Patent Description:
In the traditional method of preparing a laminated cell, a laminated cell is formed by firstly cutting a continuous laminate into a plurality of laminate units and then stacking the laminate units.

<CIT> relates to an electrode assembly, more specifically, to the electrode assembly folding apparatus and an electrode assembly folding method using the same. It can simply the fabrication method of the battery and increase the battery energy density.

<CIT> relates to a method for producing an electrode stack for an energy store of a motor vehicle; as electrodes, cathodes and anodes being alternately stacked on top of one another with the interposition of a separator strip, the separator strip first having the cathodes and anodes laid thereon, thereby forming an electrode strip, and the electrode strip subsequently being folded numerous times to stack the cathodes and the anodes on top of one another.

These traditional preparation methods are complicated in process and have low production efficiency, and are therefore not suitable for mass production.

An object of the present disclosure comprises providing a method of preparing a laminated cell, which can simplify the preparation process and improve production efficiency, and thus is suitable for mass production.

An embodiment of the present disclosure can e.g. be implemented in the following manner:.

Optionally, the step of laying out a plurality of second electrodes successively on both surface sides of the internal layer along the first direction with the second electrodes on one surface side and the second electrodes on the other surface side placed alternately to form a composite lamination comprises the following steps of:.

Optionally, the step of folding the staggered lamination in a zigzag manner comprises the step of:
folding the staggered lamination in a zigzag manner, wherein respective interstices formed between respective first electrodes are used as folding positions.

Optionally, the method of preparing a laminated cell provided in the embodiment of the present disclosure further comprises the step of flattening the staggered lamination folded in a zigzag manner to obtain a laminated cell with certain compactness.

Optionally, the method of preparing a laminated cell provided in the embodiment of the present disclosure further comprises the step of sealing openings along the edges of the two separators.

Optionally, the method of preparing a laminated cell provided in the embodiment of the present disclosure further comprises selecting a cathode as the first electrode, and selecting an anode as the second electrode.

Optionally, in the method of preparing a laminated cell provided in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the first direction is parallel to the extension direction of the separator.

Compared with the prior art, as for the method of preparing a laminated cell provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the plurality of second electrodes are arranged alternately on both surface sides of the internal layer, together forming a composite lamination; when pressing this composite lamination, the separator is creased, hereby forming a staggered lamination; and the staggered lamination is folded in a zigzag manner, forming a laminated cell. The whole preparation process is convenient and fast, wherein the operation of stacking after cutting off is replaced by folding, meanwhile, additional operations such as positioning of trimming positions before the cutting operation are omitted, and since the first electrodes are staggered and the separators are creased at the folding positions, the folding process can be completed rapidly. Thus, the method of preparing a laminated cell provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure has the following beneficial effects: simplifying the preparation process of laminated cells, improving the production efficiency significantly, and being suitable for mass production.

In order to more clearly describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the figures to be used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced in the following contents. It shall be understood that the following figures merely show certain embodiments of the present disclosure, and thus should not be deemed as limiting the scope thereof. For a person ordinarily skilled in the art, further relevant figures could be obtained according to these figures without using inventive efforts.

Reference signs: <NUM>-internal layer; <NUM>-first electrode; <NUM>-seperator; <NUM>-composite lamination; <NUM>-second electrode; <NUM>-staggered lamination; <NUM>-laminated cell; <NUM>-arranging device; <NUM>-hot-pressing device; <NUM>-laminating device; <NUM>-guide roller; <NUM>-feeding assembly; <NUM>-swinging arm; <NUM>-double roller driving assembly; <NUM>-cutting assembly; <NUM>-carrying assembly; <NUM>-carrying platform; and <NUM>- folding and flattening mechanism.

In order to make the objects, the technical solutions and the advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be clearly and comprehensively described below with reference to the attached figures in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Obviously, the described embodiments are merely some of the embodiments of the present disclosure, but not all the embodiments. Generally, the assemblies of the embodiments of the present disclosure that are described and shown here in the figures may be arranged and designed according to various configurations.

