JP4732562B2

JP4732562B2 - Battery manufacturing method and apparatus

Info

Publication number: JP4732562B2
Application number: JP2000044102A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 昭司唐沢; 有吾中川; 弘海加治屋
Original assignee: Panasonic Corp; Toyota Motor Corp; Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Corp; Toyota Motor Corp; Panasonic Holdings Corp
Priority date: 2000-02-22
Filing date: 2000-02-22
Publication date: 2011-07-27
Anticipated expiration: 2020-02-22
Also published as: JP2001236940A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は電池の製造方法に関し、特に極板群と集電板を電子ビームにて溶接する電池の製造方法及び装置に関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
例えば、ニッケル水素二次電池として、幅の狭い短側面と幅の広い長側面とを有する上面開口の直方体状の電槽（図示せず）内に、図３に示すような極板群２１を電解液とともに収容し、その電槽の上面開口を蓋体（図示せず）にて一体的に閉鎖したものが提案されている。
【０００３】
上記極板群２１は、図３（ｂ）に詳細に示すように、Ｎｉの発泡メタルから成る複数枚の正極板２２とＮｉのパンチングメタルに水素吸蔵合金粉末をペースト状にした活物質を塗着した複数枚の負極板２３とを交互に配置するとともに、各正極板２２に横方向に開口部を有するポリプロピレン不織布から成る袋状のセパレータ２４を被せることにより、正極板２２と負極板２３の間にセパレータ２４を介装した状態で積層して構成されている。
【０００４】
また、正極板２２群と負極板２３群は、互いに反対側の側縁部が外側に突出されてリード部２２ａ、２３ａが設けられている。リード部２２ａは発泡メタルを加圧して圧縮しかつその一面にリード板を超音波溶接でシーム溶接して構成され、リード部２３ａは活物質の非塗着部にて構成されている。そして、この極板群２１の両側において、各リード部２２ａ、２３ａの側縁に対して垂直にニッケル板又はニッケルメッキ鋼板製の正極の集電板２５と負極の集電板２６が溶接接合されている。
【０００５】
リード部２２ａ、２３ａに対する集電板２５、２６の溶接方法としては、図４及び図５（ａ）、（ｂ）に示すように、電子ビーム３０を用いて溶接する方法が提案されている。集電板２５、２６には、その長手方向適当間隔置きに複数箇所（図示例では７箇所）にリード部２２ａ、２３ａ側に向けて凹凸部２７が設けられるとともに、リード部２２ａ、２３ａの側端縁に接する部分にＮｉロウ等のロウ材２８が添着されており、これら集電板２５、２６をリード部２２ａ、２３ａに向けて加圧した状態で、真空中で集電板２５、２６のリード部２２ａ、２３ａと接する面とは反対側の背面側に電子ビーム３０を照射するとともに、この電子ビーム３０を矢印の如く極板積層方向に走査することにより、集電板２５、２６が加熱されてロウ材２８が溶融し、集電板２５、２６とリード部２２ａ、２３ａの側端縁とが溶接される。この溶接動作は、リード部２２ａ、２３ａの長手方向に適当間隔おきの複数箇所に同時に又は継続的に行われる。なお、リード部２２ａ、２３ａには一対の位置決め穴２９ａが形成され、これに位置決めピン２９を挿通してリード部２２ａ、２３ａの側縁部を一平面に揃え、集電板２５、２６との溶接が適切に行われるようにしている。
【０００６】
ところで、上記極板群２１に対して電子ビーム３０にて集電板２５、２６を溶接する際には、真空排気可能に構成されかつ電子ビーム照射手段が配設された加工室内に集電板２５、２６を組み付けた極板群２１を搬入した後、加工室内を真空排気し、所定の真空度になると電子ビーム３０を照射して集電板２５、２６を溶接し、その後加工室内を大気圧に戻して溶接済みの極板群２１を搬出するとともに、次の極板群２１を搬入するという動作を繰り返している。
【０００７】
また、加工室の前後に溶接加工中に加工室内の真空度まで真空排気する搬入用の予備室と、加工室内の真空度から大気圧に戻す搬出用の後室とを配設したものも考えられる。
【０００８】
なお、特開昭５３−１１４７４８号公報には、同一種構造物の多量生産に供する電子ビーム溶接装置において、同一の構造の複数のチャンバーを並列して配設するとともにサイクル運転可能に構成し、各チャンバーにおける溶接工程に対応して単一の電子ビーム照射手段を順次接続する自動着脱機構を設けたものが開示されている。
【０００９】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
ところが、上記のように単一の加工室に極板群２１を搬入した後その加工室を所定の真空度まで真空排気する方法では、所定の真空度になるまで長時間を要し、特に極板群２１を構成している正極板２２には水分が多く内在しているため、たとえ真空度を一挙に高くしてもその水分が時間経過とともに徐々に出てくるために一定以上の真空度を達成するには長時間が必要となり、極板群２１を加工室に搬入した後実際に溶接するまでに長い時間を要し、製造効率が極めて悪く、コスト高になって量産に適さないという問題があった。
【００１０】
また、多数の加工室を配設して同時に溶接加工すれば、量産は可能であるが、加工室は高価な設備となり、それを多数並設すると設備費が極めて高くなって同様にコスト高になるという問題がある。
【００１１】
また、加工室の前後に搬入用の予備室と搬出用の後室を配設した場合でも、所定の真空度に高めるのに大部分の時間を必要とするので、製造タクトはやはり長く、例えば３００秒程度であり、量産が可能な５０秒タクト程度まで短縮することはできないという問題がある。
【００１２】
また、上記特開昭５３−１１４７４８号公報に開示された技術は、極板群２１のように水分を多く内在するワークにおいて真空排気に時間を要するという問題について解決手段を与えるものでなく、また高真空に排気可能な高価なチャンバーを複数配設する必要があり、かつ電子ビーム照射手段を各チャンバーに切り換えて接続する必要があるために構造が複雑となり、設備費が高くなってコスト高になるという問題がある。
【００１３】
本発明は、上記従来の問題点に鑑み、極板群と集電板を電子ビームにて溶接する製造工程において、比較的設備費が嵩まずに製造タクトを短くでき、低コストで量産可能な電池の製造方法及び装置を提供することを目的としている。
