CN116711114A

CN116711114A - Assembly manufacturing apparatus and method of electrode assembly

Info

Publication number: CN116711114A
Application number: CN202280008449.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 尹世贤; 权春浩; 金范秀; 李学受; 张贤佑; 金容男; 朴东赫
Original assignee: LG Energy Solution Ltd
Current assignee: LG Energy Solution Ltd
Priority date: 2021-07-09
Filing date: 2022-07-08
Publication date: 2023-09-05
Also published as: CN116670878A

Abstract

An electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus includes: a stacking table, a separator supply unit, first and second electrode supply units, and a side sealing device. The stack of the first electrode, the second electrode, and the separator between the first electrode and the second electrode can be stacked on a stacking table. The diaphragm supply unit is configured to supply a diaphragm to the stacking table. The first electrode supply unit is configured to stack the first electrode on a portion of the separator on the stacking table. The second electrode supply unit stacks the second electrode on the other portion of the separator on the first electrode. The side sealing means heats at least one side surface of the stack.

Description

Assembly manufacturing apparatus and method of electrode assembly

Technical Field

The present application claims priority from korean patent application No.10-2021-0090590, filed on 7.9 of 2021, korean patent application No.10-2021-0090591 filed on 7.9 of 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The present disclosure relates to an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus and process for manufacturing an electrode assembly. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus and process for manufacturing an electrode assembly for reducing the size of a separator of the electrode assembly to increase the electrode density of the electrode assembly.

Background

Unlike primary batteries, secondary batteries are rechargeable and have been widely studied and developed in recent years due to their large size and capacity. As the demand for mobile devices and technological development increase, the demand for secondary batteries as energy sources is rapidly increasing.

Secondary batteries are classified into coin-type batteries, cylindrical-type batteries, prismatic-type batteries, and pouch-type batteries according to the shape of a battery case. In the secondary battery, an electrode assembly mounted inside a battery case is a chargeable/dischargeable power generating element having a stacked structure of electrodes and separators.

The electrode assembly may be generally classified into a jelly-roll type in which a separator is interposed between positive and negative electrodes of sheet type coated with an active material and wound, a stack type in which a plurality of positive and negative electrodes are sequentially stacked with a separator interposed therebetween, and a stack and a folder type in which stacked unit cells are wound with a long separation film.

In the manufacturing process of the stacked and folded electrode assembly in the related art, the electrode assembly is manufactured by heating and pressing a stack in which an electrode and a separator are stacked to combine the electrode and the separator. At this stage in the electrode assembly process, the separator is folded, but the electrodes are exposed to the outside.

By heating and stacking the electrodes and the separator so as to overcome some of the drawbacks of the conventional electrode assembly, each layer is stacked and pressed such that bonding of the layers is performed simultaneously with their stacking, and the outer portion of the separator is wound around the outermost portion of the stack of the electrodes and the separator such that the stack is surrounded by the outer portion of the separator, thereby forming the electrode assembly.

However, in this electrode assembly, since the separator surrounds the outermost portion of the stack, a space is formed between the side portion of the separator disposed on the side of the electrode assembly and the portion of the electrode on the side of the electrode assembly, so that the side separator portion of the electrode assembly includes wrinkles. This configuration causes an undesirable decrease in the energy density of the electrode assembly.

Therefore, it is necessary to cope with a space formed between a side portion of the separator and a portion of the electrode on the side of the electrode assembly.

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem

The present disclosure provides electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus and processes for manufacturing electrode assemblies, wherein such apparatus and processes may be configured for manufacturing electrode assemblies in a compressed form relative to existing electrode assemblies. In particular, the electrode assembly may be compressed relative to an existing electrode assembly by heating and pressing a stack of a first electrode, a second electrode, and a separator between the first electrode and the second electrode to reduce the width of the electrode assembly.

Solution to the problem

In an aspect, an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus may include a stacking table, a separator supply unit, a first electrode supply unit, a second electrode supply unit, and a side sealing device. The first electrode, the separator, and the second electrode may be stacked in a stack on a stacking table, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are disposed between portions of the folded separator. The diaphragm supply unit may be configured to supply the diaphragm to the stacking table. The first electrode supply unit may be configured to supply the first electrode to the stacking table, and may be further configured to stack the first electrode above the stacking table. The second electrode supply unit may be configured to supply the second electrode above the stacking table, and may be further configured to stack the second electrode above the stacking table. The side sealing means may be configured for heating at least one side surface of the stack.

In some arrangements, the side seal may comprise a pair of heating bars. The pair of heating bars may comprise heating surfaces facing each other. The pair of heating rods may be moved toward each other to press against a side surface or surfaces of the stack.

In some arrangements, the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus may further include a pressing unit. The pressing unit may be configured to press the stack, and may also be configured to heat the stack. In some arrangements, the pressing unit may be configured to simultaneously press and heat the stack. In some other arrangements, the pressing unit may be configured to heat the stack before pressing the stack, while in other arrangements, the pressing unit may be configured to heat the stack before and during pressing the stack.

In some arrangements, the side sealing means may press the stack in a direction perpendicular to the pressing direction of the pressing unit.

In some arrangements, the pressing unit may include a pair of pressing blocks. The pair of pressing pieces may face each other. The pair of pressing blocks may be moved toward each other to press the opposite upper and lower surfaces of the stack.

In some arrangements, each of the pair of pressing blocks may include a pressing surface. Each of the pressing surfaces may be configured to contact an opposing surface of the stack to press the stack such that the opposing surface of the stack defines a plane.

In some arrangements, the pressing unit may include a pressing heater configured to heat a pair of pressing blocks.

In some arrangements, a pair of pressing blocks of the pressing unit may include a pressing surface that may define a plane. The pressing surface of the pressing block may have one or both of a width longer than the width of the stack and a length longer than the length of the stack.

In some arrangements, the first electrode supply unit may include a first electrode placement stage and a first transfer head. The first electrode may be placed on the first electrode placement stage before being stacked on the stacking stage. The first transfer head may be configured to temporarily fix the first electrode, such as when the first electrode is set on the first electrode setting table, and may also be configured to pick up the first electrode and place it in a stack on the stacking table. In some such arrangements, the first transfer head may be a first suction head, which may be configured to suction the first electrode to secure the first electrode to the first transfer head. In some such arrangements, the first suction head may comprise a vacuum means for providing suction. In some arrangements, the second electrode supply unit may include a second electrode placement stage and a second transfer head. The second electrode may be placed on the second electrode placement stage before being stacked in the stack on the stacking stage. The second transfer head may be configured to temporarily fix the second electrode, such as when the second electrode is mounted on the second electrode mounting table. In some such arrangements, the second transfer head may be a second suction head, which may be configured to suction the second electrode to secure the second electrode to the second transfer head. In some such arrangements, the second suction head may comprise vacuum means for providing suction.

In some arrangements, the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus may further include a rotation unit for rotating the stacking table. The first electrode supply unit may be located at one side of the rotation unit, and the second electrode supply unit may be located at the other side of the rotation unit. The rotation unit may rotate the stacking table such that a top surface of the stacking table faces the first transfer head when the first electrode is stacked in the stack. The rotation unit may rotate the stacking table such that a top surface of the stacking table faces the second transfer head when the second electrode is stacked in the stack.

In some arrangements, the rotation unit may rotate the stacking table alternately in the direction of the first electrode supply unit and the direction of the second electrode supply unit.

In another aspect, an electrode assembly is manufactured by a process. During a stacking operation of the process, the first electrode, the separator, and the second electrode may be stacked to form a stack. In some arrangements of this process, the first electrode and the second electrode may be alternately disposed between portions of the separator. The portion of the diaphragm is formed by folding the diaphragm in a zigzag manner. During a side sealing operation of the process, at least one side surface of the stack may be heated, thereby bonding the first electrode, the membrane, and the second electrode to a portion of the membrane extending along the side surface of the stack.