Thus, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present disclosure that are provided in the figures merely represents selected embodiments of the present disclosure, rather than being intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure for which protection is sought.

It shall be noted that similar reference signs and letters represent similar items in the following figures, thus, once a certain item is defined in one figure, no further definition and explanation of this item is necessary in the subsequent figures.

In the description of the present disclosure, it shall be understood that orientations or position relationships indicated by terms such as "upper", "lower", "inner", "outer", "left" and "right" are orientations or position relationships shown based on the figures, or orientations or position relationships in which the product of this disclosure is conventionally placed during use, or orientations or position relationships that could be conventionally understood by a person skilled in the art, merely for the purposes of facilitating the description of the present disclosure and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that a specified apparatus or element must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a certain orientation, and therefore cannot be construed as limiting the present disclosure.

In addition, terms such as "first" and "second" are used merely for purpose of differentiated description, and cannot be construed as indicating or implying to have importance in relativity.

In the description of the present disclosure, it shall further be clarified that unless otherwise expressly specified and defined, terms such as "provide" and "connect" shall be construed in a broad sense. For example, the term "connect" may refer to fixed connection, or detachable connection, or integrated connection; it may refer to mechanical connection, or electrical connection; or it may refer to direct connection, or indirect connection via an intermediate, or inner communication between two elements. For a person ordinarily skilled in the art, the specific meanings of the above-mentioned terms in the present disclosure could be construed in accordance with specific circumstances.

The embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below referring to the figures.

<FIG> is a schematic block diagram showing the flow chart of a method of preparing a laminated cell provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure; and in combination with <FIG> and <FIG>, the method of preparing a laminated cell comprises:
Step S101: laying out a plurality of first electrodes <NUM> successively and intervally between two separators <NUM> along a first direction, such that the plurality of first electrodes <NUM> and the two separators <NUM> form together an internal layer <NUM>.

When successively laying out the plurality of first electrodes <NUM>, the distance between adjacent first electrodes <NUM> needs to be controlled. Since in subsequent steps, no trimming at this interstice is necessary, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, compared with the conventional preparation method, the interstice between adjacent first electrodes <NUM> can be smaller, that is to say, more first electrodes <NUM> can be placed on a separator <NUM> of the same length, hereby achieving the effect of reducing production costs.

Referring further to <FIG>, the internal layer <NUM> resulting from Step S101 comprises two layers of separators <NUM>, i.e. an upper layer and a lower layer, and the plurality of first electrodes <NUM> placed intervally between the two layers of separators <NUM>, wherein the distances between respectively adjacent two first electrodes <NUM> are identical.

Further, in combination with <FIG> and <FIG>, the method of preparing a laminated cell can further comprise:
Step S102: laying out a plurality of second electrodes <NUM> successively on both surface sides of the internal layer <NUM> along the first direction with the second electrodes on one surface side and the second electrodes on the other surface side placed alternately, such that the plurality of second electrodes <NUM> and the internal layer <NUM> form together a composite lamination <NUM>, wherein each of the second electrodes <NUM> is parallel to a respective first electrode <NUM>. Specifically, the position of one second electrode <NUM> corresponds to the position of one first electrode <NUM>.

After the completion of Step S101, it begins to implement Step S102. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the composite lamination <NUM> is formed by laying out the plurality of second electrodes <NUM> successively on both surface sides of the internal layer <NUM> in a way that the second electrodes on one surface side and the second electrodes on the other surface side are alternately placed.

Further, referring to <FIG>, Step S102 can further comprise the following substeps:.

In order to avoid influences on subsequent folding step caused by blocking interstices between adjacent first electrodes <NUM> during arrangement of the second electrodes <NUM>, it is required, when performing Substep S1021 or Substep S1022, to assure that the second electrode <NUM> is arranged within a corresponding region range of the first electrode <NUM> on the separator <NUM>, that is to say, in the first direction, the margin of the second electrode <NUM> does not exceed the margin of the corresponding first electrode <NUM> thereof, i.e. the interstice between projections of two adjacent second electrodes <NUM> in a direction perpendicular to the internal layer covers the interstice between the corresponding two adjacent first electrodes <NUM>, with the two adjacent second electrodes placed on both surface sides of the internal layer.