【００１４】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明の電池の製造方法は、正極板と負極板をセパレータを介して積層して極板群を形成し、極板群の側縁に集電板を電子ビームを用いて溶接する電池の製造方法であって、極板の乾燥工程と、極板を積層し集電板を組み付ける工程と、集電板を組み付けた極板群を、真空度が順次高くなるように連続して配設された複数段の真空室を順次移動させ、その内で電子ビーム照射が可能な真空度となっている真空室で電子ビームにて溶接する工程とを備えたものであり、予め極板を乾燥させているので、極板群を真空室内に収容してその真空度を高める際に極板に内在する水分が少ないために短時間で真空度を高めることができ、さらに集電板を組み付けた極板群を、真空度が順次高くなるように連続して配設された複数段の真空室を順次移動させ、その内で電子ビーム照射が可能な真空室で電子ビームにて溶接することにより、製造タクトを真空室の数に比例して短くすることができ、コスト低下を図って量産することができる。
【００１５】
また、集電板を組み付けた極板群を、最も真空度の高い真空室で溶接すると、隣接する真空室間での真空度の差が小さいので各真空室において短いタクトで所定の真空度が得られ、これら真空室間で極板群を順次移動させることで製造タクトを短くできるとともに溶接に必要な真空度を得るために必要な時間を確保することができ、かつ決まった真空室にて電子ビームにて溶接するため、電子ビーム照射手段を１つの真空室に設けるだけでよく、設備費を低廉化でき、低コストにて製造することができる。
【００１６】
具体的には、互いに隣接する真空室において、上位段の真空室の下位段側のゲートを開いて極板群を搬入し、ゲートを閉じて所定の真空度に真空排気し、その後上位段側のゲートを開いて上位段の真空室に向けて極板群を搬出する動作を繰り返して極板群を順次移動させると、上記のように極板群を隣接する真空室間で能率的に移動させるとともに、各真空室を短時間で所定の真空度にすることができる。
【００１７】
また、溶接の終わった極板群を、溶接を行う真空室の後段に配設した取り出し用の真空室を介して取り出すと、溶接を行った真空室の真空度を低下することなく、外部に取り出すことができるとともに、この取り出し用の真空室には溶接を行う真空室からの極板群しか搬入されず、真空排気時には内部に極板群等が存在しないので、短時間で真空度を高くすることができ、１つの室を設けるだけで上記製造タクトに影響を与えることもない。
【００１８】
また、少なくとも最下位段の真空室及び取り出し用の真空室の外気側のゲートを開く時には、それらの真空室に乾燥したガスを導入すると、水分を含む外気がこれら真空室に侵入し難くでき、それだけ所定の真空度を達成するまでの時間を短くすることができる。
【００１９】
また、電池の製造装置は、正極板と負極板をセパレータを介して積層して極板群を形成し、極板群の側縁に集電板を電子ビームを用いて溶接する電池の製造装置であって、極板群に集電板を溶接する溶接手段が、真空度が順次高くなるように連続して配設された複数段の予備室と、電子ビーム照射が可能な真空度となっている電子ビーム照射手段を配設された加工室と、極板群を真空度の低い低位段の予備室から加工室に向けて順次移載する手段とを備えたことを特徴とするものであり、上記製造方法を実施してその作用効果を奏し、比較的設備費が嵩まずに製造タクトを短くでき、低コストで量産することができる。
【００２０】
また、電池の製造装置は、集電板を溶接した後の極板群を取り出すための後室をさらに有し、低位段の予備室の真空排気手段はメカニカルブースタポンプを備え、高位段の予備室の真空排気手段は複合ターボ分子ポンプを備え、後室の真空排気手段はメカニカルブースタポンプと複合ターボ分子ポンプを備えていると、１０Ｐａ前後までの低真空度の時に能力を発揮するメカニカルブースタポンプとそれ以上の高真空度になると能力を発揮する複合ターボ分子ポンプのそれぞれの特性を生かして合理的にポンプを配設し、高価なターボ分子ポンプの数を減らして設備費を削減しながら効率的に所定の真空度を達成することができる。
【００２１】
また、最下位段の予備室と後室に乾燥したエア又は不活性ガスを導入する手段を設けると、水分を含む外気がこれらの室に侵入し難くでき、それだけ所定の真空度を達成するまでの時間を短くすることができる。
【００２２】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明の電池の製造方法の一実施形態について、図１、図２を参照して説明する。なお、製造すべき極板群の構成と、集電板の溶接工程の具体構成は、図３〜図５を参照して説明した従来例と同様であり、その説明を援用してここでの説明は省略し、本実施形態の要部である製造工程についてのみ説明する。
【００２３】
電池の製造工程の内、極板群を組み立ててその両側縁に正極と負極の集電板を溶接する工程を示す図１において、まず、正極板工程で製造された正極板を、内在している水分をできるだけ除去するために極板乾燥工程１に供給し、４５℃で、１２時間以上乾燥を行って内在している水分の大部分を除去する。次に、負極板工程で製造された負極板と、上記乾燥された正極板を治具組工程２に供給し、治具上で正極板と負極板をセパレータを介して積層して極板群を形成し、治具にて互いに反対側の側縁に突出された正極板群の側縁と負極群の側縁をそれぞれ一平面に揃えるとともにその上に正極と負極の集電板を組み付ける。
【００２４】
次に、まず負極板群の側縁と集電板の溶接を行うように治具の姿勢をセットした状態で、治具を第１予備室３に供給する。この第１予備室３は、図２に示すように、開閉弁４を介して１段のメカニカルブースタポンプ５が接続され、大気圧から略１０Ｐａ程度の真空度になるまで真空排気するように構成されている。メカニカルブースタポンプ５の排気側には大きな排気量に対応するために一対のロータリポンプ６が接続されている。また、第１予備室３を大気圧に戻す際に内部を乾燥雰囲気に維持するために、ドライエア供給手段７が接続されている。なお、ドライエア供給手段７はドライエアに代えて乾燥した窒素ガス、ヘリウムガスなどの不活性ガスを用いることもできる。また、第１予備室３は治具組工程２側の入口と後続側の出口がゲート８にて気密状態で開閉可能に構成されており、以下の各室も同様に入口と出口がゲート８にて気密状態で開閉可能に構成されている。
【００２５】
そして、第１予備室３内にドライエアを注入して大気圧に戻した後、入口側のゲート８を開いて治具を搬入し、その後ゲート８を閉じ、ポンプ５、６を作動して開閉弁４を開き、第１予備室３内を所定の略１０Ｐａ程度になるまで真空排気する。
【００２６】
次に、治具をより真空度の高い第２予備室９に移動させる。第２予備室９には、開閉弁４を介して２段にメカニカルブースタポンプ５が接続され、圧力が略１０Ｐａから略４Ｐａ程度の真空度になるまで真空排気するように構成されている。メカニカルブースタポンプ５の排気側には一対のロータリポンプ６が接続され、またドライエア供給手段７が接続されている。
【００２７】
そして、第２予備室９内にドライエアを注入して圧力を略１０Ｐａに戻した後、第１予備室３との間の入口側のゲート８を開いて治具を搬入し、その後ゲート８を閉じ、ポンプ５、６を作動して開閉弁４を開き、第２予備室９内を略４Ｐａ程度になるまで真空排気する。