In some arrangements of this process, during the side sealing operation, the side surface or surfaces of the stack may be pressed at a temperature of 100 ℃ to 200 ℃ for a time of 10 seconds or less.

In some arrangements of this process, the stack may be pressed along the stacking direction of the stack. In some such arrangements, the stack may be heated. The stack may be heated prior to pressing the stack, while the stack is being pressed, or both prior to and while the stack is being pressed. In some arrangements, the pressing unit may be configured to simultaneously press and heat the stack. In some other arrangements, the pressing unit may be configured to heat the stack before pressing the stack, while in other arrangements, the pressing unit may be configured to heat the stack before and during pressing the stack.

In some arrangements of the method, during the side sealing operation, the side surface or surfaces of the stack may be pressed under a pressure in the range of 0.1MPa to 1.5 MPa.

Advantageous effects of the invention

According to the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus and the electrode assembly manufacturing process according to the present disclosure, it is understood that the electrode density of the electrode assembly, and thus the energy density of the electrode assembly, may be increased by compressing the electrode assembly, as compared to the electrode assembly known in the related art. In some arrangements, the width of the stack of stacked components of the electrode assembly may be reduced when the electrode assembly is compressed. In some such arrangements, the width of the stack may be reduced by heating and pressing the stack, where the stack may include a first electrode and a second electrode and a separator between the first electrode and the second electrode.

In some arrangements according to any of the above, the electrode assembly may be manufactured to have a size corresponding to the interior space of the pouch, for example, for an interior space of a pouch-type battery or can, for example, for a cylindrical battery in which the electrode assembly may be housed. In this manner, the size of the pouch or can may be easily changed as desired, regardless of the ability to manufacture the electrode assembly.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional elevation view illustrating an electrode assembly according to an exemplary embodiment;

fig. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a stack of the electrode assembly of fig. 1;

fig. 3 is a plan view illustrating an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment;

fig. 4 is an elevation view illustrating the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus of fig. 3;

fig. 5 is a sectional view illustrating an electrode assembly within a side sealing device of the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus of fig. 3 according to an exemplary embodiment; and

fig. 6 is a process flow diagram of an electrode assembly manufacturing process according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a pair of photographs taken under an optical microscope of an enlarged cross section of an electrode assembly at a position substantially along the line A-A' of the electrode assembly according to FIG. 1;

Fig. 8 is a pair of photographs of enlarged cross-sections of the electrode assemblies taken with an optical microscope after cutting cross-sections of comparative example 1 and comparative example 2 as further described herein; and

fig. 9 is a set of photographs of an electrode assembly according to comparative example 3.

Detailed Description

Where the specification states a component "comprises" or "comprising" a particular element or structure or shape, unless otherwise stated, such term does not mean that the other component or structure or shape is excluded and may in fact include other components, structures and shapes.

As the arrangements described herein may be variously altered, specific arrangements are presented and described in detail in the detailed description. The disclosure of such arrangements is not intended to limit the invention to the particular arrangements disclosed, however, and should be understood to include all changes, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

Hereinafter, examples of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings are for illustrative purposes only and the scope of the present invention is not limited or intended to be limited by the drawings.

Referring now to fig. 1 and 2, the electrode assembly 10 may include a stack S and a second separator 5 that may surround the stack S.

As shown, in the stack S, the first electrodes 1 and the second electrodes 2 may be alternately disposed between the separator portions 4a of the first separator 4. As further shown, the first membrane 4 may be folded in a zigzag manner to form the separator portion 4a.

Referring to fig. 3 to 5, the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 100 includes a stacking table 10, a separator supply unit 20, a first electrode supply unit 30, a second electrode supply unit 40, and a side sealing device 60.

The stacking table 10 has a support surface on which the first combination of the first electrode 1, the first portion of the separator 4 and the second electrode 2 is stacked in this order. A stack S of further first electrodes 1, second electrodes 2 and further portions of the separator 4 placed between the first and second electrodes is mounted on a first combination of the first electrodes 1, first portions of the separator 4 and the second electrodes 2. The membrane 4 is folded in a zigzag manner to form portions of the membrane 4 and corresponding folds of the membrane on opposite sides of each portion of the membrane. In this way, each portion of the separator 4 is disposed between a respective one of the first electrodes 1 and a respective one of the second electrodes 2 within the stack S.

The stacking table 10 is rotatable in one direction towards each first electrode 1 being supplied to allow stacking of the first electrodes on the respective portion of the membrane 4 supported by the stacking table 10 and each previously stacked electrode and membrane portion, if any, and in the other direction opposite to the one direction towards each second electrode 2 being supplied to allow stacking of the second electrodes on the respective portion of the membrane 4 supported by the stacking table 10 and each previously stacked electrode and membrane portion. Accordingly, the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 100 may further include a rotation unit (not illustrated) for rotating the stacking table 10. For more information on such a rotary unit, see korean patent application laid-open No.10-2020-0023853, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

In the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 100, the first electrode supply unit 30 is located on one side of the stacking table 10, and the second electrode supply unit 40 may be located on the other side of the stacking table. In the illustrated configuration of the manufacturing apparatus 100, the rotating unit may alternately rotate the stacking table 10 in the direction of the first electrode supply unit 30 and the direction of the second electrode supply unit 40.

For example, the diaphragm supply unit 20 may be located above the stacking table 10, i.e., positioned along the stacking direction of the stack S. In this configuration, the first electrode supply unit 30 may be located at the left side of the stacking table 10 and the second electrode supply unit 40 may be located at the right side of the stacking table based on the stacking direction of the stack S.

In the illustrated construction of the manufacturing apparatus 100, the rotating unit may rotate the stacking table 10 such that the stacking table faces the first transfer head 32 or other first attachment means for temporarily holding the first electrode 1 when stacking the first electrode 1. The rotating unit may rotate the stacking table such that the stacking table faces the second transfer head 42 or other second attachment means for temporarily holding the second electrode 2 when stacking the second electrode 2.

In using the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 100, a portion of the separator 4 is supplied and placed by the separator supply unit 20, and in some arrangements, is mounted on the stacking table 10. When the rotating unit rotates the stacking table leftward, the first electrode 1 may be supplied from the first electrode supply unit 30 onto the supplied portion of the separator 4. In addition, the rotation unit may rotate the stacking table 10 rightward, wherein such rotation may occur simultaneously when the separator 4 is supplied. In this rotating configuration of the rotating unit, the separator 4 may form a first pocket in the form of a left pocket covering the lower, right and upper surfaces of the first electrode 1 as the first electrode of the stack S placed above the stacking table 10, wherein the upper surface of the first electrode may be covered by a portion of the separator. In this configuration, the second electrode 2 may be supplied from the second electrode supply unit 40 onto a portion of the separator covering the upper surface of the first electrode 1.

When the above process is repeated, the separator 4 may be supplied from the separator supply unit 20 to be placed on the stacking table 10 in the form of a left bag and a right bag constructed opposite to the left bag. In such a configuration, the left and right pockets form alternating respective left and right openings when each portion of the separator 4 is placed on the stacking table 10, wherein such left and right openings are configured to accommodate the first and second electrodes 1 and 2 supplied by the first and second electrode supply units 30 and 40, respectively. In addition, side portions of the diaphragm 4, which may be in the form of folded portions when the diaphragm 4 is folded (see fig. 2), may be disposed at positions facing the left and right openings. In some alternative arrangements, which may be mirror image arrangements of the arrangement of the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 100, the separator 4 may form a first pouch in the form of a right pouch covering the lower, left, and upper surfaces of the second electrode 2. In such a mirrored arrangement, the second electrode 2 may be a first electrode of the stack S placed above the stacking table 10.

