KR20240033671A - Electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus and method using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

An electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first separator supply unit supplying a first separator sheet, a second separator supply unit supplying a second separator sheet, the first separator sheet and the second separator A first electrode-separator assembly including a first electrode supply unit supplying a plurality of first electrode pieces to be positioned between the sheets, and a plurality of first electrode pieces to be positioned between the first separator sheet and the second separator sheet. a lamination unit forming a lamination unit, a second electrode supply unit supplying a plurality of second electrode pieces stacked to be positioned on the outer surface of the separator of the first electrode-separator assembly, the first electrode-separator assembly and the second electrode piece. It includes a stack unit on which an electrode assembly formed by stacking electrode pieces is seated, and a holding unit that holds the second electrode piece and moves the second electrode piece to the stack unit.

Description

Electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method using the same {ELECTRODE ASSEMBLY MANUFACTURING APPARATUS AND METHOD USING THE SAME}

The present invention relates to an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus and a manufacturing method using the same, and more specifically, to an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus with improved productivity and a manufacturing method using the same.

In modern society, as the use of portable devices such as mobile phones, laptops, camcorders, and digital cameras becomes routine, the development of technologies in fields related to the above mobile devices is becoming more active. In addition, secondary batteries that can be charged and discharged are a way to solve air pollution from existing gasoline vehicles that use fossil fuels, and are used in electric vehicles (EV), hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles ( As it is used as a power source for batteries such as P-HEV), the need for development of secondary batteries is increasing.

Currently commercialized secondary batteries include nickel cadmium batteries, nickel hydrogen batteries, nickel zinc batteries, and lithium secondary batteries. Among these, lithium secondary batteries have the advantages of being able to charge and discharge freely, have a low self-discharge rate, and have high energy density. It is receiving the most attention.

Depending on the shape of the battery case, secondary batteries are classified into cylindrical batteries and square batteries in which the electrode assembly is housed in a cylindrical or square metal can, and pouch-type batteries in which the electrode assembly is housed in a pouch-shaped case of aluminum laminate sheet. .

In addition, secondary batteries are classified according to the structure of the electrode assembly, which consists of a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. Representative examples include a jelly-roll type (wound type) electrode assembly in which long sheet-shaped anodes and cathodes are wound with a separator interposed between them, and a plurality of anodes and cathodes cut into units of a predetermined size are wound with a separator interposed between them. Examples include a stacked (stacked) electrode assembly that is sequentially stacked. Recently, in order to solve the problems of the jelly-roll type electrode assembly and the stacked electrode assembly, a stacked/folding type electrode assembly, which is a mixture of the jelly-roll type and the stack type, was developed.

Meanwhile, in manufacturing a stacked or stacked/folded electrode assembly, conventionally, a plurality of bicells formed by sequentially stacking a cathode, a separator, and an anode are manufactured, and these are stacked or attached to a sheet-type separator, and then formed into a sheet-type separator. A method of folding the separator in one direction was used. However, in this conventional structure, the manufacturing procedure is complicated because the bicell is manufactured in advance and then attached and stacked on the sheet-shaped separator, and because the sheet-shaped separator is placed in multiple layers on the side of the final battery cell, an unnecessary gap is created between the electrode and the separator. There was a problem with space.

In addition, conventionally, in addition to this lamination method, a method of manufacturing an electrode assembly using a zigzag lamination method has also been used. The zigzag stacking method is an electrode assembly stacking method in which the anode and cathode are alternately added during the process of moving the separator, which is unwound from a wound roll, from one side to the other side and from the other side to one side. However, in the case of the conventional zigzag stacking method, there is a problem that the cut electrodes must be stored separately, and there is a risk that the inserted electrodes may move during the stacking process. In addition, when producing long battery cells, it was difficult to control the tension of the separator and the progress was slow, which not only lowered manufacturing efficiency but also had limitations in improving productivity.

