WO2024037970A1

WO2024037970A1 - Transporting device for transporting mono cells in a laminating apparatus and method for transporting mono cells

Info

Publication number: WO2024037970A1
Application number: PCT/EP2023/072222
Authority: WO
Inventors: Manfred Folger; Michael Kleine Wächter; Dennis Springborn; Niko Rossfeldt; Marco El Gendy
Original assignee: Körber Technologies Gmbh
Priority date: 2022-08-15
Filing date: 2023-08-10
Publication date: 2024-02-22
Also published as: DE102022120533A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a transporting device (10) of a laminating apparatus (11) for transporting mono cells (12) or starting materials thereof at least over certain areas on a transporting belt (13) comprising at least one belt element (14) on which the mono cells (12) can be arranged, comprising at least two transporting elements (15) for driving and/or guiding the at least one belt element (14) with a belt run (B), comprising at least one sensing unit (16), which is formed and set up for sensing and/or detecting at least one specific identification feature (17), wherein the at least one specific identification feature (17) is formed and set up in, at, under and/or on the belt element (14) or is formed and set up in a fixed place at least in certain portions along the transporting belt (13), comprising at least one open-loop and/or closed-loop control unit (18), which is in connection with the sensing unit (16) and is formed and set up to align the belt run (B) of the transporting belt (13) variably, as required, by means of the at least one transporting element (15), wherein the transporting device (10) is distinguished by the fact that the open-loop and/or closed-loop control unit (18) is formed and set up for the adaptive comparison of sensed specific identification features (17) of different circulations of the belt run B of the belt element (14) in order to form and design an open-loop and/or closed-loop control of the at least one transporting element (15) that takes into account the adaptive comparison of the sensed specific identification features (17).

Description

Transport device for transporting monocells in a laminating device and method for transporting monocells

The invention relates to a transport device of a laminating device for at least partially transporting monocells or starting materials thereof on a conveyor belt, comprising at least one belt element comprising the conveyor belt, on which the monocells or starting materials thereof can be arranged, at least two transport elements for driving and / or guiding the at least one Band element with a band run along a circumferential direction, at least one detection unit which is designed and set up for detecting and/or detecting at least one specific identification feature, the at least one specific identification feature being formed and set up in, on, under and/or on the band element or is formed and set up in a stationary manner at least in sections along the conveyor belt, at least one control and / or regulation unit connected to the at least one detection unit, which is designed and set up to variably align the belt run of the conveyor belt by means of the at least one transport element if necessary.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for at least partially transporting monocells or starting materials thereof on a conveyor belt of a transport device, comprising the steps of arranging the monocells or starting materials thereof on at least one belt element comprising the conveyor belt, driving and / or guiding the at least one belt element by means of at least two Transport elements with a belt run along a direction of rotation, detecting and / or detecting at least one specific identification feature by means of at least one detection unit, the at least one specific identification feature being formed and set up in, on, under and / or on the belt element or stationary at least in sections along the conveyor belt is designed and set up, if necessary, variable alignment of the belt run of the conveyor belt by at least one transport element, the variable alignment being controlled and / or regulated by means of at least one control and / or regulation unit connected to the at least one detection unit. Devices and methods for transporting monocells or starting materials thereof, in particular segments of energy cells, are known from the prior art. Such monocells or segments are required in particular as upstream intermediate products in the production of energy cells or in the production of batteries comprising energy cells. Such transport devices are used in particular in laminating devices that are intended for connecting/laminating segments. Such laminated monocells or segments in the sense of the invention are used in energy cells or energy storage devices, for example. B. in motor vehicles, other land vehicles, ships, aircraft or in stationary systems such as. B. Photovoltaic systems in the form of battery cells or fuel cells are used, in which very large amounts of energy have to 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 monocells generally consist of segments, each of which comprises alternating anode sheets and cathode sheets, which are separated from one another by separator sheets which are also manufactured as segments. The segments are regularly pre-cut in a preliminary manufacturing process and then placed on top of each other to form stacks in the predetermined order, which is regularly referred to as monocells, and then connected to one another using a laminating device. The monocells are provided to a laminating device, for example on a conveyor belt, in order to then be connected to one another by applying pressure and/or heat.

The starting materials of the monocells regularly consist of a first layer of a separator material with an anode sheet or cathode sheet placed on it and a second layer of the separator material with an anode sheet or cathode sheet placed on it. Monocells in the sense of this invention therefore include single-layer segments of a separator material, anode material or cathode material, double-layer, three-layer or even multi-layer segments of the structure described above. For subsequent lamination, it is absolutely necessary that the segments or the monocells are constantly fed to the lamination process and that the segments no longer change position during the lamination process.

Such lamination processes are formed and set up using laminating devices, for example pressing to form a pressing pressure and heat input. The production of battery cells, for example for electromobility, is now carried out on production systems with an output of 100 to 240 mono cells per minute. In order to reduce the production costs of battery production, the production output of the machines must, among other things, increase. A condition for the high production output is a high production rate of the stacks of energy cells, which are formed from several segments of the type described above stacked on top of each other, as well as subsequent lamination. The known devices work in partial areas or continuously with clocked, discontinuous movements, such as back and forth movements, and are therefore limited in terms of production output. The majority of known machines use the single-sheet stacking process (e.g. “pick and place”), with the disadvantage of slower processing. Laminating cell formations with the known devices is not possible at the desired production speeds. Higher production speeds can be achieved using systems with a belt run, although reliable positioning and transport safety are not guaranteed.

