KR102114811B1 - Manufacturing Apparatus for Electrode Assembly with Improved Productivity - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is a junction for manufacturing unit cells by bonding the electrodes and the separator with heat and pressure; A supply unit supplying electrodes and a separator to the junction; And a guide portion disposed between the junction portion and the supply portion and guiding the electrode from the supply portion to the junction portion, wherein the guide portion includes a gripper for fixing the electrode in a state in close contact with the upper and lower surfaces of the electrode, and the gripper. It provides a manufacturing apparatus comprising a guide roller for moving the electrode from the gripper to the joint while axially rotating in the direction of the joint at an adjacent position.

Description

Manufacturing device for electrode assembly with improved manufacturing processability {Manufacturing Apparatus for Electrode Assembly with Improved Productivity}

The present invention relates to an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus having improved manufacturing processability.

As technology development and demand for mobile devices increase, demand for secondary batteries ('battery cells') as energy sources is rapidly increasing, and among such secondary battery cells, high energy density and operating potential are exhibited, and cycle life is long. , Lithium secondary battery cells with low self-discharge rate are commercialized and widely used.

The battery cell refers to a unitary secondary battery structure in which an electrode assembly is embedded in a battery case together with an electrolyte, and a structure in which cell components such as an anode, a cathode, and a separator are assembled and combined is also referred to as an electrode assembly in a broad sense.

The type of the electrode assembly is largely divided into a winding type in which cell structures such as electrodes and a separator are wound, and a stack type in which the cell structures are stacked, depending on the structure. The wound electrode assembly is coated with an electrode active material on a metal foil used as a current collector, dried and pressed, cut into a band shape having a desired width and length, and a separator is used to separate the cathode and anode, and then spirally It is manufactured by winding. The wound electrode assembly has structural characteristics suitable for a cylindrical battery.

Unlike this, the stacked electrode assembly is a structure in which a single or a plurality of positive and negative electrode units are sequentially stacked and electrodes and separators are bonded, and it is easy to obtain a rectangular shape.

The stacked electrode assembly is generally a semi-automated manufacturing line, for example, cell components constituting the electrode assembly perform processing such as a cutting process, a bonding process, and a lamination process along a rail or a rotating roll capable of transporting objects. In the state transferred to the devices, the devices may be combined or manufactured in the form of an electrode assembly.

Among these, a lamination method in which a bonding process is applied to each other by applying heat and pressure to the electrode and the separator while the separator is located between the electrodes is generally used.

In this lamination process, two or more electrodes are joined simultaneously with the separator, and thus, they must be joined in an aligned state at a fixed position so that they are not joined to each other or to form a step.

If, when one electrode is joined to the other electrode in an oblique state, the electrode assembly has a shape in which the electrode protrudes, and the electrode resistance at the protruding portion is high and the space utilization of the electrode assembly is low. .

Therefore, there is a high need for a technique capable of improving the overall process efficiency of the electrode assembly by being input to the bonding process while maintaining the desired position and direction of the electrode before the lamination process.

The present invention aims to solve the problems of the prior art as described above and the technical problems requested from the past.

Specifically, an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly in which the bonding process can be performed in a state where the electrodes are aligned to a desired position, and the processability throughout manufacturing is improved.

Manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention for achieving this object,

A device for manufacturing an electrode assembly for a secondary battery,

A junction unit for manufacturing unit cells by bonding the electrodes and the separator with heat and pressure;

A supply unit supplying electrodes and a separator to the junction; And

A guide portion disposed between the junction portion and the supply portion and guiding an electrode from the supply portion to the junction portion;

It contains,

The guide portion is characterized in that it comprises a gripper for fixing the electrode in a state in close contact with the upper and lower surfaces of the electrode, and a guide roller for moving the electrode from the gripper to the joint while axially rotating in the direction of the joint at a position adjacent to the gripper. .

That is, in the manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention, the electrode is fixed in place by the gripper in the step before the electrode is put into the junction, and at the same time, the guide roller can transfer the electrode aligned in the same position to the junction, so that the electrode It is structured to prevent undesired defects such as misalignment and step difference.

In addition, the manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention is configured to have a structure capable of effectively preventing electrode slippage or misalignment on the roller while preventing defects such as electrode skew and wrinkles when the electrode is transferred by the guide roller.

