WO2024228142A1

WO2024228142A1 - Coil loading apparatus, relative machine comprising the loading apparatus and method for the production of electrical energy storage devices

Info

Publication number: WO2024228142A1
Application number: PCT/IB2024/054253
Authority: WO
Inventors: Enrico ANDERLINI; Lorenzo POLGA; Nunzio VITTOSO; Massimiliano SALE; Jacopo CECCARANI; Eugenio Pepe
Original assignee: Manz Italy SRL
Current assignee: Manz Italy SRL
Priority date: 2023-05-03
Filing date: 2024-05-02
Publication date: 2024-11-07
Anticipated expiration: 2025-11-03
Also published as: IT202300008721A1

Abstract

Apparatus (1) for loading at least one material band coil (B) for a machine for the production of electrical energy storage devices comprising: a unit (2) supplying the at least one coil (B) configured to supply each coil (B) to a loading station (S1) of the apparatus (1); a unit (3) for receiving the coil (B) which is configured to receive each coil (B) from the supplying unit (2) in the area of the loading station (S1); and a retrieving unit (4) which is configured to cyclically move between the supplying unit (2) and the receiving unit (3) so as to retrieve the at least one coil (B) from the supplying unit (2) and axially move it from the supplying unit (2) to the receiving unit (3) in the area of the loading station (S1), the receiving unit (3) comprises a holding assembly (12) for a free flap of the at least one coil (B), and which is configured to place itself in contact with a circumferential surface of said at least one coil (B) in the area of the free flap, so as to hold it in position.

Description

COIL LOADING APPARATUS , RELATIVE MACHINE COMPRISING THE LOADING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION OF ELECTRICAL ENERGY STORAGE DEVICES

Cross-Reference To Related Applications

This Patent Appl ication claims priority from Italian Patent Application No . 102023000008721 filed on May 3 , 2023 , the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference .

Field of the Art

The present invention relates to a coil loading apparatus , a relative machine comprising the loading apparatus and a method for the production of electrical energy storage devices .

In particular, the present invention finds advantageous , but not exclusive , application in the handling of coils of material for the production of cylindrical electrical energy storage devices ( such as cylindrical rechargeable batteries or cylindrical capacitors ) to which the following disclosure will make explicit reference without thereby losing generality, planar or prismatic, for which what is disclosed and claim in the following remains valid .

More in particular, the present invention finds advantageous , but not exclusive , application in the handling of separator material or electrode coils .

Prior Art

The production of rechargeable batteries generally involves the overlapping of several layers of electrodes (with positive and negative polarity - cathode and anode ) interspersed with a separator layer, adapted to prevent any short circuits and in particular to impregnate an electrolyte , so as to form a coil , usually cylindrical , also called a " Jelly-Roll" , or a stack, usually prismatic .

In recent years , several machines have been developed for the production of electrical energy storage devices . In these machines , each electrode band and each separator band is unwound from a coil to be subsequently processed, cut and stacked or wound by means of a winding apparatus to obtain the coil . In the known machines , the coil is loaded manually .

It is clear that this type of loading has a plurality of disadvantages . Firstly, as the coils of material are bulky in si ze and have a high weight , which for the electrode can even reach hundreds of kilos , the operator loading the coil into the machine exerts a great deal of physical ef fort when loading the lighter coils , and is in any case subj ected to a high risk of inj ury due to the large loads he must handle continuously .

In addition, the material wound on the coil , especially in the case of the electrode , is a particularly delicate material which must be handled with care to avoid any unwanted damage to the coil itsel f , which, of course , af fects the quality of the product or the ef ficiency of the automatic machine .

Therefore , considering the bulk, weight and care with which the coils must be handled, it is evident that the current manual loading requires a high loading time , forcing electrochemical cell manufacturers to devote even more than one resource to only changing the coils .

Adding to this drawback is the problem that in the known machine types , the loading often results in machine downtime . In other words , the operator is responsible for loading each coil individually into the machine and, although there are quick j oining systems , the new coil is often used in less than an hour, which is a significant time-consuming task for operators forced to load at least three or four coils per hour, for each of the materials present in the machine ( of which in turn there are at least four ) . It is evident that loading and unloading so many coils requires significant resources , especially in the case of plants provided with dozens , i f not hundreds , of automatic machines . It is further possible to assume that such problems will worsen in the coming years as productivity or the speed of automatic machines increases .

