Stacking apparatus and stacking method

A stacking apparatus comprising:

• a separator conveyance unit configured to convey a separator of a predetermined shape in a held state to a predetermined position;
• and
• an electrode conveyance unit configured to convey in a conveying direction an electrode of a predetermined shape to the predetermined position, wherein:
• the separator conveyance unit conveys the separator and the electrode conveyance unit conveys the electrode such that the separator and the electrode overlap each other at the predetermined position;
• the separator conveyance unit is configured to transfer the separator onto the electrode from a downstream side of the conveying direction such that the separator is removed from the separator conveyance unit to stack the separator on the electrode;
• the separator conveyance unit includes a cylindrical rotor having a suction area on an outer circumferential surface configured to draw by suction the separator and rotate to convey the separator to the predetermined position;
• the suction area is configured to maintain the suction of the separator until the separator comes into contact with the electrode conveyed by the electrode conveyance unit at the predetermined position;
• the separator conveyance unit further includes a first negative pressure chamber extending along a portion of an inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical rotor;
• the cylindrical rotor further includes a suction force adjusting area;
• the suction force adjusting area corresponds to the first negative pressure chamber;
• the separator conveyance unit further includes a second negative pressure chamber extending along a portion of the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical rotor;
• and
• the suction area corresponds to the second negative pressure chamber.