WO2022199890A1

WO2022199890A1 - Stacking wheel and corresponding device for stacking flat objects

Info

Publication number: WO2022199890A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/025114
Authority: WO
Inventors: Frank Neudel; Markus Sperl; Andreas Jakobs
Original assignee: Giesecke+Devrient Currency Technology Gmbh
Priority date: 2021-03-24
Filing date: 2022-03-22
Publication date: 2022-09-29
Also published as: DE102021001545A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a stacking wheel and a device for stacking flat objects. The stacking wheel (20) according to the invention for stacking flat objects (G) has a specified number of stacking fingers (S1-S16) which are distributed over the circumference of the stacking wheel and form compartments (F1-F16) between the stacking fingers for receiving the flat objects to be stacked. The stacking fingers have outer ends (S1-S16) which enclose the openings of the compartment and are arranged in a uniformly spaced manner along the outer circumference of the stacking wheel such that the openings of the compartments are arranged along the outer circumference of the stacking wheel in a uniformly spaced manner, and the stacking fingers have inner ends which are arranged such that the compartment ends (E1-E16) lying in the direction of the center of the stacking wheel are arranged such that a distance (a) is produced in the rotational direction (R) of the stacking wheel between two adjacent compartment (F1, 16) ends (E1, E16), said distance being greater than the distances between all of the other adjacent ends of the compartments in the rotational direction of the stacking wheel.

Description

STACKING WHEEL AND RELATIVE DEVICE FOR STACKING

FLAT OBJECTS

The invention relates to a stacking wheel and a device for stacking flat objects.

The stacking of flat objects, e.g. B. electrode elements is known to be. In this case, at least a first electrode element and a second electrode element are used, which are arranged at a stacking position, as a result of which an electrode stack is produced. In this way, electrode elements for the production of electrochemical Energiespei chern, such as lithium-ion batteries, or energy converters, such as fuel cells, usually stacked, especially in the production of pouch cells, a common design of a lithium-ion battery.

The electrode elements are usually designed as a cathode, based for example on aluminum foil, and/or anode, based for example on copper foil. The smallest unit of each lithium-ion cell consists of two electrodes and a separator that separates the electrodes from one another. Later, after filling, there is an ionically conductive electrolyte in between.

In the stacking process, the electrode elements are stacked in a repeating cycle of anode, separator, cathode, separator, and so on.

In addition to the other steps in the production of electrochemical energy storage or fuel cells, such as packaging or contacting, the stacking step in production often represents the bottleneck for production throughput. Known methods for stacking the electrode elements rely on a gripping arm of a robot, which grips and places the electrode element. According to current knowledge, however, no significant increases in speed are to be expected here.

Other known methods rely on a rotating stacking wheel for stack formation, with which the electrode elements are placed on an electrode stack.

WO 2020/212316 A1 describes a method for producing an electrode stack of anodes and cathodes for a lithium-ion battery of an electrically powered motor vehicle, in which the anodes and cathodes are conveyed into compartments of a rotationally driven or rotationally drivable stacking wheel, and the anodes and cathodes in the compartments are conveyed to a tray by rotating the stacking wheel. It is also known from WO 2020/212317 A1 to stack so-called mono cells. This is an electrode assembly consisting of an anode and a cathode as well as separators to separate the electrodes.

To produce the electrochemical energy storage or energy converter, it is necessary to stack a predetermined number of electrodes or mono-cells. In order to enable continuous operation of the stacking wheel, it is necessary to remove the stack consisting of the predetermined number of electrodes or mono cells from a support on which the stack is formed, before further electrodes or mono cells from the stacking wheel for transported to the next stack to be formed and placed on the stack already formed. The task is to create a stacking wheel and a device for stacking flat objects with which a stack of a pre-determined number of flat objects is produced continuously and without interruption.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a stacking wheel and a device for stacking flat objects with the features according to the independent claims. The stacking wheel according to the invention for stacking flat objects has a predetermined number of stacking fingers which are distributed over the circumference of the stacking wheel and form compartments between the stacking fingers for receiving the flat objects to be stacked, and the stacking fingers have outer ends which including the openings of the trays and being evenly spaced along the outer circumference of the stacking wheel such that the openings of the trays are evenly spaced along the outer circumference of the stacking wheel, the stacking fingers having inner ends arranged such that the ends of the compartments lying in the direction of the center point of the stacking wheel are arranged in such a way that there is a distance between two adjacent ends of the compartments in the direction of rotation of the stacking wheel which is greater than the distances between all other adjacent ends of the compartments in the direction of rotation of the stacking wheel s.

