KR20140133140A - Apparatus Transferring Battery Cell - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for correcting the electrode lead shape of a battery cell and transferring the battery cell in the manufacturing process of a rechargeable plate-type battery cell. The present invention provides the battery cell transferring apparatus which includes a transfer part for transferring a battery cell, and at least one gripping part which fixes the battery cell in the transfer process. The gripping part includes a cell gripper which holds and fixes the main body of the battery cell and a lead gripper which holds and fixes the electrode lead of the battery cell by interworking with the cell gripper.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001]

An apparatus for transferring a battery cell and correcting an electrode lead shape of the battery cell in a manufacturing process of a chargeable and dischargeable plate-shaped battery cell, the apparatus comprising: a transfer unit for transferring a battery cell; The grip gripper includes a cell gripper for gripping and fixing the main body of the battery cell and a lead gripper for holding the electrode lead of the battery cell in cooperation with the cell gripper, and a lead gripper.

As technology development and demand for mobile devices are increasing, the demand for batteries as energy sources is rapidly increasing, and accordingly, a lot of researches on batteries capable of meeting various demands have been conducted.

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in environmental issues, and as a result, electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), which can replace fossil-fueled vehicles such as gasoline vehicles and diesel vehicles, And the like. Although a nickel metal hydride (Ni-MH) secondary battery is mainly used as a power source for such an electric vehicle (EV) and a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), a lithium secondary battery having a high energy density, a high discharge voltage, Research is being actively carried out, and some are commercialized.

In the process of manufacturing such a secondary battery, the electrode taps extending from the electrode assembly are welded to the electrode leads. After the welding process, the electrode leads are bent due to the residual stress of the welded portion.

In this regard, FIG. 1 schematically shows a process of ultrasonic welding an electrode lead to electrode tabs, and FIG. 2 schematically shows an electrode assembly in which electrode leads and electrode tabs are welded.

Referring to these figures, the electrode leads 111 are positioned between the ultrasonic welding horn 210 and the anvil 220 in the electrode tabs 121 extending from the electrode assembly 120, and ultrasonic welding is performed by applying pressure thereto do.

The electrode assembly 120 has a structure in which the electrode tabs 121 and 122 are protruded from both side ends around the main body and the electrode leads 111 and 112 are welded to the electrode tabs 121 and 122. However, as shown in FIG. 2, it can be seen that the electrode lead 111 is deformed upward (D) due to the residual stress of the weld after the welding process.

Due to the bending phenomenon of the above-mentioned electrode lead, when the battery is transported to a step for activating charge / discharge after manufacture, the electrode lead interferes with the inserting portion of the charge / discharge device, so that the electrode lead is damaged, Causing problems to occur.

Therefore, there is a high need for an apparatus that minimizes defects so as not to interfere with the inserting portion of the active charger / discharger by correcting the deflection of the electrode leads during the manufacturing process of the secondary battery.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to solve the above-described problems of the prior art and the technical problems required from the past.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a transfer device that allows a manufactured secondary battery to be smoothly charged into an active charging / discharging device by correcting a deformed electrode lead after a welding process of the electrode lead.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a secondary battery manufactured using the above-described method.

In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides an apparatus for transferring a battery cell and correcting an electrode lead shape of a battery cell in a manufacturing process of a charge / discharge plate-shaped battery cell,

A transferring part for transferring the battery cell, and at least one gripping part for holding and fixing the battery cell in the transferring step;

The gripping unit includes a cell gripper for holding and fixing the main body of the battery cell and a lead gripper for holding and fixing the electrode lead of the battery cell in cooperation with the cell gripper.

The lead gripper can fix the electrode lead by separately holding and fixing the electrode lead after the welding process of the electrode lead and correcting the deformed electrode lead after the welding process of the electrode lead, It is possible to minimize or prevent defects in which the electrode leads are broken, deformed, or separated due to interference.

