KR102244119B1 - Apparatus and method for manufacturing secondary battery - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing a secondary battery and a method for manufacturing a secondary battery. A secondary battery manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a frame and a pressurizing unit located inside the frame and coupled to the frame and a pressurizing unit that pressurizes both sides of a plurality of battery cells, and removes gas from the inside of the battery cell. A gas removal process comprising a removal unit and a controller for controlling the pressurization unit and the gas removal unit, wherein the controller removes gas from the inside of the battery cell while the pressurization unit pressurizes the battery cell. And a secondary battery manufacturing apparatus that controls each of the pressurization unit and the gas removal unit so that this is performed.

Description

Secondary battery manufacturing apparatus and secondary battery manufacturing method TECHNICAL FIELD [Apparatus and method for manufacturing secondary battery}

The present invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing a secondary battery and a method for manufacturing a secondary battery, and more specifically, a secondary battery manufacturing apparatus capable of pressurizing a plurality of battery cells and removing gas inside the battery cells, and manufacturing a secondary battery It's about the method.

The secondary battery refers to a battery that can be repeatedly reused through charging and discharging. Recently, rechargeable batteries are widely used in the fields of advanced electronic devices such as smart phones, notebook computers, and electric vehicles. In particular, lithium secondary batteries have high energy density per unit weight and can be rapidly charged when compared with other secondary batteries such as conventional lead storage batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-hydrogen batteries and nickel-zinc batteries. It is a trend being actively used in various fields.

Among these secondary batteries, a general configuration of a battery cell includes an electrode assembly including a positive plate, a negative plate, and a separator, a pouch case, and electrode leads. The electrode assembly is accommodated in the pouch case, and the electrode leads are connected to the electrode assembly and are provided to protrude outside the pouch case.

Meanwhile, in manufacturing a battery cell, the completed battery cell is filled with an electrolyte inside a pouch case accommodating an electrode assembly. The completed battery cell undergoes a charging/discharging process after sealing the pouch case. During the charging and discharging process of the battery cell, gas is generated inside. The pressure inside the battery cell may increase due to the gas generated inside. In addition, the pouch case convexly swells due to an increase in pressure inside. In this process, the electrode plates are lifted, and the bonding force between the active material and the current collector may be weakened.

Accordingly, a process of pressing the battery cell is performed after the charging/discharging process of the battery cell. The pressurization process of the battery cell can trap gas inside one place. In addition, the electrolyte solution filled in the battery cells is spread evenly.

After the pressing process of the battery cell, a process of removing gas collected inside the battery cell is performed. In general, a process of pressurizing a battery cell and a process of removing gas are performed in separate devices.

However, in the process of performing the gas removal process in a separate device, gas is removed in a short time, and the high-pressure gas existing inside the battery cell is leaked to the outside. In this process, the electrolyte may flow out together, which is a problem.

The present invention is to provide an apparatus for manufacturing a secondary battery and a method for manufacturing a secondary battery in which a process of pressing a battery cell and a process of removing gas can be simultaneously performed.

The present invention is not limited thereto, and other objects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

The present invention provides an apparatus for manufacturing a secondary battery.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the secondary battery manufacturing apparatus is located inside the frame and the frame, and is coupled to the frame and a pressurizing unit that pressurizes both sides of the plurality of battery cells, and removes gas from the inside of the battery cell. A gas removing unit and a controller for controlling the pressurizing unit and the gas removing unit, wherein the controller is a gas for removing gas from the inside of the battery cell while the pressurizing unit pressurizes the battery cell. Each of the pressurization unit and the gas removal unit may be controlled so that the removal process is performed.

According to an embodiment, the controller may control the pressurizing unit and the gas removing unit, respectively, so that the gas removing process is performed after the pressurizing process starts and after a preset time has been performed.

According to an embodiment, the gas removal unit may include a tool member forming a gas hole in an outer surface of the battery cell and a suction member for sucking gas flowing out of the battery cell.

According to an embodiment, the tool member may be coupled to the suction member, and one end of the tool member may be located inside the suction member, and the other end may be located outside the suction member.