【００２８】
以下、同様に治具をより真空度の高い第３予備室１０、第４予備室１１に順次移動させる。これら第３、第４予備室１０、１１には、開閉弁４を介して複合ターボ分子ポンプ１２が接続され、その排気側にメカニカルブースタポンプ５とロータリポンプ６が直列に接続され、またドライエア供給手段７が接続されている。
【００２９】
そして、第３予備室１０内の圧力を第２予備室９内の圧力４Ｐａに戻した後、入口側のゲート８を開いて治具を搬入し、その後ゲート８を閉じ、ポンプ１２、５、６を作動して開閉弁４を開き、第３予備室１０を略１．４Ｐａ程度になるまで真空排気する。次いで、第４予備室１１内の圧力を第３予備室１０内の圧力１．４Ｐａに戻した後、入口側のゲート８を開いて治具を搬入し、その後ゲート８を閉じ、ポンプ１２、５、６を作動して開閉弁４を開き、第４予備室１１を１．０Ｐａ程度になるまで真空排気する。
【００３０】
次に、治具を第４予備室１１から加工室１３に移動させる。加工室１３には集電板を極板群の側縁に溶接する電子ビーム照射手段が配設されている。また、加工室１３も、開閉弁４を介して複合ターボ分子ポンプ１２が接続され、その排気側にメカニカルブースタポンプ５とロータリポンプ６が直列に接続され、またドライエア供給手段７が接続されている。
【００３１】
そして、第４予備室１１が略１．０Ｐａ程度の真空度になると、入口側のゲート８を開いて治具を加工室１３に搬入し、ゲート８を閉じた後、電子ビーム照射手段にて集電板の所定の溶接箇所に電子ビームを照射して溶接する。この電子ビームの溶接は、１．３３Ｐａ程度の真空度が必要であるが十分な真空度が確保された状態で溶接が行われる。なお、ドライエア供給手段７は加工室１３内を乾燥した雰囲気に保持するために使用され、適宜乾燥したガスを導入するとともに真空排気することによって所定の真空度が維持される。
【００３２】
極板群に対して集電板の溶接が終了すると、治具を後室１４に移動させる。後室１４には、適宜切り換え可能な一対の開閉弁４を介してメカニカルブースタポンプ５と複合ターボ分子ポンプ１２とが接続され、メカニカルブースタポンプ５の排気側には一対のロータリポンプ６が接続され、さらに複合ターボ分子ポンプ１２の排気側は上記メカニカルブースタポンプ５に接続されている。また、後室１４にはドライエア供給手段７が接続されている。
【００３３】
そして、後室１４内をメカニカルブースタポンプ５と一対のロータリポンプ６にて４Ｐａ程度まで真空排気した後、連続して複合ターボ分子ポンプ１２にて略１．０Ｐａ程度まで真空排気する。その際、後室１４には治具や極板群が存在していないので、短時間で所定の真空度まで真空排気することができる。次いで、入口側のゲート８を開いて治具を搬入し、そのゲート８を閉じる。その後、ドライエア供給手段７にてドライエアを注入してドライエア雰囲気で圧力を大気圧まで戻し、出口側のゲート８を開いて治具を搬出し、その後ゲート８を閉じる。
【００３４】
以上の工程を順次繰り返すことによって、極板群における負極板群の側縁に集電板が順次溶接されて後室１４から搬出される。搬出された治具は、反転機１５に供給されて次に極板群における正極板群の側縁に集電板を溶接するように治具の姿勢が反転され、正極側の集電板を溶接するための第１予備室１６に搬入され、以下上記負極板の場合と同様に、第２予備室１７、第３予備室１８を経て順次真空度を高めて加工室１９に移動され、加工室１９で溶接加工が行われた後、後室２０を介して排出され、後続する工程に供給される。
【００３５】
なお、上記実施形態では、ドライエア供給手段７をすべての室に設けた例を示したが、外部に対して治具を搬入・搬出するために外部に開放される第１予備室３と後室１４に設けるだけでもよい。しかし、全ての室に設けると各室で発生した水分を直ちにドライエアに置換するので乾燥状態を維持して真空度の達成時間を短くすることができ、またゲート８を開いた時の圧力変動を無くすことができる。
【００３６】
以上の実施形態によれば、極板乾燥工程１で極板を乾燥させているので、第１〜第４予備室３、９〜１１内に極板群を収容してその真空度を高める際に短時間で真空度を高めることができる。また、真空度が順次高くなるように連続して配設された複数段の予備室３、９〜１１を順次移動させ、最も真空度の高い加工室１３で溶接するようにしているので、隣接する予備室間での真空度の差が小さく、各予備室において短いタクトで所定の真空度が得られる。従って、これら予備室３、９〜１１間で極板群を順次移動させることで製造タクトを短くできるとともに、予備室３、９〜１１を順次移動することで溶接に必要な真空度を得るために必要な時間を確保することができ、かつ決まった加工室１３にて電子ビームにて溶接するため、高価な電子ビーム照射手段を加工室１３のみに設けるだけでよく、設備費を低廉化でき、低コストにて製造することができる。
【００３７】
また、溶接の終わった極板群を後室１４を介して取り出すようにしているので、加工室１３の真空度を低下することなく外部に取り出すことができ、しかもその後室１３は短時間で真空度を高くすることができ、１つの室を設けるだけで上記製造タクトに影響を与えることもない。
【００３８】
また、少なくとも第１予備室３と後室１４にドライエア供給手段７を設けて外気側のゲート８を開く時に乾燥したガスを導入するようにしているので、水分を含む外気がこれら真空室に侵入し難くでき、それだけ所定の真空度を達成するまでの時間を短くすることができる。
【００３９】
また、第１、第２予備室３、９の真空排気手段には空気が流体の時に能力を発揮するメカニカルブースタポンプ５を、第３、第４予備室１０、１１の真空排気手段には空気が分子レベルになると能力を発揮する複合ターボ分子ポンプ１２を、後室１４の真空排気手段にはメカニカルブースタポンプ５と複合ターボ分子ポンプ１２を配設し、高価な複合ターボ分子ポンプ１２の数を減らしているので、設備費を削減しながら効率的に所定の真空度を達成することができる。
【００４０】
【発明の効果】
本発明の電池の製造方法によれば、極板の乾燥工程と、極板を積層し集電板を組み付ける工程と、集電板を組み付けた極板群を、真空度が順次高くなるように連続して配設された複数段の真空室を順次移動させ、その内で電子ビーム照射が可能な真空度となっている真空室で電子ビームにて溶接する工程とを備えているので、極板に内在する水分が少ないために短時間で真空度を高めることができ、さらに集電板を組み付けた極板群を、真空度が順次高くなるように連続して配設された複数段の真空室を順次移動させ、その内で電子ビーム照射が可能な真空室で電子ビームにて溶接することにより、製造タクトを真空室の数に比例して短くすることができ、コスト低下を図って量産することができる。
【００４１】
特に、集電板を組み付けた極板群を、最も真空度の高い真空室で溶接すると、隣接する真空室間での真空度の差が小さいので各真空室において短いタクトで所定の真空度が得られ、これら真空室間で極板群を順次移動させることで製造タクトを短くできるとともに溶接に必要な真空度を得るために必要な時間を確保することができ、かつ決まった真空室にて電子ビームにて溶接するため、電子ビーム照射手段を１つの真空室に設けるだけでよく、設備費を低廉化でき、低コストにて製造することができる。