The specific laying-out process of the second electrodes <NUM> can be adjusted according to practical circumstances. For example, in another embodiment, a method may by adopted, in which a plurality of second electrodes <NUM> are firstly placed intervally on one surface side of the internal layer <NUM>, and then a plurality of second electrodes <NUM> are placed intervally on the other surface side of the internal layer <NUM>, as long as it can achieve that on the formed composite lamination <NUM>, any two second electrodes <NUM> among the plurality of second electrodes <NUM> distributed on the two surface sides of the internal layer <NUM> are spaced from each other and staggeredly placed in a vertical direction. This vertical direction may be a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the separator <NUM>.

Further, in combination with <FIG> and <FIG>, the method of preparing a laminated cell can further comprise:
Step S103: pressing the composite lamination <NUM> to form a staggered lamination <NUM>.

After Step S102, the arrangement of the second electrodes <NUM> is completed, and the implementation of Step S103 begins, after that the second electrodes and the internal layer <NUM> together form the composite lamination <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, Step S103 can further comprise the following substeps:
Substep S1031: heating the composite lamination <NUM>, such that a hot-melt adhesive adhered to the separator <NUM> melts.

A hot-melt adhesive is adhered to the separator <NUM>, and after Substep S1031, the hot-melt adhesive melts to have stickiness, such that the first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM> can be stuck together.

Substep S1032: exerting opposite pressures on the respective second electrodes <NUM> on both sides of the composite lamination <NUM> in the stacking layer direction of the first electrodes <NUM> and the corresponding second electrodes <NUM>, such that any two adjacent first electrodes <NUM> are staggered in the first direction, and such that the separators <NUM> are each creased at the interstice between any two adjacent first electrodes <NUM>.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the composite lamination <NUM> is pressed by way of hot-pressing, as a hot-melt adhesive is adhered to the selected separator <NUM>. In another embodiment, if an adhesive adhered to the selected separator <NUM> has an adhesive effect at a room temperature, the composite lamination <NUM> can be pressed correspondingly by way of cold-pressing, which means no heating is required.

When exerting pressures on the composite lamination <NUM> during the execution of Substep S1032, due to that the individual second electrodes <NUM> at the two sides of the composite lamination <NUM> protrudes, the pressure acts on one sides of the respective second electrodes <NUM> away from the first electrodes <NUM>, and the pressurizing direction is parallel to the stacking layer direction of the second electrodes <NUM>, the separators <NUM> and the first electrodes <NUM>, that is to say, the pressure direction is perpendicular to the surface of the second electrodes <NUM>, and the electrodes at two sides of the composite lamination <NUM> are under pressures of the opposite directions.

After the pressure is applied, the plurality of second electrodes <NUM> on the two sides of the composite lamination <NUM> move towards each other, and each push the corresponding first electrode <NUM> thereof to move, thereby causing the staggering of adjacent first electrodes <NUM>; moreover, the two separators <NUM> are creased at the interstice between two adjacent first electrodes <NUM>, and the crease can enable subsequent folding process to be completed more quickly.

Substep S1033: stopping exerting the pressures, when the opposite two sides of the composite lamination <NUM>, where the respective second electrodes <NUM> are located, are flat.

During the continuous application of the pressure, the area corresponding to the second electrode <NUM> on the separator <NUM> at the same side as the respective second electrode <NUM> recesses gradually, and adjacent areas with no second electrode <NUM> disposed thereon protrude gradually, that is to say, the opposite two sides of the composite lamination <NUM> become flat gradually. When the opposite two sides of the composite lamination <NUM>, where the respective second electrodes <NUM> are located, are flat, the pressure application stops, and at this time, the respective second electrodes <NUM> are aligned with the protruding areas of the separator <NUM> at the same side as the second electrodes.

Further, in combination with <FIG> and <FIG>, the method of preparing a laminated cell can further comprise:
Step S104: folding the staggered lamination <NUM> in a zigzag manner.

