secondary.

When a component is said to be “connected,” “connected,” or “coupled” to another component, it may be directly connected to or connected to that other component, but may also be connected to another component in between. It should be understood that elements may exist. On the other hand, when a component is referred to as being “directly connected,” “directly connected,” or “directly coupled” to another component, it should be understood that no other components exist in between.

When a component is referred to as “being on top” or “below” another component, it should be understood that not only is it placed directly on top of the other component, but there may also be other components in between. .

Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present invention pertains. Terms as defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having meanings consistent with the meanings they have in the context of the related technology, and unless clearly defined in this specification, should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense. No.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

1 and 2 show a plate feeding unit 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. This feeding unit 10 includes two pairs of jaws (11, 12; 21, 22) capable of gripping both sides of the electrode plate 1 in order to grip the electrode plate 1 and supply it to the stack unit, and a horizontal transfer module 50 for transferring it, and a support frame 10 for connecting the jaws 11, 12; 21, 22 and the horizontal movement module 50. The horizontal transfer module 50 can move toward the stack table 131 (see FIG. 4) along both guides 38 and 48 (in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1). The pole plate feeding unit 10 can be fixed at the top by the hanger frames 39 and 49.

3 and 4 show the devices immediately preceding the electrode plate feeding unit 10 of the present invention in terms of the transfer flow of the electrode plate, that is, the positive plate transfer unit 110 for transferring the positive plate, the negative plate transfer unit 240 for transferring the negative plate, and the electrode plate feeding. A plate stack unit 400, which is a device immediately after unit 10, is shown. Other units constituting the prismatic battery cell manufacturing apparatus are omitted for convenience of explanation. The positive plate transfer unit 110 is configured to horizontally move the alignment table 111 toward the feeding unit 10 when a positive plate (not shown) is placed on the positive plate alignment table 111. The alignment table 111' displays the alignment table in a state that has been moved to the feeding unit 10.

In the battery cell manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the present invention, a separator (not shown) may be supplied along the same path as the movement path of the positive plate alignment table 111. Specifically, the separator descends along the upper vertical space between the alignment table 111 before movement and the alignment table 111' after movement, and then bends just above the electrode surface of the alignment table 111 to form the electrode feeding unit 10. It may be configured to be supplied between the upper tank (11; 21) and the lower tank (12; 22). As a result, the separator moves onto the alignment table 111'. That is, the separator progresses between both grippers and between the upper jaw and the lower jaw.

Meanwhile, since the cathode plate transfer unit 240 is configured to come down from above with the cathode plate 1, the cathode plate 1 is placed on the separator. In FIG. 2, the upper and lower groups 11 of the feeding unit 10 are used to grip the positive electrode plate placed on the positive electrode plate alignment table 111', the negative electrode plate supplied from the top to overlap the positive electrode plate, and the separator located between them. 12; 21, 22) are shown positioned on both ends of the electrode plate. The upper and lower jaws are configured to grip the anode plate at the bottom of the separator, the cathode plate at the top of the separator, and the separator all at once at this position. According to the present invention, after the upper and lower groups (11, 12; 21, 22) grip the two electrode plates and the separator, imaging can be performed to check the alignment of the electrode plates and the separator, so that this position This is called the 'alignment position' of the plate feeding unit 10, especially the upper and lower groups 11, 12; 21, 22.

After reaching the 'alignment position', the positive plate alignment table 111' may rise slightly to allow the positive plate to touch the lower part of the separator. Meanwhile, the negative plate transfer unit 240 lowers the negative plate loading/unloading head 121 from the 'alignment position' and then blocks the suction force of the suction holes 122 so that the negative plate 1 is placed on top of the separator. . The alignment table 111' and the head 121 are shorter than each electrode plate and are configured to have a size that does not interfere with the gripping motion of the upper and lower groups 11, 12; 21, 22.

When the gripper of the feeding unit 10, that is, the upper and lower groups 11, 12; 21, 22, grip the electrode plates at the 'alignment position', the above-mentioned photograph is taken, and then the stack table 131 is held with the electrode plates gripped. transferred to At this time, the stopped separator is pulled and supplied in the direction of travel. When the electrode plates reach the stack table 131 together with the separator (this position is referred to as the 'stack position' of the electrode plate feeding unit 10, especially the upper and lower groups 11, 12; 21, 22), the pusher ( 132) descends to fix the electrode plates and separator. Then, the electrode plate feeding unit 10 returns to the ‘alignment position’ again. In this way, the electrode plate feeding unit 10 is configured to reciprocate between the ‘alignment position’ and the ‘stack position’.

