KR20230145702A - Device for recovering empty core for electrode assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

This application relates to an empty core recovery device for an electrode assembly and a method for recovering an empty core for an electrode assembly using the same. According to the empty core recovery device for an electrode assembly and the empty core recovery method for an electrode assembly using the same of the present application, the empty core that has been used can be automatically recovered from the electrode assembly, thereby reducing the worker's load and replacing the electrode assembly. Time can be shortened.

Description

Empty core recovery device for electrode assembly {DEVICE FOR RECOVERING EMPTY CORE FOR ELECTRODE ASSEMBLY}

This application relates to an empty core recovery device for an electrode assembly and a method for recovering an empty core for an electrode assembly using the same.

Batteries that store electrical energy can generally be divided into primary batteries and secondary batteries. Primary batteries are disposable consumable batteries, while secondary batteries are rechargeable batteries manufactured using materials in which oxidation and reduction processes between current and materials can be repeated. That is, when a reduction reaction is performed on the material by current, the power is charged, and when an oxidation reaction is performed on the material, the power is discharged. This charging and discharging can be performed repeatedly.

Among various types of secondary batteries, lithium secondary batteries are generally manufactured by mounting an electrode assembly in which a cathode, separator, and anode are stacked in a case, and lithium ions are transferred from the lithium metal oxide of the anode to the cathode. As the process of intercalation and deintercalation is repeated, charging and discharging of the lithium secondary battery progresses.

On the other hand, a method of manufacturing the electrode assembly is the winding type, which is manufactured by laminating a separator between the anode and the cathode and then wrapping it around the core. After cutting the anode and the cathode to have the required width and length, , a laminated type manufactured by repeatedly stacking separators and cathodes, and a stack-and-fold type manufactured by placing unit cells side by side on a folding separator and then folding them starting from one side.

Among these, the wound electrode assembly is manufactured so that the anode, separator, and cathode are wound around the core. The wound electrode assembly manufactured in this way is being developed so that the anode, separator, and cathode are automatically unwound and supplied from the core in order to reduce the load on the operator and shorten the replacement time of the electrode assembly in the electrode assembly unwinding equipment. However, a device for automatically recovering the empty core after automatically supplying the anode, separator, and cathode has not been developed. Accordingly, there is a need for an empty core recovery device for an electrode assembly that automatically recovers empty cores.

The subject of this application is an empty core recovery device for an electrode assembly that can automatically recover used empty cores from the electrode assembly to reduce the load on the operator and shorten the replacement time of the electrode assembly, and an empty core recovery device for electrode assemblies using the same. It provides a method of recovering empty cores.

In order to solve the above problem, the empty core recovery device for the electrode assembly of the present application includes a discharge part where the electrode and the separator are unwound from the electrode assembly and the used empty core is loaded and discharged; A transfer unit that transfers the empty core discharged from the discharge unit; and a recovery unit where the empty core transferred from the transfer unit is recovered.

The discharge unit includes a first support member on which the empty core is loaded; And it may include a first discharge member movably disposed surrounding a partial area outside the first support member.

In addition, the first discharge member moves along the direction in which the empty cores are loaded when empty cores are loaded on the first support member, and when the empty cores loaded on the first support member are discharged from the first support member, the first discharge member moves along the direction in which the empty cores are loaded. It can move along the direction in which it is discharged.

In addition, the transfer unit includes a second support member on which the empty core is loaded; a second discharge member surrounding a partial area outside the second support member and movably disposed; And the second support member is movably connected along the direction in which the empty core is loaded, and may include a position adjustment member capable of rotation and height adjustment about the height direction.

In addition, when the empty core is loaded on the second support member, the second discharge member is moved along the direction in which the empty core is loaded after coming into contact with the empty core loaded on the discharge portion, and the second discharge member loaded on the second support member When the empty core is discharged from the second support member, the empty core may be moved along the direction in which the empty core is discharged.

In addition, the recovery unit includes a third support member extending in a loading direction of the recovered empty core, on which the recovered empty core is loaded, and having a plurality of third support members arranged in the height direction; a transport unit including a body and wheels provided at a lower portion of the body and transporting the loaded empty core; And it may include a connection part that connects and secures the end of the third support member along the direction in which the empty core is loaded and the body of the carrying unit.

In addition, when transferring the empty core loaded on the second support member to the recovery unit, the position adjustment member is rotated to a position corresponding to the loadable third support member with the height direction as the axis, and the loadable third support member The height can be adjusted to a position corresponding to .

Additionally, the empty core may be hollow and cylindrical.