According to an embodiment, the pressing unit includes a base for accommodating a plurality of battery cells, a pressing plate that is positioned on the base and pressurizes both sides of the battery cells, and moves the pressing plate along one direction of the base. It may include a pressure driving unit.

According to an embodiment, the secondary battery manufacturing apparatus is installed in the frame, a carry-in unit for carrying battery cells to the outside, and a carry-in unit disposed along a first direction with the carry-in unit, and carry-on in which the battery cells introduced from the carry-in unit are placed. A plate, the pressurizing unit, and the first direction, further comprising a carry-out plate on which the battery cells after the pressurization process are placed, and a carry-out unit for carrying out the battery cells placed on the carry-out plate to the outside, wherein the carry-in unit , The carry-in plate, the carry-out plate, and the carry-out unit may be sequentially disposed along the first direction.

According to an embodiment, the secondary battery manufacturing apparatus may further include a transfer unit that transfers the battery cell to the carry-in plate, the pressurization unit, and the carry-out plate.

The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a secondary battery.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the method for manufacturing a secondary battery includes a battery cell manufacturing step of manufacturing a battery cell in which a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate are separated through a separator, a pressing step of pressing both sides of the battery cell, and A gas removal step of removing gas inside the battery cell may be included, and the gas removal step may be performed while the pressurization step is in progress.

According to an embodiment, the degassing step may be performed after the pressurizing step is performed for a predetermined time.

According to an embodiment, in the degassing step, after forming a gas hole in the outer surface of the battery cell, gas that escapes to the outside through the gas hole may be sucked to remove the gas from the inside of the battery cell. .

According to an embodiment, the method of manufacturing the secondary battery may further include a sealing step of sealing the battery cell after the pressing step and the degassing step are finished.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a process of pressing a battery cell and a process of removing gas are performed together to shorten a process time and improve efficiency in a battery manufacturing process.

In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the electrolyte from leaking to the outside during the degassing process of the battery cell.

The effects of the present invention are not limited to the above-described effects, and effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art from the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

1 is a plan view showing a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a side view showing a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a perspective view showing an apparatus for manufacturing a secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a view schematically showing a controller for controlling the pressurization unit and the gas removal unit of FIG. 3.
5 is a perspective view showing the pressing unit of FIG. 3.
6 is a front view showing the pressing unit of FIG. 3.
7 is a perspective view showing a part of the gas removal unit of FIG. 3.
8 is a cross-sectional view showing the gas removal unit of FIG. 7.
9 is a flowchart sequentially showing a method of manufacturing a secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present invention.
10 to 13 are views schematically showing a part of a method of manufacturing a secondary battery according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments of the present invention may be modified in various forms, and the scope of the present invention should not be construed as being limited to the following embodiments. This embodiment is provided to more completely describe the present invention to those with average knowledge in the art. Therefore, the shape of the element in the drawings is also exaggerated to emphasize a clearer description. In addition, terms or words used in the present specification and claims should not be construed as limited to their usual or dictionary meanings, and the inventor appropriately defines the concept of terms in order to describe his own invention in the best way. It should be interpreted as a meaning and concept consistent with the technical idea of the present invention based on the principle that it can be done.

The secondary battery manufactured in the present invention will be described by taking the battery cell 20 as an example. The battery cell 20 may be provided as a pouch-type secondary battery. The battery cell 20 may constitute a battery module and a battery pack in which a plurality of battery cells 20 are combined. Battery modules and battery packs can be applied to various devices such as mobile devices, notebook computers, electric vehicles, and power storage devices.

1 is a plan view showing a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a side view showing a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the battery cell 20 may be provided as a pouch secondary battery.

The battery cell 20 includes an electrode assembly 21, a pouch case 22, electrode leads 25 and 26, and insulating tapes 27 and 28.

The electrode assembly 21 includes a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, and a separator. The electrode assembly 21 may be provided in a form in which at least one positive electrode plate and at least one negative electrode plate are disposed with a separator interposed therebetween. The electrode assembly 21 may be provided in a form in which a plurality of positive plates and a plurality of negative plates are alternately stacked with each other. Alternatively, one positive plate and one negative plate may be provided in a wound form.