The stacking table 10 may further include a table body (not illustrated) that determines the shape of the stacking table 10 and a table heater (not illustrated), which may be, for example, a resistive coil located on, under, or embedded within the table body. The stage heater may heat the stage main body, thereby heating the stack S placed on the stack stage 10.

The stage heater may heat the stack S before the first pressing unit 50 of the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 100 heats and presses the stack S. This preheating of the stack S by the stage heater can reduce the pressing time required for the first pressing unit 50 to sufficiently press by shortening the time for heat conduction to the center of the stack S.

The first electrode 1 may be configured as a positive electrode and the second electrode 2 may be configured as a negative electrode, but the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration, and for example, of course, the first electrode 1 may be configured as a negative electrode and the second electrode 2 may be configured as a positive electrode.

In some arrangements, the positive electrode may be manufactured by, for example, coating a positive electrode current collector with a positive electrode coating mixture including a positive electrode active material, a conductive material, and a binder, and then drying the coating mixture. If necessary, a filler may be added to the mixture. Such materials may be any suitable materials used in the relevant art, particularly materials commonly used for specific applications.

For example, the positive electrode active material may include: such as lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO) ₂ ) And nickel lithium oxide (LiNiO) ₂ ) Such layered compounds, or compounds substituted with one or more transition metals; such as LiMnO ₃ 、LiMn ₂ O ₃ And LiMnO ₂ Such a compound of the formula Li _1+x Mn _2-x O ₄ (wherein x is 0 to 0.33); lithium copper oxide (Li) ₂ CuO ₂ ) The method comprises the steps of carrying out a first treatment on the surface of the Such as LiV ₃ O ₈ 、LiFe ₃ O ₄ 、V ₂ O ₅ And Cu ₂ V ₂ O ₇ Such vanadium oxides; by chemical formula LiNi _1-x M _x O ₂ (wherein m= Co, mn, al, cu, fe, mg, B or Ga, and x=0.01 to 0.3) a nickel (Ni) -site lithium nickel oxide; by chemical formula LiMn _2- _x M _x O ₂ (wherein m= Co, ni, fe, cr, zn or Ta, and x=0.01 to 0.1) or Li ₂ Mn ₃ MO ₈ (wherein m= Fe, co, ni, cu or Zn) to form a lithium manganese composite oxide; liMn in which a part of Li is substituted with alkaline earth metal ions ₂ O ₄ The method comprises the steps of carrying out a first treatment on the surface of the Disulfide; fe (b) ₂ (MoO ₄ ) ₃ The positive electrode active material is not limited to such a material.

The material that can be used for the positive electrode current collector is not particularly limited. The positive current collector preferably has a relatively high conductivity without causing chemical changes when used in a battery. For example, stainless steel may be used; aluminum; nickel; titanium; calcining the carbon; or a material in which the surface of aluminum or stainless steel is treated with carbon, nickel, titanium, silver, or the like. Preferably, the positive electrode current collector may be aluminum. By including fine irregularities on the surface of the current collector that engages the coating mixture, adhesion between the current collector and the positive electrode coating mixture can be desirably increased. Further, various structural configurations of the positive electrode current collector such as a film, a sheet, a foil, a net, a porous body, a foam body, and a nonwoven body may be used. The positive electrode current collector may generally have a thickness in the range of 3 μm to 500 μm.

The conductive material in the positive electrode coating mixture may be generally included in an amount of 1 to 50 wt% of the total weight of the mixture including the positive electrode active material. The conductive material is not particularly limited and preferably has a relatively high conductivity without causing chemical changes when used in a battery. For example, graphites such as natural graphites and artificial graphites; carbon blacks such as carbon black, acetylene black, ketjen black, channel black, furnace black, lamp black, and thermal black (summer black); conductive fibers such as carbon fibers and metal fibers; carbon and metal powders such as carbon fluoride, aluminum and nickel powders; conductive whiskers such as zinc oxide and potassium titanate; conductive metal oxides such as titanium oxide; polyphenylene derivatives are used for conductive materials.

The binder in the positive electrode coating mixture aids in the bonding between the active material and the conductive material and bonds the coating mixture to the current collector. Such a binder is generally included in an amount of 1 to 50 wt% of the total weight of the mixture including the positive electrode active material. Examples of the binder may include polyvinylidene fluoride, polyvinyl alcohol, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), starch, hydroxypropyl cellulose, regenerated cellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, tetrafluoroethylene, polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer (EPDM), sulfonated EPDM, styrene butadiene rubber, fluororubber, and various copolymers.

Alternatively, a filler added to the positive electrode coating mixture may be used as a component for suppressing expansion of the positive electrode. Such filler is not particularly limited and may include a fibrous material that does not cause chemical changes when used in a battery. For example, olefin polymers such as polyethylene and polypropylene, and fiber materials such as glass fibers and carbon fibers may be used.

In some arrangements, the anode may be manufactured by coating, drying, and pressing an anode active material on an anode current collector, and may optionally further include conductive materials, binders, fillers, and the like discussed above, if necessary. In any event, any suitable material commonly used in the relevant art, particularly materials commonly used for a particular application, may be used. For example, as the anode active material, carbon such as non-graphitizable carbon and graphitizable carbon may be used; by chemical formula LixFe ₂ O3(0≤x≤1)、Li _x WO ₂ (0≤x≤1)、Sn _x Me _1-x Me’ _y O _z (Me: mn, fe, pb, ge; me' Al, B, P, si, group I, group II and group III elements of the periodic Table of the elements and halogen; 0)<x is less than or equal to 1; y is more than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to 3; 1.ltoreq.z.ltoreq.8); lithium metal; a lithium alloy; silicon-basedAn alloy; tin-based alloys; such as SnO, snO ₂ 、PbO、PbO ₂ 、Pb ₂ O ₃ 、Pb ₃ O ₄ 、Sb ₂ O ₃ 、Sb ₂ O ₄ 、Sb ₂ O ₅ 、GeO、GeO ₂ 、Bi ₂ O ₃ 、Bi ₂ O ₄ And Bi (Bi) ₂ O ₅ Such metal oxides; conductive polymers such as polyacetylenes; li-Co-Ni based materials.

The material that can be used for the negative electrode current collector is not particularly limited. The negative current collector preferably has a relatively high electrical conductivity without causing chemical changes when used in a battery. For example, copper may be used; stainless steel; aluminum; nickel; titanium; calcining the carbon; or copper or stainless steel surface treated with carbon, nickel, titanium, silver, etc.; aluminum-cadmium alloy.

In addition, like the positive electrode current collector, the bonding between the negative electrode current collector and the negative electrode active material may be reinforced by forming fine irregularities on the surface of the negative electrode current collector. Various structural configurations of the negative electrode current collector such as a film, a sheet, a foil, a net, a porous body, a foam body, a nonwoven body, and the like may also be used. In addition, the negative electrode current collector may generally have a thickness in the range of 3 μm to 500 μm.

In some arrangements, the separator may be an organic/inorganic composite porous SRS (safety enhanced separator). The SRS may have the following structure: a coating composition comprising inorganic particles and a binder polymer is coated on a polyolefin-based separator substrate.

Since SRS does not undergo thermal shrinkage due to the heat resistance of the constituent inorganic particles, the elongation length of the safety barrier film can be maintained even if the electrode assembly is penetrated by the needle-shaped conductor.

In addition to the porous structure of the separator substrate itself, SRS may have a uniform porous structure formed by interstitial volumes among inorganic particles as a coating component. The pores may not only significantly alleviate any external impact applied to the electrode assembly, but also may facilitate movement of lithium ions through the pores and enable impregnation of a large amount of electrolyte into the separator, thereby promoting improvement in battery performance.

