Patent Application
20240258557
The present invention relates to an electrode assembly and a method of manufacturing an electrode assembly.
Unlike primary batteries, secondary batteries may be rechargeable and have small scales and high capacities. Recently, research and development have been actively conducted on secondary batteries. As development of technologies and demands for mobile devices are increased, there is a rapidly increasing demand for rechargeable batteries as energy sources.
The secondary batteries are classified into coin batteries, cylindrical batteries, angular batteries, and pouch-type batteries depending on shapes of battery casings. In the secondary battery, an electrode assembly mounted in the battery casing is a power generation element that has a structure made by stacking electrodes and separators and may be charged and discharged.
The electrode assemblies may be approximately classified into a Jelly-roll-type electrode assembly made by winding sheet-shaped positive and negative electrodes coated with active materials with a separator interposed therebetween, a stack-type electrode assembly made by sequentially stacking a plurality of positive and negative electrodes in a state in which separators are interposed between the plurality of positive and negative electrodes, and a stack-and-folding-type electrode assembly made by winding stack-type unit cells by using long separation films.
In this case, in the stack-and-folding type electrode assembly, a bonding force between electrodes and a separator is low in an initial step in which the separator is folded in a zigzag manner and positioned between the electrodes. For this reason, there is a problem of a pull-back phenomenon in which the separator is pushed inward, the electrode is exposed, and a risk of a short circuit is increased.
Korean Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-2013-0132230
The present invention is intended to provide an electrode assembly and a method of manufacturing an electrode assembly.
An embodiment of the present invention provides a method of manufacturing an electrode assembly, in which a first electrode and a second electrode are alternately disposed between folded separators, the method including: supplying the first electrode to a stack table; supplying the second electrode to the stack table; supplying the separator to the stack table; winding the first electrode, which is stacked on the stack table first after the separator is stacked on the stack table first, with the separator one or more times; and manufacturing a stacked object by stacking the first electrode, the separator, and the second electrode on the stack table such that the first electrode and the second electrode are alternately disposed between the folded separators while stacking the second electrode after the winding of the first electrode with the separator one or more times.
Another embodiment of the present invention provides an electrode assembly manufactured by the manufacturing method, in which the electrode assembly is configured such that the first electrode and the second electrode are alternately disposed between the folded separators, and all surfaces of the electrode at a lowermost end of the assembly are surrounded by the separator.
According to the electrode assembly and the method of manufacturing the same according to the embodiment of the present application, it is possible to prevent a problem of a pull-back phenomenon in which the separator is pushed inward, the electrode is exposed, and a risk of a short circuit is increased during the process of manufacturing the electrode assembly manufactured by stacking the electrode and the separator.
That is, the electrode assembly and the method of manufacturing the same according to the embodiment of the present application may improve stability of the battery.
The method of manufacturing an electrode assembly according to the embodiment of the present application may manufacture the electrode assembly with uniform performance and align and fix the electrode and the separator so that the position of the electrode and the position of the separator are not distorted. Therefore, it is possible to improve energy density and prevent the electrode of the electrode assembly from protruding to the external appearance of the battery.
Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail so that those with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains may easily carry out the exemplary embodiments. However, the present invention may be implemented in various different ways and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.
Throughout the specification, unless explicitly described to the contrary, the word “comprise” or “include” and variations, such as “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes” or “including”, means the further inclusion of stated constituent elements, not the exclusion of any other constituent elements.
In the present specification, a configuration in which ‘a separator is folded to surround all surfaces of an electrode’ means that the separator is wound one or more times to surround the electrode while adjoining the electrode.
In the present specification, a configuration in which ‘a particular object is heated’ means that the particular object is heated. The configuration in which ‘the particular object is pressed while being heated’ means that the particular object is heated and pressed.
Further, in the description of the present invention, the specific descriptions of well-known related technologies will be omitted when it is determined that the specific descriptions may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention.
An embodiment of the present invention provides a method of manufacturing an electrode assembly, in which first electrodes and second electrodes are alternately disposed between folded separators, the method including: supplying the first electrode to a stack table; supplying the second electrode to the stack table; supplying the separator to the stack table; winding the first electrode, which is stacked on the stack table first after the separator is stacked on the stack table first, with the separator one or more times; and manufacturing a stacked object by stacking the first electrode, the separator, and the second electrode on the stack table such that the first electrode and the second electrode are alternately disposed between the folded separators while stacking the second electrode after the winding of the first electrode with the separator one or more times.