Specifically, the guide roller,

A rotation axis rotating in the direction of the joint; And

It is formed integrally with the rotating shaft and has a relatively large turning radius relative to the rotating shaft, a plurality of contact rolls having a diameter of 110% to 150% with respect to the diameter of the rotating shaft.

In addition, the guide roller has a shape in which the rotation centers of the contact rolls and the rotation center of the rotation axis coincide, and the contact rollers may be formed on the rotation axis.

In general, some of the transport devices, such as rollers, are configured to rotate in the form of pressing the electrodes to prevent meandering or wrinkles on the electrodes, but the method of simply pressing the rollers with a flat surface is the entire electrode surface area. Due to the high average pressing force for not only the electrode structure can be deformed, but also the pressure to fix the electrode is distributed over the entire surface, the electrode can slide on the roller when rotating.

Since the electrode in the slipped state causes defects such as protrusions and steps on the electrode assembly after bonding, it is possible to significantly impair the performance of the manufactured electrode assembly as well as the manufacturing processability of the electrode assembly.

Accordingly, in the present invention, the guide rollers are made of a structure arranged on a rotating shaft with spaced apart predetermined distances from the guide rollers, and indentations according to a difference in diameter between the rotating shaft and the rotating rolls are spaced apart from each other. It can be made of a formed structure.

In this structure, when the guide roller moves the electrode, the electrode surface is adhered only to the contact rolls excluding the indentations, and the average pressing force for the entire electrode surface area is relatively low, whereas the contact rolls excluding the indentations Only when the pressure is concentrated, when the rotating shaft is rotated, the phenomenon of the electrode sliding from the guide roller can be suppressed.

This can be compared with the method of simply pressing the object with a roller of a material with high unevenness or high friction to prevent slipping, but these structures are easy to stick to the surface of the roller as a mixture of slurry, due to the characteristics of the electrode. Can cause defects.

In other words, the surface of the roller is smooth so that the mixture layer does not come out, but the structure capable of fixing the position of the electrode between the transfers is ideal. Accordingly, in the present invention, these characteristics can be satisfied based on the structural characteristics of the contact roller and the indentation described above. It should be noted that there is.

In the present invention, the material of the adhesion rolls is not particularly limited as long as it is a material that does not ooze the mixture layer upon contact with the electrode mixture layer to prevent a decrease in the capacity of the electrode while the adhesion to the electrode is continued, for example, polyethylene terephthalate (polyethylene terephthalate (PET)), polyvinyl chloride (polyvinyl chloride (PVC)), polypropylene (polypropylene (PP)), and may be one or more selected from the group consisting of polycarbonate (polycarbonate (PC)).

Different rotation radius ranges of the rotation axis and the contact rolls defined above are specifically, while the overall size of the guide roller can be compact, while the pressure concentration on the electrode is possible, substantially less than 110% above, the indentations are also electrode surfaces It is not desirable to adhere to, and when the guide roller exceeds 150%, the space occupied by the manufacturing apparatus is excessively expanded, which is not preferable in terms of manufacturing equipment design. On the other hand, the larger the radius of rotation of the adhesion rolls, the more the electrode surface Since the surface area of the contact rolls to be adhered is reduced, the effect intended in the present invention cannot be sufficiently expressed.

In the above structure, the structure in which the contact rolls are formed on the rotating shaft in an excessively spaced form has a low average pressing force on the surface of the electrode, and the pressure concentration range of the contact rolls is also reduced. It may not be performed smoothly, and in some cases, the electrode may be reversed from the guide roller. In addition, when the contact rolls are positioned too close, it is not preferable because the average pressing force for the entire electrode surface area is high.

Accordingly, in the present invention, the distance between the contact rolls may be 1% to 10% compared to the width of the electrode passing through the guide roller.

The gripper for fixing the electrode introduced into the guide roller described above includes a first grip in close contact with the upper surface of the electrode and a second grip in close contact with the lower surface, and when the electrode reaches the guide roller, a first grip on the electrode surface or The close contact of the second grip may be released.

Here, reaching means a state in which tension is formed while the electrode is pressed by the guide roller. In this state, the position and orientation of the electrode are fixed by the guide roller, so that the gripper is in a fixed state.

