HK1131701B - An electrode plate group of a rectangle cell and its manufacturing method - Google Patents

Description

Method and device for manufacturing electrode plate group for rectangular battery

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for manufacturing a plate group of a rectangular battery used for vehicles, electric devices, and the like.

Background

An electrode plate group in a battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery is formed by alternately stacking positive and negative electrode plates with separators interposed therebetween. A typical method for producing the electrode plate group includes: (1) a lamination method in which separators, positive electrode plates, and negative electrode plates each formed in a sheet shape are alternately laminated with separators interposed therebetween (see, for example, patent document 5); (2) a winding method in which a separator, a positive electrode plate, and a negative electrode plate, which are continuously formed, are repeatedly wound in a spiral shape with the separator interposed therebetween (see, for example, patent documents 5, 6, and 7); (3) a continuous body of separators or a stacked body of a continuous body of separators and a continuous body of negative electrode plates is folded in a zigzag manner, and sheet-like positive electrode plates and negative electrode plates or only positive electrode plates are inserted into the respective valley grooves, and then the resultant is pressed into a flat zigzag stack (see, for example, patent documents 1, 2, 3, and 4).

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2004-22449

Patent document 2: japanese laid-open patent publication No. 1-122572

Patent document 3: japanese laid-open patent publication No. 1-100871

Patent document 4: japanese laid-open patent publication No. 2006-190531

Patent document 5: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2002-329530 (FIGS. 4 and 5)

Patent document 6: japanese patent laid-open No. 2000-223109

Patent document 7: japanese laid-open patent publication No. 7-6783

In the lamination system (1), it is difficult to ensure the positional accuracy of the positive and negative electrode plates and the separator, and if the positive and negative electrodes are positionally misaligned, a short circuit may occur between the positive and negative electrodes. If the precision positioning is performed to prevent the short circuit, this causes a reduction in the tact time (production speed per electrode group), which leads to a problem of a reduction in the productivity of the electrode group and hence the battery.

In addition, the winding method of the above (2) has a problem that, if the number of windings of the electrode group is large, a dead space is formed between the electrode group and the corner of the battery case, and the capacitance is reduced.

The zigzag stacking method of (3) can improve the positional accuracy of the positive and negative electrode plates and the separators and shorten the tact time as compared with the stacking method of (1), and has advantages of reducing the dead space and increasing the capacitance as compared with the winding method of (2).

However, in the conventional zigzag stacking method, since the continuous separator is sandwiched between a pair of rollers, the pair of rollers are reciprocated in the horizontal direction to zigzag-fold the separator, and the positive and negative electrode plates are alternately placed on the separator every time the pair of rollers reciprocates, the tact time is slow, and it is difficult to improve the productivity.

Further, since the separator is folded in a zigzag shape by the curved surface of the roller, it is difficult to accurately fold the separator in a zigzag shape, and there is a problem that the shape of the separator and even the shape of the electrode plate group are easily deformed to deteriorate the performance as a battery. In addition, when the separator is bent in a zigzag manner, the separator may be bent in a zigzag manner (meandering).

In the technique described in patent document 2, since the electrode plate group is formed by sandwiching continuous separators in a zigzag shape by using hard positive and negative electrode plates held at a constant interval, there are problems as follows: if a large tension (load) is applied to the separator, the separator is likely to break, and the manufacturing is difficult when the electrode plate is thin and flexible.

In the technique described in patent document 3, a zigzag-shaped separator is formed by placing a continuous separator on a zigzag female die, sequentially inserting male dies having a shape matching one groove into each groove of the female die, alternately inserting positive and negative electrode plates into each valley groove of the separator, and finally pressing the separator together with the positive and negative electrode plates into a flat shape, thereby manufacturing a plate group.

In the technique described in patent document 4, since an electrode plate group is manufactured by extruding a device in which a continuous separator is sandwiched between continuous positive and negative plates in a zigzag shape by using a zigzag female/male mold (male/female type), and extruding the zigzag-shaped laminate, there is a problem that the electrode plate group is thinned in zigzag and the capacitance amount is reduced. Further, since the positive electrode plates and the negative electrode plates are in contact with each other, there is a problem that unnecessary portions not involved in power generation are generated in the positive electrode plates and the negative electrode plates.

Disclosure of Invention

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a method and an apparatus for manufacturing a plate group capable of accurately and highly precisely manufacturing a plate group having large electric capacity using relatively thin and flexible plates in a short tact time.

In addition, an electrode plate group applied to a rectangular battery can be manufactured accurately and with high precision with a short tact time.

In order to solve the above problem, the present invention adopts the following configuration.

That is, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a rectangular battery electrode plate group in which positive and negative electrode plates are alternately stacked with separators interposed therebetween, wherein a plurality of guide members are arranged in a zigzag shape in a vertical direction, a continuous body of the separators is inserted between one row and the other row of the guide members, the continuous body is bent in a zigzag shape by crossing the guide members in a horizontal direction between the rows, the positive and negative electrode plates are alternately inserted into valley grooves of the zigzag-bent continuous body, the guide members are pulled out from the valley grooves of the continuous body, and the continuous body is pressed in the vertical direction into a flat shape.

According to the invention of the first aspect, the required number of valley grooves can be formed in one electrode plate group at the same time in the continuous body of the separator, and therefore, the tact time can be greatly shortened. Further, since the separators are zigzag-folded by intersecting the guide members between the rows, and the deep valley grooves are formed accordingly, the positive electrode plates and the negative electrode plates can be enlarged to form an electrode group having a large electric capacity. In addition, even if the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate are thin and flexible, the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate can be smoothly inserted into the valley-shaped grooves of the separator.

In a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a rectangular battery electrode group in which positive and negative electrode plates are alternately stacked with separators interposed therebetween, wherein a plurality of guide members are arranged in a zigzag shape in a vertical direction, a stacked body formed by sandwiching a continuous body of the negative electrode plate between continuous bodies of the two separators is inserted between one row and the other row of the guide members, the stacked body is bent in a zigzag shape by crossing the guide members in a horizontal direction between the rows, the positive electrode plate is inserted into each valley groove of the stacked body after the zigzag bending, the guide members are pulled out from each valley groove of the stacked body, and the stacked body is pressed in the vertical direction into a flat shape.

In addition, according to the invention of the second aspect, the valley grooves of the number required for one electrode plate group can be formed simultaneously in the stacked body, and therefore, the tact time can be greatly shortened.

In addition, the number of the guide members may be smaller than that of the first aspect of the present invention, and the number of the electrode plate groups may be the same as that of the first aspect of the present invention, or the number of the guide members may be the same as that of the first aspect of the present invention, so that the number of the electrode plate groups may be twice as large as that of the first aspect of the present invention.

The guide members are arranged to intersect each other between the rows to fold the stacked body in a zigzag manner, and the deep valley grooves are formed accordingly, whereby the positive electrode plate can be enlarged to form an electrode group having a large electric capacity.

A third aspect of the invention provides the method for producing a rectangular battery electrode group according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the continuous body may be zigzag-folded by crossing the guide members between the rows, and the positive electrode plates and the negative electrode plates may be alternately inserted into the valley grooves.

According to the manufacturing method of the third aspect, since the zigzag bending of the continuous body and the insertion of the positive and negative electrode plates can be performed simultaneously, the tact time can be further shortened.

In the fourth aspect of the invention, in addition to the second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a rectangular battery electrode plate group, wherein the positive electrode plates may be inserted into the valley grooves while the stacked body is bent in a zigzag manner by intersecting the guide members between the rows.

According to the manufacturing method of the fourth aspect, since the zigzag folding of the stacked body and the insertion of the positive electrode plate can be performed simultaneously, the tact time can be further shortened. In addition, as in the above case, the electrode group having a plurality of layers may be formed using a smaller number of guide members than in the third aspect of the invention, or the electrode group having a number of layers increased by one time may be formed using the same number of guide members as in the third aspect of the invention.

A fifth aspect of the invention provides the method for manufacturing an electrode plate group for a rectangular battery according to the first or second aspect of the invention, wherein the intervals between the guide members in the rows may be reduced after both the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate or the positive electrode plate is inserted into the valley grooves of the zigzag continuous body or the superimposed body.

According to the manufacturing method of the fifth aspect, the openings of the respective valley grooves are enlarged to facilitate the insertion of the positive and negative electrode plates, and the intervals of the guide members in the respective rows are narrowed after the insertion, whereby the zigzag-shaped continuous body or the stacked body can be easily formed into a flat shape.

A sixth aspect of the invention provides the method for manufacturing a rectangular battery electrode group according to the first or second aspect of the invention, wherein both the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate or the positive electrode plate inserted into the respective valley grooves of the continuous body or the stacked body may be pressed in a longitudinal direction of the guide member.

According to the manufacturing method of the sixth aspect, the positive electrode plate or the negative electrode plate inserted into each valley groove of the continuous body or the stacked body can be accurately positioned in the longitudinal direction of the guide member.

A seventh aspect of the invention provides the method for manufacturing a rectangular battery plate group according to the first or second aspect of the invention, wherein the continuous body or the stacked body may be pressed in the vertical direction when the guide member is pulled out from each of the valley grooves of the continuous body or the stacked body.

According to the manufacturing method of the seventh aspect, the continuous body or the stacked body bent in the zigzag shape can be prevented from being deformed by the extraction of the guide member.

An eighth aspect of the invention provides the method for manufacturing a rectangular battery electrode group according to the first or second aspect of the invention, wherein the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate may be further press-fitted into the respective valley grooves after the guide members are pulled out from the respective valley grooves of the continuous body or the laminated body and before the continuous body or the laminated body is pressed into a flat shape.

According to the manufacturing method of the eighth aspect, since the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate are moved to the positions where the guide members are present in the respective valley grooves of the continuous body or the stacked body, the area where the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate overlap each other can be increased, and the capacity can be increased by that amount, thereby improving the performance as a battery. In addition, the separator can be used more efficiently.

A ninth aspect of the present invention provides the method for manufacturing an electrode plate group for a rectangular battery according to the first or second aspect, wherein the guide member may be a guide bar.

According to the manufacturing method of the ninth aspect, the guide member can be made small and light.

A tenth aspect of the present invention provides the method for manufacturing an electrode plate group for a rectangular battery according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, wherein the guide bar may be a roller that can freely rotate.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, when the guide bar is a rotatable roller, the tension applied to the continuous body or the stacked body when the continuous body or the stacked body is bent in a zigzag manner can be relaxed, and the continuous body or the stacked body can be prevented from being broken.

In an eleventh aspect of the invention, in the ninth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing a rectangular battery electrode plate group, wherein the guide bar may be a semi-cylindrical shape.

According to the manufacturing method of the eleventh aspect, the guide bar can be reduced in weight.

A twelfth aspect of the invention provides the method for manufacturing an electrode plate group for a rectangular battery according to the first or second aspect of the invention, wherein air may be blown from the surface of the guide member toward the continuous body or the stacked body when the guide member is caused to intersect between the rows.

According to the manufacturing method of the twelfth aspect, when the continuous body or the stacked body is zigzag-folded, friction between the continuous body or the stacked body and the guide member can be reduced, tension applied to the continuous body or the stacked body can be further relaxed, time required for zigzag-folding can be shortened, and further, breakage of the continuous body or the stacked body can be more appropriately prevented.

A thirteenth aspect of the invention provides the method for manufacturing a rectangular battery electrode plate group according to the first or second aspect of the invention, wherein a friction-reducing material layer may be formed on a surface of the guide member that contacts the continuous member or the stacked member.

According to the manufacturing method of the thirteenth aspect, when the continuous body or the superimposed body is zigzag-folded, the friction between the continuous body or the superimposed body and the guide member can be reduced, the tension applied to the continuous body or the superimposed body can be further relaxed, the time required for zigzag-folding can be shortened, and the continuous body or the superimposed body can be more appropriately prevented from being broken.

A fourteenth aspect of the present invention provides the method for manufacturing an electrode plate group for a rectangular battery according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, wherein the guide member may be a guide plate.

According to the manufacturing method of the fourteenth aspect, even if the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate are thin and flexible, the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate can be smoothly inserted into the valley-shaped groove of the separator.

A fifteenth aspect of the present invention provides the method for manufacturing a rectangular battery electrode plate group, wherein the guide plate may be formed as an inclined plate inclined toward the front end of the intersecting side.

According to the manufacturing method of the fifteenth aspect, in the case where the guide plate is formed as the inclined plate inclined toward the front end on the intersecting side, the guide plate can be easily inserted into each of the valley grooves of the continuous body or the superimposed body, and the guide plate can be easily pulled out from each of the valley grooves of the continuous body or the superimposed body, and the time required for the zigzag bending can be shortened.

A sixteenth aspect of the present invention provides the method for manufacturing an electrode plate group for rectangular batteries, wherein a rotatable roller may be attached to the front end of the guide plate on the crossing side.

According to the sixteenth aspect of the production method, when the continuous body or the stacked body is bent in the zigzag manner, the tension applied to the continuous body or the stacked body can be relaxed, and the continuous body or the stacked body can be prevented from being broken.

A seventeenth aspect of the present invention provides the method for manufacturing an electrode plate group for rectangular batteries, wherein air may be blown from the surface of the roller toward the continuous body or the stacked body when the guide plates are crossed between the rows.

According to the seventeenth aspect of the present invention, when the continuous body or the stacked body is zigzag-folded, the friction between the continuous body or the stacked body and the guide plate can be reduced, the tension applied to the continuous body or the stacked body can be further relaxed, the time required for zigzag-folding can be shortened, and the continuous body or the stacked body can be more appropriately prevented from being broken.

In the eighteenth aspect of the invention, in the method for manufacturing a rectangular battery electrode plate group according to the sixteenth aspect of the invention, a friction-reducing material layer may be formed on a surface of at least one of the roller and the guide plate, the surface being in contact with the continuous body or the stacked body.

According to the eighteenth aspect of the production method, when the continuous body or the stacked body is zigzag-folded, the friction between the continuous body or the stacked body and the guide plate can be reduced, the tension applied to the continuous body or the stacked body can be further relaxed, the time required for zigzag-folding can be shortened, and the continuous body or the stacked body can be more appropriately prevented from being broken.

A nineteenth aspect of the invention provides the method for manufacturing a rectangular battery electrode plate group according to the first or second aspect of the invention, wherein the guide bars are pulled out from the respective valley grooves of the continuous body or the stacked body, a fold is formed at the bottom of the respective valley grooves of the continuous body or the stacked body, and then the continuous body or the stacked body is pressed in the vertical direction into a flat shape.

In this case, since the continuous body or the stacked body is compressed in the vertical direction into a flat shape after the fold is formed at the bottom of each valley groove of the continuous body or the stacked body of the separator, the continuous body or the stacked body can be accurately bent in a zigzag manner without being bent, and the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate can be accurately opposed to each other, thereby manufacturing an electrode plate group having excellent performance.

A twentieth aspect of the present invention provides the method for manufacturing a rectangular battery electrode plate group according to the nineteenth aspect of the present invention, wherein a side edge of the continuous or stacked body may be pressed in a direction of a tip of the guide bar from when the continuous or stacked body is bent in a zigzag shape to when the guide bar is pulled out.

According to the manufacturing method of the twentieth aspect, since the zigzag bending of the continuous body or the stacked body can be prevented and the zigzag bending of the continuous body or the stacked body can be prevented when the guide bar is pulled out, the electrode plate group can be accurately and highly precisely manufactured.

A twenty-first aspect of the present invention provides the method for manufacturing a rectangular battery electrode plate group according to the nineteenth aspect of the present invention, wherein the interval in the vertical direction of the continuous or stacked body may be narrowed after the guide bars are pulled out from the respective valley grooves of the continuous or stacked body in the zigzag shape.

According to the manufacturing method of the twenty-first aspect, the openings of the respective valley grooves can be enlarged to facilitate insertion of the positive and negative electrode plates, and the zigzag-shaped continuous body or the stacked body can be easily pressed into a flat shape by narrowing the interval of the guide rods in the respective rows after insertion.

In addition, according to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for manufacturing an electrode plate group for a rectangular battery, in which positive electrode plates and negative electrode plates are alternately stacked with separators interposed therebetween, the apparatus comprising: a zigzag bending mechanism having a plurality of guide members arranged in a zigzag in a vertical direction, for inserting the continuous body of the separator between one row and the other row of the guide members, and bending the continuous body in a zigzag by crossing the guide members in a horizontal direction between the rows; an electrode plate insertion mechanism for alternately inserting the positive electrode plates and the negative electrode plates into the valley grooves of the zigzag-bent continuous body; a guide member extraction mechanism that extracts the guide member from each of the valley grooves of the continuous body; and a pressing mechanism that presses the continuous body in the vertical direction into a flat shape.

According to the twenty-second aspect of the invention, the required number of valley grooves can be formed in one electrode plate group at the same time in the continuous body of the separator, and therefore, the tact time can be greatly shortened. Further, since the separators are zigzag-folded by intersecting the guide members between the rows, and the deep valley grooves are formed accordingly, the positive electrode plates and the negative electrode plates can be enlarged to form an electrode group having a large electric capacity. In addition, even if the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate are thin and flexible, the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate can be smoothly inserted into the valley-shaped grooves of the separator.