That is, according to the electrode assembly manufacturing method according to the present invention, the first electrode, which is supplied to the stack table first, is wound one or more times so as to be surrounded by the separator after the separator is supplied to the stack table.
In the present specification, a configuration in which the first electrode and the second electrode are stacked such that the first electrode and the second electrode are alternately disposed between the folded separators is referred to as zigzag folding.
In the embodiment of the present invention, the winding of the first electrode, which is stacked on the stack table first after the separator is stacked on the stack table first, with the separator one or more times may include: stacking the separator on the stack table so that the separator is stacked on the stack table first; stacking the first electrode on the separator stacked first; and winding the first electrode, which is stacked on the separator stacked first, with the separator one or more times. That is, the separator may be stacked on the stack table first before the first electrode and the second electrode are stacked.
In the embodiment of the present invention, the winding of the first electrode, which is stacked on the stack table first after the separator is stacked on the stack table first, with the separator one or more times may include: stacking the second electrode on the stack table so that the second electrode is stacked on the stack table first; stacking the separator first on the stacked second electrode; stacking the first electrode on the separator stacked first; and winding the first electrode, which is stacked on the separator stacked first, with the separator one or more times. That is, the second electrode may be stacked on the stack table before the separator is stacked.
In the present specification, the winding of the first electrode with the separator one or more times may mean folding the separator so that the separator surrounds all the surfaces of the first electrode. That is, in the present specification, the winding of the first electrode with the separator one or more times may be expressed as a step of folding the separator so that the separator surrounds all the surfaces of the electrode.
In other words, the configuration in which ‘the separator is folded to surround all the surfaces of the electrode’ means that the separator is wound one or more times to surround the electrode while adjoining a surface of the electrode.
In this case, all the surfaces of the electrode mean upper and lower surfaces of the electrode and a surface of the electrode in a direction perpendicular to a supply direction of the separator. In this case, the “lower surface” means a surface of the electrode directed toward the stack table, and the “upper surface” means a surface opposite to the surface of the electrode directed toward the stack table. In addition, the surfaces of the electrode in a direction perpendicular to the supply direction of the separator mean a surface of the electrode, which comes into contact with a surface of the folded separator and a surface opposite to the surface of the electrode that comes into contact with the surface of the folded separator during a process in which general zigzag folding is performed on the stacked object along a stack axis.
That is, all the surfaces of the electrode mean surfaces of the electrode that may come into contact with the electrode during the process of stacking the separator.
Like the electrode assembly manufacturing method of the present application, the separator is wound one or more times so that the separator surrounds all the surfaces of the electrode, which is supplied to the stack table first after the separator is supplied to the stack table, which makes it possible to reduce a problem of a pull-back phenomenon in which the electrode and the separator are separated, and the position of the electrode or the position of the separator is pushed rearward during the process of manufacturing the electrode assembly so that the separator is folded in a zigzag manner so as to be positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode. Therefore, the position of the electrode and the position of the separator may be aligned and fixed without being distorted, which makes it possible to improve energy density and prevent the electrode of the electrode assembly from protruding to an external appearance of a battery.
According to the embodiment of the present invention, the winding of the first electrode one or more times may include winding the first electrode once. In case that the number of times of the winding is limited to one, a process speed may be increased.
According to the embodiment of the present invention, the manufacturing of the stacked object by stacking the first electrode, the separator, and the second electrode on the stack table such that the first electrode and the second electrode are alternately disposed between the folded separators while stacking the second electrode after the winding of the first electrode with the separator one or more times may further include winding the first electrode, which is supplied to the stack table last, with the separator one or more times.
According to the embodiment of the present invention, the manufacturing of the stacked object by stacking the first electrode, the separator, and the second electrode on the stack table such that the first electrode and the second electrode are alternately disposed between the folded separators while stacking the second electrode after the winding of the first electrode with the separator one or more times may further include: winding the first electrode, which is supplied to the stack table last, with the separator one or more times; and stacking the second electrode on the separator wound one or more times.