The invention is based on the finding that by forming the greater distance between two adjacent ends of the compartments during the rotation of the stacking wheel, a longer period of time is available between these two compartments than between all other adjacent compartments. The advantage of the invention can be seen in particular in the fact that this longer period of time can be used to remove a stack formed by means of the stacking wheel. As a result, the stacking wheel can be used continuously and without interruption to form stacks.

Advantageously, the distance between the two adjacent ends of the compartments is set to be substantially greater, at least 2 times, preferably 3 times, more preferably 4 times, even more preferably 5 times, or a non-integer multiple greater than is the distances between all of the compartments at their adjacent ends.

The stacking wheel thus has the advantage that a sufficiently large period of time can be created to remove a stack formed by means of the stacking wheel before the formation of a new stack begins.

In an advantageous embodiment of the stacking wheel, the ends of the compartments are distributed within a circular segment of less than 360°.

The advantageous configuration of the stacking wheel has the advantage that the greater distance between two adjacent ends of the compartments can be realized particularly advantageously when the stacking wheel rotates.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the stacking wheel, the ends of the compartments have different radial distances from the center point of the stacking wheel.

The further advantageous embodiment of the stacking wheel has the advantage that the greater distance between two adjacent ends of the compartments can be realized particularly advantageously during the rotation of the stacking wheel. In another advantageous embodiment of the stacking wheel, the specified number of compartments is selected such that it is a fraction, in particular an integer fraction, of a specified number of flat objects that result in a stack to be formed by the stacking wheel.

The other advantageous embodiment of the stacking wheel has the advantage of being able to form large stacks with a large number of flat objects, without having to increase the stacking wheel, since several revolutions of the stacking wheel are used to stack the stack with a desired number before a given number to form flat elements.

In yet another advantageous embodiment of the stacking wheel, more than two adjacent ends of the compartments are provided, which result in a distance that is greater than the distances between all other adjacent ends of the compartments, with the plurality of two adjacent ends of the compartments each being distributed over the circumference of the stacking wheel is arranged. Yet another advantageous embodiment of the stacking wheel has the advantage that there are several two adjacent compartments distributed over the circumference of the stacking wheel with the greater spacing, which is why stacks formed by means of the stacking wheel can be removed several times during one revolution of the stacking wheel.

The device according to the invention for stacking flat objects is formed using the stacking wheel according to the invention, with at least one stacking wheel being arranged on an axis which is driven in the direction of rotation and runs through the center point of the at least one stacking wheel. The device according to the invention benefits from the fact that, due to the formation of the greater distance between two adjacent ends of the compartments during the rotation of the stacking wheel, a longer period of time is available between these two compartments than between all other adjacent compartments. Thus, a stack formed by the stacking wheel can be removed while the stacking wheel is used continuously and without interruption to form stacks in the apparatus.

Further advantages of the present invention result from the dependent claims and the following description of an embodiment based on figures.

It shows

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a stacking wheel and a device for stacking flat objects during the formation of a stack of flat objects, and

FIG. 2 shows a further embodiment of a stacking wheel.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a stacking wheel 20 and a device 1 containing the stacking wheel 20 for stacking flat objects G during the formation of a stack 40 of flat objects G.

The stacking wheel 20 shown in FIG. 1a has a predetermined number of stacking fingers S1-S16, 16 in the illustrated example Flat objects G transported by a transport device T are inserted in compartments F1-F16, while the stacking wheel 20 rotates in a direction of rotation R. For this purpose, the stacking wheel 20 is arranged on a driven axle 22 and transports the flat objects G located in the compartments F1-F16 to a tray 31. The device 1 for stacking flat objects G also has one or more strippers 30 , which are arranged laterally next to the stacking wheel 20 and strip out, i.e. remove, flat objects G transported in the compartments F1-F16, so that the flat objects G are placed on the tray 31 and the stack 40 with the specified number of flat objects form G. If particularly large stacks 40 have to be formed, it can be provided that the tray 31 can be moved in the direction of arrow 32 so that the stack 40 does not collide with the stacking fingers S1-S16.