Transport devices for transporting mono cells are z. B. used in laminating devices that have, for example, band elements. In principle, it is possible to laminate monocells with a rotating belt using known belt presses or double belt presses. Such double belt presses are currently mainly used in the production of wood-based materials or in general lamination processes. When adapting the known (double) belt presses to lamination of monocells, the belt elements are usually made of steel in order to feed the monocells or the segments. Such steel strips are usually between 5 m and 15 m long and exhibit fluctuations due to production, particularly in the area of the outer edges. The belts must therefore be controlled in order to provide a precise sequence (conveyance) of monocells or segments, in particular in order to convey the segments correctly lying on top of each other. When laminating monocells, it is therefore absolutely necessary that the individual segments are precisely stacked on one another and that the segments remain in a fixed position during lamination. The requirements for double belt presses therefore differ fundamentally, as the belt movement must be designed to be less precise. Due to the special nature of energy cell production, deviations or shifts in mono cell production can have serious consequences Energy cells lead, which can lead to short circuits or defects. For this reason, a positional shift, even if it is only a positional shift of one segment, will result in a defective product in an "energy cell", that is, a unit of product. Therefore, there is a possibility that a single positioning error could cause a large amount of waste.

Such positional shifts often occur due to belt misalignment of the conveyor belts. Belt misalignment occurs, for example, when drive or guide elements, such as drums, rollers, etc., are not well adjusted or aligned, or when they are worn. Belt misalignment can also be caused by transverse forces, which can occur e.g. B. occurs due to an asymmetrical feeding of the conveyed goods or with uneven connections of the conveyor belts and must be compensated accordingly. To solve misalignment problems in belt systems, there are different correction approaches to achieve the desired belt run. To change the belt path, the drive, transport or guide elements can, for example, be designed to be variable. However, detecting misalignment, especially in the case of very small deviations from a target value, as well as checking corrections made to the belt run are problematic. Known devices detect the outer edges of the conveyor belts using sensors to monitor the belt run. The outer edge is used to determine how far the outer edge differs from a target value. A change in the belt run can be adjusted using control rollers or actuators in order to provide a desired initial value for the outer edges of the conveyor belts. A problem with monitoring the outer edges is that at high transport speeds, belt lengths, pressing pressures, belt materials and/or conveyed goods, the outer edges of the conveyor belts tend not to have clearly detectable outer edges in order to determine a reliable initial value. Due to the slight deviations, manufacturing-related deviations occur, which can lead to rejects or defects in monocell lamination processes. Furthermore, due to the prevailing temperatures and pressures, it can happen that the outer edges shift or change during the revolutions of the belt element, so that such control or regulation leads to deviations in the belt path.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a transport device of a laminating device for at least partially transporting monocells or To provide starting materials thereof, which should enable the monocells or starting materials thereof to be transported at the highest possible production rate while at the same time ensuring reliable and positionally accurate transport. The task remains to propose an appropriate procedure.

This task is achieved by the transport device mentioned at the outset in that the control and/or regulation unit is designed and set up to compare detected specific identification features of different revolutions of the belt path of the belt element in order to control and/or regulate the at least one transport element taking into account the To train and set up a comparison of the recorded specific identification features.

The device according to the invention ensures that the belt travel of the belt element can be kept constant and constant during the revolutions by the control and/or regulation unit controlling and/or regulating the belt element by means of at least one of the transport elements. By detecting at least one specific identification feature, a specific reference value can be determined in order to align the belt run during the intended revolutions of the belt element. For this purpose, the at least one detection unit is preferably arranged either along the conveyor belt for detecting the at least one specific identification feature in, on, under and/or on the belt element, in particular in a stationary manner; or in a further preferred embodiment, the at least one detection unit is arranged in, on, under and/or on the belt element in order to detect the at least one fixed specific identification feature which is formed and set up at least in sections along the conveyor belt. The specific identification features recorded during the revolutions of the band element can be used to draw conclusions about the specific band run of the band element, whereby the corresponding specific identification feature can preferably be dynamically adjusted. The detection of specific identification features is preferably carried out by detecting the outer edge and/or the band (top or bottom) according to a specific feature (points, elevations, notches, etc.). For this purpose, the at least one detection unit is provided in a stationary manner at least in a section along the conveyor belt. The idea of the invention also includes transport devices in which the reverse principle is provided for the detection of specific identification features. hen is. Alternatively, the at least one specific identification feature is arranged at least in sections along the conveyor belt and the detection unit is provided in, on, under and/or on the conveyor belt.

If the specific identification feature is present in, on, under and/or on the band element, the origin can preferably be “natural”, that is, it can occur in the band element due to production or can be actively applied or introduced. If the specific identification feature is present at least in sections along the conveyor belt, the origin can also preferably be “natural”, that is, it can be an element of the transport device that can be detected during production or it can be a specific identification feature on a detection element provided for this purpose, which is detected when “passing by”. can be detected by the detection unit. With the at least one detection unit, the at least one specific identification feature can be detected continuously and during the revolutions of the band element. The detection unit and/or the control and/or regulation unit is preferably designed and set up to determine a target value of the specific identification features. When setting a target value, if the positions of detected specific identification features deviate from the target value, a (counter-)control and/or regulation of the belt run can be carried out by at least one of the transport elements during further revolutions. Further preferably, the position of the specific identification features relative to the previous position can be detected during the rotations in order to develop and set up a corresponding (counter-)control and/or regulation in the event of a deviation from one another. The control and/or regulation of at least one transport element, which can be carried out as required, enables the band element to be guided constantly over several cycles, thereby preventing production-related fluctuations in the arrangement and in the pressing/lamination. In this way, slipping during the transport of the monocells or their starting materials is prevented, as the band element does not run “out of round”. On the one hand, this leads to the possibility of providing higher speeds, longer and/or wider belt elements and, on the other hand, the possibility of designing and setting up a tighter timing during pressing/lamination.