The present application also relates to a method of recovering an empty core for an electrode assembly using the empty core recovery device for an electrode assembly, which includes a discharging step in which the electrode and the separator are unwound from the electrode assembly and the used empty core is loaded and discharged; A transfer step of transferring the empty core discharged in the discharge step; and a recovery step in which the empty core transferred in the transfer step is recovered.

In the discharging step, a used empty core is loaded on a first support member, the first discharging member is moved along the direction in which the empty core is loaded, and the first discharging member is moved along the opposite direction to remove the empty core. can be discharged and performed.

In addition, in the transfer step, the second support member is placed in a position where the empty core loaded in the discharge unit can be loaded, and then the second support member and the second discharge member are pushed in the direction of the discharge unit to move the second discharge member. is brought into contact with the empty core loaded on the discharge unit, and the first discharge member is pushed in the direction of the transfer unit so that the empty core is loaded on the second support member, and then the transfer unit is moved to the third support member by the positioning member. It can be performed by rotating to a position corresponding to and adjusting the height to the position of the third support member where the empty core can be loaded.

In addition, in the recovery step, the second support member and the second discharge member are pushed in a state in which the position is adjusted to correspond to the third support member so that the second support member contacts the third support member, and the second support member is in contact with the third support member. 2 The empty core can be loaded onto the third support member by pushing the discharge member toward the recovery unit.

The empty core recovery device for an electrode assembly and the empty core recovery method for an electrode assembly using the same of the present application can automatically recover used empty cores from the electrode assembly, thereby reducing the worker's load and the replacement time of the electrode assembly. can be shortened.

1 is a diagram illustrating an empty core recovery device for an electrode assembly according to an embodiment of the present application.
FIG. 2 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a first operation of transferring an empty core discharged from a discharge unit to a transfer unit according to an embodiment of the present application.
Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating a second operation of transferring the empty core discharged from the discharge unit to the transfer unit according to an embodiment of the present application.
Figure 4 is a diagram illustratively illustrating a third operation of transferring the empty core discharged from the discharge unit to the transfer unit according to an embodiment of the present application.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustratively illustrating a first operation of adjusting the position of an empty core loaded on a transfer unit according to an embodiment of the present application.
FIG. 6 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a second operation of adjusting the position of an empty core loaded on a transfer unit according to an embodiment of the present application.
FIG. 7 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a first operation in which an empty core is recovered from a recovery unit according to an embodiment of the present application.
FIG. 8 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a second operation in which an empty core is recovered from a recovery unit according to an embodiment of the present application.

Hereinafter, the empty core recovery device for an electrode assembly of the present application will be described with reference to the attached drawings. The attached drawings are illustrative, and the empty core recovery device for an electrode assembly of the present application is not limited to the attached drawings.

1 is a diagram illustrating an empty core recovery device for an electrode assembly according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 1, the empty core recovery device for an electrode assembly of the present application sequentially includes a discharge unit 100, a transfer unit 200, and a recovery unit 300. According to the empty core recovery device for an electrode assembly of the present application, a used empty core can be automatically recovered from the electrode assembly, thereby reducing the load on the operator and shortening the replacement time of the electrode assembly. In this specification, the term “discharge” means that the empty core loaded in the discharge unit is discharged from the discharge unit. In addition, in this specification, “empty core” refers to a state in which the supply of electrodes and separators has been completed from an electrode assembly including a core on which electrodes and separators are wound, so that there are no electrodes and separators. In addition, in this specification, “transfer” means an operation of moving an empty core to another part, and the term “recovery” in this specification means an operation of recollecting an empty core loaded in another part.

The discharge unit is a part for discharging empty cores that have been used by unwinding electrodes and separators from the electrode assembly, and the empty cores are loaded and discharged. At this time, the electrode assembly may be unwound using unwinding equipment.

The hollow core may be hollow and cylindrical. Specifically, the empty core may have a cylindrical shape with a hole inside. Since the empty core has the above-described shape, a support member to be described later can be inserted therein.

In one example, the discharge unit may include a first support member 110 and a first discharge member 120.

The first support member is a member for loading the empty core and may be in the form of a rod. The length of the first support member is not particularly limited because it can be adjusted depending on the thickness and number of empty cores.

The first discharge member is a member for discharging the empty core loaded on the first support member from the first support member, and may be movably disposed surrounding a partial area outside the first support member. Through this, it can be easy to load and discharge the empty core that has been used into the first support member.

