KR102191183B1 - Secondary battery manufacturing method - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of manufacturing a secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an electrode part notching step of cutting the edge of the electrode part into a designed shape; A process in which a plurality of electrode parts and a separator are sequentially stacked and introduced into a laminator to be compressed into a single body, and a process of cutting the electrode part and the compressed body of the separator drawn out from the laminator into a plurality of monocell matrixes. Electrode lamination step comprising; A separator cutting step of cutting a portion of the separator of the monocell parent along the edge of the electrode part to form a monocell corresponding to the designed electrode part shape; A monocell stacking step of stacking a plurality of monocells from which the separator is cut; A thermocompression bonding step of compressing a monocell laminate formed by stacking a plurality of monocells with heat and pressure; It may include a package step of wrapping the completed battery cell by thermal compression with a pouch.

Description

Secondary battery manufacturing method

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a secondary battery.

Unlike primary batteries that cannot be charged in general, rechargeable secondary batteries that can be charged and discharged are actively researching advanced fields such as digital cameras, mobile phones, and hybrid vehicles. Examples of secondary batteries include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-hydrogen batteries, and lithium secondary batteries.

Secondary batteries can be classified into a stack type structure, a wound type (jelly roll type) structure, and a folding type structure.

1 is a view showing a manufacturing process of a conventional folding-type secondary battery.

Referring to FIG. 1, in order to manufacture a folding-type secondary battery 1, bi-cells 3 and 4 having the same electrodes formed on both sides are arranged on a separator 2, and the separator ( 2) is rolled so that the plurality of bi-cells are stacked. The bi-cell includes a first type cell 3 stacked as an anode-separator-cathode-separator-anode, and a second type cell 4 stacked as a cathode-separator-anode-separator-cathode. And in order to manufacture the folding-type secondary battery 1, the first type cells 3 and the second type cells 4 are alternately disposed on the separator 2, and the separator 2 is rolled to form a first The type cell 3 and the second type cell 4 are alternately stacked.

In the case of such a folding type secondary battery, there are the following problems.

First, since the separator must be rolled up and stacked, there is a problem that only the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped secondary battery can be implemented. Recently, various types of electronic devices have been released, and accordingly, various geometric shapes are required for batteries. For example, a cell having a rounded shape (circular shape, oval shape, etc.) or stepped shape (stepped shape or L shape, etc.) has a disadvantage that it cannot be implemented with a folding method.

Second, in the case of a folding-type secondary battery, as the stacking height increases, the battery may be pushed to the side. That is, in order to make a large-capacity secondary battery, the stacking thickness must be thick and the longitudinal section must be maintained in a rectangle or square. However, during the folding process, the bicells may be pushed to the side and deformed into a parallelogram longitudinal section.

Third, according to the method of manufacturing a folding-type secondary battery, there is a disadvantage in that the electrode tabs disposed vertically are not correctly aligned and the degree of shift in the left and right direction increases.

<prior art>

KR2015-0025420A(March 10, 2015)

The present invention has been proposed to improve the above problems.

A method for manufacturing a secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object includes: notching an electrode portion of cutting the edge of the electrode portion into a designed shape; A process in which a plurality of electrode parts and a separator are sequentially stacked and introduced into a laminator to be compressed into a single body, and a process of cutting the electrode part and the compressed body of the separator drawn out from the laminator into a plurality of monocell matrixes. Electrode lamination step comprising; A separator cutting step of cutting a portion of the separator of the monocell parent along the edge of the electrode part to form a monocell corresponding to the designed electrode part shape; A monocell stacking step of stacking a plurality of monocells having a separation membrane cut; A thermocompression bonding step of compressing a monocell laminate formed by stacking a plurality of monocells with heat and pressure; It may include a package step of wrapping the completed battery cell by thermal compression with a pouch.

The separation membrane cutting step may include an alignment step of aligning the monocell matrix with a reference line in order to accurately cut the separation membrane along a cutting line.

The cutting line of the separator cut in the separator cutting step may include a curved line or a bent straight line.

The monocell stacking step is characterized in that monocells having different sizes or shapes are stacked.

The present invention is characterized in that the monocells of different sizes or shapes are stacked to form a shape in which the upper surface is stepped.

The thermocompression step includes a prepress step of compressing the monocell laminate at low heat and pressure, a main press step of compressing the monocell laminate with high heat and pressure after the prepress step, and a portion where no compression is applied after the main press step It may include a final press step of finally pressing.

The present invention may further include a tab welding step of welding the tabs of the battery cell, which has been subjected to thermal compression, into a single body.

According to the method of manufacturing a secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present invention, the following effects are obtained.

First, the method of manufacturing a secondary battery in a stacked manner has an advantage that it is possible to manufacture battery cells having various geometric shapes other than a rectangular parallelepiped. Accordingly, since it is possible to design a shape suitable for the design of an electric product in which the secondary battery is mounted, there is an advantage in that the design freedom of the battery cell is improved.

Second, for the production of large-capacity batteries, even if the stacking height (or thickness) of the cells is increased, there is an advantage that the phenomenon of being pushed sideways does not occur.

Third, there is an advantage in that the degree of shift in the left and right direction of the electrode tabs adjacent vertically is significantly reduced.

1 is a view showing a manufacturing process of a conventional folding-type secondary battery.
2 is a perspective view of a secondary battery cell according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a plan view of mono cells constituting the secondary battery cell.
4 is a flowchart illustrating the entire manufacturing process of a stacked secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a view showing an electrode notching process included in a method of manufacturing a secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a view showing an electrode lamination process included in a method of manufacturing a secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a plan view of a monocell that has passed through a separation membrane cutting process.
8 is a flowchart showing a separation membrane cutting process performed in the separation membrane cutting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
9 is an external perspective view of a separator cutting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
10 is an enlarged perspective view of a pickup part constituting a separator cutting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
11 is an enlarged perspective view of an alignment part and a separator cutting part constituting a separator cutting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
12 is an enlarged perspective view of a defect inspection unit constituting a separator cutting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
13 is an enlarged perspective view of a loading part constituting a separator cutting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
14 is a perspective view of a cell stacking and thermocompression bonding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
15 is a flowchart sequentially showing a lamination process performed in a cell lamination and a thermocompression bonding unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
16 to 18 are views showing the configuration of a cell stacking and thermocompression bonding apparatus in which a monocell stacking process is performed according to an embodiment of the present invention.
19 is a flowchart sequentially showing a thermocompression bonding process performed in a cell stacking and thermocompression bonding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
20 is an enlarged perspective view showing a pre-press unit and a main press unit constituting a cell stacking apparatus and a thermocompression bonding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 21 is an enlarged perspective view showing a device for introducing a monocell laminate into a press device.
22 is a perspective view of a press apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
23 is a bottom perspective view of a press upper constituting the press device.
24 is an enlarged perspective view showing a final press area of a cell lamination and thermocompression bonding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
25 is a diagram showing an inspection process of a secondary battery cell that has passed through a thermocompression bonding process.
26 is an enlarged perspective view of a loading portion constituting a cell stacking and thermal compression bonding unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, a method for manufacturing a secondary battery according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, particularly a method for manufacturing a stacked type secondary battery, and an apparatus used in the manufacturing method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

Hereinafter, the adsorption unit and the adsorption plate may be mixed and used, but it will be noted that the configuration and function are the same.

