KR102182307B1 - Device for Manufacturing Electrode Comprising Pattern Zig and Scrap Outlet Portion - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a transfer unit for continuously transferring a first electrode sheet to which an electrode active material is coated on a sheet-shaped current collector to notch and cut; A laser irradiation unit for notching and cutting the first electrode sheet by irradiating a laser to the first electrode sheet to manufacture a second electrode sheet having electrode tabs formed thereon; A pattern jig with the first electrode sheet interposed therebetween, positioned at a portion opposite to the laser irradiation unit, and having a through-structure focal support hole through which the notched and cut laser passes through the first electrode sheet; And a hole structure that is located at the rear of the pattern jig based on the transport direction of the first electrode sheet, and separates and discharges scrap generated by the formation of the electrode tab in the process of notching and cutting the first electrode sheet. And a scrap discharge unit, wherein the focal support hole of the pattern jig adsorbs an outer peripheral portion of the first electrode sheet on which the electrode tab is formed by irradiation of a laser by vacuum suction Provides a manufacturing device.

Description

{Device for Manufacturing Electrode Comprising Pattern Zig and Scrap Outlet Portion}

The present invention relates to an electrode manufacturing apparatus including a pattern jig and a scrap discharge unit.

In recent years, interest in environmental pollution and rising prices of energy sources due to depletion of fossil fuels are amplified, and the demand for eco-friendly alternative energy sources is becoming an indispensable factor for future life. Accordingly, research on various power generation technologies such as nuclear power, solar power, wind power, and tidal power is continuing, and power storage devices for more efficient use of the energy produced in this way are also receiving great interest.

In particular, as technology development and demand for mobile devices increase, the demand for batteries as an energy source is rapidly increasing, and accordingly, many studies on batteries that can meet various demands have been conducted.

Typically, in terms of the shape of the battery, there is a high demand for prismatic secondary batteries and pouch-type secondary batteries that can be applied to products such as mobile phones with a thin thickness. There is high demand for lithium secondary batteries such as lithium ion batteries and lithium ion polymer batteries.

In addition, secondary batteries are classified according to the structure of an electrode assembly in which a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode are stacked. Typically, long sheet-shaped positive electrodes and negative electrodes are used. A jelly-roll type (wound type) electrode assembly wound with a separator interposed therebetween, a stacked (stacked) electrode assembly in which a plurality of anodes and cathodes cut into units of a predetermined size are sequentially stacked with a separator interposed therebetween In recent years, in order to solve the problems of the jelly-roll type electrode assembly and the stack type electrode assembly, as an electrode assembly having an advanced structure, which is a mixture of the jelly-roll type and the stack type, A stack/folding electrode assembly having a structure in which the unit cells stacked with the anode and the cathode interposed between the separator and the unit cells stacked on the separation film were sequentially wound up was developed.

In addition, secondary batteries are cylindrical and prismatic batteries in which an electrode assembly is built into a cylindrical or square metal can, and a pouch-type battery in which the electrode assembly is built into a pouch-shaped case of an aluminum laminate sheet, depending on the shape of the battery case. Classified.

In particular, in recent years, a pouch-type battery having a structure in which a stack-type or stack/folding-type electrode assembly is embedded in a pouch-type battery case of an aluminum laminate sheet has attracted a lot of attention due to low manufacturing cost, small weight, and easy shape transformation. And also its usage is gradually increasing.

In general, in such a secondary battery, an electrode mixture in which an electrode active material, a conductive agent, and a binder is mixed is applied on an electrode current collector, followed by drying, to prepare an electrode, and after stacking the prepared electrode together with a separator, an electrolyte solution It is completed by embedding and sealing the battery case together.

At this time, the electrode is manufactured by notching the electrode sheet prepared by coating an electrode active material on an electrode current collector having a long sheet shape, and then cutting it to a desired length.