However, according to what the inventors of the present invention have confirmed in this structure, when the distance between the first grip and the guide roller is separated by a certain distance, when the electrode passes through the space between the gripper and the guide roller, it may be slightly twisted. In this regard, in the present invention, the first grip may be in contact with the guide roller so that the direction of the electrode in the state fixed to the gripper can be maintained on the guide roller. In order to prevent the wear of the guide roller against, it may be adjacent to the guide roller in a spaced apart distance within 1 mm.

Meanwhile, the manufacturing apparatus further includes a plurality of support rollers arranged in a form of supporting electrodes at at least one lower end selected from the supply unit, the bonding unit, and the guide roller, and the support rollers are disposed in a direction opposite to the guide roller. It may be a rotating structure.

Here, the support rollers may be disposed to face each other with a guide roller, and in the structure, an electrode may be moved through a space between the guide roller and the support roller.

In the manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention, the supply unit,

A sheet-shaped first electrode fabric is wound, a first supply unit for unwinding the first electrode fabric in the direction of the junction;

A second supplying unit in which the sheet-shaped second electrode fabric is wound, and the second electrode fabric is unwound in the direction of the joint;

A third supply unit in which the sheet-shaped first separator fabric is wound, and the first separator fabric is unwound in the direction of the joint between the first and second supply units; And

The sheet-shaped second separator fabric is wound, and a fourth supply unit that unwinds the second separator fabric from the bottom of the second supply unit in the direction of the junction.

Here, the manufacturing apparatus includes: a first cutting unit for manufacturing a first electrode by cutting a first electrode fabric into a predetermined size between the first supply unit and the guide unit; And

A second cutting unit for manufacturing a second electrode by cutting a second electrode fabric into a predetermined size between the second supply unit and the guide unit;

Including,

The joining unit may mutually bond the electrode to the first electrode, the first separator fabric, the second electrode, and the second electrode and the separator fabric in an orderly arranged state.

In this structure, the gripper of the guide portion can fix the cut first electrode and / or the second electrode, and the guide roller can transfer the cut first electrode and / or the second electrode to the joint.

In addition, the bonding portion includes a third cutting unit for cutting the first membrane fabric and the second membrane fabric in unit cell units, with the first electrode, the first membrane fabric, the second electrode, and the second membrane fabric being joined vertically. can do.

The manufacturing apparatus may also include a stacking unit that sequentially receives unit cells manufactured at a junction and stacks unit cells upward with respect to the ground to form an electrode assembly structure; And

It may further include a processing unit for receiving the electrode assembly from the stacked portion, and performing an insulation treatment on the plain portion of the electrode assembly.

The insulation treatment may be in the form of adding an insulating tape to the plain region or applying an insulating solution to the plain region and solidifying or curing.

The material for the insulation is not particularly limited as long as it is an inert and electrically insulating material for electrode reaction, and may be, for example, an insulating material such as fluorine resin or enamel resin.

The present invention also provides an electrode assembly characterized by being manufactured by the manufacturing apparatus, and a battery cell having a structure in which the electrode assembly is housed in a battery case together with an electrolyte.

The electrode assembly may have a structure in which two or more unit cells stacked and bonded in order of an anode, a separator, a cathode, and a separator are sequentially stacked based on the ground.

In the present invention, the type of the battery cell is not particularly limited, but as a specific example, a lithium ion (Li-ion) secondary battery, lithium polymer (Li-polymer) having advantages such as high energy density, discharge voltage, and output stability ) It may be a secondary battery, or a lithium secondary battery such as a lithium-ion polymer secondary battery.

In general, a lithium secondary battery is composed of a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a separator, and a non-aqueous electrolyte containing lithium salt.

The positive electrode is, for example, prepared by applying a mixture of a positive electrode active material, a conductive material, and a binder on a positive electrode current collector and / or an extended current collector, followed by drying, and if necessary, further adding a filler to the mixture. do.

