JP6795100B2 - Electrode manufacturing equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an electrode manufacturing apparatus.

Conventionally, as an electrode manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing an electrode, the one described in Patent Document 1 is known. In this electrode manufacturing apparatus, an electrode is conveyed by a conveyor and the electrode is pressed by a press roller. When the electrode manufacturing apparatus presses with the press roller, the electrode manufacturing apparatus allows the press to be performed with the electrode slightly inclined with respect to the press roller.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2010-067507

However, it has been found that when the press roller presses the electrode in an inclined state with respect to the press roller, the uniformity of the thickness of the electrode may decrease. That is, there arises a problem that the thickness of the electrode after pressing varies depending on the pressing conditions and the inclination of the electrode.

An object of the present invention is to provide an electrode manufacturing apparatus capable of ensuring uniformity of electrode thickness after pressing regardless of conditions.

The electrode manufacturing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention is an electrode manufacturing apparatus that manufactures electrodes having active material layers on both sides of a metal foil while transporting them in the transport direction, and includes a press unit that presses the electrodes with a press roller. The press portion includes an angle adjusting portion for adjusting the angle of the electrode with respect to the first direction in which the rotation axis of the press roller extends, and the angle adjusting portion is provided on the upstream side of the press portion in the transport direction and supplies the press portion. Adjust the angle of the electrode to be made.

This electrode manufacturing apparatus includes a press unit that presses the electrodes with a press roller, and an angle adjusting unit that adjusts the angle of the electrode with respect to the first direction in which the rotation axis of the press roller of the press unit extends. Further, the angle adjusting unit is provided on the upstream side of the press unit in the transport direction, and adjusts the angle of the electrode supplied to the press unit. Therefore, the angle adjusting unit can supply the electrode to the press unit in a state where the angle of the electrode with respect to the first direction is reduced. The pressing portion can press the electrode in a state where the inclination with respect to the pressing portion is reduced. Therefore, it is possible to suppress variations in the thickness of the electrodes after pressing due to the inclination of the electrodes. As described above, the uniformity of the thickness of the electrode after pressing can be ensured regardless of the conditions.

The electrode manufacturing apparatus may be further provided with a direction changing portion which is provided on the upstream side of the angle adjusting portion in the transport direction and changes the direction of the electrode with respect to the press portion by changing the direction of the transport direction. As a result, even if the inclination of the electrode is increased by changing the direction of the electrode at the direction changing portion, the angle adjusting portion adjusts the angle of the electrode to reduce the inclination of the electrode with respect to the press portion. it can.

The angle adjusting unit is arranged on one side in the first direction with respect to a plurality of transport rollers arranged in the transport direction for transporting the electrodes in the transport direction and the transport rollers in the first direction. A first portion of the plurality of transport rollers is provided with a regulating portion that regulates movement to one side so that one end in the first direction is located downstream in the transport direction. It may be tilted with respect to the direction. As a result, the electrodes transported to the plurality of transport rollers are moved to one side in the first direction while moving in the transport direction. Then, the electrode is restricted from moving to one side in the first direction by the regulation unit. The angle of the electrode is adjusted by positioning the electrode at the regulating portion.

The angle adjusting unit is a pair of positioning portions that support the electrodes and move in the transport direction, and a pair of positioning portions that move in the transport direction and that are separated from each other in the first direction as they move in the transport direction. It may be equipped with a part. As a result, the electrode moves in the transport direction while being supported by the support portion. Then, as the electrodes move in the transport direction, they are sandwiched in the first direction by a pair of positioning portions. The angle of the electrode is adjusted by positioning the electrode at the positioning portion.

The press unit may include a nip roller that guides the electrode to the press roller on the upstream side of the press roller in the transport direction. As a result, the nip roller can smoothly guide the electrode to the press roller.

The electrode manufacturing apparatus may be provided on the downstream side of the press portion in the transport direction, and may further include a thickness inspection portion for inspecting the thickness of the electrode at each position in the first direction. As a result, the thickness inspection unit can inspect the uniformity of the thickness of the electrode after pressing.

The electrode manufacturing apparatus is provided on the upstream side of the press unit and is provided on the detection unit for detecting the state of the electrode, and is provided on the upstream side of the press unit and discharges the electrode from the transport path based on the detection result of the detection unit. A unit and may be further provided. As a result, if there is an electrode that is not in an appropriate state as the electrode supplied to the press unit, the detection unit can detect the electrode in an inappropriate state. Further, the discharge unit can prevent the electrode from being supplied to the press unit by discharging the electrode in an inappropriate state from the transport path.

The angle adjusting unit may be composed of a robot arm. The robot arm can hold the electrodes and adjust the angle.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an electrode manufacturing apparatus capable of ensuring the uniformity of the thickness of the electrode after pressing regardless of the conditions.

It is sectional drawing which shows the inside of the power storage device manufactured by applying the electrode manufacturing apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment. FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. It is a top view which shows the electrode manufacturing apparatus. It is a side view which shows a part of the electrode manufacturing apparatus. It is a graph which shows the variation of the thickness after pressing. It is a top view which shows the electrode manufacturing apparatus which concerns on a modification. It is a side view which shows a part of the electrode manufacturing apparatus which concerns on a modification. It is a top view which shows the electrode manufacturing apparatus which concerns on a modification. It is a side view which shows a part of the electrode manufacturing apparatus which concerns on a modification. It is a top view which shows the electrode manufacturing apparatus which concerns on a modification. It is a side view which shows a part of the electrode manufacturing apparatus which concerns on a modification.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or equivalent elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description will be omitted.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the inside of a power storage device using electrodes manufactured by applying the electrode manufacturing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II of FIG. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the power storage device 1 is a lithium ion secondary battery having a laminated electrode assembly.