2 is a perspective view of a secondary battery cell according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a plan view of mono cells constituting the secondary battery cell.

2 and 3, a secondary battery cell 10 manufactured by a method for manufacturing a secondary battery according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes monocells 11, which are not the same in size and shape, as shown. 12, 13) are stacked. The secondary battery cell 10 shown in FIG. 2 is a state before being wrapped by a pouch.

In detail, the secondary battery cell 10 has a unique shape deviating from the conventional rectangular parallelepiped shape, and this shape is achieved by stacking a plurality of monocells 11, 12, 13 having a specific shape and then thermally compressing them. Can be implemented.

4 is a flowchart illustrating the entire manufacturing process of a stacked secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4, a method of manufacturing a secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an electrode notching (S10) step, an electrode lamination step (S20), a separator cutting step (S30), a monocell stacking step (S40), and a battery cell. It may include a thermal compression step (S50), a packaging (package) step (S60), and a degas (degas) step (S70).

From the electrode notching step (S10) to the battery cell thermocompression step (S50) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings below.

On the other hand, the battery cell in the state in which the thermocompression bonding process is completed passes to the packaging step (S60). In the packaging step, a tab welding step of welding a plurality of electrode tabs stacked in the vertical direction into a single body, a forming step of forming a pouch into a battery cell form, and a battery cell inside the formed pouch and covering It may include a cell assembly step of sealing the three edges and an electrolyte injection step of injecting an electrolyte through an open portion without sealing.

Since the packaging step is substantially the same as the method of manufacturing a conventional folding-type secondary battery, a more detailed description will be omitted. In the packaging step, there is only a difference in what type of battery cell enters the foamed receiving portion after pouch forming, and other manufacturing processes are applied to the packaging step applied to the folding-type manufacturing method and the manufacturing method according to the embodiment of the present invention. The applied packaging steps can be said to be the same.

In addition, in the degas step (S70), the step of activating the battery by charging and discharging the secondary battery product on which pouch sealing is completed, the degas step of discharging the gas generated in the battery activation step, and final compression after resealing. The steps are carried out. The degas step is also the same as the degas step applied to the folding-type secondary battery manufacturing method as in the packaging step, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Hereinafter, the equipment used for the separation membrane cutting process and the separation membrane cutting process, which can be a main feature of the method for manufacturing a secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present invention, and the cell stacking and thermocompression bonding process, and the equipment used therein will be described. Let's focus on the explanation.

5 is a view showing an electrode notching process included in a method of manufacturing a secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5, a method of manufacturing a secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an electrode notching (S10) step.

In detail, in the electrode notching step, the electrode material S provided by being wound in a roll shape with a predetermined width is supplied to the notching apparatus, thereby forming a tab portion of the electrode and a rounded portion of the corner. The electrode notching step is performed before the electrode part cutting step of separating each electrode part 100 when the electrode part is designed in a shape other than a rectangular shape. The electrode portion includes an anode electrode portion and a cathode electrode portion.

In addition, the electrode portion is formed into a shape corresponding to the final shape of the secondary battery cell, that is, a plan view shape of the secondary battery cell. In the case of the secondary battery cell shown in FIG. 2, the electrode portion is required to have an electrode portion shape in which one corner is rounded.

Accordingly, in the notching step, the edge of the electrode portion is cut to be rounded, and at the same time, a tab is formed at one edge.

In the notching step, the electrode material (S) supplied in the roll form is continuously supplied to the inside of the notching device, and in the notching device, the center part (B) of the electrode material supplied in the form of a rectangular sheet is cut to a predetermined width. While notching, only the tabs of the electrode part are left. At the same time, a notching operation is performed in which both side end portions B are cut along the design shape of the electrode portion as shown. Through this notching operation, one sheet of electrode material (S) can be divided into two rows of electrode portions. In the electrode lamination step to be described later, the portion indicated by the dotted line is cut by the cutter and divided into individual electrode portions. The electrode portions of the two rows become first and second electrode materials to be described below.

6 is a diagram illustrating an electrode lamination process included in a method of manufacturing a secondary battery according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

6, a first electrode material 101, a first separator material 102, a second electrode material 103, and a second separator material 104 supplied in a roll form are sequentially stacked. It is supplied to the laminators l1 and l2. The first electrode material 101 and the second electrode material 103 function as an anode and a cathode or a cathode and an anode, respectively, after cell fabrication.

In addition, the first and second electrode materials 101 and 103 supplied in the form of a roll are in a state in which the individual electrode units 100 are not separated and connected as one body while going through the notching step described in FIG. 5. In this state, before the first and second electrode materials 101 and 103 are introduced into the laminators L1 and L2, the dotted line portion indicated in FIG. 5 is cut by the cutter C1.

In addition, while passing through the laminators L1 and L2, the electrode portions and the separator are thermocompressed into a single body. In addition, the combination of the electrode part and the separator is cut by the cutter C3 at the outlet ends of the laminators L1 and L2. The cutter C3 is for cutting the first separation membrane 102 and the second separation membrane 104, and a plurality of monocell mother bodies 105 are completed through this cutting process. Here, the monocell matrix 105 may be defined as meaning a cell unit in a state before the separator is cut along the shape of the electrode part. And, after the separator is cut, it may be defined as a monocell.

The electrode lamination process is the same as disclosed in FIG. 6 of the prior art (KR2015-0025420A), except that the shape of the electrode material subjected to the notching step is different.

7 is a plan view of a monocell that has passed through a separation membrane cutting process.

Referring to FIG. 7, when the monocell matrix 105 passes through the separation membrane coating process according to an embodiment of the present invention, an unnecessary separation membrane portion h7 is cut, and one complete mono-cell 1112 ,13) is formed. In addition, the monocell 11 may be divided into a first monocell 11, a second monocell 12, and a third monocell 13, as shown in FIG. 3 according to the size. . In other words, monocells of various shapes and sizes may be formed according to the design shape of the secondary battery cell.