Accordingly, there is a need for a new electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus and method that can improve the manufacturing efficiency and productivity of the above-described stacked or stacked/folded electrode assembly, and improve the durability and stability of the product.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an electrode assembly manufacturing device and a manufacturing method using the same that can improve manufacturing efficiency, product quality, and productivity compared to the conventional electrode assembly manufacturing process.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from this specification and the attached drawings. .

An electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first separator supply unit supplying a first separator sheet, a second separator supply unit supplying a second separator sheet, the first separator sheet and the second separator A first electrode-separator assembly including a first electrode supply unit supplying a plurality of first electrode pieces to be positioned between the sheets, and a plurality of first electrode pieces to be positioned between the first separator sheet and the second separator sheet. a lamination unit forming a lamination unit, a second electrode supply unit supplying a plurality of second electrode pieces stacked to be positioned on the outer surface of the separator of the first electrode-separator assembly, the first electrode-separator assembly and the second electrode piece. It includes a stack unit on which an electrode assembly formed by stacking electrode pieces is seated, and a holding unit that holds the second electrode piece and moves the second electrode piece to the stack unit.

The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus may further include a moving unit that moves the first electrode-separator assembly formed in the lamination unit to laminate the first electrode-separator assembly on the stack unit.

The moving unit may further include at least one roller that changes the moving direction of the first electrode-separator assembly.

The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus may further include a transfer unit that moves the plurality of second electrode pieces supplied from the second electrode supply unit.

The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus may further include a buffer table for temporarily seating the second electrode piece located in the transfer unit before moving the second electrode piece to the stack unit.

The buffer table includes a first buffer table and a second buffer table, and the stack unit may be disposed between the first buffer table and the second buffer table.

The stack unit may move between the first buffer table and the second buffer table.

The stack unit can move on a straight line that forms the shortest distance between the first buffer table and the second buffer table when viewed in plan.

The holding unit may hold the second electrode piece seated on the buffer table and move it to the stack unit while moving between the buffer table and the stack unit.

The stack unit that has received the held second electrode piece may move to stack the first electrode-separator assembly on the stack unit.

The stack unit moves to be adjacent to the buffer table located farther from the stack unit among the buffer tables including a first buffer table and a second buffer table in order to stack the first electrode-separator assembly, and the stack By moving the unit adjacent to the buffer table, the first electrode-separator assembly can be positioned on the uppermost second electrode piece of the stack unit.

The first electrode may be a cathode, and the second electrode may be an anode.

A method of manufacturing an electrode assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a first electrode-separator comprising two sheet-shaped separators and a plurality of first electrode pieces continuously positioned between inner surfaces of the sheet-shaped separators facing each other. Process of forming an assembly sheet; A process of placing the 1-1 electrode-separator assembly, which is part of the first electrode-separator assembly sheet, in a stack unit; A process of stacking a 2-1 electrode piece on an outer surface of the separator of the 1-1 electrode-separator assembly disposed in the stack unit; and a process of rotating the stack unit to stack the 1-2 electrode-separator assembly on the stacked 2-1 electrode piece, and the 1-2 electrode facing the 2-1 electrode piece. -The 1-2 electrode located on the opposite side of the separator assembly includes the process of laminating the 2-2 electrode piece on one side of the separator assembly.

The process of stacking the 2-1 electrode piece on the outer surface of the separator of the 1-1 electrode-separator assembly disposed in the stack unit includes placing the second electrode piece supplied from the second electrode supply unit into the stack. A process of temporarily seating the second electrode piece on a buffer table before moving it to the unit, and a holding unit stacking the second electrode piece temporarily seated on the buffer table on the 1-1 electrode-separator assembly. It may include a process.

The buffer table includes a first buffer table and a second buffer table, and the stack unit may be located between the first buffer table and the second buffer table.

The process of stacking the 1-2 electrode-separator assembly on the stacked 2-1 electrode piece by moving the stack unit includes moving the stack unit between the first buffer table and the second buffer table. The 1-2 electrode-separator assembly may be stacked on the uppermost 2-1 electrode piece of the stack unit.