Figures 5a to 5c show the left gripper among a pair of grippers provided in the electrode plate feeding device 10. 5A and 5B, the upper jaw 11 is fixed to the support arm 15, and the lower jaw 12 is fixed to the support arm 16. A bracket 14 may be fixed between the lower jaw 12 and the support arm 16. The upper and lower jaws 11 and 12 are configured to rise or fall by an actuator 36 such as a motor. A backlight 20 is arranged on one edge of the electrode plate 1. This is used as lighting when taking pictures with a camera to check alignment.

The support arms (15, 16) are functionally connected to the support frame (37) via cams (31, 32). Two cams (31, 32) are fixed to one camshaft (35). The support arms 15 and 16 may be compressed by springs 17a, 17b, 18a and 18b. The spring may be connected to the support arm on one side and to the support pieces 19a and 19b on the other side. Figure 5c omits some components from Figures 5a and 5b to show the mounting state of the cams 31 and 32. It can be confirmed that the cam 32 is connected to the follower 34.

6A to 6C show the shapes of cams 31 and 32 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The cam 31 is connected to the follower 33, and the cam 32 is connected to the follower 34, where the follower 33 and the follower 34 are connected to the support arm 15 and the support arm, respectively. It is coupled to (16). The cams 31 and 32 must not rotate relative to the camshaft 35, and may be provided with a keyway 40 for this purpose.

Figure 7 shows the cam operation and the resulting operation of the upper and lower jaws according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the shapes of the cams 31', 32', 41', and 42' are different from the previous embodiment. Reference numbers are given based on the cam installed in the left gripper of the plate feeding unit 10, and the cam of the corresponding right gripper is indicated in parentheses. In the drawing, the cams (31'; 41') are connected to the lower jaw (12; 22) through followers (33; 43), and the cams (32'; 42') are connected to the lower jaws (12; 22) through followers (34; 44). It is connected to the upper jaw (11; 21). Linked here means that the relevant pair is connected to operate according to the rotation of the cam.

Figures 7 (a), (b), and (c) show states rotated by 0°, 120°, and 240°, respectively, with respect to the cam 31' connected to the lower jaw 12. In this embodiment, the cams each rotate in only one direction. Since the other cam 32' is fixed to the same camshaft as the cam 31', it rotates in the same amount as the cam 31'. Therefore, the relative angle between the two cams 31' and 32' is maintained constant. In each drawing, the arrow and the dotted chain line marked with 'S' indicate the line where the separator is supplied.

In Figure 7 (a), the cam 31' associated with the lower jaw 12 is in contact with the follower 33 at its maximum radius, and the cam 32' associated with the upper jaw 11 is in contact with the follower 33 at its minimum radius. It is in contact with the follower 34 at the radius portion. At this time, the upper and lower jaws 11 and 12 rise and fall, respectively, and become open by the maximum opening height (H).

In (b) of Figure 7, the cam 32' associated with the upper jaw 11 is in contact with the follower 34 at its maximum radius, and the cam 31' associated with the lower jaw 11 is in contact with the follower 34 at its maximum radius. It is separated from the follower 33 by the gap G in the radius portion. While the upper jaw 11 is fixed in place, a spring compression force to fill the gap G is applied to the lower jaw 12, pulling the lower jaw 12 toward the upper jaw 11. As a result, the gripper is in a closed state, and the upper and lower jaws can firmly grasp the electrode plate and separator.

In (c) of FIG. 7, both the cam 31' and the cam 32' are in contact with the follower 33 and the follower 34, respectively, at the minimum radius portion. At this time, the upper tank 11 is raised to a certain height (h), while the lower tank 12 is maintained in the same position as the separator (S) without descending. This will be referred to as ‘semi-open state’.

Figure 8 shows the cam diagram of the cams shown in Figure 7, where (a) is a diagram of the cam 32' linked to the upper jaw, and (b) is a diagram of the cam 31' linked to the lower jaw. am. In the drawing, 'R' refers to the radius (in mm) around the cam determined by the profile of the cam. For example, 'R15' means that the cam radius is 15mm.

Figure 9 shows the rotation angle of the cam and the opening and closing of the gripper accordingly when the electrode plate feeding device 10 according to the present invention is in the first position ('alignment position'), the second position ('stack position'), and during feeding movement. It indicates the status.