In EP4119475A1 , a system is disclosed for replacing a coil of material for the production of electrical energy storage devices .

A cylindrical material storage device ( such as coils ) is disclosed in EP4086199A1 .

KR102425021B1 discloses an automatic material coil supply and exchange device for the production of electrical energy storage devices , in which the coil is provided with a piece of adhesive tape to keep the free end connected to the outer cylindrical surface of the coil .

Disclosure of the Invention

The aim of the present invention is to provide a coil loading apparatus , a relative machine comprising the loading apparatus , and a method for the production of electrical energy storage devices which are free of the drawbacks of the background art and which are easy and inexpensive to manufacture .

According to the present invention, a coil loading apparatus and a relative machine for the production of electrical energy storage devices comprising the loading apparatus according to what is claimed in the independent claims below, and preferably in any of the claims dependent directly or indirectly on the independent claims .

The claims disclose preferred embodiments of the present invention forming an integral part of the present disclosure .

Brief Description of the Drawings

The present invention will now be disclosed with reference to the accompanying drawings , illustrating some non-limiting embodiments thereof , wherein :

- figure 1 is a perspective and schematic view (with some parts removed for clarity) of a coil loading apparatus made in accordance with a possible embodiment of the present invention;

- figure 2 is a perspective and schematic view (with some parts removed for clarity) of the apparatus of figure 1 in a di f ferent configuration;

- figure 3 is a side and schematic view (with some parts removed for clarity) of the apparatus of figure 2 in a later moment ;

- figures 4 and 5 are perspective and schematic views (with some parts removed for clarity) of various coil loading steps ; and

- figure 6 is a perspective and schematic view (with some parts removed for clarity) of a possible detai l of the apparatus of figures 1-5 .

Preferred Embodiments of the Invention

In figure 1 , the number 1 is used to indicate overall an apparatus for loading at least one material band coil B for a machine for the production of electrical energy storage devices (not illustrated) .

In the following discussion, explicit reference wil l be made to the generic term "material coil" . The term "material coil" refers to a band of material , wound around a core seamlessly and in an orderly manner . The invention disclosed below finds advantageous application in material coils for the production of electrical energy storage devices , which consist of multi-component material comprising at least one electrode band and/or at least one separator band for electrodes (which are of known types and are therefore not disclosed in detail below) .

In the following discussion, the singular term "coil" and the plural term " coils" will be used indistinctly, without thereby losing generality . The invention disclosed below finds advantageous application both in the loading of a single coil B and in the loading of a plurality of coils B.

In some non-limiting cases, the coils B are electrode coils (anode or cathode) comprising a barefoil (aluminium or copper, usually, acting as a current collector) and a slurry of active materials, usually in the form of compressed powder (different for each electrode, e.g., comprising graphite or cobalt and lithium) .

Alternatively or additionally, the coils B are separator coils, viz., material interposed between the electrodes forming the electrochemical cell. In particular, the separator is of the polymeric type (possibly with some ceramic layers) and will not be further detailed below.

Preferably, the simultaneously loaded coils B are coils of the same type, viz., identical in terms of material (not limited to geometry) , in particular all electrode, more in particluar all anode or all cathode, or all separator.

Advantageously, but not limitedly, the loading apparatus 1 is placed near or preferably adjacent to the machine for the production of electrical energy storage devices .

As illustrated in the attached figures, the loading apparatus 1 comprises a supplying unit 2, a receiving unit 3 and a retrieving unit 4.

The supplying unit 2 is configured to supply at least one coil B to a loading station SI (input station) of the apparatus 1.

Advantageously but not limitedly, the supplying unit 2 is configured to supply to the loading station SI of the apparatus 1 at least two, in particular at least three, coils B in a group G, viz., in a set or in series, one next to the other so as to form a cylindrical volume (input station) .

In the non-limiting embodiments of the attached figures, the supplying unit 2 simultaneously supplies more than one coil B, in particular five coils B, to the receiving unit 3. Advantageously, but not limitedly, the supplying unit 2 is configured to be movable either closer to or farther away from the receiving unit 3 . In other words , the supplying unit 2 is movable and can be freely approached to , or distanced from, the receiving unit 3 .

Preferably, but not limitedly, the supplying unit 2 is either a manually movable device ( such as a carriage ) or an automatically movable device ( such as an AGV) .

