KR20170027387A - Device for Manufacturing Battery Cell of Enhancing Electrolyte Wetting through Vibration - Google Patents

Abstract

As a device for improving wetting of an electrolyte for an electrode assembly in a preliminary battery cell in an aging process in a manufacturing process of a battery cell, the present invention provides an electrolyte wetting device for manufacturing a battery cell, which includes a battery cell tray on which one or more preliminary battery cells are received; and a vibration applying unit which applies the vibration to the preliminary battery cell when the preliminary battery cell is received on the battery cell tray.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device for manufacturing an electrolyte cell for enhancing impregnation,

The present invention relates to an electrolytic solution impregnating apparatus for manufacturing a battery cell using vibration for improving impregnation.

In recent years, the demand for environmentally friendly alternative energy sources has become an indispensable factor for the future, as the increase in the price of energy sources due to depletion of fossil fuels and the interest in environmental pollution are amplified. Various researches on power generation technologies such as nuclear power, solar power, wind power, and tidal power have been continuing, and electric power storage devices for more efficient use of such generated energy have also been attracting much attention.

Particularly, 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 that can meet various demands have been conducted.

Typically, in terms of the shape of a battery, there is a high demand for a prismatic secondary battery and a pouch-type secondary battery which can be applied to products such as mobile phones with a small thickness, and has advantages such as high energy density, discharge voltage, There is a high demand for lithium secondary batteries such as lithium ion batteries and lithium ion polymer batteries.

The secondary battery includes a cylindrical battery and a prismatic battery in which the electrode assembly is housed in a cylindrical or rectangular metal can according to the shape of the battery case, and a pouch type battery in which the electrode assembly is housed in a pouch-shaped case of an aluminum laminate sheet .

In particular, in recent years, a pouch-shaped battery having a structure in which a stacked or stacked / folded electrode assembly is embedded in a pouch-shaped battery case of an aluminum laminate sheet has attracted much attention due to low manufacturing cost, small weight, And its usage is gradually increasing.

Generally, such a secondary battery is manufactured by sealing an electrode assembly having a structure including a cathode, a cathode, and a separator interposed between the anode and the cathode, together with an electrolytic solution, in a state where the electrode assembly is embedded in the battery case.

In this case, the secondary battery is subjected to an aging process under a specific temperature, pressure, and time conditions so as to improve the impregnability of the electrolyte solution to the electrode assembly, and the generated gas is discharged to the outside Degassing process.

However, the aging process takes too much time to allow the electrode assembly to be sufficiently impregnated with the electrolytic solution, thereby increasing the overall time and cost required for manufacturing the secondary battery.

Also, since the aging process is performed only in a state where the electrode assembly and the electrolyte are sealed together in the battery case, the impregnation property with respect to the electrolyte may be different according to each part of the electrode assembly, and in some cases, There is a problem that a site can occur.

In order to solve the above problems, after the degassing process of the secondary battery, an additional aging process is performed to improve the impregnation property of the electrode assembly with the electrolyte. However, this may delay the overall process of the secondary battery, There is a problem that the time and cost required for manufacturing are increased.

Therefore, there is a high need for a technique capable of fundamentally solving such problems.

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.

The inventors of the present application have conducted intensive research and various experiments, and have found that, as will be described later, in a state in which a spare battery cell is housed in a battery cell tray, vibration is applied to the spare battery cell by a vibration applying unit Thus, it is possible to increase the direct physical contact between the electrode assembly and the electrolyte due to the vibration, improve the impregnability of the electrolyte solution, improve the performance of the battery cell, and eliminate the need for an additional aging step or electrolyte impregnation step. It has been confirmed that the time and cost required for manufacturing the cell can be saved, and the present invention has been accomplished.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrolyte-impregnating apparatus for manufacturing a battery cell,

An apparatus for improving wetting of an electrolyte solution in an electrode assembly in a spare battery cell in an aging process during a manufacturing process of the battery cell,

A battery cell tray in which one or more spare battery cells are housed; And

A vibration applying unit for applying vibration to the spare battery cell in a state where the spare battery cell is housed in the battery cell tray;

As shown in FIG.

