KR20160088574A - Degassing Apparatus of Secondary Battery Using Vibration and Method for Degassing - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a degassing apparatus of a secondary battery using vibration and a degassing method thereof, and more specifically to a degassing apparatus to degas from an electrolyte injected into at least one battery cell that is contained in a cell case including an electrode assembly having an anode, a cathode and a separator interposed between the anode and the cathode. The degassing apparatus comprises: chambers having an electrolyte to be injected in the battery cells, introduced into an inside of the battery case through an upper end of the battery cells and having pipes for vacuum-state generation and pressurization; cylinders coupled with one end of the pipes for vacuum-state generation and pressurization to generate a vacuum state and apply pressure; and a vibration generator to apply a vibrational force to the battery cells.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a degassing apparatus and a degassing method for a secondary battery using vibration,

The present invention relates to a degassing apparatus and a degassing method of a secondary battery using vibration.

BACKGROUND ART [0002] In recent years, rechargeable secondary batteries have been widely used as energy sources for wireless mobile devices. In addition, the secondary battery is attracting attention as an energy source for electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, and the like, which is proposed as a solution for air pollution in existing gasoline vehicles and diesel vehicles using fossil fuels. Therefore, the types of applications using secondary batteries are diversifying due to the advantages of secondary batteries, and it is expected that secondary batteries will be applied to many fields and products in the future.

Such a secondary battery may be classified as a lithium ion battery, a lithium ion polymer battery, or a lithium polymer battery depending on the configuration of an electrode and an electrolytic solution. The amount of the lithium ion polymer battery Is growing. 2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a secondary battery includes a cylindrical battery and a prismatic battery in which an electrode assembly is embedded in a cylindrical or rectangular metal can according to the shape of a battery case, and a pouch type battery in which an electrode assembly is embedded in a pouch- , And an electrode assembly embedded in the battery case is a power generation device that includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator structure sandwiched between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and is capable of charging and discharging. The electrode assembly includes a long sheet-like positive electrode coated with an active material, A jelly-roll type which is wound with a separator interposed therebetween, and a stacked type in which a plurality of positive electrodes and negative electrodes of a predetermined size are sequentially stacked with a separator interposed therebetween.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a prismatic battery incorporating a conventional jelly-roll type electrode assembly.

Referring to FIG. 1, the prismatic battery 50 includes an electrode assembly 10 housed in a rectangular metal case 20 and having a protruding electrode terminal (for example, a negative electrode terminal 32 And a top cap 30 is formed on the bottom surface of the top cap 30.

The negative electrode of the electrode assembly 10 is electrically connected to the lower end of the negative electrode terminal 32 on the top cap 30 through the negative electrode tab 12. The negative electrode terminal 32 is electrically connected to the top cap 30 by the insulating member 34, (30). On the other hand, another electrode (for example, an anode) of the electrode assembly 10 is electrically connected to the top cap 30 whose anode tab 14 is made of a conductive material such as aluminum and stainless steel, And forms a bipolar terminal by itself.

In order to ensure the electrical insulation between the electrode assembly 10 and the top cap 30 except for the electrode tabs 12 and 14, a sheet-like insulating member 40 The top cap 30 is attached and welded along the contact surface between the top cap 30 and the case 20 and the electrolyte is injected through the electrolyte injection port 43. Then, (Not shown) is welded and sealed, and the welding portion is coated with epoxy or the like to complete the battery.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the inside of the case where bubbles are generated, and FIG. 3 is an enlarged schematic view of the inside of the cell case of FIG.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, it is confirmed that bubbles B are generated in the cell case 20 when the rectangular area A is enlarged in the cell case made of a transparent material.

Most of the secondary cells including the prismatic type batteries are activated during the manufacturing process of the battery cells by injecting an electrolyte solution and activating the cells by charging and discharging. Bubbles are generated in the electrolyte solution and the electrode assembly in the process of injecting the electrolyte through the main liquid port of the cell case containing the electrode assembly.