A twenty-third aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus for manufacturing an electrode plate group for a rectangular battery, in which positive electrode plates and negative electrode plates are alternately stacked with separators interposed therebetween, the apparatus comprising: a zigzag bending mechanism including a plurality of guide members arranged in a zigzag manner in a vertical direction, wherein when a stacked body formed by sandwiching the continuous body of the negative electrode plate between two continuous bodies of the separator is inserted between one row and the other row of the guide members, the guide members are crossed in a horizontal direction between the respective rows to bend the stacked body in a zigzag manner; a positive electrode plate insertion mechanism for inserting the positive electrode plate into each valley groove of the zigzag-bent overlapping body; a guide member extraction mechanism that extracts the guide member from each of the valley grooves of the stacked body; and a pressing mechanism that presses the stacked body in the vertical direction into a flat shape.

In addition, according to the invention of the twenty-third aspect, the required number of valley grooves can be formed in one electrode plate group at the same time in the stacked body, and therefore, the tact time can be greatly shortened.

In addition, the number of the guide members may be smaller than that of the twenty-second invention, and the number of the electrode plate groups may be the same as that of the thirteenth invention, or the number of the guide members may be the same as that of the twenty-second invention, so that the number of the electrode plate groups may be doubled as compared with that of the twenty-second invention.

Further, the guide members are arranged to intersect each other in the rows to fold the stacked body in a zigzag manner, and accordingly, the deep valley grooves are formed, so that the areas of the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate can be increased to form the electrode group having a large electric capacity.

In addition, a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus for manufacturing an electrode plate group for a rectangular battery, in which positive electrode plates and negative electrode plates are alternately stacked with separators interposed therebetween, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of guide plates arranged in a zigzag shape in a vertical direction, the positive electrode plates being placed in one row and the negative electrode plates being placed in the other row, the continuous body of the separator being inserted between the one row and the other row, the continuous body being bent in a zigzag shape by crossing the rows in a horizontal direction, and the positive electrode plates and the negative electrode plates being alternately inserted into the valley grooves of the zigzag-bent continuous body; a positive electrode plate holding mechanism configured to hold the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate in the respective valley grooves when the guide plate is pulled out from the respective valley grooves of the continuous body; and a pressing mechanism that presses the continuous body in the vertical direction into a flat shape.

According to the invention of the twenty-fourth aspect, the valley grooves of the number required for one electrode plate group can be formed simultaneously in the continuous body of the separator, and therefore, the tact time can be greatly shortened. Further, the guide plates are arranged so as to intersect each other in the rows, and the separators are bent in a zigzag manner, so that the deep valley grooves are formed, and therefore the positive electrode plates and the negative electrode plates can be enlarged to form an electrode group having a large electric capacity. In addition, even if the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate are thin and flexible, the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate can be smoothly inserted into the valley-shaped grooves of the separator. Further, the continuous body is bent in a zigzag manner by crossing the guide plates in the horizontal direction between the rows, and the positive and negative electrode plates are alternately inserted into the valley grooves by using the electrode plate insertion mechanism, so that the zigzag bending of the continuous body and the insertion of the positive and negative electrode plates can be performed simultaneously, and therefore, the structure can be simplified, and the tact time can be further shortened.

In addition, a twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus for manufacturing an electrode plate group for a rectangular battery, in which positive electrode plates and negative electrode plates are alternately stacked with separators interposed therebetween, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of guide plates arranged in a zigzag shape in a vertical direction, the positive electrode plates being placed in one row and the other row, and when a stacked body formed by sandwiching the continuous body of the negative electrode plate between two continuous bodies of the separators is inserted between the one row and the other row, the stacked body is bent in a zigzag shape by crossing in a horizontal direction between the rows, and the positive electrode plates are inserted into the valley grooves of the stacked body bent in a zigzag shape; a positive electrode plate holding mechanism for holding the positive electrode plate in each valley groove when the guide plate is pulled out from each valley groove of the stacked body; and a pressing mechanism that presses the stacked body in the vertical direction into a flat shape.

According to the invention of the twenty-fifth aspect, the valley grooves of the number required for one electrode plate group can be formed simultaneously in the stacked body, and therefore, the tact time can be greatly shortened. Further, the positive electrode plates are inserted alternately into the valley grooves by the guide plates while the stacked body is bent in a zigzag manner by the guide plates crossing each row in the horizontal direction, so that the zigzag bending of the stacked body and the insertion of the positive and negative electrode plates can be performed simultaneously, and therefore, the structure can be simplified and the tact time can be further shortened.

Further, the guide plates are arranged to intersect each other in the rows to fold the stacked body in a zigzag manner, and the deep valley grooves are formed accordingly, so that the areas of the positive electrode plates and the negative electrode plates can be increased to form an electrode group having a large electric capacity.

In addition, a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus for manufacturing an electrode plate group for a rectangular battery, in which positive electrode plates and negative electrode plates are alternately stacked with separators interposed therebetween, the apparatus comprising: a zigzag bending mechanism having a plurality of guide bars arranged in a zigzag in a vertical direction, the zigzag bending mechanism being configured to bend the continuous body of the separator in a zigzag by crossing the guide bars in a horizontal direction between the respective rows when the continuous body of the separator is inserted between one row and the other row of the guide bars; an electrode plate insertion mechanism for alternately inserting the positive electrode plates and the negative electrode plates into the respective valley grooves of the continuous body while bending the continuous body in a zigzag manner; a guide bar pulling-out mechanism for pulling out the guide bar from each valley groove of the continuum; a crease forming mechanism for forming creases at the bottoms of the valley grooves of the continuous body after the guide bar is pulled out; and a press mechanism for pressing the continuous body having the fold line formed therein in the vertical direction into a flat shape.

According to the invention of the twenty-sixth aspect, the valley grooves of the number required for one electrode plate group can be formed simultaneously in the continuous body of the separator, so that the tact time can be greatly shortened. Further, the guide bars are arranged to intersect each other in the rows to bend the separators in a zigzag manner, and the deep valley grooves are formed accordingly, so that the positive electrode plates and the negative electrode plates can be enlarged to form an electrode group having a large electric capacity. In addition, even if the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate are thin and flexible, the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate can be smoothly inserted into the valley-shaped grooves of the separator.

Further, the continuous body is bent in a zigzag manner by the guide bars crossing each row in the horizontal direction, and the positive and negative electrode plates are alternately inserted into the respective valley grooves by the electrode plate insertion mechanism, so that the zigzag bending of the continuous body and the insertion of the positive and negative electrode plates can be performed simultaneously, and thus, the tact time can be further shortened.

In addition, since the continuous body of the separator is compressed in the vertical direction into a flat shape after the fold is formed at the bottom of each valley groove of the continuous body, the continuous body can be accurately bent in a zigzag manner without being bent, and the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate can be accurately opposed to each other, thereby manufacturing the electrode plate group with high accuracy.

In addition, a twenty-seventh aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus for manufacturing an electrode plate group for a rectangular battery, in which positive electrode plates and negative electrode plates are alternately stacked with separators interposed therebetween, the apparatus comprising: a zigzag bending mechanism including a plurality of guide bars arranged in a zigzag shape in a vertical direction, wherein when a stacked body formed by sandwiching the continuous body of the negative electrode plate between two continuous bodies of the separator is inserted between one row and the other row of the guide bars, the guide bars are crossed in a horizontal direction between the rows to bend the stacked body in a zigzag shape; a positive electrode plate insertion mechanism for inserting the positive electrode plate into each valley groove of the stacked body while bending the stacked body in a zigzag manner; a guide bar pulling-out mechanism for pulling out the guide bar from each valley groove of the stacked body; a fold forming mechanism that forms a fold at a bottom of each valley groove of the stacked body after the guide bar is pulled out; and a press mechanism for pressing the overlapped body formed with the fold line in the vertical direction into a flat shape.

According to the invention of the twenty-seventh aspect, the valley grooves of the number required for one electrode plate group can be formed simultaneously in the stacked body, and therefore, the tact time can be greatly shortened.

In addition, by using the guide rods less in number than the guide rods of the twenty-sixth aspect, the number of the electrode plate groups can be increased by one as compared with the electrode plate groups of the twenty-sixth aspect, or by using the guide rods as in the twenty-sixth aspect, the number of the electrode plate groups can be increased by one as compared with the electrode plate groups of the twenty-sixth aspect.

Further, the guide bars are arranged to intersect between the rows to bend the stacked body in a zigzag manner, and the valley grooves are formed accordingly, so that the areas of the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate can be increased to form an electrode group having a large electric capacity.

Further, the guide bars are arranged to intersect each other in the horizontal direction to fold the stacked body in a zigzag shape, and the positive electrode plates are inserted into the valley grooves by using the electrode plate insertion mechanism, so that the zigzag folding of the stacked body and the insertion of the positive electrode plates can be performed simultaneously, and thus, the tact time can be further shortened. In addition, as in the case of the above, the electrode plate group having a plurality of layers may be formed using a smaller number of guide rods than in the twenty-sixth invention, or the electrode plate group having a number of layers twice may be formed using the same number of guide rods as in the twenty-sixth invention.

Further, since the stacked body is pressed flat in the vertical direction after the fold is formed at the bottom of each valley groove of the stacked body, the stacked body can be accurately bent in a zigzag manner without being folded, and the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate can be accurately opposed to each other, thereby manufacturing the electrode plate group with high accuracy.

A twenty-eighth aspect of the present invention provides the electrode plate group for a rectangular battery according to any one of the twenty-sixth and twenty-seventh aspects, wherein the electrode plate inserting mechanism may have an electrode plate feeding tray for inserting the respective electrode plates into the respective valley grooves of the continuous body or the superimposed body, and the fold forming mechanism may include: a convex part formed at the front end of each polar plate conveying tray, and a bearing part which clamps the continuous body or the superposed body and each convex part together to form a crease.

According to the twenty-eighth aspect of the present invention, the insertion of the electrode plate into the valley groove of the continuous body or the stacked body and the formation of the fold can be performed simultaneously, and the fold can be accurately formed at the groove bottom of each valley groove.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a partially cut-away perspective view of a rectangular battery housing a group of plates produced by the method and apparatus of the present invention;

fig. 2 is a perspective view of a plate group manufactured by the method and apparatus of embodiment 1 of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of an apparatus for carrying out the method of embodiment 1 of the present invention;

fig. 4A is a plan view showing a first step in the method according to embodiment 1 of the present invention;

fig. 4B is a front view showing a first step in the method according to embodiment 1 of the present invention;

fig. 4C is a left side view showing a first step in the method according to embodiment 1 of the present invention;

fig. 5A is a plan view showing a second step in the method according to embodiment 1 of the present invention;

fig. 5B is a front view showing a second step in the method according to embodiment 1 of the present invention;

fig. 5C is a left side view showing a second step in the method according to embodiment 1 of the present invention;

fig. 6A is a plan view showing a third step in the method according to embodiment 1 of the present invention;

fig. 6B is a front view showing a third step in the method according to embodiment 1 of the present invention;

fig. 6C is a left side view showing a third step in the method according to embodiment 1 of the present invention;

fig. 7A is a plan view showing a fourth step in the method according to embodiment 1 of the present invention;

fig. 7B is a front view showing a fourth step in the method according to embodiment 1 of the present invention;

fig. 7C is a left side view showing a fourth step in the method according to embodiment 1 of the present invention;

fig. 8A is a plan view showing a fifth step in the method according to embodiment 1 of the present invention;

fig. 8B is a front view showing a fifth step in the method according to embodiment 1 of the present invention;

fig. 8C is a left side view showing a fifth step in the method according to embodiment 1 of the present invention;

fig. 9 is a perspective view of a plate group manufactured by the method and apparatus of embodiment 2 of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of an apparatus for carrying out the method of embodiment 2 of the present invention;

fig. 11A is a perspective view of a modified example of each of the electrode plate transport trays that can be used in embodiments 1 and 2 of the present invention;

fig. 11B is a perspective view of a modified example of each of the electrode plate transport trays that can be used in embodiments 1 and 2 of the present invention;

fig. 11C is a perspective view of a modified example of each of the electrode plate transport trays that can be used in embodiments 1 and 2 of the present invention;

fig. 12 is a perspective view showing an example of a pitch changing mechanism of a guide bar according to embodiment 3 of the present invention;

fig. 13A is a front view showing an example of a device for driving the electrode plate feeding tray and the pressing member according to embodiment 4 of the present invention in a state before the separator is bent in a zigzag manner;

FIG. 13B is a front view showing a state where the electrodes are inserted into the valley grooves after the separator is bent in a zigzag shape;

fig. 13C is a front view showing a state where the electrode plate is further inserted into the valley groove of the separator;

FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective view of an apparatus for carrying out the method of embodiment 5 of the present invention;

fig. 15A is a plan view showing a first step in the method according to embodiment 5 of the present invention;

fig. 15B is a front view showing a first step in the method according to embodiment 5 of the present invention;

fig. 15C is a left side view showing a first step in the method according to embodiment 5 of the present invention;

fig. 16A is a plan view showing a second step in the method according to embodiment 5 of the present invention;

fig. 16B is a front view showing a second step in the method according to embodiment 5 of the present invention;

fig. 16C is a left side view showing a second step in the method according to embodiment 5 of the present invention;

fig. 17A is a plan view showing a third step in the method according to embodiment 5 of the present invention;

fig. 17B is a front view showing a third step in the method according to embodiment 5 of the present invention;

fig. 17C is a left side view showing a third step in the method according to embodiment 5 of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a schematic perspective view of an apparatus for carrying out the method of embodiment 6 of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a schematic perspective view of an apparatus for carrying out the method of embodiment 7 of the present invention;

fig. 20A is a plan view showing a first step in the method according to embodiment 7 of the present invention;

fig. 20B is a front view showing a first step in the method according to embodiment 7 of the present invention;

fig. 20C is a left side view showing a first step in the method according to embodiment 7 of the present invention;

fig. 21A is a plan view showing a second step in the method according to embodiment 7 of the present invention;

fig. 21B is a front view showing a second step in the method according to embodiment 7 of the present invention;

fig. 21C is a left side view showing a second step in the method according to embodiment 7 of the present invention;

fig. 22A is a plan view showing a third step in the method according to embodiment 7 of the present invention;

fig. 22B is a front view showing a third step in the method according to embodiment 7 of the present invention;

fig. 22C is a left side view showing a third step in the method according to embodiment 7 of the present invention;

fig. 23A is a plan view showing a fourth step in the method according to embodiment 7 of the present invention;

fig. 23B is a front view showing a fourth step in the method according to embodiment 7 of the present invention;

fig. 23C is a left side view showing a fourth step in the method according to embodiment 7 of the present invention;

fig. 24A is a plan view showing a fifth step in the method according to embodiment 7 of the present invention;

fig. 24B is a front view showing a fifth step in the method according to embodiment 7 of the present invention;

fig. 24C is a left side view showing a fifth step in the method according to embodiment 7 of the present invention;

fig. 25A is a plan view showing a sixth step in the method according to embodiment 7 of the present invention;

fig. 25B is a front view showing a sixth step in the method according to embodiment 7 of the present invention;

fig. 25C is a left side view showing a sixth step in the method according to embodiment 7 of the present invention;

FIG. 26 is a schematic perspective view of an apparatus for carrying out the method of embodiment 8 of the present invention;

fig. 27 is a perspective view showing an example of a pitch changing mechanism of a plate transport tray according to embodiment 9 of the present invention;

FIG. 28A is a plan view showing another example of a side edge pressing mechanism used in the method and apparatus according to embodiment 10 of the present invention, before the separator is folded in a zigzag manner;

fig. 28B is a plan view showing another example of the side edge pressing mechanism used in the method and apparatus according to embodiment 10 of the present invention, in which the separator is bent in a zigzag manner and then electrodes are inserted into the valley grooves;

fig. 28C is a front view showing another example of the side edge pressing mechanism used in the method and apparatus according to embodiment 4 of the present invention, in which the electrode plate is pulled out from the valley groove of the separator.

Description of the reference numerals

2. 22 polar plate group

3 continuum of separator plates

3a, 23a valley-shaped groove

3c side edge of continuum

4 positive plate

5 negative plate

6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, 6j guide bar

10 nozzle

13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e, 13f, 13g, 13h, 13i, 13j guide plate

14. 15 pressing member

16. 17 limiter

18 propeller

23 overlap body

23b, 24b overlap the side edges of the body

24 negative plate continuum

114. 115 pressing member

116. 117 limiter

118 propeller

211. 215 pressing member

213a, 213b, 213c, 213d, 213e, 214b, 214c, 214d, 214e electrode plate conveying tray

216. 217 limiter

218 propeller

225 link mechanism

234 fold mark

235. 38 extrusion part

236 convex part

237 receiving part

Detailed Description

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(embodiment mode 1)

In fig. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a rectangular case of a lithium ion secondary battery, and reference numeral 2 denotes a plate group housed in the rectangular case 1. A positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal, not shown, are provided at predetermined positions of the rectangular case 1. In addition, the rectangular case 1 is filled with an electrolyte solution in which a lithium salt is mixed with an organic solvent.

As shown in fig. 2, the electrode plate group 2 is configured as a laminate, and includes: a continuous body 3 of the separator bent in a zigzag shape, and positive electrode plates 4 and negative electrode plates 5 alternately inserted into the respective valley grooves 3a of the continuous body 3. The positive electrode plates 4 and the negative electrode plates 5 are alternately stacked with separators interposed therebetween, and are folded together with the separators into a flat state. The positive electrode plate 4 and the negative electrode plate 5 are provided with lead portions 4a and 5a protruding from the separators toward opposite sides, and the lead portions 4a and 5a of the respective electrodes are individually bundled and connected to the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal, not shown, respectively.

