WO2023285269A2

WO2023285269A2 - Cell stacking system and cell stacking device for segments of energy cells, and sub-device/sub-method of a cell stacking system or in a cell stacking system

Info

Publication number: WO2023285269A2
Application number: PCT/EP2022/068870
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jan Kreysern; Marcus Wagner; Karsten Meinke; Manfred Folger; Michael Kleine Wächter
Original assignee: Körber Technologies Gmbh
Priority date: 2021-07-12
Filing date: 2022-07-07
Publication date: 2023-01-19
Also published as: WO2023285269A3; KR20240028429A; EP4371173A2; DE102021207342A1; CN117616610A

Abstract

The invention relates to a cell stacking system (1) for segments (16) of energy cells. A first supply device (2) is provided which supplies segments (16), and a cell stacking device (7) is provided in which the segments (16) are laid one on top of the other in order to form stacks (15). A discharge device (3) is provided which discharges the stacks (15) of segments (16) from the cell stacking device (7). The invention is characterized in that the cell stacking device (7) comprises at least two cell stacking units (8) which remove the segments (16), lay the segments one on top of the other in order to form stacks (15), and transfer the stacks (15) to the discharge device (3) in a synchronized manner.

Description

Cell stacking system and cell stacking device for segments of energy cells and partial device/partial method of or in a cell stacking system

The present invention relates to a cell stacking system with the features of the preamble of claim 1 and a cell stacking device with the features of the preamble of claim 8 and a partial device/partial method of or in a cell stacking system according to claim 15 or according to claim 18.

Energy cells or energy storage devices within the meaning of the invention are used, for example, in motor vehicles, other land vehicles, ships, airplanes or in stationary systems such as photovoltaic systems in the form of battery cells or fuel cells, where very large amounts of energy must be stored over longer periods of time. For this purpose, such energy cells have a structure made up of a large number of segments stacked to form a stack. These segments are each alternating anode sheets and cathode sheets, which are separated from one another by separator sheets, also manufactured as segments. The segments are pre-cut in the manufacturing process and then placed on top of each other to form the stacks in the predetermined order and connected to one another by lamination. In this case, the anode sheets and cathode sheets are first cut from a continuous web and then individually placed at intervals on a continuous web of a separator material. This subsequently formed "double-layer" endless web made of the separator material with the applied anode sheets or cathode sheets is then in a second step again cut into segments with a cutting device. mente cut, the segments in this case being formed in two layers by a separator sheet with an anode sheet or cathode sheet arranged thereon. If this is technically feasible or necessary in terms of production technology, the endless webs of the separator material with the anode sheets and cathode sheets placed on top of each other can also be superimposed before cutting, so that a continuous web with a first endless layer of the separator material with anode sheets or cathode sheets placed on it and a second one endless layer of Separatormate rials with in turn placed thereon anode sheets or Katho is formed. This “four-layer” continuous web is then cut into segments by means of a cutting device, which in this case are formed in four layers with a first separator sheet, an anode sheet, a second separator sheet and a cathode sheet lying thereon. The advantage of this solution is that one cut can be saved. Segments within the meaning of this invention are therefore single-layer segments of a separator material, anode material or cathode material, double-layer or four-layer segments of the structure described above.

Devices for producing battery cells are known, for example, from WO 2016/041713 A1 and DE 10 2017 216 213 A1.

Battery cells for electromobility, for example, are now manufactured on production systems with an output of 100 to 240 mono cells per minute. These work in sub-areas or continuously with clocked discontinuous movements, such as back and forth movements, and are therefore limited in terms of production output. Most of the known machines work with the single-sheet stacking method (e.g. "pick and place") Disadvantage of slower processing. The laminating of cell formations is not possible here.

Another well-known approach is a machine with continuously running webs of material and cycled tools, such as separating knives, tools for changing the pitch.

In principle, machines with clocked movements are limited in terms of performance. The parts with mass, such as fixtures and tools, have to be constantly accelerated and braked. The processes determine the timing, and a lot of energy is consumed in the process. The mass of the moving parts cannot be reduced at will. Parts that move faster often have to withstand higher loads and are therefore even more complex and heavier.

In order to reduce the production costs of battery manufacture, the production output of the machines must be increased, among other things. A condition for the high production output is a high production rate of the stack of energy cells, which are formed from several segments of the type described above stacked on top of one another.