For example, when empty cores are loaded on the first support member, the first discharge member may be moved along the direction (←) in which the empty cores are loaded and moved to the end of the first support member. Additionally, the first discharge member may be moved along a direction (→) in which the empty core loaded on the first support member is discharged from the first support member. The empty core recovery device for an electrode assembly includes the above-mentioned discharge unit, so that it is easy to load and discharge the used empty core into the first support member.

The discharge unit can automatically load or discharge empty cores through the above-described first discharge member. Through this, empty cores that have been used can be automatically recovered from the electrode assembly, thereby reducing the load on the operator and shortening the replacement time of the electrode assembly.

The transfer unit is a part for recovering empty cores discharged from the discharge unit and loading them on the recovery unit, and transports the empty cores loaded on the discharge unit.

In one example, the transfer unit may include a second support member 210, a second discharge member 220, and a position adjustment member 230.

The second support member is a member for loading the empty core and may be in the form of a rod. The length of the second support member is not particularly limited because it can be adjusted depending on the thickness and number of empty cores.

The second discharge member is a member for discharging the empty core loaded on the second support member from the second support member, and surrounds a partial area outside the second support member and is directed toward the discharge portion or the position adjustment member. It can be arranged to be movable in direction (a). Through this, it can be easy to load and discharge the empty core recovered from the discharge unit into the second support member.

In one example, the second discharge member is moved along the direction in which the empty core is loaded after contacting the empty core loaded in the discharge portion when the empty core is loaded on the second support member, and the second support member When the empty core loaded on is discharged from the second support member, the empty core may be moved along the direction in which the empty core is discharged.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a first operation of transferring an empty core discharged from a discharge unit to a transfer unit according to an embodiment of the present application. Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating a second operation of transferring the empty core discharged from the discharge unit to the transfer unit according to an embodiment of the present application. Figure 4 is a diagram illustratively illustrating a third operation of transferring the empty core discharged from the discharge unit to the transfer unit according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 2, first, an empty core ( After placing 1) in a position where it can be loaded, the second support member 210 and the second discharge member 220 are pushed in the direction d toward the discharge unit 100. Through this, as shown in FIG. 3, after the second discharge member 220 comes into contact with the empty core 1 loaded on the discharge unit 100, the first discharge member 120 is moved in the direction of the transfer unit ( Push to e). Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 4, the empty core 1 may be loaded on the second support member 210. At this time, the second discharge member 220 may be moved along the direction (f) in which the empty core is loaded. Through this, it can be easy to load the empty core discharged from the discharge unit onto the second support member of the transfer unit.

The position adjustment member is a member for adjusting the position of the empty core loaded on the second support member, and as shown in FIG. 1, the second support member is connected to be movable along the direction in which the empty core is loaded. It can be rotated along the rotation direction (c) centered on the height direction, and the height can be adjusted along the height direction (b). The empty core recovery device for the electrode assembly includes the above-described positioning member, thereby automatically recovering the used empty core from the electrode assembly, thereby reducing the operator's load and shortening the replacement time of the electrode assembly. You can.

Specifically, FIG. 5 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a first operation of adjusting the position of an empty core loaded on a transfer unit according to an embodiment of the present application. FIG. 6 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a second operation of adjusting the position of an empty core loaded on a transfer unit according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 5, the transfer unit 200 is moved along the rotation direction g to a position corresponding to the recovery unit (not shown) by the position adjustment member 230 in a state in which the empty core 1 is loaded. It is rotated. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 6, the height of the transfer unit 200 may be adjusted to a position corresponding to the third support member (not shown) of the recovery unit where the second support member 210 can be loaded. In one example, the transfer unit may descend (h) or rise (not shown) in height to a position corresponding to the third support member of the loadable recovery unit. At this time, the position adjustment of the transfer unit may be automatically performed within a range set according to the position of the recovery unit when designing the empty core recovery device for the electrode assembly. The empty core recovery device for the electrode assembly includes the above-described positioning member in the transfer part, thereby automatically recovering the used empty core from the electrode assembly, thereby reducing the load on the operator and reducing the replacement time of the electrode assembly. It can be shortened.

The recovery unit is a part for removing empty cores that have been used, and recovers the empty cores transferred from the transfer unit. At this time, if the recovered empty core can be reused, it can be recycled.

The transfer unit is a part for recovering the empty cores loaded in the discharge unit and loading them on the recovery unit, and transports the empty cores loaded in the discharge unit.

In one example, the recovery unit may include a third support member 310, a transport unit 320, and a connection unit 330.

The third support member is a member for loading the empty core recovered from the transfer unit, and may be in the form of a rod. The length of the third support member is not particularly limited because it can be adjusted depending on the thickness and number of empty cores.