In general, the notching process is performed by a jig or a roller including a cutting portion of formation corresponding to the electrode, and recently, by irradiating a predetermined laser on the electrode sheet so that the electrode can be formed with more precise dimensions, such It may also perform a notching process.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a partially enlarged structure of a conventional electrode manufacturing apparatus using a laser, and FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a vertical cross-sectional structure of a portion “A” of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 together, the electrode manufacturing apparatus 100 includes a transfer unit 110, a laser irradiation unit 140, and a focus holding jig 130.

The electrode sheet 120 is continuously transferred in one direction by rotation of the rollers 111 and 112 constituting the transfer unit 110.

The laser irradiation unit 140 continuously irradiates the laser 141 at the boundary between the active material applying unit 121 and the active material uncoated unit 122 of the electrode sheet 120 to form an electrode tab by notching and cutting.

The focus holding jig 130 adsorbs the active material non-applied part 122 of the electrode sheet 120 by vacuum suction 131, so that the active material non-applied part 122 of the electrode sheet 120 is irradiated with the laser 141. ) To maintain the focus 142 of the laser 141.

At this time, according to the formation of the electrode tab, a part of the uncoated portion 122 of the electrode sheet 120 is separated from the electrode sheet 120 to form the scrap 123.

However, since the scrap 123 is separated from the electrode sheet 120, the flow in the vertical direction occurs even with a finer stimulus, and accordingly, the focal point 142 on the uncoated portion 122 of the active material irradiated with the laser 140 ) Is changed.

Therefore, due to the change of the focal point 142, the laser 141 may be irradiated to an undesired portion of the electrode sheet 120, and accordingly, in notching the electrode sheet 120, the dimension is changed. A problem arises.

In addition, since the focus holding jig 130 maintains an adsorption state to the non-active material portion 122 during the continuous transfer of the electrode sheet 120, the focus is maintained with the active material non-applied portion 122 of the electrode sheet 120 Continuous friction occurs in the facing portion of the jig 130, and accordingly, the focus holding jig 130 may be worn, and if the wear of the focus holding jig 130 continues, the focus of the laser 141 (142) Dimensional defects caused by the change are bound to worsen.

Moreover, due to the wear of the focus jig 130, the life of the electrode manufacturing apparatus 100 gradually decreases, and due to a maintenance process such as replacement of parts required for this, manpower, time, and There is a problem that the cost increases.

Therefore, there is a high need for a technology that can fundamentally solve this problem.

An object of the present invention is to solve the problems of the prior art and technical problems that have been requested from the past.

The inventors of the present application have conducted in-depth research and various experiments, and as will be described later, the electrode manufacturing apparatus is configured to include a scrap discharge unit that separates and discharges the scrap generated by the formation of the electrode tab. It is possible to more effectively prevent the change of the laser focus due to the flow and the resulting defective dimension of the electrode, and prevent the jig wear due to excessive adsorption and friction between the jig and the electrode sheet, resulting in product defects and manufacturing costs. It has been confirmed that the increase in can be effectively prevented, and the present invention has been completed.

The electrode manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention for achieving this object,

A transfer unit for continuously transferring the first electrode sheet to which the electrode active material is applied on the sheet-shaped current collector to notch and cut;

A laser irradiation unit for notching and cutting the first electrode sheet by irradiating a laser to the first electrode sheet to manufacture a second electrode sheet having electrode tabs formed thereon;

A pattern jig with the first electrode sheet interposed therebetween, positioned at a portion opposite to the laser irradiation unit, and having a through-structure focal support hole through which the notched and cut laser passes through the first electrode sheet; And

Scrap consisting of a hole structure that is located at the rear of the pattern jig based on the transport direction of the first electrode sheet, and separates and discharges the scrap generated by the formation of the electrode tab in the process of notching and cutting the first electrode sheet Discharge part;

Contains,

The focal support hole of the pattern jig may have a structure in which the outer peripheral portion of the first electrode sheet on which the electrode tab is formed by irradiation of a laser is sucked by vacuum suction.

