WO2025163545A1

WO2025163545A1 - Apparatus for packaging electrochemical cells for the production of batteries

Info

Publication number: WO2025163545A1
Application number: PCT/IB2025/051018
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andrea Biondi; Luca Cavazza; Enrico Campagnoli
Original assignee: GD SpA
Current assignee: GD SpA
Priority date: 2024-02-02
Filing date: 2025-01-30
Publication date: 2025-08-07
Anticipated expiration: 2026-08-02
Also published as: IT202400002154A1

Abstract

An apparatus (1) for packaging electrochemical cells (2) for the production of batteries, comprises a coupling unit (10), configured to combine a plurality of conductor elements (5, 6) and separator elements (7) in a predefined structure so as to form an internal assembly (3) of an electrochemical cell (2), as well as an application unit (20), configured to fasten at least one electrical collector (4) to an axial end of the internal assembly (3) so as to form a pole of the electrochemical cell (2), wherein the application unit (10) and the coupling unit (20) are synchronised with each other.

Description

Apparatus for packaging electrochemical cells for the production of batteries

The present invention concerns an apparatus for packaging electrochemical cells for the production of batteries.

The present invention applies, though not exclusively, to the production of secondary batteries, e.g. lithium-ion batteries, which will be referred to hereinafter without losing generality.

As known, the production of electrochemical cells involves, in wider terms:

- a step of packaging the electrochemical cell, in which an internal assembly of conductor elements (one for the anode and one for the cathode) and separator elements is made and in which said internal assembly is inserted into an outer protective casing,

- a step of filling the electrochemical cell with an electrolytic solution that is placed in contact with the internal assembly, and finally,

- a step of formation of the electrochemical cell that allows to make it suitable for delivering and/or storing electrical energy.

The packaging step, in particular, provides that the conductor elements and the separator elements are coupled according to a predefined structure, for example by superimposing them in alternating flat layers, as in the case of prismatic batteries, or by winding in a spiral alternating layers of conductor tapes and separator tapes to form a coil, as in the case of cylindrical batteries.

In any case, the structures of conductor elements and separator elements, generically indicated with the expression "internal assemblies", obtained by the coupling of conductor elements alternated to separator elements, before being introduced into the outer protective casing, are fastened at the opposed axial ends to special electrical collectors, each of which, by connecting the different elements of the same type of conductor (for example the anode or the cathode) together, forms one of the two electrical poles of the electrochemical cell.

In the present description, as well as in the accompanying claims, certain terms and expressions are deemed to assume, unless otherwise expressly indicated, the meaning expressed in the following definitions.

The term "internal assembly" of an electrochemical cell generically refers to the structure in which the conductor elements and the separator elements are combined within the electrochemical cell. This structure can have substantially flat layers alternated through superimposition on top of each other (obtained by "stacking" or "Z-folding" techniques), i.e. it can be a cylindrical coil structure with a circular section or more generally with an elliptical section, formed by the spiral winding of conductor tapes and separator tapes alternated between them.

An electrical collector is a conductor element configured to electrically join single portions of a conductor element, i.e. single portions of distinct conductor elements, albeit of the same type. The electrical collector is preferably fastened to an axial end of the internal assembly. Preferably, the electrical collector has a shape similar to the axial end of the internal assembly to which it is fastened. For example, in the case of internal assembly in the form of a cylindrical coil with a circular section, the electric collector typically has a disc shape. Preferably, the portions of conductor element that are joined by the electrical collector are tabs protruding from the axial end of the internal assembly.

An electrical collector is "fastened" or "applied" to an internal assembly of an electrochemical cell when they are in a fastened condition of mutual contact.

Two devices or processing units are "synchronised" when the movement of one device or unit is correlated to the movement of the other device or unit through a fixed function. In other words, the movement of one device or processing unit is uniquely linked to the movement of the other device or processing unit. In this case, the two processing units or the two devices are also called "in-phase".

For example, a conveyor belt is synchronised with a wheel that picks up articles deposited on the belt when the speed of rotation of the wheel is directly linked to the speed of the conveyor belt, so that its peripheral speed is, for example, equal to that of the conveyor belt.

It should be specified that the type of function that links the movement of the two processing units or of the two devices can be any, as long as it remains fixed during the normal operation of the two units or of the two devices.

It should also be specified that the existence of this function is required during normal operation of the two processing units or of the two devices, while it may not be found in abnormal operating conditions and in the start-up and shutdown steps.