In general, an outer portion of the electrode, which is supplied first, and an outer portion of the electrode, which is supplied last, are portions, where the bonding force with the separator is lowest, and are major factors of the pull-back phenomenon in which the electrode and the separator are separated, and the position of the electrode or the separator is pushed rearward during the process of manufacturing the electrode assembly. Therefore, according to the electrode assembly manufacturing method according to the present invention, the separator is folded to surround not only all the surfaces of the electrode, which is supplied first, but also all the surfaces of the electrode, which is supplied last, which makes it possible to more effectively reduce a problem of a pull-back phenomenon in which the electrode and the separator are separated, and the position of the electrode or the position of the separator is pushed rearward during the process of manufacturing the electrode assembly so that the separator is folded in a zigzag manner so as to be positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode.
According to the embodiment of the present invention, the supplying of the first electrode to the stack table, the supplying of the second electrode to the stack table, and the supplying of the separator to the stack table may supply the first electrode, the second electrode, and the separator to the stack table while heating the first electrode, the second electrode, and the separator.
In the embodiment of the present application, the manufacturing of the stacked object by stacking the first electrode, the separator, and the second electrode on the stack table such that the first electrode and the second electrode are alternately disposed between the folded separators may include:
In the embodiment of the present application, the separator may be supplied in the form of a separator sheet. That is, the separator, which is additionally supplied, may be continuously supplied. In addition, the “upper surface” may mean a surface opposite to the surface of the separator or the electrode facing the stack table.
In this case, the additional supplying of the separator to cover the upper surface of the first electrode (S3) and the additional supplying of the separator to cover the upper surface of the second electrode (S5) may be performed by one of a method of moving the stack table leftward and rightward, a method of moving the separator leftward and rightward, and a method of rotating the stack table.
That is, in the embodiment of the present application, the method of moving the stack table leftward and rightward, the method of moving the separator leftward and rightward, or the method of rotating the stack table may be used to stack the first electrode, the separator, and the second electrode such that the first electrode and the second electrode are alternately disposed between the folded separators. A typical technology in the corresponding field may be applied to this configuration. Particularly, the method of rotating the stack table may be used. In case that the method of rotating the stack table is used, the first electrode may be more easily wound with the separator one or more times, thereby improving the process efficiency.
According to the embodiment of the present invention, the winding of the electrode one or more times may wind the electrode only once.
According to the embodiment of the present invention, the method may further include a heat-press step of heating and pressing the stacked object.
More specifically, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the heat-press step of heating and pressing the stacked object may include: heating the stacked object by heating the stack table body; and surface-pressing the stacked object by a pair of pressing blocks that moves in directions toward each other along the stack axis.
More specifically, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the heat-press step of heating and pressing the stacked object may include: surface-pressing the stacked object as a pair of pressing blocks including press heaters moves in directions toward each other along the stack axis; and heating the stacked object by the press heater while the stacked object is surface-pressed.
In the embodiment of the present invention, the heat-press step of heating and pressing the stacked object may further include conveying the stacked object to heat and press the stacked object. More specifically, the method may further include: gripping, by a gripper, the stacked object stacked on the stack table; and conveying the stacked object to heat and press the stacked object gripped by the gripper.
According to the embodiment of the present invention, the heating of the stacked object of the heat-press step may be performed in, but not limited to, a temperature condition of 30° C. or more and 100° C. or less, and particularly 35° C. or more and 95° C. or less.
According to the embodiment of the present invention, the pressing of the stacked object of the heat-press step may be performed in a pressure condition of 1 MPa or more and 5 MPa or less, and particularly 1.5 MPa or more and 5 MPa or less.
According to the embodiment of the present invention, the heating and pressing of the stacked object of the heat-press step may be performed for 5 seconds or more and 60 seconds or less, and particularly 5 seconds or more and 30 seconds or less.
According to the embodiment of the present invention, the heat-press step of heating and pressing the stacked object may include heating and pressing the stacked object in a temperature condition of 30° C. or more and 100° C. or less, in a pressure condition of 1 MPa to 5 MPa, for 5 seconds to 60 seconds, and particularly in a temperature condition of 35° C. or more and 95° C. or less, in a pressure condition of 1.5 MPa to 5 MPa, for 5 seconds to 30 second. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.
In addition, in the embodiment of the present invention, the heat-press step of heating and pressing the stacked object may include: a first heat-press step of gripping, by the gripper, the stacked object and heating and pressing the stacked object; and a second heat-press step of stopping the gripping by the gripper and heating and pressing the stacked object after the first heat-press step.