The power storage device 1 includes, for example, a case 2 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and an electrode assembly 3 housed in the case 2. The case 2 is made of a metal such as aluminum. Although not shown, a non-aqueous (organic solvent-based) electrolytic solution is injected into the case 2. The positive electrode terminal 4 and the negative electrode terminal 5 are arranged on the case 2 so as to be separated from each other. The positive electrode terminal 4 is fixed to the case 2 via the insulating ring 6, and the negative electrode terminal 5 is fixed to the case 2 via the insulating ring 7. Further, an insulating film is arranged between the electrode assembly 3 and the inner side surface and the bottom surface of the case 2, and the case 2 and the electrode assembly 3 are insulated by the insulating film. In FIG. 1, for convenience, a slight gap is provided between the lower end of the electrode assembly 3 and the bottom surface of the case 2, but in reality, the lower end of the electrode assembly 3 is inside the case 2 via an insulating film. Is in contact with the bottom of the. Further, in order to reduce the rattling of the electrode assembly 3 in the stacking direction of the electrode assembly 3, several spacers are arranged in the gap between the electrode assembly 3 and the case 2. The number of spacers is appropriately adjusted according to the thickness of the electrode assembly 3.

The electrode assembly 3 has a structure in which a plurality of positive electrodes 8 and a plurality of negative electrodes 9 are alternately laminated via a bag-shaped separator 10. The positive electrode 8 is wrapped in a bag-shaped separator 10. The positive electrode 8 in a state of being wrapped in the bag-shaped separator 10 is configured as a positive electrode 11 with a separator. Therefore, the electrode assembly 3 has a structure in which a plurality of positive electrodes 11 with separators and a plurality of negative electrodes 9 are alternately laminated. The electrodes located at both ends of the electrode assembly 3 are negative electrodes 9.

The positive electrode 8 has, for example, a metal foil 14 which is a positive electrode current collector made of an aluminum foil, and a positive electrode active material layer 15 formed on both sides of the metal foil 14. The metal foil 14 has a foil main body portion 14a having a rectangular shape in a plan view and a tab 14b integrated with the foil main body portion 14a. The tab 14b projects from the edge of the foil body 14a near one end in the longitudinal direction. The tab 14b penetrates the separator 10. The plurality of tabs 14b extending from the plurality of positive electrodes 8 are connected (welded) to the conductive member 12 in a foil-collected state, and are connected to the positive electrode terminals 4 via the conductive member 12. In FIG. 2, tab 14b is omitted for convenience.

The positive electrode active material layer 15 is formed on both the front and back surfaces of the foil main body portion 14a. The positive electrode active material layer 15 is a porous layer formed by containing the positive electrode active material and the binder. Examples of the positive electrode active material include composite oxides, metallic lithium, sulfur and the like. Composite oxides include, for example, at least one of manganese, nickel, cobalt and aluminum and lithium.

The negative electrode 9 has, for example, a metal foil 16 which is a negative electrode current collector made of copper foil, and a negative electrode active material layer 17 formed on both sides of the metal foil 16. The metal foil 16 has a foil main body portion 16a having a rectangular shape in a plan view and a tab 16b integrated with the foil main body portion 16a. The tab 16b projects from the edge of the foil body 16a near one end in the longitudinal direction. The tab 16b is connected to the negative electrode terminal 5 via the conductive member 13. In FIG. 2, tab 16b is omitted for convenience.

The negative electrode active material layer 17 is formed on both the front and back surfaces of the foil body portion 16a. The negative electrode active material layer 17 is a porous layer formed by containing the negative electrode active material and the binder. Examples of the negative electrode active material include graphite, highly oriented graphite, mesocarbon microbeads, carbon such as hard carbon and soft carbon, alkali metals such as lithium and sodium, metal compounds, and SiOx (0.5 ≦ x ≦ 1.5). ) And other metal oxides or boron-added carbon and the like.

The separator 10 has a rectangular shape in a plan view. Examples of the material for forming the separator 10 include a porous film made of a polyolefin resin such as polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), or a woven cloth or non-woven fabric made of polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), methyl cellulose and the like. ..

When manufacturing the power storage device 1 configured as described above, first, the positive electrode 11 with a separator and the negative electrode 9 are manufactured, and then the positive electrode 11 with a separator and the negative electrode 9 are alternately laminated to form a laminated body. The electrode assembly 3 is obtained by fixing the positive electrode 11 with a separator and the negative electrode 9 after the positive electrode 11 with a separator and the negative electrode 9 are brought into close contact with each other by pressurizing the laminate. Then, after connecting the tab 14b of the positive electrode 11 with a separator to the positive electrode terminal 4 via the conductive member 12, and connecting the tab 16b of the negative electrode 9 to the negative electrode terminal 5 via the conductive member 13, the electrode assembly 3 is connected to the case. It is housed in 2.