The positive electrode current collector and / or the extended current collector are generally made to a thickness of 3 to 500 micrometers. The positive electrode current collector and the extended current collector are not particularly limited as long as they have high conductivity without causing chemical changes in the battery. For example, stainless steel, aluminum, nickel, titanium, fired carbon, or aluminum Surfaces made of carbon, nickel, titanium, silver, etc. may be used on the surface of stainless steel. The positive electrode current collector and the extended current collector may increase the adhesion of the positive electrode active material by forming fine irregularities on its surface, and various forms such as a film, sheet, foil, net, porous body, foam, and nonwoven fabric are possible.

The positive electrode active material may be a layered compound such as lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO ₂ ) or lithium nickel oxide (LiNiO ₂ ) or a compound substituted with one or more transition metals; Lithium manganese oxides such as the formula Li _{1 + x} Mn _2-x O ₄ (where x is 0 to 0.33), LiMnO ₃ , LiMn ₂ O ₃ , LiMnO ₂ ; Lithium copper oxide (Li ₂ CuO ₂ ); Vanadium oxides such as LiV ₃ O ₈ , LiFe ₃ O ₄ , V ₂ O ₅ and Cu ₂ V ₂ O ₇ ; Ni-site type lithium nickel oxide represented by the formula LiNi _1-x M _x O ₂ (where M = Co, Mn, Al, Cu, Fe, Mg, B or Ga, and x = 0.01 to 0.3); Formula LiMn _2-x M _x O ₂ (where M = Co, Ni, Fe, Cr, Zn or Ta, x = 0.01 to 0.1) or Li ₂ Mn ₃ MO ₈ (where M = Fe, Co, Lithium manganese composite oxide represented by Ni, Cu or Zn); LiMn ₂ O _{4 in} which part of Li in the formula is substituted with alkaline earth metal ions; Disulfide compounds; Fe ₂ (MoO ₄ ) ₃ and the like, but are not limited to these.

The conductive material is usually added in 1 to 30% by weight based on the total weight of the mixture containing the positive electrode active material. The conductive material is not particularly limited as long as it has conductivity without causing a chemical change in the battery. For example, graphite such as natural graphite or artificial graphite; Carbon black such as carbon black, acetylene black, ketjen black, channel black, furnace black, lamp black, and summer black; Conductive fibers such as carbon fibers and metal fibers; Metal powders such as carbon fluoride, aluminum, and nickel powders; Conductive whiskey such as zinc oxide and potassium titanate; Conductive metal oxides such as titanium oxide; Conductive materials such as polyphenylene derivatives may be used.

The binder is a component that assists in bonding the active material and the conductive material and the like to the current collector, and is usually added in an amount of 1 to 30% by weight based on the total weight of the mixture containing the positive electrode active material. Examples of such a binder include polyvinylidene fluoride, polyvinyl alcohol, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), starch, hydroxypropyl cellulose, regenerated cellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, tetrafluoroethylene, polyethylene , Polypropylene, ethylene-propylene-diene polymer (EPDM), sulfonated EPDM, styrene styrene rubber, fluorine rubber, and various copolymers.

The filler is selectively used as a component that suppresses the expansion of the positive electrode, and is not particularly limited as long as it is a fibrous material without causing a chemical change in the battery. For example, olefinic polymers such as polyethylene and polypropylene; Fibrous materials such as glass fibers and carbon fibers are used.

The negative electrode is manufactured by applying and drying a negative electrode active material on a negative electrode current collector and / or an extended current collector, and if necessary, components as described above may be optionally further included.

The negative electrode current collector and / or the extended current collector are generally made to a thickness of 3 to 500 micrometers. The negative electrode current collector and / or the extended current collector is not particularly limited as long as it has conductivity without causing a chemical change in the battery. For example, copper, stainless steel, aluminum, nickel, titanium, calcined carbon, Surfaces made of carbon, nickel, titanium, silver, etc. on the surface of copper or stainless steel, aluminum-cadmium alloys, and the like can be used. In addition, like the positive electrode current collector, it is also possible to form fine irregularities on the surface to enhance the bonding force of the negative electrode active material, and may be used in various forms such as films, sheets, foils, nets, porous bodies, foams, and nonwoven fabrics.

Examples of the negative electrode active material include carbons such as non-graphitized carbon and graphite-based carbon; Li _x Fe ₂ O ₃ (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 1, Group 2, Group 3 elements of the periodic table, halogen, metal composite oxides such as 0 <x≤1;1≤y≤3;1≤z≤8); Lithium metal; Lithium alloys; Silicon-based alloys; Tin-based alloys; 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 ₂ O ₅ ; Conductive polymers such as polyacetylene; Li-Co-Ni based materials and the like can be used.

