阅读说明：本技术 层叠电极体的制造装置 (Manufacturing device for laminated electrode body ) 是由 上川英康 山元武 隅田雅之 于 2018-12-25 设计创作，主要内容包括：层叠电极体的制造装置具备：层叠部23,具备能够旋转的十字臂230、处于距十字臂的旋转中心为第一距离的位置处的第一输送头231和第三输送头233、以及处于距旋转中心为短于第一距离的第二距离的位置处的第二输送头232和第四输送头234；正极供给台21,具备在正极供给位置处位于距旋转中心为第一距离的位置处的第一正极载置台211a和位于距旋转中心为第二距离的位置处的第二正极载置台211b；负极供给台22,具备在负极供给位置处位于距旋转中心为第一距离的位置处的第一负极载置台221a和位于距旋转中心为第二距离的位置处的第二负极载置台221b；第一层叠台24,处于距旋转中心为第一距离的位置处；以及第二层叠台25,处于距旋转中心为第二距离的位置处。(The laminated electrode body manufacturing device comprises: a laminating unit 23 including a rotatable cross arm 230, a first transport head 231 and a third transport head 233 located at a first distance from a rotation center of the cross arm, and a second transport head 232 and a fourth transport head 234 located at a second distance shorter than the first distance from the rotation center; a positive electrode supply table 21 including a first positive electrode mounting table 211a located at a positive electrode supply position at a first distance from the rotation center and a second positive electrode mounting table 211b located at a second distance from the rotation center; a negative electrode supply table 22 including a first negative electrode mounting table 221a located at a first distance from the rotation center at a negative electrode supply position and a second negative electrode mounting table 221b located at a second distance from the rotation center; a first lamination station 24 at a first distance from the center of rotation; and a second lamination station 25 at a second distance from the center of rotation.)

1. A manufacturing apparatus of a laminated electrode body having a structure in which positive electrodes and negative electrodes are alternately laminated with separators interposed therebetween,

comprises a laminating part, a positive electrode supply table, a negative electrode supply table, a first laminating table and a second laminating table,

the stacking unit includes a rotatable cross arm and four transfer heads attached to the cross arm, the four transfer heads being: a first delivery head at a first distance from a center of rotation of the cross arm; a second transport head that is located at a position that is opposite to the first transport head with the rotation center therebetween and that is a second distance from the rotation center, the second distance being shorter than the first distance; a third transport head at a position that is the first distance from the rotation center after the first transport head is rotated by 90 ° with respect to the rotation center; and a fourth transport head disposed at a position facing the third transport head with the rotation center interposed therebetween and at the second distance from the rotation center,

the positive electrode supply table includes a first positive electrode mounting table located at the first distance from the rotation center of the cross arm when the first positive electrode mounting table is located at a positive electrode supply position, and a second positive electrode mounting table located at the second distance from the rotation center of the cross arm when the second positive electrode mounting table is located at the positive electrode supply position,

the negative electrode supply table includes a first negative electrode mounting table located at the first distance from the rotation center of the cross arm when the first negative electrode mounting table is located at the negative electrode supply position, and a second negative electrode mounting table located at the second distance from the rotation center of the cross arm when the second negative electrode mounting table is located at the negative electrode supply position,

the first lamination station is at the first distance from the center of rotation of the cross arm,

the second stacking stage is located at a position opposite to the first stacking stage with the rotation center of the cross arm therebetween and at the second distance from the rotation center of the cross arm,

the laminated part is configured to: after the first transfer head picks up the positive electrode on the first positive electrode mounting table and the second transfer head picks up the negative electrode on the second negative electrode mounting table, the cross arm is rotated 90 ° in a first direction, the first transfer head mounts the positive electrode on the first stacking table and the second transfer head mounts the negative electrode on the second stacking table,

the laminated part is configured to: after the first transport head places the positive electrode on the first lamination stage and the second transport head places the negative electrode on the second lamination stage, the cross arm is rotated by 90 ° in a second direction, which is a direction opposite to the first direction, after the third transport head picks up the negative electrode on the first negative electrode stage and the fourth transport head picks up the positive electrode on the second positive electrode stage.

2. The manufacturing apparatus of a laminated electrode body according to claim 1, further comprising:

a first imaging unit that images the positive electrode placed on the first positive electrode placing table and the positive electrode placed on the second positive electrode placing table; and

a second imaging unit that images the negative electrode placed on the first negative electrode mounting table and the negative electrode placed on the second negative electrode mounting table,

the first lamination station is configured to: the first image pickup unit can move the positive electrode in at least one of a horizontal direction and a rotational direction based on the image of the positive electrode placed on the first positive electrode placing table, which is picked up by the first image pickup unit, when the positive electrode is placed on the negative electrode placing table, and can move the negative electrode in at least one of a horizontal direction and a rotational direction based on the image of the negative electrode placed on the first negative electrode placing table, which is picked up by the second image pickup unit, when the negative electrode is placed on the negative electrode placing table,

the second lamination station is configured to: the first image pickup unit can move the positive electrode in at least one of a horizontal direction and a rotational direction based on the image of the positive electrode placed on the second positive electrode placing table, which is picked up by the first image pickup unit, when the positive electrode is placed on the negative electrode placing table, and can move the negative electrode in at least one of a horizontal direction and a rotational direction based on the image of the negative electrode placed on the second negative electrode placing table, which is picked up by the second image pickup unit, when the negative electrode is placed on the negative electrode placing table.

3. The laminated electrode body manufacturing apparatus according to claim 2,

the positive electrode supply table has a light irradiation mechanism for irradiating light from the lower side of the positive electrode placed on the positive electrode placing table,

the negative electrode supply table has a light irradiation mechanism for irradiating light from the lower part of the negative electrode placed on the negative electrode placing table,

the first imaging unit is configured to: the positive electrode is photographed from above in a state of being irradiated with light from below the loaded positive electrode by the light irradiation mechanism of the positive electrode supply table,

the second imaging unit is configured to: the negative electrode is imaged from above in a state where light is irradiated from below the negative electrode placed thereon by the light irradiation mechanism of the negative electrode supply table.

4. The laminated electrode body manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,

one of the positive electrode mounted on the first positive electrode mounting table and the second positive electrode mounting table and the negative electrode mounted on the first negative electrode mounting table and the second negative electrode mounting table is sandwiched between separators disposed on the first main surface and the second main surface.