In some arrangements, the separator may be sized in its width dimension (orthogonal to the longitudinal dimension of the separator's deployment) such that the separator portions extend outwardly on both sides beyond the corresponding edges of adjacent positive and negative electrodes (hereinafter "remainder"). Further, such an outwardly extending portion of the diaphragm may have a structure including a coating layer formed on one or both sides of the diaphragm thicker than the thickness of the diaphragm so as to prevent the diaphragm from contracting. For more information on thicker coatings on the remaining portion of the outward extension of the diaphragm, see korean patent application publication No.10-2016-0054219, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. In some arrangements, each membrane remainder may have a size of 5% to 12% of the membrane width. Further, in some arrangements, the coating may be applied on both surfaces of the separator over a width of 50% to 90% of the width of the remainder of each separator. In addition, the width of the coating may be the same or different on each surface of the separator.

In some arrangements, the coating may include inorganic particles and a binder polymer as components.

In some arrangements, examples of the polyolefin-based separator component may include high density polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene, ultra high molecular weight polyethylene, polypropylene, or derivatives thereof.

In some arrangements, the thickness of the coating may be less than the thickness of the first electrode or the second electrode. In some such arrangements, the thickness of the coating may be 30% to 99% of the thickness of the first electrode or the second electrode.

In some arrangements, the coating may be formed by wet or dry coating.

In some arrangements, the polyolefin-based separator substrate and the coating may be present in a form in which the pores on the surfaces of the substrate and the coating are anchored to each other, whereby the separator substrate and the coating may be firmly bonded together. The substrate and coating of the separator may have a thickness ratio of from 9:1 to 1:9. A preferred thickness ratio may be 5:5.

In some arrangements, the inorganic particles may be inorganic particles commonly used in the art. The inorganic particles may interact with each other to form micropores in the form of empty spaces between the inorganic particles while structurally helping to maintain the physical shape of the coating. In addition, since the inorganic particles generally have properties that do not change their physical properties even at high temperatures of 200 ℃ or more, the resulting organic/inorganic composite porous film generally and desirably has excellent heat resistance.

In addition, the material that can be used for the inorganic particles is not particularly limited, but is preferably electrochemically stable. That is, the inorganic particles are preferably selected so that oxidation and/or reduction reactions do not occur in the operating voltage range of the applied battery (e.g., 0 to 5V based on Li/li+). In particular, the use of inorganic particles having ion transport capabilities may improve performance by increasing ionic conductivity in electrochemical devices. Therefore, it is preferable to use inorganic particles having ion conductivity as high as possible. In addition, when the inorganic particles have a high density, it is difficult to disperse the inorganic particles during coating, and the weight of the battery may also be undesirably increased. Therefore, it is preferable to use inorganic particles having a density as low as possible. In addition, the inorganic material having a high dielectric constant contributes to an improvement in the dissociation degree of an electrolyte salt such as a lithium salt in a liquid electrolyte, thereby improving the ionic conductivity of the electrolyte.

For the above reasons, the inorganic particles may be at least one type selected from the group consisting of inorganic particles having piezoelectricity and inorganic particles having lithium ion transporting ability.

The inorganic particles having piezoelectricity refer to a material that is a non-conductor under normal pressure but has conductive properties due to internal structural changes when a certain pressure is applied. They are also materials exhibiting high dielectric constant characteristics with a dielectric constant of 100 or more. When tension or compression is applied to an object (e.g., a separator) composed of inorganic particles, the inorganic particles having piezoelectricity also generate a potential difference between opposing surfaces of, for example, the separator by causing one surface to be positively charged and the other surface to be negatively charged or vice versa.

When the inorganic particles having the above characteristics are used as the coating layer, in the case where the two electrodes are internally shorted due to external impact (such as that caused by a needle-shaped conductor), the positive electrode and the negative electrode do not directly contact each other due to the inorganic particles coated on the separator. Further, due to piezoelectricity of the inorganic particles, a potential difference may be generated within the particles, which may desirably cause electron movement (i.e., flow of minute current) between the two electrodes, so that it may be possible to gently reduce the voltage of the battery, thereby improving safety.

Examples of the material having the inorganic particles of piezoelectricity may be a material selected from the group consisting of BaTiO ₃ 、Pb(Zr,Ti)O ₃ (PZT), use of chemical formula Pb _1-x La _x Zr _1-y Ti _y O ₃ Those indicated (PLZT), PB (Mg ₃ Nb _2/3 )O ₃ -PbTiO ₃ (PMN-PT) and hafnium oxide (HfO) ₂ ) One or more of the group consisting of, but not limited to, these materials.

The inorganic particles having lithium ion transporting ability refer to inorganic particles containing lithium element but not storing lithium but having a function of moving lithium ions. The inorganic particles having lithium ion transporting ability are capable of transporting and moving lithium ions due to defect species in the particle structure. As a result, lithium ion conductivity in the battery can be improved, thereby improving battery performance.

Examples of the material of the inorganic particles having lithium ion transporting ability may be a material selected from the group consisting of lithium phosphate (Li ₃ PO ₄ ) Lithium titanium phosphate (of the formula Li) _x Ti _y (PO ₄ ) ₃ Wherein 0 is represented by<x<2，0<y<3) Lithium aluminum phosphate (using chemical formula Li) _x Al _y Ti _z (PO ₄ ) ₃ Wherein 0 is represented by<x<2，0<y<1，0<z<3) By chemical formula (LiAlTiP) _x O _y (0<x<4，0<y<13 Glass of the series represented by the formula Li _x La _y TiO ₃ Wherein 0 is represented by<x<2，0<y<3) Lithium germanium thiophosphate (using chemical formula Li) _x Ge _y P _z S _w Wherein 0 is represented by<x<4，0<y<1，0<z<1，0<w<5) Lithium nitride (of the formula Li _x N _y Wherein 0 is represented by<x<4，0<y<2)、SiS ₂ Series of glasses (of formula Li _x Si _y S _z Wherein 0 is represented by<x<3，0<y<2，0<z<4) P ₂ S ₅ Series of glasses (of formula Li _x P _y S _z Wherein 0 is represented by<x<3，0<y<3，0<z<7) One or more of the group consisting of, but not limited to, these materials.

The component ratio of the inorganic particles and the binder polymer as components of the coating layer of the separator is not particularly limited, but may be adjusted in the range of 10:90 to 99:1 wt%, preferably in the range of 80:20 to 99:1 wt%. When the component ratio is less than 10:90 wt%, the content of the polymer may become excessively large, and the pore size and the porosity may decrease due to the decrease in the empty spaces formed between the inorganic particles, thereby eventually leading to deterioration in the battery performance. On the other hand, when the component ratio exceeds 99:1 wt%, the content of the polymer may be excessively small, and mechanical properties of the final organic/inorganic composite porous separator may be deteriorated due to weakening of adhesion between inorganic materials.

In some arrangements, a binder polymer commonly used in the art may be used as the binder polymer.

In addition to the inorganic particles and binder polymer mentioned above, the coating of the organic/inorganic composite porous separator may further include other known additives.

In some arrangements, the coating may be referred to as an active layer.

Referring again to fig. 1 and 2, the first separator 4 may include a plurality of separator portions 4a and side portions 4b, each separator portion 4a being disposed between the first electrode 1 and the second electrode 2, each side portion 4b being connected to and extending between sides of adjacent ones of the separator portions 4 a. As used herein, the side of the separator portion 4a refers to one side in a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction of the stack S. Therefore, the side of the separator portion 4a is a position corresponding to the side of the stack S.