In particular, the supplying unit 2 is configured to support and supply one or more coils B having essentially the same diameter (barring tolerances and tapering ef fect of the electrode coating) as they preferably originate from the same mother coil ( "mother roll" - vi z . , that coil of multiple thicknesses which is subsequently cut by a machine known as a " slitter" or guillotine ) .

In some non-limiting cases , the coils B are closed by a tape or by another element which holds the free flap of each coil in place .

In other, non-limiting cases , the coils are not closed and therefore the supplying unit 2 comprises one or more holding systems to block the coils B from a potential ( even minimal ) rotation during transport and to hold the free flap of each coil B in place , e . g . , by means of pressure of the latter towards the coil B core .

Advantageously but not limitedly, the supplying unit 2 is configured to retrieve more than one coil B from the aforesaid slitter machine , preferably allowing the latter to be emptied in a single coil B retrieval operation, or in any case with a signi ficantly reduced number of operations with respect to retrieving one coil B at a time . As a result , the downtime of such a machine is particularly reduced . In particular, the multiplicity of coils B in a group G allows the supplying unit 2 to be used as a system buf fer, maintaining a constant flow of upstream and downstream processes . The receiving unit 3 of the coil B is configured to receive each coil B from the supplying unit 2 in the area of the loading station SI. In particular, the receiving unit 3 is configured to receive a group G of coils B in the area of the loading station SI.

In other words, the receiving unit 3 receives the coil B or the group G of coils B yielded by the supplying unit 2. Therefore, the loading station SI is a station shared between the supplying unit 2 and the receiving unit 3, viz., in which the supplying unit 2 and the receiving unit 3 cooperate.

The retrieving unit 4 is instead configured to cyclically move (in particular, to translate) between a first position in the area of the supplying unit 2 and a second position in the area of the receiving unit 3, so as to retrieve the at least one coil B, in particular the coils B, from the supplying unit 2, and to axially move it, viz., along a direction parallel to its winding axis, from the supplying unit 2 to the receiving unit 3 in the area of the loading station SI.

According to the illustrated embodiment (which is not limiting) , the supplying unit 2 comprises a support 5 (in particular, a pin, also known as a spindle) provided with a longitudinal XI axis (which is in particular substantially horizontal) . The support 5 is configured to place itself through the hollow centre core of each coil B, so as to bear, viz., to support, either the coil B itself or the group G of coils B itself. In other words, the at least one coil B borne by the support 5 is coaxial to the longitudinal axis XI.

Advantageously, but not limitedly, the supplying unit 2 comprises an adjustment unit (not illustrated) configured to change the distance (in particular the height) between the longitudinal axis XI of the support 5 and a support surface (such as the ground) of the supplying unit 2. Thereby, the unit 2 can insert coils B at different heights, forming a multi-level magazine on the receiving unit 3. According to what is illustrated in the attached embodiment (which is not limiting) , the receiving unit 3 comprises a receiving assembly 6 . The receiving assembly 6 is provided with a support 7 (which, like the support 5 , is a pin also known as a spindle ) with a longitudinal axis X2 (which is in particular substantially hori zontal ) . The support 7 is configured to receive the coils B from the supplying unit 2 by placing itsel f through the hollow central core of each received coil B . In other words , the at least one coil B or the group G of coils B borne by the support 7 is/are coaxial to the longitudinal axis X2 . Therefore , in the loading station S I , during the passage of the coils B from the supplying unit 2 to the receiving unit 3 , the two supports 5 and 7 face and are coaxial to one another, forming a continuous longitudinal support , vi z . , not allowing the fall of the coils translating thereon . In other words , to allow the trans fer of the coils B from the supplying unit 2 to the receiving unit 3 , the two supports 5 and 7 are placed with the respective ends facing one another and with the two axes XI and X2 coaxial to each other .

Advantageously, but not limitedly, the supports 5 and 7 have , combined, an essentially cylindrical shape , in particular with a cross section having the shape of a circular segment with two bases . Thereby, coils with hollow cylindrical ( ring ) cores can be easily handled, even having di f ferent diameters .

According to what is illustrated in the attached nonlimiting embodiments , the coils B are delivered to the receiving unit 3 by means of the aid of a retrieval arm 8 of the retrieving unit 4 itsel f . In other words , the retrieving unit 4 comprises the retrieving arm 8 . The retrieving arm 8 is mounted on board the retrieving unit 4 , in particular, it is hinged to the retrieving unit 4 to rotate around an axis parallel to the longitudinal axes XI and X2 .