The generated bubbles occupy a space inside the cell case, so that the amount of the liquid does not become a desired amount and occupies the internal space in the charging process after sealing, resulting in excessive filling thickness and a reduction in the life of the battery cell.

Such bubbles are not easy to remove, resulting in poor thickness and poor capacity after production, which affects the quality of the battery cell and hinders safety.

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

More specifically, the present invention provides an electrolyte injection device for removing bubbles generated in an electrolyte solution in the course of injecting an electrolyte solution into battery cells, and capable of removing bubbles by applying vibration to the electrolyte solution during the injection process .

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a deaerating apparatus for a secondary battery using vibration,

A degassing apparatus for removing gas from an electrolyte solution poured into at least one battery cell having an electrode assembly including a cathode, a cathode, and a separator interposed between the anode and the cathode,

Chambers holding electrolytic solution injected into the battery cells, introduced into the battery case through upper ends of the battery cells, and having tubes for vacuum and pressurization;

Cylinders coupled to one end of the tubes for vacuum and pressurization to apply vacuum and pressurization; And

And a vibration generator for applying vibration to the battery cells.

Therefore, by applying vibration during the process of injecting the electrolyte into the battery cells, bubbles generated in the electrolyte can be removed, thereby increasing the capacity of the battery cell and improving the quality of the battery cell.

In one specific example, the battery cell may be a prismatic battery cell having a structure in which an electrode assembly is housed in a square can as a cell case, and a top cap in which an electrolyte injection hole is perforated is coupled to an open upper end of the can.

According to the present invention, the electrolytic solution may be separately injected into a primary solution and a secondary solution. For example, the primary solution may be injected within a range of 8 minutes to 12 minutes, It may be injected within the range of 1 minute to 5 minutes.

In one specific example, the secondary instillation can be performed discontinuously in the range from the first instillation after the first instillation or within 2 hours after the first instillation.

In such a case, the vacuum and pressurization may be performed repeatedly two or more times.

Further, the vibration may be applied simultaneously in the process of being vacuumed and pressurized, for example, the vibration may be applied at 0.06 inch / 60Hz, and the vibration may be applied for a time ranging from 5 minutes to 30 minutes .

In one specific example, the pressurization can be performed by introducing nitrogen gas.

Optionally, the chamber can be poured and pressurized after the initial vacuum.

On the other hand, according to the present invention,

Pallets on which the battery cells are fixed;

A carrier in which the pallets are housed in a row;

A conveyor for horizontally moving the carrier;

Up cams for raising the pallets upward relative to the ground;

Holes for pouring an electrolyte solution into the side surfaces of the chambers;

A main liquid port opening / closing bar supporting the chambers on the side and having perforations corresponding to the main liquid port;

Pressure portions located on the left and right sides to move the main liquid-liquid opening / closing bar in the lateral direction;

Solenoid valves located at the top of the cylinders to evacuate and pressurize the electrolytic solution and exhaust the internal gas;

A fixed bar to which the upper ends of the cylinders are fixed;

Liquid drop ports mounted on a needle which descends in a gravity direction at a front position of the upper ends of the cylinders to inject an electrolyte solution into a main liquid port of the chamber; And

Support bars coupled to both sides of the fixing bar to support the fixing bars in the vertical direction;

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In one specific example, the pellets may have a structure in which a battery cell receiving portion into which the battery cell is inserted is formed.

In some cases, the hoses may be connected to the rear surface of the liquor ports.

In one specific example, the liquor ports and the needle may be of a structure inclined at a range of 30 to 80 degrees relative to the ground.

In such a structure, the main liquid port opening / closing bar may have a structure in which the main liquid ports are opened when horizontally moved to one side, and the main liquid ports are closed when moving in the opposite direction.

In one specific example, the solenoid valve may further include a sensor for sensing vacuum and pressurization.

Optionally, the apparatus may further comprise an exhaust device for vacuum and valves for the gases or fluids to flow, in order to inject the electrolyte in vacuum.

The vibration generator can apply vibration to the carrier housing the battery cells.