In the stack S, the side portions 4b may be alternately disposed on side surfaces of respective layers of the stack. The adjacent separator portions 4a and the side portions 4b attached to these adjacent separator portions 4a form openings of the first separator 4a such that the side surfaces of the stack opposite to the side portions 4b are defined by the first and second electrodes accommodated in the openings of the first separator. As such, the stack S may be alternately provided with side portions 4b and openings defined by the diaphragms 4 on a pair of opposite side surfaces of each layer of the stack.

The first electrode 1 and the second electrode 2 may not be provided in or on the side portion 4b.

As shown in the example of fig. 1, the second diaphragm 5 may be disposed on an upper surface, a lower surface, and at least one pair of opposite side surfaces of the stack S. That is, the end of the second membrane 5 may be connected to the end of the first membrane 4 and wound at least once around the stack S, as further shown in fig. 1.

Accordingly, the inner diaphragm surfaces of the second diaphragm 5 provided on a pair of opposite side surfaces of the stack S may face the side portions 4b. In addition, the second separator 5 provided on at least one pair of opposite side surfaces of the stack S may be in contact with at least one or more side portions 4b.

The electrode assembly 10 may be manufactured by heating or heating and pressing the side of the stack S while the second separator 5 is wound around and on the outermost portion of the stack. For example, the electrode assembly 10 may be manufactured by heating or heating and pressing opposite side surfaces of the stack S by a side sealing device 60 (see fig. 3 and further related description herein) including a pair of pressing blocks 60a and 60b when the second separator 5 is wound around and seated on the outermost portion of the stack. The space formed between the side portions 4b provided on both side surfaces of the stack S and the inner diaphragm surface of the second diaphragm 5 facing the side portions 4b may be compressed by heat-fusing one or more of the side portions and the inner diaphragm surface. Such thermal fusion bonding of the side portion 4b and the second separator 5 may be achieved by heating and pressing opposite side surfaces of the stack with the side sealing means 60 while the second separator 5 is wound on the outermost region of the stack S.

The electrode assembly 10 may be manufactured by heating and pressing any one or all of the upper surface, the lower surface, and the opposite side surface of the stack (wherein the second separator 5 is wound around and on the outermost portion of the stack). For example, the electrode assembly 10 may be manufactured by heating and pressing the upper and lower surfaces of the stack S with the pressing unit 50 (see fig. 3 and further related description herein), and heating and pressing the opposite side surfaces of the stack S with the side sealing devices 60, either alone or simultaneously.

The pressing unit 50 may include a pair of pressing blocks 50a and 50b heated. The space between the first electrode 1, the first separator 4, and the second electrode 2 may be compressed by heat-fusing the upper and lower surfaces of the stack S to the inner separator surface of the second separator 5. This heat fusion bonding of the upper and lower surfaces with the second separator 5 can be achieved by heating and pressing the stack S with a pair of pressing pieces 50a and 50b while the second separator 5 is wound on the outermost region of the stack S. Here, the upper and lower surfaces of the stack S refer to outer surfaces of the stack S disposed at upper and lower sides in the stacking direction.

Thus, in the example of the electrode assembly 10, the first electrode 1 and the first separator 4 and the second electrode 2 may be combined with each other. In addition, when the upper and lower surfaces of the stack S are heated and pressed, the side portions 4b may be pressed and adjacent ones of the side portions 4b may become thermally fused with each other. That is, two or more side portions 4b may be combined with each other. In this respect, unlike the schematic illustration illustrated in fig. 1, the side portions 4b may extend outwardly beyond the ends of the electrodes 1, 2 by a relatively large distance, as shown in the examples of fig. 5 and 6. In this way, via any one or any combination of heating and pressing of the side seal 60 and the pressing unit 50, the side portions 4b can be deflected toward each other, thereby being combined with each other.

In some arrangements, two or more bonded side portions 4b of the first membrane 4 and an inner membrane surface of the second membrane 5, which is provided to face the side portion 4b of the stack S, may be bonded to each other.

In some arrangements, the side portions 4b may be bonded to the inner diaphragm surface of the second diaphragm 5 in a state in which adjacent ones of the side portions 4b are not bonded to each other. In this case, the side portion 4b may be bonded to the second separator 5 in a folded state without being bent in a direction parallel to the stacking direction of the stack S, or the side portion 4b may be bent one or more times in a direction parallel to the stacking direction of the stack S while being bonded to the second separator 5.

The length of each side portion 4b may be in the range of 0.1% to 1% based on 100% of the total length of the spacer portion 4a to which the respective side portion is attached. In this case, the length of the side portion 4b refers to a state in which the side portion 4b is not bent.

If the length of the side portion 4b exceeds 1% of the total length of the separator portion 4a to which the side portion is attached, the electrode density and the energy density of the electrode assembly 10 may be reduced. Here, the total length of the spacer portion 4a refers to the length from the side portion 4b to the opening opposite to the side portion 4 b.

In addition, the number of side portions 4b bonded to the inner diaphragm surface of the second diaphragm 5 may be 30% or more of the total number of side portions 4 b. Preferably, the number of the side portions 4b may be 40% or more, and more preferably, 50% or more.

Any side portion 4b may be bonded to the inner membrane surface of the second membrane 5 in a state where a plurality of adjacent side portions 4b are bonded to each other. The area of the second separator 5 bonded to any one of the side portions 4b when adjacent ones of the side portions 4b of the first separator 4 are bonded to each other may be 30% or more of the total area of the second separator 5 disposed on a pair of opposite side surfaces of the stack S. Preferably, such an area of the second separator 5 may be 40% or more, and more preferably, 50% or more.

In the electrode assembly 10 in which the number of the bonded side portions 4b and the bonding area between the side portions 4b and the second separator 5 are less than the above 30% threshold, the side surface of the stack S may have the side portions 4b that are not sufficiently fixed. In this case, the electrode assembly 10 cannot be easily inserted into the pouch or can. In addition, in the electrode assembly 10 in which the number of the combined side portions 4b and the area of the second separator 5 do meet the above 30% threshold, the side portions 4b may protrude from the sealing portion of the pouch, and the electrode assembly may be undesirably sealed together with the pouch.

In addition, there is a limit in minimizing the size of the pouch or can because the difference between the size of the pouch or can and the size of the electrode increases.

In some arrangements, when adjacent side portions 4b are bonded to each other, 50% or more of the total number of side portions 4b may be bonded to each other. In some arrangements, the width of the first electrode 1 and the second electrode 2 may be set smaller than the width of the stack S. In other words, the electrode assembly 10 may be disposed such that the side portions 4b and the ends of the first and second electrodes 1 and 2 in the layers adjacent to the layers of such side portions 4b are not placed on or under each other. In this case, the first electrode 1 or the second electrode 2 is not disposed between the adjacent side portions 4b, so that the adjacent side portions 4b can be bonded to each other.

For example, when 10 side portions 4b are included in the electrode assembly 10 and 50% of the total number of side portions 4b are bonded to each other, the electrode assembly 10 may include a set of two side portions 4b bonded to each other, a set of three side portions 4b bonded to each other, and a set of five side portions 4b not bonded to their neighboring side portions 4 b.

Referring again to fig. 3 and 4, as in the example of the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 100, the separator supply unit 20 may be configured to supply the separator 4 to the stacking table 10. For more information on such a diaphragm supply unit, see korean patent application laid-open No.10-2020-0023853. For example, as shown in fig. 4, the diaphragm supply unit 20 may be located above the stacking table 10. In addition, the diaphragm supply unit 20 may include a diaphragm reel 21 on which the diaphragm 4 may be wound. The separator 4 wound on the separator reel 21 may be supplied to the stacking table 10 under the effect of gravity while being gradually released.

