WO2021004641A1

WO2021004641A1 - Spatter removal apparatus and method during laser cutting of battery electrodes

Info

Publication number: WO2021004641A1
Application number: PCT/EP2019/068756
Authority: WO
Inventors: Genis Turon Teixidor
Original assignee: Toyota Motor Europe NV SA
Current assignee: Toyota Motor Europe NV SA
Priority date: 2019-07-11
Filing date: 2019-07-11
Publication date: 2021-01-14
Anticipated expiration: 2022-01-11

Abstract

A device (1) for laser cutting a battery workpiece (10), comprising a laser cutting means for generating a laser beam (50) configured to cut the workpiece (10) along a predetermined cutting line (11), at least two spatter removal means configured to remove the spatters (S) generated during laser cutting of the workpiece (10), each spatter removal means comprising at least one nozzle (30a, 30b) configured to blow air so as to deflect the spatters (S) and at least one suction means (20a, 20b) configured to suction the spatters (S) deflected by the nozzle (30a, 30b), the suction means (20a, 20b) of a first spatter removal means being disposed on one side of the predetermined cutting line (11), the suction means (20a, 20b) of a second spatter removal means being disposed on the other side of the predetermined cutting line (11).

Description

SPATTER REMOVAL APPARATUS AND METHOD DURING LASER CUTTING OF BATTERY ELECTRODES

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure is related to laser cutting of battery workpieces such as negative electrodes, and more particularly to a device for laser cutting of such a battery workpiece, and a method for laser cutting a battery workpiece using such a device.

BACKGROUND

[0002] During laser cutting of battery electrodes, spatters are generated due to evaporation of the materials (mainly, the binder and the metal foil), and the rapid expansion of the air located within the active material layer's porosity.

The spatters comprise the electrode's active material, such as carbon particles, in the case of the anode, and solidified metal droplets, such as copper, in the case of the anode. If these spatters are re-deposited on the surface of the cut electrode, an electrical shortcut may occur inside the battery cell after assembly, potentially leading to a thermal runaway that could destroy the cell possibly spreading to the whole pack.

[0003] US4434349 discloses an example of a laser beam cutting device for cutting sheet metal workpieces, the device having a dust collecting apparatus. However, such a device does not prevent spatters from re-depositing on the surface of the cut workpiece. Other known methods for removing the spatters include the use of suction means, allowing removing some of the spatters generated by the laser cutting process.

[0004] However, the above mentioned systems may be complex, and do not take into account the direction of the spatters that are generated during cutting, so that a high amount of spatters is susceptible to re-deposit on the workpiece during laser cutting, leading to the above mentioned issues.

SUMMARY [0005] Currently, it remains desirable to increase the amount of spatters removed during laser cutting of a workpiece.

[0006] Therefore, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, a device for laser cutting a battery workpiece is provided. The device for laser cutting a battery workpiece comprises a laser cutting means for generating a laser beam configured to cut the workpiece along a predetermined cutting line, and at least two spatter removal means configured to remove the spatters generated during laser cutting of the workpiece, each spatter removal means comprising at least one nozzle configured to blow air so as to deflect the spatters and at least one suction means configured to suction the spatters deflected by the nozzle, the suction means of a first spatter removal means being disposed on one side of the predetermined cutting line, the suction means of a second spatter removal means being disposed on the other side of the predetermined cutting line.

[0007] In the present disclosure, the up and down direction is equivalent to a vertical direction, which may correspond to the direction of the laser beam during the laser cutting of the workpiece.

[0008] The battery may be a lithium-based battery for example, and the workpiece is preferably a flat plate, for example a composite layer of

graphitized carbon particles held together by a binder. The predetermined line is a line at which the battery workpiece has to be cut by the laser cutting means.

[0009] The device of the present disclosure includes at least two spatter removal means. In other words the device includes at least two set of spatter removal means, each set comprising at least one nozzle and at least one suction means associated to the at least one nozzle. In other words, the device includes at least two nozzles and at least two suction means.

[0010] The nozzles are configured to blow air in the direction of the spatters generated during laser cutting. More specifically, one nozzle is configured to blow air in the direction of one flow of spatters, and another nozzle is configured to blow air in the direction of another flow of spatters. [0011] On the other hand, the suction means are disposed on each side of the cutting line. More specifically, the suction means of a first spatter removal means is disposed on one side of the predetermined cutting line, and the suction means of a second spatter removal means is disposed on the other side of the predetermined cutting line. Thus, the flow of spatters which is deflected by the air blown by one of the nozzles is suctioned by the suction means which is disposed on the one side of the predetermined cutting line. In addition, the flow of spatters which is deflected by the air blown by the other one of the nozzles is suctioned by the suction means which is disposed on the other side of the predetermined cutting line.