In particular, the retrieving arm 8 is configured to place itself between a spaced position (illustrated in figures 1, 4 and 5) and an operating position (illustrated in figures 2, 3 and 6) .

In particular, in the spaced position, the retrieving arm 8 is radially spaced apart from at least one of the two supports 5 and 7 and does not act against any of the coils B. Conversely, in the operating position, the retrieving arm 8 places itself in the area of the supports 5 or 7, viz., the longitudinal axes XI or X2.

In particular, the retrieving arm 8, in the operating position, places itself (laterally) against (in contact with) the core of at least one of the coils B, so as to axially push, during the movement of the retrieving unit 4, the at least one coil B from the supplying unit 2 to the receiving unit 3.

In certain non-limiting cases, such as that illustrated in the attached figures, the retrieving arm 8 is configured to push, with a single axial movement of the retrieving unit 4, the entire group G of coils B borne by the support 5 towards the receiving unit 3, viz., towards the support 7. This thereby reduces the loading time of the coils B on the receiving unit.

In other non-limiting and non-illustrated cases, the coils B of the same group G are suitably spaced apart from on each other on the support 5 to allow the arm 8 to pass between two adjacent coils, so that the arm 8 can move each coil B individually or regardless part of the coils B of the group G borne by the support 5 towards the receiving unit 3, viz., towards the support 7. It is thereby possible to reduce the dimensions of the arm 8, as well as those of the actuator device which moves the retrieving unit 4.

Advantageously, but not limitedly, the retrieving arm 8 has, in the area of a (distal) end thereof, at least one, preferably a pair, of gripping (or pushing, relative to the coils B) elements 19. The gripping elements 19 are configured to accommodate the support 5 or 7 therebetween during the movement of the coil B . During the movement of the coil B, the gripping elements 19 are configured to move (preferably without creeping) along the supports 5 and 7 .

Preferably but not limitedly, the movement from the spaced position to the operating position is achieved by means of an actuator device 10 (which can be either electric or pneumatic ) . In the non-limiting embodiment of the attached figures , the actuator device 10 comprises a linear pneumatic cylinder, which rotates the arm 8 by means of a special hinge , to pass from the spaced position to the operating position and vice versa . In particular, the actuator device 10 is mounted on board the movable part of the retrieving unit 4 .

Advantageously but not limitedly, the retrieving arm 8 can move one or more of the coils B simultaneously . I f more than one coil B is moved, the retrieving arm 8 acts on the coil B to be moved, which is placed further upstream with respect to the loading station S I .

In particular, the apparatus 1 comprises at least one guide element 9 and one actuator device 20 (which can be either electrical or pneumatic ) . The actuator device 20 is configured to axially move the retrieving unit 4 along the guide element 9 between the two supplying 2 and receiving 3 units .

Advantageously, but not limitedly, the guide element 9 has a longitudinal extension and a rectangular ( in particular square ) cross section .

According to a possible embodiment , the receiving assembly 6 further comprises a "C" -shaped element 11 , from which the support 7 protrudes ( as illustrated in the attached figures ) . The element 11 is preferably hinged to a frame T of the apparatus 1 in the area o f the receiving unit 3 . In other words , the receiving assembly 6 is rotatably mounted around a rotation axis Y1 ( indicated in figure 3 ) which is transverse (in particular, orthogonal) to the longitudinal axis X2.

Preferably but not limitedly, the receiving assembly 6 is rotatable (in particular, it can oscillate) around the rotation axis Y1 between the loading station SI and a transfer station S2 (viz., an output station of the apparatus 1 - indicated in figure 5) . In other words, the receiving assembly 6 is rotatable between the loading station SI, in which the coils B are loaded onto the support 7 and in which the support 7 has a first orientation (illustrated for example in figures 1-3) , and the transfer station S2, in which the coils B are loaded onto the support 7 and are transferrable from the support 7 to a processing unit UL which is placed downstream of the transfer station S2. In the transfer station S2, the support 7 has a second orientation (illustrated for example in figures 5 and 6) , which is different with respect to the first orientation it has in the loading station SI.