In the stacking wheel 20, the predetermined number of stacking fingers S1-S16 is distributed over the circumference of the stacking wheel 20, with the compartments F1-F16 located between the stacking fingers S1-S16 for receiving the flat objects G to be stacked. Outer ends of the stacking fingers S1-S16 enclosing the openings of trays F1-F16 are evenly spaced along the outer circumference of stacking wheel 20 such that the openings of trays F1-F16 are evenly spaced along the outer circumference of stacking wheel 20 to to enable the safe and trouble-free insertion of the flat gene objects G by the transport device T. Inner ends of the stacking fingers S1-S16 are arranged in such a way that the ends E1-E16 of the subjects F1-F16 lying in the direction of the center point 21 of the stacking wheel 20 are arranged such that between two adjacent ends El, E16 of the subjects Fl, F16 a distance a (see Figure lb) results in the direction of rotation R of the stacking wheel 20, which is greater than the distances in the direction of rotation R of the stacking wheel 20 between all other adjacent ends E1-E16 of the compartments F1-F16. In FIG. 16 flat objects G are placed on tray 31, which were removed from compartments F1-F16 by scraper 30 during a complete rotation of stacking wheel 20 by 360° and form stack 40, which is transported by stack transport 33 from tray 31 Will get removed. Since there is a distance between the ends E16 and El of the subjects F16 and Fl in the direction of rotation R of the stacking wheel 20, which is greater than the distances between all other neigh disclosed ends of the subjects in the direction of rotation R of the stacking wheel 20, with constant Rotational speed of stacking wheel 20, a period of time between the deposition of sheet G from bin F16 and sheet G from bin F1 greater than all other periods of time between successive stacking of sheets from all other adjacent bins. The stack 40 can thus be removed from the support 31 safely and without interrupting the stacking process, for example by means of the stack transport 33 .

As shown in Figures lc and ld, following the removal of stack 40, a new stack 41 is formed until, after another complete rotation of stacking wheel 20 by 360°, 16 flat objects are stacked in stack 41 and transported by stack transport 33 be removed.

It is also possible to form larger stacks using the stacking wheel 20 . The number of compartments F1-F16 of the stacking wheel 20 is then a fraction, in particular an integer fraction, of a predetermined number of flat objects G, which result in the stack 40 to be formed by means of the stacking wheel 20. In the illustrated example of a stacking wheel with 16 compartments, stacks with 32, 48, 64 etc. flat objects can be produced. For this purpose, the stack is not removed from the support by the stack transport 33 after a complete revolution (360°) of the stacking wheel 20, but after two, three, four etc. complete revolutions.

If smaller stacks are to be formed, a distance a can be provided between more than two adjacent ends E1, E16 of the compartments F1, F16, which is greater than the distances between all other ends of the compartments neigh- bor. The several two adjacent ends E1, E16 of the compartments F1, F16 are distributed over the circumference of the stacking wheel 20. The stack transport 33 then transports the stack 40 of flat objects G away from the tray 31 after partial revolutions of the stacking wheel 20 of less than 360°. With an equal distribution of, for example, two two adjacent ends E1, E16 in the above-described example of a stacking wheel with 16 compartments, depending on the stacking of eight flat objects G, it is possible to remove the stack from the support using the stack transport 33. Thus, stacks with eight flat objects G (after half a rotation (180°) of the stacking wheel 20, but also stacks with 16 flat objects G (a full rotation of 360°), or stacks with 24 flat objects G (one and a half rotations around 540°) etc. can be generated.

It goes without saying that with other stack edges, with a different number of compartments, and a different number of two adjacent ends of the compartments with a large distance a and their equal or unequal distribution over the circumference of the stacking wheel, stacks with an almost any predetermined number of flat objects he can be generated.

It has turned out to be advantageous to make the distance a between the two adjacent ends El, E16 of the compartments F1-F16 much larger, at least at least 2 times, preferably 3 times, more preferably 4 times, even more preferably 5 times, or a non-integer multiple greater than the distances between all other adjacent ends E1-E16 of compartments F1-F16. This allows sufficient time for the stack to be removed from the support without adversely affecting the stacking of the next stack.

As shown in FIG. 1 and shown in FIGS have radial distances dl-dl6 to the center 21 of the stacking wheel 20, the greater the difference between the radial distances dl and dl6 in the direction of rotation R from standing a between the two adjacent ends El, E16 of the compartments Fl, F16 is.