5. The laminated electrode body manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,

the positive electrode placed on the first positive electrode placing table and the second positive electrode placing table has a structure in which the positive electrode is bonded to the separator disposed on the first main surface,

the negative electrode placed on the first negative electrode mounting table and the second negative electrode mounting table has a structure in which the negative electrode is bonded to the separator disposed on the first main surface.

6. The laminated electrode body manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,

the manufacturing apparatus is configured to: the single-sided electrode provided with the electrode active material layer only on one side of the electrode collector is supplied as an electrode supplied from at least one of the positive electrode supply station and the negative electrode supply station to the first lamination station and the second lamination station first and an electrode supplied from the last to the first lamination station and the second lamination station last.

7. The laminated electrode body manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6,

the positive electrode supply table includes three or more sets of the first positive electrode mounting table and the second positive electrode mounting table, and is configured to: the positive electrode supply table is rotatable to the positive electrode supply position when the positive electrode is placed on the first positive electrode placing table and the second positive electrode placing table in a set at the positive electrode placing position,

the negative electrode supply table includes three or more sets of the first negative electrode mounting table and the second negative electrode mounting table, and is configured to: when the negative electrode is placed on the first negative electrode mounting table and the second negative electrode mounting table in a single set at a negative electrode placing position, the negative electrode supply table is rotatable to the negative electrode supplying position.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a manufacturing apparatus for a laminated electrode body having a structure in which positive electrodes and negative electrodes are alternately laminated with separators interposed therebetween.

Background

There is known an apparatus for manufacturing a laminated electrode body by alternately laminating a positive electrode and a negative electrode with a separator interposed therebetween.

As one of such apparatuses for manufacturing a laminated electrode assembly, patent document 1 describes the following: the device alternately laminates positive and negative electrodes with a separator interposed therebetween using a cross arm having four suction heads arranged at 90 ° intervals on the same circumference.

Fig. 8 is a diagram for explaining an operation of the laminating apparatus described in patent document 1. The suction head a of the cross arm 110 sucks the positive electrode supplied from the positive electrode supply device 140, and the suction head C at a position facing the suction head a sucks the negative electrode supplied from the negative electrode supply device 150 ((a) of fig. 8). The positive electrode has a structure sandwiched between two sheets of separators.

Next, the cross arm 110 rotates clockwise by 90 ° (fig. 8 (b)). The suction head a mounts the sucked positive electrode on the first tray 161 located at the upper side of the figure, and the suction head C mounts the sucked negative electrode on the second tray 162 located at the lower side of the figure. The suction head D sucks the positive electrode supplied from the positive electrode supply device 140, and the suction head B at a position facing the suction head D sucks the negative electrode supplied from the negative electrode supply device 150.

Next, the cross arm 110 is inverted by 90 ° (fig. 8 (c)). The suction head D places the sucked positive electrode on the second tray 162, and the suction head B places the sucked negative electrode on the first tray 161. The suction head a sucks the positive electrode supplied from the positive electrode supply device 140, and the suction head C sucks the negative electrode supplied from the negative electrode supply device 150.

By repeating the above operation, a laminated electrode body in which positive electrodes and negative electrodes are alternately laminated with separators interposed therebetween is formed on the first tray 161 and the second tray 162.

Prior art documents

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent No. 5666805

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem to be solved by the invention

However, in the stacking apparatus described in patent document 1, since the stacked electrode assembly is formed on the two trays 161 and 162 by the cross arm, the electrode supply capacity of the positive electrode supply apparatus 140 and the negative electrode supply apparatus 150 needs to be twice as large as that of the stacked electrode assembly formed on one tray. Further, if the electrode supply capacity of the positive electrode supply device 140 and the negative electrode supply device 150 is not doubled, the manufacturing capacity cannot be doubled as compared with a structure in which the stacked electrode bodies are formed on one tray.

The present invention is made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of improving the manufacturing efficiency of a laminated electrode assembly in an apparatus in which the laminated electrode assembly is formed on two lamination stages.

Means for solving the technical problem

The manufacturing apparatus of a laminated electrode body according to the present invention is a manufacturing apparatus of a laminated electrode body having a structure in which positive electrodes and negative electrodes are alternately laminated with separators interposed therebetween, and is characterized by including a laminating unit, a positive electrode supply table, a negative electrode supply table, a first laminating table, and a second laminating table, the laminating unit including a rotatable cross arm and four transport heads attached to the cross arm, the four transport heads including: a first delivery head at a first distance from a center of rotation of the cross arm; a second transport head that is located at a position that is opposite to the first transport head with the rotation center therebetween and that is a second distance from the rotation center, the second distance being shorter than the first distance; a third transport head at a position that is the first distance from the rotation center after the first transport head is rotated by 90 ° with respect to the rotation center; and a fourth transfer head which is opposed to the third transfer head with the rotation center interposed therebetween and which is located at the second distance from the rotation center, wherein the positive electrode supply table includes a first positive electrode table and a second positive electrode table, the first positive electrode table is located at the first distance from the rotation center of the cross arm when located at a positive electrode supply position, the second positive electrode table is located at the second distance from the rotation center of the cross arm when located at the positive electrode supply position, the negative electrode supply table includes a first negative electrode table and a second negative electrode table, the first negative electrode table is located at the first distance from the rotation center of the cross arm when located at a negative electrode supply position, and the second negative electrode table is located at the negative electrode supply position, the first stacking stage is located at the second distance from the rotation center of the cross arm, the first stacking stage is located at the first distance from the rotation center of the cross arm, the second stacking stage is located at a position opposite to the first stacking stage with the rotation center of the cross arm therebetween and at the second distance from the rotation center of the cross arm, and the stacking unit is configured to: after the first transfer head picks up the positive electrode on the first positive electrode mounting table and the second transfer head picks up the negative electrode on the second negative electrode mounting table, the cross arm is rotated 90 ° in a first direction, the first transfer head mounts the positive electrode on the first stacking table and the second transfer head mounts the negative electrode on the second stacking table, and the stacking section is configured to: after the first transport head places the positive electrode on the first lamination stage and the second transport head places the negative electrode on the second lamination stage, the cross arm is rotated by 90 ° in a second direction, which is a direction opposite to the first direction, after the third transport head picks up the negative electrode on the first negative electrode stage and the fourth transport head picks up the positive electrode on the second positive electrode stage.