First, in the first position, the gripper of the feeding device 10 changes from the open state to the closed state to grip the separator and the two upper and lower electrode plates. The feeding device 10 moves to the second position while maintaining its state. At this time, since the lower jaw is at the same height as the separator, when entering the stack table, it does not collide with one side of the table or the already stacked electrode plates. After the feeding device 10 reaches the second position, only the upper tank is raised and opened to release the electrode plate. If the lower jaw is lowered, it may hit the stacked plates. After releasing the electrode plate, the lower jaw is lowered during or after returning to the first position to create a fully open state.

Hereinafter, configurations and operations for checking the alignment state of the electrode plates and/or separators when the electrode plates and separators are transferred from the electrode plate feeding unit 10 to the electrode plate stack unit 400 of the present invention will be described.

As described above, the electrode plate feeding unit 10 according to the present invention is configured so that the gripper, that is, the upper and lower groups, simultaneously grips the two electrode plates and the separator. At this time, the negative plate 1 may be located above the separator, and the positive plate 2 (see FIG. 13) may be located below the separator. Typically, the negative plate is larger in size than the positive plate. For example, the size of the negative plate excluding the electrode tab may be 315.5 mm × 95.5 mm, and the size of the positive plate may be 309.5 mm × 92.5 mm.

10A and 10B show camera units arranged for the electrode plate feeding unit 10 and the electrode plate stacking unit 400 of the present invention.

The camera unit that captures images of the plate feeding unit 10 includes cameras 3a and 3b and lights 3a-1 and 3b-1. The cameras (3a, 3b) and lights (3a-1, 3b-1) can be arranged at a lower position than the separator so that they can image the bottom of the separator when the electrode feeding unit 10 grips the two electrode plates and the separator. there is. The camera (3a) and lighting (3a-1) are located on the left group (11, 12) side of the plate feeding unit (10), and the camera (3b) and lighting (3b-1) are located on the right group (21, 22) side. It may be configured to capture images. In the drawing, extending like a round chopstick from the illumination (eg, 3b-1) to the imaging object is an imaginary line indicating the path of the illumination (hereinafter, the same).

Backlights 20, 30 are positioned higher than the separator to provide a light source from across the separator when imaging the bottom of the separator using cameras 3a, 3b and lights 3a-1, 3b-1. can be arranged.

The camera unit that captures images of the electrode stack unit 400 includes cameras 4a and 4b and lights 4a-1 and 4b-1. The cameras 4a and 4b and the lights 4a-1 and 4b-1 may be arranged at a higher position than the separator to capture images of the electrode plates stacked on the stack table 131 of the electrode stack unit 400 from above. . The camera 4a and the light 4a-1 capture the left fixed piece 133 side of the electrode stack unit 400, and the camera 4b and the light 4b-1 capture the right fixed piece 134 side. It can be configured.

Figure 11a is a top view of the state in which the pairs 11, 12; 21, 22 grip the cathode plate 1, but the separator is omitted. Windows 11-1 and 21-1 are formed in the left and right upper jaws 11 and 21, respectively, so that when the cameras 3a and 3b capture images, the lights 3a-1 and 3b-1 and the backlights 20 and 30 are used. ) is able to transmit light, including light.

Figure 11b is a view from below showing the group 11, 12; 21, 22 gripping the cathode plate 1, but the separator and the anode plate are omitted. Windows 12-1 and 22-1 are formed in the left and right lower jaws 12 and 22, respectively, so that when the cameras 3a and 3b capture images, the lights 3a-1 and 3b-1 and the backlights 20 and 30 are used. ) is able to transmit light, including light. If the groups 11, 12; 21, 22 are made of a light-transmissive material, such as transparent plastic, a window may be unnecessary.

As shown in FIG. 12, the window 11-1 and the window 12-1 are formed at the same or at least overlapping positions above and below.

Figure 13 shows the separator (S) and the positive electrode plate (2) additionally shown in Figure 11b. Since it is viewed from below, the cathode plate (1) is covered by the separator (S) and only its silhouette is visible, so it is indicated with a dotted line. As described above, since the negative electrode plate 1 is slightly larger than the positive electrode plate 2, the edge of the negative electrode plate 1 can be seen outside the edge of the positive electrode plate 2. The arrow indicates the direction in which the two gripped electrode plates and separator are transferred.