The pouch case 22 has a space therein. The electrode assembly 21 and the electrolyte are accommodated in the inner space of the pouch case 22. The pouch case 22 may be provided as a linate sheet. The laminate sheet may have a resin layer and a metal layer.

The pouch case 22 includes a pouch body 23 and a pouch rim 24. The pouch body 23 may accommodate the electrode assembly 21. The pouch body 23 may be provided in a rectangular shape when viewed from the top. The pouch rim 24 is provided to protrude from the pouch body 23. The pouch rim 24 may seal the inside of the pouch body 23.

The electrode leads 25 and 26 are electrically connected to the electrode assembly 21. The electrode leads 25 and 26 may protrude out of the pouch edge 24 of the pouch case 22. For example, the electrode leads 25 and 26 may protrude from one end of the pouch case 22 in the longitudinal direction.

A pair of electrode leads 25 and 26 may be provided. The pair of electrode leads 25 and 26 may protrude from one end of the pouch case 22, respectively.

The pair of electrode leads 25 and 26 may include a first electrode lead 25 and a second electrode lead 26. One of the first electrode lead 25 and the second electrode lead 26 may be provided as an anode lead, and the other may be provided as a cathode lead. For example, the first electrode lead 25 may be provided as an anode lead, and the second electrode lead 26 may be provided as a cathode lead. Unlike this, the first electrode lead 25 may be provided as a negative electrode lead, and the second electrode lead 26 may be provided as a positive electrode lead.

The pair of electrode leads 25 and 26 are coupled to the pair of electrode tabs coupled to the electrode assembly 21.

Insulating tapes 27 and 28 may be attached to the electrode leads 25 and 26. The insulating tapes 27 and 28 may prevent the occurrence of a short circuit between the electrode leads 25 and 26 and the pouch case 22. The insulating tapes 27 and 28 may improve adhesion between the electrode leads 25 and 26 and the pouch case 22. The insulating tapes 27 and 28 are provided in a number corresponding to the electrode leads 25 and 26. The insulating tapes 27 and 28 may be attached around the electrode leads 25 and 26. The insulating tapes 27 and 28 may be made of an insulating material. For example, the insulating tapes 27 and 28 may be made of polyethylene, polyacetylene, PTFE, nylon, polyimide, polyethylenetalephthalate, polypropylene, or a synthetic material thereof.

When the battery cell 20 is manufactured, an electrolyte is filled into the pouch case 22. The electrolyte solution supplied into the battery cell 20 may be impregnated.

When the electrolyte is filled into the battery cell 20, it may be convexly swelled along directions 31 and 32 perpendicular to the surface of the pouch case 22 as shown in FIG. 2. In order to increase the capacity of the battery cell 20, the electrolyte must be evenly impregnated into the pouch case 22. To this end, a process of pressing the pouch case 22 of the battery cell 20 may be performed. In addition, after pressing the battery cell 20, gas is concentrated in one direction therein. When manufacturing the battery cell 20, a process of removing these gases is performed. The gas removal process is a process of discharging the gas present in the battery cell 20 to the outside by forming a hole in a part of the battery cell 20.

3 is a perspective view showing an apparatus for manufacturing a secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 3, the secondary battery manufacturing apparatus 10 is an apparatus capable of performing a pressurization process and a gas removal process on the battery cell 20.

The secondary battery manufacturing apparatus 10 includes a frame 100, a carry-in unit 200, a carry-in plate 300, a pressurization unit 400, a gas removal unit 500, a transfer unit 600, a carry-out plate 700, It includes a take-out unit 800 and a controller 900.

The carry-in unit 200, the carry-in plate 300, the pressurization unit 400, the carry-out plate 700, and the carry-out unit 800 are sequentially arranged. Hereinafter, the direction in which the carry-in unit 200, the carry-in plate 300, the pressurization unit 400, the carry-out plate 700, and the carry-out unit 800 are arranged is referred to as the first direction 12, as viewed from the top. A direction perpendicular to the first direction 12 is referred to as a second direction 14, and a direction perpendicular to both the first direction 12 and the second direction 14 is referred to as a third direction 16.