FIG. 2 shows a further embodiment for achieving a large distance a in the direction of rotation R between the two adjacent ends El, E16 of the compartments F1, F16. Identical or similar components in FIGS. 1 and 2 have the same reference numbers. The embodiment according to FIG. 2 provides for the ends E1-E16 of the compartments F1-F16 to be arranged on a concentric circle K around the center point 21 of the stacking wheel 20, with the compartments F1-F16 being within a circle segment IC of less than 360° are distributed, so that the large distance a in the direction of rotation R between the two adjacent ends El, E16 of the compartments Fl,

F16 results. As described in connection with FIG. 1, the openings of the compartments F1-F16 are evenly distributed along the outer circumference of the stacking wheel 20. The ends E1-E16 of the compartments F1-F16 do not have to be arranged on a concentric circle K around the center 21 of the stacking wheel 20, as shown in FIG to generate a greater distance a. In this case, a combination with the procedure described in connection with FIG. 1 is to arrange the ends E1-E16 of the compartments F1-F16 with different radial distances dl-dl6 from the center point 21 of the stacking wheel 20. possible.

The arrangement of the compartments or stacking fingers shown in Figures 1 and 2 can lead to unequal mass distribution in the stacking wheel 20, which is why an imbalance can occur when the stacking wheel 20 is rotated by means of the driven axle 22, which has a negative effect on the running properties of the stacking wheel 20 influenced. To compensate for any unbalance that may be present, provision can be made for the stacking wheel 20 to be balanced. For this purpose, balancing masses are attached to the stacking wheel 20 and/or compartments or other cut-out contours are introduced into the stacking wheel, which ensure that the stacking wheel 20 runs evenly in the direction of rotation R. The aim is to move the center of mass in or near the axis or the center of the stacking wheel. For this purpose, it is advantageous to minimize the imbalance of a stacking wheel that is completely filled with objects.

The compartments of the stacking wheel 20 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 have a curved profile. Deviating from this, it can also be provided that the compartments have a rectilinear, spiral or other course. The course of the compartments is advantageously adapted to the properties of the flat objects G to be stacked. If the flat objects G are, for example, flexible and easily bendable or deformable, it can make sense to use a curved or spiral shape. run for the subjects to choose. If the flat objects G are, for example, rigid and only slightly or hardly bendable or deformable, it can make sense to choose a straight or only slightly curved course for the compartments.

The device 1 shown in FIG. 1 has a stacking wheel arranged on the driven axle 22 . However, two or more stacking wheels 20 can also be arranged spaced apart on the axis 22 in such a way that the compartments F1-F16 of the stacking wheels 20 are aligned in the direction of rotation R, i.e. are aligned in such a way that the flat objects move from the transport device T to each other aligned compartments of the stacking wheels can be transported. Provision can also be made for additional scrapers 30 to be arranged between the stacking wheels 20 . Provision can also be made for a second or further storage area to be present in addition to the storage area 31 shown. The tray 31 and the further or further trays can then be brought alternately to the location of the tray 31 shown in FIG. 1 in order to accommodate flat objects G. For this purpose, the second or further tray is introduced above the stack 40 formed on the first tray 31 and below the stacking wheel 20 . The first shelf with the stack 40 is then moved downwards with the stack 40 in the direction of the arrow 32 (see Figure 1a) and the second shelf assumes the position of the first shelf 31 shown, in order to receive the next stack 41 (see Figure 1d ). After the next stack 41 has been completely formed, the trays are exchanged again, so that the tray 31 again accommodates flat objects G to be stacked. Alternatively, the first shelf 31 with the stack 40 can be pivoted out of the area of the stacking wheel 20 and at the same time the second or further shelf can be pivoted into the area of the stacking wheel 20 . As described above, the flat objects G can be electrode elements for producing electrochemical energy stores, such as lithium-ion batteries, or energy converters, such as fuel cells. These have anodes and cathodes as well as separators or membranes. They are stacked individually or as monocells, as described for example in WO 2020/212316 A1 or WO 2020/212317 A1. A specified number of anodes and cathodes as well as separators or membranes or mono cells must be stacked in order to be able to form an energy store or an energy converter. This can be achieved particularly advantageously with the stacking wheel described above and with the device equipped with the stacking wheel.