The battery case of the battery cell is not particularly limited, but may be at least one selected from the group consisting of a laminate sheet including a resin layer and a metal layer, and a metal can. In consideration of the self weight of the secondary battery, it is preferable to use a battery case made of a laminate sheet. In the case of a secondary battery used as a power source for a mobile product or a middle- or large-sized device, a light weight is required.

In one preferred example, the laminate sheet may have a laminated structure of an outer coating layer, an air and moisture barrier metal layer, and a heat-sealable inner resin layer.

Since the outer coating layer should have excellent resistance to the external environment, a tensile strength and weather resistance higher than a predetermined level are required. In this respect, the polymer resin of the outer coating layer may include polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or stretched nylon having excellent tensile strength and weatherability.

The outer coating layer may be made of polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) and / or a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) layer may be provided on the outer surface of the outer coating layer.

The polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) has an excellent tensile strength and weatherability even at a thin thickness as compared with polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and thus is preferable for use as an outer coating layer.

The polymer resin of the internal resin layer may be a polymer resin having heat-sealability (thermal adhesiveness), low hygroscopicity to the electrolyte to suppress penetration of the electrolyte, and not swellable or eroded by the electrolyte. More preferably, it may be made of an unoriented polypropylene film (CPP).

In one preferred example, the laminate sheet according to the present invention is characterized in that the thickness of the outer coating layer is 5 to 40 占 퐉, the thickness of the moisture barrier metal layer is 20 to 150 占 퐉, the thickness of the inner resin layer is 10 to 50 Mu m. When the thickness of each layer of the laminate sheet is too thin, it is difficult to expect a blocking function and strength improvement for the material. On the other hand, if it is too thick, the workability is deteriorated and the thickness of the sheet is increased.

The electrode assembly may have various structures such as a wound-type structure, a stacked structure, or a stack / folding structure.

The electrode assembly is composed of a positive electrode / separator / negative electrode constituting a secondary battery, and is largely divided into a jelly-roll type (wound type) and a stacked type (laminated type) according to its structure. In the jelly-roll type electrode assembly, an electrode active material or the like is coated on a metal foil used as a current collector, dried and pressed, cut into a band shape having a desired width and length, and a cathode and an anode are diaphragm- . Although the jelly-roll type electrode assembly is suitable for a cylindrical battery, when it is applied to a square or pouch type battery, it has disadvantages such as separation of electrode active material and low space utilization. On the other hand, the stacked electrode assembly has a structure in which a plurality of anode and cathode unit members are sequentially laminated, and it is easy to obtain a rectangular shape. However, when the manufacturing process is troublesome and impact is applied, .

In order to solve such a problem, an electrode assembly of advanced structure which is a mixed type of jelly-roll type and stack type has been proposed in which a full cell or a positive electrode (cathode) / separator / An electrode assembly having a structure in which a bicell having an anode (positive electrode) / separator / anode (negative electrode) structure is folded by using a continuous long separator film has been developed, .

The pull cell is a cell having a unit structure of a cathode / separator / cathode, in which an anode and a cathode are positioned on both sides of the cell. Such a pull cell includes a cathode / separator / cathode cell and a cathode / separator / cathode / separator / anode / separator / cathode having the most basic structure.

The bi-cell is a cell in which the same electrode is located on both sides of the cell, such as a unit structure of a cathode / separator / cathode / separator / anode and a unit structure of a cathode / separator / anode / separator / cathode. In this specification, a cell having a cathode / separator / anode / separator / anode structure is referred to as a "C-type bi-cell" and a cell having a cathode / separator / anode / separator / cathode structure is referred to as an " That is, a cell in which an anode is located on both sides is called a C-type bi-cell, and a cell in which a cathode is located on both sides is called an A-type bi-cell.

If the electrodes on both sides of the cell have the same structure, the number of the positive electrode, the negative electrode, and the separator constituting the bi-cell are not particularly limited.

The pull cell and the bi-cell are manufactured by mutually bonding the positive electrode and the negative electrode with the separator interposed therebetween. A preferable example of such a bonding method is a heat fusion bonding method.