The manufacturing apparatus for a laminated electrode assembly may further include: a first imaging unit that images the positive electrode placed on the first positive electrode placing table and the positive electrode placed on the second positive electrode placing table; and a second imaging unit that images a negative electrode placed on the first negative electrode mounting table and a negative electrode placed on the second negative electrode mounting table, wherein the first lamination table is configured to: the first image pickup unit may be configured to be movable in at least one of a horizontal direction and a rotational direction based on an image of the positive electrode placed on the first positive electrode placing table, the image being picked up by the first image pickup unit, and the second image pickup unit may be configured to be movable in at least one of a horizontal direction and a rotational direction based on an image of the negative electrode placed on the first negative electrode placing table, the image being picked up by the second image pickup unit, the second laminating table being configured to: the first image pickup unit can move the positive electrode in at least one of a horizontal direction and a rotational direction based on the image of the positive electrode placed on the second positive electrode placing table, which is picked up by the first image pickup unit, when the positive electrode is placed on the negative electrode placing table, and can move the negative electrode in at least one of a horizontal direction and a rotational direction based on the image of the negative electrode placed on the second negative electrode placing table, which is picked up by the second image pickup unit, when the negative electrode is placed on the negative electrode placing table.

The positive electrode supply stage may include a light irradiation mechanism for irradiating light from below the positive electrode placed on the positive electrode mounting table, the negative electrode supply stage may include a light irradiation mechanism for irradiating light from below the negative electrode placed on the negative electrode mounting table, and the first imaging unit may be configured to: the second imaging unit is configured to image the positive electrode from above in a state where the light irradiation mechanism of the positive electrode supply stage irradiates light from below the loaded positive electrode, and the second imaging unit is configured to: the negative electrode is imaged from above in a state where light is irradiated from below the negative electrode placed thereon by the light irradiation mechanism of the negative electrode supply table.

One of the positive electrode mounted on the first positive electrode mounting table and the second positive electrode mounting table and the negative electrode mounted on the first negative electrode mounting table and the second negative electrode mounting table may be sandwiched between separators disposed on the first main surface and the second main surface.

The positive electrode placed on the first positive electrode mounting table and the second positive electrode mounting table may be bonded to the separator disposed on the first main surface, and the negative electrode placed on the first negative electrode mounting table and the second negative electrode mounting table may be bonded to the separator disposed on the first main surface.

The following may be configured: the single-sided electrode provided with the electrode active material layer only on one side of the electrode collector is supplied as an electrode supplied from at least one of the positive electrode supply station and the negative electrode supply station to the first lamination station and the second lamination station first and an electrode supplied from the last to the first lamination station and the second lamination station last.

The positive electrode supply table may include three or more sets of the first positive electrode mounting table and the second positive electrode mounting table, and may be configured to: wherein the positive electrode supply table is rotatable to the positive electrode supply position when the positive electrode is placed on one set of the first positive electrode mounting table and the second positive electrode mounting table at a positive electrode placement position, and the negative electrode supply table includes three or more sets of the first negative electrode mounting table and the second negative electrode mounting table, and is configured such that: when the negative electrode is placed on the first negative electrode mounting table and the second negative electrode mounting table in a single set at a negative electrode placing position, the negative electrode supply table is rotatable to the negative electrode supplying position.

Effects of the invention

In the manufacturing apparatus of the laminated electrode body according to the present invention, the lamination unit includes the first and third transport heads located at the first distance from the rotation center of the cross arm, and the second and fourth transport heads located at the second distance from the rotation center of the cross arm, the positive electrode supply stage includes the first positive electrode stage located at the first distance from the rotation center of the cross arm, and the second positive electrode stage located at the second distance from the rotation center of the cross arm, and the negative electrode supply stage includes the first negative electrode stage located at the first distance from the rotation center of the cross arm, and the second negative electrode stage located at the second distance from the rotation center of the cross arm.

The laminated part is configured as follows: after the first transport head picks up the positive electrode on the first positive electrode mounting table and the second transport head picks up the negative electrode on the second negative electrode mounting table, the cross arm is rotated by 90 ° in the first direction, the first transport head mounts the positive electrode on the first lamination table and the second transport head mounts the negative electrode on the second lamination table, and the configuration is such that: at the position where the first conveyance head mounts the positive electrode, the third conveyance head picks up the negative electrode on the first negative electrode stage, and the fourth conveyance head picks up the positive electrode on the second positive electrode stage.

With the above configuration, the positive electrode supply station can supply two positive electrodes, the negative electrode supply station can supply two negative electrodes, and the laminated electrode assembly can be formed on the two lamination stations, i.e., the first lamination station and the second lamination station, and therefore, the manufacturing efficiency of the laminated electrode assembly can be improved.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a sectional view showing the structure of a laminated electrode body.

Fig. 2 is a plan view showing the structure of the apparatus for manufacturing a laminated electrode body according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a diagram for explaining a direction in which the first lamination stage can move.

Fig. 4 is a diagram for explaining an operation of manufacturing the laminated electrode assembly by the manufacturing apparatus of the laminated electrode assembly according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a view for explaining a process until a positive electrode packaged with a separator is produced and placed on a positive electrode placing table located at a positive electrode placing position.

Fig. 6 is a view for explaining a process until a positive electrode bonded to the separator arranged on the first main surface is produced and placed on the positive electrode mounting table positioned at the positive electrode mounting position.

Fig. 7 is a diagram for explaining a method of conveying a single-sided negative electrode.

Fig. 8 is a diagram for explaining the operation of a conventional apparatus for forming a stacked electrode assembly on two trays by using a cross arm having four suction heads.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described, and features of the present invention will be described in detail.

First, the structure of the laminated electrode assembly manufactured by the manufacturing apparatus of the laminated electrode assembly will be described. The laminated electrode body is used in a battery such as a lithium ion battery.

Fig. 1 is a sectional view showing the structure of a laminated electrode assembly 10. The laminated electrode assembly 10 has a structure in which a plurality of positive electrodes 11 and negative electrodes 12 are alternately laminated with separators 13 interposed therebetween.