Specific identification features are basically any features that provide specific detectability by the detection unit. A Specific identification feature can be, for example, an optically detectable feature such as a notch, a curvature, a thickening, a discoloration, a recess, a graphic design, a dot, etc.; alternatively or additionally, the specific identification features may include electrical or electronic components in order to provide or support detection and position determination. In principle, any detection unit can also be provided under the detection unit, which enables the detection of specific identification features, for which, for example, cameras, in particular line cameras, sensors, in particular infrared sensors, X-ray devices, etc. can be provided. However, the detection unit is preferably designed and set up as an imaging detection unit.

Preferably, the control and/or regulation unit is connected to the detection unit in such a way that it is designed and set up to receive and evaluate the specific identification features detected by the detection unit, the detected specific identification features forming a data set. In a preferred embodiment, the control and/or regulation unit is designed and set up as a component of the detection unit or integrated in the detection unit. The open-loop and/or closed-loop control unit is further preferably designed and set up to process data sets provided by the detection unit in order to provide the comparison of the detected features as well as a subsequent control and/or regulation of at least one transport element. The controllable and/or adjustable transport elements can be designed and set up, for example, as adjustable belt cylinders.

The monocells preferably consist of at least one segment of a separator material, which is also referred to, among other things, as a separator film or generally as a separator. More preferably, at least one further segment is formed from an anode material or cathode material, which are also referred to as anode foil or cathode foil, anode or cathode, etc. Preferably, the monocell comprises at least four segments, containing at least two separators.

Such transport devices are also preferably used to transport or laminate endless webs for solid-state batteries. The corresponding material webs of the starting products of monocells, which are arranged one above the other, are particularly preferably designed and set up as endless webs, can be provided in the transport device and can then be transported in the transport direction by means of the transport device in order to form and set up a corresponding lamination with a specific orientation and positioning. The desired process parameters and the starting materials can be variably adjusted, with the transport device forming and setting up reliable and constant transport.

The inventive concept also includes devices or devices whose width is adjusted in such a way that a plurality or plurality of monocells or output products thereof can be transported in parallel at the same time. Such transport devices according to the invention are preferably designed and set up to be variable, in particular in terms of the (machine) width, so that several monocells can be transported next to one another or in parallel by means of the transport device. For this purpose, the intended facilities, stations and the respective means are to be correspondingly adapted or designed and set up in order to provide scalability across the board.

A preferred embodiment is characterized in that the transport device further comprises at least one computer unit and/or at least one storage unit in order to compare and/or store the specific identification features recorded by means of the at least one detection unit. By means of the at least one computer unit and/or at least one storage unit, computing and/or storage processes can be carried out in order to process the specific identification features recorded by the detection unit and to compare them accordingly with one another. The at least one computer unit and/or at least one storage unit is preferably connected to the detection unit and/or to the control and/or regulation unit. More preferably, the at least one computer unit and/or at least one storage unit can be integrated in the detection unit and/or in the control and/or regulation unit. In preferred embodiments, the computer unit and/or the storage unit comprises a processor which is designed and set up to compare data sets from the acquisition unit with one another and to generate control and/or regulation information derived therefrom. A further preferred development of the invention is characterized in that the at least one detection unit is designed and set up for the imaging detection of at least one circulation image with the specific identification features during a revolution of the band element in the direction of rotation. The imaging capture of a circulation image, which also means the generation of a circulation image based on the specific identification features recorded, ensures automatic or automatable comparability of the belt run. A position determination of the specific identification features can be provided by comparing the circulation images of the revolutions of the band element to be compared. In this way, the specific identification features are recorded and compared in order to design and set up a change in the belt path using the transport elements. Preferably, the change in the belt path, ie control and/or regulation of the at least one transport element, is carried out automatically or can be automated by comparing the circulation images with each other and after which the at least one transport element can be controlled and/or regulated accordingly to ensure that a predetermined target value is achieved. The detection unit is preferably located along the conveyor belt, in particular arranged in a stationary manner or in, on, under and/or on the conveyor belt, in order to form and set up a detection of the at least one specific identification feature. If the detection unit is arranged outside of the conveyor belt, detection of the features in, on, under and/or on the belt element is preferably provided and if the detection unit is arranged in, on, under and/or on the conveyor belt, detection of the features along it is preferred of the conveyor belt.

An advantageous development is characterized in that the at least one computer unit and/or the at least one storage unit is/are designed and set up to determine the positions of the specific identification features on the belt element or along the conveyor belt by means of the at least one circulation image. By determining the position of the specific identification features, the circulation images can be compared with one another in order to design and set up adjustment and checking of the controlled belt run. The detection of the specific identification features on the circulating image and a subsequent position determination can be provided by appropriate programs using the at least one computer unit and/or the at least one storage unit. For example, the program includes: contain predetermined specific identification features, can be provided and/or detected, in particular by the detection unit. The programs are designed and set up to recognize the specific identification features on the band element or the circulating image in order to determine the position.