The Applicant has preliminarily observed that in the traditional processes for the production of batteries, the apparatus that provides for forming the internal assembly of an electrochemical cell, by means of an appropriate combination of conductor elements and separator elements, is separate and distinct from the apparatus that provides for applying the respective electrical collectors forming the two poles of the electrochemical cell to the axial ends of the internal assembly. The Applicant has also found that the operations carried out in the apparatus for forming the internal assemblies are particularly delicate and critical both for the safety of the production process and for the correct and safe operation of the battery obtained from this process.

In particular, the Applicant has verified how it is necessary to ensure that the conductor and separator elements arranged in the internal assembly are as free as possible of contaminants, such as dust or other suspended particulate matters, which can come both from the external environment and from some processing steps of the conductor elements, such as some configuration operations by laser ablation.

The Applicant has further observed that the operations carried out by the apparatus for applying the electric collectors to the ends of the internal assembly are also particularly delicate and may be critical for the correct manufacture of the battery. In particular, the Applicant has found that before fastening with the electrical collectors, some portions of the conductor elements, typically a plurality of tabs protruding axially from the internal assembly that serve for the subsequent formation of the electrical pole of the electrochemical cell, still remain exposed to the surrounding environment.

The Applicant has therefore verified how the steps of passage of the internal assemblies of the electrochemical cells from the apparatus in which they are formed to the apparatus in which the application of the electrical collectors is carried out are potential sources of contamination and may jeopardise the correct manufacture of the electrochemical cells.

The Applicant has therefore intuited that by providing on the same apparatus, or in other words on the same "machine", for both the operation of forming the internal assembly and the operation of applying the electrical collectors to the axial ends of the internal assembly, it would have been useful in order to minimize the time that elapses between the two operations and/or the distance between the devices that carry them out, reducing defects and potential risks of battery malfunction and thus improving the efficiency and safety of the process for forming electrochemical cells. The Applicant has therefore found that an apparatus comprising a coupling unit, configured to form the internal assembly, and an application unit, configured to fasten an electric collector to an axial end of the internal assembly, wherein the application unit and the coupling unit are synchronised with each other, allows to manage the aforesaid operations of forming the internal assembly and of fastening the electric collector quickly and efficiently. In a first aspect thereof, therefore, the present invention is directed to an apparatus for packaging electrochemical cells for the production of batteries.

Preferably, the apparatus comprises a coupling unit, configured to combine a plurality of conductor elements and separator elements in a predefined structure, so as to form an internal assembly of an electrochemical cell.

Preferably, the apparatus comprises an application unit, configured to fasten at least one electrical collector to an axial end of said internal assembly, so as to form a pole of said electrochemical cell.

Preferably, said application unit is synchronised with said coupling unit.

Thanks to these characteristics, the apparatus of the present invention has the coupling and application units on the same automatic machine, allowing to reduce as much as possible the time of exposure to the external environment of the internal assembly, in particular of the conductor elements, between the operations of forming the internal assembly and the fastening of the electric collectors on its axial ends.

In addition, the fact that the two units are synchronised means that, at all times, they have substantially the same production capacity, which makes any intermediate storage stations, better known as "buffers", arranged to compensate for any differences in productivity, no longer necessary.

In the aforesaid aspect, the present invention can present at least one of the preferred characteristics described below.

In some embodiments, said conductor elements and said separator elements are in the form of sheets and said internal assembly is formed by said sheets of conductor elements and separator elements stacked alternately with each other.

In some embodiments, said conductor elements are in the form of sheets while said separator elements are in the form of a separator tape and said internal assembly is formed by said sheets of conductor elements stacked and separated from one another by the separator tape folded like "Z" around the single sheets of conductor elements. In some particularly preferred embodiments, said conductor elements are in the form of conductor tapes and said separator elements are in the form of separator tapes. Preferably, in the latter case, said coupling unit is configured to wind in a spiral said plurality of conductor tapes and separator tapes.

In this way, said internal assembly is formed as a coil.

In some embodiments, said coupling unit is synchronised with said application unit via a mechanical connection.

In this way, the constancy of the function that links the movement of the coupling unit with the movement of the application unit is guaranteed.

Preferred examples of mechanical connections that can perform this function are gear systems with toothed wheels, intermittor and cam systems and any other kinematic system suitable for the purpose.

In a preferred form, said coupling unit and said application unit are moved by the same motor.