The frame 100 forms the exterior of the secondary battery manufacturing apparatus 10. The frame 100 has a space therein. The frame 100 is provided by combining a plurality of unit frames. A carry-in unit 200, a carry-in plate 300, a pressurization unit 400, a carry-out plate 700, and a carry-out unit 800 are positioned in the inner space of the frame 100.

The carry-in unit 200 carries the battery cell 20 from the outside. The battery cells 20 are accommodated in a battery tray T having a space in which a plurality of battery cells 20 can be placed. Although the battery tray T is simply illustrated in FIG. 3 of the present embodiment, the battery tray T may be provided as a tray having a storage space for a plurality of battery cells 20.

The carry-in unit 200 has a carry-in plate 300 and a carry-in driver (not shown). The carrying plate 300 is a plate on which the battery tray T is placed. The carrying plate 300 may be provided as a flat plate. A guide hole 210 is formed in the carrying plate 300. The carry-in driver may move the battery tray T placed on the carry-in plate 300. The carry-in driver is located under the carry-in plate 300. The carry-in driver moves the battery tray T to a position adjacent to the pressing unit 400.

The pressing unit 400 may pressurize the battery cell 20. The pressurizing unit 400 may pressurize the battery cell 20 to evenly distribute the impregnated electrolyte therein. The pressing unit 400 may be located under the center of the frame 100. The pressing unit 400 is located between the carrying plate 300 and the carrying plate 700. A plurality of pressing units 400 may be provided. The plurality of pressing units 400 are sequentially disposed along the first direction 12. In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, it has been exemplified that the seven pressurization units 400 are provided, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the pressurization units 400 may be provided in number of 6 or less or 8 or more depending on the process.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the pressing unit of FIG. 3, and FIG. 6 is a front view showing the pressing unit of FIG. 3. Hereinafter, referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the pressing unit 400 includes a base 410, a pressing member 430, and a contact terminal part 470.

The base 410 forms the exterior of the pressing unit 400. The base 410 has a space for accommodating the battery cell 20 therein. The base 410 includes a lower body 411 and an upper body 413 and a connection body 415 and 417.

The lower body 411 supports other parts of the pressing unit 400. For example, the lower body 411 may support a plurality of battery cells 20, a pressing member 430, and a contact terminal part 470 to be described later. The lower body 411 has a rectangular shape when viewed from the top.

The upper body 413 is located above the lower body 411. The upper body 413 and the lower body 411 are disposed along the third direction 16. The upper body 413 and the lower body 411 are combined with each other to form a space in which the parts are located. The upper body 413 and the lower body 411 may be combined with each other to support other parts of the pressing unit 400. The upper body 413 may be provided in substantially the same shape as the lower body 411.

The connectors 415 and 417 connect the lower body 411 and the upper body 413. For example, the connecting bodies 415 and 417 are vertically coupled to the lower body 411 and the upper body 413. The connecting bodies 415 and 417 may be provided as a rectangular plate. A plurality of connectors 415 and 417 may be provided. For example, the connectors 415 and 417 may be provided as a pair. The pair of connectors 415 and 417 are disposed along the second direction 14 and may be positioned facing each other. A plurality of pressing plates 431 and a plurality of battery cells 20 may be placed between the pair of connectors 415 and 417.

The pressing member 430 may pressurize the plurality of battery cells 20. The pressing member 430 may press both sides of the battery cell 20 along the second direction 14. The pressing member 430 includes a pressing plate 431, a pressing driving unit 435 and a pressing guide rail 439.

The pressure plate 431 may support both side surfaces of the battery cell 20. The pressing plates 431 are disposed on both side surfaces of the battery cells 20 in the second direction 14. A plurality of pressure plates 431 may be provided. The plurality of pressing plates 431 are disposed along the second direction 14. The plurality of pressure plates 431 are positioned spaced apart at a predetermined interval. The pressure plate 431 is connected to the base 410. The pressure plate 431 and the base 410 are vertically coupled. The pressure plate 431 may be provided as a flat plate.