Therefore, it is possible to increase the direct physical contact between the electrode assembly and the electrolyte due to the vibration applied to the spare battery cell from the vibration applying unit, improve the impregnability of the electrolyte solution, improve the performance of the battery cell, Since the aging step or the electrolytic solution impregnation step is unnecessary, the time and cost required for manufacturing the battery cell can be saved.

In one specific example, the battery cell may have a structure in which an electrode assembly including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode is embedded in a battery case together with an electrolyte solution.

In other words, the structure and the kind of the battery cell that can be manufactured through the electrolyte impregnation device according to the present invention are not limited to a great extent, and an electrode assembly including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode The battery pack can be easily applied to a battery cell having a structure in which an electrolyte solution is directly contacted with the electrode assembly.

In addition, if the vibration from the vibration applying unit is effectively applied to the spare battery cell, the electrolyte impregnating apparatus for producing a battery cell is not limited to the vibration applying method or the configuration. In detail, A structure in which vibration is applied in a state of being in direct contact with the battery cell or the vibration applying unit may transmit the vibration to the spare battery cell by applying vibration to the battery cell tray.

In other words, the vibration applying unit can directly or indirectly apply vibration to the spare battery cell, and can effectively apply vibration through an appropriate method or configuration in consideration of various factors such as process efficiency, space restriction, and the like.

In one specific example, the vibration may be a structure that is applied by a physical impact applied directly from the vibration application portion.

That is, the vibration applying unit is a structure in which a physical impact is applied by directly contacting the outer surface of the spare battery cell or the battery cell tray in a state where the vibration applying unit is not in contact with the outer surface of the spare battery cell or the battery cell tray containing the spare battery cell. The contact between the electrolyte solution and the electrode assembly is increased by the flow of the electrolyte generated due to the vibration applied to the spare battery cell, so that the impregnability of the electrolyte solution to the electrode assembly can be improved.

In another specific example, the vibration may be a structure applied by repetitive flow of the vibration applying portion.

More specifically, the vibration applying unit may repeatedly flow in contact with the outer surface of the spare battery cell or the battery cell tray, and vibration is applied to the spare battery cell by the flow of the vibration applying unit, The impregnability of the electrolyte solution with respect to the sealed electrode assembly can be improved.

At this time, the vibration applying unit flows finely and rapidly repetitively in a short time, thereby maximizing the effect of improving the electrolyte impregnability.

In another specific example, the vibration may be a structure which is applied by ultrasonic waves generated in a vibration applying portion.

Generally, ultrasonic waves can apply regular vibration to the preliminary battery cell due to inherent high frequency, thereby making it easier to increase the contact between the electrode assembly and the electrolyte in the preliminary battery cell, The impregnability of the electrolytic solution to the assembly can be improved.

In particular, the ultrasonic waves may have a frequency of 20 kHz to 100 kHz and an amplitude of 2 to 30 탆.

If the frequency and the amplitude of the ultrasonic wave are lower than the above range, the desired effect of improving electrolyte impregnability can not be exhibited. If the frequency and the amplitude are higher than the above range, the efficiency of the manufacturing process is decreased, May be lowered, which is not preferable.

Further, the vibration may be applied once or twice or more periodically or non-periodically.

Here, the number and frequency of vibration applied from the vibration applying unit may be appropriately selected according to conditions such as the quantity and size of the spare battery cell to which vibration is applied.

Meanwhile, the battery cell tray may have a structure in which the upper surface of the battery cell tray is opened with respect to the ground, and the battery cell tray is recessed from the opening portion in a downward direction.

Therefore, the preliminary battery cell can be more easily accommodated and removed through the open upper surface of the battery cell tray, the preliminary battery cell can be prevented from being damaged due to the vibration applied by the physical stimulation from the vibration applying unit, The stowed state of the spare battery cell can be stably maintained.

In one specific example, the preliminary battery cell may be a structure in which the preliminary battery cell is housed in a battery cell tray and is carried on a liquid medium.

More specifically, the liquid medium is a medium for transferring the vibration applied from the vibration applying unit to the spare battery cell, which carries the spare battery cell housed in the battery cell tray, and consequently a space between the battery cell tray and the spare battery cell Can be kept filled.