[0012] Indeed, the inventors of the present application have recognized that during laser cutting of battery workpieces such as negative electrodes, the flow of spatters is directed towards both sides of the cutting line. Thus, since the suction means are disposed on both side of the predetermined cutting line, and that each suction means is associated to a nozzle which is configured to deflect the spatters in the direction of a suction means, it is possible to more effectively remove a higher amount of spatters, during laser cutting of the workpiece. Therefore, it is possible to limit the risk of re-deposition on the surface of the cut electrode, and to limit the risk that electrical shortcut occurs inside the battery cell after assembly, thus improving the reliability of the cell and/or the pack. Furthermore, the above effects may be obtained using simple devices, inexpensive and easy to conceive.

[0013] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the nozzle and the suction means of the first spatter removal means are each disposed on opposite sides with respect to the predetermined cutting line, and the nozzle and the suction means of the second spatter removal means are each disposed on opposite sides with respect to the predetermined cutting line.

[0014] In other words, the nozzle of the first spatter removal means, which is disposed on one side of the predetermined line, blows air in the direction of the flow of spatters which is generated on the other side of the predetermined line during laser cutting. In the same manner, the nozzle of the second spatter removal means, which is disposed on one side of the

predetermined line, blows air in the direction of the flow of spatters which is generated on the other side of the predetermined line during laser cutting.

Thus, the air jets blown by each of the nozzles cross each other. This allows a more effective deflection of both spatter streams generated during laser cutting, and therefore a higher percentage of spatters captured by the suction means. In addition, according to this configuration, the nozzles may be simple straight nozzles blowing air, which are easy to conceive.

[0015] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the nozzle and the suction means of the first spatter removal means are each disposed on the same side with respect to the predetermined cutting line, and the nozzle and the suction means of the second spatter removal means are each disposed on the same side with respect to the predetermined cutting line.

[0016] In other words, the nozzle of the first spatter removal means, which is disposed on one side of the predetermined line, blows air in the direction of the flow of spatters which is generated on the same side of the predetermined line during laser cutting. In the same manner, the nozzle of the second spatter removal means, which is disposed on one side of the

predetermined line, blows air in the direction of the flow of spatters which is generated on the same side of the predetermined line during laser cutting. Thus, the air jets blown by each of the nozzles do not cross each other, contrary to the above configuration. This allows preventing the interference between the air flows blown by the nozzles, and thus further increases efficiency of the device.

[0017] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, at least one of the nozzles has a bent portion.

[0018] The bent portion allows adapting the direction of the air flow blown by the nozzle. In particular, when the nozzle and the suction means of each spatter removal means are disposed on the same side, the nozzle may be disposed above the suction means in the up and down direction. Since the nozzle has a bent portion, the air jet blown by said nozzle may be oriented in an appropriate manner toward the stream of spatters generated on the same side, so as to improve the amount of spatters deflected toward the suction means. By "oriented in an appropriate manner toward the stream of spatters", we understand that the air may be blown substantially perpendicularly, for example, to the stream of spatters generated during laser cutting.

[0019] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the nozzle of the first and the second spatter removal means is a first nozzle disposed above the suction means according to the up and down direction, and each of the first and second spatter removal means comprises a second nozzle disposed below the suction means according to the up and down direction.

[0020] In other words, each set of spatter removal means comprises one suction means and two nozzles. The nozzles and the suction means of each set of spatter removal means may all be disposed on the same side with respect of the predetermined cutting line. Alternatively, both the suction means and the second nozzle of the first spatter removal means may be disposed on the same side while the first nozzle of the first spatter removal means is disposed on the other side of the predetermined cutting line. In the same manner, both the suction means and the second nozzle of the second spatter removal means may be disposed on the same side while the first nozzle of the second spatter removal means is disposed on the other side of the

predetermined cutting line. Since a nozzle is disposed above and below the suctions means, the amount of spatters deflected towards said suctions means may be further increased.

[0021] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, each second nozzle is configured to blow air toward the predetermined cutting line through a space between the suction means and the workpiece.