In another embodiment, said coupling unit and said application unit are moved by respective motor members.

Preferably, said apparatus comprises a control unit configured to control said respective motor members by means of a software control, so as to synchronise the movement of said coupling unit with the movement of said application unit.

In this case, the synchronisation between the two units is guaranteed by a software control which allows to modify, if necessary, the fixed function that correlates the movements of the two units.

This modification does not occur during the normal operation of the apparatus but may be necessary in the case of redefining the operation of the apparatus, for example, when the parameters of the latter must be changed for new production needs, for example following a format change of the electrochemical cell to be produced.

In some preferred embodiments, for said coupling unit and said application unit no storage stations of said internal assemblies are provided.

Preferably, said coupling unit and said application unit rest on the same base.

This feature facilitates the preparation of the two units on the same apparatus and therefore the possibility of synchronising them with each other.

Preferably, said coupling unit and said application unit are delimited from the external environment by a common confinement barrier.

Preferably, said coupling unit and said application unit have in common at least one auxiliary service system of said apparatus.

Examples of auxiliary services are the lubrication system, the electrical connection system, the data exchange system.

Each of these features contributes to identifying the two coupling and application units as part of the same automatic machine.

In some embodiments, said coupling unit is configured to form said internal assemblies in an ordered succession.

Preferably, said application unit is configured to operate on said internal assemblies output from said coupling unit maintaining said ordered succession.

In some embodiments, said coupling unit is confined within a first work cabin. Preferably, said application unit is confined within a second work cabin.

Preferably, said first work cabin is connected to said second work cabin to allow the passage of said internal assemblies from said coupling unit to said application unit.

Preferably, said first work cabin is maintained at a higher pressure than said second work cabin.

In this way, a flow of air is induced which passes from the first work cabin to the second work cabin, substantially preventing any dust, or other contaminants present in the second cabinet from entering the first cabinet.

In fact, the Applicant has observed that metal powders may form in the application unit, due, for example, to the soldering operations of the electric collectors on the internal assemblies, which could be transported by unregulated air flows also inside the first cabin where the conductor elements intended to form the internal assemblies are present and not yet coupled to the separator elements.

In some embodiments, between said coupling unit and said application unit at least one other processing unit of said internal assemblies is provided. Preferably, said at least one other processing unit receives said internal assemblies from said coupling unit and delivers said internal assemblies to said application unit.

Preferably, said at least one other processing unit is synchronised with said coupling unit and said application unit.

More preferably, each other processing unit interposed between said coupling unit and said application unit is synchronised with said coupling unit.

In other words, any other processing units are part of the same automatic machine to which the coupling unit and the application unit belong.

Preferably, each other processing unit interposed between said coupling unit and said application unit is configured to operate on said internal assemblies output from said coupling unit maintaining said ordered succession.

In this way, it is possible to keep track of the history of the processings to which each internal assembly has been subjected, which allows, if necessary, to trace the specific equipments or devices that operated on each internal assembly. This feature can be particularly useful in the event of defects detected on the product as they can easily allow to trace back a malfunctioning device in order to be able to replace or repair it. In some embodiments, said at least one other processing unit comprises a reforming unit, arranged to define the shape of a central hole of said internal assembly.

The reforming unit is a processing unit typical of the packaging of electrochemical cells of the cylindrical type in which the internal assembly is a coil of alternated conductor tapes and separator tapes wound on themselves.

In particular, the reforming unit is adapted to reposition a portion of separator tape, created inside a through hole of a coil as following its forming process, against the internal walls of the through hole. This operation is carried out, for example, by inserting a previously heated reforming needle into the through hole.

In some embodiments, said reforming unit comprises a wheel on which a plurality of equipments is mounted.

Preferably, each equipment is configured to receive an internal assembly from said coupling unit.

Preferably, each equipment is configured to transfer said internal assembly to said application unit after defining said central hole.

Preferably, between said coupling unit and said application unit only said reforming unit that receives said internal assemblies from said coupling unit and delivers said internal assemblies to said application unit is provided.

In some embodiments, between said coupling unit and said application unit only one wheel is provided which receives said internal assemblies from said coupling unit and delivers said internal assemblies to said application unit.

In some embodiments, said application unit comprises a positioning station, configured to position said at least one electrical collector on said axial end of said internal assembly.

Preferably, said positioning station is configured to position two electrical collectors at opposed axial ends of said internal assembly.