Hereinafter, a separator cutting apparatus and a cutting process for removing unnecessary portions of the separator will be described with reference to the drawings.

8 is a flowchart showing a separation membrane cutting process performed in the separation membrane cutting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 8, a plurality of monocell matrixes 105 manufactured by the laminator described in FIG. 6 are stacked in a loading box defined as a cassette. Each shape and size of the monocell matrix 105 is independently loaded in a separate cassette. Accordingly, the number of cassettes transferred to the separator cutting device may be plural.

In detail, in order to remove the unnecessary portions h7 formed on each of the monocell matrix 105, the step of picking up the monocell matrix loaded in the cassette transferred to the separation membrane cutting device (S31), the picked up monocell matrix A step of being photographed by a vision camera while being transferred (S32), the step of aligning the monocell matrix to a reference line for cutting the separator using the photographed image information (S33), an unnecessary separator portion of the aligned monocell matrix This cutting step (S34), the step of photographing by the vision camera while the monocell from which the unnecessary separator portion is cut is transferred (S35), good or defective products are classified based on the captured monocell image information, and defective The monocells are discarded (S36), and the monocells determined as good products are loaded into the cassette (S37). In addition, the cassette loaded with good monocells is transferred to a cell stacking and thermocompression device for manufacturing a secondary battery cell.

Hereinafter, a configuration and operation of a separator cutting apparatus in which the above processes are performed will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

9 is an external perspective view of a separator cutting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

9, the separation membrane cutting device 30 according to an embodiment of the present invention, a pickup unit (C) for picking up and transporting the monocell parent body formed through the lamination step, and is transferred from the pickup unit (C). An alignment unit (D) for photographing the on-monocell parent body and aligning it to the cutting position, a separation membrane cutting unit (E) for cutting the separation membrane portion of the monocell parent body transferred from the alignment unit (D), and the mono It can be broadly divided into a defect inspection unit (F) for inspecting whether a cell is defective, and a loading unit (G) for loading a monocell determined to be good.

Hereinafter, each unit described above will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

10 is an enlarged perspective view of a pickup part constituting a separator cutting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 10, the pickup part (C) of the separation membrane cutting apparatus 30 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of cassettes 301 in which monocell mothers passed through a lamination step are loaded, and the cassette 30 ), a pickup unit 31 for picking up the monocell parent body loaded in a sheet unit, and a transfer unit 32 for adsorbing the monocell parent body picked up by the pickup unit 31 and transferring it to the alignment unit D. Can include.

In detail, the cassette 301 may be determined according to the number of types of monocells to be manufactured. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, if three sizes of monocells are required to make one secondary battery cell, three cassettes 301 may be prepared. Accordingly, the number of cassettes 301 may be determined according to the number of types of monocells having different shapes and sizes.

Alternatively, if one of the various types of monocells is stacked relatively higher during the manufacturing process of the secondary battery than other types of monocells, the number of cassettes for loading the same type of monocell is Multiple dogs can be prepared. This means that the stacking height is relatively higher than that of monocells having different shapes or sizes, and it is obvious that a relatively large number of monocells will be used when manufacturing one battery cell. Therefore, in this case, it is advantageous to prepare a plurality of cassettes for loading monocells of the same type.

In addition, the pickup unit 31 includes a pickup body 311 for adsorbing a single monocell matrix loaded on the cassette 301, and one or more provided on the upper and lower surfaces of the pickup body 311, respectively. A plurality of adsorption units 312, a driving motor 314 rotating 180 degrees in the forward and reverse directions of the pickup body 311, and a rotation axis of the driving motor 314 and a side center of the pickup body 311 It may include a rotating shaft 313 to connect.

In detail, the pickup body 311 and the suction unit 312 may be defined as a pickup module. In addition, the pickup module is provided in a number corresponding to the number of the plurality of cassettes 301 and is positioned directly above each of the plurality of cassettes 301.

In addition, the drive motor 314 may be mounted on an elevating portion 302 mounted to be slidably mounted on a guide column 303 erected vertically. In addition, the driving motor 314 moves in a vertical direction along the guide pillar 303 together with the lifting unit 302 in a pickup process.

In addition, the plurality of pickup modules rotate as one body by the rotation shaft 313. That is, the rotation shaft 313 passes through the plurality of pickup modules, specifically the plurality of pickup bodies 311, so that the plurality of pickup modules rotate as one body.

In addition, one or a plurality of the adsorption units 312 are formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the pickup body 311 to adsorb the monocell matrix loaded on the cassette 301 one by one. When one adsorption part 312 is provided, the adsorption part 312 may be disposed at the center of the upper and lower surfaces of the pickup body 311. In addition, when two adsorption units 312 are provided, the pickup body 311 may be arranged in a line in a horizontal direction or a front-rear direction at the center of the upper and lower surfaces of the pickup body 311. In addition, when three or more adsorption units 312 are provided, the pickup body 311 may be disposed in a polygonal shape corresponding to the number of provided adsorption units, such as triangles and squares on the upper and lower surfaces of the pickup body 311. .

In addition, a vibration means for vibrating the suction unit 312 in the vertical direction may be provided inside the suction unit 312 or inside the pickup body 311. As an example, the adsorption unit 312 may be a cylindrical bellows in which a spring is wound in a spiral shape, and a vibrating means for expanding and contracting the spring at high speed is provided inside the pickup body 311. I can.

Meanwhile, the transfer unit 32 may include a transfer body 321 and an adsorption plate 322 provided on the transfer body 321. The transfer body 321 may move in a horizontal direction and move in a vertical direction by a guide rail or a guide column.

According to this structure, first, the lifting part 302 on which the drive motor 314 is mounted is lowered, and the suction part 312 located on the bottom of the pickup body 311 is loaded on the cassette 301. Adsorption of the top monocell parent among the monocell parents. Further, the vibration means operates for a short time while the adsorption unit 312 adsorbs the monocell parent body, so that the monocell parent body is shaken off at high speed. Then, two or more sheets of monocell mothers that were sticking to each other while being loaded are separated, thereby preventing multiple sheets of monocell mothers from being adsorbed and transferred at a time.

In a state in which two or more monocell mothers are separated by the operation of the vibration means and only one monocell mother is adsorbed to the adsorption unit 312, the drive motor 314 operates, and the pickup body 311 Is rotated 180 degrees in either clockwise or counterclockwise direction. Then, the adsorbed monocell parent body is positioned on the upper surface of the pickup body 311, and the suction unit 312 positioned on the upper surface is directed toward the cassette 301.