Next, the electrode manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the electrode manufacturing apparatus 100. FIG. 4 is a side view showing a part of the electrode manufacturing apparatus 100. The electrode manufacturing apparatus 100 manufactures the electrode 20 having active material layers on both sides of the metal foil while transporting the electrode 20 in the transport direction D. The electrode 20 manufactured by the electrode manufacturing apparatus 100 may be either a positive electrode 8 or a negative electrode 9. The electrode 20 has edge portions 20a and 20b facing each other in the lateral direction and edges 20c and 20d facing each other in the longitudinal direction. Further, the electrode 20 has a tab 21 on the edge portion 20a. The center line CL2 is set with respect to the lateral direction of the electrode 20.

As shown in FIG. 3, the electrode manufacturing apparatus 100 has a direction changing unit 23, an angle adjusting unit 24, a supply unit 26, a press unit 27, a receiving unit 28, and a thickness in this order from the upstream side in the transport direction D. It includes an inspection unit 29. A conveyor 31 for transporting the electrode 20 is provided on the upstream side of the direction changing portion 23. The direction changing portion 23 of the present embodiment is arranged to change the transport direction of the electrode 20 for the convenience of the layout of the equipment. A conveyor 32 that conveys the electrode 20 is provided between the direction changing portion 23 and the angle adjusting portion 24. In addition, "X-axis" is set for one direction in the horizontal direction, "Y-axis" is set for the direction orthogonal to the X-axis in the horizontal direction, and "Z-axis" is set for the vertical direction. To do. The upper side corresponds to the positive side in the Z-axis direction. Further, the transport direction D from the direction changing section 23 to the thickness inspection section 29 corresponds to the X-axis direction, and the downstream side of the transport direction D corresponds to the positive side in the X-axis direction. Therefore, from the negative side in the X-axis direction to the positive side, the direction changing unit 23, the angle adjusting unit 24, the supply unit 26, the pressing unit 27, the receiving unit 28, and the thickness inspection unit 29 are arranged in this order. In the following description, the description may be made using the XYZ coordinate system. In the following description, "upstream" and "downstream" mean upstream and downstream in the transport direction D.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the press unit 27 includes press rollers 34A and 34B. The press unit 27 presses the electrode 20 with the press rollers 34A and 34B. The press rollers 34A and 34B are arranged in the vertical direction in a state of being parallel to each other. The press roller 34A is arranged on the lower side, and the press roller 34B is arranged on the upper side. Further, the rotation shafts 34a of the press rollers 34A and 34B extend parallel to the Y-axis direction. Hereinafter, the direction in which the rotation shaft 34a extends (first direction) may be referred to as the rotation axis direction. Here, the direction of the rotation axis is parallel to the direction of the Y axis. The center line of the lower press roller 34A is set as the center line CL1. In FIG. 3, the upper press roller 34B is omitted. The electrode 20 is pressed by passing between the press roller 34A and the press roller 34B. Here, from the state before pressing the electrode 20, the outer peripheral surface of the press roller 34A and the outer peripheral surface of the press roller 34B are in contact with each other and a load is applied. That is, no gap is formed between the press roller 34A and the press roller 34B. The electrode 20 is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the press roller 34A and the outer peripheral surface of the press roller 34B, and passes through the press rollers 34A and 34B in a state where sufficient pressing force is applied. The press rollers 34A and 34B are separated from each other, and a gap may be formed.

The electrodes 20 are fed to the press portion 27 in order from the edge portion 20b on the side opposite to the tab 21. Therefore, the electrode 20 is gradually pressed by the press portion 27 from the edge portion 20b toward the edge portion 20a. Further, the electrode 20 is sent to the press unit 27 in a state where the angle with respect to the rotation axis direction in which the rotation shaft 34a extends is approximately 0 °. That is, the center line CL2 and the edge portion 20b of the electrode 20 are pressed by the press portion 27 in a state of being substantially parallel to the Y-axis direction. The angle of the electrode 20 with respect to the rotation axis direction is an angle formed by the center line CL2 of the electrode 20 with respect to the rotation axis direction.

The press unit 27 includes a nip roller 36 that guides the electrode 20 to the press rollers 34A and 34B on the upstream side of the press rollers 34A and 34B in the transport direction D. The nip roller 36 is provided on the front side of a portion where the press roller 34A and the press roller 34B face each other in the vertical direction.

The supply unit 26 supplies the electrode 20 to the press unit 27 at a position adjacent to the press unit 27 on the upstream side. The supply unit 26 includes a conveyor 37 and a drive unit 38. The conveyor 37 has a right-angled triangular shape whose tip becomes thinner toward the downstream side (knife edge conveyor). The height of the upper surface of the conveyor 37 is constant, and the lower surface is inclined. Due to such a shape, the conveyor 37 is arranged at a position close to a portion where the press roller 34A and the press roller 34B face each other in the vertical direction while avoiding interference with the lower press roller 34A. A nip roller 36 is provided at a position corresponding to the tip of the conveyor 37.

The receiving unit 28 receives the electrode 20 pressed by the pressing unit 27 at a position adjacent to the pressing unit 27 on the downstream side. The receiving unit 28 includes a conveyor 39 and a driving unit 40. The conveyor 39 has a right-angled triangular shape whose tip becomes thinner toward the upstream side. The height of the upper surface of the conveyor 39 is constant, and the lower surface is inclined. Due to such a shape, the conveyor 39 is arranged at a position close to a portion where the press roller 34A and the press roller 34B face each other in the vertical direction while avoiding interference with the lower press roller 34A.