In some embodiments, said application unit comprises a fastening station, configured to solidly fasten said electric collector to said axial end of said internal assembly.

Preferably, said fastening station is configured to fasten two electrical collectors to opposed axial ends of said internal assembly.

In some embodiments, said application unit comprises a transport system configured to transport said internal assembly from said positioning station to said fastening station. Preferably, said transport system comprises a wheel rotatable about an axis of rotation for displacing said internal assembly from said positioning station to said fastening station.

Preferably, a plurality of equipments is mounted on said wheel.

Preferably, each equipment is provided with a gripping member for said internal assembly.

In some embodiments, said application unit comprises a flattening station, configured to flatten one or more tabs of said conductor elements at at least one axial end of said internal assembly.

Preferably, said transport system is configured to transport said internal assembly from said flattening station to said positioning station and to said fastening station.

Preferably, said fastening station comprises a soldering device, more preferably it comprises two soldering devices positioned to fasten respective electrical collectors to the opposed axial ends of said internal assembly.

In some embodiments, said coupling unit and said application unit are distanced less than two metres apart, preferably less than one metre.

In this way, the space, and consequently the time, in which the conductor elements and their portions remain exposed to the risk of contamination in the external environment is reduced to a minimum.

The features and advantages of the present solution will become clearer from the detailed description of an embodiment example thereof shown, by way of nonlimiting example, with reference to the appended drawings, wherein:

- figure 1 is a schematic front view of an apparatus for packaging electrochemical cells for the production of batteries made in accordance with the present invention;

- figures 2 to 4 are simplified schematic views, from different angles, of a significant portion of the apparatus of figure 1.

With reference to the appended figures, 1 indicates overall an apparatus for packaging electrochemical cells 2 for the production of batteries made in accordance with the present invention.

The packaging apparatus 1 comprises a coupling unit 10, configured to form an internal assembly of an electrochemical cell 2, as well as an application unit 20, configured to fasten respective electrical collectors 4 to the opposed axial ends of the internal assembly formed in the coupling unit 10, so as to form the two poles of the electrochemical cell 2. Between the coupling unit 10 and the application unit 20 a reforming unit 30 is also provided, which receives the internal assembly from the coupling unit 10 and, after defining a central hole thereof, as described in detail below, delivers it to the application unit 20.

In the preferred example illustrated and described in detail herein, the apparatus 1 packages cylindrical-type electrochemical cells with a circular section, so that the internal assembly formed in the coupling unit 10 is represented by a coil 3 obtained by winding in a spiral two conductor tapes 5 and 6 (one intended to form the anode and the other intended to form the cathode of the electrochemical cell 2) alternated with two separator tapes 7, made of insulating material.

The separator tapes 7 are unwound from respective coils 7a, while the conductor tapes 5, 6 come from an ablation unit (also part of the apparatus 1), located upstream of the coupling unit 10 and not represented in the appended figures, wherein the conductor tapes 5 and 6 are cut out by means of a laser ablation device at one side thereof, so as to define along said side, a plurality of laterally protruding tabs.

The conductor tapes 5, 6 and the separator tapes 7 are then led through a plurality of guide and tensioning rollers up to a feeding and cutting device 11, where the four tapes are superimposed on each other and delivered to a winding device 12 that wound them in a spiral around a pin of a rotatable head 15, according to methods known in the art.

In particular, the winding device 11 comprises a wheel 13, rotatable about a horizontal axis XI, on which four movable arms 14 are mounted, at the ends of which a respective head 15 is provided on which the conductor tapes 5, 6 and the separator tapes 7 are wound.

Of course, the winding device 11 can be made in any other manner suitable for the purpose.

The coupling unit 10 further comprises a taping device 16 which cooperates with the winding device 11 to close with adhesive tape the coil 3 once formed and separated from the conductor tapes 5, 6 and the separator tapes 7.

The reforming unit 30, located immediately downstream of the coupling unit 10, is configured to correctly define the shape of a central hole of the coil 3, by positioning against the internal walls of the central hole a portion of separator tape 7 that typically remains inside the central hole of the coil 3 following its forming process.

The reforming unit 30 comprises a wheel 31, rotatable about a horizontal axis X2, parallel to the axis XI, on the periphery of which equipments 32 are mounted, each provided with a gripping member 33 configured to selectively retain a respective coil 3.

