JP2004031423A - Glove box equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a glove box apparatus which is capable of manufacturing, for instance, a high-quality electric double layer capacitor cell or the like with high efficiency. <P>SOLUTION: The glove box apparatus is equipped with a second glove box 20 demarcating a closed space, a guide rail 26 which is fitted to the ceiling of the second glove box 20, and a suspension conveyer 25 which is suspended from the rail 26 through the intermediary of a pulley 27 that rolls on the guide rail 26. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a glove box device used for manufacturing, for example, an electric double layer capacitor cell or the like.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, attention has been focused on an application technique of an electric double layer capacitor cell that can be rapidly charged and has a long charge / discharge cycle life as various power storage devices.
[0003]
The electric double layer capacitor cell is configured by alternately stacking the same number of positive and negative electrode bodies with a separator interposed therebetween. These capacitor laminates are immersed in an electrolytic solution, housed in a container, and sealed (see Japanese Patent No. 3005922 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-94374).
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
An object of the present invention is to provide a glove box device that efficiently manufactures, for example, a high-quality electric double layer capacitor cell, based on the conventional technology of such an electric double layer capacitor cell.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A first invention includes a glove box defining a closed space, a guide rail provided on a ceiling of the glove box, and a suspension conveyor suspended via a pulley rolling on the guide rail. It was taken.
[0006]
Function and Effect of the Invention
In the first invention, for example, the capacitor cells and the like are transported by the hanging conveyor in the sealed space of the glove box in the order of each manufacturing process, so that the capacitor cells and the like can be efficiently manufactured without being exposed to the outside air. Stabilization of quality and cost reduction of products are achieved.
[0007]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0008]
In FIG. 1, an example of the electric double layer capacitor cell 1 will be described. Reference numeral 5 denotes a capacitor case for accommodating the capacitor laminate 4 together with the electrolytic solution, and 2 denotes a pair of terminal plates (capacitor cell electrodes) drawn out of the capacitor case 5, and each terminal plate 2 is formed of a short aluminum material. Is done.
[0009]
The capacitor laminate 4 is configured by alternately laminating the same number of positive and negative electrodes with a separator (a porous film made of paper or the like) interposed therebetween. The positive electrode body and the negative electrode body are composed of an electrode sheet 6 having the same configuration including a collector electrode and polarizable electrodes (activated carbon electrodes) on both surfaces thereof. These collector electrodes are made of a rectangular metal foil (for example, aluminum foil), and a strip-shaped lead 3 is integrally formed on one side of the rectangular plane toward one side. The same polarity of each lead portion 3 is bundled, and the terminal plate 2 having a corresponding polarity is welded to the binding portion.
[0010]
The capacitor case 5 is formed of a laminate pack of a bottom portion and a lid portion formed from a resin film (for example, an aluminum laminate film) of a flexible material having a laminated structure including a metal layer into the same shape. The receiving portions of the capacitor laminate 4 are formed by the flat rectangular recesses 5a facing each other. The capacitor laminate 4 is placed inside the bottom portion, and the lid portion is covered from above. In the peripheral portion 5b of the capacitor case 5, three sides except one side from which the pair of terminal plates 2 (parts thereof) are drawn out are heat-sealed (heat-sealed). One side of the capacitor case 5 from which the pair of terminal plates 2 protrude can be opened, and an electrolytic solution is injected into the inside through the opening, and when the impregnation of the electrolytic solution and the electrolytic purification are completed, an extra electrolytic solution is extracted. Thereafter, the openable side is thermally welded and sealed in a vacuum.
[0011]
The manufacturing process of the electric double layer capacitor cell 1 is divided into a process performed outside the capacitor cell manufacturing device 8 shown in FIGS. 2 to 14 and a process processed inside the capacitor cell manufacturing device 8. Outside the capacitor cell manufacturing apparatus 8, a step of forming an electrode sheet 6 (a positive electrode body and a negative electrode body), a step of forming a separator having a predetermined area, a step of forming a pair of terminal plates 2, A step of forming a laminate pack to be a side portion and a lid side portion is performed. Then, all the subsequent manufacturing steps of the electric double layer capacitor cell 1 described above are performed inside the capacitor cell manufacturing apparatus 8.