The 1-1 electrode-separator assembly and the 1-2 electrode-separator assembly are connected to each other in a zigzag shape during the process of being placed in the stack unit, and the 1-1 electrode-separator assembly and the 1-2 The electrode-separator assembly may be in a state in which the plurality of first electrode pieces are laminated between the sheet-shaped separators.

According to embodiments, the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus of the present invention and the manufacturing method using the same can further improve productivity by pre-forming the cathode-separator assembly and alternately stacking the cathode-separator assembly and the anode piece.

Additionally, productivity can be further improved by forming the first electrode-separator assembly and then stacking it with the positive electrode piece in a series of processes.

The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects described above, and effects not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from this specification and the attached drawings.

1 is a perspective view showing an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a front view of the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a plan view showing the movement of the positive electrode piece in the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus of Figure 1.
Figures 4 and 5 are side views showing the operation of the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus of Figure 1.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a method of manufacturing a cathode-separator assembly used in an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 7 is a side view showing a cathode-separator assembly manufactured through the manufacturing method of Figure 6.
Figure 8 is an electrode assembly produced by an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a side view showing the electrode assembly in portion A of Figure 5.
Figure 9 is a side view of an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to a comparative example.
Figure 10 is a side view showing an electrode assembly manufactured by an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to a comparative example.

Hereinafter, with reference to the attached drawings, various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the present invention. The invention may be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

In order to clearly explain the present invention, parts that are not relevant to the description are omitted, and identical or similar components are assigned the same reference numerals throughout the specification.

In addition, the size and thickness of each component shown in the drawings are arbitrarily shown for convenience of explanation, so the present invention is not necessarily limited to what is shown. In the drawing, the thickness is enlarged to clearly express various layers and regions. And in the drawings, for convenience of explanation, the thicknesses of some layers and regions are exaggerated.

In addition, throughout the specification, when a part is said to “include” a certain element, this means that it may further include other elements rather than excluding other elements, unless specifically stated to the contrary.

In addition, throughout the specification, when referring to “on a plane,” this means when the target portion is viewed from above, and when referring to “in cross section,” this means when a cross section of the target portion is cut vertically and viewed from the side.

Below, an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

1 is a perspective view showing an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a front view of the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus of Figure 1. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the movement of the positive electrode piece 110 in the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus of FIG. 1.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes first and second separator supply units 15 that supply a first separator sheet and a second separator sheet, respectively, and a first electrode sheet. A first electrode supply unit 10 that supplies, a lamination unit 160, 170 that forms an electrode-separator assembly sheet, a second electrode supply unit 20 that supplies a second electrode sheet, and a stack on which the electrode assembly is mounted. The unit 30 includes a holding unit 40 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) that moves the anode piece 110 to the stack unit 30.

The first and second separator supply units 15 are disposed at the top and bottom, respectively, and a path along which the plurality of first electrode pieces 120 provided from the first electrode supply unit 10 moves can be formed between them. . The first electrode supply unit 10 may include an unwinding roll that releases the first electrode sheet, and additionally cuts the first electrode sheet to form a plurality of first electrode pieces 120. It may include a cutting part 12. The first electrode piece 120 may be a cathode.

The second electrode supply unit 20 may include an unwinding roll for releasing the second electrode sheet, and additionally a second electrode for cutting the second electrode sheet to form a plurality of second electrode pieces 110. It may include a cutting part 22. The second electrode piece 110 may be an anode. The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to this embodiment may further include a delivery unit 300 for delivering the plurality of second electrode pieces 110. The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to this embodiment may further include an alignment unit 62 that aligns the plurality of second electrode pieces 110 moving through the transfer unit 300.