The vibration generator may be a piezoelectric element type oscillator using a B.L.T (Bolt Clamped Langevin Type Transducer) element.

On the other hand, the present invention provides a method for degassing a battery cell using a degassing apparatus,

A process in which the battery cells are mounted to the pallet and the chamber;

Applying an initial vacuum to the battery cells;

A process of injecting an electrolyte into the battery cells;

Applying vibration to the electrolyte solution injected into the battery cells while applying vacuum and pressurization; And

Removing the battery cells from the chamber and the pallet;

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In one specific example, the process of injecting the electrolytic solution may include a primary injection process and a secondary injection process, and the process of applying the vacuum and the pressurization may be repeated two or more times.

In some cases, the resistance value of the battery cell may be measured after the degassing process and compared with the resistance value before the experiment, and a normal determination may be made if the error is in the range of -10% to 10%.

In one specific example, the resistance value of the battery cell may be measured after the degassing process and compared with the resistance value before the experiment, and a normal determination may be made if the error is in the range of -5% to 5%.

The present invention provides a battery cell manufactured using a degassing apparatus and a battery pack using the battery cell as a unit cell.

The present invention also provides a device including a battery pack as a power source.

The device may be selected from a computer, a mobile phone, a wearable electronic device, a power tool, an electric vehicle, a hybrid electric vehicle, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, a electric motorcycle, an electric golf cart,

The structure and manufacturing method of such a device are well known in the art, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted herein.

As described above, the degassing apparatus and the degassing method of a secondary battery using vibration according to the present invention can prevent the bubbles from becoming a desired amount of the main liquid in the electrolyte injection process, occupy the internal space in the charging process, It is possible to provide an effect of eliminating bubbles which cause a reduction in the lifetime of the cell.

In addition, the present invention provides an effect of improving the performance and quality of the reworked battery cell to ensure safety.

1 is a schematic view of a prismatic battery incorporating a conventional jelly-roll type electrode assembly;
2 is a schematic view of the inside of the case where bubbles are generated;
3 is an enlarged schematic view of the bubbles generated inside the cell case of Fig. 2;
4 is a schematic diagram of an electrolyte injection device according to one embodiment of the present invention;
5 is a schematic schematic view of the electrolyte injection apparatus of FIG. 4;
6 is a flowchart of a method of injecting a battery cell 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. 4 is a schematic view of an electrolyte injection device according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an electrolyte injection device of FIG.

4 and 5, a degassing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention includes chambers 130 having tubes for vacuum and pressurization, cylinders (not shown) coupled to tubes for vacuum and pressurization 140, and a vibration generator 150 for applying vibration to the battery cells.

The vibration generator 150 is a piezoelectric element type vibrator using a B.L.T (Bolt-clamped Langevin type transducer) element, and applies ultrasonic waves of 60 Hz to generate vibration.

The chambers 130 hold the electrolyte solution injected into the battery cells 101 and are introduced into the battery case through the upper end of the battery cells 201 and have tubes for vacuum and pressurization.

Cylinders 140 are coupled to one end of the tubes for vacuum and pressurization of the chambers 130 to apply vacuum and pressurization. The cylinders 140 are located at the upper end of the chambers 130. The upper ends of the cylinders 140 are fixed to the fixed bar 230 and the cylinders 140 pressurize the electrolytic solution in a vacuum state.

The carrier 170 accommodating the battery cells 101 is positioned on the upper surface of the conveyor 175 and the vibration generator 150 is positioned on the lower surface of the conveyor 175. In the course of vacuum and pressurization of the electrolyte, (101).

The battery cells 101 are fixed to the pallets 160 and are housed in the carrier 170 in a line. The battery cell 101 has a structure in which an electrode assembly is housed in a square can as a cell case 102 and is coupled to a top cap 103 having an electrolyte injection hole formed at the open upper end of the can.

The lifting cams 190 move upward in the vertical direction (Z direction) with respect to the paper surface of the pallet 160 to which the battery cells 101 are fixed, and the battery cells 101 are aligned And is horizontally moved in a direction perpendicular to the direction (X direction).