The angle adjusting unit 24 is provided on the upstream side of the pressing unit 27 in the transport direction D, and adjusts the angle of the electrode 20 with respect to the rotation axis direction. The angle adjusting unit 24 is arranged on a line forming a linear path with the press unit 27 in the transport path of the electrode 20. That is, no component that can change the angle of the electrode 20 is provided between the angle adjusting portion 24 and the pressing portion 27, such as a direction changing portion described later. The angle adjusting unit 24 is arranged on the upstream side of the press unit 27 only via a component such as the supply unit 26 that can maintain the angle of the electrode 20 adjusted by the angle adjusting unit 24. The angle adjusting unit 24 may be arranged at a position adjacent to the press unit 27 on the upstream side. As a result, the angle adjusting unit 24 can adjust the angle of the electrode 20 supplied to the press unit 27. “Adjusting the angle of the electrode supplied to the press unit” means that after the angle adjustment unit 24 adjusts the angle, the electrode 20 in a state where the adjusted angle is maintained is pressed by the press unit 27. In the embodiment, the angle adjusting unit 24 adjusts the angle of the electrode 20.

As described above, the angle of the electrode 20 with respect to the rotation axis direction (hereinafter, may be simply referred to as “electrode angle”) is an angle formed by the center line CL2 of the electrode 20 with respect to the rotation axis direction. When viewed from above as shown in FIG. 3, the angle of the electrode 20 is equal to the angle between the center line CL2 of the electrode 20 and the center line CL1 of the rotation shaft 34a. The "adjustment of the angle" of the electrode 20 is to change the angle of the electrode 20 within a range in which the direction of the electrode 20 is not changed. Therefore, changing the direction of the electrode 20 by greatly changing the angle of the electrode 20, as in the direction changing portion 23 described later, does not correspond to “adjustment of the angle”. The orientation of the electrode 20 will be described later together with a description of the configuration of the direction changing portion 23. The angle adjusting unit 24 of the electrode 20 adjusts the angle of the electrode 20 so that the center line CL2 of the electrode 20 is parallel to the rotation axis direction. That is, the angle adjusting unit 24 positions the electrode 20 so that the angle of the electrode 20 is approximately 0 °. As a result, the angle adjusting unit 24 can send the electrode 20 to the press unit 27 with the center line CL2 and the edge portion 20b of the electrode 20 substantially parallel to the center line CL1 of the press roller 32A. For example, like the electrode 20 on the conveyor 32 in FIG. 3, the center line CL2 of the electrode 20 conveyed from the upstream side of the angle adjusting unit 24 may be inclined with respect to the rotation axis direction. Even in such a case, the angle adjusting unit 24 transports the electrode 20 in the transport direction D while positioning the electrode 20. As a result, the center line CL2 of the electrode 20 can be made parallel in the Y-axis direction, as in the electrode 20 at the downstream end of the angle adjusting portion 24 in FIG.

Specifically, the angle adjusting unit 24 includes a plurality of transport rollers 42 and a regulating unit 43. The plurality of transfer rollers 42 convey the electrodes 20 in the transfer direction D, and are arranged in the transfer direction D. The plurality of transfer rollers 42 are supported by the support 44. The support 44 is provided with a drive unit (not shown) for rotating each transfer roller 42. A part of the plurality of transfer rollers 42 is inclined with respect to the Y-axis direction so that the end portion on the positive side in the Y-axis direction is located on the downstream side in the transfer direction D. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the inclination of the transfer roller 42 arranged on the upstream side is large, and the inclination of the transfer roller 42 arranged on the downstream side is small. With such a configuration, the electrode 20 on the transport roller 42 is moved to the positive side in the Y-axis direction while being transported in the transport direction D. The regulating unit 43 is arranged on the positive side of the transport roller 42 in the Y-axis direction, and restricts the movement of the electrode 20 to the positive side in the Y-axis direction. As a result, the electrode 20 brought to the positive side in the Y-axis direction by the transport roller 42 is restricted from moving in the Y-axis direction by the regulating unit 43. The regulation unit 43 has a regulation surface 43a that rises in the vertical direction and extends in parallel with the X-axis direction. As a result, the edge portion 20c of the electrode 20 comes into contact with the regulation surface 43a, and the edge portion 20c is positioned parallel to the X-axis direction. As a result, the angle of the electrode 20 is adjusted by the angle adjusting unit 24 so as to be substantially 0 °. The regulation unit 43 is composed of a conveyor that stands up in the vertical direction. Of the circulating belt, the portion arranged on the negative side in the Y-axis direction functions as the regulation surface 43a. The regulation surface 43a moves together with the electrode 20 in the transport direction D as the belt of the conveyor circulates.

The thickness inspection unit 29 is provided on the downstream side of the press unit 27 in the transport direction D, and inspects the thickness of the electrode 20 at each position in the Y-axis direction. The thickness inspection unit 29 includes a conveyor 29a that conveys the electrode 20 and a measurement unit 29b that measures the thickness of the electrode 20 conveyed by the conveyor 29a. The thickness inspection unit 29 has, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, a tolerance range E that defines a range of thickness tolerances. As shown in the solid line graph shown in FIG. 5, the thickness inspection unit 29 accepts the electrode 20 as a acceptable product if all the thicknesses of the portions of the electrode 20 within the predetermined range in the Y-axis direction are within the allowable range E. Judge that there is. On the other hand, if at least a part of the thickness of the portion of the electrode 20 within the predetermined range in the Y-axis direction is out of the allowable range E, the thickness inspection unit 29 has the electrode 20 as shown in the graph of the broken line shown in FIG. Is judged to be a rejected product. The electrode manufacturing apparatus 100 may have a mechanism for removing the electrode 20 determined to be a rejected product on the downstream side. The thickness inspection unit 29 does not need to inspect the thickness of the entire area of the electrode 20 in the Y-axis direction, and may inspect the thickness at a plurality of points.