Therefore, it is possible to more effectively prevent the change of the laser focus due to the flow of the scrap and the resulting defective dimension of the electrode.

At this time, in the process of separately discharging the scrap through the scrap discharge unit, the scrap is discharged by a separately applied tension such as wound by a roller or suction by vacuum suction so as to eliminate or minimize the flow of the scrap. It can be discharged in close contact with the part.

Therefore, adsorption by vacuum suction applied from the focal support hole of the pattern jig may be performed weaker than that of a conventional electrode manufacturing apparatus, and accordingly, excessive adsorption and friction between the pattern jig and the first electrode sheet It is possible to relatively reduce the wear of the pattern jig caused by, and it is possible to more effectively prevent product defects and an increase in manufacturing cost due to excessive wear of the pattern jig.

In one specific example, the first electrode sheet includes an active material application portion to which an electrode active material is applied, and an active material uncoated portion to which an electrode active material is not applied at the outer periphery of the first electrode sheet adjacent to the active material application portion. It can be a structure.

Accordingly, the electrode tab may be integrally formed with the electrode on which the active material is applied by laser irradiation on the uncoated portion of the first electrode sheet.

In addition, the scrap is separated from the first electrode sheet in the process of forming an electrode tab by continuously irradiating a laser to the boundary portion of the active material coated portion and the uncoated portion of the first electrode sheet and the outer peripheral portion of the active material uncoated portion. Can be formed.

That is, the scrap is separated from the first electrode sheet in the process of forming the electrode tab, and by being separated and discharged separately from the second electrode sheet by the scrap discharge unit, interference with the second electrode sheet can be effectively prevented, Damage that may occur to the second electrode sheet due to the interference can be prevented.

Meanwhile, the pattern jig may have a detachable structure capable of being separated and coupled so that it can be replaced according to the size or process condition of the first electrode sheet.

More specifically, the electrode manufacturing apparatus may manufacture an electrode using various first electrode sheets according to conditions such as a desired electrode size and thickness, and accordingly, the laser irradiated to the first electrode sheet also, Conditions such as intensity can be changed.

At this time, the pattern jig is made of a detachable structure capable of being separated and coupled, and thus may be more easily replaced according to process conditions such as the size of the first electrode sheet or the intensity of the laser.

In one specific example, the pattern jig and the scrap discharge unit has a structure that is rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the traveling direction of the first electrode sheet,

A cleaning unit for cleaning the focus support hole may be additionally positioned at a portion facing the first electrode sheet with the pattern jig and the scrap discharge unit as the center.

Specifically, the focal support hole of the pattern jig is formed of an adsorption structure by vacuum suction to the outer periphery of the first electrode sheet on which the electrode tab is formed by irradiation of a laser, and thus, the first electrode Scattering products generated in the process of irradiating the laser onto the sheet may be adsorbed into the focal support hole of the pattern jig.

Therefore, the pattern jig and scrap discharge unit is made of a rotatable structure, so that it can be more easily cleaned by a cleaning unit located at a portion opposite to the first electrode sheet, and thus, the pattern jig and scrap discharge unit are cleaned. By maintaining the state, it is possible to save the cost required for replacement and maintenance due to the aging of the pattern jig and the scrap discharging unit, and further effectively save the cost required for manufacturing the product.

At this time, as long as the cleaning unit is capable of maintaining a clean state by cleaning the pattern jig and the scrap discharge unit more easily, the structure or shape is not greatly limited, and in detail, a duster type composed of a plurality of fiber bundles. Can be made of.

In addition, the scrap discharge unit may have a structure in which the width between the outer peripheries of both sides parallel to the traveling direction of the first electrode sheet decreases continuously as it goes from the outer periphery adjacent to the pattern jig to the opposite direction.