The positive electrode plate 4 is formed by coating both surfaces of a sheet-shaped metal foil such as an aluminum foil with a positive electrode active material such as a lithium transition metal composite oxide. The negative electrode plate 5 is formed by coating a negative electrode active material such as a carbon material on both surfaces of a sheet-like metal foil such as a copper foil. The continuous body 3 of the separator is made of a porous film formed with fine pores and made of a synthetic resin such as a polyolefin resin.

Next, an apparatus for manufacturing the electrode plate group will be described with reference to fig. 3 to 8.

As shown in fig. 3, the apparatus for manufacturing the electrode plate group 2 includes: a zigzag folding mechanism having a plurality of guide bars 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, 6j arranged in a zigzag shape in the vertical direction, wherein when the continuous body 3 of the partition plate is inserted between one row and the other row of the guide bars 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, 6j, the guide bars 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, 6j intersect in the horizontal direction between the rows to zigzag fold the continuous body 3 of the partition plate; an electrode plate inserting mechanism for alternately inserting the positive electrode plates 4 and the negative electrode plates 5 into the respective valley grooves 3a (see fig. 2) of the continuous body 3 of the separator bent in the zigzag shape; a guide bar withdrawing mechanism for withdrawing the guide bars 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, 6j from the respective valley grooves 3a of the continuous member 3 of the separator; and a press mechanism for vertically pressing the continuous body 3 of the separator into a flat shape.

The number of guide bars 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, 6j of the zigzag folding mechanism provided in advance is equal to or more than the number of positive and negative electrode plates 4, 5 provided to one continuous body 3 of the separator. The base 7 is arranged horizontally in two rows in the vertical direction, and is arranged in a zigzag shape between the rows. As shown in fig. 4A, 4B, and 4C, the guide bars 6a, 6B, 6C, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, and 6j are supported by vertical frames 8 and 9 provided in rows in advance so as to be sandwiched on one side.

The guide rods 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, and 6j are configured as rollers that can rotate freely so as to smoothly bend the continuous separator 3 in a zigzag manner. Of course, the guide rods 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, and 6j may be cylindrical, semi-cylindrical, or non-rotatable round rods as long as the continuous member 3 of the partition plate can be smoothly guided.

If necessary, a plurality of fine nozzles 10 are formed in each of the guide bars 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, and 6j, and when the continuous member 3 of the separator is folded in a zigzag shape, the plurality of fine nozzles 10 blow air toward the continuous member 3. The nozzles 10 are formed in a desired shape and arrangement such as a circle and a groove. By blowing air from the nozzle 10, friction between the continuous body 3 and the guide rods 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, and 6j is reduced, and the zigzag folding of the continuous body 3 of the separator is made smoother.

Further, on the surface of each of the guide bars 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, and 6j, a friction reducing material layer (not shown) is formed as necessary. The friction reducing material layer is formed by coating a vinyl fluoride resin or the like. This reduces friction between the guide rods 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, and 6j and the continuous separator 3, and smoothes the zigzag folding of the continuous separator 3.

The zigzag folding mechanism includes a driving portion for zigzag folding the continuous member 3 of the separator by causing the guide bars 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, 6j to intersect between the respective rows when the continuous member 3 of the separator is inserted between one row and the other row of the guide bars 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, 6 j. The driving unit includes a ball screw mounted between the vertical frames 8 and 9 supporting the guide rods 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, and 6j in a row and the base 7, and a motor for rotating the ball screw. A driving unit using a ball screw, a motor, or the like is a normal feeding mechanism and is not shown.

As shown in fig. 6B, 6C, 7B, and 7C, the platform 11 blocking the continuous body 3 of the zigzag folded partition plate from below is movably provided on the base 7. As shown in fig. 4B and 4C, a clamp plate 12 for clamping the leading end of the continuous member 3 of the diaphragm is movably provided near the stage 11 so as not to interfere with the stage 11. A not-shown drum around which the continuous member 3 of the separator is wound is provided above the surface plate 11. The rollers apply no load in the conveying direction of the continuous body 3 as much as possible to reduce the tension generated at the zigzag-shaped bent portions of the continuous body 3.

The electrode plate inserting mechanism includes electrode plate feeding trays 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e, 13f, 13g, 13h, 13i, and 13j for alternately inserting the positive electrode plates 4 and the negative electrode plates 5 into the valley grooves 3a of the continuous body 3 of the separator bent in the zigzag shape by the guide bars 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, and 6j of the zigzag-bending mechanism. The plate transport trays are provided in advance in the same number as the number of positive and negative plates 4 and 5 required for one plate group 2, and are horizontally arranged behind the guide rods 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, and 6j, respectively.

The electrode plate transport trays 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e, 13f, 13g, 13h, 13i, and 13j are aligned with the respective rows of the guide bars 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, and 6j, supported by a vertical frame, not shown, which is the same as the zigzag folding mechanism, and are movable in the horizontal direction by a driving unit, such as a ball screw, not shown, which is the same as the zigzag folding mechanism. Although the plate transport trays 13a, 13B, 13C, 13d, 13e, 13f, 13g, 13h, 13i, and 13j may be moved after the continuous body 3 is zigzag-folded by the guide bars 6a, 6B, 6C, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, and 6j, it is preferable that the guide bars 6a, 6B, 6C, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, and 6j cross each row to zigzag-fold the continuous body 3 of the separator as shown in fig. 5A, 5B, and 5C, and at the same time, the plate transport trays 13a, 13B, 13C, 13d, 13e, 13f, 13g, 13h, 13i, and 13j are moved. Thus, the continuous body 3 of the separator can be bent in a zigzag manner, and the positive and negative electrode plates 4 and 5 can be inserted into the valley grooves 3a of the separator, thereby shortening the tact time.

As shown in fig. 5C, after the positive and negative electrode plates 4 and 5 are inserted into the valley grooves 3a of the continuous separator 3, the electrode plate feeding trays 13a, 13b, 13C, 13d, 13e, 13f, 13g, 13h, 13i, and 13j are immediately separated rearward from the valley grooves 3a of the continuous separator 3. When the electrode plate transport trays 13a, 13B, 13C, 13d, 13e, 13f, 13g, 13h, 13i, and 13j are retracted, as shown in fig. 3 and fig. 5A, 5B, and 5C, in order to retain the electrode plates 4 and 5 in the valley grooves 3a of the continuous body 3 of the separator, the pressing members 14, 15, and 15 are disposed so as to sandwich the electrode plate transport trays 13a, 13B, 13C, 13d, 13e, 13f, 13g, 13h, 13i, and 13j from both the left and right sides in each row. Specifically, the pressing members 14, 15 are configured as vertical bars that come into contact with the rear edges of the electrode plates 4, 5 protruding from both the left and right sides of the electrode plate conveying trays 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e, 13f, 13g, 13h, 13i, 13j, and are disposed on the left and right of each row of the electrode plate conveying trays 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e, 13f, 13g, 13h, 13i, 13 j. Since the pressing members 14, 15 are disposed behind the electrode plates 4, 5 protruding from both the left and right sides of the electrode plate transport trays 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e, 13f, 13g, 13h, 13i, 13j, when the electrode plate transport trays 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e, 13f, 13g, 13h, 13i, 13j are separated rearward from the valley grooves 3a of the continuous member 3 of the separator, the positive and negative electrode plates 4, 5 can be left in the valley grooves 3a on the separator side. The pressing members 14, 15, and 15 are connected to the base 7 via a piston/cylinder device, not shown, and when the electrode plate transport trays 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e, 13f, 13g, 13h, 13i, and 13j advance into the valley grooves 3a of the continuous separator 3, the pressing members 14, 15, and 15 also advance by driving of the piston/cylinder device, and the pressing members 14, 15, and 15 remain at the advanced positions even after the electrode plate transport trays 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e, 13f, 13g, 13h, 13i, and 13j retreat out of the valley grooves 3 a.

As shown in fig. 3 and fig. 5A and 5B, stoppers 16 and 17 for the positive electrode plate 4 and the negative electrode plate 5 inserted into the respective valley grooves 3a of the continuous member 3 of the separator by pressing in the longitudinal direction of the guide rods 6a, 6B, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, and 6j are provided as necessary on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the guide rods 6a, 6B, 6c, 6e, 6g, 6h, 6i, and 6 j. Each of the stoppers 16 and 17 is reciprocally movable in the longitudinal direction of the guide rods 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, and 6j by a piston/cylinder device not shown, and one of the stoppers 16 is inserted into each of the valley grooves 3a of the separator by one row of the electrode plate feeding trays 13a, 13c, 13e, 13g, and 13i and is brought into contact with the side edges of all the positive electrode plates 4 protruding from the side edge of the separator, and the other stopper 17 is inserted into each of the valley grooves 3a of the separator by the other row of the electrode plate feeding trays 13b, 13d, 13f, 13h, and 13j and is brought into contact with the side edges of all the negative electrode plates 5 protruding from the side edge on the opposite side of the separator. The positive electrode plates 4 and the negative electrode plates 5 inserted into the respective valley grooves 3a of the continuous member 3 of separator are accurately positioned in the longitudinal direction of the guide rods 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, and 6j by the stoppers 16 and 17.

Not shown in the figure, pitch changing means for reducing the pitch of the guide rods 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, 6j in the vertical direction in each row is provided in each of the vertical frames 8, 9 supporting the guide rods 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, 6 j. That is, the vertical frames 8 and 9 are provided with guide grooves for allowing the guide rods 6a, 6B, 6C, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, and 6j to slide in the vertical direction, solenoids for holding the guide rods at the pitch shown in fig. 3, 5B, and 5C, and the like. The guide rods 6a, 6B, 6C, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, and 6j are held by the vertical frames 8 and 9 at the intervals shown in fig. 3, 5B, and 5C by the attraction force of the solenoid, and when the attraction force of the solenoid is released, the guide rods 6a, 6B, 6C, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, and 6j fall down along the vertical frames 8 and 9, and the intervals in the vertical direction are narrowed as shown in fig. 6B and 6C. Thus, the zigzag continuous body 3 of both the positive electrode plate 4 and the negative electrode plate 5 is inserted into each valley groove 3a, and is flat in the vertical direction.

As shown in fig. 7A, 7B, and 7C, the guide rods 6a, 6B, 6C, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, and 6j can be pulled out from the respective valley grooves 3a of the continuous member 3 of separators by the guide rod pulling-out mechanism. The guide rod extracting mechanism is constituted by, for example, a piston/cylinder device, although not shown. The piston/cylinder devices are attached between the vertical frames 8 and 9 of the guide rods 6a, 6B, 6C, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, and 6j and the base 7, and the guide rods 6a, 6B, 6C, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, and 6j are detached from the valley grooves 3a of the continuous member of partition plate 3 or returned to the positions shown in fig. 3, 4A, 4B, and 4C in accordance with the extending and retracting operation of the piston/cylinder devices as shown in fig. 7A, 7B, and 7C.

As described above, the pressing members 14, 15, and 15 are connected to the base 7 via a piston/cylinder device, not shown. After the guide rods 6a, 6B, 6C, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, and 6j are pulled out from the respective valley grooves 3a of the continuous member 3 of the separator bent in the zigzag shape, the pressing members 14, 15, and 15 are further advanced by operating the piston/cylinder device, and the positive electrode plate 4 and the negative electrode plate 5 are further pushed into the respective valley grooves 3a as shown in fig. 8A, 8B, and 8C.

As shown in fig. 8A, 8B, and 8C, the press mechanism is configured as a pusher 18 that is vertically movable up and down on the base 7. The pusher 18 moves the pressing members 14, 15 toward the guide bars 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, 6j, and presses the positive electrode plate 4 and the negative electrode plate 5 deeper into the respective valley grooves 3a, thereby vertically pressing the continuous separator 3 flat. In this way, the separator is pressed flat to the thickness of the electrode group 2 shown in fig. 2 while sandwiching the positive electrode plates 4 and the negative electrode plates 5.

As shown in fig. 7A, 7B, and 7C, when the guide rods 6a, 6B, 6C, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, and 6j are pulled out from the respective valley grooves 3a of the continuous member 3 of the separator, the continuous member 3 may be lightly pressed in the vertical direction by the pusher 18. Thus, the continuous member 3 of the separator bent in the zigzag shape is not deformed by the removal of the guide rods 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, and 6 j.

As described above, the electrode plate transport trays 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e, 13f, 13g, 13h, 13i, and 13j may be simple horizontal plates, but as shown in fig. 11A, the electrode plate transport tray 19 may be formed with a notch 19a into which the stopper 16 is press-fitted. Further, as shown in fig. 11B, the plate transport tray 20 may be formed in a comb-like shape, or as shown in fig. 11C, a plurality of rollers or needles (ピン)21 may be arranged on a horizontal surface.

The electrode plate group 2 can be produced by the following steps using the production apparatus having the above-described structure.

(1) As shown in fig. 3 and fig. 4A, 4B, and 4C, the continuous member 3 of the separators is inserted between one row and the other row of the guide bars 6a, 6B, 6C, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, and 6j arranged in a zigzag, and the leading end of the continuous member 3 is held by the holding plate 12. The continuous body 3 is fed out from a not-shown roll around which the continuous body 3 is wound, and is stretched between the upper and lower guide bars 6a and 6j with a small tension.

(2) In fig. 4A and 4C, the rows of the guide bars 6a, 6B, 6C, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, and 6j are moved in the horizontal direction indicated by the arrows, and the guide bars 6a, 6B, 6C, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, and 6j are made to intersect between the rows as shown in fig. 5A, 5B, and 5C. Thus, the continuous body 3 of the separator is bent in a zigzag shape, and the valley grooves 3a of the number required for one electrode plate group 2 are formed simultaneously in the continuous body 3 of the separator, so that the tact time required for manufacturing the electrode plate group 2 can be greatly shortened. Further, since the separators are zigzag-folded by crossing the guide bars 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, and 6j between the rows to form the deep valley grooves 3a, large positive and negative electrode plates 4 and 5 can be inserted, and the electrode group 2 having a large electric capacity can be manufactured.

Since the guide bars 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, and 6j are rollers that can freely rotate, the tension of the continuous body 3 of the separator can be relaxed, and the zigzag folding can be smoothly performed.

When the guide rods 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, and 6j are crossed between the rows, air is blown from the nozzle 10 toward the continuous member 3 of separator from the surfaces of the guide rods 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, and 6 j. Thus, when the continuous member 3 of the separator is bent in a zigzag manner, friction between the continuous member 3 and the guide rods 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, and 6j can be reduced, and tension applied to the continuous member 3 can be further relaxed. As a result, the time required for the continuous member 3 of the separator to be bent in a zigzag shape can be shortened, and the continuous member 3 can be more appropriately prevented from being broken.

(3) In fig. 4A and 4C, the rows of the guide bars 6a, 6b, 6C, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, and 6j are moved in the horizontal direction indicated by the arrow, and at the same time, the electrode plate transport trays 13a, 13b, 13C, 13d, 13e, 13f, 13g, 13h, 13i, and 13j are also moved in the arrow direction. The positive electrode plates 4 are placed in advance on the electrode plate transport trays 13a, 13c, 13e, 13g, and 13i in one row, and the negative electrode plates 5 are placed in advance on the electrode plate transport trays 13b, 13d, 13f, 13h, and 13j in another row. As a result, as shown in fig. 5A, 4B, and 4C, the positive electrode plates 4 and the negative electrode plates 5 are alternately inserted into the valley grooves 3a of the zigzag-folded continuous body 3.

As described above, the continuous body 3 is zigzag-folded by crossing the guide bars 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, and 6j between the rows, and the positive electrode plates 4 and the negative electrode plates 5 are alternately inserted into the respective valley grooves 3a, whereby the zigzag-folding of the continuous body 3 and the insertion of the positive and negative electrode plates 4 and 5 can be performed simultaneously, and the tact time can be further shortened.

As shown in fig. 5A, 5B, and 5C, in a state where the pressing members 14, 15, and 15 are also in contact with the trailing edges of the electrode plates 4 and 5 on the electrode plate conveying trays 13a, 13B, 13C, 13d, 13e, 13f, 13g, 13h, 13i, and 13j, respectively, the pressing members 14, 15, and 15 advance to the separator side together with the electrode plate conveying trays 13a, 13B, 13C, 13d, 13e, 13f, 13g, 13h, 13i, and 13j and stop.

(4) In fig. 5C, as shown by the two-dot chain lines, after the electrode plates 4 and 5 are inserted into the valley grooves 3a of the separators, the electrode plate conveyance trays 13a, 13b, 13C, 13d, 13e, 13f, 13g, 13h, 13i, and 13j are immediately retracted to the original positions.

The pressing members 14, 15 stop at the advanced position and maintain the state of abutting against the rear edges of the electrode plates 4, 5. Therefore, when the electrode plate conveyance trays 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e, 13f, 13g, 13h, 13i, and 13j retreat, the electrode plates 4 and 5 are pushed out of the electrode plate conveyance trays 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e, 13f, 13g, 13h, 13i, and 13j, the electrode plate conveyance trays 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e, 13f, 13g, 13h, 13i, and 13j retreat in an empty state, and the electrode plates 4 and 5 remain in the valley grooves 3a of the separator.