In the present invention, the electrode leads may be electrically connected to the electrode tabs extending from the electrode plate. The electrical connection is not particularly limited, but preferably the electrode leads and the electrode tabs are connected by welding. Since the connection between the electrode leads and the electrode tabs is required not only for the electrical connection but also for the mechanical stiffness, it is preferable that the electrode leads and the electrode taps are welded as described above.

The type of the welding may vary as is known in the art, but one preferred example is ultrasonic welding. Since it is required not to affect other parts of the battery during welding, welding methods that generate sparks or emit high temperatures around them are undesirable.

The battery cell of the present invention is not particularly limited in its shape, but in one preferred embodiment, the battery cell may have a structure in which the electrode leads protrude from both side ends around the battery cell body. In this case, the battery cell transfer device may include a pair of gripping portions corresponding to the electrode leads.

In one specific example, the conveying portion may be a structure including a conveyor belt, a linear motion (LM) guide, or a conveyor belt and an LM guide. The conveying unit may further include a pedestal for receiving and fixing the battery cell, and the pedestal is fixed on the conveyor belt, and the battery cell housed therein can be transferred by driving the conveyor belt.

The lead gripper includes a first jig and a second jig that are in contact with both surfaces of the electrode lead. In the process of holding and fixing the electrode lead, the shape of the electrode lead is parallel to the horizontal line passing through the center of the battery cell .

In general, the error range of the electrode lead-in port of the charge / discharge unit used in the currently active charge-discharge process is in the range of 4 mm. However, after the welding process between the electrode lead and the electrode tab, the electrode leads are deformed to an average range of 6 mm. Therefore, when the lead gripper is not corrected as described above, the electrode lead can not be inserted smoothly into the electrode lead-in port of the charge / discharge device, which causes defects.

As described above, in the process of holding and fixing the electrode leads, the virtual connection line between the first jig and the second jig is preferably parallel to the horizontal line passing through the center of the battery cell. This is for smooth insertion of the electrode lead into the electrode lead insertion port of the charge / discharge unit as described above.

In one specific example, the gripping portion may further include an air chuck cylinder for operation of the cell gripper and the lead gripper.

The air chuck cylinder is not particularly limited as long as it is a structure that is actuated by pneumatic pressure or hydraulic pressure and can transmit a driving force to the gripping portion. However, for example, a cam type or a gear type air chuck cylinder . The air chuck cylinder further includes a main body for receiving compressed air from the outside to transmit power to the following finger portions; And two or more fingers mounted in directions opposite to each other on one end surface of the main body and performing opening and closing operations by receiving power from the main body.

A more detailed structure of the air chuck cylinder will be described with reference to the following drawings.

The present invention also provides a battery cell manufactured using the battery cell transfer device. The battery cell may be a lithium secondary battery having a structure in which a nonaqueous electrolyte solution containing a lithium salt is impregnated in an electrode assembly having a separator interposed between an anode and a cathode.

The positive electrode is prepared, for example, by applying a positive electrode mixture containing a positive electrode active material on a positive electrode collector and then drying the positive electrode mixture. Optionally, a binder, a conductive material, a filler, .

The cathode current collector generally has a thickness of 3 to 500 mu m. Such a positive electrode current collector is not particularly limited as long as it has high conductivity without causing chemical change in the battery, and may be formed of a material such as stainless steel, aluminum, nickel, titanium, sintered carbon, or a surface of aluminum or stainless steel Treated with carbon, nickel, titanium, silver or the like may be used. The positive electrode current collector may have fine unevenness formed on the surface thereof to increase the adhesive force of the positive electrode active material as in the case of the negative electrode current collector. Alternatively, the positive electrode current collector may have various properties such as a film, sheet, foil, net, porous body, Form is possible.