[0022] During the laser cutting of the workpiece, since the first nozzles disposed above the suction means blow air toward the spatters stream in order to deflect said stream, some of the spatters may be deflected in the space below the suction means, between the suction means and the workpiece, rather than being suctioned by the suction means. Since the second nozzles blow air toward the predetermined cutting line through this space below the suction means, the spatters may be at least partially prevented from entering into said space. Thus, the amount of spatters deflected towards the suctions means may be further increased.

[0023] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, each suction means comprises a plurality of compartments distributed along the predetermined line, configured to suction the spatters blown by the nozzle during laser cutting of the workpiece.

[0024] The suction means may extend in the cutting direction, which is a direction defined by the predetermined cutting line. The suction means are preferably substantially parallel to the predetermined line. Preferably, the length of the suction means is greater than or equal to the length of the

predetermined line. Thus, during laser cutting of the workpiece, the spatters generated may be effectively suctioned by the suction means during the displacement of the laser beam along the predetermined cutting line.

[0025] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, in a view parallel to the cutting direction, an angle between a suction direction of the suction means and a plane defined by the workpiece is greater than or equal to 20°, preferably 35°, and lower than or equal to 60°, preferably 50°.

[0026] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, in a view parallel to the cutting direction, an angle between a blowing direction of the first nozzles and the plane defined by the workpiece is greater than or equal to 20°, preferably 35°, and lower than or equal to 60°, preferably 50°.

[0027] These values may be determined experimentally, by observing and measuring the generation of spatters during laser cutting, and by adapting the orientation of the suction means and the nozzles accordingly. Thus, these orientations allow optimizing the amount of spatters deflected towards the suctions means may.

[0028] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the first and second nozzles have an elongated shape extending along the predetermined cutting line. [0029] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the length of the first and second nozzles is equal to or higher than the length of the cutting line.

[0030] Thus, the spatters generated during laser cutting may be blown and deflected from the beginning to the end of the cutting process. Therefore, the nozzles do not have to move during laser cutting, which allows simplifying the device. In addition, this allows a faster laser scanning speed.

[0031] Alternatively, the nozzles may be configured to move along the predetermined cutting line together with the laser beam during laser cutting of the workpiece.

[0032] In this case, both the first and the second nozzle of each spatter removal means may move along the predetermined cutting line together with the laser beam during laser cutting of the workpiece. Thus, the spatters may be deflected toward the suction means as soon as they are generated by the laser beam. Therefore, the amount of spatters deflected towards the suctions means may be further increased.

[0033] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the nozzles are configured to blow air at a flow speed between 20 and 60 m/s.

[0034] These values may be determined experimentally, by observing and measuring the velocity of the streams of spatters during laser cutting, and by adapting the flow speed of the suction means and the nozzles accordingly. Thus, these flow speeds allow optimizing the amount of spatters deflected towards the suctions means may.

[0035] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the workpiece is a battery negative electrode.

[0036] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for laser cutting a battery workpiece using the device according to the present disclosure is provided. The method includes: - laser cutting of the workpiece along the predetermined cutting line in a cutting direction,

- deflecting the spatters by blowing air with the nozzles toward the spatters produced during the laser cutting step , and

- suction, by the suction means, of the spatters deflected by the nozzles during laser cutting of the workpiece.

[0037] The step of laser cutting of the workpiece, deflecting the spatters by the nozzles, and suction by the suction means, are performed in the same time, so that the spatters may be prevented from re-deposited on the workpiece.

[0038] The step of deflecting the spatters may be performed by elongated nozzles blowing air all along the predetermined cutting line, or alternatively, by nozzles shorter than the predetermined cutting line and moving along said cutting line together with the displacement of the laser beam.

[0039] It is intended that the present disclosure encompasses all combinations of the above-described elements and those within the

specification, except if they are not technically compatible.

[0040] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the disclosure, as claimed.

[0041] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and together with the description, serve to explain the principles thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and together with the description, serve to explain the principles thereof.

[0043] Figure 1 shows a cross section of an exemplary device for laser cutting a battery negative electrode according to the prior art ; [0044] Figure 2A shows a cross section of a first example of a laser cutting device according to the present disclosure in a front view and figure 2B shows a cross section of the first example of a laser cutting device according to the present disclosure in a side view;

[0045] Figure 3 shows a cross section of a second example of a laser cutting device according to the present disclosure in a front view;

[0046] Figure 4 shows a cross section of a third example of a laser cutting device according to the present disclosure in a front view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

[0048] In the description below, a front view refers to a view in a direction corresponding to the cutting direction, that is, parallel to the cutting direction (for example, the view illustrated in fig. 2A), and a side view refers to a view perpendicular to the cutting direction (for example, the view illustrated in fig. 2B).