Preferably, the rotation angle of the receiving assembly 6 between the station SI and the station S2 is less than 360°, viz., 90, 180 or 270°.

Advantageously, but not limitedly, the receiving assembly 6 comprises an actuator device (not illustrated; of electrical or pneumatic type) configured to bring the assembly 6 itself into rotation. The actuator device can directly drive at least one component (in particular, the "C"-shaped element 11) or it can envisage means for transmitting motion which are interposed between the actuator device and the element 11.

As illustrated in figures 5 and 6, the receiving unit 3 comprises a holding assembly 12 for a free flap of at least one coil B (in particular, all the coils B of the group G) and which is configured to place itself in contact with a circumferential surface of each coil B in the area of the free flap in so as to hold it in position (viz., exert a tangential friction to prevent its relative movement ) . The holding assembly 12 comprises mechanical elements which actively press (vi z . , when driven) the free flap against the outer circumference of the coil B . Contrary to what is disclosed in the background art , the holding assembly 12 comprises at least one rigid mechanical element and does not comprise pieces of passive adhesive tape applied to the coil itsel f . Preferably at least one of the mechanical elements is made of metallic material .

Thereby, the apparatus 1 allows to process coils B with a free flap, vi z . , not attached to the rest of the coil B by means of adhesive tape , which ruins the peripheral surface of the electrode and results in the rej ection of that portion with which it comes into contact .

Advantageously, but not limitedly, the holding assembly 12 comprises a holding element ( e . g . , a tape 14 , as disclosed below) configured to move between a distal position ( during the insertion of the coils B ) in which it does not contact the coils , and a proximal position, in which it contacts the coils B . Such movement is carried out by means of an actuator device 30 ( figure 6 ) , preferably electric or pneumatic, which radially moves the holding element between the distal position and the proximal position .

Advantageously, but not limitedly, the holding element is mounted on board the receiving assembly 6 ( rotatable ) . Thereby, the free flap of each coil is held in position even during the rotation of the receiving assembly 6.

According to a possible , but not l imiting, embodiment , schematically illustrated in figure 5 or 6 , the holding assembly 12 comprises a pair of pulleys 13 ( at least one of which is a driving pulley) and a belt 14 . In particular, the two pulleys 13 are spaced apart from one another and are both provided with a respective rotation axis Y2 .

Preferably, the two axes Y2 are parallel to one another . In other words , each rotation axis Y2 is parallel to the other rotation axis Y2. The axes Y2 are particularly skewed with respect to the longitudinal axis X2.

In particular, the belt 14 is placed around both pulleys 13 and is configured to be caused to move by at least one of the pulleys 13 (viz., the driving pulley) . The belt 14 is the holding element and is configured to place itself in contact with the circumferential surface of each coil B in the area of the free flap so as to hold it in position, especially during the movement of the retrieving unit 4.

Advantageously but not limitedly, the belt 14, viz., the holding element, is configured to be caused to move at the same linear speed as the retrieving unit 4 during the axial movement between the supplying unit 2 and the receiving unit 3. Thereby, the free flap of each coil B is held in position without axial stresses, thus keeping the relative speed between the different windings of coil B at zero.

Thanks to the holding element (e.g., the belt 14) , it is possible to handle the coils B with positions of the respective flaps not perfectly aligned and with different diameters (within a certain threshold, e.g., +/-5%) by adjusting the elasticity of the belt 14 (or of one or more spring elements with the same function) . In particular, although originating from the same mother roll, the coils B often have slight differences in diameter and thus in the position of the free flap due to a phenomenon known as tapering of the active electrode coating (coater) .

Advantageously, but not limitedly, the holding assembly 12 comprises an element of elasticity, e.g., the belt 14, which allows (by adjusting its tension, possibly even dynamically) such differences between the coils B of the same group to be handled.

Preferably but not limitedly, the average position of the flap is traced from the slitter to the receiving unit 6, also by means of the fixing of the coils during transport on the supplying unit 2. Advantageously but not limitedly, and as schematically illustrated in the non-limiting embodiment of figure 6 , the retrieving unit 4 is also configured, once the coil s B have been arranged in the unloading station S2 , to move one coil B or several coil s B together ( e . g . , the group G) in output from the unloading station S2 with movements similar to what has been disclosed so far, vi z . , axially pushing the core of at least one of the coils B to make them translate along the support 7 , in output from the apparatus 1 .