The cathode active material is a material capable of causing an electrochemical reaction. Examples of the lithium transition metal oxide include lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO ₂ ) containing two or more transition metals and substituted with one or more transition metals, lithium Layered compounds such as nickel oxide (LiNiO ₂ ); Lithium manganese oxide substituted with one or more transition metals; Formula _{LiNi 1-y M y O 2} ( where, M = Co, Mn, Al , Cu, Fe, Mg, B, Cr, Zn or Ga and Lim, 0.01≤y≤0.7 include one or more elements of the element) A lithium nickel-based oxide represented by the following formula: _{Li 1 + z Ni 1/3 Co 1/3} Mn 1/3 O 2, Li 1 + z Ni 0.4 Mn 0.4 Co 0.2 O 2 , such as _{Li 1 + z Ni b Mn c} Co 1- (b + c + d _{) M d O (2-e} ) A e ( where, -0.5≤z≤0.5, 0.1≤b≤0.8, 0.1≤c≤0.8, 0≤d≤0.2 , 0≤e≤0.2, b + c + d <1, M = Al, Mg, Cr, Ti, Si or Y, and A = F, P or Cl; lithium nickel cobalt manganese composite oxide; And the formula _{Li 1 + x M 1-y} M 'y PO 4-z X z ( wherein, M = a transition metal, preferably Fe, Mn, Co or Ni, M' = Al, Mg or Ti, X = F, S or N, and -0.5? X? +0.5, 0? Y? 0.5, and 0? Z? 0.1), but the present invention is not limited thereto.

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

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

The filler is optionally used as a component for suppressing the expansion of the electrode, and is not particularly limited as long as it is a fibrous material without causing any chemical change in the battery. Examples of the filler include olefin-based polymerizers such as polyethylene and polypropylene; Fibrous materials such as glass fibers and carbon fibers are used.

The negative electrode is prepared, for example, by applying a negative electrode mixture containing a negative electrode active material on a negative electrode collector and then drying the same. The negative electrode mixture may contain a conductive material, a binder, a filler, May be included.

The negative electrode collector is generally made to have a thickness of 3 to 500 mu m. The negative electrode current collector is not particularly limited as long as it has high conductivity without causing chemical change in the battery. Examples of the negative electrode current collector include copper, stainless steel, aluminum, nickel, titanium, sintered carbon, copper or stainless steel Surface-treated with carbon, nickel, titanium, silver or the like, aluminum-cadmium alloy, or the like can be used. In addition, like the positive electrode collector, fine unevenness can be formed on the surface to enhance the bonding force of the negative electrode active material, and it can be used in various forms such as films, sheets, foils, nets, porous bodies, foams and nonwoven fabrics.

The negative electrode active material may include, for example, carbon such as non-graphitized carbon or graphite carbon; _{Li x Fe 2 O 3 (0≤x≤1} ), Li x WO 2 (0≤x≤1), Sn x Me 1-x Me 'y O z (Me: Mn, Fe, Pb, Ge; Me' : Metal complex oxides such as Al, B, P, Si, Group 1, Group 2, Group 3 elements of the periodic table, Halogen, 0 &lt; x &lt; Lithium metal; Lithium alloy; Silicon-based alloys; Tin alloy; _{SnO, SnO 2, PbO, PbO} 2, Pb 2 O 3, Pb 3 O 4, Sb 2 O 3, Sb 2 O 4, Sb 2 O 5, GeO, GeO 2, Bi 2 O 3, Bi 2 O 4, Bi ₂ O ₅ and the like; Conductive polymers such as polyacetylene; Li-Co-Ni-based materials and the like can be used.

The binder, the conductive material, and the components added as needed are the same as those in the anode.

In some cases, a filler may be optionally added as a component to suppress the expansion of the negative electrode. Such a filler is not particularly limited as long as it is a fibrous material without causing a chemical change in the battery, and examples thereof include olefin polymers such as polyethylene and polypropylene; Fibrous materials such as glass fibers and carbon fibers are used.

In addition, other components such as a viscosity adjusting agent, an adhesion promoter and the like may be further included as a selective or a combination of two or more.