In an upstream production step, the segments are placed on top of one another in a first step to form the so-called monocells consisting of a first separator sheet, an anode sheet arranged thereon, a second separator sheet arranged thereon and a cathode sheet arranged thereon. Alternatively, the separator sheets can first be guided as two endless webs, in which case the already cut segments in the form of the anode sheets and on one of the endless webs the already cut segments in the form of the cathode sheets are placed on the other endless web and connected to one another by a lamination process. The composite webs prefabricated in this way are then connected to one another in a further lamination process to form a four-layer composite web. The monocells are then cut from the composite web by cutting through the spaces between the successive anode sheets and cathode sheets, respectively. Alternatively, the continuous webs made of the separator material with the anode sheets and cathode sheets arranged thereon can also be cut, with the monocells then being produced by a downstream composite process of a first cut separator sheet with an anode and a second cut separator sheet with a cathode.

The segments are then stacked into a stack of a plurality of segments. If the segments are monocells or separator sheets with anode or cathode sheets arranged on them, there is a cathode or anode on a free side surface of the stack, which is then covered by the arrangement of a so-called cover cell. The closure cell includes a first separator sheet, an anode or cathode sheet disposed thereon, and a second separator sheet disposed thereon, but on which no cathode or anode sheet is disposed. Thus the termination cell can also be viewed as a mono cell without a cathode or anode sheet. The finished stack of the multiplicity of mono cells and the final cell is then characterized in that it has a separator sheet on its upper side and on its underside and the anode sheets and cathode sheets each to the The top and bottom are covered by separator sheets and are not in contact with each other.

In order to achieve very high production rates, it is desirable to stack the segments produced at a production rate that is as high as possible.

Against this background, the invention is based on the object of providing a cell stacking system and a cell stacking device which enable the segments to be stacked at the highest possible production rate.

To solve the problem, a cell stacking system with the features of claim 1 and a cell stacking device with the features of claim 8 is proposed. Furthermore, a sub-device according to claim 15 and a sub-method according to claim 18 are proposed to solve the problem. Further preferred further developments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims, the figures and the associated description.

According to claim 1, a cell stacking system for segments of energy cells is proposed to achieve the object, wherein a first feed device is provided which feeds in segments, and a cell stacking device is provided in which the segments are stacked one on top of the other, and a discharge device is provided which Stacks of segments are discharged from the cell stacking device, the cell stacking device comprising at least two cell stacking devices which remove the segments, stack them to form the stacks and transfer the stacks to the discharge device in a clocked manner. The proposed system is characterized by the fact that the segments from the feeder in a high production capacity are placed on top of one another in stacks and removed, since the segments are placed on top of one another in stacks at the same time, starting from a supply in the cell stacking device in two or more cell stacking devices. Practically in the cell stacking device, the inflow of segments is divided between two or more cell stacking devices, which stack the stacks on top of one another in a parallel division of labor into stacks and discharge them. The number of cell stacking devices provided in the cell stacking device can be adapted to the stacking capacity to be achieved and the number of segments fed via the feeding device per unit of time.

In this case, the cell stacking devices preferably each have at least one removal device, which takes over the segments in a predetermined sequence from the feed device. The removal devices remove the segments in the predetermined sequence, so that the last removal device of the last cell stacking device removes the last segments and thus all segments are removed from the feeding device. The predetermined sequence corresponds to a rhythm determined by the number of cell stack devices. In the present exemplary embodiment, four cell stacking devices are provided, each with a removal device. Each of the extraction devices thus removes one segment from a group of four of the supplied segments in a fixed assignment, i.e. the first extraction device removes the first segment of the group of four, the second extraction device removes the second segment of the group of four, etc. until the process moves in the same rhythm repeated on the next quadruple of segments. The cell stacking devices are arranged one after the other in relation to the supplied segments, so that the segments are removed from the cell stacking devices in a sequential removal of the segments and stacked in a parallel stacking process.

It is also proposed that the removal device has a large number of workpiece carriers, each of which has a receptacle into which the cell stacking devices place the stacks. The discharge device thus discharges the stacked segments in the workpiece carriers in a discharge movement that is synchronized with the cycle of the stacking process in the cell stacking device, so that the product flow in the system is not interrupted or backed up.

It is also proposed that a second feed device be provided, which is arranged upstream or downstream of the cell stacking device in relation to a transport movement of the removal device and inserts segments into the receptacles of the workpiece carriers before the cell stacking devices insert the stacks into the receptacles or Places segments on the stacks arranged in the work piece carriers. The second feed device preferably inserts further segments into the receptacles or places them on the stacks of segments that have been inserted into the receptacles by the cell stacking devices, so that the stacks in the workpiece carriers are completed. For example, it is conceivable that the first feed device feeds four-layer segments (monocells) with two separator sheets, an electrode sheet arranged in between and an electrode sheet lying on an upper side, which are then stacked by the cell stacking devices with an electrode exposed on an upper side. the sheet to be stacked. The second feeding device then feeds segments in the form of single-layer separator sheets or three-layer segments (closing cells) with two separator sheets and one electrode sheet and places these in the receptacles or on the stack so that the free electrode sheet of the stack formed by the cell stacking devices Outside are covered by a separator sheet. As a result, the stacks are built up in the workpiece carriers in such a way that they each have a separator sheet on both sides, i.e. both on the upper side and on the lower side.