Therefore, the vibration applied from the vibration applying unit can be more effectively transmitted to the spare battery cell while minimizing the loss, and is uniformly transmitted to all the parts of the spare battery cell, so that the vibration applied to the vibration applying unit It is possible to effectively prevent problems such as damage or short-circuiting of the spare battery cell that may occur due to vibration concentration at a specific site such as an adjacent site.

Also, in order to maximize the above effect, the preliminary battery cell may have a structure in which at least 50% or more of the preliminary battery cell is supported on the liquid medium based on the outer surface area.

If the preliminary battery cell has less than 50% of the outer surface area of the preliminary battery cell carried on the liquid medium, the effect of transmission of the vibration by the liquid medium may deteriorate and the desired effect may not be exhibited.

In this case, if the liquid medium is capable of effectively transmitting the vibration from the vibration applying unit to the spare battery cell housed in the battery cell tray, the type thereof is not limited to a great extent. More specifically, When considered, it can be water.

In addition, the vibration applying section may be supported on the liquid medium, and the vibration applying section may be configured to apply vibration through the liquid medium while being spaced apart from the spare battery cell by a predetermined distance.

For example, the vibration applying unit may be an ultrasonic horn or a vibrator that generates a regular vibration and a wavelength thereof. The vibration applying unit including the ultrasonic horn or the vibrator may be in contact with the electrode cell, In addition, a structure may be employed in which vibration is applied through a liquid medium in direct contact with the spare battery cell while being spaced apart from the spare battery cell at a predetermined interval.

However, the position and structure of the vibration applying unit are not limited thereto. Specifically, in a state in which the preliminary battery cell is supported on the liquid medium, the vibration applying unit applies vibration to the battery cell tray, The vibration applying unit may apply a vibration to the battery cell tray so that the vibration applying unit may transmit vibration more effectively when the vibration applying unit is the ultrasonic horn or vibrator as described above. It may be a structure in which vibration is applied in a direct contact state.

In one specific example, the aging process may be performed prior to the degassing process.

More specifically, the aging step is a step of improving impregnability of the electrolyte solution to the electrode assembly by direct contact between the electrode assembly and the electrolyte. Accordingly, in the sealed battery cell, by the reaction between the electrode assembly and the electrolyte A gas may be generated, and the gas may be discharged to the outside through a subsequent degassing process.

That is, since the aging process is performed prior to the degassing process, the gas that may be generated in the aging process can be removed in a subsequent degassing process.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a battery cell using the electrolyte impregnating apparatus for manufacturing a battery cell,

a) fabricating a preliminary battery cell by sealing the electrode assembly with the electrolyte solution stored in the battery case;

b) supporting the preliminary battery cell on a liquid medium in a state that the preliminary battery cell is housed in a battery cell tray of an electrolyte solution impregnating device;

c) applying vibration to the spare battery cell; And

d) completing the charging / discharging and degassing process of the spare battery cell to complete the final battery cell;

. ≪ / RTI >

In this case, the vibration may be applied by the vibration applying unit of the electrolyte solution impregnating device for producing a battery cell, and the vibration applying unit may be directly contacted with the spare battery cell, or may be separated from the spare battery cell at a predetermined interval, And the vibration applying unit may transmit a vibration to the battery cell tray by applying vibration to the battery cell tray.

The present invention also provides a battery cell manufactured using the above method and a battery pack including at least one of the battery cells. Since the battery cells and the battery pack are known in the art, A detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, the electrolyte-impregnating apparatus for manufacturing a battery cell according to the present invention is configured to apply vibration to the spare battery cell by the vibration applying unit in a state where the spare battery cell is housed in the battery cell tray, It is possible to increase the direct physical contact between the electrode assembly and the electrolytic solution due to the electrolytic solution, thereby improving the impregnating property of the electrolytic solution, thereby improving the performance of the battery cell and further eliminating the need for an aging step or an electrolyte impregnation step. Time and cost can be saved.

1 is a schematic view schematically showing the structure of an electrolyte solution impregnating apparatus for manufacturing a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present invention;
2 to 5 are schematic views schematically showing various structures of an electrolyte solution impregnating apparatus for manufacturing a battery cell according to another embodiment of the present invention.