Figure 14 shows the stack table 131 and its surrounding configuration of the electrode plate stack unit 400 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fixing pieces 133 and 134 for fixing the electrode plates are arranged on both left and right sides of the stack table 131, and a pusher 132 for pressing and fixing the stacked electrode plates. Windows 133-1 and 134-1 are formed on the fixing pieces 133 and 134 so that the edges or corners of the electrode plates can be checked by the cameras 4a and 4b. The window 133-1 includes the windows 11-1 and 12-1 formed on the sets 11 and 12, and the window 134-1 includes the windows 21-1 and 22- formed on the sets 21 and 22. It is formed in a position corresponding to 1), or at least in an overlapping position. This is to enable mutual comparison of information at corresponding locations.

Since the cameras 4a and 4b capture images of the stacked electrode plates from above, only the alignment information of the cathode plate 1 placed on the separator (not shown) and the alignment information of the separator may be confirmed.

Here, the alignment information includes at least one of the coordinate value of the object (here, the cathode plate and the separator), damage, misalignment, distortion, and the distance between the object and other objects.

Figure 15 is a view from above of the state in which the fixing pieces 133 and 134 fix the electrode plate, and the edges and corners of the negative electrode plate 1 can be confirmed through the windows 133-1 and 134-1.

A method of checking the alignment of the electrode plates in the path between the electrode plate feeding unit 10 and the electrode plate stacking unit 400 of the present invention with the above configuration will be described as an example as follows.

When the groups 11, 12, 21, and 22 of the electrode plate feeding unit 10 grip the two electrode plates and the separator sandwiched between them, the cameras 3a and 3b installed at a position below the separator are shown in the moving direction (FIG. 13) (arrow direction) by imaging the vicinity of the edge of the electrode plates 1 and 2 located at the distal end, the corner or edge of the positive electrode plate 2 and the corner or edge of the negative electrode plate 1 are captured through the windows 12-1 and 22-1. You can get video. At this time, the lights 3a-1 and 3b-1 and the backlights 20 and 30 may operate.

While the image of the anode plate 2 is captured directly, the image of the cathode plate 1 will be imaged as a faint silhouette passing through the separator, so it is possible to distinguish between the anode plate and the cathode plate using the difference in shade. Both edges of the separator can also be imaged. In this way, alignment information of the negative electrode plate, positive plate, and separator can be obtained.

The image capturing point of the cameras 3a and 3b in the electrode plate feeding unit 10 is preferably immediately after the gripper grips the electrode plate or at the initial point of departure toward the stack unit 400 with the gripped electrode plate. It is best to avoid starting toward the plate stack unit 400 and taking images when the speed has already increased.

The alignment information of the negative electrode plate, positive plate, and/or separator obtained using the cameras 3a and 3b is processed to determine whether the electrode plates are misaligned. If misalignment is determined, the corresponding electrode plates are NG treated and discharged.

If it is confirmed as a good product as a result of imaging by the electrode plate feeding unit 10, the corresponding electrode plate laminated on the stack table 131 by the electrode plate feeding unit 10 is photographed in the same area as that previously imaged by the cameras 3a and 3b. Images are captured again with cameras 4a and 4b. However, since only the upper part of the separator can be photographed with the cameras 4a and 4b, alignment information of the positive plate 2 cannot be obtained.

The alignment information of the cathode plate and/or separator obtained using the cameras 4a and 4b is processed to determine whether the electrode plate is misaligned. At this time, the alignment information for the same object obtained by the cameras 3a and 3b can be compared and read with the alignment information obtained by the cameras 4a and 4b. In this way, it is possible to determine whether misalignment of the electrode plates occurred during the feeding process by the electrode plate feeding unit 10. If misalignment is determined, the corresponding electrode plates are NG treated and discharged.

Now, the electrode plate stack unit 400 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 16A to 18.

Referring to the description of some configurations centered on the stack table 131 of the electrode plate stack unit 400 in FIGS. 16A and 16B and in FIG. 14, there are fixing pieces ( 133, 134) and a pusher 132 for pressing and fixing the stacked electrode plates are arranged.

The pusher 132 may descend toward the stack table 131 or rise away from the stack table 131 by the elevating module 90 . When the pusher 132 descends, a certain pressure can be applied to the negative electrode plate, separator, and positive plate supplied below it, thereby preventing the electrode plates and separator from shaking on the stack table 131.