The diaphragm supply unit 20 is formed with a passage through which the diaphragm 4 passes. The diaphragm supply unit 20 may include a diaphragm heating unit (not illustrated) for heating the passing diaphragm 4. For more information on such a diaphragm heating unit, see korean patent application laid-open No.10-2020-0023853.

The diaphragm heating unit may include a pair of bodies (not illustrated) and a diaphragm heater (not illustrated) for heating the bodies. The pair of bodies may be located on opposite sides of the diaphragm 4 while being spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance to allow the diaphragm 4 to pass. The membrane 4 may for example pass the membrane heating unit without being in contact with the membrane heating unit, so that the membrane 4 may be heated in a non-contact manner. In some arrangements, each of the pair of bodies of the diaphragm heating unit may be formed in, for example, a rectangular block shape.

As in the example of the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 100, the first electrode supply unit 30 may be configured to supply the first electrode 1 to the stacking table 10 and stack the first electrode 1 on the stacking table 10. The first electrode supply unit 30 may include a first electrode seating table 31 on which the first electrode 1 is seated before being stacked on the stacking table 10. Further, the first electrode supply unit 30 may include a first electrode reel 33, a first cutter 34, a first conveyor 35, and a first electrode supply head 36. In the first electrode supply unit 30, one first electrode 1 may be supplied to the first electrode setting table 31 while the first electrode sheet from which the first electrode 1 is formed, which is wound around the first electrode reel 33, may be gradually unwound. The first cutter 34 may cut the first electrode 1 from the first electrode sheet supplied from the first electrode reel 33 to a preset length. The first cutter 34 may cut the first electrode sheet such that the first electrode tab 1a protrudes from the end of the first electrode 1.

The first electrode 1 cut by the first cutter 34 may be supplied to the first conveyor 35, and the first conveyor, which may be in the form of a belt as shown, may move the first electrode 1 to the first electrode setting table 31. The first electrode supply head 36 may pick up the first electrode 1 placed on the first conveyor 35 (e.g., via a vacuum fit, suction cups or similar fitting or other temporary form of attachment such as magnetic attachment) and place the first electrode 1 on the first electrode placement stage 31.

As further shown, the first electrode supply unit 30 may include a first transfer head 32, from which the first transfer head may extend and may be oscillated, and a first moving unit 37. The first transfer head 32 may pick up (e.g., via a vacuum fit, suction cups or similar fittings or other temporary forms of attachment such as magnetic attachment) the first electrode 1 mounted on the first electrode mounting table 31. In some arrangements, the first transfer head 32 may include a vacuum suction unit (not illustrated) on a bottom surface of the transfer head, which may be configured to suck the first electrode 1 via a vacuum suction port to secure the first electrode 1 to the bottom surface of the first transfer head 32. The passage formed in the first transfer head 32 may connect a vacuum suction port and a vacuum suction device (not illustrated).

The first moving unit 37 may be configured for picking up the first electrode 1 mounted on the first electrode mounting table 31 and for moving the first transfer head 32 to a position placed on the stacking table 10, where the transfer head 32 may be released, for example, by reducing or removing a vacuum suction or other force being applied to the first electrode 1 to hold the first electrode against the transfer head. In this way, the first transfer head 32 can transfer the first electrode 1 from the first electrode placement stage 31 to the portion of the separator 4 that is placed or placed on the stacking stage 10 via the other electrodes 1, 2.

The second electrode supply unit 40 may have or may have substantially a mirror image configuration of the first electrode supply unit 30. In this way, the second electrode supply unit 40 may supply the second electrode 2 to the portion of the stack S that is now disposed (e.g., mounted) on the stacking table 10, and stack the second electrode 2 on such portion of the stack S on the stacking table 10.

The second electrode supply unit 40 may include a second electrode seating table 41 on which the second electrode 2 is seated before being moved and stacked on the portion of the stack S on the stacking table 10.

The second electrode supply unit 40 may include: a second electrode reel 43 from which a second electrode sheet of the second electrode 2 is formed is wound around the second electrode reel 43; a second cutter 44 for cutting the second electrode sheet at regular intervals to form a predetermined size of the second electrode 2 while unwinding the second electrode sheet from the second electrode reel 43; a second conveyor 45 for moving the second electrode 2 cut by the second cutter 44; and a second electrode supply head 46 for picking up the second electrode 2 moved by the second conveyor 45 and setting the second electrode 2 on the second electrode setting table 41.

Like the first cutter 34, the second cutter 44 may cut the second electrode sheet such that the formed second electrodes 2 each include a second electrode tab 2a protruding from an end of the second electrode 2.

In addition, the second electrode supply unit 40 may include: a second transfer head 42 for picking up the second electrode 2 mounted on the second electrode mounting table 41; and a second moving unit 47 configured to move the second transfer head 42 to a position placed on the stacking table 10, where the transfer head 42 can be released by, for example, reducing or removing a vacuum suction or other force being applied to the second electrode 2 to hold the second electrode against the transfer head, so that the second transfer head 42 can stack the second electrode 2 on the portion of the stack S that is now on the stacking table 10. The second transfer head 42 may be formed in the same manner as the first transfer head 32, so that the second electrode 2 may be temporarily fixed to the second transfer head 42 on the bottom surface of the second transfer head 42.

The side sealing means 60 may heat at least one side surface of the stack S with the membrane 4 surrounding the outermost portion of the stack. That is, the side sealing device 60 may apply heat to at least one side surface of the stack S to impart or increase adhesion with a coating composition applied to one surface of the separator 4 and facing the electrodes 1, 2.

The pressing direction of the side seal 60 may be perpendicular to the pressing direction of the pressing unit 50 described further herein.

In some arrangements, the side seal 60 may include a pair of heating bars 60a and 60b. The pair of heating bars 60a and 60b can move toward and away from each other and press the stack S in directions from the sides of the stack and toward the center thereof. That is, the side sealing device 60 may heat and press the stack S from the side of the stack S.

The side surface of the stack S is a surface including the folded portion P of the stack S. Preferably, the side surfaces of the stack are not located on the same side of the electrodes 1, 2 as the electrode tabs 1 a.

The stack S may include one or more sequentially stacked first electrodes 1, portions of the separator 4, and second electrodes 2, wherein an outermost portion of the separator 4 surrounds an outermost portion of the stack. The side sealing device 60 may heat and press the side surface of the stack S by heating and pressing the outermost portion of the diaphragm 4 (hereinafter, outermost diaphragm) surrounding the outermost portion of the stack S, thereby heating and pressing the folded portion P included in the stack S. Accordingly, the side sealing device 60 may bond the plurality of folded portions P included in the stack S by heating and pressing the side surface of the stack S, thereby bonding the inner surface of the outermost separator 4 to the second electrode 2 facing the inner surface of the outermost separator 4, the folded portion P of the separator 4, and the first electrode 1.

The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 100 may further include a pressing unit 50. The pressing unit 50 is heated to press the stack S. Pressing by the pressing unit 50 may combine the first electrode 1, the separator 4, and the second electrode 2.

The pressing unit 50 may include a pair of pressing blocks 50a and 50b that may be positioned adjacent to the top and bottom surfaces of the stack S. The pair of pressing blocks 50a and 50b may be moved in a direction toward each other to press the top and bottom surfaces of S, and then moved away from each other after such pressing.

When the separator 4 is configured to surround the outer surface of the stack S, the space between the inner surface portion of the outermost separator 4 and the first and second electrodes 1 and 2 and the side portion of the separator 4 facing the inner surface portion of the separator 4 may be bonded. In this configuration, the outermost membrane 4 may include an upper surface, a lower surface, and two opposite side surfaces extending between the upper and lower surfaces of the outermost membrane 4 when surrounding the stack S.