After Step S103, after completing the pressing of the composite lamination <NUM> to form the staggered lamination <NUM>, the implementation of Step S104 begins. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a laminating device is used to fold the staggered lamination <NUM> extending in the first direction in a zigzag manner, hereby forming a laminated cell <NUM>. When performing the folding in the zigzag manner, since the bending strength of the electrode differs from that of the separator <NUM>, there is an interstice between two adjacent first electrodes <NUM> on the continuous staggered lamination <NUM>, and the separator <NUM> would be creased correspondingly at this interstice. Thus, there would be a bending at this interstice, i.e. the crease. As a result, each crease on the separator <NUM> indicates the position of each folding for the zigzag folding.

As to the staggered lamination <NUM> formed in Step S103, the plurality of first electrodes <NUM> thereof is staggered in the first direction, and creases are formed on the separator <NUM> at the staggered parts of the first electrodes <NUM>. Thus, when folding the staggered lamination <NUM> in a zigzag manner, the separator <NUM> would not be dragged significantly by turning over the first electrodes <NUM>, so the folding process is easier, and the first electrodes would not be damaged during the folding process due to the interstice between two adjacent first electrodes. In addition, after the folding of two adjacent first electrodes <NUM>, attaching of the corresponding areas of the separator <NUM> is tighter.

Furthermore, it shall be understood that the plurality of first electrodes <NUM> successively arranged in the first direction can be deemed as a continuous whole sheet of first electrodes extending in the first direction, when the interstices between adjacent first electrodes <NUM> are small enough. In other words, in another embodiment, the plurality of first electrodes <NUM> in the internal layer <NUM> can be replaced by a whole continuous first electrode; and because of the flexibility of the continuous first electrode, the alternately arranged second electrodes <NUM> are staggered under stress and reversely abut against adjacent areas on the continuous first electrode, when the composite lamination <NUM> is pressed, as a result, this continuous first electrode is bent repeatedly in the first direction, that is to say, being creased like the separator <NUM>.

Moreover, after folding, the openings along the two edges of the two separators <NUM> can be sealed, so as to protect the first electrodes <NUM>. In the method of preparing a laminated cell provided in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the separator <NUM> only has openings at edges where the folding starts and ends, and the sealing operation is convenient and fast. In the conventional preparation method, the trimming is performed multiple times, resulting in that each layer of the stacked separators <NUM> has openings at two edges, that is to say, each layer of the separators <NUM> requires to be sealed, which process is troublesome and slows down the preparation speed.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a cathode is used as the first electrode <NUM>, and an anode is used as the second electrode <NUM>. In the method of preparing a laminated cell provided in the embodiment of the present disclosure, compared with the conventional preparation method, successive stacking is replaced by zigzag folding, a series of operations such as multiple trimming and positioning before the trimming are omitted, moreover, the stacking process is completed in one time, which greatly improves the preparation speed, saves the preparation costs, and is suitable for mass production.

In a laminated cell <NUM> prepared through the method of preparing a laminated cell provided in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the respective electrodes are accurately aligned with each other in the stacking layer direction, and the folding process is easier and faster, and the laminated cell <NUM> obtained after folding has a compacter structure, that is to say, the battery cell has a better quality. Moreover, the two separators <NUM> have openings only at the edges where folding starts and ends, achieving a better protection for the first electrodes <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a schematic block diagram of the structure of a laminating system which, in combination with <FIG>, can be used in the method of preparing a laminated cell provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure, and can be configured as an automatic production line of laminated cells <NUM>, hereby realizing mass production of laminated cells <NUM>.