【００４２】
また、溶接の終わった極板群を、溶接を行う真空室の後段に配設した取り出し用の真空室を介して取り出すと、溶接を行った真空室の真空度を低下することなく、外部に取り出すことができるとともに、この取り出し用の真空室は真空排気時に内部に極板群等が存在しないために短時間で真空度を高くすることができ、１つの室を設けるだけで上記製造タクトに影響を与えることもない。
【００４３】
また、少なくとも最下位段の真空室及び取り出し用の真空室の外気側のゲートを開く時には、それらの真空室に乾燥したガスを導入すると、水分を含む外気がこれら真空室に侵入し難くでき、それだけ所定の真空度を達成するまでの時間を短くすることができる。
【００４４】
また、本発明の電池の製造装置によれば、真空度が順次高くなるように連続して配設された複数段の予備室と、電子ビーム照射が可能な真空度となっている電子ビーム照射手段を配設された加工室と、極板群を真空度の低い低位段の予備室から加工室に向けて順次移載する手段とを備えているので、上記製造方法を実施してその作用効果を奏し、比較的設備費が嵩まずに製造タクトを短くでき、低コストで量産することができる。
【００４５】
また、電池の製造装置は、集電板を溶接した後の極板群を取り出すための後室をさらに有し、低位段の予備室の真空排気手段はメカニカルブースタポンプを備え、高位段の予備室の真空排気手段は複合ターボ分子ポンプを備え、後室の真空排気手段はメカニカルブースタポンプと複合ターボ分子ポンプを備えていると、高価なターボ分子ポンプの数を減らして設備費を削減しながら効率的に所定の真空度を達成することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の一実施形態の電池の製造方法の工程説明図である。
【図２】同実施形態における予備室、加工室及び後室の真空排気系の構成と各室における真空度の説明図である。
【図３】同実施形態における極板群の構成を示し、（ａ）は斜視図、（ｂ）は（ａ）のＡ−Ａ矢視断面図である。
【図４】極板群と集電板の溶着工程の斜視図である。
【図５】同溶着工程を示し、（ａ）は要部の正面図、（ｂ）は側面図である。
【符号の説明】
１極板乾燥工程
２治具組工程
３、１６第１予備室
５メカニカルブースタポンプ
７ドライエア供給手段
８ゲート
９、１７第２予備室
１０、１８第３予備室
１１第４予備室
１２複合ターボ分子ポンプ
１３、１９加工室
１４、２０後室[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a battery manufacturing method, and more particularly to a battery manufacturing method and apparatus for welding an electrode plate group and a current collector plate with an electron beam.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, as a nickel metal hydride secondary battery, an electrode plate group 21 as shown in FIG. 3 is placed in a rectangular parallelepiped battery case (not shown) having an upper surface opening having a narrow short side surface and a wide long side surface. It has been proposed that the battery is housed together with an electrolytic solution, and the upper surface opening of the battery case is integrally closed with a lid (not shown).
[0003]
As shown in detail in FIG. 3 (b), the electrode plate group 21 is coated with an active material in which a hydrogen storage alloy powder is pasted on a plurality of positive electrode plates 22 made of Ni foam metal and Ni punching metal. The plurality of attached negative plates 23 are alternately arranged, and each positive plate 22 is covered with a bag-like separator 24 made of a polypropylene non-woven fabric having openings in the lateral direction. The separator 24 is laminated with a separator 24 interposed therebetween.
[0004]
In addition, the positive electrode plate 22 group and the negative electrode plate 23 group are provided with lead portions 22 a and 23 a with the opposite side edge portions protruding outward. The lead portion 22a is configured by pressurizing and compressing foam metal and seam welding a lead plate to one surface thereof by ultrasonic welding, and the lead portion 23a is configured by an active material non-coated portion. On both sides of the electrode plate group 21, a positive current collector plate 25 and a negative current collector plate 26 made of a nickel plate or a nickel-plated steel plate are welded and joined perpendicularly to the side edges of the lead portions 22a and 23a. ing.