The direction changing portion 23 changes the direction of the electrode 20 with respect to the pressing portion 27 by changing the direction of the transport direction D. When the transport direction D of the transport path upstream of the direction change section 23 and the transport direction D between the transport paths downstream of the direction change section 23 are different, the direction change section 23 is upstream and downstream. The transport direction D on the side is smoothly switched. The direction changing portion 23 is arranged on the upstream side of the angle adjusting portion 24. In the present embodiment, the transport path on the upstream side of the direction changing portion 23 is configured by the conveyor 31. The transport direction D in the transport path is set in a direction parallel to the Y-axis direction. The transport path on the downstream side of the direction changing section 23 is composed of a conveyor 32, an angle adjusting section 24, a supply section 26, a pressing section 27, a receiving section 28, and a thickness inspection section 29. The transport direction D in the transport path is set in a direction parallel to the X-axis direction. The transport direction D in the direction changing portion 23 draws an arc that changes 90 ° from the Y-axis direction to the X-axis direction.

The direction changing portion 23 conveys the electrode 20 while keeping the angle of the electrode 20 with respect to the curved conveying direction D substantially constant. The transport direction D at the direction changing portion 23 changes by 90 ° from the Y-axis direction to the X-axis direction in an arc. Therefore, the angle of the press portion 27 of the electrode 20 with respect to the rotation axis direction gradually changes as it is conveyed to the direction changing portion 23, and changes by about 90 ° before and after the direction changing portion 23. As a result, the direction changing portion 23 can change the direction of the electrode 20 with respect to the pressing portion 27 before and after passing through the direction changing portion 23.

Here, the orientation of the electrode 20 is defined by which of the four edges 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d faces the press portion 27 located on the positive side in the X-axis direction. More specifically, when the electrode 20 is viewed from the positive side to the negative side in the X-axis direction, the edge portion having the largest projected dimension is defined as the edge portion facing the press portion 27. To. For example, on the conveyor 32 shown in FIG. 3, the electrodes 20 are arranged with the edge portion 20b inclined with respect to the X-axis direction. Therefore, when the electrode 20 is viewed from the positive side to the negative side in the X-axis direction, both the edge portion 20b and the edge portion 20d can be seen. However, the projected dimension of the edge portion 20b is larger than the projected dimension of the edge portion 20d, and the edge portion 20b occupies most of the visible range. Therefore, in this case, it can be said that the electrode 20 has the edge portion 20b directed toward the press portion 27. In the present embodiment, the electrode 20 passing through the transport path on the upstream side of the direction changing portion 23 has the edge portion 20d directed toward the press portion 27. The electrode 20 passing through the transport path on the downstream side of the direction changing portion 23 has the edge portion 20b directed toward the pressing portion 27. Therefore, the direction changing portion 23 changes the direction of the electrode 20 with respect to the press portion 27 from the edge portion 20d side to the edge portion 20b side.

The configuration of the direction changing unit 23 having the above-mentioned functions is not particularly limited. For example, the direction changing portion 23 may be configured by a curved conveyor having a track 23a that draws an arc of 90 °. The center line TL of the orbit 23a draws an arc of 90 °. In the orbit 23a, the belts arranged in an arc shape along the center line TL may circulate. Alternatively, a roller member extending perpendicular to the center line TL may be provided at each position along the center line TL on the track 23a. The electrode 20 conveyed by such an arc-shaped belt or a plurality of roller members moves while drawing an arc-shaped trajectory along the center line TL. Further, the electrode 20 moves while keeping the angle with respect to the center line TL substantially constant.

Next, the operation / effect of the electrode manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described.

In the electrode manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, the press portion 27 that presses the electrodes 20 with the press rollers 34A and 34B and the rotation axis direction (first direction) in which the rotation shafts 34a of the press rollers 34A and 34B of the press portions 27 extend. ) Is provided with an angle adjusting unit 24 for adjusting the angle of the electrode 20 with respect to the). Further, the angle adjusting unit 24 is provided on the upstream side of the press unit 27 in the transport direction D, and adjusts the angle of the electrode 20 supplied to the press unit 27. Therefore, the angle adjusting unit 24 can supply the electrode 20 to the press unit 27 in a state where the angle of the electrode 20 with respect to the rotation axis direction is reduced. The press unit 27 can press the electrode 20 in a state where the inclination with respect to the press unit 27 is reduced. Therefore, it is possible to suppress variations in the thickness of the electrode 20 after pressing due to the inclination of the electrode 20. As described above, the uniformity of the thickness of the electrode 20 after pressing can be ensured regardless of the conditions.