As described above, since the scrap discharge unit has a hole structure, it may separately separate and discharge the scrap separated from the first electrode sheet.

In this case, if the width of the scrap discharge portion is not reduced, damage to the second electrode sheet that may occur when the outer periphery of the scrap contacts the outer periphery of the second electrode sheet adjacent thereto can be more easily prevented.

At this time, the scrap discharging unit is adjacent to the active material applying unit of the first electrode sheet among the outer peripheries of both sides parallel to the traveling direction of the first electrode sheet so as to more effectively prevent contact of the scrap with the second electrode sheet. The periphery may have an inclined structure inclined toward the outer periphery opposite to this.

In addition, the scrap may be discharged in close contact with the scrap discharge part by being adsorbed by vacuum suction to eliminate or minimize the flow of the scrap in the process of being separated and discharged through the scrap discharge part. In this case The electrode tab portion formed on the second electrode sheet may be bent due to the vacuum.

Accordingly, the scrap discharge unit has an inclined structure in which the outer periphery adjacent to the active material application portion of the first electrode sheet is inclined toward the outer periphery thereof, and thus the electrode tab is bent due to the vacuum suction and the product is defective Can be prevented more easily.

Meanwhile, the length of the scrap discharge part corresponding to the traveling direction of the first electrode sheet may be 10% to 90% of the outer peripheral length of the corresponding electrode tab.

More specifically, the scrap separated from the first electrode sheet may have a thinner width in the area separated from the area where the electrode tab is formed.

Accordingly, the portion separated from the portion where the electrode tab is formed has a structure that is thinner than the width of the scrap discharge portion having a groove structure, and has a problem in that it can flow more easily during the discharge process compared to other portions.

Accordingly, the length of the scrap discharging portion corresponding to the traveling direction of the first electrode sheet is a shorter structure with respect to the outer circumferential length of the corresponding electrode tab, and in detail, has a size of 10% to 90%. , It is possible to more effectively prevent damage to the second electrode sheet due to the flow of scrap in the scrap discharge part.

However, in the case where the length of the scrap discharge part is too small outside the above range, in the process of separating and discharging the scrap through the scrap discharge part, a part of the scrap is gradually decreased in the outer peripheral part of the scrap discharge part. Due to interference, it may not be easy to separate and discharge the scrap.

In one specific example, a spatter formed by cooling and fusion of the molten scrap area by a laser between a scrap discharge part adjacent to the active material application part of the first electrode sheet and a corner of the focus support hole of the pattern jig. ) May be a structure connected by a slit made of a through structure so that a space for positioning may be secured.

More specifically, the scrap may be formed by being separated from the first electrode sheet by laser irradiation on the first electrode sheet.

In this case, the scrap may be melted by the laser at an outer periphery portion adjacent to the active material application portion of the first electrode sheet, and as a portion adjacent to the position where the laser is irradiated in the process of cooling the molten portion from the scrap, Spatter can be formed by fusion bonding between the scrap discharge part and the edge of the focal support hole of the pattern jig.

However, these spatters accumulate and gradually have a thicker thickness as the process progresses, whereas the outer peripheral portion of the scrap discharge portion corresponding to the portion where the spatter is formed is inclined toward the outer peripheral direction opposite to the spatter, Since the width is made of a structure that continuously decreases, this may hinder the discharge of the scrap.

Accordingly, the scrap discharge portion adjacent to the active material application portion of the first electrode sheet and the edge of the focal support hole of the pattern jig are connected by a slit having a through structure, thereby providing a space in which the spatter can be formed. Accordingly, the scrap can be discharged more easily, and defects in scrap discharge, which may occur due to the formation of the spatter, and delays in the process and product defects can be effectively prevented.

In this case, the width of the slit may be 1% to 30% of the width of the scrap discharge portion corresponding thereto.

If the width of the slit is less than 1% of the width of the corresponding scrap discharge unit, the width may be too narrow to provide a sufficient space for the spatter to be located.