[0049] Figure 1 shows a cross section of an exemplary apparatus for cutting a battery workpiece 10 using a laser cutting device of the prior art. The apparatus comprises a support 13, on which a battery workpiece 10 is disposed. In the present case, the battery workpiece is a battery negative electrode. The negative electrode is an element of a battery, such battery generally comprising a positive electrode, a negative electrode, an electrolyte and current collectors, which are layers of materials stacked one on top of the other.

[0050] The battery negative electrode 10 is a material to be cut by the laser cutting device. The upper face of the battery negative electrode 10 comprises a predetermined cutting line 11, which is a line at which the battery negative electrode 10 has to be cut. In other words, this line is a line which a laser beam 50 will follow to cut the electrode 10. The position of this line is predetermined before the laser cutting process, according to the intended shape and dimensions of the piece obtained after the laser cutting process.

[0051] The apparatus also comprises a laser device (not shown). During laser cutting of the battery negative electrode 10, the laser device generates a laser beam 50 which is concentrated at the cutting line 11. The laser beam 50 is moved along the cutting line 11 in a cutting direction perpendicular to the cross section illustrated in figure 1. The laser beam 50 cuts the battery negative electrode 10, so that the battery negative electrode 10 is split in two parts at the end of the cutting process.

[0052] During the laser cutting process, streams of spatters S, which are particles of the material of the electrode 10 being cut, are generated.

[0053] In order to avoid the re-deposition of these spatters on the surface of the cut electrode, which may be responsible of electrical shortcut inside the battery cell after assembly, the device includes a spatter removal means. The spatter removal means comprises a suction means 20 and a nozzle 30 (or cross-jet). The nozzle 30 is disposed on one side of the cutting line 11, as seen in a front view (left side on said front view). During laser cutting, the nozzle 30 blows air toward the cutting lines and may move along the cutting line 11 together with the laser beam 50. The blowing direction (illustrated by the arrow extending from the nozzle 30) may be perpendicular to the cutting line 11, and is oriented toward the cutting line 11 so as to deflect the spatters S when they are generated. The suction means 20 is disposed in the other side of the cutting line 11, and may be any suction means, such as an industrial vacuum suction system, suitable for sucking the spatters S when they are generated, as illustrated by the arrows directed toward the suction means 20.

[0054] During the laser cutting process of the negative electrode 10, two streams of spatters S, one on each side of the cutting line 11, are generated. The shape and the direction of the spatters generated during laser cutting of the negative electrode 10 may be measured and observed by, for example by a high speed camera system. However, according to the exemplary apparatus illustrated in fig. 1, only one side of the spatters S generated is suctioned by the suction means 20. Therefore, the spatters S generated on the other side (the right side in the view of fig. 1), may be redeposited on the electrode 10.

[0055] Figure 2A, which is a front view, and Figure 2B, which is a side view, show a cross section of a first example of a device 1 for laser cutting a battery negative electrode 10 according to the present disclosure. The features described in reference to fig. 1, having the same numeral references, are also applicable to the examples below.

[0056] A groove 15 may be provided in the support 13 below the cutting line 11, so as to prevent the support 13 from being melted during laser cutting. The groove 15 may also be used for applying a shielding gas, for example argon, to prevent oxidation of the electrode 10.

[0057] According to this example, the device 1 comprises two spatter removal means. The first spatter removal means comprises a suction means 20a and a nozzle 30a, and the second spatter removal means comprises a suction means 20b and a nozzle 30b. The suction means 20a of the first spatter removal means is disposed on one side of the cutting line 11, while the suction means 20b of the second spatter removal means is disposed on the other side of the cutting line 11.