For example, when the pressing unit 27 presses the electrode 20 whose angle has not been adjusted by the angle adjusting unit 24, the thickness of the electrodes 20 in the direction in which the edge portions 20c and 20d extend depends on the pressing conditions. It looks like the graph shown by. The horizontal axis of FIG. 5 shows the dimensions in the direction in which the edges 20c and 20d of the electrode 20 extend from the reference position. The vertical axis shows the thickness of the electrode 20 at each position. The thickness is defined by the thickness of the metal foil and the active material layers on both sides. As shown by the broken line graph in FIG. 5, when the angle adjusting unit 24 does not adjust the angle of the electrode 20, the electrode 20 is supplied to the pressing unit 27 with a large inclination with respect to the pressing unit 27. It can be seen that when the electrode 20 is pressed in a state of being inclined with respect to the central axis direction, the thickness of the electrodes 20c and 20d varies greatly with respect to the extending direction and becomes non-uniform. On the other hand, when the pressing unit 27 presses the electrode 20 whose angle has been adjusted by the angle adjusting unit 24, the thickness of the electrodes 20 in the extending direction of the edge portions 20c and 20d is shown by the solid line in FIG. Will be. As shown in the solid line graph of FIG. 5, when the angle adjusting unit 24 adjusts the angle of the electrode 20, the electrode 20 is supplied to the pressing unit 27 in a state where the inclination with respect to the pressing unit 27 is reduced. It can be seen that the electrodes 20 are pressed in a state where the inclination with respect to the central axis direction is reduced, so that the thickness variation of the edges 20c and 20d with respect to the extending direction is small and uniform.

The electrode manufacturing apparatus 100 is provided on the upstream side of the angle adjusting unit 24 in the transport direction D, and further includes a direction changing portion 23 that changes the direction of the electrode 20 with respect to the press portion 27 by changing the direction of the transport direction D. You can. As a result, even if the inclination of the electrode 20 becomes large due to the direction change of the electrode 20 at the direction changing portion 23, the angle adjusting portion 24 adjusts the angle of the electrode 20 to adjust the electrode 20 with respect to the press portion 27. The inclination of the can be reduced.

The angle adjusting unit 24 transports the electrode 20 in the transport direction D, and the plurality of transport rollers 42 arranged in the transport direction D and one side in the rotation axis direction (the positive side in the Y-axis direction) with respect to the transport rollers 42. ), A regulating portion 43 that regulates the movement of the electrode 20 to one side in the rotation axis direction is provided, and a part of the plurality of transfer rollers 42 is conveyed by one end in the rotation axis direction. It may be inclined with respect to the rotation axis direction so as to be located on the downstream side in the direction D. As a result, the electrodes 20 transported to the plurality of transport rollers 42 are moved to one side in the rotation axis direction while moving in the transport direction D. Then, the electrode 20 is restricted from moving to one side in the rotation axis direction by the regulation unit 43. When the electrode 20 is positioned by the regulation unit 43, the angle of the electrode 20 is adjusted.

The press unit 27 may include a nip roller 36 that guides the electrode 20 to the press rollers 34A and 34B on the upstream side of the press rollers 34A and 34B in the transport direction D. As a result, the nip roller 36 can smoothly guide the electrode 20 to the press rollers 34A and 34B.

The electrode manufacturing apparatus 100 may further include a thickness inspection unit 29 which is provided on the downstream side of the press unit 27 in the transport direction D and inspects the thickness of the electrode 20 at each position in the rotation axis direction. As a result, the thickness inspection unit 29 can inspect the uniformity of the thickness of the electrode 20 after pressing.

Although the embodiment of the present invention and its modification have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment or the above modification.

For example, in the above embodiment, the angle adjusting unit 24 includes a transport roller 42 and a regulating unit 43. Instead of this, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, an electrode manufacturing apparatus 200 including an angle adjusting unit 124 may be adopted. The angle adjusting unit 124 has a support portion 142 that supports the electrode 20 and moves in the transport direction D, and a distance between the support portion 142 that moves in the transport direction D and is separated from each other in the rotation axis direction as the electrode 20 moves in the transport direction D. A pair of narrowing positioning portions 143A and 143B and a positioning portion 144 for positioning the electrode 20 in the transport direction D may be provided. The support portion 142, the positioning portions 143A, 143B, and the positioning portion 144 are provided on the circulating conveyor 141. The support portions 142 are provided at a predetermined pitch in the circulation direction of the conveyor 141. The positioning portions 143A and 143B are provided at a predetermined pitch in the circulation direction of the conveyor 141 so as to sandwich the support portion 142 in the width direction. The positioning portions 144 are provided on the conveyor 141 at one interval with respect to a plurality of (here, three) support portions 142 in the circulation direction. The support portion 142 gradually moves from the positive side in the Y-axis direction to the negative side as it advances in the transport direction D. The positioning unit 143A also gradually moves from the positive side in the Y-axis direction to the negative side as it advances in the transport direction D. The position of the positioning portion 143B is fixed. As a result, the electrode 20 moves in the transport direction D while being supported by the support portion 142. Then, as the electrode 20 moves in the transport direction D, it is sandwiched between the pair of positioning portions 143A and 143B in the central axis direction (Y-axis direction). The angle of the electrode 20 is adjusted by positioning the electrode 20 at the positioning portions 143A and 143B. The slide mechanism of the positioning portion 143A and the support portion 142 in the Y-axis direction may have any configuration. For example, guide rails may be provided on the positioning portion 143A and the support portion 142 so as to draw a desired trajectory. Alternatively, actuators may be provided in the positioning portion 143A and the support portion 142.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, an electrode manufacturing apparatus 300 including detection units 301, 302, 303 and discharge unit 305 may be adopted.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the detection units 301, 302, and 303 are provided on the upstream side of the press unit 27 and detect various states of the electrode 20. The detection units 301, 302, and 303 are provided in the angle adjusting unit 24, and detect the state of the electrode 20 transported by the transport roller 42. As a result, the detection units 301, 302, and 303 can detect the electrode 20 in an inappropriate state for supplying to the press unit 27.