The lamination unit according to this embodiment includes a heater 160 and a pressurizing device 170 so that the first and second separator sheets 130 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) and the first electrode piece 120 interposed between them are bonded to each other. may include. The first and second separator sheets and the first electrode piece 120 may be bonded to each other by a lamination unit to form the first electrode-separator assembly sheet 150.

The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to this embodiment includes a first electrode-separator assembly ( It may further include a moving unit 180 that moves the 150). The moving unit 180 may be at least one roller. The moving unit 180 may change the moving direction of the first electrode-separator assembly sheet 150. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first electrode-separator assembly sheet 150 that has passed the pressurizing device 170 moves in the z-axis direction and then moves in the x-axis direction by the moving unit 180. You can change the direction. Additionally, the first electrode-separator assembly sheet 150, which was moving in the x-axis direction, may change direction in the -z-axis direction as it passes through the moving unit 180 once again. At this time, a gap vision 63 for measuring the width or gap of the first electrode-separator assembly sheet 150 may be added.

The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to this embodiment includes a buffer table ( 32) may further be included. The buffer table 32 includes a first buffer table and a second buffer table, and a stack unit 30 is disposed between the first buffer table and the second buffer table, and includes the first buffer table and the second buffer table. You can move between buffer tables. The stack unit 30 may rotate and reciprocate between the first buffer table and the second buffer table. Additionally, the stack unit 30 can move on a straight line that forms the shortest distance between the first buffer table and the second buffer table when viewed from a plan view. For example, the stack unit 30 may reciprocate along the arrow A1 shown in FIG. 3 .

The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to this embodiment may further include a stage 35 on which the stack unit 30 is mounted. The stage 35 may be a table using a 3-axis motor, and may be used to adjust the alignment of the stack unit 30, etc. At this time, a fixing member 33 is formed on the stage 35 to prevent movement of the stack unit 30.

Figures 4 and 5 are side views showing the operation of the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus of Figure 1.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 4, and 5, the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to the present embodiment has two sheet-shaped separators 130, as shown in FIG. 7, and continuous separation between the inner surfaces of the separators 130 facing each other. A first electrode supply unit 10 that supplies a first electrode-separator assembly sheet 150 including a plurality of first electrode pieces 120 positioned in, and a first electrode supplied from the first electrode supply unit 10. - A second electrode supply unit 20 that supplies the second electrode piece 110 stacked to be positioned on the outer surface of the separator 130 of the separator assembly sheet 150, which is part of the first electrode-separator assembly sheet 150. A stack unit 30 on which the electrode assembly 100, which is formed by stacking the first electrode-separator assembly 155 and the second electrode piece 110, is seated, and the second electrode piece from the second electrode supply unit 20 It may include a holding unit 40 that holds 110 and moves the second electrode piece 110 toward the stack unit 30 . At this time, the first electrode may be a cathode and the second electrode may be an anode.

The plurality of second electrode pieces 110 provided through the second electrode supply unit 20 may move in one direction while being aligned through the delivery unit 300 or aligned by the alignment unit 62, etc. Before moving the second electrode piece 110 located in the transfer unit 300 to the stack unit 30, the second electrode piece 110 may be temporarily seated on the buffer table 32.

The buffer table 32 includes a first buffer table and a second buffer table, and a stack unit 30 is disposed between the first buffer table and the second buffer table, and includes the first buffer table and the second buffer table. You can move back and forth between buffer tables. According to this embodiment, the productivity of the electrode assembly 100 of the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to this embodiment can be improved by receiving the second electrode piece 110 from the plurality of buffer tables 32.

At this time, the stack unit 30 may be formed between neighboring buffer tables 32 among the plurality of buffer tables 32 . As an example, the stack unit 30 is formed between the first and second buffer tables 32, one each on the left and right, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, and moves between the first buffer table and the second buffer table. and/or may be reciprocating. Specifically, the stack unit 30 may move and/or reciprocate on a straight line that forms the shortest distance between the first buffer table 32 and the second buffer table 32 when viewed in plan.