This laminating system comprises an arranging device <NUM>, a hot-pressing device <NUM>, and a laminating device <NUM>;, conveying devices are respectively provided between the arranging device <NUM>, the hot-pressing device <NUM> and the laminating device <NUM>, where this conveying device may be a conveyor belt. The arranging device <NUM> is configured to lay out a plurality of first electrodes <NUM> successively and intervally between two separators <NUM> along a first direction, such that the plurality of first electrodes <NUM> and the two separators <NUM> form together an internal layer <NUM>, and is used to lay out a plurality of second electrodes <NUM> successively on the both surface sides of the internal layer <NUM> along the first direction with the second electrodes on one surface side and the second electrodes on the other surface side placed alternately, such that the plurality of second electrodes <NUM> and the internal layer <NUM> form together a composite lamination <NUM>; the hot-pressing device <NUM> is configured to hot-press the composite lamination <NUM>, hereby forming a staggered lamination <NUM>; and the laminating device <NUM> is configured to fold the staggered lamination <NUM> in a zigzag manner.

The arranging device <NUM> outputs the composite lamination <NUM> to the hot-pressing device <NUM> through the conveying device; the hot-pressing device <NUM> then hot-presses the composite lamination <NUM>, hereby forming a staggered lamination <NUM>; and this staggered lamination <NUM> is then transported to the laminating device <NUM>, and the laminating device <NUM> folds the staggered lamination <NUM> in a zigzag manner, so as to form a laminated cell <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a structural schematic diagram of this laminating device <NUM> for performing Step S104 in the method of preparing a laminated cell provided in the embodiment of the present disclosure. It comprises a guide roller <NUM>, a feeding assembly <NUM>, and a carrying assembly <NUM>, wherein the guide roller <NUM> is disposed on the feeding assembly <NUM>, or disposed upstream of this feeding assembly <NUM>, and is in rotatable connection with the feeding assembly <NUM>, for the purpose of guiding the continuous staggered lamination <NUM> outputted by the hot-pressing device <NUM> and transporting the staggered lamination <NUM> to the feeding assembly <NUM>. The carrying assembly <NUM> is disposed under the feeding assembly <NUM>, or disposed downstream of this feeding assembly <NUM>, so as to carry the staggered lamination <NUM>. The feeding assembly <NUM> is configured to transport the staggered lamination <NUM> coming from the guide roller <NUM> to the carrying assembly <NUM>, and is further configured to reciprocally swing relative to the carrying assembly <NUM> during the transportation, such that the staggered lamination <NUM> is folded in a zigzag manner and the folded staggered lamination <NUM> is placed in the carrying assembly <NUM>. During actual applications, the swing angle of the feeding assembly <NUM> can be adaptively adjusted according to folding requirements.

The feeding assembly <NUM> includes a swinging arm <NUM>, a double roller driving assembly <NUM>, and a cutting assembly <NUM>, wherein the guide roller <NUM> is disposed at one end of the swinging arm <NUM> and is in rotatable connection with the swinging arm <NUM>. The double roller driving assembly <NUM> is disposed on the swinging arm <NUM>, and is in rotatable connection with the swinging arm <NUM>, so as to transport the staggered lamination <NUM> to the carrying assembly <NUM>. The double roller driving assembly <NUM> includes one separate guide die roll and two sets of clamping die rolls, wherein each set of clamping die rolls is provided with a driving member for rotation (a rotation driving member), and each set of clamping die rolls includes two small die rolls provided opposite to each other, wherein the driving member for rotation drives the two small die rolls to rotate relative to each other. The staggered lamination <NUM> guided and transported by the guide roller <NUM> passes by the guide die roll and is transported to the two sets of clamping die rolls, the staggered lamination <NUM> passes between the two small die rolls of each set of clamping die rolls and is clamped thereby, and under driving by the driving member for rotation, the two small die rolls of each set of clamping die rolls realize the clamping of the staggered lamination <NUM> and simultaneously transport the same to the carrying assembly <NUM>.

During actual applications, the staggered lamination <NUM> is transported to the carrying assembly <NUM>; with the one-way swinging of the swinging arm <NUM>, the staggered lamination <NUM> is placed on the carrying assembly <NUM>; and after pre-setting the swing angle, the swinging arm <NUM> performs returning swing, and now, the staggered lamination <NUM> is bent at the creases of the separator <NUM> and folded accordingly. The swinging arm reciprocally swings, hereby realizing the zigzag folding of the staggered lamination <NUM>.