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

FIG. 1 is a schematic view schematically showing the structure of an electrolyte solution-impregnating apparatus for manufacturing a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1, the spare battery cell 110 has a structure in which the outer periphery of the electrode assembly 111 is sealed by thermal fusion in a state where the electrode assembly 111 is closely contacted in one direction within the battery case 112 and is accommodated together with the electrolyte solution Lt; / RTI >

A gas discharging portion 113 for discharging gas by puncturing the battery case 112 in a subsequent degassing process is formed at a portion of the battery case 112 opposed to the portion where the electrode assembly 111 is in close contact .

The electrolyte-impregnating apparatus 100 for manufacturing a battery cell includes a battery cell tray 120 and a vibration applying unit 130.

The battery cell tray 120 has a shape recessed in a downward direction with the upper surface opened with respect to the paper surface.

Thus, the spare battery cell 110 can be more easily accommodated and removed through the open upper surface of the battery cell tray 120. [

The spare battery cell 110 is supported on the liquid medium 140 in a state of being accommodated in the battery cell tray.

The vibration applying unit 130 is composed of a pair of vibrators, and the vibration applying unit 130 including the pair of vibrators is spaced apart from the spare battery cell 110 at a predetermined interval.

Thus, the vibration applied from the vibration applying unit 130 is transmitted to the spare battery cell 110 through the liquid medium 140, so that the vibration applied to the spare battery cell in contact with the liquid medium 140 The impregnability of the electrolyte solution to the electrode assembly 111 in the spare battery cell 110 can be improved.

It goes without saying that the vibration applying unit 130 composed of such a vibrator may apply vibration in a state of being closely attached to the spare battery cell 110.

FIGS. 2 to 5 are schematic views schematically showing various structures of an electrolyte solution-impregnating apparatus for manufacturing a battery cell according to another embodiment of the present invention.

2, the vibration applying unit 230 includes a columnar ultrasonic horn and is spaced apart from the spare battery cell 210 at a predetermined interval.

The vibration applying unit 230 applies ultrasonic waves having a frequency of 20 kHz to 100 kHz and an amplitude of 2 m to 30 m so that the ultrasonic waves oscillate the liquid medium 240, 220, thereby improving the impregnation performance of the electrode assembly in the preliminary battery cell 210 with respect to the electrolyte solution.

The vibrations applied by the ultrasonic waves of the vibration applying unit 230 may be applied once or more or twice or more periodically or non-periodically, and the vibration applying unit 230 may be applied to the pre- Vibration may be applied through ultrasonic waves in one or more directions in various directions depending on conditions such as the quantity and size of the cells 210 or vibration may be applied in a state of being closely attached to the spare battery cell 210 to be.

Referring to FIG. 3, seven battery cells 310 are housed in the battery cell tray 320 while being loaded on the liquid medium 240.

The vibration applying unit 330 is formed of a cylindrical ultrasonic horn and is placed in contact with the lower surface 322 of the battery cell tray 320.

The vibration applying unit 330 applies ultrasonic waves having a frequency of 20 kHz to 100 kHz and an amplitude of 2 to 30 탆 so that ultrasonic waves can vibrate the liquid medium 240, 320, thereby enhancing the impregnation property of the electrode assembly in the preliminary battery cell 310 with respect to the electrolyte solution.

The vibration applied by the ultrasonic waves of the vibration applying unit 330 may be applied once or twice or more periodically or non-periodically, and the vibration applying unit 330 may apply the vibration to the pre- The vibration may be applied through the ultrasonic wave in a state of being closely attached to the battery cell tray 320 in one or two or more directions depending on the conditions such as the number of the cells 310 and the size of the battery cell tray 320 Of course.

Referring to FIG. 4, the electrolytic solution impregnating apparatus 400 for manufacturing a battery cell is the same as the electrolytic solution impregnating apparatus for manufacturing a battery cell in FIG. 3 except for the vibration applying unit 430.

Specifically, the vibration applying portion 430 is in a plate-like structure and is placed in contact with the lower surface of the battery cell tray 420.

The vibration applying unit 430 flows in a small amount and repeatedly in the lateral direction repeatedly in a short time so that vibration is applied to the spare battery cell 410 stored in the battery cell tray 420 through the liquid medium 440 The impregnation property of the electrode assembly in the spare battery cell 410 to the electrolyte can be improved.