[0058] On the other hand, the nozzle 30a of the first spatter removal means is disposed on the side opposite to the suction means 20a with respect to the cutting line 11. In other words, the nozzle 30a of the first spatter removal means is disposed on the same side as the suction means 20b of the second spatter removal means with respect to the cutting line 11. In addition, the nozzle 30b of the second spatter removal means is disposed on the side opposite to the suction means 20b with respect to the cutting line 11. In other words, the nozzle 30b of the second spatter removal means is disposed on the same side as the suction means 20a of the first spatter removal means with respect to the cutting line 11. [0059] The nozzles 30a and 30b are thus disposed in such a way as the air jets blown by each of them cross. The air blown by the nozzle 30a of the first spatter removal means crosses the laser beam 50 so as to deflect the spatters S on the other side of the cutting line 11, the spatters S being thus deflected so as to be suctioned by the suction means 20a. The air blown by the nozzle 30b of the second spatter removal means crosses the laser beam 50 so as to deflect the spatters S on the other side of the cutting line 11, the spatters S being thus deflected so as to be suctioned by the suction means 20b.

[0060] In addition, according to a view parallel to the cutting directing direction, corresponding to the view of fig. 2A, an angle between a suction direction of the suction means 20a, 20b and the plane defined by the electrode 10 is greater than or equal to 20°, preferably 35°, and lower than or equal to 60°, preferably 50°. Furthermore, an angle between a blowing direction of the nozzles 30a, 30b and the plane defined by the electrode 10 is greater than or equal to 20°, preferably 35°, and lower than or equal to 60°, preferably 50°.

[0061] Figure 2B illustrates the displacement of the laser beam 50 in the cutting direction along the predetermined cutting line 11 during laser cutting (see the arrow extending from the laser beam 50 in figure 2B). During the laser cutting, the nozzles 30a, 30b may move in the cutting direction, together with the laser beam 50. The suction means 20a has an elongated shape extending along the cutting line 11, and comprises a plurality of compartments 201. Preferably, the length of the suction means 20a, is equal to or higher than the length of the electrode 10, more specifically than the length of the cutting line 11, in this side view. Thus, the spatters generated during laser cutting may be suctioned from the beginning to the end of the cutting process. Therefore, the suction means 20a does not have to move during laser cutting, which allows simplifying the device 1. The above comments also apply to the suction means 20b, which is not visible on the section view of figure 2B. In addition, instead of moving along the cutting line 11, the nozzles 30a, 30b may also have an elongated shape extending along the cutting line 11, the length of the nozzles 30a, 30b being preferably equal to or higher than the length of the electrode 10, more specifically than the length of the cutting line 11, in the side view.

[0062] Figure 3, which is a front view, shows a cross section of a second example of a device 1 for laser cutting a battery negative electrode 10 according to the present disclosure. The disposition and the shape of the suction means 20a and 20b are the same as in the first example.

[0063] In this second example, the nozzle 30a is on the same side as the suction means 20a with respect to the cutting line 11, and the nozzle 30b is on the same side as the suction means 20b with respect to the cutting line 11. In other words, the air jets blown by the nozzles do not cross each other, contrary to the first example.

[0064] According to this configuration, the nozzle 30a of the first spatter removal means comprises a bent portion 31a, so as to modify the direction of the air jet blown by the nozzle 30a. More specifically, the bent portion 31a allows the air to be blown in the direction of the spatters S which is generated on the side, with respect to the cutting line 11, which is the side where the nozzle 30a and the suction means 20a are disposed. Thus, the bent portion 31a of the nozzle 30a allows deflecting the spatters S toward the suction means 20a. In the same manner, the nozzle 30b of the second spatter removal means comprises a bent portion 31b, so as to modify the direction of the air jet blown by the nozzle 30b. More specifically, the bent portion 31b allows the air to be blown in the direction of the spatters S which is generated on the side, with respect to the cutting line 11, which is the side where the nozzle 30b and the suction means 20b are disposed. In addition, this allows the air blown by the nozzles to not interfere with the laser beam.

[0065] Figure 4, which is a front view, shows a cross section of a third example of a device 1 for laser cutting a battery negative electrode 10 according to the present disclosure. The disposition and the shape of the suction means 20a and 20b are the same as in the first and the second examples. The disposition and the shape of the nozzles 30a and 30b are also the same as in the second examples. [0066] In addition to the nozzles 30a and 30b of the second example, each of the first and second spatter removal means comprises a second nozzle 40a, 40b.

[0067] More specifically, the first spatter removal means has the first nozzle 30a disposed above the suction means 20a in an up and down direction, and the second nozzle 40a disposed below the suction means 20a in the up and down direction. The up and down direction is a vertical direction which is perpendicular to the electrode 10. In the same manner, the second spatter removal means has the first nozzle 30b disposed above the suction means 20b in the up and down direction, and the second nozzle 40b disposed below the suction means 20b in the up and down direction.