The stacking wheel described above and the device equipped with the stacking wheel are also suitable for other flat objects in which a stack of a predetermined number of flat objects is to be formed, for example to form banknote stacks with 100 banknotes. For this purpose, the stacking wheel can have, for example, 20 stacking fingers or 20 compartments. As described above, for this example it is necessary to make five complete revolutions of the stacking wheel to form the stack of 100 bills on the tray.

Claims

P a tent claims

1. Stacking wheel (20) for stacking flat objects (G), with

- A predetermined number of stacking fingers (S1-S16), which are arranged distributed over the circumference of the stacking wheel (20), and between the stacking fingers (S1-S16) lying compartments (F1-F16) for receiving the flat objects to be stacked ( G) form, where

- The stacking fingers (S1-S16) have outer ends (S1-S16) which enclose the openings of the compartments (F1-F16) and are evenly spaced along the outer circumference of the stacking wheel (20) so that the openings of the compartments (F1-F16) are arranged equally spaced along the outer circumference of the stacking wheel (20), characterized in that the stacking fingers (S1-S16) have inner ends which are arranged such that the towards the center (21) of the The ends (E1-E16) of the compartments (F1-F16) lying on the stacking wheel (20) are arranged in such a way that there is a distance (a) between two adjacent ends (El, E16) of the compartments (Fl, F16) in the direction of rotation (R ) of the stacking wheel, which is greater than the distances between all other adjacent ends (E1-E16) of the compartments (F1-F16) in the direction of rotation (R) of the stacking wheel (20).

2. Stacking wheel according to claim 1, characterized in that the distance (a) between the two adjacent ends (E1, E16) of the compartments (F1-F16) is significantly greater, at least 2 times, preferably 3 times, more preferably 4 times times, more preferably 5 times, or a non-integer multiple times greater than the distances between all other adjacent ends (E1-E16) of the compartments (F1-F16).

3. Stacking wheel according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the ends (E1-E16) of the compartments (F1-F16) are distributed within a circle segment (IC) of less than 360°.

4. stacking wheel according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the

Ends of the subjects (E1-E16) have different radial distances (dl-dl6) to the center (21) of the stacking wheel (20).

5. Stacking wheel according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the number of compartments (F1-F16) is a fraction, in particular an integer fraction, of a predetermined number of flat objects (G), which one by means of the stacking wheel (20) result in stack (40) to be formed.

6. stacking wheel according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that between more than two adjacent ends (El, E16) of the compartments (F1, F16), a distance (a) results, which is greater than the distances from between all other adjacent ends of the compartments, and that the plurality of two adjacent ends (El, E16) of the compartments (Fl, F16) are distributed over the circumference of the stacking wheel (20).

7. Device (1) for stacking flat objects (G) with at least one stacking wheel (20) according to one of Claims 1 to 6, in which the at least one stacking wheel is mounted on an axis (22) driven in the direction of rotation (R). is arranged, which runs through the center (21) of the min least one stacking wheel (20).

8. Device for stacking flat objects according to claim 7, characterized in that two or more stacking wheels (20) are spaced apart on the axis (22) so that the compartments (F1-F16) are aligned in the direction of rotation (R). .

9. Device for stacking flat objects according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the device has a transport device (T) for transporting the flat objects (G) into the stacking wheel (20), a stripper (30) for the removal of the flat objects (G) from the stacking wheel (20), a tray (31) for the flat objects (G) removed from the stacking wheel (20) and for the formation of a stack (40) of flat objects (G) , and a Sta peltransport (33) for the removal of the stack (40) of flat Ge objects (G).

10. Device for stacking flat objects according to claim

9, characterized in that the stack transport (33) removes the stack (40) of flat objects (G) from the tray (31) when the adjacent ends ( E16, El) of the compartments (F16, Fl) with the greater distance from (a) in the direction of rotation (R) with the stripper (30) in engagement ste hen.

11. Device for stacking flat objects according to claim

10, characterized in that the stack transport (33) removes the stack (40) of flat objects (G) from the tray (31) after a complete rotation of the stacking wheel (20) by 360°.

12. Device for stacking flat objects according to claim 10, characterized in that the stack transport (33) moves the stack (40) of flat objects (G) from the tray (31 ) removed, especially after two, three, four, five or more complete revolutions.

13. Device for stacking flat objects according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the stack transport (33) moves the stack (40) of flat objects (G) after partial revolutions of the stacking wheel (20) of less than 360 ° removed from the shelf (31).