An expedient embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the positions of the specific identification features of a first revolution of the band element form and set up a first data set comprising a circulation image, and in that the positions of the specific identification features of at least one further revolution of the band element each form a further data set comprising a circulation image train and set up. The data sets allow the specific identification features to be objectively recorded and used by machine processing in order to design and set up a change in the belt run based on this. The data sets can preferably be stored, calculated and/or evaluated by means of the at least one computer unit and/or the at least one storage unit.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the at least one computer unit and/or the at least one storage unit is/are designed and set up to compare the data sets with the recorded specific identification features of revolutions of the belt element in order to, in the event of asynchrony of the specific identification features To variably align the belt run of the belt element by means of the at least one transport element in order to form and set up the positions of the specific identification features during the circulations in a substantially consistent manner. In other words, the at least one computer unit and/or the at least one storage unit is/are designed and set up to compare the data sets with the recorded specific identification features of the further cycles of the band element with the data set of a first cycle of the band element in such a way that at least one of the transport elements Band run of the band element is variably aligned so that the positions of the specific identification features in the further rounds essentially correspond to the positions of the first round. In this way, a target value can be defined with the data record of a first cycle, which determines the positioning of the specific identification features. In a preferred embodiment, the circulation pattern of a first circulation defines a target value, wherein in at least one further cycle at least one of the transport elements can be aligned to change the at least one belt element such that the circulation pattern of the at least one further cycle essentially corresponds to the target value of the first cycle . The “first cycle” does not necessarily have to be the first cycle of the belt element, but rather indicates a specific or determinable cycle that is used or selected to determine the target value. In the context of the invention, “asynchrony of the specific identification features” is understood to mean, in particular, a significant deviation from the consistent position of the specific identification features of the respective circulations. By changing the orientation of the at least one transport element, one goal is for the specific identification features to be essentially congruent to one another during the circulations. However, within the scope of the invention, minor deviations between the recorded values of the specific identification features also fall within the scope of the invention, with values in the range from 1% to 15% in particular being included. The greater the actual value deviates from a target value during a detection, the greater the potential tolerable deviation between the corresponding specific identification features.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one of the transport elements is designed and set up to be variable transversely, longitudinally and/or in height to the at least one band element. The changeability of at least one of the transport elements makes it possible to adapt the belt path as needed. The belt path can change during the lamination or transport of the monocells or initial products thereof due to a variety of parameters, such as heat, transport speed, pressure, etc., which may require individual and diverse adjustments. Preferably, at least two of the transport elements are designed and set up to be variable, in particular at the beginning and at the end of the transport device, in order to provide extensive adjustability.

An expedient embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the variable orientation of the at least one transport element is designed and set up automatically and/or automatably depending on the specific identification features detected. In this way, quick adjustment is possible A large number of data sets and setting options are taken into account, which makes smaller changes possible and, among other things, reduces the susceptibility to errors when setting the intended alignment. Furthermore, automatic and/or automatable adjustment or support for adjustment enables short-term correction and readjustment of changed alignments. For an automatic and/or automatable variable alignment of the at least one transport element, additional devices and/or control and/or regulation programs may be required, e.g. B. Algorithms, especially with the help of artificial intelligence or machine learning.

The task is also achieved by the method mentioned at the beginning in that recorded specific identification features of different revolutions of the belt run of the belt element are compared by means of the control and / or regulation unit in order to control and / or regulate the at least one transport element, taking into account the comparison of the detected to develop and set up specific identification features. In this way, if necessary, the belt element can be adjusted by at least one transport element in order to correct any possible misalignment. By comparing the specific identification features during the rotations, the belt run can be monitored on the one hand and corrections can be made in a targeted manner on the other. One of the advantages of the proposed method is that the monocells are transported as consistently as possible throughout the entire cycle, so that constant parameters are available for the intended lamination. Monocells are delicate components for energy cells in which uniform and reproducible production methods are essential for high quality standards.

In order to avoid repetition, in connection with the method according to the invention, reference is made in particular to the advantages already described in detail in connection with the device according to the invention. These also apply in an analogous manner to the method according to the invention specified below.

A further development is characterized in that the recorded specific identification features are compared and/or stored by means of at least one computer unit and/or by means of at least one storage unit. In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the specific identification features are imaged during a revolution of the band element in the direction of rotation by means of the at least one detection unit to form at least one circulation image.

An expedient embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the positions of the specific identification features on the belt element or along the conveyor belt are determined by the at least one computer unit and/or by the at least one storage unit by means of the at least one circulating image.

A further expedient embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the positions of the specific identification features of a first cycle of the band element form and set up a first data set comprising a cycle image and that the positions of the specific identification features of at least one further cycle of the band element each form a further data set comprising a cycle image train and set up.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the data sets with the recorded specific identification features of revolutions of the tape element are compared with one another by means of the at least one computer unit and/or by means of the at least one storage unit in order to determine the tape run if the specific identification features are asynchronous of the band element to be variably aligned by means of the at least one transport element in order to form and set up the positions of the specific identification features during the circulations in a substantially consistent manner.

A further preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized in that a setpoint is defined by means of a circulation image of a first circulation, with at least one of the transport elements being changed if necessary in at least one further circulation in such a way that the at least one belt element is variably aligned, in each case the circulation pattern of the at least one further circulation essentially corresponds to the target value of the first circulation. A preferred development of the invention is characterized in that at least one of the transport elements is designed to be variable transversely, longitudinally and/or in height to the at least one band element.

A further expedient embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the at least one transport element is automatically and/or automatically variably aligned depending on the specific identification features detected.

Further useful and/or advantageous features and developments as well as preferred device objects result from the subclaims and the description. Particularly preferred embodiments of the device according to the invention and the method according to the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Shown in the drawings:

1 is a schematic representation of a transport device according to the invention in a perspective view,

2 shows a further embodiment of a transport device according to the invention in a perspective view,

3 a) to c) each show a detailed view of a region of a band element of FIGS. 1 and 2 of the transport device according to the invention with a specific identification feature,

4 a) a top view of a band element with specific identification features and b) a front view of a schematic transport device according to the invention and

5 a) and b) each show a schematic top view of a transport device according to the invention with a belt path of the belt element.

The transport device according to the invention and the method according to the invention are described in more detail using the aforementioned figures. The transport devices 10 shown in the drawings are described as examples as independent and separate transport devices 10. However, the invention relates in the same way to a comparable transport device 10, which is integrated in a more complex system with several assemblies or upstream and/or downstream further device or machine components. The transport devices 10 according to the invention are in particular regularly part of a laminating device 11, in that the transport devices 10 form and set up a transport of monocells 12 or starting products thereof. Such transport devices 10 can be designed and set up to be variable, in particular in terms of the (machine) width, so that several monocells 12 can be transported in parallel by means of the transport device 10 and processed by means of a laminating device 11. In other words, a plurality or number of monocells 12 can be processed in parallel on a transport device 10 by adjusting the width of the device components accordingly. For this purpose, the intended facilities and the respective means must be adapted accordingly in order to provide broad scalability.