(5) As shown in fig. 5A, 5B, and 5C, when the plate conveyance trays 13a, 13B, 13C, 13d, 13e, 13f, 13g, 13h, 13i, and 13j on which the plates 4 and 5 are placed enter the valley grooves 3a of the separators, the stoppers 16 and 17 enter along the longitudinal direction of the guide bars 6a, 6B, 6C, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, and 6 j. One of the stoppers 16 is inserted into each of the valley grooves 3a of the separator via one row of the electrode plate feeding trays 13a, 13c, 13e, 13g, and 13i, and abuts against the side edges of all the positive electrodes 4 protruding from the side edges of the separator. The other stopper 17 is inserted into each of the valley grooves 3a of the separator by the other row of electrode plate feeding trays 13b, 13d, 13f, 13h, and 13j, and abuts against the side edges of all the negative electrode plates 5 protruding from the side edge on the opposite side of the separator. Thus, the positive electrode plates 4 and the negative electrode plates 5 inserted into the respective valley grooves 3a of the continuous body 3 of the separator are accurately positioned in the longitudinal direction of the guide rods 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, 6 j.

(6) As shown in fig. 6A, 6B, and 6C, the guide rods 6A, 6B, 6C, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, and 6j fall down the longitudinal frames 8 and 9 by the pitch changing mechanism, and the intervals between the guide rods 6A, 6B, 6C, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, and 6j are reduced between the rows. Thus, the zigzag continuous body 3 in which the separators of both the positive electrode plate 4 and the negative electrode plate 5 are inserted into the valley grooves 3a is formed flat in the vertical direction.

As described above, after the positive electrode plate 4 and the negative electrode plate 5 are inserted into the respective valley grooves 3a of the zigzag-shaped continuous body 3 of the separator, the intervals of the guide rods 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, and 6j in the respective rows are reduced, whereby the openings of the respective valley grooves 3a are increased to facilitate the insertion of the positive and negative electrode plates 4 and 5 into the valley grooves 3a, and after the insertion, the intervals of the guide rods 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, and 6j in the respective rows are reduced to facilitate the flattening of the zigzag-shaped continuous body 3.

In the case where the guide rods 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, and 6j are thin, the pitch changing step and the pitch changing mechanism may be omitted.

(7) As shown in fig. 7A, 7B, and 7C, the guide rods 6a, 6B, 6C, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, and 6j are pulled out from the respective valley grooves 3a of the zigzag-shaped continuous body 3 of the separator. At this time, the continuous body 3 is lightly pressed in the vertical direction using the pusher 18. This prevents the zigzag continuum 3 from being deformed by the removal of the guide rods 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, and 6 j.

(8) As shown in fig. 8A, 8B, and 8C, the pressing members 14, 15, and 15 are slightly advanced toward the separator side, and the positive electrode plate 4 and the negative electrode plate 5 are further pushed into the valley grooves 3 a. As a result, the positive electrode plate 4 and the negative electrode plate 5 are moved to positions where the guide bars 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, and 6j are present in the valley grooves 3a of the continuous body 3, and the area where the positive electrode plate 4 and the negative electrode plate 5 overlap each other is increased, and accordingly, the capacity is increased, and the performance as a battery is improved. In addition, the separator can be used more efficiently.

The step of pressing the positive electrode plate 4 and the negative electrode plate 5 deeper into the respective valley grooves 3a may be performed immediately after the guide rods 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, and 6j are pulled out from the respective valley grooves 3a of the zigzag-shaped continuous separator 3.

(9) As shown in fig. 8A, 8B, and 8C, the pusher 18 forcibly presses the continuous body of the separators in the vertical direction in synchronization with the advance of the pressing members 14, 15, and 15. As a result, the separator is folded at the zigzag bend to become more flat, and a flat stack in which the flat separator and the positive and negative electrode plates 4 and 5 are alternately stacked is formed.

(10) The plate group 2 shown in fig. 2 is completed by releasing the front end of the separator from the clamping plate 12 and cutting the rear end from the subsequent continuous body 3. The electrode plate group 2 is housed in a battery case 1 as shown in fig. 1.

(embodiment mode 2)

As shown in fig. 9, the electrode plate group 22 of embodiment 2 is formed of a flat laminate including: a continuous folded body 23 formed by folding in a zigzag manner, and a positive electrode plate 4 inserted into each valley groove 23a of the folded body 23. The stacked body 23 is a laminate in which the continuous body 24 of the negative electrode plate is sandwiched between the continuous bodies 3, 3 of the two separators. Therefore, the positive electrode plate 4 inserted into each valley groove 23a of the stacked body 23 is configured to face the continuous body 24 of the negative electrode plate with the separator interposed therebetween. Lead portions 4a, 24a protruding from the separator are provided on the continuous body 24 of the positive electrode plate 4 and the negative electrode plate in opposite directions, and the lead portions 4a, 24a of the respective electrodes are bundled and connected to a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal (not shown) of the battery case 1 (see fig. 1), respectively.

As shown in fig. 10, the apparatus for manufacturing the electrode plate group 22 has a configuration in which the continuous superimposed body 23 is inserted between one row and the other row of the plurality of guide bars 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, and 6j, in addition to the plurality of guide bars 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, and 6j arranged in a zigzag manner, as in the apparatus of embodiment 1. Further, all the electrode plate feeding trays 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e, 13f, 13g, 13h, 13i, 13j feed only the positive electrode plates 4 into the valley grooves 23a of the stacked body 23. Except for this, the same apparatus as in embodiment 1 was used to manufacture the electrode plate group 22 by the same process.

In embodiment 2, since the valley grooves 23a into which only the positive electrode plates 4 are inserted are formed in the stacked body 23, when manufacturing the electrode plate group 22 having the same performance as the electrode plate group 2 of embodiment 1, the number of times of zigzag folding of the stacked body 23 is only half as compared with the case of embodiment 1, and therefore, the number of the guide bars 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, and 6f and the electrode plate transport trays 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e, and 13f can be reduced to about half, and the tact time can be further shortened.

In fig. 9 and 10, the same portions as those in embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description thereof is omitted.

(embodiment mode 3)

In embodiment 3, as the pitch changing means for reducing the vertical intervals of the guide rods 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, and 6j in each row, the link mechanism 25 shown in fig. 12 is used.

The link mechanism is a parallel motion mechanism in which links 25a and 25a having the same length are pivotally supported in an X-shape and then pinned in a plurality of vertical directions. The pivot points of the pair of links 25a, 25a joined in an X-shape are inserted through shafts 26 of the guide bars 6a, 6c, 6e, 6g, 6i, and one end of the shaft 26 is inserted into a guide groove 27a of a guide member 27 extending in the vertical direction. The link mechanisms may be arranged in a plurality of rows as necessary in order to easily keep the guide rods 6a, 6c, 6e, 6g, and 6i horizontal.

Although not shown in the figure, the same link mechanisms and guide members are provided for the guide rods 6b, 6d, 6f, 6h, and 6j in the opposite row.

Thus, the guide rods 6a, 6B, 6C, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, and 6j are held in the vertical direction at intervals shown in fig. 3 and fig. 5B and 5C, and when the link mechanism is contracted in the vertical direction, the guide rods 6a, 6B, 6C, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, and 6j are lowered in the vertical direction while being held at a constant interval from each other, and as shown in fig. 6B and 6C, the interval in the vertical direction is narrowed. As a result, the zigzag-shaped continuous body 3 in which both the positive electrode plates 4 and the negative electrode plates 5 are inserted into the valley grooves 3a is formed flat in the vertical direction, and the electrode plate group 2 is manufactured.

(embodiment mode 4)

In embodiment 4, as shown in fig. 13A, 13B, and 13C, the electrode plate conveying trays 13A, 13B, 13C, 13d, 13e, 13f, 13g, 13h, 13i, and 13j correspond to the rows of the guide bars 6a, 6B, 6C, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, and 6j, and the rear ends thereof are connected to the vertical frame 28.

The vertical frames 28, 28 are connected to piston rods 29a of piston/cylinder devices 29, 29 that are extendable and retractable in the transport direction of the electrode plates 4, 5, respectively, and the piston/cylinder devices 29, 29 are provided on shuttle tables 30, 30 that are reciprocally movable in the transport direction of the electrode plates 4, 5.

The reciprocating table 30 is connected to a nut 32 screwed to a ball screw 31 as a feed screw rotatably provided on the base 7 (see fig. 3 and 10). The ball screw 31 can be rotated by a motor not shown.

The pressing members 14, 15, and 15 are attached to the reciprocating table 30. Accordingly, when the reciprocating table 30 is moved by the rotation of the ball screw 31, the pressing members 14, 15, and 15 move together with the electrode plate transport trays 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e, 13f, 13g, 13h, 13i, and 13j, and when the piston/cylinder devices 29 perform the telescopic movement, the electrode plate transport trays 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e, 13f, 13g, 13h, 13i, and 13j reciprocate independently of the pressing members 14, 15, and 15.

Next, the operation of the apparatus for manufacturing the electrode plate group will be described.

(1) In the state of fig. 13A, the guide rods 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, and 6j start to move in the horizontal direction indicated by the arrows as in the case of embodiment 1. Simultaneously, the ball screws 31 rotate in one direction, and the plate transport trays 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e, 13f, 13g, 13h, 13i, and 13j and the pressing members 14, 15, and 15 on the respective reciprocating tables 30 move in the arrow direction integrally in left and right sets.

At this time, the positive electrode plates 4 are placed in advance on the electrode plate transport trays 13a, 13c, 13e, 13g, and 13i in one row, and the negative electrode plates 5 are placed in advance on the electrode plate transport trays 13b, 13d, 13f, 13h, and 13j in another row.

(2) As shown in fig. 13B, the continuous body 3 of the separator is zigzag-folded by crossing the guide bars 6a, 6B, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, and 6j between the rows. By moving the left and right reciprocating tables 30, 30 closer to each other, the positive electrode plates 4 and the negative electrode plates 5 are alternately inserted into the respective valley grooves 3a of the continuous body 3. When the respective front ends of the electrode plate conveyance trays 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e, 13f, 13g, 13h, 13i, and 13j approach the guide bars 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, and 6j, the shuttle tables 30 and 30 are stopped.

In a state where the pressing members 14, 15 are also in contact with the rear edges of the electrode plates 4, 5 on the electrode plate conveyance trays 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e, 13f, 13g, 13h, 13i, 13j, respectively, the pressing members advance to the separator side together with the electrode plate conveyance trays 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e, 13f, 13g, 13h, 13i, 13j and then stop.

(3) When the plate transport trays 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e, 13f, 13g, 13h, 13i, and 13j on which the plates 4 and 5 are placed enter the valley grooves 3a of the separators, the stoppers 16 and 17 enter along the longitudinal direction of the guide bars 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, and 6j, as in embodiments 1 and 2. One of the stoppers 16 is inserted into each of the valley grooves 3a of the separator via one row of the electrode plate feeding trays 13a, 13c, 13e, 13g, and 13i, and abuts against the side edges of all the positive electrodes 4 protruding from the side edges of the separator. The other stopper 17 is inserted into each of the valley grooves 3a of the separator by the other row of electrode plate feeding trays 13b, 13d, 13f, 13h, and 13j and abuts against the side edges of all the negative electrode plates 5 protruding from the side edge on the opposite side of the separator. Thus, the positive electrode plates 4 and the negative electrode plates 5 inserted into the respective valley grooves 3a of the continuous member 3 of the separator are accurately positioned in the longitudinal direction of the guide rods 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, and 6 j. The limiters 16, 17 are set as necessary.

(4) Thereafter, as shown in fig. 13C, the piston/cylinder device 29 on the reciprocating table 30 is contracted, and the electrode plate transport trays 13a, 13b, 13C, 13d, 13e, 13f, 13g, 13h, 13i, and 13j are separated from the valley grooves 3a of the separators and are retracted to the position shown by the solid line in fig. 13C.

At this time, the pressing members 14, 15 stop at the advanced position shown in fig. 13B and maintain the state of being in contact with the rear edges of the electrode plates 4, 5. Therefore, when the electrode plate conveyance trays 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e, 13f, 13g, 13h, 13i, and 13j retreat, the electrode plates 4 and 5 are pushed out of the electrode plate conveyance trays 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e, 13f, 13g, 13h, 13i, and 13j, the electrode plate conveyance trays 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e, 13f, 13g, 13h, 13i, and 13j retreat in an empty state, and the electrode plates 4 and 5 remain in the valley grooves 3a of the separator.

(5) As required, the same interval changing mechanism as in embodiments 1, 2, and 3 is provided, and by its action, the intervals between the guide rods 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, and 6j are narrowed between the rows.

(6) As shown in fig. 13C, the guide rods 6a, 6b, 6C, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, 6j are pulled out from the respective valley grooves 3a of the zigzag-shaped continuous body 3 of the separator.

(7) When the guide rods 6a, 6b, 6C, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, and 6j are pulled out, as shown in fig. 13C, the ball screw 31 is rotated to slightly advance the pressing members 14, 15, and 15 toward the separator side, thereby further pressing the positive electrode plate 4 and the negative electrode plate 5 into the valley grooves 3 a.

As a result, the positive electrode plate 4 and the negative electrode plate 5 are accurately moved to the positions where the guide rods 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, and 6j are present in the valley grooves 3a of the continuous body 3, and the positive electrode plate 4 and the negative electrode plate 5 are accurately overlapped with each other, whereby the capacity increases and the performance of the battery improves. In addition, the separator can be used more efficiently.

(8) Thereafter, as in embodiment 1, the separator is further folded into a flat shape, and the flat laminated body, i.e., the electrode plate group 2, in which the flat separator and the positive and negative electrode plates 4 and 5 are alternately stacked is formed.

Note that in fig. 13A, 13B, and 13C, the same portions as those in embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping description is omitted.

(embodiment 5)

The apparatus for manufacturing the electrode group according to embodiment 5 will be described with reference to fig. 14 to 17 as an apparatus for manufacturing the electrode group 2 shown in fig. 2.

As shown in fig. 14, the manufacturing apparatus of the electrode plate group 2 includes: a plurality of guide plates 113a, 113b, 113c, 113d, 113e, 113f, 113g, 113h, 113i, and 113j arranged in a zigzag shape in the vertical direction, in which the positive electrode plates 4 are placed in one row, the negative electrode plates 5 are placed in the other row, and when the continuous separator 3 is inserted between the rows, the continuous separator 3 is bent in a zigzag shape by crossing the rows in the horizontal direction, and the positive electrode plates 4 and the negative electrode plates 5 are alternately inserted into the valley grooves 3a of the continuous separator 3 after the zigzag bending (see fig. 2); a plate holding mechanism for holding the positive electrode plate 4 and the negative electrode plate 5 in the respective valley grooves 3a when the guide plates 113a, 113b, 113c, 113d, 113e, 113f, 113g, 113h, 113i, and 113j are pulled out from the respective valley grooves 3a of the continuous body 3; and a press mechanism for pressing the continuous body 3 in a vertical direction into a flat shape.

The number of the guide plates 113a, 113b, 113c, 113d, 113e, 113f, 113g, 113h, 113i, and 113j provided in advance is equal to or more than the number of the positive and negative electrode plates 4 and 5 provided to one continuous member 3 of the separator. The base 107 is horizontally arranged in two rows in the vertical direction, and arranged in a zigzag shape between the rows. As shown in fig. 14 and 15A to 15C, the guide plates 113a, 113b, 113C, 113d, 113e, 113f, 113g, 113h, 113i, and 113j are formed as inclined plates gently inclined toward the front ends on the side where the guide plates move in the horizontal direction between the respective rows and intersect (hereinafter referred to as "intersection-side front ends").

At the front ends of the respective guide plates 113a, 113b, 113c, 113d, 113e, 113f, 113g, 113h, 113i, and 113j on the intersecting sides, rollers 106a, 106b, 106c, 106d, 106e, 106f, 106g, 106h, 106i, and 106j are rotatably attached so as to smoothly bend the continuous separator 3 in a zigzag manner. That is, the rollers 106a, 106b, 106c, 106d, 106e, 106f, 106g, 106h, 106i, and 106j have substantially the same length as the width of the guide plates 113a, 113b, 113c, 113d, 113e, 113f, 113g, 113h, 113i, and 113j, respectively, and both ends thereof are rotatably attached to unillustrated support arms fixed to the guide plates 113a, 113b, 113c, 113d, 113e, 113f, 113g, 113h, 113i, and 113j in the vicinity of the front ends thereof. The rollers 106a, 106b, 106c, 106d, 106e, 106f, 106g, 106h, 106i, and 106j may be cylindrical, semi-cylindrical, or non-rotatable rods as long as the continuous separator 3 can be smoothly guided.

A plurality of minute discharge holes (not shown) are formed as necessary in the rollers 106a, 106b, 106c, 106d, 106e, 106f, 106g, 106h, 106i, and 106j of the guide plates 113a, 113b, 113c, 113d, 113e, 113f, 113g, 113h, 113i, and 113j, and when the continuous body 3 of the separator is folded in a zigzag shape, the plurality of minute discharge holes blow air toward the continuous body 3. The discharge holes are formed in a desired shape and arrangement such as a circle or a groove. By blowing air from these discharge holes, friction between the continuous body 3 and the guide plates 113a, 113b, 113c, 113d, 113e, 113f, 113g, 113h, 113i, and 113j is reduced, and the zigzag folding of the continuous body 3 of the separator is made smoother.

Further, on the surfaces of the rollers 106a, 106b, 106c, 106d, 106e, 106f, 106g, 106h, 106i, and 106j, friction reducing material layers (not shown) are formed as necessary. The friction reducing material layer is formed by coating a vinyl fluoride resin or the like. This reduces friction between the rollers 106a, 106b, 106c, 106d, 106e, 106f, 106g, 106h, 106i, and 106j and the continuous separator 3, and smoothes zigzag folding of the continuous separator 3. The friction reducing material layer may be formed on the upper surfaces of the guide plates 113a, 113b, 113c, 113d, 113e, 113f, 113g, 113h, 113i, and 113j as necessary.