The positive electrode 11 includes a positive electrode current collector made of a metal foil such as aluminum and positive electrode active material layers formed on both surfaces of the positive electrode current collector. The positive electrode active material layer may contain, for example, lithium cobaltate as a positive electrode active material. When the outermost electrode in the stacking direction of the stacked electrode assembly 10 is a positive electrode, the outermost positive electrode may be configured such that a positive electrode active material layer is formed only on one surface of a positive electrode collector.

The negative electrode 12 includes a negative electrode current collector made of a metal foil such as copper, and negative electrode active material layers formed on both surfaces of the negative electrode current collector. The negative electrode active material layer may contain, for example, graphite as a negative electrode active material. When the outermost electrode in the stacking direction of the stacked electrode assembly 10 is a negative electrode, the outermost negative electrode may have a structure in which a negative electrode active material layer is formed only on one surface of a negative electrode collector. The shape and size of the negative electrode 12 may be the same as or different from those of the positive electrode 11.

The separator 13 may be made of, for example, a microporous film made of polypropylene having excellent insulation properties.

Note that the structure of the laminated electrode assembly 10 is not limited to the above-described structure, and for example, a unit electrode assembly having a structure in which one of the positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 12 is wrapped with two sheets of separators 13 and the other electrode are alternately laminated may be used.

< first embodiment >

Fig. 2 is a plan view showing the structure of the apparatus 100 for manufacturing a laminated electrode body according to the first embodiment. The manufacturing apparatus 100 of the laminated electrode body in the first embodiment includes a positive electrode supply table 21, a negative electrode supply table 22, a lamination portion 23, a first lamination table 24, and a second lamination table 25.

The positive electrode supply table 21 includes four sets of positive electrode mounting tables 211, and the positive electrode mounting tables 211 include a first positive electrode mounting table 211a and a second positive electrode mounting table 211b as a set. The four sets of positive electrode mounting tables 211 are arranged at 90 ° intervals around the rotation center 21C, and are configured to be rotatable around the rotation center 21C.

In the present embodiment, the positive electrode 31 is placed on the positive electrode mounting table 211 at the positive electrode placing position S1, and the positive electrode 31 is picked up from the positive electrode mounting table 211 by the lamination section 23 described later at the positive electrode supply position S2 which is a position rotated by 90 ° in the clockwise direction from the positive electrode placing position S1.

When the positive electrode 31 is placed on each of the first positive electrode mounting table 211a and the second positive electrode mounting table 211b at the positive electrode placing position S1, the placed positive electrode 31 is imaged by the first imaging unit 26 described later. As described later, the position and inclination of the positive electrode 31 are corrected based on the captured image, and when it is determined that the positive electrode 31 is a defective product based on the captured image, the positive electrode mounting table 211 on which the positive electrode 31 determined to be a defective product is mounted is retracted to the positive electrode retracting position S3. The positive electrode retreating position S3 is a position facing the positive electrode mounting position S1 with the rotation center 21C interposed therebetween. However, a position rotated 90 ° clockwise from the positive electrode mounting position S1 may be the positive electrode retreating position.

While the positive electrode mounting table 211 on which the positive electrode 31 determined as a defective product is placed is retracted to the positive electrode retracting position S3, the positive electrode 31 can be picked up from the positive electrode mounting table 211 at the positive electrode supply position S2 by the stacking unit 23 described later. Therefore, the defective positive electrode 31 can be retracted to the positive electrode retracted position S3 without temporarily stopping the supply of the positive electrode 31.

In the present embodiment, the positive electrode 31 has a structure that is already packaged with a separator. That is, the positive electrode 31 has a structure in which two separators disposed on the first main surface and the second main surface are sandwiched therebetween and the two separators are bonded to the periphery of the positive electrode. By alternately stacking the positive electrodes 31 and the negative electrodes 32 having such a structure, the separators can be stacked simultaneously, and thus the manufacturing efficiency is improved.

Note that a method for producing the positive electrode 31 having a structure sandwiched between two separators disposed on the first main surface and the second main surface will be described later.

When the positive electrode mounting table 211 is located at the positive electrode supply position S2, a distance between the first positive electrode mounting table 211a and a rotation center 23C of the cross arm 230 of the lamination section 23, which will be described later, is a first distance L1. The distance between second positive electrode mounting table 211b and rotation center 23C of cross arm 230 is second distance L2. The second distance L2 is shorter than the first distance L1.

The positive electrode supply table 21 includes a light irradiation mechanism for irradiating light from below the positive electrode 31 placed on the first positive electrode placing table 211a and the second positive electrode placing table 211 b.

The negative electrode supply table 22 includes four sets of negative electrode mounting tables 221, and the negative electrode mounting tables 221 include a first negative electrode mounting table 221a and a second negative electrode mounting table 221b as a set. The four sets of negative electrode tables 221 are disposed at 90 ° intervals around the rotation center 22C, and are configured to be rotatable around the rotation center 22C.

In the present embodiment, the negative electrode 32 is placed on the negative electrode mounting table 221 at the negative electrode placing position S4, and the negative electrode 32 is picked up from the negative electrode mounting table 221 by the later-described lamination section 23 at the negative electrode supply position S5 which is a position rotated 90 ° clockwise from the negative electrode placing position S4.

When negative electrode 32 is placed on each of first negative electrode mounting table 221a and second negative electrode mounting table 221b at negative electrode placement position S4, negative electrode 32 placed thereon is imaged by second imaging unit 27 described later. As described later, the position and inclination of negative electrode 32 are corrected based on the captured image, and when it is determined that negative electrode 32 is a defective product based on the captured image, negative electrode mounting table 221 on which negative electrode 32 determined to be a defective product is mounted is retracted to negative electrode retraction position S6. The negative electrode escape position S6 is a position facing the negative electrode mounting position S4 with the rotation center 22C therebetween. However, a position rotated by 90 ° in the clockwise direction from the negative electrode mounting position S4 may be set as the negative electrode retreating position.

While the negative electrode stage 221 on which the negative electrode 32 determined as a defective product is placed is retracted to the negative electrode retracting position S6, the negative electrode 32 can be picked up from the negative electrode stage 221 at the negative electrode supply position S5 by the stacking unit 23. Therefore, the defective negative electrode 32 can be retracted to the negative electrode retracted position S6 without temporarily stopping the supply of the negative electrode 32.