On the contrary, when the width of the slit is formed to a size exceeding 30% of the width of the corresponding scrap discharge unit, the width is too wide, rather, due to this, the flow of the scrap may be more easily. Due to the contact between the scrap and the second electrode sheet, there is a problem in that the second electrode sheet may be damaged.

The present invention also provides a battery cell manufacturing apparatus including the electrode manufacturing apparatus, a battery cell manufactured using the battery cell manufacturing apparatus, and a battery pack including one or more of the battery cells. Since a specific structure is known in the art, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, the electrode manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention is configured to include a scrap discharge unit that separates and discharges the scrap generated by the formation of the electrode tab, thereby changing the laser focus according to the flow of the scrap and thereby the electrode It is possible to more effectively prevent dimensional defects of the jig, prevent wear of the jig due to excessive adsorption and friction between the jig and the electrode sheet, and effectively prevent product defects and an increase in manufacturing cost due to this.

1 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing the structure of a conventional electrode manufacturing apparatus using a laser;
2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a vertical cross-sectional structure of a portion "A" of FIG. 1;
3 is a schematic diagram schematically showing the structure of an electrode manufacturing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing a structure of a pattern jig and a scrap discharge part constituting the electrode manufacturing apparatus of FIG. 3.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings according to an embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto.

3 is a schematic diagram schematically showing the structure of an electrode manufacturing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the electrode manufacturing apparatus 300 includes a transfer unit 310, a laser irradiation unit 320, a pattern jig 330, a cleaning unit 340, and a scrap discharge unit 350.

The transfer unit 310 is composed of two rollers 311 and 312 located on the upper and lower surfaces of the electrode sheet 301, and the electrode sheet 301 is transferred in one direction by rotation of the rollers 311 and 312 (301a) becomes.

The laser irradiation unit 320 is located above the electrode sheet 301 and is notched and cut to form an electrode tab on the electrode sheet 301 by irradiating the laser 321.

The pattern jig 330 is located at the bottom opposite to the laser irradiation unit 320 with the electrode sheet 301 interposed therebetween, and supports the focus of the through structure through which the laser 321 notched and cut the electrode sheet 301 passes. Dragon hole 331 is perforated.

The focus support hole 331 is configured to adsorb the outer peripheral portion of the electrode sheet 301 by vacuum suction 332.

The scrap discharge unit 350 is located behind the pattern jig 330 and has an inclined hole structure.

Accordingly, the scrap 302 generated in the process of notching and cutting the electrode sheet 301 can be easily separated and discharged separately.

Under the pattern jig 330 and the scrap discharge unit 350, a cleaning unit 340 formed in the form of a duster composed of a plurality of fiber bundles is located.

The pattern jig 330 and the scrap discharge unit 350 are made of a structure that can be rotated together, so that the upper surface can be moved by rotation to the lower surface opposite thereto, and the cleaning unit 340 is transferred to the electrode sheet 301 (301a). By moving in the front-rear direction based on the) direction, the focal support hole 331 and the scrap discharge part 350 of the pattern jig 330 can be easily cleaned.

4 is a perspective view showing a partially enlarged structure of a pattern jig and a scrap discharge unit constituting the electrode manufacturing apparatus of FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 4, the scrap discharge unit 350 has an outer periphery 351 adjacent to the active material application portion of the electrode sheet facing the outer periphery so that the width of the scrap discharge unit 350 continuously decreases toward the conveying 301a of the electrode sheet. It consists of an inclined structure inclined in the (352) direction.

Therefore, in the process of discharging the scrap 302 separately through the scrap discharge unit 350, even if it is adsorbed by vacuum suction, so as to eliminate or minimize the flow of the scrap 302, the electrode due to the vacuum suction It is possible to more easily prevent the bending of the tab 303 or a defect of the product due to this.