The guide plates 113a, 113b, 113c, 113d, 113e, 113f, 113g, 113h, 113i, and 113j include a driving unit for crossing each row and bending the continuous member 3 of the separator in a zigzag shape when the continuous member 3 of the separator is inserted between one row and the other. The driving unit is constituted by a ball screw mounted between a holder, not shown, for supporting the guide plates 113a, 113b, 113c, 113d, 113e, 113f, 113g, 113h, 113i, and 113j in a row and the base 7, an electric motor for rotating the ball screw, or a piston/cylinder device. Since a driving unit using such a ball screw, a motor, or the like, or a piston/cylinder device is a normal feeding mechanism, illustration thereof is omitted.

As shown in fig. 17B and 17C, the base 7 is movably provided with a table 111 for blocking the continuous member 3 of the separator bent in a zigzag shape from below. As shown in fig. 15B and 15C, a clamp plate 112 for clamping the leading end of the continuous member 3 of the diaphragm is movably provided near the stage 111 so as not to interfere with the stage 111. A not-shown drum around which the continuous body 3 of the separator is wound is provided above the surface plate 111. The rollers apply no load in the conveying direction of the continuous body 3 as much as possible to reduce the tension generated at the zigzag-shaped bent portions of the continuous body 3.

The guide plates 113a, 113b, 113c, 113d, 113e, 113f, 113g, 113h, 113i, and 113j are zigzag-folded, and the positive electrode plates 4 and the negative electrode plates 5 are alternately inserted into the respective valley grooves 3a of the continuous body 3 of the separator.

Specifically, as shown in fig. 16C, the guide plates 113a, 113b, 113C, 113d, 113e, 113f, 113g, 113h, 113i, and 113j are configured such that the positive and negative electrode plates 4 and 5 are inserted into the respective valley grooves 3a of the continuous member 3a of the separator and immediately thereafter are separated rearward from the respective valley grooves 3a of the continuous member 3 of the separator. When the guide plates 113a, 113b, 113C, 113d, 113e, 113f, 113g, 113h, 113i, and 113j are retracted, as shown in fig. 14 and 16A to 16C, in order to retain the electrode plates 4 and 5 in the valley grooves 3a of the continuous body 3 of the separator, pressing members 114, 115, and 115 serving as electrode plate holding means are disposed so as to sandwich the guide plates 113a, 113b, 113C, 113d, 113e, 113f, 113g, 113h, 113i, and 113j from both the left and right sides in each row. Specifically, the pressing members 114, 115, and 115 are formed of vertical bars that abut against the rear edges of the electrode plates 4 and 5 protruding from the left and right sides of the guide plates 113a, 113b, 113c, 113d, 113e, 113f, 113g, 113h, 113i, and 113j, and are disposed on the left and right of the rows of the guide plates 113a, 113b, 113c, 113d, 113e, 113f, 113g, 113h, 113i, and 113 j. Since the pressing members 114, 115 are disposed behind the electrode plates 4, 5 protruding from the left and right sides of the guide plates 113a, 113b, 113c, 113d, 113e, 113f, 113g, 113h, 113i, 113j, when the guide plates 113a, 113b, 113c, 113d, 113e, 113f, 113g, 113h, 113i, 113j are separated rearward from the valley grooves 3a of the continuous member 3 of the separator, the positive and negative electrode plates 4, 5 remain in the valley grooves 3a on the separator side. The pressing members 114, 115 are connected to the base 7 via a ball screw not shown and a motor or a piston/cylinder device for rotating the ball screw, and when the guide plates 113a, 113b, 113c, 113d, 113e, 113f, 113g, 113h, 113i, 113j are advanced into the valley groove 3a of the continuous body of separator 3, the pressing members 114, 115 are also advanced by the driving of the piston/cylinder device or the ball screw and the motor for rotating the ball screw, and the pressing members 114, 115 remain at the advanced positions even after the guide plates 113a, 113b, 113c, 113d, 113e, 113f, 113g, 113h, 113i, 113j are retreated out of the valley groove 3 a.

As shown in fig. 14, 16A and 16B, stoppers 116 and 117 of the positive electrode plate 4 and the negative electrode plate 5 which are press-inserted into the respective valley grooves 3a of the continuous member 3 of the separator along the width direction of the guide plates 113a, 113B, 113c, 113d, 113e, 113f, 113g, 113h, 113i and 113j may be provided as necessary on both sides of the guide plates 113a, 113B, 113c, 113f, 113g, 113i and 113j in the width direction. The stoppers 116 and 117 are reciprocally movable in the width direction of the guide plates 113a, 113b, 113c, 113d, 113e, 113f, 113g, 113h, 113i, and 113j by a piston/cylinder device not shown, one stopper 116 is inserted into each valley groove 3a of the separator by one row of the guide plates 113a, 113c, 113e, 113g, and 113i and abuts against the side edges of all the positive electrode plates 4 protruding from the side edge of the separator, and the other stopper 117 is inserted into each valley groove 3a of the separator by the other row of the guide plates 113b, 113d, 113f, 113h, and 113j and abuts against the side edges of all the negative electrode plates 5 protruding from the side edge on the opposite side of the separator. The positive electrode plates 4 and the negative electrode plates 5 inserted into the respective valley grooves 3a of the continuous member 3 of the separator can be accurately positioned in the width direction of the guide plates 113a, 113b, 113c, 113d, 113e, 113f, 113g, 113h, 113i, and 113j by the stoppers 116 and 117.

As shown in fig. 16A to 16C, the guide plates 113a, 113b, 113C, 113d, 113e, 113f, 113g, 113h, 113i, and 113j can be pulled out from the respective valley grooves 3a of the continuous member 3 of the separator by the guide plate pulling-out device. The guide plate extracting device is constituted by, for example, a piston/cylinder device (or may be a ball screw or an electric motor for rotating the ball screw), although not shown. The piston/cylinder devices are attached between the vertical frames, not shown, of the guide plates 113a, 113b, 113C, 113d, 113e, 113f, 113g, 113h, 113i, and 113j and the base 107, and in accordance with the expansion and contraction operations of the piston/cylinder devices, the guide plates 113a, 113b, 113C, 113d, 113e, 113f, 113g, 113h, 113i, and 113j are separated from the respective valley grooves 3a of the continuous member 3 of the diaphragm, or returned to the positions shown in fig. 14 and 15A to 15C, as shown in fig. 16A to 16C.

As described above, the pressing members 114, 115, and 115 are connected to the base 107 via a ball screw, not shown, and a motor or a piston/cylinder device for rotating the ball screw. After the guide plates 113a, 113b, 113C, 113d, 113e, 113f, 113g, 113h, 113i, and 113j are pulled out from the respective valley grooves 3a of the continuous body 3 of the separator bent in the zigzag shape, the ball screw and the motor or the piston/cylinder device for rotating the ball screw are operated, and the pressing members 114, 115, and 115 are further advanced as shown in fig. 16A to 16C, whereby the positive electrode plates 4 and the negative electrode plates 5 are further pushed into the respective valley grooves 3 a.

As shown in fig. 17A to 17C, the punching mechanism is constituted by a pusher 118 which is vertically movable on the base 107. The pusher 118 further advances the pressing members 114, 115 toward the guide plates 113a, 113b, 113c, 113d, 113e, 113f, 113g, 113h, 113i, 113j, and presses the continuous body 3 of the separator into a flat shape in the vertical direction when the positive electrode plate 4 and the negative electrode plate 5 are further pressed into the valley grooves 3 a. This allows the separator to be pressed flat with the positive electrode plate 4 and the negative electrode plate 5 interposed therebetween until the thickness of the electrode plate group 2 shown in fig. 2 is reached.

As shown in fig. 17A to 17C, when the guide plates 113a, 113b, 113C, 113d, 113e, 113f, 113g, 113h, 113i, and 113j are pulled out from the respective valley grooves 3a of the continuous member 3 of the separator, the continuous member 3 may be lightly pressed in the vertical direction by the pusher 118. Thus, the continuous member 3 of the separator bent in the zigzag shape is not deformed by the removal of the guide plates 113a, 113b, 113c, 113d, 113e, 113f, 113g, 113h, 113i, and 113 j.

The electrode plate group 2 was manufactured by the following steps using the manufacturing apparatus having the above-described structure.

(1) As shown in fig. 14 and 15 to 15C, the continuous member 3 of the separator is inserted between one row and the other row of the guide plates 113a, 113b, 113C, 113d, 113e, 113f, 113g, 113h, 113i, and 113j arranged in a zigzag shape, and the tip of the continuous member 3 is held by a holding plate 112. The continuous body 3 is fed out from a not-shown roll around which the continuous body 3 is wound, and is stretched between the upper and lower guide plates 113a and 113j with a small tension.

(2) In fig. 15A and 15C, the rows of the guide plates 113a, 113b, 113C, 113d, 113e, 113f, 113g, 113h, 113i, and 113j are moved in the horizontal direction indicated by the arrows, and as shown in fig. 16A to 16C, the guide plates 113a, 113b, 113C, 113d, 113e, 113f, 113g, 113h, 113i, and 113j are crossed between the rows. Thus, the continuous body 3 of the separator can be bent in a zigzag manner, and the valley grooves 3a of the number required for one electrode plate group 2 can be formed simultaneously in the continuous body 3 of the separator, so that the tact time required for producing the electrode plate group 2 can be significantly shortened. Further, since the separators are bent in a zigzag shape by crossing the guide plates 113a, 113b, 113c, 113d, 113e, 113f, 113g, 113h, 113i, and 113j between the rows to form the deep valley grooves 3a, the large positive electrode plates 4 and the large negative electrode plates 5 can be inserted, and the electrode group 2 having a large electric capacity can be manufactured.

Since the rotatable rollers 106a, 106b, 106c, 106d, 106e, 106f, 106g, 106h, 106i, 106j are attached to the front ends of the respective guide plates 113a, 113b, 113c, 113d, 113e, 113f, 113g, 113i, 113j on the intersecting sides, respectively, the tension of the continuous body 3 of the separator can be relaxed and the zigzag folding can be smoothly performed.

When the guide plates 113a, 113b, 113c, 113d, 113e, 113f, 113g, 113h, 113i, and 113j are arranged to intersect each other between the rows, air is blown from the surfaces of the rollers 106a, 106b, 106c, 106d, 106e, 106f, 106g, 106h, 106i, and 106j toward the continuous member 3 of separators through the discharge ports. Thus, when the continuous member 3 of the separator is folded in a zigzag manner, friction between the continuous member 3 and the guide plates 113a, 113b, 113c, 113d, 113e, 113f, 113g, 113h, 113i, and 113j can be reduced, and tension applied to the continuous member 3 can be further relaxed. As a result, the time required for the zigzag folding of the continuous member 3 of the separator can be shortened, and the breakage of the continuous member 3 can be more appropriately prevented.

(3) In fig. 15A and 15C, when the rows of the guide plates 113a, 113b, 113C, 113d, 113e, 113f, 113g, 113h, 113i, and 113j are moved in the horizontal direction indicated by the arrows, the positive electrode plates 4 are placed in advance on the guide plates 113a, 113C, 113e, 113g, and 113i in one row, and the negative electrode plates 5 are placed in advance on the guide plates 113b, 113d, 113f, 113h, and 113j in the other example. As a result, as shown in fig. 16A to 16C, the positive electrode plates 4 and the negative electrode plates 5 can be alternately inserted into the respective valley grooves 3a of the zigzag-folded continuous body 3.

As described above, the continuous body 3 is zigzag-folded by crossing the guide plates 113a, 113b, 113c, 113d, 113e, 113f, 113g, 113h, 113i, and 113j between the respective rows, and the positive and negative electrode plates 4 and 5 are alternately inserted into the respective valley grooves 3a, whereby the zigzag-folding of the continuous body and the insertion of the positive and negative electrode plates 4 and 5 can be performed simultaneously, which not only simplifies the structure of the apparatus but also further shortens the tact time.

As shown in fig. 16A to 16C, in a state where the pressing members 114, 115 are also in contact with the trailing edges of the electrode plates 4, 5 on the guide plates 113a, 113b, 113C, 113d, 113e, 113f, 113g, 113h, 113i, 113j, respectively, the pressing members 114, 115 and the guide plates 113a, 113b, 113C, 113d, 113e, 113f, 113g, 113h, 113i, 113j are advanced to the separator side and then stopped.

(4) In fig. 16C, as shown by the two-dot chain lines, the guide plates 113a, 113b, 113C, 113d, 113e, 113f, 113g, 113h, 113i, and 113j are retracted to the original positions immediately after the electrode plates 4 and 5 are inserted into the valley grooves 3a of the separators. Here, since the guide plates 113a, 113b, 113c, 113d, 113e, 113f, 113g, 113h, 113i, and 113j are formed as inclined plates inclined toward the intersecting side leading ends, the guide plates 113a, 113b, 113c, 113d, 113e, 113f, 113g, 113h, 113i, and 113j are easily inserted into the respective valley grooves 3a of the continuous body 3, and the guide plates 113a, 113b, 113c, 113d, 113e, 113f, 113g, 113h, 113i, and 113j are easily pulled out from the respective valley grooves 3a of the continuous body 3, so that the time required for zigzag folding can be shortened.

The pressing members 114, 115, and 115 stop at the advanced position and maintain a state of being in contact with the trailing edges of the electrode plates 4 and 5. Therefore, when the guide plates 113a, 113b, 113c, 113d, 113e, 113f, 113g, 113h, 113i, and 113j retreat, the electrode plates 4 and 5 can be pushed out from the guide plates 113a, 113b, 113c, 113d, 113e, 113f, 113g, 113h, 113i, and 113j, and the guide plates 113a, 113b, 113c, 113d, 113e, 113f, 113g, 113h, 113i, and 113j retreat in an empty state, thereby leaving the electrode plates 4 and 5 in the valley grooves 3a of the separator.

(5) As shown in fig. 16A to 16C, when the guide plates 113a, 113b, 113C, 113d, 113e, 113f, 113g, 113h, 113i, and 113j on which the electrode plates 4 and 5 are placed enter the valley grooves 3a of the separator, the stoppers 116 and 117 enter along the width direction of the guide plates 113a, 113b, 113C, 113d, 113e, 113f, 113g, 113h, 113i, and 113 j. One of the stoppers 116 is inserted into each of the valley grooves 3a of the separator via one row of guide plates 113a, 113c, 113e, 113g, and 113i, and abuts against the side edges of all the positive electrode plates 4 protruding from the side edges of the separator. The other stopper 117 is inserted into each of the valley grooves 3a of the separator by the other row of guide plates 113b, 113d, 113f, 113h, and 113j, and abuts against the side edges of all the negative electrode plates 5 protruding from the side edge on the opposite side of the separator. This makes it possible to accurately position the positive electrode plate 4 and the negative electrode plate 5 inserted into the respective valley grooves 3a of the continuous body of the separator in the width direction of the guide plates 113a, 113b, 113c, 113d, 113e, 113f, 113g, 113h, 113i, and 113 j.

(6) As shown in fig. 16A to 16C, the guide plates 113a, 113b, 113C, 113d, 113e, 113f, 113g, 113h, 113i, and 113j are pulled out from the respective valley grooves 3a of the zigzag-shaped continuous member 3 of the separator. At this time, the continuous body 3 is lightly pressed in the vertical direction by the pusher 118. This prevents the zigzag continuous body 3 from being deformed by the pulling-out of the guide plates 113a, 113b, 113c, 113d, 113e, 113f, 113g, 113h, 113i, and 113 j.

(7) Further, as shown in fig. 16A to 16C, the pressing members 114, 115, and 115 are slightly advanced toward the separator side, and the positive electrode plate 4 and the negative electrode plate 5 are further pushed into the valley grooves 3 a. As a result, the positive electrode plate 4 and the negative electrode plate 5 move to the positions where the guide plates 113a, 113b, 113c, 113d, 113e, 113f, 113g, 113h, 113i, and 113j are present in the valley grooves 3a of the continuous body 3, and the area where the positive electrode plate 4 and the negative electrode plate 5 overlap increases, which increases the capacity and improves the performance of the battery. In addition, the separator can be used more efficiently.

The step of pushing the positive electrode plate 4 and the negative electrode plate 5 deeper into the respective valley grooves 3a may be performed immediately after the guide plates 113a, 113b, 113c, 113d, 113e, 113f, 113g, 113h, 113i, and 113j are pulled out from the respective valley grooves 3a of the zigzag-shaped continuous member 3 of the separator.

(8) As shown in fig. 17A to 17C, the pusher 118 forcibly presses the continuous member 3 of separators in the vertical direction in synchronization with the advance of the pressing members 114, 115. This makes the separator more flat by folding at the zigzag bend, and a flat laminate in which the flat separator and the positive and negative electrode plates 4 and 5 are alternately stacked is formed.

(9) The plate group 2 shown in fig. 2 is completed by releasing the front end of the separator from the clamping plate 12 and cutting the rear end from the subsequent continuous body 3. The electrode plate group 2 is housed in a battery case 1 as shown in fig. 1.

(embodiment mode 6)

In embodiment 6, an apparatus for manufacturing the electrode plate group 22 shown in fig. 9 will be described.