The pressure driving unit 435 may move the plurality of pressure plates 431 along the second direction 14. The pressure driving unit 435 may press the both sides of the plurality of battery cells 20 by moving the pressure plate 431. The pressure driving unit 435 may include a driving plate 432 and a driving shaft 436.

The driving plate 432 is disposed along the pressing plate 431 and the second direction 14. The driving plate 432 is located between the connecting bodies 415 and 417 and the pressing plate 431.

The drive shaft 436 is connected to the drive plate 432. The driving shaft 436 may slide the driving plate 432 along the second direction 14.

The pressure guide rail 439 is disposed along the second direction 14 in its longitudinal direction. The pressure guide rail 439 is provided on the upper body 413 and the lower body 411, respectively. The pressure guide rail 439 is connected to the plurality of pressure plates 431 and driving plates 432. The pressure guide rail 439 may guide the sliding of the plurality of pressure play and drive plates 432.

The contact terminal portion 470 is coupled to the electrode leads 25 and 26 of the battery cell 20. A plurality of contact terminal portions 470 are provided. The plurality of contact terminal portions 470 are respectively positioned on the pressing plates 431.

7 is a perspective view illustrating a part of the gas removal unit of FIG. 3, and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the gas removal unit of FIG. 6. Hereinafter, referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the gas removal unit 500 may remove gas inside the battery cell 20. The gas removal unit 500 is coupled to the frame 100. In one embodiment, the gas removal unit 500 may be located above the pressurization unit 400. The gas removal unit 500 includes a tool member 510 and a suction member 530.

The tool member 510 forms a gas hole in the outer surface of the battery cell 20. One side of the tool member 510 is provided in a pointed shape. For example, the tool member 510 may be provided as a knife. The tool member 510 is coupled to the inside of the suction member 530 to be described later. The tool member 510 may have one end located inside the suction member 530 and the other end located outside the suction member 530.

The suction member 530 sucks gas flowing out of the battery cell 20. The suction member 530 sucks gas that has passed through the gas hole formed in the battery cell 20. It may be provided in the form of a tube of the suction member 530. The suction member 530 may have a tool member 510 positioned therein.

The suction member 530 may be connected to a decompression member (not shown) that provides decompression for inhaling gas. For example, the pressure reducing member may be provided as a pump. Alternatively, it may be provided in connection with a device that provides a reduced pressure.

The gas removal unit 500 has an up-and-down driver for vertically driving the tool member 510 and the suction member 530. The vertical actuator may lower the tool member 510 and the suction member 530 during the gas removal process to be positioned adjacent to the pressurizing unit 400.

Again, referring to FIG. 3, the transfer unit 600 may move the battery cell 20. The transfer unit 600 may transfer a plurality of battery cells 20 to the carry-in plate 300, the pressurization unit 400, and the carry-out plate 700. The transfer unit 600 is located above the pressing unit 400. The transfer unit 600 includes a transfer rail 610 and a transfer member 630.

A pair of transfer rails 610 are located on the upper portion of the pressing unit 400. The transfer rail 610 is coupled to the frame 100. The transfer rail 610 is provided in the first direction 12 in its longitudinal direction. The transfer rail 610 is provided so that the transfer member 630 can move along the rail.

The transfer member 630 supports the plurality of battery cells 20 and may move the battery cells 20. The transfer member 630 may move in the first direction 12 along the transfer rail 610. The transfer member 630 may be provided in a structure that moves up and down when the battery cell 20 is moved.

The carry-out plate 700 is a waiting space for moving the battery cell 20 after the battery manufacturing process is finished. The carrying plate 700 is located adjacent to the pressing unit 400. The carrying plate 700 is disposed in parallel with the pressing unit 400 along the first direction 12. When viewed from the top, the carrying plate 700 is provided as a rectangular plate. Guide holes are formed in the carry-out plate 700. A battery tray T having a plurality of battery cells 20 is placed on the carry-out plate 700. The battery cells 20 placed on the carry-out plate 700 are moved to the outside by a carry-out unit 800 to be described later.

The carrying unit 800 carries out the battery cell 20 to the outside. The battery cell 20 after the battery manufacturing process is completed is accommodated in a battery tray T having a space in which a plurality of battery cells 20 can be placed.