The monocells 12 provided preferably comprise a plurality or plurality of segments, these preferably being formed from four segments, which regularly have a first layer of a separator material with an anode sheet or cathode sheet placed thereon and a second layer of the separator material with an anode sheet or cathode sheet placed thereon . The segments are preferably manufactured, cut and stacked on top of each other using at least one upstream manufacturing machine. Such manufacturing machines - not shown in the figures - preferably include different steps in order to produce the corresponding segments with the intended specifications. The monocells 12 or starting materials thereof are generally provided to the transport device 10 continuously and can already be in the intended lengths and/or widths. When transporting monocells 12 using the transport device 10 according to the invention, positioning accuracy is an essential aspect, particularly in the case of monocells. When transporting monocells 12 or their starting materials, they can be provided lying on top of each other, but when transported by means of the transport device 10, they remain as securely positioned as possible in the transport direction T and perpendicular to it. When transporting from - to the Figures not shown in detail - starting materials in endless web form, positioning accuracy perpendicular to the transport direction T is relevant.

1, 2 and 4 b) each show schematically an embodiment of a transport device 10 according to the invention of a laminating device 11 for at least partially transporting monocells 12 or starting materials thereof on a conveyor belt 13. The transport devices 10 according to the invention include at least one conveyor belt 13 comprehensive band element 14, on which the monocells 12 or starting materials thereof can be arranged. With the conveyor belt 13, the monocells 12 or starting materials thereof can be transported through the transport device 10. The transport device 10 further comprises at least two transport elements 15 for driving and/or guiding the at least one belt element 14 with a belt run B along a rotational direction U and at least one detection unit 16 which is designed and set up to detect and/or detect at least one specific identification feature 17, wherein the at least one specific identification feature 17 is formed and set up in, on, under and/or on the belt element 14 or is formed and set up in a stationary manner at least in sections along the conveyor belt 13. The transport device 10 further comprises at least one control and/or regulation unit 18 which is connected to the at least one detection unit 16 and is designed and set up to variably align the belt run B of the conveyor belt 13 as required by means of the at least one transport element 15.

The present figures only show embodiments in which the at least one detection unit 16 is/are designed and set up for detecting and/or detecting at least one specific identification feature 17 in, on, under and/or on the band element 14. The detection unit 16 is intended for detecting specific identification features 17 of the band element 14. However, the idea of the invention equally includes transport devices 10, in which the detection units 16 are designed and set up to detect at least one specific identification feature 17, which are located at least in sections along the conveyor belt 13. The at least one detection unit 16 is preferably arranged in, on, under and/or on the band element 14. In other words, the at least one detection unit 16 is designed and set up in, on, under and/or on the band element 14, in order to detect at least one stationary specific identification feature 17 comprising the transport device 10 during the transport of the conveyor belt 13 in the transport direction T. The at least one stationary specific identification feature 17 is preferably arranged along the conveyor belt 13. Basically, the at least one fixed specific identification feature 17 has all the properties and requirements as the specific identification feature 17 of the band element 14, that is, it can be specifically identified in order to design and set up a determination of the band run B. The specific design or appearance of the fixed, specific identification feature 17 is of secondary relevance, provided that specific detection can be carried out by the detection unit 16.

There is a need to change the tape run B when the detected specific identification features 17 deviate from an intended detection position, which is shown to a great extent in FIG. 5 a). The detection of the specific identification features 17 by means of the detection unit 16 is shown schematically in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 b) as well as in FIGS. 5 a) and 5 b). A selection of different examples of specific identification features 17 is shown by way of example in FIGS. 2 a) to c) and in FIG. 3 a). In principle, the type and selection of the specific identification feature 17 can be freely chosen; in the sense of the invention, it is only essential that detection and/or detection can be realized over several revolutions U. The specific identification features 17 can, for example, be of “natural” origin, that is, features that a band element 14 has on an outer edge 19 or that are present at least in sections along a conveyor belt 13, which can arise as part of regular production (cf. Fig. 3 a )), introduced features (see FIG. 3 b)) or features that can be read out using detection units 16 (see FIG. 3 c)). In addition, for example, features applied on or under the band elements 14, e.g. B. graphic features (see Fig. 4 a), Fig. 5 a) and Fig. 5b)), which can each be detected and/or detected by means of the detection unit 16. The invention is not limited to the fact that only one category of a specific identification feature 17 is provided for controlling and/or regulating the at least one transport element 15, taking into account the comparison of the detected specific identification features 17. Preferably, different types of specific identification features 17 can be compared with each other during the revolutions U of the band element 14 in order to control and/or or to train and set up control of the at least one transport element 15.

1, 2, 5 a) and 5 b) each show an embodiment of a transport device 10 according to the invention, which shows an inventive transport of monocells 12 or output products thereof through the transport device 10. In Fig. 1, the transport device 10 is schematically designed and set up as part of a laminating device 11. The entire system 20 is designed and set up for laminating the monocells 12 or starting products thereof, and further device or system components can be provided for this purpose. 1 is designed and set up as a (double) belt press, in which two conveyor belts 13, 21, each with a belt element 14, 22, are provided, the belt element 14 of the transport device 10 serving to transport monocells 12 and the belt element 22 of the laminating device 11 rests on the monocells 12 from above and is designed and set up for fixation or force and / or heat transfer. The laminating device preferably comprises a pressing and/or heating element 23. A simplified structure of a transport device 10 is shown in FIG. 2, the laminating device 11 with a pressing and/or heating element 23 being shown only in outline. The band element 14 in FIG. 2 is to be assigned to the transport device 10 and is used to transport monocells 12.