In this state, the transfer unit 32 descends toward the monocell parent body so that the suction plate 322 adsorbs the monocell parent body placed on the upper surface of the pickup body 311. Then, after the adsorption plate 322 adsorbs the monocell matrix, the transfer unit 32 rises to its original position. In addition, the transfer unit 32 moves in a horizontal direction while adsorbing the monocell parent body to move to the alignment unit D.

On the other hand, while the transfer unit 32 moves to the alignment portion D after ascending to its original position, the lifting portion 302 descends toward the cassette 301. In addition, the adsorption unit 312 rotated from the upper surface to the lower surface adsorbs a single monocell parent body. Of course, the vibration process is performed after adsorption. In addition, the drive motor 314 may rotate 180 degrees in a direction opposite to the direction rotated in the process of adsorbing the monocell parent body immediately before, so that the adsorbed monocell parent body is positioned on the upper surface of the pickup body 311. . This is because, when the driving motor 314 rotates in only one direction, the lead wire extending along the inside of the rotation shaft 313 may be twisted and damaged. Of course, if the twisting problem of the lead wire does not occur, it is possible to rotate the drive motor 314 only in one direction, and it has been found that rotation of the drive motor 314 by 180 degrees in one direction is included in the scope of the present invention. Put.

For reference, even if a driving means, a guide rail, and a guide column structure that enable horizontal and vertical movement of the transfer units described below are not separately described, the separation membrane cutting device guides the transfer of the transfer units. It will be described on the premise that the means is provided.

11 is an enlarged perspective view of an alignment unit and a separation membrane cutting unit constituting a separation membrane cutting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 11, the transfer unit 32 adsorbing the monocell matrix is transferred to the alignment unit D, and in order to accurately cut the separation membrane of the monocell matrix, the monocell matrix is accurately aligned at the cutting position. The alignment process to make it possible is performed.

As an example for aligning the monocell parent body, there may be mentioned a method in which a straight edge of the monocell parent body or a tab edge of the monocell parent body are accurately positioned on a reference line.

In detail, the alignment unit D may include a vision camera 33 and an alignment stand 34.

In addition, the separation membrane cutting unit (E) receives the cutting device 37, the supply unit 38 for adsorbing the monocell parent body required for cutting and introducing it to the cutting device 37, and the monocell having the separation membrane cut. It may include a transfer stand 35 to be transferred to the defect inspection unit (F).

Here, the alignment stand 34 and the transfer stand 35 may be mounted on a transfer means such as a stand mover 36 to move as one body. Alternatively, the alignment stand 34 and the transfer stand 35 may move independently of each other, but at the same time move in the same direction, thereby producing the same effect as moving in one body.

In more detail, the vision camera 33 constituting the alignment unit D is disposed between the pickup unit C and the alignment stand 34, and is transferred from the pickup unit C. Take an image of the cell. And, based on the captured image information, the control unit (not shown) extracts alignment information of the monocell.

In other words, by analyzing the photographed image information, how far is the position of the monocell parent body adsorbed by the transfer body 321 in the pickup unit C from the cutting position set in the cutting unit E? Can judge.

When the edge of the monocell or the edge of the tab is accurately aligned with the reference line, the separator can be cut along the designed cutting line. If the monocell parent body is not aligned in the correct position for cutting and is inserted into the cutting device, not only the part of the separator to be cut may be cut, but the electrode part may be cut. Can be cut.

In order to prevent this phenomenon, the vision camera 33 captures an image of the monocell parent body adsorbed on the bottom of the transfer body 321 of the transfer unit 32 and transmits the captured image to the controller.

Meanwhile, when an alignment value is calculated by the controller based on the photographed image of the monocell parent, the alignment information is transferred to the alignment stand 34 and the alignment stand 34 moves. Of course, after the transfer body 321 of the transfer unit 32 receives alignment information and aligns the monocell parent body, it may be possible to put the monocell down on the alignment stand 34.

The alignment stand 34 includes an alignment table 341 on which a monocell parent body transferred from the transfer unit 32 is seated, and the alignment table 341 to align the monocell parent body with a reference line. It may include an alignment driving unit 342 for driving. By the alignment driving unit 342, the alignment table 341 is, as shown, in the x-axis direction (the same direction as the movement direction of the alignment stand 34) and the x-axis direction on a horizontal plane. It can be horizontally moved in a direction perpendicular to the y-axis, and can be rotated by a predetermined angle θ about a vertical axis (which may be defined as a z-axis) perpendicular to the horizontal plane. That is, according to the alignment value calculated based on the image captured by the vision camera 33, the alignment table 341 can move horizontally in a straight line along the x-axis and y-axis and rotate by a set angle around the vertical axis. have.

According to this configuration, when the transfer unit 32 moves to the upper side of the alignment stand 34, the alignment table 341 is operated by the alignment driving unit 342. When the alignment of the alignment table 341 is completed, the transfer unit 32 lowers the monocell parent body on the alignment table 341 and returns to the pickup unit C. In addition, when the monocell parent body is placed on the alignment table 341, the alignment table 341 returns to the state before the alignment operation. Then, the monocell matrix is aligned to the correct cutting position, and in this state, the monocell matrix is transferred to the separator cutting unit E.

In addition, the cut-off monocell is placed on the transfer stand 35 located at the side of the alignment stand 34. In this state, the stand mover 36 is transferred in the x-axis direction, the alignment stand 34 is transferred to the separation membrane cutting unit E, and the transfer stand 35 is the defect inspection unit F Is transferred to.

On the other hand, on the alignment stand 34 that has been transferred to the separation membrane cutting unit E, the monocell that is accurately aligned in a position for cutting is placed. The transfer stands 35 may be provided in the same number as the alignment stands 34.

The supply unit 38 constituting the separation membrane cutting part E includes an adsorption plate 382 and a transfer body 381 for moving the adsorption plate 382 in horizontal and vertical directions.

In addition, the cutting device 37 may include a fixing part 371 and a cutting part 372, and the cutting part 372 descends to contact the fixing part 371 while the cutting knife is A punching machine for cutting unnecessary separation membranes may be included, but is not limited thereto. In addition, since a plurality of monocell mothers can be inserted into the cutting device 37 at a time, several monocells may be supplied to the cutting device 37 at a time.

In detail, while the alignment stand 34 has been transferred, the supply unit 38 moves directly above the alignment stand 34. Then, the adsorption plate 382 descends to adsorb the monocell parent body placed on the alignment table 341. Then, after the supply unit is raised while adsorbing the monocell parent body, it moves horizontally toward the cutting device 37. Here, while the monocell matrix is adsorbed by the suction plate 382 and the supply unit 38 is raised and horizontally moved, the stand mover 36 horizontally moves and returns to its original position. Then, the alignment stand 34 returns to the alignment unit D, and the transfer stand 35 returns to the separation membrane cutting unit E.