[0005]
As a method of welding the current collector plates 25 and 26 to the lead portions 22a and 23a, a method of welding using an electron beam 30 has been proposed as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5A and 5B. The current collecting plates 25 and 26 are provided with concave and convex portions 27 at a plurality of locations (seven locations in the illustrated example) toward the lead portions 22a and 23a at appropriate intervals in the longitudinal direction, and on the side of the lead portions 22a and 23a. A brazing material 28 such as Ni brazing is attached to a portion in contact with the edge, and the current collecting plates 25 and 26 are vacuumed in a state where these current collecting plates 25 and 26 are pressed toward the lead portions 22a and 23a. By irradiating the electron beam 30 on the back side opposite to the surface in contact with the lead portions 22a and 23a, and scanning the electron beam 30 in the electrode plate stacking direction as shown by the arrows, the current collecting plates 25 and 26 The brazing material 28 is melted by heating, and the current collector plates 25 and 26 are welded to the side edges of the lead portions 22a and 23a. This welding operation is performed simultaneously or continuously at a plurality of locations at appropriate intervals in the longitudinal direction of the lead portions 22a and 23a. In addition, a pair of positioning holes 29a are formed in the lead portions 22a and 23a, and the positioning pins 29 are inserted into the lead portions 22a and 23a so that the side edges of the lead portions 22a and 23a are aligned on one plane. We ensure that welding is done properly.
[0006]
By the way, when the current collector plates 25 and 26 are welded to the electrode plate group 21 by the electron beam 30, the current collector plates are arranged in a processing chamber that is configured to be evacuated and in which the electron beam irradiation means is disposed. After carrying in the electrode plate group 21 assembled with 25, 26, the processing chamber is evacuated, and when the degree of vacuum is reached, the electron beam 30 is irradiated to weld the current collecting plates 25, 26, and then the processing chamber is enlarged. The operation of returning to the atmospheric pressure and carrying out the welded electrode plate group 21 and carrying in the next electrode plate group 21 are repeated.
[0007]
In addition, it is also possible to arrange a carry-in spare chamber for evacuating to a vacuum level in the processing chamber before and after the processing chamber, and a back-out chamber for returning to the atmospheric pressure from the vacuum level in the processing chamber. It is done.
[0008]
In JP-A-53-114748, in an electron beam welding apparatus for mass production of the same type of structure, a plurality of chambers having the same structure are arranged in parallel and can be operated in a cycle. A device provided with an automatic attachment / detachment mechanism for sequentially connecting a single electron beam irradiation means corresponding to the welding process in each chamber is disclosed.
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the method in which the electrode plate group 21 is carried into a single processing chamber as described above and the processing chamber is evacuated to a predetermined vacuum level, a long time is required until the predetermined vacuum level is reached. Since the positive electrode plate 22 constituting the plate group 21 contains a lot of moisture, even if the degree of vacuum is increased at once, the moisture gradually comes out with the passage of time. It takes a long time to achieve the above, and it takes a long time to actually weld the electrode group 21 after carrying it into the processing chamber. There was a problem.
[0010]
Mass production is possible if a large number of processing chambers are arranged and welded at the same time. However, the processing chambers are expensive equipment, and if many of them are arranged side by side, the equipment cost becomes extremely high and the cost is similarly increased. There is a problem of becoming.
[0011]
Also, even when a preparatory chamber for loading and a rear chamber for unloading are arranged before and after the processing chamber, it takes a long time to increase the degree of vacuum to a predetermined degree. There is a problem that it is about 300 seconds, and cannot be shortened to about 50 seconds, which allows mass production.
[0012]
Further, the technique disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 53-114748 does not provide a solution for the problem that it takes time to evacuate a workpiece that contains a lot of moisture like the electrode plate group 21. It is necessary to arrange multiple expensive chambers that can be evacuated to high vacuum, and it is necessary to switch and connect the electron beam irradiation means to each chamber, resulting in a complicated structure and high equipment costs. There is a problem of becoming.
[0013]
In view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, the present invention can shorten the manufacturing tact without relatively increasing the equipment cost in the manufacturing process of welding the electrode plate group and the current collector plate with an electron beam, and can be mass-produced at a low cost. It aims at providing the manufacturing method and apparatus of a battery.
[0014]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The battery manufacturing method of the present invention is a battery manufacturing method in which a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate are laminated via a separator to form an electrode plate group, and a current collector plate is welded to the side edge of the electrode plate group using an electron beam. In this method, the electrode plate drying step, the electrode plate stacking and current collecting plate assembly, and the electrode plate assembly assembled with the current collector plate are continuously arranged so that the degree of vacuum becomes higher in order. A plurality of stages of vacuum chambers are sequentially moved, and a step of welding with electron beams in a vacuum chamber in which the degree of vacuum is such that electron beam irradiation is possible, and the electrode plate is dried in advance. Therefore, when the electrode plate group is housed in the vacuum chamber and the degree of vacuum is increased, the degree of vacuum can be increased in a short time because the amount of moisture contained in the electrode plate is small, and the electrode assembled with the current collector plate The plate group is moved sequentially through the multi-stage vacuum chambers arranged in succession so that the degree of vacuum increases sequentially. , By welding with an electron beam in an electron beam irradiation vacuum chamber possible in them, can be shortened in proportion to production tact on the number of the vacuum chamber, it can be mass-produced work to lower costs.
[0015]
Further, the electrode plate group assembled with the current collector plate, the welding at high vacuum chamber of most vacuum, a predetermined degree of vacuum in a short tact the difference in the degree of vacuum is small in each vacuum chamber between the vacuum chamber adjacent The production cycle can be shortened by sequentially moving the electrode plate group between these vacuum chambers, and the time required to obtain the degree of vacuum necessary for welding can be secured, and the vacuum chambers can be fixed. Therefore, it is only necessary to provide the electron beam irradiation means in one vacuum chamber, so that the equipment cost can be reduced and manufacturing can be performed at a low cost.
[0016]
Specifically, in the vacuum chambers adjacent to each other, the lower stage side gate of the upper stage vacuum chamber is opened, the electrode plate group is loaded, the gate is closed, and the vacuum is exhausted to a predetermined degree of vacuum. If the electrode plate group is moved sequentially by repeating the operation of opening the gate and unloading the electrode plate group toward the upper vacuum chamber, the electrode plate group is efficiently moved between adjacent vacuum chambers as described above. In addition, each vacuum chamber can be set to a predetermined degree of vacuum in a short time.