It is further proposed that the first feed device has at least one transfer body driven by a drive device to rotate about a rotation axis, in particular a transfer drum driven by a drive device to rotate about a rotation axis, which transfers the segments to the cell stacking device. Due to the transfer body, in particular the transfer drum, the segments can be fed to the cell stacking device at a particularly high feeding speed. Furthermore, the first feed device can be designed in a particularly compact, space-saving design.

The first feed device can preferably have an even number of transfer bodies, in particular transfer drums, and between the transfer bodies, in particular transfer drums, there can be an odd number of deflection bodies, in particular deflection drums, which separate the segments from a first transfer body, in particular from take over a first transfer drum and transferred to a second transfer body, in particular to a second transfer drum ben. The even number of transfer bodies, in particular transfer drums, and the odd number of deflection bodies, in particular deflection drums, provided in between make it possible for the segments on the transfer bodies, in particular transfer drums, to always be aligned in an identical direction, i.e. always with a separator sheet on the surface or a Electrode sheet transported on the surface and handed over to the cell stacking devices in this orientation. The deflection bodies, in particular tail drums, take over the segments from the first transfer body, in particular the first transfer drum, and transport them to a transfer point where they transfer the segments to the second transfer body, in particular the second transfer drum. If the segments are transported on the first transfer body, in particular the first transfer drum with the electrode sheets facing the outside, they are then transported on the deflection body, in particular the deflection drum with the electrodes facing the inside and then on to the second transfer body, in particular the handed over to the second transfer drum so that they are transported to this/this again with the electrodes facing the outside.

In order to solve the problem, a cell stacking device for segments of energy cells is also proposed, in which a rotary magazine body, in particular a magazine drum with at least one magazine, is provided, which can be driven by means of a drive device to perform a repeated rotary motion about a rotary axis that is interrupted by standstill phases , During which the magazine is moved from a transfer point to a transfer point and from the transfer point to the transfer point, with a removal device being provided which the magazine segments to the rotary body, in particular to the magazine drum, with the removal device filling the magazine in the transfer point when the rotary magazine body, in particular the magazine drum, is at a standstill with a large number of segments to form a stack up to a predetermined stack height, and a delivery device is provided which Stacks of segments removed from the magazine in the transfer point. The proposed cell stacking device is characterized by a compact design combined with a high stacking capacity. The core of the cell stacking device is the magazine rotation body, in particular the magazine drum, which, due to its rotational movement interrupted by standstill phases, enables the cell stacking device to be integrated into a first feed device designed as a drum run, which in turn enables a particularly high transport capacity of the segments.

It is also proposed that the magazine has at least one lateral access opening, and that the dispensing device is formed by a stripping device which is stationary relative to the magazine rotating body, in particular the magazine drum, and which is arranged and aligned in such a way that during the rotary movement of the magazine rotating body, in particular the Magazintrom mel engages through the engagement opening and pushes the stack out of the magazine. With the proposed solution, the stack is automatically pushed out of the magazine at a point defined by the arrangement of the stripping device during the rotary movement of the rotating magazine body, in particular the special magazine drum. The stripping device is preferably arranged in such a way that it not only pushes the stack out of the magazine, but also into a receptacle of a workpiece carrier of the discharge device. tion of the higher-level system.

It is further proposed that the magazine has at least two engagement openings aligned in the circumferential direction of the magazine rotating body, in particular the magazine drum, and the stripping device forces the stack out of the magazine by reaching through both engagement openings. Due to the two curse border access openings and the stripping device engaging therein, the stack as a whole is combed out of the magazine by contacting the stripping device over the entire width of the stack and pushed into the receptacle of the workpiece carrier.

It is also proposed that the magazine has a lifting device which increases the depth of the magazine as a function of the increasing stack height of the segments in the magazine. The lifting device makes it possible to place the segments in the holder as close as possible to the access opening, so that the segments do not have to “slip” into the holder. Ideally, the lifting device is designed in such a way that, after a segment has been inserted, it increases the depth of the receptacle by the thickness of a segment, so that the segments are always placed at the same height in the receptacle.