According to a further aspect of the present invention, an automatic machine (not illustrated) is provided for the production of electrical energy storage devices comprising the aforesaid apparatus 1 .

Advantageously, the automatic machine comprises an electronic control unit ECU which oversees the operation of the entire machine and thus the operation of the apparatuses , including the apparatus 1 , forming the machine .

Advantageously, the machine comprises further apparatuses (not illustrated) which receive the coil B in output or retrieve a coil B from the apparatus 1 and perform processes such as j oining bands (between a new coil and a coil presently in use ) . In other words , the machine can comprise , for example , a j oining apparatus (not illustrated) of two material bands for the production of electrical energy storage devices . In such a case , the apparatus 1 is positioned close to (upstream of ) the j oining apparatus .

According to an additional aspect of the present invention, a method of loading at least one coil B, in particular through the apparatus 1 , is provided .

Advantageously but not limitedly, the method is carried out by the loading apparatus 1 and/or the automatic machine disclosed above .

The method with which the loading apparatus 1 loads the coil B is disclosed below .

The method mainly (but not exclusively) comprises the steps of :

- providing, preferably by means o f the supplying unit

2 , the at least one coil B to be supplied to the loading station S I of the apparatus 1 ;

- receiving, by means of a receiving unit 3 , each coil B or the group G of coils B from the supplying unit 2 in the area of the loading station S I ; and

- cyclically moving the retrieving unit 4 between the supplying unit 2 and the receiving unit 3 so as to retrieve the at least one coil B from the supplying unit 2 and axially move it from the supplying unit 2 to the receiving unit 3 in the area of the loading station S I .

Advantageously, but not limitedly, the method comprises the further step of placing the support 5 facing and coaxial to the support 7 to allow the passage of the at least one coil B or group G of coils B from the supplying unit 2 to the receiving unit 3 .

Advantageously, but not limitedly, the method comprises a further step of moving the retrieving arm 8 of the retrieving unit 4 from a spaced position, in which the retrieving arm 8 is radially spaced apart from at least one of the two supports 5 and 7 and does not act upon at least one of the two coils B, to an operating position, in which the retrieving arm 8 places itsel f against the core of at least one of the coils B so as to axially move said at least one coil B from the supplying unit 2 to the receiving unit

3 . In particular, when the at least one coil B is placed in the area of the support 7 of the receiving unit 3 , the retrieving arm 8 is moved from the operating position to the spaced position .

Advantageously, but not limitedly, the method comprises the further step of rotating the receiving unit 6 from the loading station S I ( in which the coils B are loaded onto the support 7 and in which the support 7 has the first orientation) to the trans fer station S2 ( in which the loaded coils B are trans ferrable from the support 7 to a processing unit UL placed downstream of the trans fer station S2 ) . In the trans fer station S2 , the support 7 has the second orientation, which is di f ferent with respect to the first orientation .

The method comprises a further step of holding, by means of the holding assembly 12 , a free flap of at least one coil B, placing the holding assembly 12 in contact with a circumferential surface of each coil B in the area of the free flap, so as to hold it in position (vi z . , exert a tangential friction to prevent its relative movement ) .

In particular, the step of retaining the free flap by means of the holding assembly 12 is carried out by driving the holding element, vi z . , the belt 14 by means of the ECU, to move at the same speed as the retrieving unit 4 , so as to keep the free flap of each coil B in position with respect to the rest of the coil B even during the movement from the unit 2 to the retrieving unit 3 .

Preferably, before holding the free flap, the method comprises the further step of driving, by means of the ECU, the actuator device 30 from the distal to the proximal position .

The apparatus 1 , the machine and the method disclosed above have many advantages .

Firstly, the apparatus 1 has the advantage that all coils B trans ferred from the supplying unit 2 to the receiving unit 3 are at least partially loaded at the same time . In particular, the apparatus 1 allows to define a magazine of coils B ready to be used (preferably all oriented in the same manner and with the flap substantially in the same position) by the machine 1 . Thereby, the process flow is advantaged in remaining constant even in the presence of unforeseen events in the supply of coils B . The apparatus 1 allows to trans fer either a single coil B or a larger number of coils B . The apparatus 1 also has the advantage of facilitating the loading of new coils B in the production machine . In particular, the apparatus 1 allows to trans fer to the production machine following a "LI FO" ( last-in- first-out ) mode , vi z . , the last coil to enter will be the first to exit .