As shown in fig. 18, the apparatus for manufacturing the electrode plate group 22 has another structure in addition to the plurality of guide plates 113a, 113b, 113c, 113d, 113e, and 113f arranged in a zigzag shape, and the continuous stacked body 23 is inserted between one row and the other row of the guide plates 113a, 113b, 113c, 113d, 113e, and 113f, as in the apparatus of embodiment 5. All the guide plates 113a, 113b, 113c, 113d, 113e, 113f feed only the positive electrode plates 4 into the valley grooves 23a of the stacked body 23. Except for this, the electrode group 22 was manufactured by the same apparatus and the same process as in embodiment 5.

In embodiment 6, since only the valley grooves 23a of the stacked body 23 into which the positive electrode plates 4 are inserted are formed, in the case of manufacturing the electrode plate group 22 having the same performance as the electrode plate group 2 of embodiment 5, the number of times of zigzag folding of the stacked body 23 is only half as compared with the case of embodiment 1, and therefore, the number of the guide plates 113a, 113b, 113c, 113d, 113e, and 113f can be reduced to about half, and the tact time can be further shortened.

Note that, in fig. 18, the same configuration, operation, and effects as those in the case of embodiment 5 are omitted.

(embodiment 7)

A device for manufacturing an electrode group according to embodiment 7 will be described with reference to fig. 19 to 25 as a device for manufacturing the electrode group 2 shown in fig. 2.

As shown in fig. 19, the apparatus for manufacturing the electrode plate group 2 includes a stage 212 on a base, not shown. As shown in fig. 21B and 21C, the stage 212 is provided below the continuous body 3 of the separator folded in a zigzag shape. As shown in fig. 20B and 20C, a clamp plate 212a for clamping the leading end of the continuous member 3 of the diaphragm is provided near one side of the stage 212 so as not to interfere with the stage 212. As shown in fig. 20C, a drum 3b around which the continuous member 3 of the separator is wound is provided above the surface plate 212. The roller 3b applies no load in the output direction of the continuous body 3 as much as possible to reduce the tension generated in the continuous body 3 of the separator at the zigzag folding portion. Further, a cutter 233 for cutting the continuous member 3 of the separator fed from the drum 3b at a predetermined position is provided on the path of the continuous member 3 of the separator.

As shown in fig. 19, the manufacturing apparatus of the electrode plate group 2 includes: a zigzag folding mechanism having a plurality of guide bars 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, 7f arranged in zigzag in the vertical direction, wherein when the continuous body 3 of the separator is inserted between one row and the other row of the guide bars 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, 7f, the guide bars 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, 7f are crossed in the horizontal direction between the rows to zigzag fold the continuous body 3 of the separator; an electrode plate inserting mechanism for alternately inserting the positive electrode plates 4 and the negative electrode plates 5 into the respective valley grooves 3a (see fig. 2) of the continuous body 3 of the separator when the continuous body 3 of the separator is bent in a zigzag shape; a guide bar withdrawing mechanism for withdrawing the guide bars 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, and 7f from the respective valley grooves 3a of the continuous member 3 of the separator; a side edge pressing mechanism for pressing the side edges 3c, 3c of the continuous body 3 of the separator in the direction of the front end of the guide bars 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, 7f from the time of bending the continuous body 3 of the separator in the zigzag shape to the time of pulling out the guide bars 6a, 6b, 6c, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, 7 f; a fold line forming mechanism which forms a fold line 234 on the groove bottom of each valley groove 3a of the continuous body 3 of the separator after the guide bars 6a, 6b, 6C, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7C, 7d, 7e, and 7f are pulled out (see fig. 23C); and a pressing mechanism for vertically pressing the continuous body 3 of the separator having the fold 234 formed thereon into a flat shape.

The number of guide bars 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, 7f of the zigzag folding mechanism is equal to or more than the number of positive and negative electrode plates 4, 5 provided to one continuous body 3 of separators. Further, two rows are horizontally arranged in the vertical direction on the upper side of the pedestal 212, and the rows are arranged in a zigzag manner. As shown in fig. 20A to 20C, the guide rods 6a, 6b, 6C, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7C, 7d, 7e, and 7f are supported by vertical frames 208 and 209 provided in advance in a row so as to be sandwiched on one side.

The guide bars 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, and 7f are formed of rollers that can rotate freely so that the continuous body 3 of the separator can be smoothly bent in a zigzag manner. Of course, the guide rods 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, and 7f may be cylindrical, semi-cylindrical, or non-rotatable circular rods as long as the continuous member 3 of the partition plate can be smoothly guided.

A plurality of fine nozzles 10 are formed as necessary in each of the guide rods 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, and 7f, and when the continuous body 3 of the separator is folded in a zigzag shape, the plurality of fine nozzles 10 blow air toward the continuous body 3. The nozzles 10 are formed in a desired shape and arrangement such as a circle and a groove. By blowing air from the nozzle 10, friction between the continuous body 3 and the guide rods 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, and 7f is reduced, and the zigzag folding of the continuous body 3 of the separator is made smoother.

Further, on the surfaces of the guide rods 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, and 7f, friction reducing material layers (not shown) are formed as necessary. The friction reducing material layer is formed by coating a vinyl fluoride resin or the like. This reduces friction between the guide rods 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, and 7f and the continuous separator 3, and smoothes the zigzag folding of the continuous separator 3.

The zigzag folding mechanism includes a driving unit for zigzag folding the continuous member 3 of the separator by intersecting the guide bars 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, and 7f between the respective rows when the continuous member 3 of the separator is inserted between one row and the other row of the guide bars 6a, 6b, 6c, 6e, 7a, 7c, 7d, 7e, and 7 f. The driving unit includes a ball screw mounted between the vertical frames 208 and 209 supporting the guide rods 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, and 7f in a row and a base, not shown, of the manufacturing apparatus, a motor for rotating the ball screw, and the like. A driving unit using a ball screw, a motor, or the like is a normal feeding mechanism and is not shown.

As shown in fig. 19, 20A, 20B, 21A, 21B, 22A, and 22B, the side edge pressing mechanism includes plate-like pressing members 235, and the pressing members 235, 235 press the side edges 3c, 3c of the continuous member of the separator in the direction of the tip end of the guide rods 6a, 6B, 6c, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7d, 7e, and 7f from when the continuous member 3 of the separator is bent in a zigzag shape by the intersection of the guide rods 6a, 6B, 6c, 6d, 7a, 7d, 7e, and 7f until the guide rods 6a, 6B, 6c, 6d, 7B, 6d, 7c, 7d, 7e, and 7f are pulled out of the valley grooves 3a of the continuous member 3 of the zigzag separator.

The pressing members 235, 235 are provided on each row of the guide rods 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, 7f, and are connected to the longitudinal frames 8, 9 via holding portions 235a, 235a formed integrally with the pressing members 235, respectively, so that the guide rods 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, 7f move integrally with the rows when crossing between the rows. As shown in fig. 21A and 22A, the holding portions 235a and 235a of the pressing members 235 and 235 are connected to the vertical frames 8 and 9 so as to be slidable relative thereto in the axial direction of the guide rods 6a, 6B, 6c, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7B, 7c, 7d, 7e, and 7f, and are also slidably supported between the solid line position and the two-dot chain line position on the base of the manufacturing apparatus as shown in fig. 22A and 22B. Springs, which are not shown, are interposed between the holding portions 235a, 235a and the base, and the holding portions 235a, 235a and the pressing members 235, 235 are constantly urged toward the solid line positions by the springs.

As shown in fig. 21A and 22A, the pressing members 235, 235 have front end edges 235b, 235b that contact the side edges 3c of the continuous body 3 of the separator that is bent in a zigzag shape. As shown in fig. 21A, the pressing members 235, 235 are positioned at the solid line positions by the biasing force of the spring, not shown, and the front end edges 235b, 235b thereof can contact only the side edges 3c, 3c of the continuous body 3 of the separator. As shown in fig. 22A and 22C, when the guide bars 6a, 6b, 6C, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7C, 7d, 7e, and 7f are disengaged from the valley grooves 3a of the continuous body 3 of the separator, the holding portions 235a and 235a of the pressing members 235 and 235 are pressed by the vertical frames 8 and 9, and are retracted toward the two-dot chain line position against the biasing force of the spring, and the leading end edges 235b and 235b of the pressing members 235 and 235 are disengaged from the side edges 3C and 3C of the continuous body 3 of the separator.

In this way, since the continuous member 3 of the separator is zigzag-folded by the crossing of the guide rods 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, 7f until the continuous member 3 of the separator is pulled out from the continuous member 3 of the zigzag-shaped separator, from the time when the continuous member 3 of the separator is zigzag-folded by the crossing of the guide rods 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, 7f, the side edges 3c, 3c of the continuous member 3 of the separator are pressed by the pressing members 235, 235 in the tip end direction of the guide rods 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, 7f, the continuous member 3 of zigzag-shaped separators is supported so as not to be deformed when the guide rods 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, and 7f are pulled out.

As shown in fig. 19, the front edges 235b and 235b of the pressing members 235 and 235 have cutouts 235c so that the front ends of the guide rods 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, and 7f do not interfere with the front ends of the guide rods 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, and 7f when the guide rods 6a, 6b, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, and 7f intersect each other. However, such a notch 235c is not necessary when the tips of the guide rods 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, and 7f are shortened so as not to interfere with each other, or when the tips of the guide rods 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, and 7f are controlled so as to be drawn into the valley grooves 3a when the continuous body 3 of the separator is bent in a zigzag manner.

The electrode plate inserting mechanism includes electrode plate feeding trays 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e, 14b, 14c, 14d, and 14e for alternately inserting the positive electrode plates 4 and the negative electrode plates 5 into the respective valley grooves 3a of the continuous body 3 of the separator zigzag-bent by the guide bars 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, and 7f of the zigzag-bending mechanism. As shown in fig. 19 and 20C, the number of plate conveyance trays 13a, 13b, 13C, 13d, 13e, 14b, 14C, 14d, and 14e provided in advance is the same as the number of positive and negative plates 4 and 5 required for one plate group 2, and the plate conveyance trays are horizontally arranged behind the guide bars 6a, 6b, 6C, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7C, 7d, 7e, and 7f, respectively.

As shown in fig. 20C, the plate conveying trays 13a, 13b, 13C, 13d, 13e, 14b, 14C, 14d, 14e are provided corresponding to the guide bars 6a, 6b, 6C, 6d, 6e, 7b, 7C, 7d, 7e, and the respective rear ends of each row are connected to the support frames 228, 228.

The support frames 228, 228 are connected to piston rods 229a of piston/cylinder devices 229, 229 that are extendable and retractable in the transport direction of the pole plates 4, 5, respectively, and the piston/cylinder devices 229, 229 are provided on shuttle tables 230, 230 that are reciprocally movable in the transport direction of the pole plates 4, 5.

The shuttle table 230 is connected to a nut 232 that is screwed to a ball screw 231 as a feed screw rotatably provided on a base, not shown, of the manufacturing apparatus. The ball screw 231 can be rotated by a motor not shown.

When the ball screws 231, 231 rotate, the plate transport trays 213a, 213b, 213c, 213d, 213e, 214b, 214c, 214d, 214e on which the plates 4, 5 are placed respectively coincide in each row, and move into each valley groove 3a of the continuous body 3 of the separator bent in a zigzag shape by the guide bars 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, 7f as shown in fig. 21 c.

Although the electrode plate transport trays 213a, 213b, 213c, 213d, 213e, 214b, 214c, 214d, and 214e may be moved after zigzag folding of the continuous body 3 of separators by the guide bars 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, and 7f, it is preferable that the guide bars 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, and 7f intersect between the columns to zigzag fold the continuous body 3 of separators, and at the same time, the electrode plate transport trays 213a, 213b, 213c, 213d, 213e, 214b, 214c, 214d, and 214e are moved toward the continuous body 3 of separators. Thus, the continuous body 3 of the separator can be bent in a zigzag manner and the positive and negative electrode plates 4 and 5 can be inserted into the respective valley grooves 3a of the separator, thereby shortening the tact time.

As shown in fig. 24C, the electrode plate transport trays 213a, 213b, 213C, 213d, 213e, 214b, 214C, 214d, and 214e are thereafter separated rearward from the valley grooves 3a of the continuous body 3 of separators by the extending and contracting operation of the piston/cylinder devices 229 and 229. When the electrode plate transport trays 213a, 213b, 213C, 213d, 213e, 214b, 214C, 214d, and 214e are retracted, as shown in fig. 19 and 20A to 20C, the pressing members 211, 215, and 215 are disposed so as to sandwich the electrode plate transport trays 213a, 213b, 213C, 213d, 213e, 214b, 214C, 214d, and 214e from the left and right sides in a row in order to retain the electrode plates 4 and 5 in the valley grooves 3a of the continuous body 3 of the separator.

Specifically, the pressing members 211, 215 are constituted by vertical bars that are brought into contact with the rear edges of the electrode plates 4, 5 protruding from the left and right side edges of the electrode plate transport trays 213a, 213b, 213c, 213d, 213e, 214b, 214c, 214d, 214e, and are disposed on the left and right of the rows of the electrode plate transport trays 213a, 213b, 213c, 213d, 213e, 214b, 214c, 214d, 214 e.

Since the pressing members 211, 215 are disposed behind the electrode plates 4, 5 protruding from the left and right edges of the electrode plate transport trays 213a, 213b, 213c, 213d, 213e, 214b, 214c, 214d, 214e, when the electrode plate transport trays 213a, 213b, 213c, 213d, 213e, 214b, 214c, 214d, 214e are separated rearward from the valley grooves 3a of the continuous member 3 of the separator, the positive and negative electrode plates 4, 5 remain in the valley grooves 3a on the separator side.

As shown in fig. 20C, the pressing members 211, 215 are attached to the reciprocating table 230. Accordingly, when the reciprocating table 230 is moved by the rotation of the ball screw 231, the pressing members 211, 215, and 215 can reciprocate together with the electrode plate transport trays 213a, 213b, 213c, 213d, 213e, 214b, 214c, 214d, and 214 e. After the electrode plate conveyance trays 213a, 213B, 213C, 213d, 213e, 214B, 214C, 214d, and 214e are advanced into the valley grooves 3a of the continuous body 3 of the separator, when the respective piston/cylinder devices 229 and 229 perform the expansion and contraction operation, the electrode plate conveyance trays 213a, 213B, 213C, 213d, 213e, 214B, 214C, 214d, and 214e are retracted out of the valley grooves 3a and the pressing members 211, 215, and 215 are left at the advanced positions, as shown in fig. 8A, 8B, and 8C. Thereby, the electrode plates 4 and 5 are retained in the valley grooves 3a of the separator continuous body 3.

As shown in fig. 19, 21A and 21B, stoppers 216 and 217 for the positive electrode plate 4 and the negative electrode plate 5 inserted into the respective valley grooves 3a of the continuous body 3 of the separator by pressing in the longitudinal direction of the guide rods 6a, 6B, 6c, 6d, 7e, 7a, 7B, 7c, 7d, 7e, 7f are provided as necessary on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the guide rods 6a, 6B, 6d, 6e, 7c, 7d, 7e, 7 f. The stoppers 216 and 217 are reciprocally movable in the longitudinal direction of the guide rods 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, and 7f by a piston/cylinder device not shown, one stopper 216 is inserted into each valley groove 3a of the separator by one row of the electrode plate conveying trays 213a, 213b, 213c, 213d, and 213e and abuts against the side edges of all the positive electrode plates 4 protruding from the side edge 3c of the separator, and the other stopper 217 is inserted into each valley groove 3a of the separator continuous body 3 by the other row of the electrode plate conveying trays 214b, 214c, 214d, and 214e and abuts against the side edges of all the negative electrode plates 5 protruding from the side edge 3c on the opposite side of the separator continuous body 3. The positive electrode plates 4 and the negative electrode plates 5 inserted into the respective valley grooves 3a of the continuous member 3 of the separator can be accurately positioned in the longitudinal direction of the guide rods 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, and 7f by the stoppers 216 and 217.

As shown in fig. 22A to 22C, the guide rods 6a, 6b, 6C, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7C, 7d, and 7f can be pulled out from the respective valley grooves 3a of the continuous separator 3 by the guide rod pulling-out mechanism. The guide rod extracting mechanism is constituted by, for example, a piston/cylinder device, although not shown. The piston/cylinder device is attached between the vertical frames 208 and 209 of the guide rods 6a, 6b, 6C, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7C, 7d, and 7f and a base, not shown, of the manufacturing apparatus, and the guide rods 6a, 6b, 6C, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7C, 7d, and 7f are detached from the respective valley grooves 3a of the continuous member 3 of the diaphragm or returned to the original positions shown in fig. 19 and 20A to 20C in accordance with the extending and contracting operation of the piston/cylinder device.

In the piston/cylinder devices of the guide rod drawing mechanism, not shown, the driving portions of the continuous member 3 for bending the separators in a zigzag manner by crossing the guide rods 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, and 7f between the respective rows can be held together with the vertical frames 208 and 209 to perform the telescopic operation.

As described above, the plate transport trays 213a, 213b, 213c, 213d, 213e, 214b, 214c, 214d, and 214e are connected to the base, not shown, via the ball screw 231. After the guide bars 6a, 6b, 6C, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7C, 7d, 7f are pulled out from the respective valley grooves 3A of the continuous member 3 of the separator bent in the zigzag shape by the guide bar device, the electrode plate transport trays 213A, 213b, 213C, 213d, 213e, 214b, 214C, 214d, 214e are further advanced by further rotating the ball screw 231 as shown in fig. 23A and 23C, and the positive electrode plate 4 and the negative electrode plate 5 are further pushed into the respective valley grooves 3A.