The device 10 according to the invention is characterized in that the control and/or regulation unit 18 is designed and set up to compare detected specific identification features 17 of different revolutions U of the belt run B of the belt element 14 in order to control and/or regulate the to train and set up at least one transport element 15 taking into account the comparison of the recorded specific identification features 17. The control and/or regulation of the at least one transport element 15 ensures that the belt path B can be changed. In this way, in particular the orientation of the at least one transport element 15 can be changed, whereby the movement of the belt element 14 can be adjusted. If it is detected or detected that the band run B of the band element 14 is running “uncleanly”, that is, if the positioning of the band element 14 is not congruent over several revolutions U, the band run B can be corrected by means of at least one transport element 15. The transport element 15 can, for example, control the tension, the orientation or the height of the Design and set up the band element 14 variably, whereby the band run B of the band element 14 can be adjusted accordingly. 5 a) shows a simplified form of a transport device 10 according to the invention, in which the belt run B has a belt skew. 5 b) shows a desired belt run B, in which an adjustment is designed and set up by means of at least one transport element 15.

In the transport devices 10 of FIGS. 1, 2, 4 b) and in particular in FIGS. 5 a) and 5 b), a detection and a subsequent change of the belt run B can be achieved, for example, by the belt element after a first run-in phase, that is to say after a first revolution, preferably recognized and/or detected on the outer edges 19 and can be analyzed for a recurring pattern. The recognized and/or detected pattern preferably represents the at least one specific identification feature 17, preferably the recognized pattern consists of a plurality of specific identification features 17. During the first cycle or following the first cycle, on the basis of the at least one specific identification feature 17 Setpoint for the band control of the band element 14 can be determined and/or set. During the further revolutions U of the conveyor belt 13, the outer edges 19 of the belt element 14 can continue to be detected and/or detected, in particular continuously, with the control and/or regulation unit 18 superimposing the respective detected and/or detected ones, in particular by software specific identification features 17 in order to design and set up a control and / or regulation of the at least one transport element 15 to essentially achieve the target value.

In an advantageous embodiment, the transport device 10 further comprises at least one computer unit 24 and/or at least one storage unit 25 in order to compare and/or store the specific identification features 17 recorded by means of the at least one detection unit 16. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the computer unit 24 and the memory unit 25 are each designed as separate components. In further advantageous embodiments, however, the computer unit 24 and the storage unit 25 can also be present as a common component and/or integrated or arranged in the at least one detection unit 16 and/or in the control and/or regulation unit 18. Preferably, the at least one detection unit 16 is designed and set up for the imaging detection of at least one circulation image 26 with the specific identification features 17 during a rotation of the band element 14 in the rotation direction U. In Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 4 a) and Fig. 4 b), the detection unit 16 is designed and set up for the imaging detection of the band element 14, for which purpose in the figures the detection unit 16 has a dashed line for recognizing or detecting the Band element 14 has. The selection and design of the detection unit 16 is in principle individual depending on the need, it only having to be ensured that specific identification features 17 of the band element can be detected or detected in order to capture them in a circulating image 26. 4 a) shows a schematic representation of a circular image 26 of a band element with the specific identification features 17 detected by the detection unit 16, which are shown as “dots” in FIG. 4. Based on the circulating images 26, different information can be derived, calculated and/or determined, in particular the positioning 27 of the specific identification features 17. The positions of specific identification features 17 are in particular for comparison with a fixed or predetermined target value, which is shown in FIG. 4 a). shown as arrow 28.

In further advantageous embodiments, the at least one computer unit 24 and/or the at least one storage unit 25 is/are designed and set up to use the at least one circulation image 26 to determine the positions 27 of the specific identification features 17 on the belt element 14 or along the conveyor belt 13. In Fig. 4 a), the specific identification features 17, which are formed and set up on the band element 14 in the preferred embodiments, can be clearly and objectively determined and can be evaluated or further processed accordingly. By means of the circular images 26, for example, the positions 27 of the recorded specific identification features 17 can be compared with one another with regard to their positioning. It can further preferably be provided to compare specific identification features 17 of a type arranged uniformly on a band element 14 with one another in order to determine the difference 29 between the positions 27 during a revolution, for example. B. to obtain conclusions about the belt run B and, if necessary, to make adjustments using the at least one transport element 24. A preferred embodiment is characterized in that the positions 27 of the specific identification features 17 of a first revolution of the band element 14 form a first data set comprising a circulation image 26 form and set up and that the positions 27 of the specific identification features 17 of at least one further revolution of the band element 14 each form and set up a further data set comprising a circulation image 26.

Further preferably, the at least one computer unit 24 and/or the at least one storage unit 25 is/are designed and set up to compare the data sets with the recorded specific identification features 17 of revolutions of the band element 14 in order to, in the event of asynchrony, see for example FIG 4 a) or FIG to be trained and set up in essentially the same way. The positions 27 of the specific identification features 17 can preferably also be aligned based on a predetermined line or based on a target value 28 by changing the belt path by means of the at least one transport element 15. Preferably, the circulation image 26 of a first circulation defines a target value 28, with at least one of the transport elements 15 being able to be aligned to change the at least one belt element 14 in at least one further cycle in such a way that the circulation image 26 of the at least one further cycle essentially corresponds to the target value 28 of the corresponds to the first circulation. It is further preferably also conceivable that the tape run B can be adjusted during a single revolution in order to change the positions 27 of the detected specific identification features 17 accordingly. This is particularly useful in an embodiment according to FIG. 4 a) or FIG. 5 a) and FIG. 5 b), that is, when a plurality or multitude of specific identification features 17 are present.