In the embodiment of the present application, the first heat-press step may include: fixing the stacked object by pressing an upper surface of the stacked object by using the gripper; moving the stacked object fixed by the gripper between the pair of pressing blocks including the press heater; surface-pressing the fixed stacked object as the pair of pressing blocks move in the directions toward each other along the stack axis of the stacked object; and heating the fixed stacked object with the press heater.
In the embodiment of the present application, the second heat-press step may include: stopping the heating and pressing of the stacked object after the first heat-press step; moving the gripper away from the stacked object; moving the stacked object, which is moved away from the gripper, between the pair of pressing blocks including the press heater; pressing the stacked object as the pair of pressing blocks moves in the directions toward each other along the stack axis of the stacked object which is moved away from the gripper; and pressing the stacked object by the press heater.
In the embodiment of the present application, the pressing block used in the first heat-press step may have a groove corresponding to the gripper.
In the embodiment of the present application, the moving of the gripper away from the stacked object may include: stopping the pressing of the upper surface of the stacked object by using the gripper; and moving the gripper away from the stacked object.
In addition, the moving of the stacked object between the pair of pressing blocks including the press heaters in the heat-press step (including the first and second heat-press steps) may include moving not only the stacked object but also the stacked object in the state in which the stacked object is placed on the stack table. In this case, the objects to be heated and pressed by the pair of pressing blocks and the press heater may mean the stacked object and the stack table.
In the embodiment of the present application, the temperature, pressure, and time conditions of the first and second heat-press steps may satisfy the above-mentioned ranges of the temperature, pressure, and time condition of the heat-press step.
When the temperature, pressure, and time condition is satisfied, it is possible to minimize damage to a unit electrode, which constitutes the electrode assembly, and ensure a bonding force and permeability at an appropriate level between the electrode and the separator that constitute the electrode assembly.
In the embodiment of the present invention, the first electrode may be a positive electrode, and the second electrode may be a negative electrode.
In the embodiment of the present invention, the first electrode may be a negative electrode, and the second electrode may be a positive electrode.
In the embodiment of the present invention, the method may further include gripping the first electrode or the second electrode stacked on the stack table by using a holding mechanism and fixing the first electrode or the second electrode to the stack table.
In the present specification, the “holding mechanism” serves to grip the stacked object stacked on the stack table in order to stack the first electrode or the second electrode during the process of manufacturing the stacked object in which the first electrode, the separator, and the second electrode are stacked such that the first electrode and the second electrode are alternately disposed between the folded separators on the stack table. The holding mechanism is different in function from the gripper that grips the stacked object during the process of heating and pressing the stacked object.
Referring to
In this case, as described above, the first electrode, the second electrode, and the separator may be supplied while being heated.
Hereinafter, a method capable of performing the electrode assembly manufacturing method according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus illustrated in
Specifically, the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus is an apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly by stacking the first electrode, the separator, and the second electrode, and may include: the stack table configured to stack the first electrode, the separator, and the second electrode such that the first electrode and the second electrode are alternately disposed between the folded separators; the separator supply part configured to supply the separator; the first electrode supply part configured to supply the first electrode; the second electrode supply part configured to supply the second electrode; the first electrode stacking part configured to stack the first electrode, which is supplied from the first electrode supply part, on the stack table; the second electrode stacking part configured to stack the second electrode, which is supplied from the second electrode supply part, on the stack table; and the press part configured to bond the first electrode, the separator, and the second electrode by heating and pressing the first electrode, the separator, and the second electrode which are stacked.
In this case, the separator supply part, the first electrode supply part, and the second electrode supply part may serve to supply the separator, the first electrode, and the second electrode while heating the separator, the first electrode, and the second electrode.
Referring to
The electrode assembly 10 may be a power generation element that may be charged or discharged. The electrode assembly 10 may be provided in the form in which the first electrode 11, the separator 14, and the second electrode 12 are alternately stacked. In this case, for example, in the electrode assembly 10, the separator 14 is folded in a zigzag manner, and the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12 are alternately disposed between the folded separators 14. In this case, the separator 14 may surround an outermost periphery of the electrode assembly 10.
In addition, in the case of the electrode assembly 10 according to the present invention, all the surfaces of the first electrode 11 at the lowermost end of the electrode assembly 10 may be surrounded by the separator 14. In addition to all the surfaces of the first electrode 11, all the surfaces of the first electrode 11 at the uppermost end of the electrode assembly 10 may be additionally surrounded by the separator 14.