For this purpose, the lifting device can preferably be formed by a spring-loaded bottom of the magazine. As a result, the depth of the recording is automatically increased due to the weight each time a segment is inserted. The size of the spring force to be overcome can be used here for the design of the lifting device by selecting a correspondingly strong spring, which is then adapted, for example, to the weight of the segments can be.

It is also proposed that the magazine has a holding device which fixes the stack in the magazine in the radial direction during the movement of the magazine rotary body, in particular the magazine drum with the magazine, from the transfer point to the transfer point. The holding device secures the stack against unintentional exit from the magazine even during the rotary movement of the magazine rotating body, in particular the magazine drum.

The holding device can preferably be actuated automatically by the delivery device to carry out a release movement that releases the stack, so that the holding device is always released when the delivery device begins to remove the stack from the magazine.

The invention is explained below using preferred embodiments with reference to the attached figures. while showing

1 : a cell stacking system according to the invention with a cell stacking device; and

2 shows an enlarged representation of the cell stacking device with a plurality of cell stacking devices; and

3: an enlarged representation of a cell stack device according to the invention. FIG. 1 shows a cell stacking system 1 according to the invention with a first feed device 2 , a discharge device 3 , an upstream cutting device 4 and a cell stacking device 7 arranged between the feed device 2 and the discharge device 3 .

The cell stacking system 1 is supplied with a continuous web (not shown) made of two continuous webs of a separator material with anode sheets arranged in between and spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the continuous web and cathode sheets lying on one side of one of the continuous webs of separator material and also spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the continuous web. However, the endless track can also be formed from just one endless track of a separator material with or without adjacent electrode sheets. If the continuous web has spaced-apart electrode sheets, the cut in the cutting device 4 is made through the separation points between the electrode sheets.

The cutting device 4 is formed here by a pair of drums consisting of a cutting drum with cutting knives and a counter-drum with counter-knives and cuts the endless web guided onto the cutting drum or the counter-drum by shearing the cutting knives on the counter-knives into segments 16 of a predetermined length, which are cut by the Distances between the cutting knives or the counter-knife is defined, depending on whether the endless web is guided onto the cutting drum or the counter-drum. Starting from the cutting device 4 , the cut segments 16 are fed to the feed device 2 . The feed device 2 comprises a plurality of transport drums on which the segments 16 are held, for example by vacuum, until they finally reach a first transfer body in the form of a first transfer drum 5 of the feeder 2 are passed. If the supplied continuous web is a four-layer web, the segments 16 cut from it correspond to the monocells described at the outset.

The cell stacking device 7 comprises four removal devices 11 in the form of removal stamps driven to rotate. Two of the removal devices 11 are assigned to the first transfer drum 5 and remove segments 16 from the first transfer drum 5 during their rotational movement and then transfer them to a rotating magazine body in the form of a magazine drum 10, which will be explained in more detail below.

The revolving movement of the removal plungers is controlled in such a way that they take over the segments 16 from the first transfer drum 5 in a predetermined sequence. In the present exemplary embodiment, four removal devices 11 are provided, so that each of the removal devices 11 takes over the segments 16 from the first feed device 2 in a fixed sequence in a rhythm of four. The removal devices 11 assigned to the first transfer drum 5 thus take over two segments 16 of the circumference of the first transfer drum 5 during one revolution. The rotary movements of the removal devices 11 are coordinated with the rotary movement of the first transfer drum 5 so that they take half of of the segments 16 held on the first transfer drum 5 take over. The remaining segments 16 on the first transfer drum 5 are then taken over by a deflection body in the form of a deflection drum 23 and transferred to a second transfer body in the form of a second transfer drum 21 . The segments 16 are in the takeover of the idler pulley 23 and the transfer from the idler pulley 23 to the second transfer drum 21 is turned twice in its orientation in relation to its surfaces, so that the segments 16 are then arranged on the second transfer drum 21 in an identical orientation as on the first transfer drum 5. On the second transfer drum 21 there are also two removal devices 11 provided in the form of revolving removal stamps, which take over the remaining half of the segments 16 from the second transfer drum 21 and each feed a magazine drum 10 according to the same principle. Furthermore, a testing device (not shown) is provided, which detects defective segments 16 . The defective segments 16 are then not removed from the two transfer drums 5, 21 by the removal devices 11 and are instead discharged via an ejection drum 24 into a reject reservoir 25.

The segments 16 are thus removed from the first two removal devices 11 in half the number from the first transfer drum 5, while the remaining segments on the first transfer drum 5 are transferred from the tail drum 23 to the second transfer drum 21 with a double reversal and are removed from this via the last two removal devices 11. The segments 16 are thus fed in by the feed device 2 in a continuous flow and removed from it in a sequential transfer to a parallel stacking in the cell stacking device 7 .