When the negative electrode stage 221 is located at the negative electrode supply position S5, the distance between the first negative electrode stage 221a and the rotation center 23C of the cross arm 230 of the lamination section 23 is a first distance L1. Further, a distance between second negative electrode mounting table 221b and rotation center 23C of cross arm 230 is a second distance L2.

The negative electrode supply table 22 includes a light irradiation mechanism for irradiating light from below the negative electrode 32 placed on the first negative electrode mounting table 221a and the second negative electrode mounting table 221 b.

The lamination portion 23 includes: a cross arm 230, and a first adsorption head (transfer head) 231, a second adsorption head (transfer head) 232, a third adsorption head (transfer head) 233, and a fourth adsorption head (transfer head) 234 attached to the cross arm 230. The cross arm 230 is configured to be rotatable about the rotation center 23C.

The first suction head 231 is located at a position facing the second suction head 232 with the rotation center 23C of the cross arm 230 interposed therebetween. The third suction head 233 is located at a position facing the fourth suction head 234 with the rotation center 23C of the cross arm 230 interposed therebetween. A line connecting the first suction head 231 and the second suction head 232 is orthogonal to a line connecting the third suction head 233 and the fourth suction head 234 at the rotation center 23C.

The first suction head 231 and the third suction head 233 are located at a first distance L1 from the rotation center 23C. The second suction head 232 and the fourth suction head 234 are located at a second distance L2 from the rotation center 23C.

The first lamination stage 24 is located at a first distance L1 from the rotation center 23C of the cross arm 230. The first lamination table 24 is configured to be movable in a horizontal direction and a rotational direction. More specifically, as shown in fig. 3, the first lamination stage 24 is configured to be movable in the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the θ direction, which is a rotational direction around a central axis 24C of the first lamination stage 24. The first stacking base 24 is also configured to be movable in the Z-axis direction, which is a vertical direction.

The second stacking table 25 is located at a second distance L2 from the rotation center 23C of the cross arm 230, and faces the first stacking table 24 with the rotation center 23C of the cross arm 230 interposed therebetween. The second lamination stage 25 is also configured to be movable in the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the θ direction, which is a rotational direction around the center axis of the second lamination stage 25. The second lamination stage 25 is also configured to be movable in the Z-axis direction, which is a vertical direction.

The laminated electrode body 10 is formed by alternately laminating the positive electrodes 31 and the negative electrodes 32 on the first lamination stage 24 and the second lamination stage 25 via separators according to a method described later.

The first imaging unit 26 images the positive electrode 31 on the first positive electrode mounting table 211a and the positive electrode 31 on the second positive electrode mounting table 211b at the positive electrode mounting position S1 to recognize the position and inclination of the positive electrode 31. Note that since the position and inclination of the positive electrode 31 can be recognized, only a part of the positive electrode 31, for example, the end portion may be imaged instead of the entire positive electrode 31.

When the first imaging unit 26 images the positive electrode 31, light is irradiated from below the positive electrode 31 by the light irradiation mechanism of the positive electrode supply table 21. That is, the first imaging unit 26 images the positive electrode 31 from above in a state where light is irradiated from below the positive electrode 31 placed on the first positive electrode placing table 211a and the second positive electrode placing table 211 b. This enables positive electrode 31 having a structure sandwiched between separators to be reliably imaged.

The second imaging section 27 images the negative electrode 32 on the first negative electrode stage 221a and the negative electrode 32 on the second negative electrode stage 221b at the negative electrode mounting position S4 to recognize the position and inclination of the negative electrode 32. When the second imaging unit 27 images the negative electrode 32, light is irradiated from below the negative electrode 32 by the light irradiation mechanism of the negative electrode supply table 22. Note that since the position and inclination of the negative electrode 32 can be recognized, the entire negative electrode 32 may not be photographed, and only a part, for example, an end portion may be photographed.

As shown in fig. 2, when the first suction head 231 of the lamination section 23 is positioned on the first positive electrode stage 211a at the positive electrode supply position S2, the second suction head 232 is positioned on the second negative electrode stage 221b at the negative electrode supply position S5. At this time, the third suction head 233 is positioned on the first lamination stage 24, and the fourth suction head 234 is positioned on the second lamination stage 25.

Fig. 4 is a diagram for explaining an operation of manufacturing the laminated electrode assembly by the manufacturing apparatus 100 for a laminated electrode assembly in the present embodiment.

The first suction head 231 of the cross arm 230 sucks the positive electrode 31 on the first positive electrode stage 211a at the positive electrode supply position S2, and the second suction head 232 sucks the negative electrode 32 on the second negative electrode stage 221b at the negative electrode supply position S5 ((a) in fig. 4).

The third suction head 233 places the sucked negative electrode 32 on the first lamination stage 24. The fourth suction head 234 places the sucked positive electrode 31 on the second lamination stage 25 ((a) in fig. 4). Then, the first lamination stage 24 is lowered by the thickness of the negative electrode 32 placed thereon, and the second lamination stage 25 is lowered by the thickness of the positive electrode 31 placed thereon.

Then, the cross arm 230 is rotated by 90 ° in the direction opposite to the clockwise direction (first direction). Thereby, the first suction head 231 moves onto the first lamination stage 24 while sucking the positive electrode 31, and the second suction head 232 moves onto the second lamination stage 25 while sucking the negative electrode 32. In addition, the third suction head 233 is moved onto the first negative electrode stage 221a located at the negative electrode supply position S5, and the fourth suction head 234 is moved onto the second positive electrode stage 211b located at the positive electrode supply position S2 ((b) in fig. 4).

The first lamination stage 24 moves in at least one of the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the θ direction based on the image of the positive electrode 31 on the first positive electrode mounting table 211a captured by the first imaging unit 26. This makes it possible to correct the position and inclination of the positive electrode 31 mounted on the first lamination stage 24 thereafter. However, in the case where the positive electrode 31 is not misaligned or inclined, the first lamination stage 24 does not move.

The second lamination stage 25 moves in at least one of the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the θ direction based on the image of the negative electrode 32 on the second negative electrode stage 221b captured by the second imaging unit 27. This makes it possible to correct the position and inclination of the negative electrode 32 stacked on the second stacking base 25 later. However, when the negative electrode 32 is not displaced or inclined, the second stacking base 25 does not move.