Preferably, at least one of the transport elements 15 is designed and set up to be variable transversely, longitudinally and/or in height to the at least one band element 14. It is not necessary that the transport element 15, which is designed and set up to drive, tension or guide the band element 14, also forms and sets up the variability of the band element 14 to change the band run B. The at least one transport element 15, which forms and sets up the variability of the band element 14, can in preferred embodiments be a further or additional transport element 15, which forms and sets up the band element 14 in a variable manner. The transport element 15 preferably sets up a temporal and/or spatial change in the belt run B by e.g. B. the band element 14 is changed at least in sections in the inclination, in the height and / or in the orientation. Further preferably, the variable orientation of the at least one transport element 15 is designed and set up automatically and/or automatably depending on the specific identification features 17 detected. For this purpose, the at least one transport element 15 is in particular connected to the at least one detection unit 16, control and/or regulation unit 18 and/or to the computer unit 24 and/or the storage unit 25, in particular on the basis of a data connection. The corresponding variable orientation of the transport element 15 takes place on the basis of predetermined parameters of the transport device 10 or the laminating device 11.

The method is explained in more detail below using the figures. The method is used for at least partially transporting monocells 12 or starting materials thereof on a conveyor belt 13 of a transport device 10, comprising the steps of arranging the monocells 12 or starting materials thereof on at least one belt element 14 comprising the conveyor belt 13, driving and / or guiding the at least one belt element 14 by means of at least two transport elements 15 with a belt run B along a rotational direction U, detecting and / or detecting at least one specific identification feature 17 by means of at least one detection unit 16, the at least one specific identification feature 17 in, on, under and / or on the belt element 14 is designed and set up or is designed and set up in a stationary manner at least in sections along the conveyor belt 13, if necessary, variable alignment of the belt run B of the conveyor belt 13 by at least one transport element 15, the variable alignment being carried out by means of at least one control unit connected to the at least one detection unit 16. and/or control unit 18 is controlled and/or regulated. The process of transporting the monocells 12 or starting materials thereof by means of the transport device 10 is shown in particular in FIGS. 1 , 2 and 4 b). The specific identification features 17, which are shown as examples in FIGS. 2 a) to 2 c), are thus detected by the detection unit 16. If necessary, that is, if the band run B of the band element 14 does not correspond to the desired run, the band element 14 is adjusted accordingly by means of at least one transport element 15. This method is characterized according to the invention in that recorded specific identification features 17 of different revolutions of the belt run B of the belt element 14 are compared by means of the control and / or regulation unit 18 in order to control and / or regulate the at least one transport element 15 taking into account the adjustment of the to train and set up recorded specific identification features 17. By controlling and/or regulating the at least one transport element 15, the belt path B of the belt element 14 can be changed if necessary. This will in particular change the orientation of the at least one transport element 15, whereby the run of the belt element 14 is modified according to a desired run. If it is detected or detected that the band run B of the band element 14 is running “uncleanly”, that is, if the positioning of the band element 14 is not congruent over several revolutions U, the band run B can be corrected by means of at least one transport element 15. With the transport element 15, for example, the tension, the orientation or the height of the band element 14 can be changed, whereby the band run B of the band element 14 is adjusted accordingly. 5 a) shows a simplified form of a transport device 10 according to the invention for implementing the method according to the invention, in which the belt run B has a belt skew. 5 b) shows a desired belt run B, in which the alignment of the belt element 14 has been carried out by an adjustment using at least one transport element 15.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the recorded specific identification features 17 are compared and/or stored by means of at least one computer unit 24 and/or by means of at least one storage unit 25. The processes are preferably carried out automatically and/or automatically, in particular using appropriate programs, algorithms or with the help of machine learning systems. Preferably, the specific identification features 17 will be imaged during a rotation of the band element 14 in the rotation direction U by means of the at least one detection unit 16 to form at least one rotation image 26. A circulation image is shown as an example and simplified in Fig. 4 a). By means of a generated circulation image, for example, a skewing of the belt element 14, which is shown in simplified form in FIG. 5 a), can be identified in order to make a subsequent change to the belt path B. In a further embodiment, the positions 27 of the specific identification features 17 on the belt element 14 or along the conveyor belt 13 are determined by the at least one computer unit 24 and/or by the at least one storage unit 25 by means of the at least one circulating image 26. For this purpose, the method is characterized in a preferred embodiment in that the positions 27 of the specific identification features 17 of a first cycle of the band element 14 form and set up a first data set comprising a cycle image 26 and that the positions 27 of the specific identification features 17 of at least one further cycle of the Band element 14 or along the conveyor belt 13 form and set up a further data set comprising a circulation image 26. For this purpose, the data sets are preferably compared with the recorded specific identification features 17 from revolutions of the belt element 14 or the conveyor belt 13 by means of the at least one computer unit 24 and/or by means of the at least one storage unit 25 in order to ensure that the specific identification features 17 are asynchronous, which is, for example, in 4 a) or in FIG. 5 b) shows a desired tape run B in which, on the one hand, the specific identification features 17 run uniformly on the tape element 14 and, on the other hand, the arrangement of the specific identification features 17 corresponds to the desired value 28. The tape run B of the tape element 14 becomes each changed by the at least one transport element 15, preferably by making at least one of the transport elements 15 variable transversely, longitudinally and/or in height to the at least one band element 14. Further preferably, the at least one transport element 15 is variably aligned automatically and/or in an automated manner depending on the specific identification features 17 detected.

In an advantageous embodiment, a setpoint 28 is defined by means of a circulation image 26 of a first circulation, with at least one of the transport elements 15 being changed if necessary in at least one further circulation in such a way that the at least one belt element 14 is variably aligned, with the circulation image 26 of the at least one further cycle essentially corresponds to the setpoint 28 of the first cycle.