The separator is interposed between the anode and the cathode, and an insulating thin film having high ion permeability and mechanical strength is used. The pore diameter of the separator is generally 0.01 to 10 micrometers, and the thickness is generally 5 to 300 micrometers. Examples of the separation membrane include olefin-based polymers such as polypropylene having chemical resistance and hydrophobicity; Sheets or non-woven fabrics made of glass fiber or polyethylene are used. When a solid electrolyte such as a polymer is used as the electrolyte, the solid electrolyte may also serve as a separator.

The electrolyte solution may be a lithium salt-containing non-aqueous electrolyte solution, and is composed of a non-aqueous electrolyte solution and a lithium salt. A non-aqueous organic solvent, an organic solid electrolyte, an inorganic solid electrolyte, and the like are used as the non-aqueous electrolyte, but are not limited to these.

Examples of the non-aqueous organic solvent include N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone, propylene carbonate, ethylene carbonate, butylene carbonate, dimethyl carbonate, diethyl carbonate, and gamma. -Butyl lactone, 1,2-dimethoxy ethane, tetrahydroxy franc, 2-methyl tetrahydrofuran, dimethyl sulfoxide, 1,3-dioxorun, formamide, dimethylformamide, dioxol , Acetonitrile, nitromethane, methyl formate, methyl acetate, phosphoric acid triester, trimethoxy methane, dioxorun derivative, sulfolane, methyl sulfolane, 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone, propylene carbohydrate Aprotic organic solvents such as nate derivatives, tetrahydrofuran derivatives, ethers, methyl pyropionate and ethyl propionate can be used.

Examples of the organic solid electrolyte include polyethylene derivatives, polyethylene oxide derivatives, polypropylene oxide derivatives, phosphate ester polymers, poly agitation lysine, polyester sulfide, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylidene fluoride, Polymers including ionic dissociative groups and the like can be used.

The inorganic solid electrolyte is, for example, Li ₃ N, LiI, Li ₅ NI ₂ , Li ₃ N-LiI-LiOH, LiSiO ₄ , LiSiO ₄ -LiI-LiOH, Li ₂ SiS ₃ , Li ₄ SiO ₄ , Li ₄ nitrides such as Li ₄ SiO ₄ -LiI-LiOH, Li ₃ PO ₄ -Li ₂ S-SiS ₂ , halides, sulfates, and the like can be used.

The lithium salt is a material that is soluble in the non-aqueous electrolyte, for example, LiCl, LiBr, LiI, LiClO ₄ , LiBF ₄ , LiB ₁₀ Cl ₁₀ , LiPF ₆ , LiCF ₃ SO ₃ , LiCF ₃ CO ₂ , LiAsF _{6, LiSbF 6, LiAlCl 4,} CH 3 SO 3 Li, CF 3 SO 3 Li, (CF 3 SO 2) 2 NLi, chloroborane lithium, lower aliphatic carboxylic acid lithium, lithium tetraphenyl borate and imide have.

In addition, the non-aqueous electrolyte solution has the purpose of improving charge / discharge characteristics, flame retardancy, etc., for example, pyridine, triethylphosphite, triethanolamine, cyclic ether, ethylene diamine, n-glyme, hexaphosphate triamide, Nitrobenzene derivatives, sulfur, quinone imine dye, N-substituted oxazolidinone, N, N-substituted imidazolidine, ethylene glycol dialkyl ether, ammonium salt, pyrrole, 2-methoxy ethanol, aluminum trichloride, etc. may be added. have. In some cases, in order to impart non-flammability, a halogen-containing solvent such as carbon tetrachloride or ethylene trifluoride may be further included, or carbon dioxide gas may be further included to improve high temperature storage characteristics, and FEC (Fluoro-Ethylene) Carbonate), PRS (Propene sultone), and the like may be further included.