When the movement of the first stacking table 24 is completed, the first suction head 231 places the sucked positive electrode 31 on the first stacking table 24. When the movement of the second stacking table 25 is completed, the second suction head 232 places the negative electrode 32 sucked thereon on the second stacking table 25. Then, the first lamination stage 24 is lowered by the thickness of the mounted positive electrode 31, and the second lamination stage 25 is lowered by the thickness of the mounted negative electrode 32.

The third suction head 233 sucks the negative electrode 32 on the first negative stage 221a located at the negative electrode supply position S5, and the fourth suction head 234 sucks the positive electrode 31 on the second positive stage 211b located at the positive electrode supply position S2.

Then, the cross arm 230 is rotated by 90 ° clockwise (second direction). The positive electrode mounting table 211 of the positive electrode supply table 21 is rotated 90 ° in the clockwise direction, and the negative electrode mounting table 221 of the negative electrode supply table 22 is rotated 90 ° in the clockwise direction ((c) in fig. 4).

When the positive electrode mounting table 211 of the positive electrode supply table 21 is rotated 90 ° in the clockwise direction, the positive electrode mounting table 211 located at the positive electrode mounting position S1 with the positive electrode 31 mounted thereon moves to the positive electrode supply position S2.

When the negative electrode mounting table 221 of the negative electrode supply table 22 is rotated 90 ° clockwise, the negative electrode mounting table 221 positioned at the negative electrode mounting position S4 with the negative electrode 32 mounted thereon moves to the negative electrode supply position S5.

As shown in fig. 4 (c), by rotating the cross arm 230 by 90 ° clockwise (second direction), the first suction head 231 is moved onto the first positive stage 211a located at the positive electrode supply position S2, and the second suction head 232 is moved onto the second negative stage 221b located at the negative electrode supply position S5. The third suction head 233 moves onto the first lamination stage 24 while sucking the negative electrode 32, and the fourth suction head 234 moves onto the second lamination stage 25 while sucking the positive electrode 31.

The first lamination stage 24 moves in at least one of the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the θ direction based on the image of the negative electrode 32 on the first negative electrode stage 221a captured by the second imaging unit 27. This makes it possible to correct the position and inclination of the negative electrode 32 stacked on the first stacking base 24 thereafter. However, in the case where the negative electrode 32 is not misaligned or inclined, the first lamination stage 24 does not move.

The second lamination stage 25 moves in at least one of the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the θ direction based on the image of the positive electrode 31 on the second positive electrode mounting table 211b captured by the first imaging unit 26. This makes it possible to correct the position and inclination of the positive electrode 31 stacked on the second stacking base 25 thereafter. However, when the positive electrode 31 is not displaced or inclined, the second lamination stage 25 does not move.

As described above, the first stacking table 24 and the second stacking table 25 are configured to move in order to correct the positions and the inclinations of the positive electrode 31 and the negative electrode 32. Therefore, the configuration can be simplified as compared with a configuration in which four stages, i.e., first positive electrode stage 211a, second positive electrode stage 211b, first negative electrode stage 221a, and second negative electrode stage 221b, are moved to correct the positions and inclinations of positive electrode 31 and negative electrode 32.

Then, positive electrode 31 is placed on first positive electrode mounting table 211a and second positive electrode mounting table 211b positioned at positive electrode placing position S1. The first imaging unit 26 images the loaded positive electrode 31 in a state where light is irradiated from below the loaded positive electrode 31 by the light irradiation mechanism of the positive electrode supply table 21.

Negative electrode 32 is placed on first negative electrode mounting table 221a and second negative electrode mounting table 221b positioned at negative electrode placement position S4. The second imaging unit 27 images the negative electrode 32 placed thereon in a state where light is emitted from below the negative electrode 32 placed thereon by the light irradiation mechanism of the negative electrode supply table 22.

Thereafter, the above-described operations, that is, the operations shown in fig. 4 (a) to 4 (c), are repeated. As a result, the positive electrodes 31 and the negative electrodes 32 having a structure sandwiched between the separators disposed on both main surfaces are alternately stacked on the first stacking base 24 and the second stacking base 25, thereby forming the stacked electrode assembly 10.

As described above, in the apparatus 100 for manufacturing a laminated electrode body according to the present embodiment, the positive electrode supply table 21 includes the first positive electrode mounting table 211a and the second positive electrode mounting table 211b, and is configured to be able to supply two positive electrodes 31. The negative electrode supply table 22 includes a first negative electrode mounting table 221a and a second negative electrode mounting table 221b, and is configured to be able to supply two negative electrodes 32. Thus, when the laminated electrode assembly 10 is formed on both the first lamination stage 24 and the second lamination stage 25, the electrode supply capacity and the lamination capacity can be matched, and therefore, the manufacturing efficiency of the laminated electrode assembly 10 can be improved.

As described above, when located at the positive electrode supply position, the first positive electrode stage 211a is located at the first distance L1 from the rotation center 23C of the cross arm 230, and the second positive electrode stage 211b is located at the second distance L2 from the rotation center 23C of the cross arm 230. Further, the first suction head 231 and the third suction head 233 among the four suction heads attached to the cross arm 230 are located at a first distance L1 from the rotation center 23C, and the second suction head 232 and the fourth suction head 234 are located at a second distance L2 from the rotation center 23C. Accordingly, when the positive electrode 31 is picked up and placed by repeating the operation of rotating the cross arm by 90 °, the positive electrode 31 placed on the first positive electrode placing table 211a and the positive electrode 31 placed on the second positive electrode placing table 211b can be alternately and continuously picked up and placed, and thus the positive electrode 31 can be efficiently picked up and placed. The same applies to the negative electrode 32 side.

Here, the electrode positioned on the outermost side in the stacking direction of the stacked electrode assembly 10 may be a single-sided electrode in which an electrode active material layer is provided only on one side of an electrode collector. By disposing the single-sided electrode on the outermost side of the laminated electrode assembly 10, an electrode active material layer that does not contribute to the electrical performance of the battery can be omitted, and the battery can be made thinner.

In this case, the single-sided electrodes are placed on the first stacking stage 24 and the second stacking stage 25 at the very beginning and at the very end of the process for producing the laminated electrode body 10. The single-sided electrode is, for example, a negative electrode. However, the single-sided electrode is not limited to the negative electrode, and may be a positive electrode.