[0012]
As shown in FIG. 2, the capacitor cell manufacturing device (glove box device) 8 includes a first glove box 10, a second glove box 20, and a third glove box 30 that are separated independently from the outside. Each of the glove boxes 10 to 30 includes a vacuum pump for sucking air, a circuit for supplying and discharging an inert gas such as argon, a circuit for circulating the filled gas to the dehydration tower 9 and dehumidifying, and the like. A gas-filled and dry atmosphere (dew point temperature of about −60 ° C.) is created. This has already been filed by the present applicant as Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-32086.
[0013]
Each of the glove boxes 10 to 30 has a closed cylindrical shape, and is provided with a plurality of gloved insertion openings 7 and glass windows 19 on the left and right side walls, respectively, so that the internal atmosphere is not destroyed. . A glove (not shown) is attached to the gloved insertion port 7. The operator can look at the inside of each of the glove boxes 10 to 30 from the glass window 19 and put his / her hand in this glove to perform work.
[0014]
The first glove box 10 has two vacuum drying ovens 401 to 404 connected to the front and rear walls, respectively. Prior to being carried into the inside of the first glove box 10, the constituent material of the electric double layer capacitor cell 1 is placed in each of the vacuum drying furnaces 401 to 404, and is dried while being heated by a heater. Removal is sufficient.
[0015]
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5A and 5B, the # 1 vacuum drying furnace 401 provided on the front right side of the first glove box 10 communicates with the first glove box 10 through the communication port 41. A pass box 42, an inner door 43 that opens and closes the communication port 41, an entrance 44 that opens to the pass box 42, and an outer door 45 that opens and closes the entrance 44, thereby defining a sealed space. You. A three-stage shelf 52 is provided in the pass box 42. After the outer door 45 is opened, the material put in the pass box 42 from the entrance 44 is placed on each shelf 52, and dried at a predetermined temperature. Then, the user opens the inner door 43 and enters the first glove box 10 through the communication port 41.
[0016]
The seal 54 is pressed against the inner door 43 by turning the handle 58 and pulling the clamp 59 of the inner door 43 that opens and closes the communication port 41, thereby sealing the communication port 41. The inner door 43 slides to the retreat position via a pulley 57 that rolls on the guide rail 56 when opened. Thereby, the mechanism for opening and closing the inner door 43 is made compact, and the limited space of the first glove box 10 can be effectively used.
[0017]
A tube 46 communicating with the vacuum pump, a tube 47 for supplying an inert gas such as argon, a tube 48 for sucking the inert gas, and a tube 49 communicating with the dehydration tower 9 are connected to the pass box 42, respectively. . The vacuum drying furnace 401 is for sucking air by a vacuum pump to make it vacuum, and then filling it with an inert gas to return to normal pressure and putting the material into a glove box.
[0018]
In the pass box 42, four electro-heated panel-type heaters 50 for heating the vacuum drying furnace 401 are provided on four surfaces, that is, upper and lower surfaces and both side surfaces. Heating of the heater 50 is controlled via a temperature controller 51, and the temperature of the vacuum drying furnace 401 is maintained at a predetermined value. As a result, the constituent material of the electric double layer capacitor cell 1 is put into each of the vacuum drying furnaces 401 to 404 and is heated by the heater 50 at an appropriate temperature according to the material. It will be done at home and ready for mass production.
[0019]
Polarizable electrodes (activated carbon electrodes) are put into # 1, # 2 vacuum drying furnaces 401, 402 provided on the front left and right sides of the first glove box 10, and are kept at a constant temperature (about 150 to 250 ° C.) for about 1 hour. Is performed, heat is radiated for about one hour.
[0020]
Separator (porous film made of paper or the like) is put into the # 1 and # 2 vacuum drying furnaces 401 and 402 in another process, and heating is performed at a constant temperature (about 80 to 160 ° C.) for about 1 hour. After that, heat radiation is performed for about one hour.