By making the supports 5 and 7 with the section in the shape of a circular segment with two bases , the gripping elements 19 are allowed to slide better along the supports 5 and 7 themselves .

The apparatus 1 also has the advantage that the retrieving arm 8 transfers the coils B without damaging them . In fact , the arm 8 applies the force (pushes ) the coils B in the area of their core and not in the area of the layers of wound material , which is very delicate . This thereby also prevents the uncontrolled opening/unwinding of the coils B themselves .

Furthermore , the holding assembly 12 also allows to easily trans fer the coils B which have a free end f lap (vi z . , not fixed to the coil B itsel f by means of a piece of adhesive tape ) . It is thereby possible to avoid discarding the part of the coil in contact with the tape , thus reducing waste .

Finally, the present invention, with respect to solutions of the known art provided with giant automated warehouses , appears to possess greater compactness and ease of installation, even in existing plants . List of Reference Numbers of the Figures

1 apparato di caricamento = loading apparatus

2 unita di alimentazione = supplying unit

3 unita di ricezione = receiving unit

4 unita di prelievo = retrieving unit

5 supporto = support

6 gruppo di ricezione = receiving assembly

7 supporto = support

8 braccio di prelievo = retrieving arm

9 elemento di guida = guide element 10 dispositive attuatore = actuator device

11 elemento = element

12 gruppo di trattenuta = holding assembly

13 puleggia = pulley 14 nastro = belt

19 elemento di af ferraggio = gripping element

20 dispositive attuatore = actuator device

30 dispositive attuatore = actuator device

B Bobina = coil G gruppo = group

51 stazione di caricamento = loading station

52 stazione di tras f erimento = trans fer station

T telaio = frame

XI asse longitudinale = longitudinal axis X2 asse longitudinale = longitudinal axis

Y1 asse di rotazione = rotation axis

Y2 asse di rotazione = rotation axis

Claims

1. A loading apparatus (1) to load at least one material band coil (B) for a machine for the production of electrical energy storage devices, the loading apparatus (1) comprising : a loading station (SI) ; a receiving unit (3) for the coil (B) , which is configured to receive each coil (B) from a supplying unit

(2) in the area of the loading station (SI) ; the supplying unit (2) being configured to supply each coil (B) to the loading station (SI) of the apparatus (1) ; and a retrieving unit (4) , which is configured to cyclically move between the supplying unit (2) and the receiving unit

(3) so as to retrieve said at least one coil (B) from the supplying unit (2) and axially move it from the supplying unit (2) to the receiving unit (3) in the area of the loading station (SI ) ; the apparatus is characterised in that the receiving unit (3) comprises a holding assembly (12) for a free flap of the at least one coil (B) , and which is configured to place itself in contact with a circumferential surface of said at least one coil (B) in the area of the free flap, so as to hold it in position.

2. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1 and also comprising the supplying unit (2) ; wherein the supplying unit (2) comprises a first support (5) provided with a first, in particular horizontal, longitudinal axis (XI) ; wherein the first support (5) is configured to place itself through a hollow central core of each coil (B) so as to bear the coil (B) itself.

3. The apparatus (1) according to claim 2, wherein the supplying unit (2) comprises an adjustment unit configured to change the distance between the first longitudinal axis (XI) of the first support (5) and a support surface of the supplying unit (2) .

4. The apparatus (1) according to any one of the claims from 1 to 3, wherein the receiving unit (3) comprises a receiving assembly (6) provided with a second support (7) provided with a second, in particular horizontal, longitudinal axis (X2) ; the second support (7) is configured to receive the coils (B) from the supplying unit (2) by placing itself through a hollow central core of each received coil (B) .

5. The apparatus (1) according to claim 2 and 4, wherein, in the loading station (SI) , while the coils (B) go from the supplying unit (2) to the receiving unit (3) , the two supports (5, 7) face and are coaxial to one another.

6. The apparatus (1) according to one of the claims from 2 to 5, wherein the first support (5) and/or the second support (7) have a cross section having the shape of a circular segment with two bases.

7. The apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the retrieving unit (4) comprises a retrieving arm (8) configured to move between: a spaced position, in which the retrieving arm (8) is radially spaced apart from at least one of the two supports (5, 7) and does not act upon at least one of the two coils (B) ; and an operating position, in which the retrieving arm (8) places itself against the core of at least one of the coils (B) so as to axially move said at least one coil (B) from the supplying unit (2) to the receiving unit (3) .