Fig. 5 is a diagram for explaining a process until the positive electrode with the separator package is produced and placed on the positive electrode mounting table 211 positioned at the positive electrode mounting position S1.

The first separator material feeder 51 unwinds and feeds the first separator material 60 in one direction, which is a long strip wound in a roll shape. However, the first separator material feeder 51 is configured to repeat the feeding operation and the stopping operation of the first separator material 60.

More specifically, the first diaphragm material feeding portion 51 is configured to: the first separator material 60 is intermittently transported in one direction so that the first separator material 60 is once transported a predetermined distance, is temporarily stopped, and is then transported a predetermined distance again. Here, as will be described later, since the two positive electrodes 61 are placed on the first separator material 60 at the same timing and the two positive electrodes 61 are bonded, cut, and conveyed, the feeding operation and the stopping operation of the first separator material 60 are performed so that the two positive electrodes 61 are bonded, cut, and conveyed at the same timing.

The electrode placement portions 52a, 52b convey the two positive electrodes 61 picked up at the prescribed pickup positions and place them on the first separator material 60. The electrode mounting portions 52a, 52b mount two positive electrodes 61 when the first separator material 60 is stopped.

The second separator material feeder 53 unwinds the second separator material 62 in a long strip form wound in a roll form, and conveys the second separator material 62 in one direction so as to cover the positive electrode 61 placed on the first separator material 60. The second separator material feeder 53 is configured to: the feeding operation and the stopping operation of the second separator material 62 are repeated in synchronization with the first separator material feeding unit 51.

The bonding portions 54a, 54b bond the first separator material 60 and the second separator material 62 around the positive electrode 61 sandwiched between the first separator material 60 and the second separator material 62. More specifically, the bonding portions 54a and 54b each have a heater built therein, sandwich the positive electrode 61 from the upper side and the lower side of the positive electrode 61 sandwiched between the first separator material 60 and the second separator material 62, and bond the positive electrode 61 to the first separator material 60 and the second separator material 62 around the positive electrode 61 by thermocompression bonding while heating and pressurizing.

Note that the method of bonding the first separator material 60 and the second separator material 62 is not limited to thermocompression bonding, and bonding may be performed by a method other than thermocompression bonding.

The cutting portions 55a, 55b have cutting blades, respectively, with which the first separator material 60 and the second separator material 62 are cut around the positive electrode 61. Thus, two positive electrodes 31 having a structure sandwiched between two separators were produced.

Note that a long PET (polyethylene terephthalate) film may be supplied to the lower side of the first diaphragm material 60 at a position closer to the front side in the feeding direction of the diaphragm material than the position at which the first diaphragm material 60 and the second diaphragm material 62 are cut by the cutting portions 55a and 55 b. In this case, the PET film functions as a carrier film for conveying the first separator material 60, the second separator material 62, and the positive electrode 61, and also functions as a spacer when the first separator material 60 and the second separator material 62 are cut.

The transport units 56a and 56b respectively attract the positive electrode 31 sandwiched between the two separators, and transport the positive electrode to the positive electrode mounting table 211 located at the positive electrode mounting position S1. For example, the conveyance unit 56a conveys and mounts the positive electrode 31 on the first positive electrode mounting table 211a, and the conveyance unit 56b conveys and mounts the positive electrode 31 on the second positive electrode mounting table 211 b.

< second embodiment >

In the first embodiment, the case where the positive electrode 31 supplied to the positive electrode supply table 21 is sandwiched between the separators disposed on the first main surface and the second main surface has been described.

In contrast, in the second embodiment, the positive electrode supplied to the positive electrode supply table 21 has a structure in which the positive electrode is bonded to the separator disposed on the first main surface. The negative electrode supplied to the negative electrode supply table 22 has a structure in which the negative electrode is bonded to the separator disposed on the first main surface.

Fig. 6 is a diagram for explaining a process until a positive electrode bonded to the separator arranged on the first main surface is produced and placed on the positive electrode mounting table 211 positioned at the positive electrode placing position S1. The same components as those in the structure shown in fig. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

As shown in fig. 6, the bonding portions 54a and 54b sandwich the positive electrode 61 from the upper side and the lower side of the positive electrode 61 placed on the first separator material 60, respectively, and thermally press-bond the positive electrode 61 to the first separator material 60.

The cutting portions 55a, 55b cut the first separator material 60 around the positive electrode 61 with cutting blades, respectively. In this way, two positive electrodes 31A bonded to the separator disposed on the first main surface are produced.

The transport units 56a and 56b attract the positive electrode 31A bonded to the separator disposed on the first main surface, and transport the attracted positive electrode to the positive electrode mounting table 211 located at the positive electrode mounting position S1. For example, the conveying unit 56a conveys and mounts the positive electrode 31A bonded to the separator on the first positive electrode mounting table 211A, and the conveying unit 56b conveys and mounts the positive electrode 31A bonded to the separator on the second positive electrode mounting table 211 b.

Although not shown in the drawings, a negative electrode bonded to the separator disposed on the first main surface is similarly produced, and is conveyed to the negative electrode mounting table 221 positioned at the negative electrode mounting position S4 by the conveying section.

According to the second embodiment, the laminated electrode body 10 is manufactured by alternately laminating the positive electrode bonded to the separator and the negative electrode bonded to the separator, and therefore, it is possible to suppress the misalignment between the positive electrode and the separator and between the negative electrode and the separator, and to suppress the misalignment between the positive electrode and the negative electrode at the time of lamination.

(method of transporting Single-sided electrode)

As described above, the electrode positioned on the outermost side in the stacking direction of the stacked electrode assembly 10 may be a single-sided electrode in which the electrode active material layer is formed only on one side of the electrode collector. In this case, it is necessary to place the single-sided electrodes on the first lamination stage 24 and the second lamination stage 25 at the beginning and the end of the production of the laminated electrode body 10. Here, a method of supplying a single-sided negative electrode to the negative electrode supply table 22 will be described assuming that the single-sided electrode is a negative electrode.

As shown in fig. 7, the positive electrode 61 is produced at a predetermined position and conveyed by a positive electrode belt conveyor 71. The electrode placement units 52a and 52b pick up the positive electrode 61 on the positive electrode belt conveyor 71 and place the positive electrode on the long separator material as described above.