For this purpose, the segments 16 are released from the four removal devices 11 into four parallel magazine drums 10 of the cell stacking device 7 , in which the segments 16 are stacked to form stacks 15 and are passed on to the discharge device 3 . The cell stacking device 7 comprises four cell stacking devices 8, the core components of which each form a removal device 11, a magazine drum 10 and a delivery device 12, with a cell stacking device 8 being shown enlarged in FIG.

The removal device 11 of a cell stacking device 8 is formed by a removal plunger driven in a rotational movement, which removes a segment 16 from one of the two transfer drums 5 or 21 during each orbital movement and moves it to a transfer point I of the magazine drum 10 . The magazine drum 10 has four magazines 13 which are arranged on its outer periphery and are open towards the outer sides. Also provided is a stripping device, which is stationary relative to magazine drum 10 and is fixed in relation to transfer point I, in the form of a comb-like stripping part 27 with a plurality of stripping webs arranged parallel to one another, which engages with the stripping webs through corresponding slots in a stripping wall 28, which is also stationary. Furthermore, the removal plunger has slots 29 parallel to one another and directed in the circumferential direction of the rotary movement of the removal plunger, into which the stripping part 27 comes into engagement with its stripping webs during the rotary movement of the removal plunger, as a result of which the segment 16 held on the outside of the removal plunger during the rotary movement of the removal plunger into the magazine 13 arranged in the transfer point I. Since the takeover point I is arranged in the present exemplary embodiment on the upper side of the magazine drum 10 and the segments 16 are inserted into the magazine 13 from above, the insertion movement of the segments 16 into the magazine ne 13 in this case additionally supported by the acting gravity un.

Furthermore, the magazine 13 has comb-like side walls with engagement openings 17 aligned in order in the circumferential direction and a holding device 14 in the form of a plurality of engagement fingers which can be pivoted by means of a pivoting mechanism. The movement of the holding device 14, i.e. the pivotable gripping fingers, is controlled by a mechanical or electronic control device in such a way that the gripping fingers of the holding device 14 in the transfer point I do not reach through the gripping openings 17 and thus release the opening of the magazine 13 to the outside . Since the opening of the magazine 13 in the transfer point I is freely accessible and the segments 16 can be stacked therein by a repetitive orbital movement of the removal stamp to form a pel 15 Sta.

When the predetermined height of the stack 15 is reached in the magazine 13, the magazine drum 10 is rotated by 90 degrees and the next magazine 13 is moved to the transfer point I to repeat the stacking process. At the same time, when the rotary movement of the magazine drum 10 begins, the holding device 14 is moved by the control device in such a way that the gripping fingers reach through the gripping openings 17 in the side walls of the magazine 13 and come to rest on the upper side of the stack 15. The holding device 14 then secures the stack 15 against unintentional exit from the magazine 13.

The magazine 13, filled with the stack 15, reaches the following stroke of the rotary movement of the magazine drum 10 the lower transfer point II in the illustration. At the transfer point II, a stationarily arranged delivery device 12 is provided in the form of several webs aligned parallel to one another and aligned with the engagement openings 17, which during the rotary movement of the magazine drum 10 engage in the engagement openings 17 reach the level of the bottom of the magazine 13 and thereby comb the stack 15 out of the magazine 13 . Since the stacks 15 are discharged downwards from the magazine 13, the discharge movement is again assisted by gravity. To run the stack 15, the holding device 14 was released in a previous step. This can be done, for example, by the dispensing device 12 actuating the holding device 14 before or at the same time as the movement of its webs into the engagement opening 17 and moving it into a release position in which the holding device 14 releases the opening of the magazine 13 and the stack 15 the magazine 13 can be removed. The delivery device 12 is formed here by a structure of fixed webs, which combs the stack 15 out of the magazines 13 . If such an active combing out is not required, it is also sufficient if the dispensing device 12 merely actuates the holding device 14 and the stacks 15 fall out of the magazines 13 solely by gravity. In this case, the delivery device 12 would be a passive delivery device 12 which, although it triggers the removal of the stack 15 itself, does not actively support it.