On the other hand, while the stand mover 36 is moving, the supply unit 38 supplies the monocell parent body to the cutting device 37 and moves horizontally and vertically again after cutting is finished. Here, the cutting process is performed in a state in which the monocell is adsorbed on the adsorption plate 382 of the supply unit 38.

However, it is not necessarily limited thereto, and when the monocell matrix is supplied to the cutting device 37, the monocell matrix may be separated from the adsorption plate 382 of the supply unit 38. In addition, the supply unit 38 is slightly removed from the back, and when the cutting process is completed, the supply unit 38 advances, and the monocell having the cut is again adsorbed to move toward the transfer stand 35. .

The portion of the separator cut by the cutting device may be a curved line or a curved line instead of a straight line.

The monocell on which the cutting process has been completed is transferred to the upper side of the transfer stand 35 by the supply unit 38 and then mounted on the transfer stand 35. In this state, the stand mover 36 moves again and sends the monocells that have been cut to the defect inspection unit F.

12 is an enlarged perspective view of a defect inspection unit constituting a separator cutting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 12, the defect inspection unit F may include a vision camera 39 and a discard box 41.

In detail, the monocell transferred to the defect inspection unit F while being placed on the transfer stand 35 is photographed by the vision camera 39 to determine whether there is a defect. The vision camera 39 is positioned at a height spaced a predetermined distance upward from the upper surface of the transfer stand 35 in order to photograph a monocell placed on the transfer stand 35.

In addition, it is determined whether or not the separation membrane of the monocell is accurately cut as designed based on the image information captured by the vision camera 39. Accordingly, the monocells on which the separation membrane cutting process is performed are divided into good and defective products while passing through the photographing area by the vision camera 39.

Meanwhile, a loading transfer part 40 is disposed between the defect inspection part F and the loading part G. The loading transfer part 40 may be defined as a component of the loading part G. The loading transfer unit 40 moves between the defect inspection unit F and the loading unit G and transfers the monocells for which the defect inspection has been completed. In addition, the loading transfer unit 40 may include a transfer body 401 and an adsorption unit 402, like other transfer units.

In detail, while the transfer stand 35 is moved to the defect inspection unit F, the loading transfer unit 40 is transferred to the upper side of the transfer stand 35. Then, the transfer body 401 descends, and the adsorption unit 402 adsorbs the monocell placed on the transfer stand 35.

When the monocell is adsorbed on the adsorption part 402, the transfer body 401 rises and then moves to the loading part G. In the process of the loading transfer part 40 being transferred to the loading part G, it passes through the upper space of the waste bin 41. In addition, the adsorption unit 402, which adsorbs the monocell determined to be defective among the plurality of adsorption units 40 constituting the loading transfer unit 40, has an adsorption force as it passes directly above the waste bin 41 Release. Then, the defective monocells fall to the waste bin 41, and only monocells determined as good products are transferred to the loading unit G.

13 is an enlarged perspective view of a loading portion constituting a separator cutting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Figure 13, the loading unit (G) constituting the separation membrane cutting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, one or a plurality of cassettes 42 in which monocells of good quality are loaded, and the loading transfer unit 40 And, it may include a loading unit 43 for loading the cassette 42 by taking over the good monocells that have been transferred by the loading transfer unit 40.

In detail, the loading unit 43 includes a drive motor 431 capable of forward and reverse rotation, a rotary plate 432 rotated by the drive motor 431, and suction units 433 provided on both surfaces of the rotary plate 432 ) Can be included.

In this embodiment, it is suggested that the plurality of loading units 43 each have a drive motor and are driven independently of each other, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the loading unit 43 is a pickup unit of the pickup unit C. The same configuration as (31) could be achieved. In addition, the loading unit 43 may operate in the same manner as the pickup unit 31.

In other words, the loading transfer part 40 descends so that the bottom surface of the monocell adsorbed on the adsorption part 402 contacts the adsorption part 433 formed on the upper surface of the rotating plate 432 of the loading unit 43. do. In this state, the adsorption force of the adsorption unit 402 is released and the adsorption force acts on the adsorption unit 433 of the loading unit 43. In addition, the loading transfer unit 40 rises and moves horizontally to return to the defect inspection unit F.

On the other hand, in a state in which the monocell is adsorbed by the adsorption unit 433, the drive motor 431 is driven so that the rotating plate 432 rotates 180 degrees, so that the monocell is directed toward the cassette 42. Do it. Then, the loading unit 43 descends and the adsorption force of the adsorption unit 433 is released, so that the monocell is loaded onto the cassette 42.

In addition, the monocells loaded in the cassette 42, that is, the good quality monocells with the separation membrane cut, are transferred to an apparatus for cell stacking and thermocompression bonding.

14 is a perspective view of a cell stacking and thermocompression bonding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 14, monocells in which the separator portion at the edge of the electrode portion is cut in the separator cutting device 30 are stacked while passing through a plurality of working portions provided in the cell stacking and thermocompression bonding device 50, and after stacking It is heat-compressed and completed into a secondary battery cell product.

In detail, the cell stacking and thermocompression bonding apparatus 50 includes a stacking portion H1 to H4, a thermocompression bonding portion J, an inspection portion K, and a loading portion L. One or a plurality of stacked portions may be installed depending on the shape or size of the stacked monocells. In this embodiment, it is shown that the laminated portion is made of first to fourth laminated portions H1 to H4.

If, in order to manufacture the secondary battery cell of the type shown in FIG. 2, since three types of monocells must be sequentially stacked, three stacking portions may be sequentially arranged. In other words, the third monocell 13 having the largest size and the highest stacking height is stacked in the first stacked portion H1, and the second monocell 12 having a medium size is the second stacked portion ( It is stacked at H2), and the uppermost first monocell 11 may be stacked at the second stacking portion H3. Then, the stacked monocell is transferred to the thermocompression unit (J).

In addition, a plurality of cassettes loaded with monocells of the same type may be disposed in each of the stacking portions, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In addition, since the configuration of each layered portion is the same regardless of the type of the layered portion, and the operation process is the same, only one of the plurality of layered portions will be described as an example.

15 is a flowchart sequentially showing a lamination process performed in a cell lamination and a thermocompression unit according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 15, in the lamination process (or process) performed in the cell lamination and thermocompression unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, monocells loaded in a plurality of cassettes moved from the separator cutting device 30 The step of picking up sheet by sheet (S41), the step of photographing the image of the picked up monocell by the vision camera (S42), the step of aligning the monocells based on the image information of the photographed monocell (S43), alignment It may include the step of stacking the printed monocells (S44) and the step of transferring the stacked monocell assembly to the thermocompression area (S45).