The equipments 32 are movable with respect to the wheel 31 to receive the coil 3 from the winding device 11 and to bring the coil 3 at a respective reforming device 34 and, finally, to transfer the coil 3 to the application unit 20.

Each reforming device 34 is positioned next to an equipment 32 and comprises a reforming needle, suitably heated, which is passed through the central hole of the coil 3, when the latter is positioned on the reforming device 34, so as to stress the portion of separator tape 7 against the internal walls of the central hole.

The application unit 20, which receives the coil 3 from the reforming unit 30, comprises a wheel 21, rotatable about a horizontal axis X3, parallel to the axis XI and to the axis X2, on the periphery of which equipments 22 are mounted, each provided with a gripping member 23 configured to selectively retain a respective coil 3.

The application unit 20 further comprises a flattening station 24, a positioning station 25 and a fastening station 26 and the wheel 21 is configured to displace the coils 3 retained by the gripping members 23 from a receiving zone A to the flattening station 24, then to the positioning station 25, thus to the fastening station 26 and finally to a release zone B, all arranged one after the other along an advancement direction F defined by the rotation of the wheel 21 about the axis of rotation X3.

The application unit 20 is positioned immediately downstream of the reforming unit 30 resulting in a relatively small distance from the coupling unit 10, preferably less than one metre at the closest points of the two units.

The flattening station 24 is configured to flatten the tabs of the conductor elements at the opposed axial ends of each coil 3.

These tabs, made in the ablation unit of the apparatus 1, protrude from the axial ends of the coil and serve to favour the electrical contact of the two conductor elements (respectively the anode and the cathode) with the electrical collectors 4.

In the preferred embodiment example described herein, the flattening station 24 comprises four flattening devices 24a arranged one after the other to fold the tabs protruding from one axial end of the coil 3 and four flattening devices 24b arranged one after the other on the opposite side of the wheel 21 in a position facing the flattening devices 24a, intended to fold the tabs protruding from the opposed axial end of the coil 3.

In particular, the flattening devices 24a, 24b are displaceable along an axial direction to fold the respective tabs towards a flattened configuration in which the tabs are abutted against the respective axial end of the coil 3.

Preferably, each flattening device 24a, 24b comprises a head 24c rotatable about its own axis of rotation intended to abut the respective tabs to fold them towards the flattened configuration.

The rotation of the head 24c allows to impart to the tabs, in addition to an axial stress, also a tangential type stress that favours the uniform folding of the tabs along a controlled direction, obtaining a substantially spiral arrangement.

The provision of four flattening devices for each axial end of the coil 3 allows folding the respective tabs by means of successive folds.

The positioning station 25 is configured to position a pair of electrical collectors 4 on the axial ends of the coil 3.

In particular, the positioning station 25 comprises a pair of gripping hands 25a and 25b, placed on one side and on the other side of the wheel 21 so as to position a respective electric collector 4, picked up by a feeding guide 28, on the opposed axial ends of the coil 3.

The fastening station 26 is configured to solidly fasten the electric collectors 4 to the opposed axial ends of the coil 3.

In particular, the fastening station 26 comprises a pair of soldering devices 26a, 26b, placed on one side and on the other side of the wheel 21 so as to solidly fasten the electric collectors 4 on the opposed axial ends of the coil 3.

The fastening station 26 further comprises an image detection and analysis system, comprising a pair of cameras 27a, 27b, configured to detect the positioning of the electrical collectors and assist in the correct pointing of the soldering devices 26a, 26 towards the electrical collectors 4.

The apparatus 1 further comprises an unloading unit 40 which receives the coils 3 with the collectors 4 fastened to the ends by the application unit 20 and brings them to the outside of the apparatus 1.

In particular, the unloading unit 40 comprises an exchange wheel 41 that receives the coils 3 from the wheel 21 at the release zone B and deposits them on a belt conveyor 42 that brings them to a collection point C where they are displaced to the apparatus intended for subsequent processings.

The coupling unit 10, the reforming unit 30, the application unit 20, as well as the unloading unit 40 are synchronised with each other, i.e. the movement of each of them is uniquely linked to the movement of the other units.

In particular, the coils 3 are processed one after the other passing from the coupling unit 10, where they are continuously formed, to the reforming unit 30, to the application unit 20 and finally to the unloading unit 40.

In each processing unit, the coils 3 are retained individually by respective gripping members that displace them between the different work stations of the unit and deliver them to the successive unit one after the other, always maintaining the same ordered succession of entry into and exit from the single units as well as within them, according to the principle of "first in, first out".