The detection unit 301 detects the pitch of the electrodes 20. The detection unit 301 is arranged above the transfer roller 42. Specifically, the detection unit 301 is composed of a sensor that measures the timing at which the electrode 20 passes below the detection unit 301. As such a sensor, a reflective photoelectric sensor, a laser sensor, or the like may be adopted. The detection unit 301 can detect how large a gap is formed between the electrodes 20 by measuring the timing at which the electrodes 20 pass.

The detection unit 302 detects the thickness of the electrode 20 before pressing. Specifically, the detection unit 302 may be composed of a sensor that measures the thickness of an object such as a photomicro sensor, a laser sensor, and an ultrasonic sensor. The detection unit 303 detects the posture of the electrode 20. Specifically, the detection unit 302 may be configured by an image sensor such as a camera. The detection unit 303 can acquire an image of the electrode 20 and grasp the posture of the electrode 20 based on the image. The detection units 302 and 303 are arranged above the transfer roller 42.

The detection results acquired by the detection units 301, 302, and 303 are transmitted to a control unit (not shown). Based on the acquired detection result, the control unit is in a state where the target electrode 20 is in an appropriate state for being supplied to the press unit 27 (OK product) or is not suitable for supplying the press unit 27. It is determined whether the electrode 20 is in an appropriate state (NG product). The control unit here may be regarded as a part of the detection unit in the claims. For example, when the pitch between the electrodes 20 is too narrow, the control unit determines that the target electrodes 20 are NG products. The control unit determines, for example, a case where two electrodes 20 are overlapped, an electrode 20 that fails in coating and is too thin, and the like as an NG product. The control unit determines that the electrode 20 or the like that is too inclined with respect to the press unit 27 is an NG product.

The discharge unit 305 is provided on the upstream side of the press unit 27, and discharges the electrode 20 from the transport path based on the detection results of the detection units 301, 302, and 303. A gap is provided between the angle adjusting unit 24 and the supply unit 26, and the discharge unit 305 is provided at the position of the gap. Therefore, the discharge unit 305 discharges the electrode 20, which is determined to be an NG product based on the detection results of the detection units 301, 302, and 303, from the transport path composed of the angle adjusting unit 24 and the supply unit 26.

The discharge unit 305 is a collection box arranged in a gap between the gas supply unit 304 that ejects air toward the gap between the angle adjustment unit 24 and the supply unit 26 and the angle adjustment unit 24 and the supply unit 26. 306 and. The gas supply unit 304 blows air from above onto the electrode 20 determined to be an NG product. As a result, the electrode 20 related to the NG product falls and is collected in the collection box 306.

Below the transport roller 42, a gas supply unit 307 (see FIG. 9) that supplies supporting air toward the gap between the angle adjusting unit 24 and the supply unit 26 is provided. The gas supply unit 307 supports the electrode 20 with supporting air so that the electrode 20 of the OK product does not bend downward in the gap between the angle adjusting unit 24 and the supply unit 26.

As described above, in the electrode manufacturing apparatus 300, when the electrode 20 supplied to the press unit 27 is in an inappropriate state, the detection units 301, 302, and 303 detect the electrode 20 in an inappropriate state. be able to. Further, the discharge unit 305 can prevent the electrode 20 from being supplied to the press unit 27 by discharging the electrode 20 in an inappropriate state from the transport path.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, an electrode manufacturing apparatus 400 including robot arms 406A and 406B may be adopted. Here, the "angle adjusting unit" in the claim is configured by the robot arms 406A and 406B. The electrode manufacturing apparatus 400 includes a transfer conveyor 403 provided on the upstream side, a supply unit 401 provided on the downstream side between the transfer conveyor 403 and the press unit 27, and the robot arms 406A and 406B described above.

The conveyor 403 is a conveyor that conveys the electrodes 20 supplied from the upstream side. Since the electrode 20 is on the conveyor 403 at a stage before the position adjustment is made, the electrode 20 is conveyed in a state where the position and the posture are disturbed. A detection unit 404 is provided on the upper side of the conveyor 403. The detection unit 404 is composed of a camera or the like that detects the position and orientation of the electrode 20 on the conveyor 403.

The robot arms 406A and 406B are arranged near the boundary between the conveyor 403 and the supply unit 401. The robot arm 406A is arranged on the positive side in the Y-axis direction with respect to the conveyor 403, and the robot arm 406B is arranged on the negative side in the Y-axis direction with respect to the conveyor 403.

The robot arms 406A and 406B hold the electrode 20 on the conveyor 403, adjust the position and angle of the electrode 20 based on the detection result of the detection unit 404, and then transfer the robot arm 406A and 406B to the supply unit 401. That is, when it is detected that the angle of the electrode 20 is tilted with respect to the press unit 27, the robot arms 406A and 406B are replaced with the supply unit 401 after adjusting the angle of the electrode 20. At this time, the robot arms 406A and 406B adjust the position of the electrode 20 in the Y-axis direction, the pitch of the electrode 20, and the like, and then replace the electrode 20 with the supply unit 401.