Hereinafter, a process of performing the steps S41 to S45 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

16 to 18 are views showing the configuration of a cell stacking and thermocompression bonding apparatus in which a monocell stacking process is performed according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 16, a cassette 501 loaded with monocells having a separation membrane cut is picked up one by one by a pickup unit 51, and the picked up monocells are adsorbed by the transfer unit 52 and then aligned Is transferred to.

In detail, the pickup unit 51 includes a pickup body 511, a rotation shaft 513, a drive motor 514 connected to the rotation shaft, and a plurality of adsorption units provided on the top and bottom surfaces of the pickup body 511, respectively. It may include a part 512. In addition, the pickup unit 51 has the same configuration and function as the pickup unit 31 provided in the pickup portion C of the separation membrane cutting device 30. That is, the pickup body 511 rotates 180 degrees in the forward and reverse directions around the rotation shaft 513 by the driving motor 514, and transfers the monocell loaded in the cassette 501 to the transfer unit 52. It can be said that the giving operation is the same as the functions of the pickup unit 31 and the transfer unit 32 provided in the pickup unit C.

Although, the specific shape and size may be different, they can be said to be the same in terms of operating mechanisms and functions. Of course, the pickup unit 51 vibrates while adsorbing the monocell to prevent multiple sheets from being picked up together.

Meanwhile, the transfer unit 52 may include a transfer body 522 and an adsorption plate 521. The transfer unit 52, which has received the monocell from the pickup unit 51, moves to the next area for stacking, and passes through the photographing area of the vision camera 53 during the moving process.

The monocell adsorbed by the transfer unit 52 is photographed while passing through the vision camera 53, and alignment information (or alignment coordinates) of the monocell is calculated based on image information of the photographed monocell. Then, the transfer unit 52 is transferred to the upper area of the alignment stand 54 after passing through the vision camera 53.

In detail, the alignment stand 54 may include an alignment table 541 and an alignment driving unit 542 that drives the alignment table 541. Further, since the alignment stand 54 has the same configuration and function as the alignment stand 34 constituting the separation membrane cutting device 30, a redundant description thereof will be omitted.

On the other hand, based on the alignment information, after the alignment table 541 is moved in the x,y axis or rotated about a vertical axis (z axis), the transfer unit 52 is the alignment table 541 Put the monocell down on top. In addition, when the monocell is seated on the alignment table 541, the alignment table 541 returns to a state before the alignment operation. Then, the transfer unit 52 returns to the original position where the pickup unit 51 is, and then another transfer unit 55 is transferred to the alignment table 541.

It should be noted that the alignment process performed here is not for the purpose of accurately cutting the separator of the monocell, but for the purpose of stacking a plurality of monocells at correct positions.

17 and 18, the monocell 11 placed on the alignment table 541 is transferred to a cell jig 58 by another transfer unit 55.

In detail, the transfer unit 55 may include a transfer body 552 and an adsorption plate 551 (or adsorption unit), similar to the transfer units introduced previously. In addition, the monocells aligned in the alignment position are adsorbed by the transfer unit 55 and transferred to the cell jig 58 with a flat top surface shown in FIG. 18. Further, a lower arm receiving groove 581 for accommodating the lower arm 601 is formed on the upper surface of the cell jig 58.

In addition, a plurality of monocells are stacked on the cell jig 58, and new monocells transferred by the transfer unit 55 are stacked on top surfaces of the stacked monocell assemblies.

In addition, when the new monocells are stacked, the uppermost surface of the monocells is pressed by a structure called the gripper 56, thereby preventing the monocells from shaking or shifting. In addition, while the gripper 56 is pressing the uppermost surface of the monocell stack, the transfer unit 55 releases the adsorption force and returns to the alignment stand 541.

In more detail, until the monocell is transferred to the cell jig 58 by the transfer unit 55, the gripper 56 presses the upper surface of the monocell laminate stacked on the cell jig 58 Keep it there. And, when the transfer unit 55 descends and lowers the monocell on the uppermost surface of the monocell stack, the gripper 56 moves horizontally to the outside of the monocell stack, from the monocell stack. Escape. Then, after moving upwards and downwards, it moves horizontally toward the monocell stack and presses the upper surface of the newly stacked monocell. Thereafter, the adsorption force of the transfer unit 55 is released and the transfer unit 55 rises.

In addition, the grippers 56 may be formed in the form of a pair of robot arms, move horizontally in a direction away from each other and open, and then move horizontally in a direction closer to each other after rising by the height of one monocell. Then, the gripper 56 descends and presses the upper surface of the monocell stack. The lifting and horizontal movement of the gripper 56 is repeatedly performed whenever a single monocell is transferred.

In addition, when a set number of monocells are stacked in the stacking unit and the monocells are stacked by a set height, the monocell stack is transferred to the stacking unit in the next step or transferred to the thermal compression unit.

In order to prevent the stacked monocells from collapsing when the monocell stack is moved, a member such as a clamp 57 is transferred while pressing the monocell stack. In other words, a clamp 57 is provided at the edge of the cell jig 58. The clamp 57 is mounted so as to be movable in the vertical direction from the upper surface of the cell jig 58 or is mounted so as to be rotatable.

When the stacking of the monocells is completed in the stacked portion, the clamp 57 operates to press the upper surface of the monocell stack. In this state, the gripper 56 rises from the upper surface of the monocell stack and then moves horizontally to the outside of the monocell stack. Then, the cell jig 58 and the clamp 57 move to one body while the clasp 57 is pressing the monocell stack.

Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, a thermocompression unit for thermocompression bonding the monocell laminate, which has been laminated, will be described in detail.

19 is a flowchart sequentially showing a thermocompression bonding process performed in a cell stacking and thermocompression bonding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 19, the thermocompression bonding process for manufacturing a secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present invention undergoes a prepress step (S51) and a prepress step of the monocell stack transferred from the stack. The secondary battery cell completed through the main press step (S52) of the monocell stack, the final press step (S53) of the monocell stack that has undergone the main press step, and the pressing step A step of photographing with a vision camera (S54), a step of measuring the thickness of a secondary battery cell that has undergone a step of photographing a vision camera (S55), a step of measuring a short of a secondary battery cell that has undergone the step of measuring the thickness (S56), and a step of measuring the short. It may include a step (S57) of discarding defective products among the rough secondary battery cells and loading only good products.

Hereinafter, the steps S51 to S57 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

20 is an enlarged perspective view showing a pre-press unit and a main press unit constituting a cell stacking apparatus and a thermocompression bonding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 20, the monocell laminates that have passed the lamination step are transferred to the pre-press unit J1 while being placed on the cell jig 58.