[0017]
In addition, when the electrode group that has been welded is taken out through a vacuum chamber for removal disposed downstream of the vacuum chamber to be welded, the vacuum degree of the vacuum chamber in which the welding has been performed is reduced to the outside without lowering the vacuum degree. In addition to being able to take out, only the electrode plate group from the vacuum chamber to be welded is carried into the vacuum chamber for taking out, and there is no electrode plate group or the like inside during evacuation, so the degree of vacuum can be increased in a short time. The manufacturing tact is not affected only by providing one chamber.
[0018]
In addition, when opening the gates on the outside air side of at least the lowest-stage vacuum chamber and the vacuum chamber for extraction, introducing dry gas into these vacuum chambers makes it difficult for outside air containing moisture to enter these vacuum chambers, Accordingly, the time required to achieve a predetermined degree of vacuum can be shortened.
[0019]
Also, the battery manufacturing apparatus is a battery manufacturing apparatus in which a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate are laminated via a separator to form an electrode plate group, and a current collector plate is welded to the side edge of the electrode plate group using an electron beam. The welding means for welding the current collector plate to the electrode plate group has a plurality of preliminary chambers arranged continuously so that the degree of vacuum is sequentially increased, and a degree of vacuum capable of electron beam irradiation. and a processing chamber disposed an electron beam irradiation unit are, characterized in that a means for sequentially transferring toward the electrode plate group to the processing chamber from the auxiliary chamber of the lower low stages of vacuum Yes, the above-described manufacturing method can be implemented to achieve its effects, and the manufacturing tact can be shortened with relatively little equipment cost, and mass production can be achieved at low cost.
[0020]
The battery manufacturing apparatus further includes a rear chamber for taking out the electrode plate group after the current collector plates are welded, and the vacuum exhaust means of the lower stage preliminary chamber includes a mechanical booster pump, and the higher stage standby The chamber vacuum exhaust means is equipped with a composite turbo molecular pump, and the rear chamber vacuum exhaust means is equipped with a mechanical booster pump and a composite turbo molecular pump. Efficiently reduce the cost of equipment by reducing the number of expensive turbo molecular pumps by rationally arranging pumps by taking advantage of the characteristics of composite turbo molecular pumps that demonstrate their capabilities at higher vacuum levels Thus, a predetermined degree of vacuum can be achieved.
[0021]
In addition, if means for introducing dry air or inert gas is provided in the lowermost preliminary chamber and the rear chamber, it is difficult for outside air containing moisture to enter these chambers until a predetermined degree of vacuum is achieved. The time can be shortened.
[0022]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of a battery manufacturing method of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, the structure of the electrode plate group to be manufactured and the specific structure of the current collector plate welding process are the same as those of the conventional example described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5. The description is omitted, and only the manufacturing process which is the main part of the present embodiment will be described.
[0023]
In FIG. 1 showing the process of assembling the electrode plate group and welding the positive and negative electrode current collector plates to both side edges of the battery manufacturing process, first, the positive electrode plate manufactured in the positive electrode plate process is inherently contained. In order to remove as much moisture as possible, it is supplied to the electrode plate drying step 1 and dried at 45 ° C. for 12 hours or more to remove most of the inherent moisture. Next, the negative electrode plate manufactured in the negative electrode plate step and the dried positive electrode plate are supplied to the jig assembly step 2, and the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate are laminated on the jig via the separator to form an electrode plate group The side edges of the positive electrode plate group and the side edges of the negative electrode group, which are protruded from the opposite side edges by the jig, are aligned on one plane, and the positive and negative electrode current collector plates are assembled thereon.
[0024]
Next, the jig is first supplied to the first preliminary chamber 3 with the posture of the jig set so as to weld the side edge of the negative electrode plate group and the current collector plate. As shown in FIG. 2, the first preliminary chamber 3 is connected to a first-stage mechanical booster pump 5 via an on-off valve 4 and is configured to evacuate until the degree of vacuum is about 10 Pa from atmospheric pressure. Has been. A pair of rotary pumps 6 is connected to the exhaust side of the mechanical booster pump 5 in order to cope with a large displacement. A dry air supply means 7 is connected to maintain the inside in a dry atmosphere when returning the first preliminary chamber 3 to atmospheric pressure. Note that the dry air supply means 7 may use dry inert gas such as nitrogen gas or helium gas instead of dry air. In addition, the first preliminary chamber 3 is configured such that the inlet on the jig assembly process 2 side and the outlet on the subsequent side can be opened and closed with a gate 8 in an airtight state. It can be opened and closed in an airtight state.
[0025]
Then, after injecting dry air into the first preliminary chamber 3 to return to the atmospheric pressure, the gate 8 on the inlet side is opened and a jig is loaded, and then the gate 8 is closed and the pumps 5 and 6 are operated to open and close. The valve 4 is opened and the inside of the first preliminary chamber 3 is evacuated to a predetermined level of about 10 Pa.
[0026]
Next, the jig is moved to the second preliminary chamber 9 having a higher degree of vacuum. A mechanical booster pump 5 is connected to the second preliminary chamber 9 in two stages through the on-off valve 4 so that the pressure is evacuated until the pressure reaches a vacuum level of about 10 Pa to about 4 Pa. A pair of rotary pumps 6 are connected to the exhaust side of the mechanical booster pump 5, and dry air supply means 7 is connected.
[0027]
And after injecting dry air in the 2nd preliminary | backup chamber 9 and returning pressure to about 10 Pa, the gate 8 of the entrance side between the 1st preliminary | backup chamber 3 is opened, a jig | tool is carried in, and the gate 8 is made into the after that. Then, the pumps 5 and 6 are operated to open the on-off valve 4, and the second preliminary chamber 9 is evacuated to about 4 Pa.
[0028]
Hereinafter, similarly, the jig is sequentially moved to the third preliminary chamber 10 and the fourth preliminary chamber 11 having a higher degree of vacuum. A composite turbo molecular pump 12 is connected to the third and fourth auxiliary chambers 10 and 11 through an on-off valve 4, a mechanical booster pump 5 and a rotary pump 6 are connected in series to the exhaust side, and dry air is supplied. Means 7 are connected.
[0029]
Then, after the pressure in the third preliminary chamber 10 is returned to the pressure 4 Pa in the second preliminary chamber 9, the gate 8 on the inlet side is opened to load the jig, and then the gate 8 is closed, and the pumps 12, 5, 6 is operated to open the on-off valve 4 and the third preliminary chamber 10 is evacuated to about 1.4 Pa. Next, after the pressure in the fourth preliminary chamber 11 is returned to the pressure of 1.4 Pa in the third preliminary chamber 10, the gate 8 on the inlet side is opened to load the jig, and then the gate 8 is closed, the pump 12, 5 and 6 are operated to open the on-off valve 4 and the fourth preliminary chamber 11 is evacuated to about 1.0 Pa.