The holding unit 40 can move between the buffer table 32 and the stack unit 30. Specifically, the holding unit 40 holds the second electrode piece 110 from the buffer table 32 adjacent to the holding unit 40, and transfers the held second electrode piece 110 to the stack unit 30. It may be moved and stacked on the stack unit 30. At this time, at the moment the second electrode piece 110 is stacked on the electrode assembly 100 (see FIG. 8) of the stack unit 30 by the holding unit 40, the electrode assembly 100 of the stack unit 30; The first electrode-separator assembly 155 may be disposed at the top (see FIG. 8). Accordingly, the second electrode piece 110 may be stacked so that it is positioned on the outer surface of the separator 130 of the first electrode-separator assembly 155.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the stack unit 30 moves between the first buffer table 32-1 on the right and the second buffer table 32-2 on the left, and is stored on or in the stack unit 30. The first electrode-separator assembly 155 may be stacked on the two electrode pieces 110.

That is, as described above, the stack unit 30 moves between the first buffer table 32-1 and the second buffer table 32-2 and moves the second electrode piece 110 from the holding unit 40. It can be delivered. Before receiving the second electrode piece 110, the 1-1 electrode-separator assembly 155-1 may be seated on the stack unit 30. The 1-1 electrode-separator assembly 155-1 is seated on the stack unit 30, and the 2-1 electrode piece 110-1 is placed on the 1-1 electrode-separator assembly 155. Can be laminated. At this time, the stack unit 30, which has received the held 2-1 electrode piece 110-1, installs the 1-2 electrode-separator assembly of FIG. 5 on the 2-1 electrode piece 110-1 ( 155-2) can be moved to stack. The 1-1 electrode-separator assembly 155-1 and the 1-2 electrode-separator assembly 155-2 are parts of the first electrode-separator assembly sheet 150 that passes through the switching roller 37. . The 1-1 electrode-separator assembly 155-1 and the 1-2 electrode-separator assembly 155-2 are parts through which the first electrode-separator assembly sheet 150 sequentially passes through the switching roller 37. You can.

More specifically, the stack unit 30 is a second buffer table located farther from the stack unit 30 among the plurality of buffer tables 32 to stack the 1-2 electrode-separator assembly 155-2 It can be moved to be adjacent to 32-2). In addition, the stack unit 30 is moved to be adjacent to the second buffer table 32-2, so that the 1-2 electrode-separator is formed on the uppermost 2-1 electrode piece 110-1 of the stack unit 30. It may be possible to position assembly 155-2.

As an example, referring to FIG. 5, the stack unit 30 is located closer to the second buffer table 32-2 located on the left and can receive the 2-2 electrode piece 110-2 therefrom. there is. Thereafter, the stack unit 30 is positioned farther from the stack unit 30 among the buffer tables 32 in order to stack the new 1-1 electrode-separator assembly 155-1 again. It can be moved to be located adjacent to 1). That is, it can be moved to the same position as the stack unit 30 in FIG. 4. In addition, the stack unit 30 is moved to be adjacent to the first buffer table 32-1, so that the 1-1 electrode-separator is formed on the uppermost 2-2 electrode piece 110-2 of the stack unit 30. It may be possible to position assembly 155-1. This process may be repeated to form an electrode assembly by stacking the first electrode-separator assembly 155 and the second electrode pieces 110 alternately.

Therefore, the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to this embodiment continuously supplies a plurality of first electrode-separator assemblies 155 from the first electrode-separator assembly sheet 150, while the stack unit 30 rotates and reciprocates. By stacking the second electrode piece 110 on the first electrode-separator assembly 155 in both directions, productivity can be further improved compared to a conventional electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus.

Hereinafter, the first electrode-separator assembly supplied to the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to this embodiment and the electrode assembly manufactured by the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to this embodiment will be described.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a method of manufacturing a cathode-separator assembly used in an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 is a side view showing the first electrode-separator assembly manufactured through the manufacturing method of Figure 6. FIG. 8 is a side view showing the electrode assembly of portion A of FIG. 5, which is an electrode assembly produced by an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The first electrode-separator assembly 155 used in the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention may be formed by stacking a long sheet-shaped separator 130 and a first electrode piece 120.