As shown in fig. 23C, as the electrode plate transport trays 213a, 213b, 213C, 213d, 213e, 214b, 214C, 214d, and 214e further advance, a fold 234 is formed on the groove bottom of each valley groove 3a of the continuous body 3 of the separator by the fold forming mechanism.

As shown in fig. 19 and 23C, the fold forming mechanism includes: a convex portion 236 and a receiving portion 237, the convex portion 236 is formed at the tip of each of the plate transport trays 213a, 213b, 213c, 213d, 213e, 214b, 214c, 214d, and 214e, and the receiving portion 237 forms a fold 234 at the bottom of the valley groove 3a together with each convex portion 236 sandwiching the continuous body 3 of the separator.

The projections 236 are formed in a blade shape at the front ends of the electrode plate transport trays 213a, 213b, 213c, 213d, 213e, 214b, 214c, 214d, and 214 e. The projection 236 may be formed by thinning the electrode plate transport trays 213a, 213b, 213c, 213d, 213e, 214b, 214c, 214d, and 214e, or by tapering the tips, or may be formed by attaching a separate blade to the tips of the electrode plate transport trays 213a, 213b, 213c, 213d, 213e, 214b, 214c, 214d, and 214 e. In addition, the tip of each of the electrode plate transport trays 213a, 213b, 213c, 213d, 213e, 214b, 214c, 214d, and 214e and the portion of the convex portion 236 that contacts the continuous member 3 of the separator may be tapered, or a curved surface may be formed at a portion that contacts the continuous member 3 of the separator without cutting the continuous member 3 of the separator.

The receiving portions 237 are attached to the pressing members 211, 215, and 215 so as to face the protruding portions 236 at the distal ends of the respective electrode plate transport trays 213a, 213b, 213c, 213d, 213e, 214b, 214c, 214d, and 214e with the continuous member 3 of the separator interposed therebetween. As shown in fig. 19 and 23C, the receiving portion 237 is bridged between each pair of the pressing members 211, 215, and 215 in a beam shape, and a highly cushioning elastic piece 237a such as rubber is attached to a portion where the convex portion 236 abuts.

As shown in fig. 23A to 23C, when the electrode plate transport trays 213A, 213b, 213C, 213d, 213e, 214b, 214C, 214d, and 214e further advance to press the positive electrode plate 4 and the negative electrode plate 5 deeper into the respective valley grooves 3A, the continuous body 3 of the separator is sandwiched between the convex portions 236 and the receiving portions 237 at the tips of the electrode plate transport trays 213A, 213b, 213C, 213d, 213e, 214b, 214C, 214d, and 214e, and the fold 234 is formed at the groove bottom of the respective valley grooves 3A of the continuous body 3 of the separator.

The receiving portion 237 may be moved into the position of the receiving protrusion 236 only when the fold 234 is formed, so that the receiving portion 237 is operated independently of the pressing members 211, 215, and 215 without being attached to the pressing members 211, 215, and 215.

As shown in fig. 20C and fig. 25A to 25C, the press mechanism is constituted by a pusher 218 that is vertically movable on the table 212. The pusher 218 vertically presses the continuous body 3 of the separator formed with the fold 234 into a flat shape. In this way, the continuous body 3 of separator is pressed flat to the thickness of the electrode group 2 shown in fig. 2 with the positive electrode plates 4 and the negative electrode plates 5 interposed therebetween.

The electrode plate group 2 was manufactured by the following steps using the manufacturing apparatus having the above-described structure.

(1) As shown in fig. 19 and 20A to 20C, the continuous member 3 of the separator is inserted between one row and the other row of the guide bars 6a, 6b, 6C, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7C, 7d, 7e, and 7f arranged in a zigzag shape, and the tip of the continuous member 3 of the separator is held by a holding plate 12 a. The continuous member of separator 3 is fed from the roll 3b around which the continuous member of separator 3 is wound, and the continuous member of separator 3 is stretched in the vertical direction between the respective rows of guide bars 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, and 7f with a small tension.

(2) In fig. 20A and 20C, the rows of the guide bars 6a, 6b, 6C, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7C, 7d, 7e, and 7f are moved in the horizontal direction indicated by the arrows, and the guide bars 6a, 6b, 6C, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7C, 7d, 7e, and 7f are made to intersect between the rows as shown in fig. 21A to 21C. Thus, the continuous body 3 of the separator can be bent in a zigzag manner to simultaneously form the valley grooves 3a of the number required for one electrode plate group 2 on the continuous body 3 of the separator, and the tact time required for manufacturing the electrode plate group 2 can be significantly shortened. Further, since the separators are bent in a zigzag shape by intersecting the guide bars 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, and 7f between the rows, and the deep valley grooves 3a are formed accordingly, the large positive electrode plates 4 and the large negative electrode plates 5 can be inserted, and the electrode group 2 having a large electric capacity can be manufactured.

Since the guide bars 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, and 7f are rollers that can rotate freely, the tension of the continuous separator 3 can be relaxed, and the continuous separator 3 can be smoothly bent in a zigzag manner.

When the guide rods 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, and 7f are crossed between the respective rows, air is blown from the surfaces of the guide rods 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, and 7f toward the continuous body 3 of separator by the nozzles 10. Thus, when the continuous member 3 of the separator is bent in a zigzag shape, friction between the continuous member 3 of the separator and the guide rods 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, and 7f can be reduced, and the tension applied to the continuous member 3 of the separator can be further relaxed. As a result, the time required for the zigzag folding of the continuous separator 3 can be shortened, and the breakage of the continuous separator 3 can be prevented.

(3) In fig. 20A and 20C, the rows of the guide bars 6a, 6b, 6C, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7C, 7d, 7e, and 7f are moved in the horizontal direction indicated by the arrows, and at the same time, the ball screw 231 is rotated in one direction, so that the plate transport trays 213a, 213b, 213C, 213d, 213e, 214b, 214C, 214d, and 214e and the pressing members 211, 215, and 215 on the respective shuttle tables 230 are moved in the direction of the arrows integrally with the left and right sets.

At this time, the positive electrode plates 4 are placed in advance on the electrode plate transport trays 213a, 213b, 213c, 213d, and 213e in one row, and the negative electrode plates 5 are placed in advance on the electrode plate transport trays 213b, 213c, 213d, and 213e in the other row. As a result, as shown in fig. 21A to 21C, the continuous separator 3 is bent in a zigzag manner, and the positive electrode plates 4 and the negative electrode plates 5 are alternately inserted into the respective valley grooves 3a of the continuous separator 3.

By thus crossing the guide bars 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, and 7f between the respective rows, and zigzag-bending the continuous separator 3 and alternately inserting the positive and negative electrode plates 4 and 5 into the respective valley grooves 3a, the zigzag-bending of the continuous separator 3 and the insertion of the positive and negative electrode plates 4 and 5 can be performed simultaneously, and the tact time can be further shortened.

(4) As shown in fig. 20A, 20B, and 21A, when the continuous member 3 of the separator is bent in a zigzag shape, the front ends 235B and 235B of the pressing members 235 and 235 of the side edge pressing mechanism are respectively brought into contact with the side edges 3c and 3c of the continuous member 3 of the separator by the biasing force of a spring, not shown. This prevents the continuous separator 3 from being bent in a zigzag manner, and the continuous separator 3 is folded in a zigzag manner.

(5) When the movement of the guide rods 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, and 7f in the intersecting direction is stopped and the tip ends of the plate transport trays 213a, 213b, 213c, 213d, 213e, 214b, 214c, 214d, and 214e approach the guide rods 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, and 7f, the rotation of the ball screw 231 is stopped, and all the plate transport trays 213a, 213b, 213c, 213d, 213e, 214b, 214c, 214d, and 214e are stopped together with the shuttle tables 230 and 230.

(6) As shown in fig. 21A to 21C, in a state where the pressing members 211, 215 are also in contact with the trailing edges of the plates 4, 5 on the plate transport trays 213a, 213b, 213C, 213d, 213e, 214b, 214C, 214d, 214e, respectively, the pressing members 211, 215 and the plate transport trays 213a, 213b, 213C, 213d, 213e, 214b, 214C, 214d, 214e are advanced and stopped together toward the continuous body 3 side of the separator.

(7) As shown in fig. 21A to 21C, when the plate conveyance tray poles 213a, 213b, 213C, 213d, 213e, 214b, 214C, 214d, and 214e on which the plates 4 and 5 are placed enter the valley grooves 3a of the continuous body 3 of the separator, the stoppers 216 and 217 enter along the longitudinal direction of the guide bars 6a, 6b, 6C, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7C, 7d, 7e, and 7 f. One stopper 216 is inserted into each valley groove 3a of the continuous member 3 of the separator via one row of the electrode plate transport trays 213a, 213b, 213c, 213d, and 213e, and abuts against the side edges of all the positive electrode plates 4 protruding from the side edge 3c of the continuous member 3. The other stopper 217 is inserted into each of the valley grooves 3a of the continuous member 3 of separators by the other row of electrode plate feeding trays 214b, 214c, 214d, and 214e, and abuts against the side edges of all the negative electrode plates protruding from the side edge 3c on the opposite side of the continuous member 3. Thus, the positive electrode plates 4 and the negative electrode plates 5 inserted into the respective valley grooves 3a of the continuous body 3 of the separator can be accurately positioned in the longitudinal direction of the guide rods 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, 7 f.

(8) The piston/cylinder device, not shown, operates to move the vertical frames 8 and 9 in a direction away from the diaphragm continuum 3 as shown in fig. 22A and 22B. Thereby, the guide rods 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, 7f move in the longitudinal direction thereof and are separated from the valley grooves 3a of the continuous member 3 of separator. As a result, as shown in fig. 6C, the valley grooves 3a of the continuous body 3 of the separator become hollow.

When the guide rods 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, and 7f are pulled out from the continuous body 3 of the zigzag-shaped separator, the side edges 3c and 3c of the continuous body 3 of the separator are pressed in the longitudinal direction of the guide rods 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, and 7f by the pressing members 235 and 235, and thus the zigzag-shaped mountain-shaped portions of the continuous body 3 of the separator are kept aligned without being deformed.

(9) The piston/cylinder device that reciprocates the guide rods 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, and 7f moves the vertical frames 208 and 209 further rearward from the positions where the vertical frames 8 and 9 abut against the rear ends of the holding portions 235a and 235a of the pressing members 235 and 235 against the biasing force of a spring, not shown. Thus, in fig. 22A and 22B, the front edges 235B, 235B of the pressing members 235, 235 move from the positions shown by the solid lines to the positions shown by the two-dot chain lines, and are separated from the side edges 3c, 3c of the continuous member 3 of the separator.

(10) As shown in fig. 23C, the ball screws 231 and 231 further rotate in one direction, respectively, to advance the electrode plate conveyance trays 213a, 213b, 213C, 213d, 213e, 214b, 214C, 214d, and 214e and the pressing members 211, 215, and 215 on the respective shuttle tables 230 and 230.

As a result, as shown in fig. 23C, the continuous separator 3 is sandwiched between the convex portions 236 and the receiving portions 237 of the plate transport trays 213a, 213b, 213C, 213d, 213e, 214b, 214C, 214d, and 214e, and the fold 234 is formed at the groove bottom of each valley groove 3a of the continuous separator 3.

As shown in fig. 23A to 23C, the positive electrode plate 4 and the negative electrode plate 5 are further pushed into the valley grooves 3A while the pressing members 211, 215 are in contact with the trailing edges of the electrode plates 4, 5 on the electrode plate transport trays 213A, 213b, 213C, 213d, 213e, 213f, 213g, 213h, 213i, 213j, respectively. This increases the area of the continuous separator 3 where the positive electrode plate 4 and the negative electrode plate 5 face each other, and increases the capacity accordingly, thereby improving the performance of the battery. In addition, the separator can be used more efficiently.

(11) As shown in fig. 24C, the plate transport trays 213a, 213b, 213C, 213d, 213e, 214b, 214C, 214d, and 214e are detached from the valley grooves 3a of the continuous body 3 of the separator all at once by the contraction operation of the piston/cylinder devices 229 and 229.

At this time, as shown in fig. 24A to 24C, the pressing members 211, 215 are stopped at the advanced position and maintained in a state of being in contact with the rear edges of the electrode plates 4, 5. Therefore, when the electrode plate conveyance trays 213a, 213b, 213c, 213d, 213e, 214b, 214c, 214d, and 214e are retracted, the electrode plates 4 and 5 can be pushed out of the electrode plate conveyance trays 213a, 213b, 213c, 213d, 213e, 214b, 214c, 214d, and 214e to the valley grooves 3a of the continuous body 3 of the separator, and the electrode plate conveyance trays 213a, 213b, 213c, 213d, 213e, 214b, 214c, 214d, and 214e are retracted in an empty state, whereby the electrode plates 4 and 5 are left in the valley grooves 3a of the separator.

(12) As shown in fig. 25A to 25C, the pusher 218 presses the continuous body 3 of separators in the vertical direction with a force toward the stage 212.

As described above, since the fold 34 is formed in each valley groove 3a of the continuous separator 3, the shape of the continuous separator 3 is not deformed and the continuous separator 3 is accurately folded into a flat shape, and a flat laminated body in which the folded continuous separator 3 and the positive and negative electrode plates 4 and 5 are alternately stacked is formed.

(13) The electrode plate group 2 shown in fig. 2 is completed by releasing the front end of the zigzag-folded continuous separator 3 from the clamp plate 212a and cutting the rear end of the zigzag-folded continuous separator 3 from the continuous separator 3 on the drum 3b side with a cutter 233 shown in fig. 20C. The electrode plate group 2 is housed in a battery case 1 as shown in fig. 1 to produce a battery.

(embodiment mode 8)

As shown in fig. 26, the apparatus for manufacturing the electrode plate group 22 shown in fig. 9 has another structure, as in the apparatus of embodiment 7, in addition to the plurality of guide bars 6a, 6b, 6c, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d arranged in a zigzag shape, and the continuous stacked body 23 can be inserted between one row and the other row of the guide bars 6a, 6b, 6c, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7 d. Further, all the electrode plate feeding trays 13a, 13b, 13c, 14b, 14c feed only the positive electrode plates 4 into the valley grooves 23a of the stacked body 23. Except for this, the electrode group 22 was manufactured by the same process using an apparatus having the same configuration as that of embodiment 7.

In embodiment 8, since only the valley grooves 23a of the stacked body 23 into which the positive electrode plates 4 are inserted are formed, the number of zigzag-shaped bends of the stacked body 23 is only half as compared with the case of embodiment 7 when manufacturing the electrode plate group 22 having the same performance as the electrode plate group 2 of embodiment 7, and therefore, the number of the guide bars 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, 7f and the electrode plate conveying trays 213a, 213b, 213c, 213d, 213e, 214b, 214c, 214d, 214e can be reduced to about half, and the tact time can be further shortened.

In embodiment 8, the pressing members 235, 235 are also provided as the side edge pressing mechanism similar to embodiment 7, and the respective front end edges 235b, 235b are provided so as to be in contact with the one side edge 23b of the stacked body 23 and the side edge 24b of the continuous body 24 of the other negative electrode plate.

Further, as a fold forming mechanism similar to embodiment 7, a convex portion 236 is provided at the tip of each of the plate transport trays 13a, 13b, 13c, 14b, 14c, 14d, and 14e, and a receiving portion 237 facing the convex portion 236 is attached to the pressing members 211, 215, and 215.

Note that in fig. 26, the same portions as those in embodiment 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping description is omitted.

(embodiment mode 9)

In embodiment 9, a pitch changing mechanism for reducing the vertical interval of the plate transport trays 213a, 213b, 213c, 213d, 213e, 213b, 214c, 214d, and 214e in each row is provided on the support frames 228 and 228 of the plate transport trays 213a, 213b, 213c, 213d, 214b, 214c, 214d, and 214e in the apparatus for manufacturing a rectangular plate group for a battery shown in embodiment 7.

Specifically, the pitch changing mechanism is constituted by a link mechanism 225 shown in fig. 27.

This link mechanism is a parallel motion mechanism in which links 225a and 225a having the same length are pivoted in an X-shape and then pinned in a plurality of vertical directions. The respective pivot points of the pair of X-shaped links 225a and 225a are inserted through shafts 226 that hold the electrode plate transport trays 213a, 213b, 213c, 213d, and 213e horizontally, respectively, and one end of the shaft 226 is inserted into a guide groove 228a of a guide member 228 extending in the vertical direction. The link mechanisms may be arranged in a plurality of rows as necessary in order to easily keep the electrode plate conveying trays 213a, 213b, 213c, 213d, and 213e horizontal.

Although not shown in the drawings, the electrode plate transport trays 214b, 214c, 214d, and 214e in the opposite row are also provided with the same link mechanism and guide member.

Thus, as shown in fig. 22C, when the link mechanism is contracted in the vertical direction after the guide bars 6a, 6b, 6C, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7C, 7d, 7e, and 7f are pulled out from the valley grooves 3a of the continuous body 3 of separators by the guide bar pulling-out mechanism, the electrode plate conveying trays 213a, 213b, 213C, 213d, 213e, 214b, 214C, 214d, and 214e are lowered in the vertical direction while keeping a constant interval therebetween in each row, and the interval in the vertical direction is reduced. As a result, the interval of the continuous separator 3 in the vertical direction is reduced, and in the step of forming the fold 234 in the valley groove 3a of the continuous separator 3 shown in fig. 23, the fold 234 can be easily formed in the continuous separator 3, and in the pressing step shown in fig. 25, the continuous separator 3 can be accurately folded in the vertical direction.