The pusher 132 may operate complementary to the fixing pieces 133 and 134 on the left and right sides of the stack table 131. For example, when the electrode plate feeding unit 10 enters the stack table while gripping the electrode plates and the separator at the same time, the pusher 132 descends to fix the electrode plates and the separator. At this time, the left and right grippers 11, 12, 21, and 22 of the plate feeding unit 10 are located outside the movement line of the pusher 132 and are not pressed by the pusher. When the electrode plate feeding unit 10 releases its grip on the electrode plate and separator and moves away from the stack table 131, the left and right fixing pieces 133 and 134 enter from the left and right sides of the stack table 131 to separate the electrode plate and separator. Press to secure. Subsequently, the pusher 132 rises and the electrode plate feeding unit 10 grips the new electrode plates and separator to enter the stack table 131.

Figure 17 shows a pusher 132 according to an embodiment of the present invention. A plurality of suction holes 92 are provided on the bottom surface 91, and side holes 93 are formed on the side. The vacuum module can provide vacuum adsorption force to the adsorption hole 92 through the side hole 93. It is preferable that the adsorption holes 92 are arranged so as not to deviate from the size of the negative electrode plate 1 placed on the separator S, but it may be possible to adjust the vacuum adsorption force to only occur in some of the adsorption holes 92 according to changes in the size of the electrode plate. .

With reference to FIG. 18, the process of initially supplying one electrode plate onto the stack table 131 using the electrode plate stack unit 400 according to an embodiment of the present invention as described above will be described as follows.

First, the electrode plate feeding unit 10 grips the negative electrode plate, positive plate, and separator at the same time, and supplies them with the negative electrode plate 1 positioned above the separator and the positive electrode plate 2 positioned below the separator.

In step 1, the electrode plate feeding unit 10 supplies the last unit cell (each 1-ply negative electrode plate, separator, and positive plate bundle), and then the grippers 11, 12; 21, 22 of the electrode plate feeding unit hold the stack table 131. ), while the pusher 132 descends. (This corresponds to the 'half-open state' of the gripper described above, so the lower jaw (12; 22) will be closer to the separator (S) than the upper jaw (11; 21), but this is not shown here.)

In step 2, the pusher 132 rises while adsorbing the negative electrode plate 1 at the top of the stack or cell C. Thereafter, the laminate (C) is discharged out of the stack table 131 by a discharge unit (not shown), and the separator (S) is cut. When cutting the separator (S), the stack table (131) rises and comes into contact with the separator (S), and the cut part of the separator (S) (to the left of the cutting point in the drawing) is moved to the stack table (131) by suction force, left and right fixing pieces, etc. It can adhere closely to the image.

In steps 3 and 4, before receiving the new negative electrode plate 1' and positive electrode plate 2' from the grippers 11, 12; 21, 22, the pusher 132 descends to stack the adsorbed negative electrode plate 1. It is placed on the table 131 and rises.

In step 5, a new stack C' has been created with the cathode plate 1 as the bottommost cathode plate and the pusher 132 is lowered to adsorb the topmost cathode plate of the stack C'.

In the above-described process, in order to arrange both the upper and lower electrode plates of the battery cell C as negative plates, the positive plate (positive plate 2 in step 1) may be omitted from the last unit cell. That is, the grippers 11, 12; 21, 22 can provide a unit cell consisting of only a negative electrode plate and a separator as the uppermost unit cell. This can be achieved by the positive plate alignment table 111 not moving to the above-described 'alignment position' 111' when the grippers 11, 12; 21, 22 grip the corresponding unit cell.

According to the electrode stack unit 400 operating as described above, the stack table 131 structure includes a pusher 132 with an adsorption function that can adsorb and wait for the initial single electrode (i.e., cathode) after cell extraction. may be provided.

Above, embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the attached drawings, but those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention can be implemented in other specific forms without changing the technical idea or essential features. You will understand that it exists. Therefore, the embodiments described above should be understood as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of protection of the present invention should be interpreted in accordance with the claims below, and all technical ideas within the equivalent scope should be interpreted as being included in the scope of rights of the present invention.