In one specific example, lithium salts such as LiPF ₆ , LiClO ₄ , LiBF ₄ , and LiN (SO ₂ CF ₃ ) ₂ are formed of a cyclic carbonate of EC or PC as a highly dielectric solvent and DEC, DMC or EMC of a low viscosity solvent. A lithium salt-containing non-aqueous electrolyte may be prepared by adding it to a mixed solvent of linear carbonate.

As described above, in the manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention, the electrode is fixed in place by the gripper in the step before the electrode is put into the junction, and at the same time, the guide roller transports the electrode aligned in the same position to the junction. Therefore, it is made of a structure capable of preventing undesired defects such as electrode misalignment and step difference.

1 is a schematic view of a manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;
2 is a schematic view of a guide unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;
3 to 4 are schematic diagrams showing the process of transferring the electrode through the guide portion.

Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings according to an embodiment of the present invention, it is for easier understanding of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto.

1 schematically shows a manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the manufacturing apparatus 100 includes a support roller, a supply unit 111, 112, 113, and 114, a bonding unit 130, a guide unit 200, a cutting unit 121, 122, 123, and a lamination unit 150, and a processing unit 160.

The support roller 140 supports the lower ends of the electrodes 21, 22, the separators 11, 12, and the unit cell 10 in the first half of the manufacturing apparatus 100, and rotates to transfer them in one direction to be.

In such a manufacturing apparatus 100, the bonding unit 130 by bonding the electrodes (21, 22) and the separators (11, 12) with heat and pressure, the electrodes (21, 22) and the separators (11, 12) As a device for completing the stacked structure of, it is a device that substantially manufactures an electrode, a separator, an electrode, and a unit cell 10 having a separator structure.

The supply unit is a device that supplies electrodes and a separator to the junction 130, and includes a first supply unit 111, a second supply unit 112, a third supply unit 113, and a fourth supply unit 114.

First, the first supply unit 111 is a device in which the first electrode fabric 1 in the form of a sheet is wound, and is a device that unwinds the first electrode fabric 1 in the direction of the bonding unit 130, and the second supply unit 112 is This is a device in which the second electrode fabric 2 in the form of a sheet is wound, and the second electrode fabric 2 is unwound in the direction of the junction 130.

In addition, the third supply unit 113 is wound around the first separator fabric 11 in the form of a sheet, and the first separator fabric 11 between the first and second supply units 111 and 112 is joined to the bonding unit 130. It is a device for unwinding in the direction, and the fourth supply unit 114 is wound with a second separator fabric 12 in the form of a sheet, and the second separator fabric 12 is connected to the bonding unit 130 from the bottom of the second supply unit 112. It is a device to unwind.

In this way, the sheet-shaped electrode fabrics 1 and 2 and the separator fabrics 11 and 12 may be cut to a desired size in the above-described cutting portions 121, 122, and 123, and such cutting portions 121 and 122 , 123) is subdivided into a first cutting unit 121, a second cutting unit 122, and a third cutting unit 123 to enable independent cutting of the electrode and the separator.

First, the first cutting unit 121 is disposed between the first supply unit 111 and the guide unit 200, and cuts the first electrode fabric 1 to a predetermined size to manufacture the first electrode 21 do.

The second cutting unit 122 cuts the second electrode fabric 2 into a predetermined size between the second supply unit 112 and the guide unit 200 to manufacture the second electrode 22.

In this state, the bonding part 130 is arranged in a state of vertically arranged in the order of the cut first electrode 21, the first separator fabric 11, the cut second electrode 22, and the second separator fabric 12. The input electrode and the separator fabric are bonded to each other.

Thereafter, the third cutting unit 123 is configured to cut the first separator fabric 11 and the second separator fabric 12 to a predetermined size from the bonded electrodes and separator fabrics. The third cutting unit 123 may simultaneously cut the first separator fabric 11 and the second separator fabric 12, and in some cases, may independently cut these separator fabrics.

When the first separator fabric 11 and the second separator fabric 12 are cut in the third cutting unit 123 as described above, one unit cell 10 is manufactured.

In the stacking unit 150, the manufactured unit cells 10 are sequentially received, and the unit cells 10 are stacked upward with respect to the ground to form an electrode assembly structure, and the processing unit 160 is the stacking unit 150 By receiving the electrode assembly in, and performing an insulation treatment on the electrode assembly, the electrode assembly that can be shipped is completed.