In detail, the press device 59 constituting the pre-press unit J1 and the main press unit J2 is the same, and only differs in the temperature and pressure of the heat applied in the pressing process. Therefore, only the press device 59 constituting the pre-press unit J1 will be described as a representative.

In the pre-press unit J1, the mono-cell stack is pressed against the mono-cell stack by heat and weak pneumatic pressure, and in the main press unit J2, the weakly compressed mono-cell stack is pressed again with heat and high hydraulic pressure.

21 is an enlarged perspective view showing a device for introducing a monocell laminate into the press device.

Referring to FIG. 21, a holding clamp 60 for picking up a monocell stack 10a and guiding it into the press device 59 is disposed opposite the press device 59.

In detail, when the monocell stack is transferred to a press area in which the press device is located while being pressed by the clamp 57 on the cell jig 58, it is held by the holding clamp 60.

The holding clamp 60 may be formed of a robot arm structure capable of vertical movement and forward and backward movement. In detail, the holding clamp 60 includes a transfer body 603, a pair of arm rails 604 extending in the vertical direction from the front left and right sides of the transfer body 603, and the one A pair of upper arms 602 provided on the pair of arm rails 604, respectively, and a pair of lower arms mounted on the pair of arm rails 604 from the lower side of the pair of upper arms 602 (601) may be included.

In addition, the lower arm 60 may be fixed to the arm rail 604, and the upper arm 602 may be disposed to be slidable in a vertical direction while connected to the arm rail 602.

Here, the cell jig 58 is stopped when the clamp 57 is positioned in a space corresponding to between the pair of upper arms 602 and lower arms 601. Therefore, even if the holding clamp 60 advances toward the press device 59, the clamp 57 does not interfere with the holding clamp 60.

On the other hand, in order for the holding clamp 60 to grip the monocell stack, the lower arm 601 and the upper arm 602 are spaced apart by a larger interval than the stack thickness of the monocell stack. Move to the jig (58).

Accordingly, the holding clamp 60 may advance until the front end of the lower arm 601 contacts the end of the lower arm receiving groove 581. Here, it is not necessary to advance until the end of the lower arm 601 reaches the end of the lower arm receiving groove 581, and the holding clap 60 can stably grip the monocell stack. It is okay to be inserted only to the depth that there is.

In detail, while the lower arm 601 is sufficiently inserted into the lower arm receiving groove 581, the upper arm 602 descends to press the monocell stack. Then, the holding clamp 60 is in a state in which the monocell stack can be picked up. In this state, the clamp 57 rises and is separated from the upper surface of the monocell stack. In addition, the holding clamp 60 also rises until the lower arm 601 leaves the lower arm receiving groove 581 of the cell jig 58.

In addition, the holding clamp 60 moves forward until the rear end of the monocell stack is out of the front end of the clamp 57. In this state, the front surface of the transfer body 603 constituting the holding clamp 60 is maintained in a state spaced apart from the clamp 57.

In addition, when the monocell stack is out of the elevating region of the clamp 57, the clamp 57 descends and returns to its original position. Then, the upper surface of the clamp 57 is spaced apart from the lower surface of the transfer body 603. In this state, the holding clamp 60 is further advanced so that the monocell stack is advanced to the pressing position formed in the press device 59.

Here, the press device 59 is disposed at a point higher than the upper surface of the cell jig 58, the clamp 57 returns to its original position, and then the holding clamp 60 It can also be designed to rise further to the inlet level and then advance.

22 is a perspective view of a press apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 23 is a bottom perspective view of a press upper constituting the press apparatus.

Referring to Figures 22 and 23, the press device 59 according to the embodiment of the present invention, a press lower (press lower) 591 on which a monocell stack is mounted, and the press lower 591 It may include a press upper (press upper) 592 provided to be elevating from the upper side. Of course, although not shown, pneumatic or hydraulic pressure is applied to the press upper 592 to strongly compress the press lower 591.

In addition, a heating wire is embedded in the lower surface of the press upper 592 and the upper surface of the press lower 591 to heat the monocell laminate.

A lower arm receiving groove 591a is formed on the upper surface of the press lower 591, and the lower arm receiving groove 591a has the same shape and function as the lower arm receiving groove 581 formed in the cell jig 58. Do. That is, a groove for accommodating the lower arm 601 of the holding clamp 60.

In addition, a pattern (or frame) 592a corresponding to the shape of the secondary battery cell after the pressing process is completed is formed on the bottom surface of the press upper 592. Accordingly, a secondary battery cell will be made in a shape corresponding to the frame shape formed on the bottom surface of the press upper 592.

In addition, a lower arm avoiding portion 592a having the same shape as the lower arm receiving groove 591a is formed in the lower surface of the press upper 592 at a position corresponding to the lower arm receiving groove 591a.

In detail, since the lower arm receiving groove 591a of the press lower 591 is separated from the bottom surface of the monocell stack, heating and compression are not performed. In this state, if the press upper 592 does not have the lower arm avoiding part 592b, when the pressing process is finished, the bottom of the secondary battery cell corresponding to the lower arm receiving groove 591a protrudes downward. Will be

In addition, in the portion corresponding to the position of the lower arm receiving groove 591a, thermal compression is applied only to the upper surface of the monocell stack, and in other portions, thermal compression is performed on both sides of the monocell stack. . As a result, there is a high possibility that defective battery cells will be produced. Therefore, in order to prevent such a problem from occurring, the lower arm receiving groove 592b having the same shape is formed in the lower surface of the press upper 592 as well.

On the other hand, the holding clamp 60 moves forward while holding the monocell laminate to place the monocell laminate on the upper surface of the press lower 591. Then, after the upper arm 602 of the holding clamp 60 rises, the holding clamp 60 retreats, and the press upper 592 descends to press the monocell stacked body with heat and a predetermined pressure. Then, a plurality of stacked monocells are pressed together to form a single secondary battery cell.

On the other hand, when the pre-press process and the main press process are finished, the monocell laminate is made in the form of one secondary battery cell. However, the upper surface of the secondary battery cell corresponding to the lower arm receiving groove 591a protrudes in the size and shape of the lower arm receiving groove 591a.

Accordingly, when the pre-press process and the main press process are finished, the secondary battery cell is transferred to the final press area for thermocompressing the protrusion corresponding to the shape of the lower arm receiving groove 591a.

On the other hand, after the pre-press or main press process is finished, the monocell stack or secondary battery cell is moved from the press device 59 to the cell jig 59, and then the cell jig 59 moves to the next step. .

At this time, the monocell stack or the secondary battery cell inside the press device 59 is held again by the holding clamp and is moved to the upper surface of the cell jig 58.