Referring to
The separator heating part 121 may include a pair of bodies 121a, and a separator heater 121b configured to heat the bodies 121a. The pair of bodies 121a may be positioned to be spaced apart from each other at a predetermined distance so that the separator 14 may pass. In this case, for example, the separator 14 passes through the separator heating part 121 in a non-contact manner, and the separator 14 may be heated in a non-contact manner. Meanwhile, for example, the body 121a may be provided in the form of a quadrangular block.
Meanwhile, the separator supply part 120 may further include a separator roll 122 around which the separator 14 is wound. In this case, the separator 14 wound around the separator roll 122 may be gradually unwound and supplied to the stack table 110 while passing through the separator heating part 121.
That is, according to the embodiment of the present invention, in the step of supplying the separator to the stack table, the separator wound around the separator roll may be continuously supplied to the stack table while passing through the passageway formed to allow the separator to pass therethrough.
In addition, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the press part may further include a pair of pressing blocks and a press heater configured to heat the pressing block. The pair of pressing blocks may surface-press the stacked object while heating the stacked object by moving in the directions toward each other. That is, the press part may perform the electrode assembly manufacturing method further including the step of heating and pressing the stacked object.
Referring to
In addition, the press part 180 may include a pair of pressing blocks 181 and 182. The pair of pressing blocks 181 and 182 may surface-press a stacked object S made by stacking the first electrode 11, the separator 14, and the second electrode 12 while moving in the directions toward each other.
In this case, in case that the separator 14 surrounds the outer surface of the stacked object S, an outer portion of the separator 14 positioned at the outermost periphery of the stacked object S may be bonded to inner portions of the first electrode 11, the second electrode 12, and the separator 14 that face the outer portion of the separator 14. Therefore, it is possible to more effectively prevent the first electrode 11, the second electrode 12, and the separator 14 from deviating from their positions and prevent the stacked state from collapsing during the process of forming the electrode assembly 10 by stacking the first electrode 11, the separator 14, and the second electrode 12.
Further, the press part 180 may further include press heaters 183 and 184 configured to heat the pair of pressing blocks 181 and 182. The pair of pressing blocks 181 and 182 may heat and press the stacked object S of the first electrode 11, the separator 14, and the second electrode 12. Therefore, thermal bonding may be more properly performed between the first electrode 11, the separator 14, and the second electrode 12 at the time of pressing the stacked object S by the press part 180, such that the first electrode 11, the separator 14, and the second electrode 12 may be more securely bonded.
Pressing surfaces of the pair of pressing blocks 181 and 182 are formed as flat surfaces. Horizontal and vertical lengths of the pressing surface may be longer than horizontal and vertical lengths of the stacked object S made by stacking the first electrode 11, the separator 14, and the second electrode 12.
Further, the pair of pressing blocks 181 and 182 may include a first pressing block 181 and a second pressing block 182. The first pressing block 181 and the second pressing block 182 may each be provided in the form of a quadrangular block having a rectangular parallelepiped shape.
According to the embodiment of the present invention, the press part may include a first press part and a second press part. The first press part may be used for the first heat-press step, and the second press part may be used for the second heat-press step.
Referring to
The gripper 51 may include: a main body 51a provided to correspond to a length x and a height y of the stacked object S or larger than the length x and the height y of the stacked object S; and the plurality of fixing parts 51b provided at one surface of the main body 51a and provided in a column or plate shape in a direction of a width z of the stacked object S. In this case, the length x of the stacked object S may mean a longest distance between one end and the other end of the stacked object S. The height y may mean a distance in a stack direction of the stacked object S. The width z may mean a distance traversing the upper surface of the stacked object S.
The position of the fixing part 51b may be adjusted in the height direction of the main body 51a. The fixing part 51b may fix the stacked object S by coming into contact with the upper and lower surfaces of the stacked object S. Thereafter, the pair of first pressing blocks 50a and 50b included in the first press part 50 may bond the electrode and the separator included in the stacked object S by surface-pressing one or more of the stacked object S and the gripper 51 while moving in the directions toward each other.