The scrap discharge part 350 adjacent to the active material application part of the electrode sheet and the edge of the focal support hole 331 of the pattern jig 330 are connected by a slit 360 having a through structure.

Therefore, a space for the spatter formed by cooling and fusion of the molten scrap 302 part by the laser can be secured, and thus, the discharge of the scrap 302 which may be caused by the formation of spatter is defective. And it is possible to effectively prevent delays in the process and product defects.

Those of ordinary skill in the field to which the present invention belongs will be able to make various applications and modifications within the scope of the present invention based on the above contents.

Claims (14)

A transfer unit for continuously transferring the first electrode sheet to which the electrode active material is applied on the sheet-shaped current collector to notch and cut;
A laser irradiation unit for notching and cutting the first electrode sheet by irradiating a laser to the first electrode sheet to manufacture a second electrode sheet having electrode tabs formed thereon;
A pattern jig with the first electrode sheet interposed therebetween, positioned at a portion opposite to the laser irradiation unit, and having a through-structure focal support hole through which the notched and cut laser passes through the first electrode sheet; And
Scrap consisting of a hole structure that is located at the rear of the pattern jig based on the transport direction of the first electrode sheet, and separates and discharges the scrap generated by the formation of the electrode tab in the process of notching and cutting the first electrode sheet Discharge part;
Contains,
The focus support hole of the pattern jig adsorbs a portion of the outer periphery of the first electrode sheet on which the electrode tab is formed by irradiation of a laser by vacuum suction,
A space for a spatter formed by cooling and fusion of the molten scrap by laser between the scrap discharge part adjacent to the active material application part of the first electrode sheet and the edge of the focal support hole of the pattern jig Electrode manufacturing apparatus, characterized in that connected by a slit made of a through structure so that this can be secured. The method of claim 1, wherein the first electrode sheet includes an active material application part to which an electrode active material is applied, and an active material non-coated part to which an electrode active material is not applied at an outer periphery of the first electrode sheet adjacent to the active material application part. Electrode manufacturing apparatus, characterized in that. The method of claim 1, wherein the scrap is in the process of forming an electrode tab by continuously irradiating a laser to a boundary portion of the active material coated portion and the non-active material applied portion of the first electrode sheet and an outer peripheral portion of the active material non-coated portion. Electrode manufacturing apparatus, characterized in that formed separately from the sheet. The electrode manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pattern jig has a detachable structure capable of being separated and coupled so that it can be replaced according to a size or process condition of the first electrode sheet. The method of claim 1, wherein the pattern jig and the scrap discharge unit are configured to be rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the traveling direction of the first electrode sheet,
An electrode manufacturing apparatus, characterized in that a cleaning unit for cleaning the focus support hole is additionally positioned at a portion facing the first electrode sheet with the pattern jig and the scrap discharge unit as the center. The electrode manufacturing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the cleaning unit is formed in the form of a duster composed of a plurality of fiber bundles. The method of claim 1, wherein the scrap discharging unit has a structure in which the width between the outer peripheries of both sides parallel to the traveling direction of the first electrode sheet continuously decreases as it goes from an outer periphery adjacent to the pattern jig to a direction opposite thereto. Electrode manufacturing apparatus characterized in that. The inclined structure of claim 7, wherein the scrap discharging unit has an outer periphery adjacent to the active material application portion of the first electrode sheet inclined in an outer periphery direction opposite to the outer periphery of both outer peripheries parallel to the traveling direction of the first electrode sheet. Electrode manufacturing apparatus, characterized in that consisting of. The electrode manufacturing of claim 7, wherein the length of the scrap discharge part corresponding to the traveling direction of the first electrode sheet is 10% to 90% of the outer peripheral length of the electrode tab corresponding thereto. Device. delete The electrode manufacturing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the slit has a width of 1% to 30% of the width of the corresponding scrap discharge unit. A battery cell manufacturing apparatus comprising the electrode manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1.
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