[0030]
Next, the jig is moved from the fourth preliminary chamber 11 to the processing chamber 13. The processing chamber 13 is provided with electron beam irradiation means for welding the current collector plate to the side edge of the electrode plate group. The processing chamber 13 is also connected to the composite turbo molecular pump 12 via the on-off valve 4, the mechanical booster pump 5 and the rotary pump 6 are connected in series to the exhaust side, and the dry air supply means 7 is connected. .
[0031]
When the fourth preliminary chamber 11 has a vacuum degree of about 1.0 Pa, the gate 8 on the inlet side is opened, the jig is loaded into the processing chamber 13, the gate 8 is closed, and then the electron beam irradiation means is used. Welding is performed by irradiating an electron beam onto a predetermined welding portion of the current collector plate. This electron beam welding requires a degree of vacuum of about 1.33 Pa, but is performed in a state where a sufficient degree of vacuum is secured. The dry air supply means 7 is used to keep the inside of the processing chamber 13 in a dry atmosphere, and a predetermined degree of vacuum is maintained by introducing and appropriately evacuating a dry gas.
[0032]
When the welding of the current collector plate to the electrode plate group is completed, the jig is moved to the rear chamber 14. A mechanical booster pump 5 and a composite turbo molecular pump 12 are connected to the rear chamber 14 via a pair of on-off valves 4 that can be switched as appropriate. A pair of rotary pumps 6 is connected to the exhaust side of the mechanical booster pump 5. Further, the exhaust side of the composite turbo molecular pump 12 is connected to the mechanical booster pump 5. A dry air supply means 7 is connected to the rear chamber 14.
[0033]
The interior of the rear chamber 14 is evacuated to about 4 Pa with the mechanical booster pump 5 and the pair of rotary pumps 6, and then continuously evacuated to about 1.0 Pa with the composite turbo molecular pump 12. At that time, since there is no jig or electrode plate group in the rear chamber 14, it is possible to evacuate to a predetermined degree of vacuum in a short time. Next, the gate 8 on the entrance side is opened, a jig is loaded, and the gate 8 is closed. Thereafter, dry air is injected by the dry air supply means 7 to return the pressure to the atmospheric pressure in the dry air atmosphere, the gate 8 on the outlet side is opened, the jig is carried out, and then the gate 8 is closed.
[0034]
By sequentially repeating the above steps, the current collector plate is sequentially welded to the side edge of the negative electrode plate group in the electrode plate group and is carried out of the rear chamber 14. The unloaded jig is supplied to the reversing machine 15, and then the attitude of the jig is reversed so that the current collecting plate is welded to the side edge of the positive electrode group in the electrode plate group. In the same way as in the case of the negative electrode plate, it is carried into the first preliminary chamber 16 for welding and subsequently moved to the processing chamber 19 with the degree of vacuum being increased sequentially through the second preliminary chamber 17 and the third preliminary chamber 18. After the welding process is performed in the chamber 19, it is discharged through the rear chamber 20 and supplied to the subsequent process.
[0035]
In the above embodiment, the dry air supply means 7 is provided in all the chambers. However, the first preliminary chamber 3 and the rear chamber that are opened to the outside in order to load and unload the jig from the outside. 14 may be provided. However, if it is provided in all the chambers, the moisture generated in each chamber is immediately replaced with dry air, so that the dry state can be maintained and the achievement time of the vacuum degree can be shortened, and the pressure fluctuation when the gate 8 is opened can be reduced. It can be lost.
[0036]
According to the above embodiment, since the electrode plate is dried in the electrode plate drying step 1, the electrode plate group is accommodated in the first to fourth preliminary chambers 3 and 9 to 11 to increase the degree of vacuum. The degree of vacuum can be increased in a short time. In addition, the plurality of preliminary chambers 3 and 9 to 11 that are continuously arranged so that the degree of vacuum sequentially increases are sequentially moved and welded in the processing chamber 13 having the highest degree of vacuum. The difference in the degree of vacuum between the spare chambers is small, and a predetermined degree of vacuum can be obtained with a short tact in each spare chamber. Therefore, the manufacturing tact can be shortened by sequentially moving the electrode plate group between the preliminary chambers 3 and 9 to 11, and the degree of vacuum required for welding can be obtained by sequentially moving the preliminary chambers 3 and 9 to 11. Can be secured, and since welding is performed with an electron beam in a predetermined processing chamber 13, it is only necessary to provide an expensive electron beam irradiation means only in the processing chamber 13, and the equipment cost can be reduced. Can be manufactured at low cost.
[0037]
In addition, since the electrode plate group after welding is taken out through the rear chamber 14, it can be taken out without lowering the degree of vacuum in the processing chamber 13, and the rear chamber 13 is vacuumed in a short time. It is possible to increase the degree, and the provision of one chamber does not affect the manufacturing tact.
[0038]
Further, since dry air supply means 7 is provided at least in the first preliminary chamber 3 and the rear chamber 14 so that dry gas is introduced when the gate 8 on the outside air side is opened, the outside air containing moisture enters these vacuum chambers. Therefore, the time required to achieve a predetermined degree of vacuum can be shortened.
[0039]
Further, the vacuum evacuation means of the first and second preliminary chambers 3 and 9 is provided with a mechanical booster pump 5 that exhibits its ability when air is a fluid, and the vacuum evacuation means of the third and fourth preliminary chambers 10 and 11 is provided with air. The composite turbo molecular pump 12 that exhibits its ability at the molecular level is provided, and the mechanical booster pump 5 and the composite turbo molecular pump 12 are disposed in the vacuum exhaust means of the rear chamber 14, and the number of expensive composite turbo molecular pumps 12 is increased. Since the number is reduced, it is possible to efficiently achieve a predetermined degree of vacuum while reducing equipment costs.