Referring to
The embodiment of the present invention may provide the electrode assembly manufacturing method, in which the step of supplying the first electrode to the stack table includes: seating the first electrode on a first electrode seating table before the first electrode is stacked on the stack table; and conveying the seated first electrode to the stack table by sucking the seated first electrode by vacuum, and the step of supplying the second electrode to the stack table includes: seating the second electrode on a second electrode seating table before the second electrode is stacked on the stack table; and conveying the seated second electrode to the stack table by sucking the seated second electrode by vacuum.
Based on the manufacturing apparatus, the first electrode supply part may include the first electrode seating table on which the first electrode is seated before the first electrode is stacked on the stack table by the first electrode stacking part. The second electrode supply part may include the second electrode seating table on which the second electrode is seated before the second electrode is stacked on the stack table by the second electrode stacking part.
In addition, in the manufacturing apparatus, the first electrode stacking part may include a first suction head configured to suck the first electrode seated on the first electrode seating table by vacuum. The second electrode stacking part may include a second suction head configured to suck the second electrode seated on the second electrode seating table by vacuum. That is, the suction head may suck the electrode by vacuum and convey the electrode to the stack table.
The electrode assembly manufacturing method according to the present invention may include, after the folding of the separator so that the separator surrounds all the surfaces of the electrode supplied first, alternately performing steps of: rotating the stack table toward one side to allow the stack table to face a stacked portion of the first electrode at the time of stacking the first electrode so that the separator is folded in a zigzag manner so as to be positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode; and rotating the stack table toward the other side to allow the stack table to face a stacked portion of the second electrode at the time of stacking the second electrode.
The manufacturing method will be more specifically described with reference to the manufacturing apparatus as an example. The manufacturing apparatus may further include a rotating part configured to rotate the stack table. The first electrode stacking part is provided at one side of the rotating part, and the second electrode stacking part is provided at the other side of the rotating part, such that the separator may be folded in a zigzag manner so as to be positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode. The rotating part may alternately perform the operation of rotating the stack table toward one side to allow the stack table to face the first suction head of the first electrode stacking part at the time of stacking the first electrode and the operation of rotating the stack table toward the other side to allow the stack table to face the second suction head of the second electrode stacking part at the time of stacking the second electrode.
In this case, the rotating of the stack table so that the stack table faces the suction head means that the stack table is rotated to face a stacked portion of the electrode in the manufacturing method.
Referring to
In addition, the stack table 110 may include a table body 111 on which the first electrode 11, the separator 14, and the second electrode 12 are stacked, and a stack table heater 112 configured to heat the stacked object S by heating the table body 111.
The first electrode 11 may be a positive electrode, and the second electrode 12 may be a negative electrode, but the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto. For example, the first electrode 11 may be a negative electrode, and the second electrode 12 may be a positive electrode.
Referring to
In addition, the first electrode supply part 130 may include: a first electrode seating table 131 on which the first electrode 11 is seated before the first electrode 11 is stacked on the stack table 110 by the first electrode stacking part 150; and a first electrode heater 132 configured to heat the first electrode 11 by heating the first electrode seating table 131.
Meanwhile, the first electrode supply part 130 may further include: a first electrode roll 133 around which the first electrode 11 is wound in the form of a sheet; a first cutter 134 configured to form the first electrode 11 having a predetermined size by cutting the first electrode 11 at a predetermined interval when the first electrode 11 wound in the form of a sheet around the first electrode roll 133 is unwound and supplied; a first conveyor belt 135 configured to convey the first electrode 11 cut by the first cutter 134; and a first electrode supply head 136 configured to suck the first electrode 11, which is conveyed by the first conveyor belt 135, by vacuum and seat the first electrode 11 on the first electrode seating table 131. In this case, the first cutter 134 may cut the first electrode 11 in the form of a sheet so that a first electrode tab 11a protrudes from an end of the first electrode 11.
Referring to
In addition, the second electrode supply part 140 may include: a second electrode seating table 141 on which the second electrode 12 is seated before the second electrode 12 is stacked on the stack table 110 by the second electrode stacking part 160; and a second electrode heater 142 configured to heat the second electrode 12 by heating the second electrode seating table 141.