8. The apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising: at least one guide element (9) ; and an actuator device (20) configured to axially move the retrieving unit (4) along the guide element (9) between the supplying unit (2) and the receiving unit (3) .

9. The apparatus (1) according to any one of the claims from 4 to 8, wherein the receiving assembly (6) is mounted so as to rotate around a first rotation axis (Yl) , which is transverse to the second longitudinal axis (X2) , between: the loading station (SI) , in which the coils (B) are loaded onto the second support (7) and in which the second support (7) has a first orientation; and a transfer station (S2) , in which the coils (B) are loaded on the second support (7) and are transferrable from the second support (7) to a processing unit (UL) arranged downstream of the transfer station (S2) ; and wherein, in the transfer station (S2) , the second support (7) has a second orientation, which is different from the first orientation.

10. Apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the holding assembly (12) comprises: a pair of pulleys (13) spaced apart from one another and both provided with a respective second rotation axis (Y2) , wherein each second rotation axis (Y2) is parallel to the other second rotation axis (Y2) ; and a belt (14) arranged around both pulleys (13) and configured to be caused to move by at least one of the pulleys ( 13 ) .

11. The apparatus (1) according to claim 10, wherein the belt (14) is configured to be caused to move at a same linear speed as the retrieving unit (4) during the axial movement between the supplying unit (2) and the receiving unit ( 3 ) .

12. A machine for the production of electrical energy storage devices comprising a loading apparatus (1) for at least one material band coil (B) ; wherein the apparatus (1) is of the kind claimed in any one of the claims from 1 to 11.

13. The machine according to claim 12, comprising a joining apparatus for two material bands for the production of electrical energy storage devices; and wherein the loading apparatus (1) is arranged close to the joining apparatus.

14. A method for loading at least one coil (B) by means of a loading apparatus (1) , in particular of the kind claimed in one of the claims from 1 to 11; the method comprises the steps of:

- providing, preferably by means of a supplying unit (2) , said at least one coil (B) to be supplied to a loading station (SI) of the apparatus (1) ; and

- receiving, by means of a receiving unit (3) , each coil (B) from the supplying unit (2) in the area of the loading station (SI) ; and

- cyclically moving a retrieving unit (4) between the supplying unit (2) and the receiving unit (3) so as to retrieve the at least one coil (B) from the supplying unit (2) and axially move it from the supplying unit (2) to the receiving unit (3) in the area of the loading station (SI) ; the method is characterised in that it comprises a further step of holding, by means of the at least one holding assembly (12) , a free flap of at least one coil (B) , by placing the holding assembly (12) in contact with a circumferential surface of each coil (B) in the area of the free flap, so as to hold it in position.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the supplying unit (2) comprises a first support (5) , which is provided with a first longitudinal axis (XI) and is configured to place itself through a hollow central core of each coil (b) to be released, and the receiving unit (3) comprises a second support (7) , which is provided with a second longitudinal axis (X2) and is configured to place itself through a hollow central core of each received coil (B) ; the method comprising the further step of: placing the first support (5) so that it faces and is coaxial to the second support (7) in order to allow for the transfer of said at least one coil (B) .

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the method comprises the further step of moving a retrieving arm (8) of the retrieving unit (4) from a spaced position, in which the retrieving arm (8) is radially spaced apart from at least one of the two supports (5, 7) and does not act upon at least one of the two coils (B) , to an operating position, in which the retrieving arm (8) places itself against the core of at least one of the coils (B) so as to axially move said at least one coil (B) from the supplying unit (2) to the receiving unit (3) .

17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, wherein, when said at least one coil (B) is arranged in the area of the second support (7) of the receiving unit (3) , the retrieving arm (8) is moved from the operating position to the spaced position.

18. The method according to claim 17, comprising the further step of rotating the receiving assembly (6) from the loading station (SI) , in which the coils (B) are loaded onto the second support (7) and in which the second support (7) has a first orientation, to a transfer station (S2) , in which the loaded coils (B) are transferrable from the second support (7) to a processing unit (UL) arranged downstream of the transfer station (S2) ; and wherein, in the transfer station (S2) , the second support (7) has a second orientation, which is different from the first orientation.