Abstract: A bag-shaped actuator system includes: a bag-shaped actuator including an airtight bag member and flowable particulates filled in the bag member; a bag-member communication pipe configured to communicate with an inside of the bag member; a low-air-pressure-source communication pipe configured to communicate with a low air pressure source; a high-air-pressure-source communication pipe configured to communicate with a high air pressure source; a switching mechanism configured to perform switching between communication destinations of the bag member such that the inside of the bag member communicates with any of external air, the low-air-pressure-source communication pipe, and the high-air-pressure-source communication pipe via the bag-member communication pipe; and a switching controlling portion configured to control the switching between the communication destinations by the switching mechanism.

Abstract: A laser welding method includes a welding process of irradiating a multiple laser beam so as to weld together a first member and a second member at a boundary. The multiple laser beam includes a first beam that is advanced while forming a first molten pool in which the first member is melted, a second beam that is advanced while forming a second molten pool in which the second member is melted, and a main beam that is advanced subsequently to the first beam and the second beam and irradiated to an integrated molten pool formed by integration of the first molten pool and the second molten pool. The first beam and the second beam do not swing, while the main beam swings with respect to the boundary.

Abstract: Whether or not workpieces are present in a workpiece storage area is determined based on an image acquired by image capturing. When the workpieces are determined to be present, whether or not a crossing part is present in the workpiece storage area is determined based on the image, the crossing part being a part where soft body portions of a plurality of workpieces cross each other in an overlapping manner. When the crossing part is determined to be present, an uppermost soft body portion placed at an uppermost position among the soft body portions crossing each other is determined based on the image. A workpiece including the uppermost soft body portion thus determined is determined as an uppermost workpiece placed at an uppermost position.

Abstract: A manufacturing method includes the steps of: preparing a battery case having an opening; fabricating an assembly by inserting a wound electrode body and a lid which includes a terminal connected to the wound electrode body and which closes the opening into the battery case; sandwiching the battery case by a pressing jig in a state where the opening faces downward to close a gap between the battery case and the lid; disposing the assembly so that the terminal faces upward by inverting the assembly in a state where the battery case is sandwiched by the pressing jig; and welding the lid and the battery case to each other in a state where the terminal faces upward and the battery case is sandwiched by the pressing jig.

Abstract: A manufacturing method includes the steps of: preparing a battery case having an opening; fabricating an assembly by inserting a wound electrode body and a lid which includes a terminal connected to the wound electrode body and which closes the opening into the battery case; sandwiching the battery case by a pressing jig in a state where the opening faces downward to close a gap between the battery case and the lid; disposing the assembly so that the terminal faces upward by inverting the assembly in a state where the battery case is sandwiched by the pressing jig; and welding the lid and the battery case to each other in a state where the terminal faces upward and the battery case is sandwiched by the pressing jig.

Abstract: A laser welding method includes a welding process of irradiating a multiple laser beam so as to weld together a first member and a second member at a boundary. The multiple laser beam includes a first beam that is advanced while forming a first molten pool in which the first member is melted, a second beam that is advanced while forming a second molten pool in which the second member is melted, and a main beam that is advanced subsequently to the first beam and the second beam and irradiated to an integrated molten pool formed by integration of the first molten pool and the second molten pool. The first beam and the second beam do not swing, while the main beam swings with respect to the boundary.

Abstract: A manufacturing method includes the steps of: preparing a battery case having an opening; fabricating an assembly by inserting a wound electrode body and a lid which includes a terminal connected to the wound electrode body and which closes the opening into the battery case; sandwiching the battery case by a pressing jig in a state where the opening faces downward to close a gap between the battery case and the lid; disposing the assembly so that the terminal faces upward by inverting the assembly in a state where the battery case is sandwiched by the pressing jig; and welding the lid and the battery case to each other in a state where the terminal faces upward and the battery case is sandwiched by the pressing jig.

Abstract: A bag-shaped actuator system includes: a bag-shaped actuator including an airtight bag member and flowable particulates filled in the bag member; a bag-member communication pipe configured to communicate with an inside of the bag member; a low-air-pressure-source communication pipe configured to communicate with a low air pressure source; a high-air-pressure-source communication pipe configured to communicate with a high air pressure source; a switching mechanism configured to perform switching between communication destinations of the bag member such that the inside of the bag member communicates with any of external air, the low-air-pressure-source communication pipe, and the high-air-pressure-source communication pipe via the bag-member communication pipe; and a switching controlling portion configured to control the switching between the communication destinations by the switching mechanism.

Abstract: Whether or not workpieces are present in a workpiece storage area is determined based on an image acquired by image capturing. When the workpieces are determined to be present, whether or not a crossing part is present in the workpiece storage area is determined based on the image, the crossing part being a part where soft body portions of a plurality of workpieces cross each other in an overlapping manner. When the crossing part is determined to be present, an uppermost soft body portion placed at an uppermost position among the soft body portions crossing each other is determined based on the image. A workpiece including the uppermost soft body portion thus determined is determined as an uppermost workpiece placed at an uppermost position.