[0068] According to this configuration, the second nozzles 40a and 40b blow air in the space formed between the electrode 10 and the suction means 20a, and between the electrode 10 and the suction means 20b respectively. Thus, the spatters deflected by the first nozzle 30a is prevented from entering the space formed between the electrode 10 and the suction means 20a, and the spatters deflected by the first nozzle 30b is prevented from entering the space formed between the electrode 10 and the suction means 20b.

[0069] In the same manner as in the first and second examples, the first nozzles 30a, 30b and the second nozzles 40a, 40b may have an elongated shape with a length greater than the length of the cutting line, or alternatively, may move together with the laser beam 50 along the cutting line 11 in the cutting direction during laser cutting of the electrode 10. The first nozzles 30a and 30b may blow air at a flow speed between 20 and 60 m/s, and the second nozzles 40a and 40b may blow air at a flow speed between 20 and 60 m/s.

[0070] Although the present disclosure herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present disclosure. [0071] It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope of the disclosure being indicated by the following claims.

Claims

1. A device (1) for laser cutting a battery workpiece (10), comprising:

a laser cutting means for generating a laser beam (50) configured to cut the workpiece (10) along a predetermined cutting line (11), at least two spatter removal means configured to remove the spatters (S) generated during laser cutting of the workpiece (10), each spatter removal means comprising at least one nozzle (30a, 30b) configured to blow air so as to deflect the spatters (S) and at least one suction means (20a, 20b) configured to suction the spatters (S) deflected by the nozzle (30a, 30b), the suction means (20a, 20b) of a first spatter removal means being disposed on one side of the predetermined cutting line (11), the suction means (20a, 20b) of a second spatter removal means being disposed on the other side of the predetermined cutting line (11).

2. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle (30a) and the suction means (20a) of the first spatter removal means are each disposed on opposite sides with respect to the predetermined cutting line (11), and the nozzle (30b) and the suction means (20b) of the second spatter removal means are each disposed on opposite sides with respect to the predetermined cutting line (11).

3. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle (30a) and the suction means (20a) of the first spatter removal means are each disposed on the same side with respect to the predetermined cutting line (11), and the nozzle (30b) and the suction means (20b) of the second spatter removal means are each disposed on the same side with respect to the predetermined cutting line (11).

4. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the nozzle (30a, 30b) of the first and the second spatter removal means is a first nozzle disposed above the suction means (20a, 20b) according to an up and down direction, and each of the first and second spatter removal means comprises a second nozzle (40a, 40b) disposed below the suction means (20a, 20b) according to the up and down direction.

5. The device (1) according to claim 4, wherein each second nozzle (40a, 40b) is configured to blow air toward the predetermined cutting line (11) through a space between the suction means (20a, 20b) and the workpiece (10).

6. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least one of the nozzles (30a, 30b) has a bent portion (31a, 31b).

7. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the suction means (20a, 20b) comprises a plurality of compartments (201) distributed along the predetermined line (11), configured to suction the spatters (S) blown by the nozzle (30a, 30b) during laser cutting of the workpiece (10).

8. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, in a view parallel to a cutting direction, an angle between a suction direction of the suction means (20a, 20b) and a plane defined by the workpiece (10) is greater than or equal to 20°, preferably 35°, and lower than or equal to 60°, preferably 50°.

9. The device (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein, in a view parallel to a cutting direction, an angle between a blowing direction of the first nozzles (30a, 30b) and a plane defined by the workpiece (10) is greater than or equal to 20°, preferably 35°, and lower than or equal to 60°, preferably 50°.

10. The device (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein the first and second nozzles (30a, 30b, 40a, 40b) have an elongated shape extending along the predetermined cutting line (11).

11. The device (1) according to claim 10, wherein the length of the first and second nozzles (30a, 30b, 40a, 40b), is equal to or higher than the length of the cutting line (11).

12. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the nozzles (30a, 30b) are configured to blow air at a flow speed between 20 and 60 m/s.

13. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the workpiece (10) is a battery negative electrode.

14. A method for laser cutting a battery workpiece (10) using the device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising:

- laser cutting of the workpiece (10) along the predetermined cutting line (11) in a cutting direction,

- deflecting the spatters (S) by blowing air with the nozzles (30a, 30b) toward the spatters produced during the laser cutting step, and

- suction, by the suction means (20a, 20b), of the spatters (S) deflected by the nozzles (30a, 30b) during laser cutting of the workpiece (10).