The removal device 3 that can be seen in FIG. 1 comprises an endless conveyor device 20, such as, for example, an endless belt, an endless chain, an endless belt or the like. The Endlosför dereinrichtung 20 is equipped with a plurality of workpiece carriers 6 be, the one of the shape of the stack 15 correspondingly shaped measure on 22 have. The workpiece carriers 6 are on the endless Conveyor 20 aligned and maintained that they are arranged in the transfer point II under the magazine 13 that the stack 15 is removed from the magazine 13 piece carrier in the receptacle 22 of the work. Since the workpiece carriers 6 of the removal device 3 are loaded simultaneously with the stacks 15 of the segments 16 by the four cell stacking devices 7, only every fourth workpiece carrier 6 of each of the magazine drums 10 is loaded with a stack 15 in each cycle. The discharge device 3 thus also performs a clocked feed movement, during which the workpiece carriers 6 are transported either from one cell stack device 8 to the next or in jumps over several cell stack devices 8 .

A second feeding device 18 with a second cutting device and a second removal device 19 is also provided. The second feed device 18 is also supplied with an endless web either in one layer made of a separator material or in multiple layers such as three layers with several webs of a separator material and electrode sheets arranged in between, with no electrode sheets being provided on the outside of this endless web. This continuous web is cut in the second cutting device 9 according to the same principle as the first cutting device 4 into segments 16 (in this case these are the closing cells described above) of a predetermined length, which are then transferred to a transfer drum 30 from the segments 16 are removed from the second removal device 19 and inserted into the receptacles 22 of the workpiece carrier 6 before the stack 15 is introduced from the magazine drums 10 into the receptacles 22 . The stacks 15 inserted from the magazine drums 10 have a free electrode sheet on one of their surfaces. This free electrode sheet is now covered by the segment 16 inserted via the second removal device 19, the final cell. Since the segment 16 inserted by the second removal device 19 deliberately has no free electrode sheet and instead has a separator material on both surfaces, the stack 15 of the segments 16 finally removed from the removal device 3 also has a separator material on both sides. In the exemplary embodiment described, the second removal device 19 places the segments 16 in the receptacles 22 of the work piece carrier 6 before the stack 15 is introduced. However, it is also conceivable for the second removal device 19 to place the segments 16 onto the stacks 14 from above after the stacks 15 have been inserted into the receptacles 22 .

Furthermore, a corresponding test device is also provided in the second feed device 18, by means of which defective segments 16 are detected and removed into a second reject reservoir 26.

An important and independently inventive aspect of the present invention consists in a sub-device of or in a cell stacking system and a sub-method when producing cell stacks in a cell stacking system, according to claim 15 or claim 18.

In this way, it is possible to process a large stream of segments, for example segments cut online from an endless web, immediately after they have been cut, with the cut segments virtually no longer being handed over and being continuously lent can be provided for stacking. The segments are held in place in a certain way, which makes it possible to preserve the position of the segments and their orientation in a processing line/chain. Renewed alignment processes, such as those that are usually required for example when segments are temporarily set down, the material flow is interrupted and then picked up again, can be reduced or even largely or completely eliminated. Alignment can already be done very effectively when aligning the web from which the segments are cut. If necessary, the positioning and/or alignment of the segments can also be corrected in the feed device, the conveyor unit F1 and/or the conveyor unit F2.

The supplied segments of energy cells in a number A per unit time are skillfully split into a number B per unit time and a number C per unit time. The number B per time unit can in a certain way advantageously be transported further and sort of smuggled through and ejected from the number A, after which the number C is already significantly reduced compared to the number A. Thus, number C is more amenable to orderly and precise stacking without impeding the flow of material. The number B is then in turn also significantly reduced compared to the number A and is more easily accessible for orderly and precise stacking. To a certain extent, a continuous, delay-free supply of divided partial flows to a cell stacking device is made possible. If the cell stacking device is equipped with appropriate access points for the partial flows, the stacking can take place in parallel in a certain way, after which high throughput rates can be achieved. An endless web of uncut segments can be fed in at high speed and the segments cut from it can be further processed online and stacked. A large stream of segments can be reliably and effectively organized, transported on more or less without stopping and interruptions, and can be advantageously divided into partial streams.