Meanwhile, the second electrode supply part 140 may further include: a second electrode roll 143 around which the second electrode 12 is wound in the form of a sheet; a second cutter 144 configured to form the second electrode 12 having a predetermined size by cutting the second electrode 12 at a predetermined interval when the second electrode 12 wound in the form of a sheet around the second electrode roll 143 is unwound and supplied; a second conveyor belt 145 configured to convey the second electrode 12 cut by the second cutter 144; and a second electrode supply head 146 configured to suck the second electrode 12, which is conveyed by the second conveyor belt 145, by vacuum and seat the second electrode 12 on the second electrode seating table 141. In this case, the second cutter 144 may cut the second electrode 12 in the form of a sheet so that a second electrode tab 12a protrudes from an end of the second electrode 12.
Referring to
In addition, the first electrode stacking part 150 may include a first suction head 151, a first head heater 152, and a first movement part 153.
The first suction head 151 may suck, by vacuum, the first electrode 11 seated on the first electrode seating table 131. In this case, the first suction head 151 has a vacuum inlet 151a formed in a bottom surface 151b and sucks the first electrode 11 through the vacuum inlet 151a, thereby fixing the first electrode 11 on the bottom surface 151b of the first suction head 151. In this case, the first suction head 151 may have therein a passageway that connects the vacuum inlet 151a and a vacuum suction device (not illustrated) .
The first head heater 152 may heat the first suction head 151 and heat the first electrode 11, which is sucked by the first suction head 151, by heating the first suction head 151.
The first movement part 153 may move the first suction head 151 to the stack table 110 so that the first suction head 151 may stack the first electrode 11, which is seated on the first electrode seating table 131, on the stack table 110.
Meanwhile, referring to
The second suction head 161 may suck, by vacuum, the second electrode 12 seated on the second electrode seating table 141.
The second head heater may heat the second suction head 161 and heat the second electrode 12, which is sucked by the second suction head 161, by heating the second suction head 161.
The second movement part 163 may move the second suction head 161 to the stack table 110 so that the second suction head 161 may stack the second electrode 12, which is seated on the second electrode seating table 141, on the stack table 110.
The embodiment of the present invention may provide the electrode assembly manufacturing method further including: after the folding of the separator so that the separator completely surrounds the electrode supplied first, fixing the first electrode or the second electrode to the stack table by holding the first electrode or the second electrode by using the holding mechanism at the time of stacking the first electrode or the second electrode on the stack table.
According to the embodiment of the present invention, the holding mechanism may press and fix the upper surface of the first electrode stacked at an uppermost side of the stack table at the time of stacking the first electrode on the stack table and press and fix an upper surface of the second electrode stacked at the uppermost side of the stack table at the time of stacking the second electrode on the stack table.
Referring to
In addition, the holding mechanism 170 may press and fix the upper surface of the first electrode 11 stacked at the uppermost side of the stack table 110 at the time of stacking the first electrode 11 on the stack table 110 and press and fix the upper surface of the second electrode 12 stacked at the uppermost side of the stack table 110 at the time of stacking the second electrode 12 on the stack table 110.
That is, at the time of forming the stacked object so that the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12 are stacked to be positioned between the separators 14, the holding mechanism 170 may hold the stacked object by pressing the surface positioned at the uppermost side of the stacked object in the direction toward the stack table 110, thereby preventing the stacked object from separating from the stack table 110.
Meanwhile, for example, the holding mechanism 170 may include a first holding mechanism 171 and a second holding mechanism 172 and fix two opposite sides of the first electrode 11 or the second electrode 12.
Further, for example, when the holding mechanism 170 holds the first electrode 11 or the second electrode 12 and then the stack table 110 rotates, the separator 14 may be unwound from the separator roll 122 in proportion to the rotation amount of the stack table 110 and supplied to the stack table 110.
Meanwhile, for example, the holding mechanism 170 and the stack table 110 may be connected or coupled to a rotation device (not illustrated). In this case, for example, the rotation device may be configured as a mandrel. In this case, when the holding mechanism 170 holds the first electrode 11 or the second electrode 12, the rotation device may rotate the holding mechanism 170 and the stack table 110.
Referring to
An operation of the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 100, which may perform the electrode assembly manufacturing method of the present invention will be described with reference to
Further, when the first electrode 11 is heated and supplied from the first electrode supply part 130 to the first electrode stacking part 150, the first electrode stacking part 150 stacks the first electrode 11 on the upper surface of the separator 14 stacked on the stack table 110 while heating the first electrode 11.
In this case, the holding mechanism 170 presses the upper surface of the first electrode 11, thereby fixing the first electrode 11 so that the first electrode 11 does not separate from the stack table 110.