[0021]
Laminate packs are loaded into # 3 and # 4 vacuum drying furnaces 403 and 404 provided on the left and right sides behind the first glove box 10, and evacuated at room temperature for about 1 hour.
[0022]
In a separate step, the collector electrodes (aluminum material with a polypropylene film) are charged into the # 3 and # 4 vacuum drying furnaces 403 and 404, and are heated at a constant temperature (about 80 to 160 ° C.) for about 1 hour. Then, heat is released for about one hour.
[0023]
A cooling water passage 53 is provided in the pass box 42, and the seals 54 and 55 of the doors 43 and 45 are prevented from being overheated by the cooling water circulating through the cooling water passage 53.
[0024]
An assembly line 10a for assembling the capacitor cell 1 is provided inside the first glove box 10, and an inspection area 10b for inspecting the capacitor cell 1 is provided in front of the assembly line 10a (on the second glove box 20 side). .
[0025]
In the assembly line 10a of the first glove box 10, a step of assembling the rectangular capacitor laminate 4 from the positive electrode body and the negative electrode body and the separator interposed therebetween, the lead portions 3 of the same polarity of the capacitor laminate 4 (the The step of welding the terminal plate 2 having the corresponding polarity to the binding portion) and the step of accommodating the capacitor laminate 4 in the capacitor case 5 (the step of assembling the capacitor case 5 so as to accommodate the capacitor laminate 4) are sequentially performed.
[0026]
As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the assembly line 10a of the first glove box 10 includes a device 11 for forming the electrode sheet 6, a stacking robot 12 for stacking the electrode sheet 6, a transfer device 13, A banding device 14 for bundling the electrode sheets 6, a transport device 15, a spot welder 16 for welding the terminal plate 2, a three-way sealing device for assembling the capacitor case 5, and the like are provided.
[0027]
As shown in FIG. 3, the inspection area 10b of the first glove box 10 is provided with an inspection conveyor 17, a transport conveyor 18, and the like. Is placed on the conveyor 18.
[0028]
By providing the inspection area 10b in front of the assembly line 10a, the inspection of the capacitor cell 1 and the transport to the second glove box 20 are performed efficiently.
[0029]
In the second glove box 20, a step of injecting an electrolytic solution from one openable side of the capacitor case 5 accommodating the capacitor laminate 4, a step of impregnating the capacitor laminate 4 with the electrolytic solution, A step of electrolytically refining (electrolyzing) the functional group is performed.
[0030]
The second glove box 20 is provided with eight electrolytic purification tanks 21, and a slide-type work table 23 is provided adjacent to each of the electrolytic purification tanks 21. As shown in FIG. 11, the electrolytic refining tank 21 is provided with a lid 22 for opening and closing its opening, and a sealed space for accommodating the capacitor laminate 4 is defined therein. The electrolytic refining tank 21 is connected to a vacuum pump that sucks air, a pipe that supplies an electrolytic solution from a tank provided outside, a pipe that collects excess electrolytic solution, and the like.
[0031]
Inside the electrolytic refining tank 21, each process from injection of the electrolytic solution into the inside of the capacitor case 5 to electrolytic refining of the capacitor laminate 4 is sequentially performed. In the impregnation of the electrolytic solution, a process of sucking the inside of the sealed electrolytic purification tank 21 into a vacuum state and a step of filling the inside of the electrolytic purification tank 21 with a dry normal-pressure inert gas (returning to the atmospheric pressure). And are alternately repeated. As a result, the electrolytic solution sufficiently spreads to every corner of the polarizable electrode and the separator of the capacitor laminate 4, and the impregnation of the electrolytic solution is efficiently performed in a short time.
[0032]
The electrolytic refining is a treatment for electrolyzing residual moisture and functional groups contained in a polarizable electrode (activated carbon electrode) or the like to convert it into CO ₂ gas and removing it. , A certain current is passed between the pair of terminal plates 2 to charge the battery to a set voltage, and then the battery is discharged. The charge / discharge cycle is repeated several times. The CO ₂ gas at that time is sucked from the inside of the sealed electrolytic refining tank 21 to the outside of the second glove box 20 by evacuation.