The transport part is a part that transports the empty core loaded on the third support member, and may include a body 321 and a wheel 322 provided on a lower part of the body. In one implementation, a cart can be used as the transport unit.

The connection part is a part for fixing the third support member to the transport unit, and can connect the end of the third support member along the direction in which the empty core is loaded and the body of the transport unit. Through this, it may be possible to transport the empty core recovered in the recovery unit.

Specifically, FIG. 7 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a first operation in which an empty core is recovered from a recovery unit according to an embodiment of the present application. FIG. 8 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a second operation in which an empty core is recovered from a recovery unit according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 7, the empty core 1 loaded on the transfer unit 200 is adjusted in position to correspond to the recovery unit 300, specifically, the third support member 310, and is moved to the second support member 310. Push the support member 210 and the second discharge member 220 in the direction (i) toward the third support member of the recovery unit so that the second support member 210 is in contact with the third support member 310. . Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 8, the second discharge member 220 is pushed in the direction j toward the third support member 310 of the recovery unit so that the empty core 1 is connected to the third support member 310. can be loaded on. That is, the second discharge member can be moved along the direction in which the empty core is loaded. At this time, the empty core discharge of the transfer unit can be automatically performed through the above-described second discharge member. The empty core recovery device for the electrode assembly includes the above-described positioning member in the transfer part, thereby automatically recovering the used empty core from the electrode assembly, thereby reducing the load on the operator and reducing the replacement time of the electrode assembly. It can be shortened.

This application also relates to a method for recovering empty cores for electrode assemblies. An exemplary empty core recovery method for an electrode assembly relates to a recovery method using the above-described empty core recovery device for an electrode assembly. Therefore, specific details regarding the method of recovering an empty core for an electrode assembly, which will be described later, will be omitted since the information described in the empty core recovery device for an electrode assembly can be applied in the same way.

The method of recovering an empty core for an electrode assembly of the present application includes a discharge step, a transfer step, and a recovery step. According to the empty core recovery method for an electrode assembly of the present application, a used empty core can be automatically recovered from the electrode assembly, thereby reducing the load on the operator and shortening the replacement time of the electrode assembly.

The discharge step is a step for discharging the used empty core by unwinding the electrode and separator from the electrode assembly, and the empty core is loaded into the discharge unit and discharged. The discharge step may be performed through the discharge unit. Therefore, since the detailed description of the discharge step is the same as that described in the discharge section, it will be omitted.

In one example, in the discharging step, a used empty core is loaded on a first support member, the first discharging member is moved along the direction in which the empty core is loaded, and the first discharging member is moved in the opposite direction. This can be performed by moving the empty core to be discharged. Through this, it can be easy to load the used empty core onto the first support member and then discharge it from the discharge unit.

The transfer step is a step for recovering the empty cores discharged from the discharge unit and loading them on the recovery unit, and transporting the empty cores discharged from the discharge step toward the recovery unit. The transfer step may be performed through the transfer unit. Therefore, since the detailed description of the transfer step is the same as that described in the transfer section, it will be omitted.

In one example, the transfer step is performed by placing the second support member in a position where the empty core loaded on the discharge unit can be loaded, and then pushing the second support member and the second discharge member in the direction of the discharge unit. 2 The discharge member is brought into contact with the empty core loaded on the discharge unit, and the first discharge member is pushed in the direction of the transfer unit so that the empty core is loaded on the second support member, and then the transfer unit is moved by the positioning member. This can be performed by rotating to a position corresponding to the third support member and adjusting the height to the position of the third support member where the empty core can be loaded. The method of recovering empty cores for electrode assemblies includes the transport step, thereby automatically recovering empty cores that have been used from the electrode assembly, thereby reducing the load on workers and shortening the replacement time of the electrode assembly. .

The recovery step is a step for removing empty cores that have been used, and the empty cores transferred from the transfer unit are recovered. The recovery step may be performed through the recovery unit. Therefore, since the detailed description of the recovery step is the same as that described in the recovery section, it will be omitted.

In one example, the recovery step is performed by pushing the second support member and the second discharge member in a state in which the position is adjusted to correspond to the third support member so that the second support member contacts the third support member. , the empty core can be loaded onto the third support member by pushing the second discharge member toward the recovery unit. The method of recovering an empty core for an electrode assembly includes the recovery step, so that the empty core that has been used can be automatically recovered from the electrode assembly, thereby reducing the load on the operator and shortening the replacement time of the electrode assembly. .