Abstract: A method for identifying a workpiece includes: taking an image of a workpiece storage area; determining whether there is the workpiece in the workpiece storage area based on the image taken; determining, whether there is an overlap where soft parts of the workpieces overlap one another in the workpiece storage area, based on the image; identifying an uppermost soft part that is located at a highest position among the overlapping soft parts, based on the image; and determining the workpiece having the identified uppermost soft part as an uppermost workpiece that is located at a highest position among the workpieces in the workpiece storage area.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a laser processed product including a laser processed part is performed by using a laser oscillation section, a beam splitting section and an imaging section. The manufacturing method includes: forming an irradiation mark including an irradiation pattern in a reference irradiation surface by using the laser oscillation section and the beam splitting section, the irradiation pattern including a plurality of irradiation spots; obtaining an image of the irradiation mark via the imaging section; determining a representative position based on positions of the plurality of irradiation spots in the image; determining a deviation amount of deviation of the representative position from a target position; and forming the laser processed part with a irradiation position corrected based on the deviation amount.

Abstract: A manufacturing method includes the steps of: preparing a battery case having an opening; fabricating an assembly by inserting a wound electrode body and a lid which includes a terminal connected to the wound electrode body and which closes the opening into the battery case; sandwiching the battery case by a pressing jig in a state where the opening faces downward to close a gap between the battery case and the lid; disposing the assembly so that the terminal faces upward by inverting the assembly in a state where the battery case is sandwiched by the pressing jig; and welding the lid and the battery case to each other in a state where the terminal faces upward and the battery case is sandwiched by the pressing jig.

Abstract: A laser welding apparatus according to the present invention includes a diffractive optical element, an incident-point changing unit, and a controller. The diffractive optical element includes a first region where there is formed a diffraction grating that radiates a radiated beam having a first distribution profile of a power density that is different from a distribution profile of a power density of the incident beam. The diffractive optical element further includes a second region that has a surface profile different from a surface profile of the first region, and radiates a radiated beam having a second distribution profile of the power density that is different from the first distribution profile of the power density. The controller carries out a joining control to move at least one point in the incident point across a boundary between the first region and the second region during the emission of the laser beam.

Abstract: Provided is a method for manufacturing a secondary cell by which a wound body can be effectively impregnated with an electrolytic solution. The method includes: a step of depressurizing an interior of an outer case 30; a step of pouring an electrolytic solution E into the depressurized outer case 30; a step of depressurizing the interior of the outer case 30; a step of pouring the electrolytic solution E into the depressurized outer case 30; a step of impregnating the wound body with the electrolytic solution E from both axial end portions 100a, 100b of a wound body 100; a step of waiting until a difference in pressure between a wound body external space S, which is a space between the outer case 30 and the wound body, and a wound body internal space S1 is reduced after the impregnation with the electrolytic solution E; and a step of pressurizing the wound body external space S.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a secondary battery, capable of forming a uniform membrane on a wound body. Provided is a method including a step for reducing an internal pressure of an exterior, a step for pouring an electrolyte solution (E) into the exterior, a step for sealing the exterior, a step for impregnating the electrolyte solution (E) into the wound body from both axial end portions thereof, a step for performing initial charging of a battery, and a step for performing high-temperature aging of the battery. The additive LPFO is added into the electrolyte solution (E) in an amount such that the internal pressure of the exterior in the step for performing the high-temperature aging becomes equal to or higher than a saturation vapor pressure of the electrolyte solution (E) in the high-temperature aging.

Abstract: Provided is a method of manufacturing a sealed battery, capable of releasing a gas generated during an initial charge without increasing the number of steps. The method of manufacturing the sealed battery including a battery case having an opening, and a power-generating element stored in the battery case, includes: a step of storing an electrode body in the battery case; a step of pouring an electrolyte solution into the battery case through the opening to turn the electrode body into the power-generating element; a step of temporarily sealing the opening with a temporary sealing member; a step of performing the initial charge of the power-generating element; a step of introducing a detection gas into the battery case through the opening while opening the temporarily sealed opening; and a step of finally sealing the opening with a final sealing member.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a laser processed product including a laser processed part is performed by using a laser oscillation section, a beam splitting section and an imaging section. The manufacturing method includes: forming an irradiation mark including an irradiation pattern in a reference irradiation surface by using the laser oscillation section and the beam splitting section, the irradiation pattern including a plurality of irradiation spots; obtaining an image of the irradiation mark via the imaging section; determining a representative position based on positions of the plurality of irradiation spots in the image; determining a deviation amount of deviation of the representative position from a target position; and forming the laser processed part with a irradiation position corrected based on the deviation amount.

Abstract: A sealed battery manufacturing method includes inserting a supply nozzle (120) into an opening (33) that is opened outwardly, the opening (33) being formed in a battery container (33); and introducing a detection gas (He) into the battery container in such a manner that injection of the detection gas from the supply nozzle (120) is started at a pressure smaller than a predetermined injection pressure, and then an injection pressure of the detection gas (He) is increased by stages until the injection pressure of the detection gas (He) reaches the predetermined injection pressure.

Abstract: A manufacturing method includes i) emitting a primary laser beam along a primary trajectory on a boundary between a first member and a second member by a welding apparatus; ii) emitting an advanced laser beam along an advanced trajectory that does not overlap the primary trajectory by the welding apparatus; and iii) emitting a subsequent laser beam along a subsequent trajectory that does not overlap the primary trajectory and the advanced trajectory by the welding apparatus.

Abstract: A laser welding method includes a welding process of irradiating a multiple laser beam so as to weld together a first member and a second member at a boundary. The multiple laser beam includes a first beam that is advanced while forming a first molten pool in which the first member is melted, a second beam that is advanced while forming a second molten pool in which the second member is melted, and a main beam that is advanced subsequently to the first beam and the second beam and irradiated to an integrated molten pool formed by integration of the first molten pool and the second molten pool. The first beam and the second beam do not swing, while the main beam swings with respect to the boundary.