The carry-out unit 800 has a carry-out driver (not shown). The take-out driver may move the battery tray T placed on the plate 700 placed in the carry-out. The carry-out driver is located under the carry-out plate 700.

The controller 900 controls the pressurization unit 400 and the gas removal unit 500. The controller 900 includes a pressurizing unit 400 and a gas removing unit so that a degassing process of removing gas inside the battery cell 20 is performed while the pressurizing unit 400 pressurizes the battery cell 20. Control 500. The controller 900 controls the pressurizing unit 400 and the gas removing unit 500 so that the gas removing process is performed after a predetermined time elapses after the pressurizing process starts. The controller 900 may be provided as a device capable of electronically controlling the pressurization unit 400 and the gas removal unit 500.

Hereinafter, a method of manufacturing a secondary battery will be described.

9 is a flowchart sequentially showing a method of manufacturing a secondary battery according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 10 to 13 are schematic diagrams illustrating a part of a method of manufacturing a secondary battery according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, referring to FIGS. 9 to 13, a method of manufacturing a secondary battery includes a battery cell manufacturing step (S11), a pressurizing step (S13), a gas removing step (S15), and a sealing step (S17).

The battery cell manufacturing step S11 is a step of manufacturing the battery cell 20. The electrode assembly 21 is formed after the positive and negative plates are disposed in a state separated through a separator. The electrode assembly 21 is accommodated in the pouch case 22. After the electrode tabs and the electrode leads 25 and 26 are coupled to the electrode assembly 21, an electrolyte is injected, and the pouch case 22 is sealed to manufacture the battery cell 20. Alternatively, the injection of the electrolyte may be performed after the pouch case 22 is sealed.

The pressing step (S13) is a step of pressing both sides of the battery cell 20. In the pressurizing step (S13), a plurality of battery cells 20 are disposed in the pressurizing unit 400 as shown in FIG. 9. Thereafter, pressing plates 431 placed on both sides of the battery cell 20 are moved to pressurize the battery cell 20. The pressurizing process of the battery cell 20 may be performed after gas is generated in the battery cell 20 through a process of charging and discharging the battery cell 20.

This pressurization process can prevent a problem from occurring due to an increase in internal pressure due to gas generated inside the battery cell 20. That is, the electrode active material may be kept in close contact with the electrode current collector through pressure fixing. In addition, it is possible to prevent a phenomenon in which the electrode plate and the electrode plate are lifted.

The pressing step S13 may be performed in the pressing unit 400 of the secondary battery manufacturing apparatus 10 described above. In the pressing step (S13), the pressing process may be performed by simultaneously pressing the plurality of battery cells 20.

The gas removal step S15 is a step of removing gas inside the battery cell 20. The degassing step (S15) is performed while the pressurizing step (S13) is in progress. For example, the degassing step (S15) may be performed after the pressurizing step (S13) is performed for a predetermined time. Here, the preset time means a time for the gas to gather in a certain space of the battery cell 20 after the pressurization process has started. For example, the preset time may be a time until the gas is collected on one surface of the battery cell 20 and the battery cell 20 swells as shown in FIG. 10. The preset time may be set differently according to the size of the battery cell 20 and the pressure of the pressurization.

As shown in FIG. 11, in the gas removal step S15, a gas hole is formed on the outer surface of the battery cell 20. For example, the gas hole may be formed by the tool member 510. After that, the gas flowing out of the battery cell 20 is sucked through the gas hole to remove the gas from the inside of the battery cell 20. The degassing step (S15) proceeds continuously while the pressurization process is in progress.

In the degassing step (S15), the location of the gas hole may be formed inside the battery cell 20 to be connected to the cell terrace space. The cell terrace space is a space inside the battery cell 20 excluding the cell body. Specifically, the cell terrace space is defined as a space in which electrode tabs and electrode leads are coupled in addition to the cell body.

The sealing step (S17) is a step of sealing the battery cell 20 from which the gas has escaped after the pressurization step (S13) and the gas removal step (S15) are finished. As shown in FIG. 12, in the sealing step (S17 ), after the gas escapes from the battery cell 20, the portion in which the gas hole is formed may be sealed.