On the side surfaces of the chambers 130, nipple holes (not shown) for injecting an electrolyte solution into each of the battery cells 101 are perforated. The main liquid port opening / closing bar 200 moves in the left and right directions (X direction), and the main liquid ports are opened and closed. The main liquid pool opening and closing bar 200 is moved in the left and right directions (X direction) by the left pressing portions 211 and the right pressing portions 212 of the main liquid pool opening and closing bar 200.

That is, when the main liquid pool opening / closing bar 200 is supported by the support members 202 and moves to the left, the positions of the liquid pools of the chambers 130 and the holes 203 of the main liquid pool opening / When the main liquid opening / closing bar 200 moves to the right after the electrolyte injection into the chamber 130 is completed, the main liquid in the chamber 130 is sealed.

The support bars 251 and 252 are coupled to the fixed bar 230 on both sides and are connected to each other in such a manner that the devices such as the chamber 130, the main liquid supply opening and closing bar 200, .

The instilling ports 240 located in front of the upper end of the cylinders 140 descend in the gravity direction and the needles 242 are moved in the direction of gravity in order to inject the electrolyte solution into the chambers of the chamber 130, And the electrolytic solution is injected into the chamber 130.

The solen valves 220 are located above the cylinders 140 and pressurize the electrolyte solution in the battery cells 101 and exhaust the internal gas and bubbles to the outside. The solenoid valves 220 are each equipped with a sensor (not shown) for sensing vacuum and pressurization.

In the chamber 130, after the initial vacuum, the electrolytic solution is injected and pressurized, and the pressurization is performed by introducing a nitrogen gas which is friendly to the electrolytic solution. Vacuum and pressurization are performed three times repeatedly, and at the same time, a vibration of 0.06 inches / 60 Hz is applied to the battery cells 101 for 8 minutes.

The electrolytic solution is separated into a primary liquid and a secondary liquid to be poured into the battery cells 101. The primary juice is injected for 10 minutes and the secondary juice is injected for 2 minutes. The secondary instilling is carried out after 2 hours after the completion of the primary instilling.

When the battery cell 101 is fixed to the pallet 160, the chamber 130 descends toward the battery cell 101 to inject the electrolyte, and vibration is applied from the vibration generator 150, And exhausts the air bubbles to the outside. When the gas and the bubbles of the battery cell 101 are exhausted to the outside, the chamber 130 is moved upward and the battery cell 101 is removed from the pallet 160.

6 is a flowchart of a method of injecting a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In a method of discharging the battery cell from the electrolyte, the battery cells are mounted to the pallet and the chamber (S110). Then, an initial vacuum is applied to the battery cells to inject the electrolyte solution (S120), and an electrolyte is injected into the battery cells (S130). Here, the electrolytic solution injected into the battery cells is repeatedly applied twice or more under vacuum and pressure, and vibration is simultaneously applied (S140). Thereafter, after the vibration is applied for the predetermined time, the battery cells are separated from the chamber and the pallet (S150). Finally, the resistance value of the battery cells is measured and compared with the resistance value before the pouring solution. If the error in the normal range is in the range of -10% to 10%, it is judged as normal (S160).

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 (27)