Meanwhile, the guide unit 200 is disposed between the bonding unit 130 and the supply unit, and is a device for guiding the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22 from the supply unit to the bonding unit 130, the first cutting unit The first supply unit 111 and the second supply unit 112, respectively, to induce each of the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22 cut by the 121 and the second cutting unit 122 to the bonding unit 130, respectively It is a pair of members adjacent to.

The specific structure of the guide unit 200 is illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4.

Referring to these drawings, the guide unit 200 includes a gripper 220 for fixing the electrode 21 in a state of being in close contact with the upper and lower surfaces of the electrode 21, and a junction 130 at a position adjacent to the gripper 220. It includes a guide roller 210 to move the electrode from the gripper 220 to the junction 130 while rotating in the axial direction. In addition, a support roller is disposed in a form facing each other with the guide roller 210, and in this structure, the electrode 21 is moved through the space between the guide roller 210 and the support roller. However, although not shown in the drawings, in some cases, it is also possible to transfer the electrode to the bonding unit 130 only with the guide roller 210 without a support roller.

The guide roller 210 is integrally formed with the rotating shaft 212 and the rotating shaft 212 that rotate in the direction of the joint 130, and a plurality of close contacts having a diameter of approximately 130% compared to the diameter of the rotating shaft 212 Rolls 214.

In a detailed structure, the rotation centers of the contact rolls 214 and the rotation center of the rotation axis 212 coincide with each other, and the contact rolls 214 are formed on the rotation axis 212, and the contact rolls It consists of a structure arranged on the rotating shaft 212 in a state where 214 is spaced at a predetermined distance.

Accordingly, the guide roller 210 is formed with a plurality of indentations 216 according to a difference in diameter between the rotating shaft 212 and the diameter of the contact rolls 214 spaced apart from each other.

In this structure, when the guide roller 210 moves the electrode, the electrode surface is closely adhered only to the contact rolls 214 except for the indentations 216, so that the average pressing force for the entire surface area of the electrode 21 is relatively low. On the other hand, while the pressure is concentrated only on the contact rolls 214 except for the indentations 216, the rotation of the rotating shaft 212, the electrode 21 can suppress the phenomenon of sliding from the guide roller 210 have.

The gripper 220 includes a first grip 220a in close contact with the upper surface of the electrode and a second grip 220b in close contact with the lower surface, and the electrode 21 is fixed in a fixed position therebetween.

Here, the fixed position generally means a state in which a tab predetermined portion or an electrode tab for forming an electrode tab is formed at one end of the electrode, and the direction of these tabs is perpendicular to a transport direction.

In this state, when the electrode reaches the guide roller 210, the second grip 220b and the fur 220 are lowered, so that the close contact of the second grip 220b to the electrode surface is released. In addition, the gripper 220 is positioned to be as close as possible to the gripper 220 to the guide roller 210 so that when the electrode passes through the space between the gripper 220 and the guide roller 210, micro-twisting phenomenon is prevented. In detail, the first grip 220a is in contact with the guide roller 210.

In some cases, the first grip 220a may be spaced apart from the guide roller 210 at a distance within 1 mm so that wear of the guide roller 210 against the first grip 220a is prevented.

As such, the gripper 220 and the guide roll are positioned close to each other, so that the direction of the electrode 21 in the fixed state to the gripper 220 is easily maintained by the guide roller 210, and specifically, once the electrode is guided. When the roller 210 is reached, a tension is formed while the electrode 21 is pressed by the guide roller 210. In this state, the position and direction of the electrode are fixed by the guide roller 210, so that the gripper 220 The fixed state is released, and smooth movement of the electrode 21 is possible.

As described above, the manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the present invention, the electrode is fixed in place by the gripper 220 in the step before the electrode is put into the junction 130, and at the same time, aligned to the right position Since the guide roller 210 can transfer the electrode to the bonding portion 130, it has a structure capable of preventing undesired defects such as electrode misalignment and step difference.

Those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains will be able to perform various applications and modifications within the scope of the present invention based on the above.