The above-described secondary battery manufacturing method has been described by taking the battery cell manufacturing step (S11), the pressurizing step (S13), the degassing step (S15), and the sealing step (S17) as an example, but according to the process after the battery cell manufacturing step (S11) Battery cell 20 aging (AGING) process, charge/discharge process, inspection process, etc. may be added as necessary. In addition, the degassing step (S15) may be performed after the pressurization step (S13) is finished.

Hereinafter, effects on the method of manufacturing a secondary battery will be described. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the gas removal process is performed while the pressurization process is in progress. It is possible to shorten the manufacturing process time for a secondary battery by performing a gas removal process performed in a separate device after the conventional pressurization process. In addition, a part of the battery cell 20 after the pressurization process is filled with high-pressure gas. When such a gas is removed in a short time, there is a problem in that the high-pressure gas is leaked to the outside at once, so that the electrolyte solution is leaked into the inside of the battery cell 20 together.

In contrast, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a gas having a relatively low pressure may be discharged to the outside by performing a gas removal process during the pressurization process, so that the electrolyte solution may be prevented from being leaked to the outside. In addition, it is possible to improve the secondary battery manufacturing process efficiency by simultaneously performing two processes in one secondary battery manufacturing apparatus 10.

The detailed description above is to illustrate the present invention. In addition, the above description shows and describes preferred embodiments of the present invention, and the present invention can be used in various other combinations, modifications, and environments. That is, changes or modifications may be made within the scope of the concept of the invention disclosed in the present specification, the scope equivalent to the disclosed contents, and/or the technology or knowledge in the art. The above-described embodiments are to describe the best state for implementing the technical idea of the present invention, and various changes required in the specific application fields and uses of the present invention are also possible. Therefore, the detailed description of the invention is not intended to limit the invention to the disclosed embodiment. In addition, the appended claims should be construed as including other embodiments.

10: secondary battery manufacturing apparatus 100: frame
200: carry-in unit 300: carry-in plate
400: pressurization unit 500: gas removal unit
510: tool member 530: suction member
600: transfer unit 700: take-out plate
800: carry-out unit 900: controller

Claims (11)

delete delete delete delete delete delete delete Frame;
A pressing unit located inside the frame and pressing both side surfaces of the plurality of battery cells;
A gas removal unit coupled to the frame and configured to remove gas inside the battery cell; And
A controller for controlling the pressurization unit and the gas removal unit; Including,
The controller controls the pressurizing unit and the gas removing unit so that a gas removing process of removing gas inside the battery cell is performed while the pressurizing unit is performing a pressurizing process of pressurizing the battery cell,
The gas removal unit,
A tool member having a pointed shape at one side and forming a gas hole in an outer surface of the battery cell;
A suction member that sucks gas flowing out of the battery cell; And
An up-and-down driver for driving the tool member and the suction member up and down to lower the tool member and the suction member during a gas removal process to be positioned adjacent to the pressing unit;
As a method of manufacturing a secondary battery using a secondary battery manufacturing apparatus comprising,
A battery cell manufacturing step of manufacturing a battery cell in which a positive plate and a negative plate are separated through a separator;
A pressing step of pressing both sides of the battery cell using the pressing unit; And
Gas for removing gas inside the battery cell by forming a gas hole on the outer surface of the battery cell using the tool member and suctioning gas flowing out of the battery cell through the gas hole using the suction member Removal steps; Including,
In the degassing step, compared to a case in which the degassing step is performed after the pressurizing step for the battery cell is completed, a relatively low-pressure gas is discharged to the outside, so that the electrolyte solution inside the battery cell is externally combined with the gas. To prevent leakage into the battery, it is performed together during the pressurization step, but is performed after the pressurization step has progressed for a predetermined time so as to provide a time for the gas to collect on one side of the battery cell. A method of manufacturing a secondary battery to begin with. delete delete The method of claim 8,
The secondary battery manufacturing method further comprises a sealing step of sealing the battery cell after the pressing step and the gas removing step are finished.

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