A degassing apparatus for removing gas from an electrolyte solution poured into at least one battery cell having an electrode assembly including a cathode, a cathode, and a separator interposed between the anode and the cathode,
Chambers holding electrolytic solution injected into the battery cells, introduced into the battery case through upper ends of the battery cells, and having tubes for vacuum and pressurization;
Cylinders coupled to one end of the tubes for vacuum and pressurization to apply vacuum and pressurization; And
A vibration generator for applying vibration to the battery cells;
Wherein the deaerator is provided with a deaerator. The battery cell according to claim 1, characterized in that the battery cell is a prismatic battery cell having a structure in which an electrode assembly is housed in a square can as a cell case, and a top cap in which an electrolyte injection hole is perforated is coupled to an open top of a square can Degassing apparatus. The degasser according to claim 1, wherein the electrolytic solution is separately injected into a primary solution and a secondary solution. 4. The degasser according to claim 3, wherein the primary syrup is poured in a range of 8 to 12 minutes. 4. The degasser according to claim 3, wherein the secondary fluid is poured in a range of 1 minute to 5 minutes. 4. The degasser according to claim 3, wherein the secondary instilling is carried out discontinuously in a range of not more than two hours after the first pouring, or continuously after the first pouring. The degassing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vacuum and pressurization are repeated two or more times. The degasser according to claim 1, wherein the vibration is applied simultaneously during vacuum and pressurization. The degasser according to claim 1, wherein the vibration is applied at 0.06 inch / 60Hz. The degasser according to claim 8, wherein the vibration is applied for a time ranging from 5 minutes to 30 minutes. The degassing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressurization is performed by introducing nitrogen gas. The degasser according to claim 1, wherein the chamber is subjected to an initial vacuum and then the liquid is injected and pressurized. 2. The apparatus of claim 1,
Pallets on which the battery cells are fixed;
A carrier in which the pallets are housed in a row;
A conveyor for horizontally moving the carrier;
Up cams for raising the pallets upward relative to the ground;
Holes for pouring an electrolyte solution into the side surfaces of the chambers;
A main liquid port opening / closing bar supporting the chambers on the side and having perforations corresponding to the main liquid port;
Pressure portions located on the left and right sides to move the main liquid-liquid opening / closing bar in the lateral direction;
Sol Valves located at the top of the cylinders to evacuate and pressurize the electrolyte and exhaust the internal gas;
A fixed bar to which the upper ends of the cylinders are fixed;
Liquid drop ports mounted on a needle which descends in a gravity direction at a front position of the upper ends of the cylinders to inject an electrolyte solution into a main liquid port of the chamber; And
Support bars coupled to both sides of the fixing bar to support the fixing bars in the vertical direction;
Wherein the deaerator is provided with a deaerator. 2. The degasser according to claim 1, wherein the pellets are formed with a battery cell receiving portion into which the battery cells are inserted. 14. The degasser according to claim 13, wherein hoses are connected to the rear surface of the liquor ports. 14. The degasser of claim 13, wherein the fluid ports and the needle are inclined at a range of 30 to 80 degrees relative to the ground. 14. The degasser according to claim 13, wherein the main liquid pool opening / closing bar has a structure in which the main liquid pools are opened when horizontally moved to one side, and the main liquid pools are closed when moving in the opposite direction. 2. The degasser of claim 1, wherein the solenoid valve further comprises a sensor for sensing vacuum and pressurization. A method for degassing a battery cell using a degassing apparatus according to claim 1,
A process in which the battery cells are mounted to the pallet and the chamber;
Applying an initial vacuum to the battery cells;
A process of injecting an electrolyte into the battery cells;
Applying vibration to the electrolyte solution injected into the battery cells while applying vacuum and pressurization; And
Removing the battery cells from the chamber and the pallet;
And a gas outlet. 20. The degassing method according to claim 19, wherein the electrolytic solution is injected through a primary injection process and a secondary injection process. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the process of applying vacuum and pressurization is repeated two or more times. The method according to claim 19, further comprising a step of measuring a resistance value of the battery cell after the degassing process and comparing the resistance value with the resistance value before the experiment, and determining that the error is in the range of -10% to 10% . 23. The method according to claim 22, further comprising the step of measuring the resistance value of the battery cell after the degassing process and comparing the resistance value with the resistance value before the experiment, and determining that the error is in the range of -5% to 5% . A battery cell manufactured by using the degassing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 23. The battery pack according to claim 24, wherein the battery cell is a unit cell. A device comprising the battery pack according to claim 25 as a power source. 27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the device is a computer, a mobile phone, a wearable electronic device, a power tool, an electric vehicle (EV), a hybrid electric vehicle, a plug- , Or a system for power storage.

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