1: negative plate 2: positive plate
3a, 3b, 4a, 4b Cameras 3a-1, 3b-1, 4a-1, 4b-1: Lighting
10: Electrode plate feeding unit
11, 21: upper jaw 12, 22: lower jaw
13, 14, 23, 24: Bracket 15, 16, 25, 26: Support arm
17a, 17b, 18a, 18b, 27a, 27b, 28a, 28b: spring
19a, 19b, 29a, 29b: support piece 20, 30: backlight
31, 32, 41, 42, 31', 32', 41', 42': Cam
33, 34, 43, 44: Follower 35, 45: Camshaft
36, 46: actuator 37, 47: support frame
38, 48: Guide 39, 49: Hanger frame
40: keyway 50: horizontal movement module
90: Elevating module 91: Bottom surface
92: suction hole 93: side hole
100: Battery cell manufacturing device 110: Positive plate transfer unit
111, 111': positive plate alignment table 121: positive plate loading/unloading head
122: Suction hole 131: Stack table
132: pusher 133, 134: fixed piece
11-1, 21-1, 12-1, 22-1, 133-1, 134-1: Windows
210, 240: cathode plate transfer unit 300: separator supply unit
400: Electrode plate stack unit C: Laminate
H: Open height h: Half open height
G: Gap S: Separator

Claims (9)

An electrode plate feeding unit for simultaneously supplying a negative electrode plate, a positive plate, and a separator sandwiched between them - supplied with the negative electrode plate placed on the separator and the positive plate placed below the separator -;
An electrode plate stack unit including a stack table on which the electrode plate and separator supplied by the electrode plate feeding unit are placed, and a pusher for suppressing shaking of the electrode plate and the separator on the stack table - the pusher has a plurality of suction holes on its bottom surface Equipped with -; and
When a preset number of electrode plates are stacked on the stack table, a discharge unit for discharging the stack from the stack table;
A method of stacking electrode plates in a battery cell manufacturing device comprising:
The pusher descends to press the electrode plate and separator on the stack table, while adsorbing the uppermost negative electrode plate through the suction hole;
raising the pusher while adsorbing the negative electrode plate;
discharging the laminate by the discharging unit; and
lowering the pusher to seat the adsorbed negative electrode plate on the stack table;
containing
Method of laminating electrode plates. In claim 1,
The adsorption step is performed after the electrode plate feeding unit completes a series of feeding operations for producing the laminate.
Method of laminating electrode plates. In claim 1,
Immediately after the discharge step, only one layer of the separator is placed on the stack table, and the seating step stacks the adsorbed negative electrode plate as the lowest negative electrode plate on the single layer of the separator.
Method of laminating electrode plates. In claim 3,
After the seating step, the pusher separates from the lowermost negative electrode plate and rises, and subsequently the electrode plate feeding unit supplies electrode plates and a separator onto the lowermost negative electrode plate.
Method of laminating electrode plates. An electrode plate feeding unit for simultaneously supplying a negative electrode plate, a positive plate, and a separator sandwiched between them;
an electrode plate stack unit including a stack table on which the electrode plates and separators supplied by the electrode plate feeding unit are placed, and a pusher to suppress shaking of the electrode plates and separators on the stack table; and
When a preset number of electrode plates are stacked on the stack table, a discharge unit for discharging the stack from the stack table;
Including,
When the negative electrode plate, positive plate, and separator are supplied to the electrode plate stack table by the electrode plate feeding unit, the negative electrode plate is placed on the separator and the positive electrode plate is placed below the separator,
The pusher has a plurality of suction holes on its bottom surface and serves as a means for supplying the first single electrode plate to the stack table.
Battery cell manufacturing device. In claim 5,
The battery cell manufacturing device sequentially:
The pusher descends to press the electrode plate and separator on the stack table, while adsorbing the uppermost negative electrode plate through the suction hole;
raising the pusher while adsorbing the negative electrode plate;
Discharging the laminate by the discharge unit;
lowering the pusher to seat the adsorbed negative electrode plate on the stack table;
which is configured to perform
Battery cell manufacturing device. In claim 5,
The adsorption step is performed after the electrode plate feeding unit completes a series of feeding operations for producing the laminate.
Battery cell manufacturing device. In claim 5,
Immediately after the discharge step, only one layer of the separator is placed on the stack table, and the seating step stacks the adsorbed negative electrode plate as the lowest negative electrode plate on the single layer of the separator.
Battery cell manufacturing device. In claim 8,
After the seating step, the pusher separates from the lowermost negative electrode plate and rises, and subsequently the electrode plate feeding unit supplies electrode plates and a separator onto the lowermost negative electrode plate.
Battery cell manufacturing device.

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