Claims (19)

A device for manufacturing an electrode assembly for a secondary battery,
A junction for manufacturing unit cells by bonding the electrodes and the separator with heat and pressure;
A supply unit supplying electrodes and a separator to the junction; And
A guide portion disposed between the junction portion and the supply portion and guiding an electrode from the supply portion to the junction portion;
It contains,
The guide portion includes a gripper for fixing the electrode in a state of being in close contact with the upper and lower surfaces of the electrode, and a guide roller for moving the electrode from the gripper to the joint while axially rotating in the direction of the joint at a position adjacent to the gripper,
The gripper includes a first grip in close contact with the top surface of the electrode and a second grip in close contact with the bottom surface. When the electrode reaches the guide roller, the first grip or the second grip of the electrode surface is released,
The first grip is in contact with the guide roller or adjacent to the guide roller at a distance within 1 mm, so that the direction of the electrode in a state fixed to the gripper can be maintained on the guide roller,
The guide roller,
A rotation axis rotating in the direction of the joint; And
It is formed integrally with the rotating shaft, and includes a plurality of contact rolls having a diameter of 110% to 150% with respect to the diameter of the rotating shaft, so as to have a relatively large radius of rotation compared to the rotating shaft,
The contact rolls are made of a structure arranged on a rotation axis spaced apart by a predetermined distance, and the contact rolls are spaced apart from each other, characterized in that indentations are formed according to the difference between the rotation axis and the diameter. Manufacturing device. delete delete delete delete The manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the guide roller moves the electrode, an average pressing force with respect to the entire electrode surface area is relatively low while the electrode surface is adhered only to the contact rolls excluding the indentations. The manufacturing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the guide roller suppresses a phenomenon in which the electrode slips from the guide roller when the rotating shaft rotates, while pressure is concentrated only on the contact rolls excluding the indentations. The manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the distances between the contact rolls are spaced apart from each other by 1% to 10% of the width of the electrode passing through the guide roller. The manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rotation centers of the contact rolls and the rotation center of the rotation axis coincide with each other, and contact rolls are formed on the rotation axis. The manufacturing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the manufacturing apparatus further comprises a plurality of support rollers disposed in a form of supporting electrodes at least one lower end selected from a supply unit, a bonding unit, and a guide roller, wherein the support rollers are guide rollers. Manufacturing apparatus characterized in that it rotates in the opposite direction. According to claim 1, The supply unit,
A sheet-shaped first electrode fabric is wound, a first supply unit for unwinding the first electrode fabric in the direction of the junction;
A second supplying unit in which the sheet-shaped second electrode fabric is wound, and the second electrode fabric is unwound in the direction of the joint;
A third supply unit in which a sheet-shaped first separator fabric is wound, and the first separator fabric is unwound in the direction of a joint between the first and second supply units; And
A fourth supplying unit in which a sheet-shaped second separator fabric is wound, and a second separator fabric is unwound from the bottom of the second supplying unit in the direction of the bonding portion;
Manufacturing apparatus comprising a. The method of claim 11, wherein the manufacturing apparatus,
A first cutting unit for manufacturing a first electrode by cutting a first electrode fabric into a predetermined size between the first supply unit and the guide unit; And
A second cutting unit for manufacturing a second electrode by cutting a second electrode fabric into a predetermined size between the second supply unit and the guide unit;
Including,
The bonding unit, the first electrode, the first separator fabric, the second electrode and the second separator fabric manufacturing apparatus, characterized in that the electrode input and the separator fabric in a vertically arranged state in order to mutually bond. The manufacturing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the gripper of the guide part fixes the cut first electrode and / or the second electrode. The method of claim 12, wherein the bonding unit is the first electrode, the first separator fabric, the second electrode and the second separator fabric in the state of the upper and lower bonding, cutting the first membrane fabric and the second membrane fabric in unit cell units 3 A manufacturing apparatus comprising a cutting portion. According to claim 1, The manufacturing apparatus,
A stacking unit that sequentially receives the unit cells manufactured at the junction and stacks the unit cells upward with respect to the ground to form an electrode assembly structure; And
A processing unit that receives the electrode assembly from the stacked portion and performs an insulation treatment on a plain portion of the electrode assembly;
Manufacturing apparatus further comprising a. 16. The manufacturing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the insulating treatment is performed by applying an insulating tape to a plain region or applying an insulating liquid to the plain region and solidifying or curing the adhesive. delete delete delete

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