This feature allows, among other things, to avoid the provision of storage stations (buffers) between one processing unit and another, as well as within the single processing units.

The synchronisation of the different units of the apparatus 1 can be obtained thanks to purely mechanical connections, using for example gears, motion transmission systems such as toothed wheels, belts, cam mechanisms, intermittors and other kinematic systems known in the field, i.e. it can be obtained by means of a software control, carried out by a control unit of the apparatus 1 (not represented in the figures) that controls the movement of each processing unit, itself mechanically independent, so that they are all synchronised with each other, or it can be obtained by means of a hybrid control, partly mechanical and partly by software.

The coupling unit 10, the reforming unit 30, the application unit 20, and the discharge unit 40 further share different services and different common components of the apparatus 1.

For example, all the processing units can be serviced by the same centralized lubrication system of the mechanical members and are served by the same power supply system and data and signal transmission.

In addition, all the units are supported on the same base 8, so as to have a common rest plane.

The entire apparatus 1 is delimited, both laterally and superiorly, by confinement barriers 9 that separate the apparatus 1 from the external environment, so as to preserve the components of the electrochemical cell, in particular the conductor tapes, from possible external contaminations and, at the same time, to mutually protect the apparatus and the operators. Access to the apparatus 1 is allowed through doors (not represented in the figures) whose opening is only allowed under safe conditions, for example when the apparatus is switched off.

The internal environment of the apparatus 1 is divided into work cabins where one or more processing units are housed. In particular, the coupling unit 10 is housed within a first work cabin 51, the application unit 20 is housed within a second work cabin 52 and the reforming unit 30 is housed within a third work cabin 53, interposed between the first work cabin 51 and the second work cabin 52.

Of course, between the different work cabins suitable openings are provided to allow the passage of the components being processed, in particular the coils 3, between successive processing units.

However, these openings are less wide so as to limit as much as possible the passage of any particulate matter between one work cabin and the other.

To further improve this feature, the apparatus 1 is serviced by a common ventilation system, which is controlled in such a way that the work cabins 51, 52 and 53 operate with differentiated environmental pressures.

In particular, it is provided that the pressure inside the first work cabin 51 is maintained at a higher value than the pressure in the second work cabin 52, so as to establish a slight air flow that passes from the first work cabin 51 to the second work cabin 52 through the third work cabin 53 having an intermediate pressure value. In this way, it is substantially prevented that any dust, or other contaminants present in the second work cabin 52, for example as a result of the soldering operations, can enter the first work cabin 51 and come into contact with the conductor tapes 5 and 6.

The packaging apparatus 1 operates in the following ways.

The conductor tapes 5 and 6, after being unwound from respective starting coils and processed in the ablation unit, are led into the coupling unit 10 where, alternated with the separator tapes 7, they are joined through superposition in the feeding and cutting device 11 and delivered to the winding device 12.

The latter forms the coil 3 on the rotatable head 15 and, once separated from the tapes, is displaced by the movable arm 14 at the taping device 16 which closes the coil with adhesive tape to prevent it from unwinding.

The coil 3 is thus delivered from the movable arm 14 to the reforming unit 30 where it is received and retained by a gripping member 33 of the wheel 31. While the wheel is rotating around its axis of rotation X2, the gripping member 33 brings the coil 3 at a reforming device 34 where the central hole of the coil 3 is redefined with a forming needle.

At the end of this operation, the wheel 31 has brought the coil 3 at the receiving area A of the application unit 20, where the coil 3 is passed from the gripping member 33 of the wheel 31 to the gripping member 23 of the wheel 21.

The latter rotates with intermittent motion, stopping the coil at the subsequent work stations.

In particular, the coil 3 is then first brought to the flattening station 24 where the tabs of the conductor elements are flattened against the respective axial ends of the coil 3 by the flattening devices 24a and 24b which, on one side and on the other side, displace themselves axially against the coil 3, causing the respective head 24c to rotate.

The coil 3 is then brought into the positioning station 25 where the gripping hands 25a and 25b place a respective electric collector 4 on the opposed axial ends of the coil 3, so that in the subsequent soldering station 26, such electric collectors 4 are fastened to the ends of the coil 3 by means of the soldering devices 26a, 26b.

The coil 3 is then displaced from the wheel 21 to the release zone B where it is transferred to the unloading unit 40 which takes it outside the apparatus 1 for the subsequent processing operations of the electrochemical cell.