Claims

1. Transport device (10) of a laminating device for at least partially transporting monocells (12) or starting materials thereof on a conveyor belt (13), comprising,

- at least one belt element (14) comprising the conveyor belt (13) and on which the monocells (12) or starting materials thereof can be arranged,

- at least two transport elements (15) for driving and/or guiding the at least one band element (14) with a band running along a circumferential direction (U),

- at least one detection unit (16) which is designed and set up to detect and/or detect at least one specific identification feature (17), the at least one specific identification feature (17) being in, on, under and/or on the band element (14). is designed and set up or is designed and set up in a stationary manner at least in sections along the conveyor belt (13),

- at least one control and/or regulation unit (18) connected to the at least one detection unit (16), which is designed and set up to control the belt run (B) of the conveyor belt (13) by means of the at least one transport element (15), if necessary variably aligned, characterized in that the control and / or regulation unit (18) is designed and set up to compare detected specific identification features (17) of different revolutions of the belt run (B) of the belt element (14) in order to control and / or regulate to design and set up the at least one transport element (15), taking into account the comparison of the recorded specific identification features (17).

2. Transport device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the transport device (10) further comprises at least one computer unit (24) and / or at least one storage unit (25) in order to record the specific identification features recorded by means of the at least one detection unit (16). (17) to compare and/or store with each other.

3. Transport device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one detection unit (16) for imaging detection at least one circulating image (26) with the specific identification features

(17) is formed and set up during a revolution of the band element (14) in the direction of rotation (U).

4. Transport device (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that the at least one computer unit (24) and / or the at least one storage unit (25) is / are designed and set up to use the at least one circulation image to determine the positions (27) of the specific identification features (17) on the belt element (14) or along the conveyor belt (13).

5. Transport device (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that the positions (27) of the specific identification features (17) of a first revolution of the band element (14) form and set up a first data set comprising a circulation image (26) and that the positions ( 27) of the specific identification features (17) of at least one further revolution of the band element (14) each form and set up a further data set comprising a circulation image (26).

6. Transport device (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that the at least one computer unit (24) and / or the at least one storage unit (25) is / are designed and set up to store the data sets with the recorded specific identification features (17). Circulations of the band element (14) with one another in order to variably align the band run (B) of the band element (14) by means of the at least one transport element (15) in the event of an asynchrony of the specific identification features (17) in order to adjust the positions (27) of the specific identification features (17). 17) to be trained and set up essentially in the same way during circulation.

7. Transport device (10) according to one or more of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the circulation image (26) of a first circulation defines a target value (28), with at least one of the transport elements (15) being used in this way in at least one further circulation Changing the at least one band element (14) can be aligned so that the circulation image (26) of the at least one further circulation essentially corresponds to the setpoint (28) of the first circulation. Transport device (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that at least one of the transport elements (15) is designed and set up to be variable transversely, longitudinally and/or in height to the at least one band element (14). Transport device (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the variable orientation of the at least one transport element (15) is designed and set up automatically and/or automatably depending on the specific identification features (17) detected. Method for at least partially transporting monocells (12) or starting materials thereof on a conveyor belt (13) of a transport device (10), comprising the steps:

- Arranging the monocells (12) or starting materials thereof on at least one belt element (14) comprising the conveyor belt (13),

- driving and/or guiding the at least one belt element (14) by means of at least two transport elements (15) with a belt run (B) along a direction of rotation (U),

- Detecting and/or detecting at least one specific identification feature (17) by means of at least one detection unit (16), wherein the at least one specific identification feature (17) is formed and set up in, on, under and/or on the band element (14) or is stationary is formed and set up at least in sections along the conveyor belt (13),

- If necessary, variable alignment of the belt run (B) of the conveyor belt (13) by at least one transport element (15), the variable alignment being controlled by at least one control and/or regulation unit (18) connected to the at least one detection unit (16). and/or regulated, characterized in that detected specific identification features (17) of different revolutions of the belt run (B) of the belt element (14) are compared by means of the control and/or regulation unit (18) in order to control and/or regulate the to design and set up at least one transport element (15) taking into account the comparison of the recorded specific identification features (17). Method according to claim 10, characterized in that the recorded specific identification features (17) are compared and/or stored by means of at least one computer unit (24) and/or by means of at least one storage unit (25). Method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the specific identification features (17) are imaged during a revolution of the band element (14) in the direction of rotation (U) by means of the at least one detection unit (16) to form at least one circulation image (26). Method according to claim 12, characterized in that by means of the at least one circulating image (26), the positions (27) of the specific identification features (17) on the belt element (14) or along the conveyor belt (13) are determined by the at least one computer unit (24) and / or be determined by the at least one storage unit (25). Method according to claim 13, characterized in that the positions (27) of the specific identification features (17) of a first revolution of the band element (14) form and set up a first data set comprising a circulation image (26) and that the positions (27) of the specific identification features (17) of at least one further revolution of the band element (14) each form and set up a further data set comprising a circulation image (26). Method according to claim 14, characterized in that the data sets with the recorded specific identification features (17) of revolutions of the band element (14) are compared with one another by means of the at least one computer unit (24) and/or by means of the at least one storage unit (25) in order to If the specific identification features (17) are asynchronous, the tape run (B) of the tape element (14) can be variably aligned by means of the at least one transport element (15) in order to form the positions (27) of the specific identification features (17) during the rotations in a substantially consistent manner and to set up. Method according to one or more of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that a setpoint (28) is defined by means of a circulation image (26) of a first circulation, with at least one of the transport elements (15) being changed in this way in at least one further circulation if necessary in that the at least one band element (14) is variably aligned, the circulation image (26) of the at least one further circulation essentially corresponding to the setpoint (28) of the first circulation. Method according to one or more of claims 10 to 16, characterized in that at least one of the transport elements (15) is designed to be variable transversely, longitudinally and/or in height to the at least one band element (14). Method according to one or more of claims 10 to 17, characterized in that the at least one transport element (15) is automatically and/or automatically variably aligned depending on the specific identification features (17) detected.