Thereafter, when the stack table 110 rotates in the direction toward the second electrode stacking part 160, the separator 14 is continuously supplied and covers the upper surface of the first electrode 11.
Further, the second electrode stacking part 160 stacks the second electrode 12, which is heated and supplied from the second electrode supply part 140, on a portion of the separator 14 that covers the upper surface of the first electrode 11. In this case, the second electrode stacking part 160 continuously heats the second electrode 12 as the second suction head 161 presses and heats the second electrode 12.
In this case, the holding mechanism 170, which presses the upper surface of the first electrode 11, moves away from the pressing portion and then presses the upper surface of the second electrode 12, thereby preventing the stacked object including the second electrode 12 from separating from the stack table 110.
Thereafter, the process of stacking the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12 is repeated, such that the separator 14 is folded in a zigzag manner, and the stacked object may be formed in which the separator 14 is positioned between the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12.
Further, the electrode assembly 10 may be manufactured by moving the stacked object to the press part 180 and bonding the first electrode 11, the separator 14, and the second electrode 12 which are pressed and heated when the press part 180 presses the stacked object while applying heat to the stacked object. In this case, the first electrode 11, the separator 14, and the second electrode 12, which are heated, may be thermally bonded as the press part 180 presses the first electrode 11, the separator 14, and the second electrode 12 while applying heat to the first electrode 11, the separator 14, and the second electrode 12.
The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 100, which is configured as described above and may perform the electrode assembly manufacturing method of the present invention, stacks the first electrode 11, the separator 14, and the second electrode 12 while heating the first electrode 11, the separator 14, and the second electrode 12 and bonds the first electrode 11, the separator 14, and the second electrode 12 by pressing and heating the first electrode 11, the separator 14, and the second electrode 12 by using the press part 180. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the electrode assembly 10 from being unfolded and prevent the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12 from deviating from the stacking positions on the electrode assembly 10.
The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus, which may perform the electrode assembly manufacturing method of the present invention, may further include a vision device configured to inspect the first electrode or the second electrode.
In
Referring to
In more detail, the vision device 290 of the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 200 according to another embodiment of the present invention may include a first camera 291 and a second camera 292.
The first camera 291 may capture an image of the first electrode 11 seated on the first electrode seating table 131 of the first electrode supply part 130. The second camera 292 may capture an image of the second electrode 12 seated on the second electrode seating table 141 of the second electrode supply part 140.
It is possible to inspect the stack quality of the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12 on the basis of image information acquired by the first camera 291 and the second camera 292. In this case, it is possible to inspect seating position, sizes, stacked states, and the like of the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12.
The rotation part R may rotate the stack table 110 in one direction r1 and the other direction r2. In this case, the first electrode stacking part 150 may be provided at one side of the rotation part R, and the first electrode stacking part 150 may be provided at the other side of the rotation part R.
In addition, the rotation part R may rotate the stack table 110 toward one side so that the stack table 110 faces the first suction head 151 at the time of stacking the first electrode 11. The rotation part R may rotate the stack table 110 toward the other side so that the stack table 110 faces the second suction head 161 at the time of stacking the second electrode 12.
Further, the rotation part R may alternatingly rotate the stack table 110 in the direction toward the first electrode stacking part 150 and the direction toward the second electrode stacking part 160, such that the separator 14 may be folded in a zigzag manner (zig zag folding) so as to be positioned between the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12.
The embodiment of the present invention provides the electrode assembly that is manufactured by the manufacturing method and configured such that the first electrode and the second electrode are alternatingly disposed between the folded separators, and all the surfaces of the electrode at the lowermost end of the assembly are surrounded by the separator.
In addition, the descriptions related to the configuration of the electrode assembly according to the present invention and the configuration of the manufacturing apparatus, which may perform the electrode assembly manufacturing method of the present invention, may also be applied to the manufacturing method according to the present invention and the electrode assembly manufactured by the manufacturing method.
While the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the scope of the present invention is not limited to, and it will be obvious to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains that various modifications and alterations may be made without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-2021-0185877 | Dec 2021 | KR | national |
This application is a national phase entry under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Application No. PCT/KR2022/020967, filed Dec. 21, 2022, which claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0185877 filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Dec. 23, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/KR2022/020967 | 12/21/2022 | WO |