[0040]
【The invention's effect】
According to the battery manufacturing method of the present invention, the electrode plate drying step, the step of stacking the electrode plates and assembling the current collector plates, and the electrode plate group assembled with the current collector plates are sequentially increased in vacuum. A step of sequentially moving a plurality of vacuum chambers arranged continuously, and welding with an electron beam in a vacuum chamber having a degree of vacuum within which electron beam irradiation is possible. Since the moisture contained in the plate is small, the degree of vacuum can be increased in a short time, and the electrode plate group assembled with the current collector plate is arranged in a plurality of stages continuously arranged so that the degree of vacuum increases sequentially. By sequentially moving the vacuum chamber and welding with an electron beam in a vacuum chamber in which electron beam irradiation is possible, the manufacturing tact can be shortened in proportion to the number of vacuum chambers, and the cost is reduced. Can be mass-produced.
[0041]
In particular, the electrode plate group assembled with the current collector plate, the welding at high vacuum chamber of most vacuum, a predetermined degree of vacuum in a short tact the difference in the degree of vacuum is small in each vacuum chamber between the vacuum chamber adjacent The production cycle can be shortened by sequentially moving the electrode plate group between these vacuum chambers, and the time required to obtain the degree of vacuum necessary for welding can be secured, and the vacuum chambers can be fixed. Therefore, it is only necessary to provide the electron beam irradiation means in one vacuum chamber, so that the equipment cost can be reduced and manufacturing can be performed at a low cost.
[0042]
In addition, when the electrode group that has been welded is taken out through a vacuum chamber for removal disposed downstream of the vacuum chamber to be welded, the vacuum degree of the vacuum chamber in which the welding has been performed is reduced to the outside without lowering the vacuum degree. The vacuum chamber for removal can be removed in a short time because there is no electrode plate group or the like at the time of evacuation, and the degree of vacuum can be increased in a short time. There is no impact.
[0043]
In addition, when opening the gates on the outside air side of at least the lowest-stage vacuum chamber and the vacuum chamber for extraction, introducing dry gas into these vacuum chambers makes it difficult for outside air containing moisture to enter these vacuum chambers, Accordingly, the time required to achieve a predetermined degree of vacuum can be shortened.
[0044]
In addition, according to the battery manufacturing apparatus of the present invention, a plurality of preliminary chambers that are continuously arranged so that the degree of vacuum sequentially increases, and electron beam irradiation that has a degree of vacuum that allows electron beam irradiation. a processing chamber disposed means, since a means for sequentially transferring toward the electrode plate group to the processing chamber from the auxiliary chamber of the lower low stages of vacuum, its action to implement the above manufacturing method It has an effect, the production cost can be shortened with relatively little equipment cost, and mass production can be achieved at low cost.
[0045]
The battery manufacturing apparatus further includes a rear chamber for taking out the electrode plate group after the current collector plates are welded, and the vacuum exhaust means of the lower stage preliminary chamber includes a mechanical booster pump, and the higher stage standby The vacuum pumping means in the chamber is equipped with a composite turbo molecular pump, and the vacuum pumping means in the rear chamber is equipped with a mechanical booster pump and a composite turbo molecular pump. A predetermined degree of vacuum can be achieved efficiently.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a process explanatory diagram of a battery manufacturing method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration of a vacuum exhaust system of a preliminary chamber, a processing chamber, and a rear chamber and a degree of vacuum in each chamber in the same embodiment.
3A and 3B show a configuration of an electrode plate group according to the embodiment, where FIG. 3A is a perspective view, and FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a welding process of an electrode plate group and a current collector plate.
5A and 5B show the welding process, in which FIG. 5A is a front view of the main part, and FIG. 5B is a side view.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electrode plate drying process 2 Jig assembly process 3, 16 First preliminary chamber 5 Mechanical booster pump 7 Dry air supply means 8 Gates 9, 17 Second preliminary chamber 10, 18 Third preliminary chamber 11 Fourth preliminary chamber 12 Compound turbomolecule Pumps 13, 19 Processing chambers 14, 20 Rear chamber

Claims

A method of manufacturing a battery in which a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate are laminated via a separator to form an electrode plate group, and a current collector plate is welded to the side edge of the electrode plate group using an electron beam. The process, the process of stacking the electrode plates and assembling the current collector plates, and the group of electrode plates assembled with the current collector plates are sequentially moved through multiple stages of vacuum chambers that are continuously arranged to increase the degree of vacuum. And a step of welding with an electron beam in a vacuum chamber having a degree of vacuum capable of electron beam irradiation.

The current collector plate to the assembled electrode group, method for producing a battery according to claim 1, wherein the welding with a high vacuum chamber of most vacuum.

In the vacuum chambers adjacent to each other, open the lower gate of the upper vacuum chamber and carry in the electrode plate group, close the gate and evacuate to a predetermined degree of vacuum, and then open the upper gate. 3. The battery manufacturing method according to claim 2, wherein the electrode plate group is sequentially moved by repeating the operation of carrying out the electrode plate group toward the upper vacuum chamber.

The battery manufacturing method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the electrode plate group after welding is taken out through a take-out vacuum chamber disposed downstream of the vacuum chamber in which welding is performed.

5. The method of manufacturing a battery according to claim 4, wherein when the gate on the outside air side of at least the lowest-stage vacuum chamber and the vacuum chamber for removal is opened, a dry gas is introduced into the vacuum chamber.

A battery manufacturing apparatus in which a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate are laminated via a separator to form an electrode plate group, and a current collector plate is welded to the side edge of the electrode plate group using an electron beam. The welding means for welding the current collector plate includes a plurality of preliminary chambers that are continuously arranged so that the degree of vacuum becomes higher, and an electron beam irradiation means that has a degree of vacuum capable of electron beam irradiation. a set processability chamber, battery manufacturing apparatus characterized by comprising a means for sequentially transferring toward the electrode plate group to the processing chamber from the auxiliary chamber of the lower low stages of vacuum.

A rear chamber for taking out the electrode plate group after welding the current collector plate;
The vacuum exhaust means in the lower stage preliminary chamber is equipped with a mechanical booster pump, the vacuum exhaust means in the higher stage preliminary chamber is equipped with a composite turbo molecular pump, and the vacuum exhaust means in the rear chamber is equipped with a mechanical booster pump and a composite turbo molecular pump The battery manufacturing apparatus according to claim 6.

It further has a rear chamber for taking out the electrode plate group after welding the current collector plate, and provided means for introducing dry air or inert gas into the spare chamber at the lowest stage and the rear chamber of the processing chamber The battery manufacturing apparatus according to claim 6 or 7.