24 is an enlarged perspective view showing a final press area of a lamination and thermocompression bonding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 24, the secondary battery cell manufactured while passing through the pre-press and the main press moves in the direction of the arrow while being seated on the cell jig 58 and is transferred to the final press part J3.

In detail, the final press part (J3) may be located on the side of the main press part (J2), so that the sel jig 58 may move linearly, or as shown, the main press part (J2) After passing through, you can also have the travel path shift 90 degrees.

In addition, in both the pre-press process, the main press process, and the final press process, the holding clamp may grip the monocell stack and transfer it to the inside of the press device. In the final press process, a separate transfer unit 62 As a result, the monocell stack (or secondary battery cell) may be transferred into the final press device. Hereinafter, the monocell stack is supplied into the final press device 60 by a separate transfer unit.

The secondary battery cell 10a that has passed through the main press process and has been transferred to the inlet of the final press device 61 by being placed on the cell jig 58 is adsorbed by the transfer unit 62. Prior to that, the clamp 57, which was pressing the secondary battery cell 10a, rises and is spaced apart from the upper surface of the secondary battery cell 10a.

In this state, the transfer unit 62 adsorbs the secondary battery cell 10a and guides it into the final press device 61. Here, the transfer unit 62 may be an adsorption type transfer member provided with the adsorption unit (or adsorption plate) described previously.

Further, the final press device 61 may include a press lower 611 and a press upper 612, and the press upper 612 is provided so as to be able to move up and down. This is the same as the configuration of the press device 59 provided in the pre-press unit (J1) or the main press unit (J2). However, there is a difference in that the bottom surface of the press upper 612 and the upper surface of the press lower 611 form a smooth plane without a depression.

In detail, in a state where the press upper 612 is raised and spaced apart from the press lower 611, the transfer unit 62 transfers the secondary battery cell 10a placed on the cell jig 58 to press the It is settled on the lower 611. Then, the baby transport unit 62 returns to its original position.

In this state, the press upper 612 descends to pressurize the upper surface of the secondary battery cell with heat and pressure. Then, a portion protruding in the shape of a lower arm receiving groove on the upper surface of the secondary battery cell is pressed. In addition, the protruding portion is pressed to maintain the same height as the upper surface portion of the secondary battery cell. Here, the upper surface of the secondary battery cell means the upper surface of the uppermost monocell stack. That is, when passing through the final press process, the top surface of the protruding portion forms the same plane as the top surface of the portions pressed by the main press portion, and one complete secondary battery cell is formed.

25 is a diagram showing an inspection process of a secondary battery cell that has passed through a thermocompression bonding process.

Referring to FIG. 25, when passing through the final press part (J3), one complete secondary battery cell as shown in FIG. 2 is completed, and the secondary battery cell 10 is attached to another transfer unit 63. It is guided by the transfer belt 64 for inspection. The another transfer unit 63 may be a transfer unit having the same shape as the transfer unit 62 provided in the final press unit.

When the secondary battery cell is transferred to the transfer belt 64 by the transfer unit 63, the secondary battery cell 10 undergoes an inspection process while moving to the inspection unit K along the transfer belt 64. . That is, shape inspection by a vision camera, thickness inspection, and short inspection are sequentially performed.

That is, it is photographed while passing through the vision camera 65, and it is determined whether the secondary battery cells are properly stacked and thermally compressed. For example, whether the monocells are pushed to the side during the lamination process and the side of the cell does not form a vertical plane and is not inclined at an angle, or whether the monocell stack is pushed to the side during the thermocompression process, it is determined using a photographed image. I can.

In addition, the secondary battery cell passing through the vision camera 65 is transferred to the thickness measuring unit 66, and it is determined whether or not compression is well performed with the designed thickness. In addition, the secondary battery cell passing through the thickness measurement unit 66 is transferred to the short inspection unit 67, and it is determined whether or not the electrode units are stuck together during the thermal compression process to cause a short phenomenon.

26 is an enlarged perspective view of a loading portion constituting a cell stacking and thermal compression bonding unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 26, while passing through the short inspection unit 67, it is determined whether or not the secondary battery cells are defective. Then, the secondary battery cells determined to be defective continue to move along the transfer belt 64 and are collected in a discard bin (not shown). Conversely, the secondary battery cells determined to be good products are picked up by the pickup unit 68 and loaded in a separate cassette.

The secondary battery cells determined as good products through a series of processes are packaged by a pouch and transferred to a package process in which an electrolyte is injected. Since the process after the package process is the same as that applied to the conventional secondary battery cell manufacturing process, detailed descriptions will be omitted.

Claims (7)

The first electrode material and the second electrode material are formed by cutting the center portion of the electrode material, and the tabs of each of the plurality of electrode parts are formed, and the outer side of each of the first electrode material and the second electrode material is formed into a designed shape. An electrode part notching step of cutting and forming the plurality of electrode parts having different sizes from each other;
The boundary line between the plurality of electrode units having different sizes formed on the first electrode material or the second electrode material is cut, and the cut plurality of electrode units and the separator are sequentially stacked and introduced into a laminator to form a single body. An electrode lamination step of forming a plurality of monocell mothers by pressing and cutting the plurality of electrode parts and the separator of the compressed single body;
A separation membrane for forming a plurality of monocells by aligning the monocell parent body according to the alignment value obtained by the vision camera and aligning it to the reference line, and then cutting a part of the separator along the shape of the electrode part of each of the plurality of monocell parent members Cutting step;
A monocell stacking step of stacking a plurality of monocells from which the separator is cut;
A thermocompression bonding step of compressing a monocell laminate formed by stacking a plurality of monocells with heat and pressure;
A method of manufacturing a secondary battery cell comprising a package step of wrapping and wrapping the battery cell completed by thermal compression with a pouch. delete The method of claim 1,
A method of manufacturing a secondary battery cell, wherein the cutting line of the separator cut in the separator cutting step includes a curved line or a bent straight line. The method of claim 1,
In the step of stacking the monocells, the method of manufacturing a secondary battery cell, characterized in that monocells having different sizes or shapes are stacked. The method of claim 4,
The method of manufacturing a secondary battery cell, characterized in that the monocells of different sizes or shapes are stacked to form a shape in which an upper surface is stepped. The method of claim 1,
The thermocompression step,
A pre-press step of compressing the monocell laminate with low heat and pressure,
A main press step of compressing with high heat and pressure after the pre-press step, and
A method of manufacturing a secondary battery cell comprising a final press step of finally pressing a portion to which compression is not applied after the main press step. The method of claim 1,
A method of manufacturing a secondary battery cell, further comprising a tab welding step of welding the tabs of the battery cells having been subjected to thermocompression bonding into a single body.

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