This solution thus allows to solve the technical problem identified above, while at the same time achieving additional benefits also deriving from the specific embodiments described above.

Naturally, a person skilled in the art will be able to make further modifications and variations to the solution described above in order to satisfy specific and contingent application needs, such modifications and variants in any case falling within the scope of protection defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. Apparatus (1) for packaging electrochemical cells (2) for the production of batteries, comprising:

- a coupling unit (10), configured to combine a plurality of conductor elements (5, 6) and separator elements (7) in a predefined structure so as to form an internal assembly (3) of an electrochemical cell (2),

- an application unit (20), configured to fasten at least one electrical collector (4) to an axial end of said internal assembly (3) so as to form a pole of said electrochemical cell (2), wherein said application unit (10) is synchronised with said coupling unit (20).

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said conductor elements (5, 6) and said separator elements (7) are in the form of respective conductor tapes and separator tapes and said coupling unit (10) is configured to wind in a spiral said plurality of conductor tapes and separator tapes so that said internal assembly is formed as a coil.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said coupling unit (10) is synchronised with said application unit (20) via a mechanical connection.

4. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said coupling unit (10) and said application unit (20) are moved by respective motor members and said apparatus comprises a control unit configured to control said motor members by means of a software control, so as to synchronise the movement of said coupling unit (10) with the movement of said application unit (20).

5. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein between said coupling unit (10) and said application unit (20) no storage stations of said internal assemblies (3) are provided.

6. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said coupling unit (10) and said application unit (20) rest on the same base (8).

7. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said coupling unit (10) and said application unit (20) are delimited from the external environment by a common confinement barrier (9).

8. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said coupling unit (10) is configured to form said internal assemblies (3) according to an ordered succession and said application unit (20) is configured to operate on said internal assemblies (3) output from said coupling unit (10) maintaining said ordered succession.

9. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said coupling unit (10) is confined within a first work cabin (51) and said application unit (20) is confined within a second work cabin (52), said first work cabin (51) being connected to said second work cabin (52) to allow the passage of said internal assemblies (3) from said coupling unit (10) to said application unit (20).

10. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said first work cabin (51) is maintained at a higher pressure than said second work cabin (52).

11. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein between said coupling unit (10) and said application unit (20) at least one other processing unit of said internal assemblies (3) is provided which receives said internal assemblies from said coupling unit (10) and delivers said internal assemblies to said application unit (20).

12. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein each other processing unit interposed between said coupling unit (10) and said application unit (20) is synchronised with said coupling unit (10).

13. Apparatus according to claim 11 or 12, wherein said coupling unit (10) is configured to form said internal assemblies (3) according to an ordered succession and each other processing unit interposed between said coupling unit (10) and said application unit (20), as well as said application unit (20), are configured to operate on said internal assemblies (3) output from said coupling unit (10) while maintaining said ordered succession.

14. Apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein said at least one other processing unit comprises a reforming unit (30), arranged to define the shape of a central hole of said internal assembly (3).

15. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said reforming unit (30) comprises a wheel (31) on which a plurality of equipments (32) is mounted, each equipment (32) being configured to receive an internal assembly (3) from said coupling unit (10) and, after defining said central hole, transfer said internal assembly (3) to said application unit (20).

16. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said application unit (20) comprises:

- a positioning station (25), configured to position said at least one electric collector (4) on said axial end of said internal assembly (3),

- a fastening station (26), configured to solidly fasten said electric collector (4) to said axial end of said internal assembly (3), and

- a transport system (21) configured to transport said internal assembly (3) from said positioning station (25) to said fastening station (26).

17. Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said transport system comprises a wheel (21) on which a plurality of equipments (22) is mounted, each equipment (22) being provided with a gripping member (23) for said internal assembly (3), said wheel (21) being rotatable about an axis of rotation (X3) for displacing said internal assembly (3) from said positioning station (25) to said fastening station (26).

18. Apparatus according to claim 16 or 17, wherein said application unit (20) comprises a flattening station (24), configured to flatten one or more tabs of said conductor elements (5, 6) at at least one axial end of said internal assembly (3) and said transport system (21) is configured to transport said internal assembly (3) from said flattening station (24) to said positioning station (25) and to said fastening station (26).

19. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said coupling unit (10) and said application unit (20) are distanced less than two metres apart, preferably less than one metre.