At this time, referring to FIG. 6, in the process of forming the first electrode-separator assembly 155, after the long sheet-shaped first electrode sheet 121 is introduced into the first electrode-separator assembly manufacturing apparatus, the first electrode sheet 121 ) may be cut to form the first electrode piece 120, but this is not limited, and the first electrode piece 120 itself may be inserted.

Meanwhile, the separator 130 may be provided as two long sheet-shaped separators 130.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, the first electrode-separator assembly sheet 150 is formed with a plurality of first electrode pieces 120 interposed between the inner surfaces of the two separators 130 facing each other. You can. At this time, the plurality of first electrode pieces 120 interposed between the separator 130 may be arranged at intervals from each other in the longitudinal direction of the separator 130 (the horizontal direction in FIG. 7).

In addition, as shown in FIG. 6 to form the first electrode-separator assembly sheet 150, heating and laminating processes are additionally formed to form the final first electrode-separator assembly sheet 150. can be formed. Accordingly, the separator 130 and the first electrode piece 120 may be bonded to each other, enabling the formation of a more durable first electrode-separator assembly sheet 150 and the electrode assembly 100. The laminating process may be a pressing process.

In addition, the electrode assembly 100 of FIG. 8 manufactured by supplying the above-described first electrode-separator assembly 155 to the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus includes the first electrode-separator assembly 155 and the second electrode piece 110. It can be manufactured in a folded and stacked form using a zigzag stacking method.

Specifically, referring to FIG. 8 , the electrode assembly 100 may be manufactured by folding connection portions formed on the separator 130 in opposite directions. Here, the connection portion may be a portion of the electrode assembly 100 where the second electrode piece 110 or the first electrode piece 120 is not disposed and only the separator 130 is present.

In particular, referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the stack unit 30 of the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to this embodiment moves between the first buffer table 32-1 and the second buffer table 32-2. The first electrode-separator assembly 155 is stacked. At this time, the direction of movement from a position adjacent to the first buffer table 32-1 to a position adjacent to the second buffer table 32-2 and the second buffer table 32-2 As the moving directions from the position adjacent to (32-2) to the position adjacent to the first buffer table 32-1 are opposite to each other, the connection portions formed on the separator 130 of the electrode assembly 100 are opposite to each other. Can be folded in any direction.

According to the embodiment described above, the first electrode piece is a negative electrode piece, and the negative electrode-separator assembly in which the negative electrode piece is laminated to the separator is alternately laminated with the positive electrode piece. However, the anode-separator assembly in which the positive electrode piece is laminated to the separator is used as the negative electrode. An embodiment in which pieces are alternately laminated may also be possible.

However, in the case of an electrode assembly in which the cathode is designed to be larger than the anode during the production process, considering the process margin, it may be more preferable to supply a cathode-separator assembly in which the cathode piece is laminated to the separator.

Hereinafter, an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to a comparative example will be described.

Figure 9 is a side view of an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to a comparative example. Figure 10 is a side view showing an electrode assembly manufactured by an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to a comparative example.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 200 according to the comparative example includes an anode supply unit into which a separator sheet 230 is input and an anode piece 210 and a cathode piece 220 are supplied, and a cathode supply. All units can be included.

Accordingly, the stack unit 260 moves between the anode supply unit and the cathode supply unit and receives the anode piece 210 and the cathode piece 220 from the holding unit 270 to form the electrode assembly 250. there is.

In addition, the electrode assembly 250 manufactured by the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 200 according to the comparative example includes a single sheet separator 230, so that the cathode piece 120 is located between the two separators 130. Instead, it may have a structure of the electrode assembly 250 in which the anode piece 210 or the cathode piece 220 is arranged around a single separator sheet 230.