The vibration applying unit 430 may apply the vibration of the battery cell 410 to the vibration applying unit 430 in the same manner as the vibration applying unit 430, The battery cell tray 420 may be in close contact with the battery cell tray 420 in one or more directions depending on conditions such as the size of the battery cell tray 420, the size of the battery cell tray 420, and the like.

Referring to FIG. 5, the electrolytic solution impregnating apparatus 500 for manufacturing a battery cell is the same as the electrolytic solution impregnating apparatus for producing a battery cell in FIG. 2 except for the vibration applying unit 530.

Specifically, the vibration applying unit 530 is located in the direction of the side wall 521 of the battery cell tray 520 and is physically impacted by contacting with the side wall 521 of the battery cell tray 520, The vibration is applied to the spare battery cell 510 accommodated in the battery cell tray 520 through the through holes 540 and 540 so that the impregnability of the electrode assembly in the spare battery cell 510 with the electrolyte can be improved.

The vibration applying unit 530 may apply the number of the spare battery cells 510 stored in the battery cell tray 520, the number of the spare battery cells 510 stored in the battery cell tray 520, The vibration may be applied by applying a physical impact to one or two or more various directions depending on the conditions such as the size of the movable member 520.

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)

An apparatus for improving wetting of an electrolyte solution in an electrode assembly in a spare battery cell in an aging process during a manufacturing process of the battery cell,
A battery cell tray in which one or more spare battery cells are housed; And
A vibration applying unit for applying vibration to the spare battery cell in a state where the spare battery cell is housed in the battery cell tray;
And an electrolyte solution containing the electrolyte solution. The battery cell according to claim 1, wherein the battery cell has a structure in which an electrode assembly including a cathode, a cathode, and a separator interposed between the anode and the cathode is embedded in a battery case together with an electrolyte, Device. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vibration applying unit applies vibration in a state in which the vibration applying unit is in direct contact with the spare battery cell. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vibration applying unit applies vibration to the battery cell tray to transmit the vibration to the spare battery cell. The electrolyte impregnating apparatus for a battery cell according to claim 1, wherein the vibration is applied by a physical impact applied directly from the vibration applying unit. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vibration is applied by repetitive flow of the vibration applying unit. The electrolyte impregnating apparatus for a battery cell according to claim 1, wherein the vibration is applied by ultrasonic waves generated in a vibration applying unit. The electrolyte impregnating apparatus for a battery cell according to claim 7, wherein the ultrasonic wave has a frequency of 20 kHz to 100 kHz and an amplitude of 2 탆 to 30 탆. The electrolyte impregnating apparatus for a battery cell according to claim 1, wherein the vibration is applied once, cyclically or non-cyclically twice or more. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the battery cell tray has a shape recessed in a downward direction from the open portion in a state that an upper surface is opened with respect to a ground surface. The electrolyte impregnating apparatus for a battery cell according to claim 1, wherein the preliminary battery cell is carried on a liquid medium while being housed in a battery cell tray. 12. The electrolyte-impregnating apparatus for a battery cell according to claim 11, wherein at least 50% of the preliminary battery cell is supported on the liquid medium based on an outer surface area thereof. 12. The electrolyte solution impregnating apparatus for a battery cell according to claim 11, wherein the liquid medium is water. 12. The battery cell manufacturing method according to claim 11, wherein vibration is applied to the liquid medium together with the vibration applying part, and vibration is applied through the liquid medium while the vibration applying part is spaced apart from the spare battery cell at a predetermined interval Impregnation device. The electrolyte impregnating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the aging step is performed prior to the degassing step. A method of manufacturing a battery cell using an electrolyte solution impregnating apparatus for manufacturing a battery cell according to any one of claims 1 to 15,
a) fabricating a preliminary battery cell by sealing the electrode assembly with the electrolyte solution stored in the battery case;
b) supporting the preliminary battery cell on a liquid medium in a state that the preliminary battery cell is housed in a battery cell tray of an electrolyte solution impregnating device;
c) applying vibration to the spare battery cell; And
d) completing the charging / discharging and degassing process of the spare battery cell to complete the final battery cell;
And forming a battery cell. A battery cell characterized by being manufactured using the method according to claim 16. A battery pack comprising at least one battery cell according to claim 17.

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