A stream of segments, for example cut online from an endless web, with a number A per time unit can be split up, for example, in such a way that every second segment is removed from the stream and from the removed, second segments a stream of segments with the number B formed per time unit and a stream of segments with the number C per time unit is formed from the remaining segments. In the stream of segments with the number B, the distance between two segments can be greater than or approximately equal to the length of a segment. In the stream of segments with the number C, the distance between two segments can be greater than or approximately equal to the length of a segment. A distance formed in the stream of segments with the number B between two consecutive segments makes it possible to provide a sequence of segments during further processing, in which the distance and an associated time interval during conveying of the stream of segments can be used to access a segment. For example, one or more removal devices of a cell stack device can be given sufficient time in the time interval between the end of a first conveyed segment and the beginning of a second conveyed segment to move back into a removal position, in particular from a delivery or waiting position will. The process of splitting is somewhat similar to unzipping a zipper When closed, all elements are next to each other with virtually no gap and, after opening, have about the same distance as one element between them. However, it is advantageous for the invention if the segments, in contrast to the zipper comparison, have a certain distance in the stream with the number A per unit time, in particular not edge to edge or end to end. The splitting can also be imagined in such a way that in the stream of segments with the number A, segments of the stream with the number B and segments of the stream with the number C lie alternately one behind the other, for example “yellow” and “red” segments B and C, respectively. In a delivery area, for example G1, the stream of segments number A is split up and the segments of stream number B and segments of stream number C are transferred according to their alternating sequence. Using the color example, a stream of "yellow" segments with a number B per unit of time and a stream of "red" segments with a number C would then be generated. For both streams "B" and "C", the segments would each have a distance from one another that is greater than or approximately equal to the length of a segment. In this configuration, the transport speed of the streams of segments with the number A per unit of time, the number B per unit of time and the number C per unit of time can be kept at least approximately the same. Advantageously, distances between the segments in the streams “B” and “C” can be achieved in a simple manner without having to change the position of the segments in the streams “B” and/or “C”, which is a Particularly gentle handling of the segments is guaranteed and high throughput rates are possible.

Claims

Expectations:

1. cell stack system (1) for segments (16) of energy cells where at

- A first feed device (2) is provided, which feeds segments (16), and

- a cell stacking device (7) is provided, in which the segments (16) are placed on top of each other to form stacks (15), and - a discharge device (3) is provided, which removes the stacks (15) of segments (16) from the cell stacking device (7 ) leads, characterized in that

- the cell stacking device (7) comprises at least two cell stacking devices (8) which remove the segments (16), place them on top of one another to form the stacks (15) and transfer the stacks (15) to the discharge device (3) in a clocked manner.

2. cell stack system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that

- The cell stacking devices (8) have at least one removal device (11), which take over the segments (16) in a predetermined sequence from the feed device (2).

3. cell stack system (1) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that

- the cell stacking devices (8) are arranged sequentially in relation to the segments (16) supplied.

4. cell stack system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the discharge device (3) has a large number of workpiece carriers

(6), which each have a receptacle (22) into which the cell stacking devices (8) insert the stack (15).

Cell stack system (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that

- a second feed device (18) is provided, which in relation to a transport movement of the discharge device (3) is upstream or downstream of the cell stacking device

(7) and inserts segments (16) into the receptacles (22) of the workpiece carrier (6) before the cell stacking devices (8) insert the stack (15) into the receptacles (22) or segments (16) onto the in the workpiece carriers (6) arrange th stack (15) hangs up.

Cell stack system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that

- the first feed device (2) has at least one transfer body, which is driven by a drive device to rotate about a rotational axis, in particular a transfer drum (5, 21) that is driven by a drive device to rotate about a rotational axis, which transfers the segments (16) to the cell stacking device (7) surrenders.

Cell stack system (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that

- the first feed device (2) has an even number of transfer bodies, in particular transfer drums (5,21), and

-between the transfer bodies, in particular transfer- drums (5, 21), an odd number of deflection bodies, in particular deflection drums (23), is provided, which takes over the segments (16) from a first transfer body, in particular from a first transfer drum (5), and to a second transfer body, in particular to a second transfer drum (21) passes.

Cell stacking device (8) for segments (16) of energy cells, characterized in that

- a rotary magazine body, in particular a magazine drum (10) with at least one magazine (13) is provided, which can be driven by means of a drive device to perform a repetitive rotary motion about a rotary axis that is interrupted by standstill phases, during which the magazine (13) a transfer point (I) in a transfer point (II) and from the transfer point (II) to the transfer point (I) is moved, wherein

- A removal device (11) is provided, which feeds segments (16) to the rotary magazine body, in particular to the magazine drum (10), wherein

- the removal device (11) the magazine (13) in the transfer point (I) in a standstill phase of the Magazinrotati onskörpers, in particular the magazine drum (10) with a plurality of segments (16) to a stack (15) up to a predetermined stack height fills, and

-A dispensing device (12) is provided, which discharges the Sta pel (15) of the segments (16) from the magazine (13) in the transfer point (II).