The viscosity modifier may be added up to 30% by weight based on the total weight of the negative electrode mixture as a component for adjusting the viscosity of the electrode mixture so that the mixing process of the electrode mixture and the coating process on the current collector may be easy. Examples of such viscosity modifiers include carboxymethylcellulose, polyvinylidene fluoride and the like, but are not limited thereto. In some cases, the above-described solvent may play a role as a viscosity adjusting agent.

The adhesion promoter may be added in an amount of 10% by weight or less based on the binder, for example, oxalic acid, adipic acid, Formic acid, acrylic acid derivatives, itaconic acid derivatives, and the like.

The separation membrane is interposed between the anode and the cathode, and an insulating thin film having high ion permeability and mechanical strength is used. The pore diameter of the separator is generally 0.01 to 10 mu m and the thickness is generally 5 to 300 mu m. Such separation membranes include, for example, olefinic polymers such as polypropylene, which are chemically resistant and hydrophobic; A sheet or nonwoven fabric made of glass fiber, polyethylene or the like is used. When a solid electrolyte such as a polymer is used as an electrolyte, the solid electrolyte may also serve as a separation membrane.

The lithium salt-containing nonaqueous electrolyte solution is composed of an electrolyte solution and a lithium salt. As the electrolyte solution, a nonaqueous organic solvent, an organic solid electrolyte, and an inorganic solid electrolyte may be used.

Examples of the non-aqueous organic solvent include N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone, propylene carbonate, ethylene carbonate, butylene carbonate, dimethyl carbonate, diethyl carbonate, gamma -Butyrolactone, 1,2-dimethoxyethane, tetrahydroxyfuran, 2-methyltetrahydrofuran, dimethylsulfoxide, 1,3-dioxolane, formamide, dimethylformamide, dioxolane , Acetonitrile, nitromethane, methyl formate, methyl acetate, triester phosphate, trimethoxymethane, dioxolane derivatives, sulfolane, methylsulfolane, 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone, propylene carbonate Nonionic organic solvents such as tetrahydrofuran derivatives, ethers, methyl pyrophosphate, ethyl propionate and the like can be used.

Examples of the organic solid electrolyte include a polymer electrolyte such as a polyethylene derivative, a polyethylene oxide derivative, a polypropylene oxide derivative, a phosphate ester polymer, an agitation lysine, a polyester sulfide, a polyvinyl alcohol, a polyvinylidene fluoride, A polymer containing an ionic dissociation group and the like may be used.

Examples of the inorganic solid electrolyte include Li ₃ N, LiI, Li ₅ NI ₂ , Li ₃ N-LiI-LiOH, LiSiO ₄ , LiSiO ₄ -LiI-LiOH, Li ₂ SiS ₃ , Li ₄ SiO ₄ , Nitrides, halides and sulfates of Li such as Li ₄ SiO ₄ -LiI-LiOH and Li ₃ PO ₄ -Li ₂ S-SiS ₂ can be used.

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

For the purpose of improving the charge / discharge characteristics and the flame retardancy, the electrolytic solution is preferably mixed with an organic solvent such as pyridine, triethylphosphite, triethanolamine, cyclic ether, ethylenediamine, glyme, Benzene derivatives, sulfur, quinone imine dyes, N-substituted oxazolidinones, N, N-substituted imidazolidines, ethylene glycol dialkyl ethers, ammonium salts, pyrrole, 2-methoxyethanol, . In some cases, halogen-containing solvents such as carbon tetrachloride and ethylene trifluoride may be further added to impart nonflammability. In order to improve the high-temperature storage characteristics, carbon dioxide gas may be further added. FEC (Fluoro-Ethylene Carbonate, PRS (Propene sultone), and the like.

In a preferred _{embodiment, LiPF 6, LiClO 4, LiBF} 4, LiN (SO 2 CF 3) 2 , such as a lithium salt, a highly dielectric solvent of DEC, DMC or EMC Fig solvent cyclic carbonate and a low viscosity of the EC or PC of And then adding it to a mixed solvent of linear carbonate to prepare a lithium salt-containing non-aqueous electrolyte.