[0033]
In this manner, the step of impregnating the capacitor laminate 4 with the electrolytic solution in the closed space of the plurality of electrolytic purification tanks 21 and the step of electrolytically refining the remaining moisture and functional groups of the capacitor laminate 4 are efficiently performed.
[0034]
In the third glove box 30, a step of sealing one openable side of the capacitor case 5 is performed, and the capacitor cell 1 is completed.
[0035]
As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, a top seal device 31 for sealing the capacitor case 5 is provided inside the third glove box 30, and the capacitor cell 1 before the sealing process is provided behind the top seal device 31. A stock area 30a for storing the capacitor cells 1 is provided in front of the top seal device 31.
[0036]
A pass box 32 is provided on the front wall of the third glove box 30, and the completed capacitor cell 1 is carried out from the pass box 42.
[0037]
By providing the stock area 30a and the stock area 30b for storing the capacitor cells 1 behind and in front of the top seal device 31, the sealing process of the top seal device 31 and the carrying out of the completed capacitor cells 1 are performed efficiently.
[0038]
The first glove box 10 and the second glove box 20 are connected by a pass tunnel 60, the second glove box 20 and the third glove box 30 are connected by a pass tunnel 60, and a series of conveyors 18 are provided in each pass tunnel 60. Provided. The transport conveyor 18 extends from the inspection area 10b of the first glove box 10 to the pass tunnel 60, the second glove box 20, the pass tunnel 60, and the stock area 30a of the third glove box 30, and the objects placed on this are conveyed. Convey automatically.
[0039]
Each of the first to third glove boxes 10 to 30 includes a pass tunnel opening 61 for the pass tunnel 60 and a pass tunnel door 62 that opens and closes the pass tunnel opening 61. When the pass tunnel door 62 closes the pass tunnel 60, the first to third glove boxes 10 to 30 are defined in closed spaces independently of each other, so that the internal atmosphere is not destroyed. .
[0040]
As shown in FIG. 7, a pass tunnel door support mechanism that movably supports the pass tunnel door 62 between an opening / closing operation position where the pass tunnel opening 61 can be closed and a retracted position where the pass tunnel opening 61 is opened, A transport conveyor support mechanism for movably supporting a part of the transport conveyor 18 as a movable section 18a, and a mechanism for interlocking the path tunnel door 62 and the transport conveyor movable section 18a with each other are provided. Accordingly, as the path tunnel door 62 moves to the opening / closing operation position facing the path tunnel opening 61, the movable conveyor 18a moves to the retreat position away from the path tunnel opening 61, while the path tunnel door moves. As the 62 moves to the retreat position away from the path tunnel opening 61, the transport conveyor movable section 18 a moves closer to the path tunnel opening 61 and moves to the transport operating position connected to the transport conveyor 18.
[0041]
Accordingly, providing the transport conveyor 18 between the first to third glove boxes 10 to 30 and sealing the first to third glove boxes 10 to 30 with the pass tunnel door 62 are compatible. The capacitor cells 1 can be transported between the assembly line 10a and the stock area 30a by the transport conveyor 18 without destroying the atmosphere of the glove boxes 10 to 30, so that the capacitor cells 1 can be efficiently produced.
[0042]
As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 (a) and (b), as a pass tunnel door support mechanism, a guide rail 63 disposed above the pass tunnel opening 61 and rolling on the guide rail 63. A pair of pulleys 64 for suspending the pass tunnel door 62 are provided. The guide rail 63 extends in the left-right direction orthogonal to the pass tunnel 60, and supports the pass tunnel door 62 so as to be able to move in parallel between an operation position indicated by a solid line in FIG. 9B and a retreat position indicated by a two-dot chain line. .
[0043]
With the pass tunnel door 62 moved to the opening / closing operation position facing the pass tunnel opening 61, the handle 65 is turned and the clamp 66 engaged with the flange portion 68 of the pass tunnel 60 is pressed against the seal 67 by pulling the clamp 66. The pass tunnel opening 61 is sealed. Thereby, the mechanism for opening and closing the pass tunnel door 62 is made compact, and the limited space of the first glove box 10 can be effectively used.