(embodiment mode 10)

In embodiment 10, as shown in fig. 28A to 28C, the side edge pressing mechanism in the apparatus for manufacturing the rectangular battery electrode group shown in embodiment 7 is configured to guide both side edges 3C, 3C of the continuous body 3 of the separator by the annular pressing member 238.

That is, the annular pressing member 238 is rotatably and slidably held by a bracket 239a formed at the tip of each of the holding portions 239 and 239 while covering all or a part of the guide rods 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, and 7 f. Each of the holding portions 239, 239 is connected to the vertical frames 8, 9 as in embodiment 7, and is connected to a not-shown pedestal of the manufacturing apparatus via a not-shown spring.

To explain the operation of the side edge pressing mechanism of this configuration, when the continuous member 3 of the partition plate is inserted between one row and the other row of the guide rods 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, and 7f arranged in a zigzag shape as shown in fig. 28A, the holding portions 239 and 239 advance toward the side edges 3c and 3c of the continuous member 3 of the partition plate by the operation of the piston/cylinder device not shown, and the end surfaces of the pressing member 238, which is an annular object, come into contact with the side edges 3c and 3c of the continuous member 3 of the partition plate, respectively.

Then, as shown in fig. 28B, the guide bars 6a, 6B, 6c, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7B, 7c, 7d, 7e, and 7f intersect each other between the rows, and the continuous body 3 of the separator is bent in a zigzag manner, thereby forming the required number of valley grooves 3a in one electrode plate group 2 at the same time in the continuous body 3 of the separator.

When the continuous member 3 of the separator is folded in a zigzag manner, the both side edges 3c, 3c of the continuous member 3 of the separator are guided by the pressing members 238, and as a result, the continuous member 3 of the separator is prevented from meandering, and the continuous member 3 of the separator is accurately folded in a zigzag manner in the vertical direction.

Thereafter, as shown in fig. 28C, the longitudinal frames 8 and 9 are moved in a direction away from the continuous member 3 of the diaphragm by operation of the piston/cylinder device, not shown, and at the same time, the guide rods 6a, 6b, 6C, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7C, 7d, 7e, and 7f are moved in the longitudinal direction thereof and are separated from the valley grooves 3a of the continuous member 3 of the diaphragm.

When the guide rods 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, and 7f are pulled out from the continuous body 3 of the zigzag-shaped separator, the side edges 3c and 3c of the continuous body 3 of the separator are pressed toward the tip ends of the guide rods 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, and 7f by the pressing members 238, so that the zigzag-shaped mountain-shaped portions of the continuous body 3 of the separator can be kept aligned without being deformed.

After the guide rods 6a, 6b, 6C, 6d, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7C, 7d, 7e, 7f are disengaged from the valley grooves 3a of the continuous body 3 of the diaphragm, when the vertical frames 8, 9 are further moved, as shown by the solid lines in fig. 28C, the vertical frames 208, 209 come into contact with the holding portions 239, and the pressing members 238 are moved to the positions shown by the two-dot chain lines together with the holding portions 239, 239 against the biasing force of the springs, not shown. As a result, the end surfaces of the pressing members 238 are separated from the side edges 3c and 3c of the continuous member 3 of the separator.

Thereafter, the electrode plate group 2 is formed by performing the processes shown in fig. 23A to 23C and fig. 25A to 25C in the same manner as in embodiment 7.

Note that in fig. 28A to 28C, the same portions as those in embodiment 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping description is omitted.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments 1 to 10, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention. For example, in embodiments 1 to 10, a lithium ion secondary battery is described as an example, but the present invention can be applied to a battery other than a lithium ion battery, a primary battery, or the like. In embodiments 1 to 10, both rows are moved when the guide bars are crossed between the rows, but the same zigzag bending can be performed even when one row of guide bars is stopped and the other row of guide bars is moved. With this configuration, the number of driving units for moving the rows of the guide bars can be reduced, and the cost can be reduced. The number of the guide rods, the electrode plate transfer trays, and the like may be arbitrarily increased or decreased, and is not limited to embodiments 1 to 10.

Claims (28)

1. A method of manufacturing an electrode plate group for a rectangular battery in which positive electrode plates and negative electrode plates are alternately stacked with separators interposed therebetween, characterized in that a plurality of guide members are arranged in a zigzag shape in a vertical direction, a continuous body of the separators is inserted between one row and the other row of the guide members, the continuous body is bent in a zigzag shape by intersecting the guide members in a horizontal direction between the rows, then the positive electrode plates are inserted with one row of the guide members inserted into valley grooves on a first surface side of the zigzag-bent continuous body, the negative electrode plates are inserted with the other row of the guide members inserted into valley grooves on a second surface side of the zigzag-bent continuous body, and the positive electrode plates and the negative electrode plates are left in the valley grooves of the continuous body, the guide member is pulled out from each valley groove of the continuous body, and then the continuous body is pressed in the vertical direction into a flat shape.

2. A method of manufacturing a rectangular battery electrode group in which positive and negative electrode plates are alternately stacked with separators interposed therebetween, characterized in that a plurality of guide members are arranged in a zigzag shape in a vertical direction, a stacked body formed by sandwiching a continuous body of the negative electrode plate between one row and the other row of the guide members is inserted, the stacked body is bent in a zigzag shape by intersecting the guide members in a horizontal direction between the rows, the positive electrode plate is inserted with one row of the guide members inserted into a valley groove on a first surface side of the zigzag-bent stacked body, the positive electrode plate is inserted into a valley groove on a second surface side of the zigzag-bent stacked body with the other row of the guide members inserted, and the positive electrode plate is left in the valley grooves of the stacked body, the guide members are pulled out from the respective valley grooves of the overlapping body, and then the overlapping body is pressed in the vertical direction into a flat shape.

3. A method of manufacturing an electrode plate group for a rectangular battery in which positive electrode plates and negative electrode plates are alternately stacked with separators interposed therebetween, wherein a plurality of guide members are arranged in a zigzag shape in a vertical direction, a continuous body of the separators is inserted between one row and the other row of the guide members, the continuous body is bent in a zigzag shape by intersecting the guide members in a horizontal direction between the rows, the positive electrode plates are inserted with one row of the guide members inserted into valley grooves on a first surface side of the zigzag-bent continuous body, the negative electrode plates are inserted with the other row of the guide members inserted into valley grooves on a second surface side of the zigzag-bent continuous body, and the positive electrode plates and the negative electrode plates are left in the valley grooves of the continuous body, the guide member is pulled out from each valley groove of the continuous body, and then the continuous body is pressed in the vertical direction into a flat shape.

4. A method of manufacturing a rectangular battery electrode group in which positive and negative electrode plates are alternately stacked with separators interposed therebetween, characterized in that a plurality of guide members are arranged in a zigzag shape in a vertical direction, a stacked body formed by sandwiching a continuous body of the negative electrode plate between one row and the other row of the guide members is inserted, the stacked body is bent in a zigzag shape by intersecting the guide members in a horizontal direction between the rows, the positive electrode plate is inserted in a state where one row of the guide members is inserted into valley grooves on a first surface side of the stacked body after the zigzag bending, the positive electrode plate is inserted in a state where the other row of the guide members is inserted into valley grooves on a second surface side of the stacked body after the zigzag bending, and the positive electrode plate is left in the valley grooves of the stacked body, the guide members are pulled out from the respective valley grooves of the overlapping body, and then the overlapping body is pressed in the vertical direction into a flat shape.

5. The method of manufacturing an electrode plate group for rectangular batteries according to claim 1 or 2,

after both the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate or the positive electrode plate is inserted into the valley grooves of the zigzag continuous body or the zigzag stacked body, the interval between the guide members in each row is reduced.

6. The method of manufacturing an electrode plate group for rectangular batteries according to claim 1 or 2,

and pressing the positive electrode plate or both the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate or the positive electrode plate inserted into the respective valley grooves of the continuous body or the stacked body in the vertical direction, which is the extending direction of the valley grooves.

7. The method of manufacturing an electrode plate group for rectangular batteries according to claim 1 or 2,

and pressing the continuous body or the overlapping body in the vertical direction when the guide member is pulled out from each valley groove of the continuous body or the overlapping body.

8. The method of manufacturing an electrode plate group for rectangular batteries according to claim 1 or 2,

after the guide members are pulled out from the respective valley grooves of the continuous body or the laminated body, the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate are further pressed into the respective valley grooves before the continuous body or the laminated body is pressed into a flat shape.

9. The method of manufacturing an electrode plate group for a rectangular battery according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the guide member is a guide bar.

10. The method of manufacturing an electrode plate group for a rectangular battery according to claim 9, wherein the guide bar is a roller that can freely rotate.

11. The method of manufacturing a rectangular battery plate group according to claim 9, wherein the guide bar has a semi-cylindrical shape.

12. The method of manufacturing an electrode plate group for rectangular batteries according to claim 1 or 2,

when the guide members are caused to intersect between the respective rows, air is blown from the surface of the guide member toward the continuous body or the stacked body.

13. The method of manufacturing an electrode plate group for rectangular batteries according to claim 1 or 2,

a friction-reducing material layer is formed on the surface of the guide member that is in contact with the continuous body or the stacked body.

14. The method of manufacturing an electrode plate group for rectangular batteries according to claim 1 or 2,

the guide component is a guide plate.

15. The method of manufacturing a rectangular battery plate group according to claim 14, wherein the guide plate is formed as an inclined plate inclined toward the front end of the intersecting side.

16. The method of manufacturing an electrode plate group for rectangular batteries according to claim 14, wherein rotatable rollers are mounted to the front ends of the crossing sides of the guide plates.

17. The method of manufacturing an electrode plate group for a rectangular battery according to claim 16,

when the guide plates are crossed between the respective rows, air is blown from the surface of the roller toward the continuous body or the stacked body.

18. The method of manufacturing an electrode plate group for a rectangular battery according to claim 16,

a friction reducing material layer is formed on a surface of at least one of the roller and the guide plate, the surface being in contact with the continuous body or the superimposed body.

19. The method of manufacturing an electrode plate group for rectangular batteries according to claim 1 or 2,

the guide member is pulled out from each valley groove of the continuous body or the superimposed body, a fold is formed at the bottom of each valley groove of the continuous body or the superimposed body, and then the continuous body or the superimposed body is pressed flat in the vertical direction.

20. The method of manufacturing an electrode plate group for a rectangular battery according to claim 19,

and pressing the side edge of the continuous body or the overlapped body along the front end direction of the guide rod from the time of bending the continuous body or the overlapped body in a Z shape to the time of pulling out the guide rod.

21. The method of manufacturing an electrode plate group for a rectangular battery according to claim 19,

and after the guide rods are pulled out of the valley grooves of the Z-shaped continuous body or the overlapped body, the interval of the continuous body or the overlapped body in the vertical direction is reduced.

22. An apparatus for manufacturing an electrode plate group for a rectangular battery, in which positive electrode plates and negative electrode plates are alternately stacked with separators interposed therebetween, comprising: a zigzag bending mechanism having a plurality of guide members arranged in a zigzag in a vertical direction, for inserting the continuous body of the separator between one row and the other row of the guide members, and bending the continuous body in a zigzag by crossing the guide members in a horizontal direction between the rows; a plate inserting mechanism for inserting the positive electrode plate in a state where one row of the guide member is inserted into the valley groove on the first surface side of the zigzag-folded continuous body, and inserting the negative electrode plate in a state where the other row of the guide member is inserted into the valley groove on the second surface side of the zigzag-folded continuous body; a guide member extraction mechanism that extracts the guide member from each valley groove of the continuous body in a state where the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate remain in each valley groove of the continuous body; and a pressing mechanism that presses the continuous body in the vertical direction into a flat shape.

23. An apparatus for manufacturing an electrode plate group for a rectangular battery, in which positive electrode plates and negative electrode plates are alternately stacked with separators interposed therebetween, comprising: a zigzag bending mechanism including a plurality of guide members arranged in a zigzag manner in a vertical direction, wherein when a stacked body formed by sandwiching the continuous body of the negative electrode plate between two continuous bodies of the separator is inserted between one row and the other row of the guide members, the guide members are crossed in a horizontal direction between the respective rows to bend the stacked body in a zigzag manner; a positive electrode plate insertion mechanism for inserting the positive electrode plate in a state where one row of the guide member is inserted into the valley groove on the first surface side of the zigzag-folded stacked body, and inserting the positive electrode plate in a state where the other row of the guide member is inserted into the valley groove on the second surface side of the zigzag-folded stacked body; a guide member extraction mechanism that extracts the guide member from each valley groove of the stacked body in a state where the positive electrode plate remains in each valley groove of the stacked body; and a pressing mechanism that presses the stacked body in the vertical direction into a flat shape.

24. An apparatus for manufacturing an electrode plate group for a rectangular battery, in which positive electrode plates and negative electrode plates are alternately stacked with separators interposed therebetween, comprising: a plurality of guide plates arranged in a zigzag shape in a vertical direction, the positive electrode plates being placed in one row and the negative electrode plates being placed in the other row, the continuous body of the separator being inserted between the one row and the other row, the continuous body being bent in a zigzag shape so as to cross each other in a horizontal direction between the rows, the positive electrode plates being inserted in the valley grooves on the first surface side of the zigzag-bent continuous body in correspondence with the one row of the respective guide plates, and the negative electrode plates being inserted in the valley grooves on the second surface side of the zigzag-bent continuous body in correspondence with the other row of the respective guide plates; a positive electrode plate holding mechanism configured to hold the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate in the respective valley grooves when the guide plate is pulled out from the respective valley grooves of the continuous body; and a pressing mechanism that presses the continuous body in the vertical direction into a flat shape.

25. An apparatus for manufacturing an electrode plate group for a rectangular battery, in which positive electrode plates and negative electrode plates are alternately stacked with separators interposed therebetween, comprising: a plurality of guide plates arranged in a zigzag shape in a vertical direction, the positive electrode plates being placed in one row and the other row, and when a stacked body formed by sandwiching the continuous body of the negative electrode plate between two continuous bodies of the separators is inserted between the one row and the other row, the stacked body is bent in a zigzag shape by crossing each row in a horizontal direction, the positive electrode plates are inserted into valley grooves on a first surface side of the stacked body after the zigzag bending, and the positive electrode plates are inserted into valley grooves on a second surface side of the stacked body after the zigzag bending; a positive electrode plate holding mechanism for holding the positive electrode plate in each valley groove when the guide plate is pulled out from each valley groove of the stacked body; and a pressing mechanism that presses the stacked body in the vertical direction into a flat shape.

26. An apparatus for manufacturing an electrode plate group for a rectangular battery, in which positive electrode plates and negative electrode plates are alternately stacked with separators interposed therebetween, comprising: a zigzag bending mechanism having a plurality of guide bars arranged in a zigzag in a vertical direction, the zigzag bending mechanism being configured to bend the continuous body of the separator in a zigzag by crossing the guide bars in a horizontal direction between the respective rows when the continuous body of the separator is inserted between one row and the other row of the guide bars; a plate inserting mechanism that inserts the positive electrode plate in a state where one row of the guide bar is inserted into the valley groove on the first surface side of the continuous body and inserts the negative electrode plate in a state where the other row of the guide bar is inserted into the valley groove on the second surface side of the continuous body while bending the continuous body in a zigzag manner; a guide bar extracting mechanism that extracts the guide bars from the respective valley grooves of the continuous body in a state where the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate remain in the respective valley grooves of the continuous body; a crease forming mechanism for forming creases at the bottoms of the valley grooves of the continuous body after the guide bar is pulled out; and a press mechanism for pressing the continuous body having the fold line formed therein in the vertical direction into a flat shape.

27. An apparatus for manufacturing an electrode plate group for a rectangular battery, in which positive electrode plates and negative electrode plates are alternately stacked with separators interposed therebetween, comprising: a zigzag bending mechanism including a plurality of guide bars arranged in a zigzag shape in a vertical direction, wherein when a stacked body formed by sandwiching the continuous body of the negative electrode plate between two continuous bodies of the separator is inserted between one row and the other row of the guide bars, the guide bars are crossed in a horizontal direction between the rows to bend the stacked body in a zigzag shape; a positive electrode plate insertion mechanism that inserts the positive electrode plate in a state where one row of the guide member is inserted into the valley groove on the first surface side of the stack while bending the stack in a zigzag manner, and inserts the positive electrode plate in a state where the other row of the guide member is inserted into the valley groove on the second surface side of the stack; a guide bar extracting mechanism that extracts the guide bars from the respective valley grooves of the stacked body in a state where the positive electrode plates remain in the respective valley grooves of the stacked body; a fold forming mechanism that forms a fold at a bottom of each valley groove of the stacked body after the guide bar is pulled out; and a press mechanism for pressing the overlapped body formed with the fold line in the vertical direction into a flat shape.

28. The manufacturing apparatus of an electrode plate group for rectangular batteries according to claim 26 or 27,

the electrode plate inserting mechanism has an electrode plate conveying tray for inserting the electrode plates into the valley grooves of the continuous body or the superimposed body, and the fold forming mechanism includes: a convex part formed at the front end of each polar plate conveying tray, and a bearing part which clamps the continuous body or the superposed body and each convex part together to form a crease.