At this time, the conventional electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 200 had limitations in improving production speed because the anode piece 210 and the cathode piece 220 had to be stacked on the separator 230, respectively.

On the other hand, the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention stacks the second electrode piece 110 after inserting the first electrode-separator assembly 155, so that compared to the conventional electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 200, the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 200 A two-fold increase in productivity can be achieved.

Hereinafter, a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described.

The method of manufacturing an electrode assembly according to this embodiment includes a first electrode including two sheet-shaped separators 130 and a plurality of first electrode pieces 120 continuously positioned between the inner surfaces of the separators 130 facing each other. Process of forming a separator assembly sheet 150; A process of placing the first electrode-separator assembly 155, which is part of the first electrode-separator assembly sheet 150, in the stack unit 30; A process of stacking the second electrode piece 110 on the outer surface of the separator 130 of the first electrode-separator assembly 155 disposed in the stack unit 30; and a process of rotating the stack unit 30 to stack the first electrode-separator assembly 155 on the stacked second electrode pieces 110. The first electrode-separator assembly 155 includes a 1-1 electrode-separator assembly 155-1 and a 1-2 electrode-separator assembly 155-2, and the second electrode piece 110 includes the first electrode-separator assembly 155-1. It may include a 2-1 electrode piece (110-1) and a 2-2 electrode piece (110-2). At this time, the electrode assembly manufacturing method according to the present embodiment is a 1-2 electrode located on the opposite side of the 1-2 electrode-separator assembly 155-2 facing the 2-1 electrode piece 110-1. The process may include stacking the 2-2 electrode piece 110-2 on one surface of the two-electrode-separator assembly 155-2.

At this time, the process of stacking the second electrode piece 110 on the outer surface of the separator 130 of the first electrode-separator assembly 155 disposed in the stack unit 30 is performed by holding the holding unit 40 on the buffer table. The second electrode piece 110 may be held from 32 and the held second electrode piece 110 may be stacked on the first electrode-separator assembly 155 disposed in the stack unit 30.

More specifically, as described above, the stack unit 30 is located between the first buffer table 32-1 and the second buffer table 32-2, and can move and reciprocate between them. Therefore, the process of moving the stack unit 30 to stack the first electrode-separator assembly 155 on the stacked second electrode piece 110 is a process in which the stack unit 30 moves the first buffer table 32- The first electrode-separator assembly 155 may be stacked on the uppermost second electrode piece 110 of the stack unit 30 while moving between 1) and the second buffer table 32-2.

Accordingly, the method of manufacturing an electrode assembly according to this embodiment forms a first electrode-separator assembly sheet 150, receives second electrode pieces 110 from a plurality of buffer tables 32, and stacks them, A method of manufacturing an electrode assembly with improved productivity can be provided.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and improvements made by those skilled in the art using the basic concept of the present invention defined in the following claims can also be made. It falls within the scope of invention rights.

10: first electrode supply unit
20: second electrode supply unit
30: stack unit
32: Buffer table
37: transition roller
40: holding unit
62: Align unit
100: electrode assembly
110: Second electrode piece
120: first electrode piece
130: Separator
150: First electrode-separator assembly
180: mobile unit
300: delivery unit

Claims (18)