Therefore, when the electrode assembly 10 is formed by stacking the first electrode 1, the portion of the separator 4, and the second electrode 2, the problem of the pressing unit 50 suppresses the relative displacement of the first electrode 1 and the second electrode 2 and the separator 4, thereby suppressing the cancellation of the stacked form.

The pressing unit 50 may further include a pressing heater (not illustrated) for heating the pair of pressing blocks 50a and 50b so that the pair of pressing blocks 50a and 50b may heat the stack S while pressing the stack. In this way, when the stack S is pressed with the pressing unit 50, thermal fusion between each of the first electrode 1 and the portion of the separator 4 adjacent to the first electrode and between the second electrode 2 and the portion of the separator 4 adjacent to the second electrode can be better achieved, thereby better achieving stronger bonding.

As best shown in fig. 4, each of the pair of pressing blocks 50a and 50b may be formed with a flat pressing surface in which one or both of the length and width of the pressing surface may be formed longer than the corresponding length and width of the stack S.

In addition, the pair of pressing blocks 50a and 50b may be provided as quadrangular blocks in the form of rectangular parallelepiped.

In some arrangements, the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 100 may further include a third movement unit (not illustrated) attached to and configured to rotate or otherwise move a third transfer head (not illustrated). The third moving unit and the third transfer head may be the same as or similar to the first moving unit 37 and the second moving unit 47 and the first transfer head 32 and the second transfer head 42, respectively.

In some arrangements, the third transfer head may aspirate stacks disposed on the stack table 10. The third transfer head may include a vacuum suction unit on a bottom surface to suck the stack S via a vacuum suction port, thereby temporarily fixing the stack S to the bottom surface of the third transfer head. A passage connecting the vacuum suction port and the vacuum suction generating device may be formed in the third transfer head.

The third moving unit may be configured to move the third transfer head to the side sealing device 60, for example, via either or both of translation and rotation, so that the stack S placed on the stack table 10 can be moved to the side sealing device 60.

In some arrangements, the third transfer head may be temporarily fixed to the stack S in the manner described above when the stack is disposed on the pressing unit 50. In such an arrangement, the third moving unit may be configured to move the third transfer head to the side sealing device 60, for example, via either or both of translation and rotation, such that the stack S disposed on the pressing unit 50 can move to the side sealing device 60.

Referring now to fig. 6, an electrode assembly manufacturing process may include a stack manufacturing operation S10 and a side sealing operation S20.

In the stack manufacturing operation S10, a stack may be manufactured by supplying and stacking a first electrode (e.g., the first electrode 1), a separator (e.g., the separator 4), and a second electrode (e.g., the second electrode 2) to a in-process stack on a stack table (e.g., the stack table 10).

In step S11 of the stack manufacturing operation S10, a portion of the separator is supplied to the stacking table. In some arrangements, portions of the diaphragm are mounted to the stacking table by a retaining mechanism, such as but not limited to a gripper or a set of grippers or other gripping mechanisms. In step S12, the stacking table rotates in a direction toward the first electrode supply unit (e.g., the first electrode supply unit 30). In step S13, the first electrode is supplied and then stacked onto a separator portion mounted or otherwise disposed on a stacking table. In step S14, the stacking table is rotated in the direction of the second electrode supply unit (e.g., the second electrode supply unit 40) so that the other portion of the separator is folded onto the first electrode and placed thereon. In step S15, the second electrode is supplied and then stacked onto the other portion of the separator. In step S16, operations S12, S13, S14 and S15 are repeated to sequentially add one or more additional first electrodes, portions of the separator, and one or more additional second electrodes. Upon repeating operation S12, the other portion of the separator is folded over and placed over the second electrode via the rotation of the stacking table, after which the next first electrode is supplied and then stacked onto the other portion of the separator. The separator may be stacked in a zigzag manner between the first electrode and the second electrode via the alternate rotation of the stacking stage.

In addition, in step S17 of the stack manufacturing operation S10, the outermost portion of the stack may be surrounded by the diaphragm by rotating the diaphragm in one direction. Here, the outermost portion of the stack includes an upper surface, a lower surface, and two opposite side surfaces of the stack. Each of the side surfaces may extend in a plane parallel to the stacking direction of the stack. Each of the side surfaces may exclude all surfaces on which the electrode tab (e.g., electrode tab 1 a) is located. The upper and lower surfaces of the stack each include surfaces perpendicular to one or both of the side surfaces of the stack.

In the side sealing operation S20, at least one side surface of the stack may be heated. In this operation, one or both of the opposite side surfaces of the stack are heated and pressed to press the stack. In this step, a pair of heating rods (e.g., heating rods 60a and 60 b) may be pressed against the separator along the side surface of the stack for 10 seconds or less while the heating rods are at a side sealing temperature of 100 ℃ to 200 ℃.

When the side sealing temperature is lower than 100 ℃, the adhesive applied to the separator does not exhibit sufficient adhesion, and when the side sealing temperature exceeds 200 ℃, or when the pressing time exceeds 10 seconds, the adhesion effect may not be significantly increased as compared to the energy supplied to heat a pair of heating rods.

In addition, during the side sealing operation S20, at least one side surface of the stack may be pressed under a pressure in the range of 0.1MPa to 1.5 MPa. Preferably, one or more side surfaces may be pressed at a pressure in the range of 0.1MPa to 1MPa and more preferably at a pressure in the range of 0.1MPa to 0.5 MPa.

That is, in the side sealing operation S20, both side surfaces of the stack may be pressed in a direction perpendicular to the side surfaces and toward the center plane of the stack while simultaneously heating both side surfaces of the stack.

When the pressure pressing the side surfaces of the covered stack satisfies the above pressure range, damage to the first electrode and the second electrode can be prevented or at least suppressed by contact and bonding of the outermost separator with the folded portion.

In step S30, the electrode assembly manufacturing process may further include heating and pressing the stack. In this step, the heated pair of pressing blocks (e.g., the pair of pressing blocks 50a and 50 b) may press the stack in a downward direction toward the stack and optionally in an upward direction generally parallel to the side surfaces of the stack. Due to heat conducted from the pair of pressing blocks, adhesion between the adhesive and the separator to which the adhesive is applied can be improved, and the separator and the first and second electrodes can also be bonded to each other by pressure.

Referring to fig. 7, each side portion 4b may be bent one or more times in a direction parallel to the stacking direction of the stack S. In this way, in the electrode assembly 10 having the second separator 5 wound around the stack S, the distance between the end of the first electrode 1 and the portion of the inner separator surface of the second separator 5 facing the end of the first electrode 1 and the distance between the end of the second electrode 2 and the portion of the inner separator surface of the second separator 5 facing the end of the second electrode 2 are reduced, so that the overall width of the electrode assembly 10 can be reduced.

The distance between the first electrode 1 or the second electrode 2 and the portion of the inner membrane surface of the second membrane 5 adjacent to the end of the first electrode 1 or the second electrode 2 of the electrode assembly 10 may be reduced by 50% to 95% with the entire length of the side portion 4b being 100%. The entire length of the side portion 4b is the distance from the end of the first electrode 1 or the second electrode 2 to the end of the side portion 4b that is in contact with the second separator 5 when the side portion 4b is in the unbent state.

Since the length of the side portion 4b is reduced by 50% to 95% as compared to the entire length of the side portion 4b, the portion of the side portion 4b excluding the first electrode 1 and the second electrode 2 is reduced, and thus the electrode density and the energy density of the electrode assembly 10 can be increased.

The wet adhesion of the side portion 4b of the electrode assembly 10 to the second separator 5 coupled to the side portion 4b may be in the range of 40gf/25mm to 70gf/25 mm.

Mode for the invention

Experimental example

The following experiments were performed to measure the adhesion rate between the inner separator surface of the outermost portion of the separator, which serves as the second separator of the stack included in the electrode assembly, and the end portion of the side portion, and the battery properties according to the adhesion area.