The same applies to negative electrode 64. That is, the negative electrode 64 is manufactured at a predetermined position and conveyed by the belt conveyor 72 for the negative electrode. The electrode placement units 52a and 52b pick up the negative electrode 64 on the negative electrode belt conveyor 72, and place the negative electrode on the long separator material as described above.

Fig. 7 shows a configuration in which two positive electrode belt conveyors 71 and two negative electrode belt conveyors 72 are provided, but only one positive electrode belt conveyor may be provided, or three or more positive electrode belt conveyors may be provided.

The single-sided negative electrode 65a disposed on one end side of the laminated electrode assembly 10 is manufactured at a predetermined position and placed on the single-sided negative electrode belt conveyor 73 a. The single-sided negative electrode 65b disposed on the other end side of the laminated electrode assembly 10 is manufactured at a predetermined position and placed on the single-sided negative electrode belt conveyor 73 b.

The single-sided negative electrode 65a on the single-sided negative electrode belt conveyor 73a and the single-sided negative electrode 65b on the single-sided negative electrode belt conveyor 73b are respectively loaded on the transfer belt conveyor 74, and then conveyed onto the negative electrode belt conveyor 72. The electrode placement units 52a and 52b pick up the single-sided negative electrodes 65a and 65b on the negative electrode belt conveyor 72, and place them on the long separator material as described above.

The single-sided negative electrodes 65a and 65b are placed on single-sided negative electrode belt conveyors 73a and 73b at necessary timings, respectively, and are conveyed to the negative electrode belt conveyor 72 via a transfer belt conveyor 74.

However, the single-sided negative electrodes 65a and 65b may be placed on the single-sided negative electrode belt conveyors 73a and 73b without taking the timing into consideration. In this case, the single-sided negative electrodes 65a and 65b transferred to the transfer belt conveyor 74 and the negative electrode belt conveyor 72 are temporarily stored on a preliminary stage, not shown, and picked up by the electrode placement units 52a and 52b at a necessary timing. The preparation table is prepared for each of the single-sided negative electrode 65a and the single-sided negative electrode 65 b.

In the above description, the single-sided electrode is assumed to be a negative electrode, but the same applies to the case where the single-sided electrode is a positive electrode.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various applications and modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention.

In the above embodiment, the electrode mounting portions 52a, 52b are configured such that the positive electrodes 61 are placed on the first separator material 60 such that the positive electrodes 61 are arranged in a line, but the positive electrodes 61 may be placed in two lines.

In the first embodiment, the case where the laminated electrode body 10 is produced by alternately laminating the positive electrode 31 and the negative electrode 32 having a structure sandwiched between two separators disposed on the first main surface and the second main surface has been described. However, the laminated electrode assembly 10 may be produced by alternately laminating a positive electrode and a negative electrode having a structure sandwiched between two separators disposed on the first main surface and the second main surface.

In the above embodiment, the case where the first suction head 231, the second suction head 232, the third suction head 233, and the fourth suction head 234 attached to the cross arm 230 convey the positive electrode 31 or the negative electrode 32 to the first lamination stage 24 or the second lamination stage 25 while the positive electrode 31 or the negative electrode 32 is sucked has been described. However, the method for conveying the positive electrode 31 or the negative electrode 32 is not limited to the method for suction conveyance.

In the above embodiment, the case where the positive electrode 31 on the first positive electrode mounting table 211a and the positive electrode 31 on the second positive electrode mounting table 211b located at the positive electrode mounting position S1 are imaged by the first imaging unit 26 has been described. However, the following configuration is also possible: two image pickup devices are provided, one image pickup device picks up an image of the positive electrode 31 on the first positive electrode mounting table 211a, and the other image pickup device picks up an image of the positive electrode 31 on the second positive electrode mounting table 211 b. In this case, the two imaging devices constitute the first imaging section of the present invention. The same applies to the negative electrode 32.

The position at which the first imaging unit 26 images the positive electrode 31 is not limited to the positive electrode mounting position S1, and may be, for example, the positive electrode supply position S2 or a period during which the positive electrode mounting table 211 is moved from the positive electrode mounting position S1 to the positive electrode supply position S2. Similarly, the position where the second imaging unit 27 captures the negative electrode 32 is not limited to the negative electrode mounting position S4, and may be, for example, the negative electrode supply position S5 or a position during the movement of the negative electrode mounting table 221 from the negative electrode mounting position S4 to the negative electrode supply position S5.

In the above embodiment, the case where the positive electrode supply table 21 includes four sets of positive electrode mounting tables 211, and the first positive electrode mounting table 211a and the second positive electrode mounting table 211b are formed as one set in the positive electrode mounting tables 211 has been described. However, the positive electrode supply table 21 may include at least three sets of positive electrode mounting tables 211 so that the positive electrode mounting tables 211 are located at the positive electrode mounting position S1, the positive electrode supply position S2, and the positive electrode retreat position S3, respectively. Similarly, the negative electrode supply table 22 may include at least three sets of the negative electrode mounting tables 221 so that the negative electrode mounting tables 221 are located at the negative electrode mounting position S4, the negative electrode supply position S5, and the negative electrode retracted position S6, respectively.

Description of the reference numerals

10 laminated electrode body

11 positive electrode

12 negative electrode

13 diaphragm

21 positive electrode supply table

22 negative electrode supply table

23 laminated part

24 first lamination station

25 second Stacking station

26 first image pickup part

27 second image pickup unit

31 positive electrode having a structure sandwiched between separators

32 negative electrode

51 first diaphragm material feed

52a, 52b electrode mounting parts

53 second diaphragm material feed

54a, 54b bonded portions

55a, 55b cutting part

56a, 56b transport section

60 first separator Material

61 positive electrode

62 second separator material

71 positive electrode belt conveyor

72 negative pole is with belt conveyor

73a, 73b single-sided negative electrode belt conveyor

74 transfer belt conveyor

100 laminated electrode body manufacturing device

211 positive electrode mounting table

211a first positive electrode mounting table

211b second positive electrode mounting table

221 negative electrode mounting table

221a first negative electrode mounting table

221b second negative electrode mounting table

230 cross arm

231 first adsorption head

232 second adsorption head

233 third adsorption head

234 fourth adsorption head