Cell stacking device according to claim 8, characterized in that - the magazine (13) has at least one lateral access opening (17), and

- the dispensing device (12) is formed by a stripping device which is fixed relative to the rotating magazine body, in particular the magazine drum (10), which is arranged and aligned in such a way that it passes through the engagement opening during the rotary movement of the rotating magazine body, in particular the magazine drum (10). (17) engages and the Sta pel (15) from the magazine (13) urges

10. Cell stacking device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that

- the magazine (13) has at least two engagement openings (17) aligned in the circumferential direction of the magazine rotating body, in particular the magazine drum (10), and

- the stripping device pushes the stack (15) out of the magazine by reaching through both access openings (17).

11. Cell stacking device according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that

- The magazine (13) has a lifting device which increases the depth of the magazine (13) as a function of the increasing stack height of the segments (16) in the magazine (13).

12. Cell stacking device according to claim 11, characterized in that

- the lifting device is formed by a spring-loaded base of the magazine (13).

13. Cell stacking device according to one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that

- the magazine (13) has a holding device (14) which holds the stack (15) during the movement of the magazine rotating body, in particular the magazine drum (10) with the magazine (13) from the transfer point (I) to the transfer point (II ) fixed in the radial direction in the magazine (13).

14. Cell stacking device according to any one of claims 8 to 12 and according to claim 13, characterized in that

- the holding device (14) can be actuated automatically by the dispensing device (12) to carry out a release movement releasing the stack (15).

15. Partial device of or in a cell stack system (1) for segments (16) of energy cells, having

- a feed device (2, 18) which is designed and set up to feed segments (16) of energy cells in a number (A) per unit of time,

- A first conveyor unit (F1) for segments (16), which is arranged downstream of the feed device (2, 18),

- A second conveyor unit (F2) for segments (16), which is the first conveyor unit (F1) downstream, wherein

- The first conveyor unit (F1) is designed and set up to accept the number (A) per unit time of the segments (16) from the delivery device (2, 18) and a number (B) per unit time of the segments (16) to one to transport a first delivery area (G1) and a number (C) per unit of time of the segments (16) to a second delivery area (G2), wherein

- The number (B) per unit time of the segments (16) in the direction of the second conveyor unit (F2) can be transported and in the transfer area (G1) to the second conveyor unit (F2) can be transferred, and wherein

- the number (C) per time unit of the segments (16) in the second delivery area G2, in particular to a cell stacking device (7), or to a cell stacking device (8), or to one or more removal devices (11) of a cell stacking device (7 ) is intended to be transferrable, and

- In particular, the sum of the number (B) per unit time of the segments (16) and the number (C) per unit time of Segmen te (16) is less than or equal to the number (A) per unit time of the segments (16).

16. Sub-device according to claim 15, characterized in that

- the second conveyor unit (F2) as a rotationally drivable conveyor unit, in particular in the form of a deflection drum (23) or as an operatively connected combination of a first rotationally drivable conveyor unit, in particular in the form of a deflection drum (23) and a second rotationally drivable conveyor unit, in particular is formed in the form of a transfer drum (21).

17. Sub-device according to claim 15 or 16 having the features of the preamble of claim 1 or having the features according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

18. Partial method in the production of cell stacks in a cell stack plant (1) for segments (16) of energy cells, in which

- By means of a feed device (2, 18), which is designed and set up to feed segments (16) of energy cells in a number (A) per unit of time, a number (A) per time unit of segments (16) is supplied,

- A first conveying unit (F1) for segments (16), which is arranged downstream of the feed device (2, 18), conveys segments (16),

- A second conveyor unit (F2) for segments (16), which is the first conveyor unit (F1) downstream, segments (16) promotes, wherein

- the first conveyor unit (F1) takes over the number (A) per unit of time of the segments (16) from the feed device (2, 18) and a number (B) per unit of time of the segments (16) to a first delivery area (G1) and a number (C) per time unit of the segments (16) transported to a second delivery area (G2), wherein

- the number (B) per unit of time of the segments (16) is transported in the direction of the second conveyor unit (F2) and is transferred to the second conveyor unit (F2) in the first delivery area (G1), and wherein

- The number (C) per time unit of the segments (16) in the second delivery area (G2), in particular to a cell stacking device (7), or to a cell stacking device (8), or to one or more removal devices (11) of a cell stacking device (7) is handed over and in particular

- the sum of the number (B) per unit time of the segments (16) and the number (C) per unit time of the segments (16) is less than or equal to the number (A) per unit time of the segments (16).

19. Partial method according to claim 18, characterized in that

- The second conveyor unit (F2) as a rotationally drivable conveyor unit, in particular in the form of a deflection drum (23) or as operatively connected combination of a first rotationally drivable conveying unit, in particular in the form of a deflection drum (23) and a second rotationally drivable conveying unit, in particular in the form of a transfer drum (21).