Example procedure

The separator is folded in a zigzag shape, and the positive and negative electrodes are alternately disposed between portions of the folded separator, and the outermost portion of the stack is surrounded by the separator, to manufacture an electrode assembly. The electrode assembly according to the present invention is manufactured by pressing the upper and lower surfaces of the stack using a heated pressing unit to combine the entire stack, and the side sealing is performed by pressing the two opposite side surfaces of the stack with heated side sealing devices.

Example 1

Example 1 includes an electrode assembly in which a side portion of a separator is bonded to 30% of an area of a total area of an inner separator surface of the separator disposed on a side of the stack facing the side portion by pressing the stack with a pressure of 0.15MPa using a side sealing device.

Example 2

Example 2 includes an electrode assembly in which a side portion of a separator is bonded to 80% of an area of a total area of an inner separator surface of the separator disposed on a side of the stack facing the side portion by pressing the stack with a pressure of 0.25MPa using a side sealing device.

Comparative example 1

Comparative example 1 includes an electrode assembly in which a stack was pressed to a pressure of 0.05MPa by using a side sealing device.

Comparative example 2

Comparative example 2 includes an electrode assembly in which a side portion of a separator was bonded to 20% of the area of the total area of the inner separator surface of the separator disposed on the side facing the side portion of the stack by pressing the stack with a pressure of 0.10MPa using a side sealing device.

Comparative example 3

Comparative example 3 includes an electrode assembly in which a side portion of a separator was bonded to 90% of the area of the total area of the inner separator surface of the separator disposed on the side facing the side portion of the stack by pressing the stack with a pressure of 0.30MPa using a side sealing device.

TABLE 1

TABLE 2

Table 2 shows the measurement results of the damage to the negative electrode of the electrode assembly, the degree of adhesion between the side portion and the portion of the separator located on one side of the side portion, and the degree of lifting of the outermost portion of the separator disposed on the side of the electrode assembly.

In this case, the side seal degree is visually observed by the degree of adhesion between the side portion of the diaphragm and the outermost portion of the diaphragm serving as the second diaphragm. The lifting of the second or side separator means that the second separator is pushed to the upper surface or the lower surface of the electrode assembly, and the portions of the separator disposed on the upper surface and the lower surface of the electrode assembly are not adhered to the electrodes.

Referring to table 2, in comparative example 1, since the pressure applied by the side sealing device is low, the electrode assembly cannot be pressed, so that damage to the negative electrode, the degree of side sealing, or the degree of lifting of the second separator cannot be measured.

In comparative example 2, it can be seen that although the side sealing device presses the side surface of the electrode assembly, the second separator disposed on the side of the electrode assembly does not move to the side portion due to the low pressure, so that the adhesion between the side portion and the second separator is poor.

In comparative example 3, it can be seen that the pressure applied to the side of the electrode assembly by the side sealing means is large. As such, the second separator located on the side of the electrode assembly climbs onto the negative electrode and the negative electrode pushes the separator disposed on the upper surface or the lower surface of the electrode assembly. It can be visually confirmed that the separator provided on the upper or lower surface of the electrode assembly is folded.

The present invention has been described above with reference to exemplary embodiments, but it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Reference numerals illustrate:

s: stack

1: first electrode

2: second electrode

4: first diaphragm

4a: separator part

4b: side portion

5: second diaphragm

100: electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus

10: stacking table

20: diaphragm supply unit

21: diaphragm reel

30: first electrode supply unit

31: first electrode setting table

32: first transfer head

33: first electrode reel

34: first cutter

35: first conveyor

36: first electrode supply head

37: first mobile unit

40: second electrode supply unit

41: second electrode mounting table

42: second transfer head

43: second electrode reel

44: second cutter

45: second conveyor

46: second electrode supply head

47: second mobile unit

50: first pressing unit

50a, 50b: first pressing block

60: side sealing device

60a, 60b: a pair of pressing blocks

Claims

1. An electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a stack including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a section of a separator between the first electrode and the second electrode, the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus comprising:

A stacking station configured to support the stack;

a diaphragm supply unit configured to supply a portion of the diaphragm to the stacking table;

a first electrode supply unit configured to stack the first electrode on the separator supported by the stacking table;

a second electrode supply unit configured to stack the second electrode on the separator supported by the stacking table; and

a side sealing device for heating at least one side surface of the stack to bond a portion of the diaphragm separate from the section of the diaphragm to the side surface of the stack or to bond a separate diaphragm covering the side surface of the stack to the side surface of the stack.

2. The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the side sealing means includes a pair of heating rods, and the pair of heating rods are movable in directions toward each other to press side surfaces of the stack.

3. The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

A pressing unit configured to press the stack in a direction parallel to the stacking direction.

4. The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the pressing unit is further configured to heat the stack while pressing the stack.

5. The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the side sealing means presses the stack in a direction perpendicular to a pressing direction of the pressing unit.

6. The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the pressing unit includes a pair of pressing blocks, and

the pair of pressing blocks move toward each other to press the stack.

7. The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein each of the pair of pressing blocks may include a pressing surface, and wherein the pressing surfaces are configured to contact opposite surfaces of the stack such that the opposite surfaces of the stack define a plane after the opposite surfaces are pressed by the pressing surfaces.

8. The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the pressing unit includes a pressing heater configured to heat the pair of pressing blocks.

9. The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein each of the pair of pressing blocks of the pressing unit includes a pressing surface defining a plane, and wherein the pressing surface of the pressing block has one or both of a width longer than a width of the stack and a length longer than a length of the stack.

10. The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein the first electrode supply unit includes:

a first electrode placement stage configured to place the first electrode before the first electrode is stacked on the stacking stage; and

a first transfer head configured to temporarily fix the first electrode and to transfer the first electrode to a stack in process on the stacking table while the first electrode is temporarily fixed to the first transfer head, an

Wherein the second electrode supply unit includes:

a second electrode placement stage configured to place the second electrode before the second electrode is stacked on the stacking stage; and

A second transfer head configured to temporarily fix the second electrode, and to transfer the second electrode to a stack in process on the stacking table while the second electrode is temporarily fixed to the second transfer head.

11. The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the first transfer head and the second transfer head each include a vacuum device to temporarily fix the first electrode and the second electrode, respectively, to the vacuum device.

12. The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising:

a rotation unit for rotating the stacking table,

wherein the first electrode supply unit is disposed at a first side of the rotation unit, and the second electrode supply unit is disposed at a second side of the rotation unit opposite to the first side, and

wherein the rotating unit rotates the stacking table to the first side to face the first transfer head when the first electrodes are stacked, and rotates the stacking table to the second side to face the second transfer head when the second electrodes are stacked.

13. The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the rotating unit is configured to rotate the stacking table alternately in a direction of the first electrode supply unit and a direction of the second electrode supply unit.

14. An electrode assembly manufacturing method for manufacturing a stack, the electrode assembly manufacturing method comprising the steps of:

supplying and stacking a first electrode, a separator, and a second electrode to manufacture a stack of the first electrode and the second electrode, and a separator disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode; and

at least one side surface of the stack is heated to bond the first electrode and the second electrode to the separator.

15. The electrode assembly manufacturing method according to claim 14, further comprising the steps of:

the at least one side surface is pressed at a temperature of 100 ℃ to 200 ℃ for a time of 10 seconds or less.

16. The electrode assembly manufacturing method according to claim 14, further comprising the steps of:

the stack is heated and pressed in a direction in which the stack is stacked.

17. The electrode assembly manufacturing method according to claim 14, further comprising the steps of:

The at least one side surface of the stack is pressed under a pressure in the range of 0.1MPa to 1.5 MPa.