Method and apparatus for winding a core for an electrochemical cell and processing thereof

The method in accordance with claim I in which

• step (A) includes (1) holding said first separator sheet against a holding face of a first rotatable turret so that a leading end portion of said separator sheet extends beyond said first rotatable turret gripping face and (2) holding said anode plate against said first separator sheet;
• step (B) includes (1) holding said second separator sheet against a holding face of a second rotatable turret so that a leading end portion of said separator sheet extends beyond said second rotatable turret gripping face, and (2) holding said cathode plate against said second separator sheet;
• step (C) includes rotating said first and second turrets in the same direction of rotation on spaced-apart, parallel rotational axes to orient said first and second separator sheet end portions in an overlapping relationship;
• and
• step (D) includes (1) clamping said overlapping separator sheet end portions in face-to-face contact between a pair of clamping members, and (2) rotating said clamping members on an axis parallel to said turret axes to pull said separator sheets from said turret holding faces along with said plates held against said separator sheets as said separator sheets and plates wind about said clamping members to form said coiled core.

A method for forming a core for an electrochemical cell comprising the steps of:

• (A) placing an anode plate onto a first separator sheet to leave an end portion of said first separator sheet extending beyond said anode plate;
• (B) placing a cathode plate onto a second separator sheet to leave an end portion of said second separator sheet extending beyond said cathode plate;
• (C) restraining said anode plate and first separator sheet against relative lengthwise displacement and restraining said cathode plate and second separator sheet against relative lengthwise displacement;
• (D) overlapping said end portions of said first and second separator sheets in face-to-face contact;
• and
• (E) restraining said overlapping sheet end portions against relative movement while rotating continuously said restrained overlapping end portions about an axis adjacent at least one guide member to wind said plates and separator sheets between said axis and said guide member, whereby said plates and separator sheets are prevented by said guide member from being swung outwardly during said rotation and become wound into a coiled core which can be inserted into an electrochemical cell casing.

An apparatus for forming a core for an electrochemical cell comprising:

• (A) anode assembly means for disposing an anode plate and a first separator sheet in an adjacent relationship restrained against relative lengthwise displacement;
• (B) cathode assembly means for disposing a cathode plate and a second separator sheet in an adjacent relationship restrained against relative lengthwise displacement;
• (C) said anode and cathode assembly means being arranged for overlapping an end portion of said first separator sheet with an end portion of said second separator sheet;
• and
• (D) rotatable clamping means for restraining said overlapping separator sheet end portions against relative movement and for rotating said restrained overlapping end portions about an axis to wind said plates and separator sheets into a coiled core which can be inserted into an electrochemical cell casing.

An apparatus for forming a core for an electrochemical cell comprising:

• a first holding means for holding a first separator sheet and an anode plate against relative lengthwise displacement
• a first separator sheet feeder means for feeding a first separator sheet to said first holding means so as to leave an end portion of said first separator sheet extending beyond said first holding means;
• an anode plate feeder means for feeding an anode plate to said first holding means to leave said end portion of said first separator sheet extending beyond said anode plate
• a second holding means for holding a second separator sheet and a cathode plate against relative lengthwise displacement;
• a second separator sheet feeder means for feeding a second separator sheet to said second holding means so as to leave an end portion of said first separator sheet extending beyond said second holding means;
• a cathode plate feeder means for feeding a cathode plate to said second holding means to leave said end portion of said second separator sheet extending beyond said cathode plate;
• positioning means for positioning said first and second holding means to overlap said end portions of said first and second separator sheets in a face-to-face orientation;
• guide means for being located adjacent said overlapping end portions for contacting said plates and separator sheets;
• and
• rotatable clamping means for restraining said overlapping sheet end portions against relative movement while rotating said restrained overlapping end portions about an axis adjacent said guide means to wind said plates and separator sheets between said axis and said guide means whereby said plates and separator sheets are prevented by said guide means from being swung outwardly during said rotation and become wound into a coiled core which can be inserted into an electrochemical cell casing.