The battery cell according to the present invention is characterized in that it has a structure in which the electrode lead has little or no bending phenomenon for the reasons described above.

The present invention also provides a battery module including the battery cell as a unit cell, a battery pack including the battery module, and a device including the battery pack as a power source.

The battery pack can be used as a power source for a medium and large-sized device requiring high temperature stability, long cycle characteristics, and high rate characteristics.

Preferred examples of the above medium to large devices include a power tool that is powered by an electric motor and moves; An electric vehicle including an electric vehicle (EV), a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), and the like; An electric motorcycle including an electric bike (E-bike) and an electric scooter (E-scooter); An electric golf cart; And a power storage system, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

As described above, the battery cell transferring apparatus according to the present invention includes the cell gripper having the specific structure and the gripping portion equipped with the lead gripper, so that the deformed electrode lead can be corrected after the welding process of the electrode lead, The secondary battery can be smoothly charged into the activated charger / discharger, so that the failure can be minimized and the efficiency of the production process can be improved.

1 is a schematic view showing a process of ultrasonic welding an electrode lead to an electrode tab;
2 is a schematic view of an electrode assembly in which an electrode lead and an electrode tab are welded;
3 is a front view of a battery cell transfer device according to one embodiment of the present invention;
4 is a front view of a guide member of a battery cell transporting device according to one embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 5 is a side view of Figure 4;
Figures 6 and 7 are plan views of a gripping portion according to one embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 8 is a side view and plan view of a cell gripper and a lead gripper according to one embodiment of the present invention;
9 is a plan view, a front view and a side view of an air chuck cylinder according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited by the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a battery cell transfer apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a plan view of a gripping unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to these drawings, a battery cell 100 is mounted on a battery cell transfer device 800. [ The battery cell 100 shown in FIG. 3 is a battery cell in which the initial activation charge has not been performed. The battery cell 100 includes a gas collecting part 132 for collecting gas generated in the battery cell 100 at the time of initial charging. And extends on one side of the case 131.

On the other hand, the battery cell transfer device 800 includes a transfer unit 300 and a gripping unit 400. 3, the cell gripper 410 of the gripping part 400 holds and fixes the main body of the battery cell 100, and the lead gripper 420 is fixed to the electrode leads of the battery cell 100, (111, 112).

The conveyance unit 300 includes a conveyor belt 310 and connection supports 320 and 330 for fixing the support 340 to the conveyor belt 310. [ A guide member 600 for receiving and fixing the battery cell 100 is mounted on the top of the pedestal 340. Accordingly, the transfer part 300 having such a structure can stably receive and fix and transfer the battery cell.

The gripping part 400 is mounted on one side of the air chuck cylinder 500 and the air chuck cylinder 500 is extended and fixed from the main support 710 in an upper direction by a support member 720. Further, a sensor 730 is additionally mounted on the main pedestal 710 to sense the mounting and movement of the battery cell 100.

Therefore, the battery cell transfer device 800 according to the present invention includes the cell gripper 410 having the specific structure and the gripping portion 400 equipped with the lead gripper 420, It is possible to correct the electrode lead.

4 and 5 show a front view and a side view of a guide member of the battery cell transfer device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

3, the guide member 600 is mounted on the upper portion of the pedestal 340, and extends in the outward direction of the inserting portion of the battery cell 100 so as to easily accommodate the battery cell 100. As shown in FIG. A bending portion 610 bent at a predetermined angle, a guide portion 620 connecting the bending portion 610 to the pedestal 340 and a guide portion 620 for improving the self-rigidity of the guide portion 620, And a stiffener 630 formed perpendicular to the outer surface of the stiffener 630.