Specifically, the robot arms 406A and 406B include a holding portion 406a for holding the electrode 20 and a plurality of arms 406b rotatably connected to each other. The holding portion 406a can move in the vertical direction while holding the electrode 20, and can also rotate in the rotational direction. The plurality of arms 406b can move the holding portion 406a in the YX plane and in the vertical direction. The robot arms 406A and 406B alternately hold the robot arms 406A and 406B by the electrodes 20 on the conveyor 403 and carry them to the supply unit 401, and place the electrodes 20 on the supply unit 401 and return to the conveyor 403. Can be done. As a result, even when the transfer speed of the electrode 20 is high, the processing can be performed, so that the processing speed can be increased. However, depending on the transport speed of the electrodes 20, the number of robot arms 406 may be one, or three or more.

The supply unit 401 conveys the electrode 20 received from the robot arm 406A to the downstream side while maintaining the posture, and supplies the electrode 20 to the press unit 27. The supply unit 401 is composed of a suction conveyor. The upper surface of the belt 402 of the supply unit 401 functions as a suction surface, and by sucking the mounted electrode 20, the electrode 20 can be conveyed while the posture and position of the electrode 20 are fixed.

In the above embodiment, the thickness inspection unit 29 is provided on the downstream side of the receiving unit 28. Instead of this, by providing the receiving unit 28 with the measuring unit 29b, the receiving unit 28 may function as a thickness inspection unit. Alternatively, the thickness inspection unit may be omitted.

In the above embodiment, the electrode 20 is pressed by the press portion 27 in order from the edge portion 20b on the side opposite to the tab 21, but the orientation is changed, for example, the edge portion 20a having the tab 21 is pressed by the press portion 27. May be done.

Although the above-described embodiment includes the direction changing unit 23, the direction changing unit 23 may be provided, and the transport directions of the conveyor 31 and the conveyor 32 may be arranged in a straight line. Even when connecting between linear conveyors, if the timing of grounding of the electrodes is not uniform on the left and right, the work will rotate. Therefore, the effect of the present invention can be obtained.

The layout of each component of the electrode manufacturing apparatus may be appropriately changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

20 ... Electrode, 23 ... Direction change part, 24,124 ... Angle adjustment part, 27 ... Press part, 34A, 34B ... Press roller, 36 ... Nip roller, 42 ... Conveyor roller, 43 ... Regulation part, 100, 200 ... Electrode manufacturing Device, 142 ... Support, 143A, 143B ... Positioning.

Claims (8)

An electrode manufacturing device that manufactures electrodes having active material layers on both sides of a metal foil while transporting them in the transport direction.
A press unit that presses the electrodes with a press roller,
The press unit includes an angle adjusting unit that adjusts the angle of the electrode with respect to the first direction in which the rotation axis of the press roller extends.
The angle adjusting unit is provided on the upstream side of the press unit in the transport direction , and adjusts the angle of the electrode supplied to the press unit .
The angle adjusting unit
A plurality of transport rollers arranged in the transport direction, which transport the electrodes in the transport direction,
An electrode manufacturing apparatus including a regulating unit arranged on one side of the transport roller in the first direction and restricting the movement of the electrode to one side in the first direction . Some of the transport rollers of multiple, end of the one side in the first direction, so as to be located to the downstream side in the transport direction, inclined to the first direction, claims electrode manufacturing apparatus according to 1. An electrode manufacturing device that manufactures electrodes having active material layers on both sides of a metal foil while transporting them in the transport direction.
A press unit that presses the electrodes with a press roller,
The press unit includes an angle adjusting unit that adjusts the angle of the electrode with respect to the first direction in which the rotation axis of the press roller extends.
The angle adjusting unit is provided on the upstream side of the press unit in the transport direction , and adjusts the angle of the electrode supplied to the press unit .
The angle adjusting unit
A support portion that supports the electrodes and moves in the transport direction,
An electrode manufacturing apparatus including a pair of positioning portions that move in the transport direction and that are separated from each other in the first direction with the movement in the transport direction. An electrode manufacturing device that manufactures electrodes having active material layers on both sides of a metal foil while transporting them in the transport direction.
A press unit that presses the electrodes with a press roller,
The press unit includes an angle adjusting unit that adjusts the angle of the electrode with respect to the first direction in which the rotation axis of the press roller extends.
The angle adjusting unit is provided on the upstream side of the press unit in the transport direction , and adjusts the angle of the electrode supplied to the press unit .
The angle adjusting unit is an electrode manufacturing apparatus composed of a robot arm . Claims 1 to 4 , further comprising a direction changing portion which is provided on the upstream side of the angle adjusting portion in the transport direction and changes the direction of the electrode with respect to the press portion by changing the direction of the transport direction . The electrode manufacturing apparatus according to any one of the above. The electrode manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the press unit includes a nip roller that guides the electrode to the press roller on the upstream side of the press roller in the transport direction. The invention according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , further comprising a thickness inspection unit which is provided on the downstream side of the press unit in the transport direction and inspects the thickness of the electrode at each position in the first direction. Electrode manufacturing equipment. A detection unit provided on the upstream side of the press unit to detect the state of the electrode, and a detection unit.
The electrode according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , further comprising a discharge unit which is provided on the upstream side of the press unit and discharges the electrode from the transport path based on the detection result of the detection unit. manufacturing device.