1: Empty core
100: discharge part
110: first support member
120: first discharge member
200: transfer unit
210: second support member
220: Second discharge member
230: Position adjustment member
300: recovery unit
310: Third support member
320: transport unit
321: torso
322: wheel
330: connection part
←: Direction in which the empty core is loaded on the first support member
→: Direction in which the empty core is discharged from the first support member
a: Direction of the second discharge member toward the discharge unit or position control member
b: Height direction of the positioning member
c: Rotation direction of the positioning member
d: Direction of the second support member and the second discharge member toward the discharge port
e: Direction of the first discharge member toward the transfer unit
f: Direction in which the empty core is loaded on the second discharge member
g: Rotation direction of conveying part
h: downward direction of conveying part
i: Direction of the second support member and the second discharge member toward the third support member of the recovery unit
j: Direction of the second discharge member toward the third support member of the recovery unit

Claims (12)

A discharge section where the electrodes and separators are unwound from the electrode assembly and the empty cores that have been used are loaded and discharged;
A transfer unit that transfers the empty core discharged from the discharge unit; and
An empty core recovery device for an electrode assembly including a recovery unit where the empty core transferred from the transfer unit is recovered. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the discharge unit comprises: a first support member on which the empty core is loaded; and
An empty core recovery device for an electrode assembly including a first discharge member movably disposed surrounding a portion of an external area of the first support member. The method of claim 2, wherein the first discharge member moves along a direction in which the empty cores are loaded when the empty cores are loaded on the first support member, and discharges the empty cores loaded on the first support member from the first support member. An empty core recovery device for an electrode assembly in which the empty core is moved along the direction in which it is discharged when discharged. According to claim 1, wherein the transfer unit includes a second support member on which the empty core is loaded;
a second discharge member surrounding a partial area outside the second support member and movably disposed; and
An empty core recovery device for an electrode assembly, wherein the second support member is movably connected along the direction in which the empty core is loaded, and includes a position adjustment member capable of rotation and height adjustment about the height direction. The method of claim 4, wherein the second discharge member is moved along a direction in which the empty core is loaded after coming into contact with the empty core loaded on the discharge portion when the empty core is loaded on the second support member, and the second support member An empty core recovery device for an electrode assembly that moves along a direction in which the empty core loaded on a member is discharged from the second support member. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the recovery unit extends in a loading direction of the recovered empty cores, and includes a plurality of third support members arranged in a height direction on which the recovered empty cores are loaded.
a transport unit including a body and wheels provided at a lower portion of the body and transporting the loaded empty core; and
An empty core recovery device for an electrode assembly including a connection part that connects and secures the end of the third support member along the direction in which the empty core is loaded and the body of the carrying unit. The method of claim 6, wherein when the empty core loaded on the second support member is transferred to the recovery unit, the position adjusting member is rotated around the height direction to a position corresponding to the loadable third support member, and the position adjusting member is rotated to a position corresponding to the loadable third support member. An empty core recovery device for an electrode assembly whose height is adjusted to a position corresponding to the third support member. The empty core recovery device for an electrode assembly according to claim 1, wherein the empty core has a hollow cylindrical shape. It relates to a method of recovering an empty core for an electrode assembly using the empty core recovery device for an electrode assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
A discharge step in which the electrode and separator are unwound from the electrode assembly and the empty cores that have been used are loaded and discharged;
A transfer step of transferring the empty core discharged in the discharge step; and
An empty core recovery method for an electrode assembly comprising a recovery step of recovering the empty core transferred in the transfer step. The method of claim 9, wherein in the discharging step, the used empty core is loaded on the first support member, the first discharging member is moved along the direction in which the empty core is loaded, and the first discharging member is moved in the opposite direction. A method of recovering an empty core for an electrode assembly, which is performed by discharging the empty core by moving it along. The method of claim 10, wherein the transfer step is performed by placing the second support member in a position where the empty core loaded in the discharge unit can be loaded, and then pushing the second support member and the second discharge member in the direction of the discharge unit. The second discharge member is brought into contact with the empty core loaded on the discharge unit, and the first discharge member is pushed in the direction of the transfer unit so that the empty core is loaded on the second support member, and then the transfer unit is moved by the positioning member. A method of recovering an empty core for an electrode assembly, which is performed by rotating to a position corresponding to the third support member and adjusting the height to the position of the third support member where the empty core can be loaded. The method of claim 11, wherein the recovery step is performed by pushing the second support member and the second discharge member in a state where the position is adjusted to correspond to the third support member so that the second support member contacts the third support member. and pushing the second discharge member toward the recovery unit to load the empty core onto the third support member.

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