6 and 7 show plan views of a gripping portion according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a side view (a) and a plan view (b) of a cell gripper and a lead gripper according to an embodiment of the present invention 9 shows a plan view (a), a front view (b), and a side view (c) of an air chuck cylinder according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to these figures together with FIG. 3, the gripping part 400 is mounted on one side of the air chuck cylinder 500. More specifically, the gripping unit 400 includes a cell gripper 410, a lead gripper 420, and a connection unit 430. The air chuck cylinder 500 includes a finger 510 and a main body 520 Consists of.

The main body 520 of the air chuck cylinder 500 receives compressed air from the outside to transmit power to the fingering 510 and the fingering 510 receives power from the main body 520 to perform opening and closing operations . The gripping unit 400 mounted on the finger 510 may grip and fix the main body and the electrode leads 111 and 112 of the battery cell 100 by opening and closing the finger 510. [ The opening and closing angles? 1 and? 2 and the opening and closing angular velocities of the fingering 510 are determined by the thickness of the main body of the battery cell 100, the thickness of the electrode leads 111 and 112 and the interference with another apparatus, Efficiency and the like, and can be changed and set to a predetermined angle and angular velocity.

The battery cell transferring apparatus 800 according to the present invention includes a gripping portion having a specific structure of a cell gripper and a lead gripper so that the deformed electrode lead can be corrected after the welding process of the electrode lead, Can be smoothly injected into the activated charger / discharger, so that the failure can be minimized and the efficiency of the production process can be improved.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Claims (18)

As a device used for transferring a battery cell in a manufacturing process of a charge / dischargeable plate-shaped battery cell,
A transferring part for transferring the battery cell, and at least one gripping part for holding and fixing the battery cell in the transferring step;
Wherein the gripping unit includes a cell gripper for holding and fixing the main body of the battery cell and a lead gripper for holding and fixing the electrode lead of the battery cell in cooperation with the cell gripper, Cell transport device. The battery cell conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the battery case of the battery cell is at least one selected from the group consisting of a laminate sheet including a resin layer and a metal layer, and a metal can. The battery cell transporting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the laminate sheet has a laminated structure of an outer coating layer, an air and moisture barrier metal layer, and a heat-sealable inner resin layer. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electrode assembly comprises a wound-type structure, a stacked structure, or a stack / folding structure. The battery cell feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the electrode lead is welded to an electrode tab extending from an electrode plate. The battery cell conveying apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the welding is ultrasonic welding. The battery cell transfer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the battery cells have a structure in which electrode leads protrude from both side ends of the battery cell body, the battery cell transfer device includes a pair of gripping portions corresponding to the electrode leads Wherein the battery cell transfer device comprises: The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the conveying unit includes a conveyor belt, a linear motion guide, or a conveyor belt and an LM guide. The lead gripper according to claim 1, wherein the lead gripper includes a first jig and a second jig which are in contact with both surfaces of the electrode lead, and when the electrode lead is held and fixed, the shape of the electrode lead penetrates the center of the battery cell And corrects the voltage to be parallel to the horizontal line. 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein a virtual connecting line between the first jig and the second jig is parallel to a horizontal line passing through the center of the battery cell in the process of holding and fixing the electrode lead. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the gripping unit further comprises an air chuck cylinder for operation of the cell gripper and the lead gripper. The air chuck according to claim 11, wherein the air chuck cylinder is a cam type or gear type air chuck cylinder,
A main body for receiving compressed air from the outside to transmit power to the following finger portions; And
Two or more fingers mounted in directions opposite to each other on one end surface of the main body and performing opening and closing operations by receiving power from the main body;
And a plurality of battery cells. A battery cell characterized by being manufactured using the apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 12. 14. The secondary battery according to claim 13, wherein the battery cell is a lithium secondary battery. A battery module comprising the battery cell according to claim 13 as a unit cell. A battery pack comprising the battery module according to claim 15. 17. A device comprising the battery pack according to claim 16 as a power source. 18. The device of claim 17, wherein the device is an electric vehicle, a hybrid electric vehicle, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, or a system for power storage.

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