The cutting assembly <NUM> is provided on the swinging arm <NUM>, and the cutting assembly <NUM> is configured to cut off the continuous staggered lamination <NUM> after finishing the folding.

The carrying assembly <NUM> includes a carrying platform <NUM> and a folding and flattening mechanism <NUM>, wherein the carrying platform <NUM> is configured to carry the staggered lamination <NUM>, and the carrying platform <NUM> is provided with an elevating mechanism, driven by which the carrying platform <NUM> can move towards or away from the guide roller <NUM>, that is, move towards or away from the folding and flattening mechanism <NUM>, so as to flatten the folded staggered lamination <NUM>. Specifically, the folding and flattening mechanism <NUM> is provided on the carrying platform <NUM> in a standing manner and is provided with a protrusion part, wherein this folding and flattening mechanism is able to rotate about a vertical axis, and this protrusion part is able to move towards or away from the carrying platform <NUM>. After finishing the folding, the folding and flattening mechanism <NUM> begins to rotate, so as to make the protrusion part placed on a top surface of the multi-layered staggered lamination <NUM>; the protrusion part moves then towards a surface of the carrying platform <NUM>, so as to realize the flattening of the multi-layered staggered lamination <NUM> in the stacking layer direction, wherein the creases are flattened, so as to obtain a laminated cell with a desired compactness.

Here, two folding and flattening mechanisms are provided, and the distance between the folding and flattening mechanisms may be an integral multiple of the length of the first electrode or the second electrode in the first direction, so as to assure that the staggered lamination <NUM> is folded at the gaps between electrodes. In addition, it could be understood that more folding and flattening mechanisms may be provided, so as to achieve a better flattening effect.

Moreover, it could be understood that as to the two configurations, i.e. the providing of an elevating mechanism enabling the movement of the carrying platform <NUM> relative to the folding and flattening mechanism <NUM> and the configuration of the protrusion part to be movable relative to the carrying platform <NUM>, either one may be selected, or the both may be selected simultaneously, as long as the flattening of the folded staggered lamination <NUM> can be realized.

The laminating system can successively complete the steps of laying-out, pressing and zigzag folding the electrodes, to finally prepare a desired laminated cell. The preparation speed of laminated cells can be significantly improved, which indicates suitableness for mass production of laminated cells.

The above mentioned is merely preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, and for a person skilled in the art, the present disclosure may be modified and changed in various ways.

Claim 1:
A method of preparing a laminated cell (<NUM>), comprising steps of:
laying out a plurality of first electrodes (<NUM>) successively and intervally between two separators (<NUM>) along a first direction, such that the plurality of first electrodes (<NUM>) and the two separators (<NUM>) form together an internal layer (<NUM>);
laying out a plurality of second electrodes (<NUM>) successively on both surface sides of the internal layer (<NUM>) along the first direction with the second electrodes (<NUM>) on one surface side and the second electrodes (<NUM>) on the other surface side placed alternately, such that the plurality of second electrodes (<NUM>) and the internal layer (<NUM>) form together a composite lamination (<NUM>), wherein each of the second electrodes (<NUM>) is parallel to the respective first electrode (<NUM>);
pressing the composite lamination (<NUM>), to form a staggered lamination (<NUM>); and
folding the staggered lamination (<NUM>) in a zigzag manner,
characterized in that the step of pressing the composite lamination (<NUM>) to form a staggered lamination (<NUM>) comprises steps of:
heating the composite lamination (<NUM>), such that a hot-melt adhesive adhered to the separator (<NUM>) melts; and
exerting opposite pressures on the respective second electrodes (<NUM>) on both sides of the composite lamination (<NUM>) in a stacking layer direction of the second electrodes (<NUM>), the separators (<NUM>) and the first electrodes (<NUM>), such that the separators (<NUM>) are each creased at an interstice between any two adjacent first electrodes (<NUM>);
wherein after the step of exerting opposite pressures on the respective second electrodes (<NUM>) on both sides of the composite lamination (<NUM>) in a stacking layer direction, the method further comprises a step of:
stopping exerting the pressures, when the opposite two sides of the composite lamination (<NUM>) are flat.