[0044]
The # 3 vacuum drying furnace 403 provided on the rear right side of the first glove box 10 is provided side by side at the same height as the pass tunnel 60, and the communication port 41 is closed by the pass tunnel door 62 at the retreat position. I do. Since the pass tunnel door 62 also serves as the inner door of the # 3 vacuum drying furnace 403, the number of doors provided in the first glove box 10 can be reduced, and a limited space can be effectively used.
[0045]
FIG. 10 shows a cross section of the second glove box 20. The transport conveyor 18 is disposed at the center of the second glove box 20, and a roller conveyor 24 is provided below the second glove box 20. A pair of suspension conveyors 25 are provided so as to sandwich the roller conveyor 24.
[0046]
Two guide rails 26 are provided on the ceiling of the second glove box 20 so as to extend in the front-rear direction, and the respective suspension conveyors 25 are suspended via pulleys 27 that roll on the respective guide rails 26.
[0047]
Each hanging conveyor 25 can move the capacitor cell 1 conveyed between each electrolytic refining tank 21 efficiently by moving just above the electrolytic refining tank 21.
[0048]
As shown in FIG. 14, a hanging conveyor 35 is provided at the center of the third glove box 30. One guide rail 36 is provided on the ceiling of the third glove box 30 so as to extend in the front-rear direction, and a suspension conveyor 35 is suspended via a pulley 37 that rolls on the guide rail 36.
[0049]
The hanging conveyor 35 can move the capacitor cell 1 conveyed between the top seal device 31 and the top seal device 31 efficiently by moving just above the top seal device 31.
[0050]
In addition, each of the hanging conveyors 25 and 35 is not limited to manual operation, and can be automated via a driving cylinder or a motor.
[0051]
As described above, in the capacitor manufacturing apparatus 8, the spaces sealed by the first glove box 10, the pass tunnel 60, the second glove box 20, the pass tunnel 60, and the third glove box 30 are independently defined, Since the capacitor cells 1 are transported in the order of each manufacturing process by the transport conveyor 18 provided in the path tunnel 60, it is possible to efficiently manufacture the capacitor cells 1 without exposing them to the outside air, thereby stabilizing quality and improving product quality. Cost reduction is achieved.
[0052]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be applied to manufacturing other than the capacitor cell, and it is apparent that various modifications can be made within the technical idea.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a capacitor cell according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2A is an overall plan view of the capacitor cell manufacturing apparatus, and FIG. 2B is an overall side view.
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the first glove box.
FIG. 4 is a rear view of the first glove box.
FIG. 5A is a rear view of a vacuum drying furnace, and FIG. 5B is a side view.
FIG. 6A is a plan view of an assembly line, and FIG. 6B is a side view.
FIG. 7 is a plan view of a pass tunnel and the like.
FIG. 8 is a side view of a pass tunnel and the like.
9A is a sectional view of a pass tunnel door, and FIG. 9B is a rear view.
FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the second glove box.
11 (a) is a plan view of an electrolytic refining tank, and FIG. 11 (b) is a side view.
FIG. 12 is a plan view of the third glove box.
FIG. 13 is a side view of the third glove box.
FIG. 14 is a sectional view of the third glove box.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Capacitor cell 8 Capacitor cell manufacturing equipment (glove box equipment)
Reference Signs List 10 First glove box 10a Assembly line 10b Inspection area 18 Conveyor 20 Second glove box 21 Electrolytic refining tank 25 Hanging conveyor 30 Third glove box 30a, 30b Stock area 31 Top seal device 35 Hanging conveyor 401 to 404 Vacuum drying furnace 42 Pass box 50 Heater 60 Pass tunnel 61 Pass tunnel opening 62 Pass tunnel door

Claims (1)

A glove box defining a closed space, a guide rail provided on a ceiling portion of the glove box, and a suspension conveyor suspended via a pulley rolling on the guide rail are provided. Glove box equipment.

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