A first separator supply unit supplying a first separator sheet,
A second separator supply unit supplying a second separator sheet,
A first electrode supply unit supplying a plurality of first electrode pieces to be positioned between the first separator sheet and the second separator sheet,
A lamination unit forming a first electrode-separator assembly including a plurality of first electrode pieces positioned between the first separator sheet and the second separator sheet,
A second electrode supply unit supplying a plurality of second electrode pieces stacked to be located on the outer surface of the separator of the first electrode-separator assembly,
A stack unit on which an electrode assembly formed by stacking the first electrode-separator assembly and the second electrode piece is seated, and
An electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus including a holding unit that holds the second electrode piece and moves the second electrode piece to the stack unit. In paragraph 1:
An electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus further comprising a moving unit that moves the first electrode-separator assembly formed in the lamination unit to stack the first electrode-separator assembly on the stack unit. In paragraph 2,
The moving unit is an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus including at least one roller that changes the moving direction of the first electrode-separator assembly. In paragraph 1:
An electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus further comprising a transfer unit that moves the plurality of second electrode pieces supplied from the second electrode supply unit. In paragraph 4,
An electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus further comprising an alignment unit that aligns the plurality of second electrode pieces moving through the transfer unit. In paragraph 4,
An electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus further comprising a buffer table for temporarily seating the second electrode piece located in the transfer unit before moving the second electrode piece to the stack unit. In paragraph 6:
The buffer table includes a first buffer table and a second buffer table,
The stack unit is an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus disposed between the first buffer table and the second buffer table. In paragraph 7:
The stack unit is an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus that moves between the first buffer table and the second buffer table. In paragraph 8:
The stack unit is an electrode assembly manufacturing device that moves in a straight line forming the shortest distance between the first buffer table and the second buffer table when viewed in plan. In paragraph 6:
The holding unit holds the second electrode piece seated on the buffer table while moving between the buffer table and the stack unit and moves it to the stack unit. In paragraph 10:
The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus moves the stack unit, which has received the held second electrode piece, to stack the first electrode-separator assembly on the stack unit. In paragraph 11:
The stack unit moves to be adjacent to the buffer table located farther from the stack unit among the buffer tables including a first buffer table and a second buffer table to stack the first electrode-separator assembly,
An electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus that positions the first electrode-separator assembly on the uppermost second electrode piece of the stack unit by moving the stack unit to be adjacent to the buffer table. In paragraph 1:
An electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus wherein the first electrode is a cathode and the second electrode is an anode. A process of forming a first electrode-separator assembly sheet including two sheet-shaped separators and a plurality of first electrode pieces continuously positioned between inner surfaces of the sheet-shaped separators facing each other;
A process of placing the 1-1 electrode-separator assembly, which is part of the first electrode-separator assembly sheet, in a stack unit;
A process of stacking a 2-1 electrode piece on an outer surface of the separator of the 1-1 electrode-separator assembly disposed in the stack unit;
A process of rotating the stack unit to stack a 1-2 electrode-separator assembly on the stacked 2-1 electrode piece, and
A process of laminating the 2-2 electrode piece on one side of the 1-2 electrode-separator assembly located opposite to the side of the 1-2 electrode-separator assembly facing the 2-1 electrode piece. A method of manufacturing an electrode assembly comprising: In paragraph 14:
The process of stacking the 2-1 electrode piece on the outer surface of the separator of the 1-1 electrode-separator assembly disposed in the stack unit,
A process of temporarily seating the second electrode piece supplied from the second electrode supply unit on a buffer table before moving the second electrode piece to the stack unit, and
An electrode assembly manufacturing method comprising stacking the second electrode piece, in which a holding unit is temporarily seated on the buffer table, on the 1-1 electrode-separator assembly. In paragraph 14:
The buffer table includes a first buffer table and a second buffer table,
The electrode assembly manufacturing method wherein the stack unit is located between the first buffer table and the second buffer table. In paragraph 16:
The process of stacking the 1-2 electrode-separator assembly on the stacked 2-1 electrode piece by rotating the stack unit,
An electrode assembly manufacturing method wherein the stack unit moves between the first buffer table and the second buffer table and the 1-2 electrode-separator assembly is stacked on the uppermost 2-1 electrode piece of the stack unit. . In paragraph 14:
The 1-1 electrode-separator assembly and the 1-2 electrode-separator assembly are connected to each other in a zigzag shape during placement in the stack unit,
The 1-1 electrode-separator assembly and the 1-2 electrode-separator assembly are a method of manufacturing an electrode assembly in which the plurality of first electrode pieces are laminated between the sheet-shaped separators.