WO2021153842A1

WO2021153842A1 - Pressure activation device having degassing unit

Info

Publication number: WO2021153842A1
Application number: PCT/KR2020/002287
Authority: WO
Inventors: 임종현
Original assignee: (주)에이프로
Priority date: 2020-01-31
Filing date: 2020-02-18
Publication date: 2021-08-05
Also published as: KR102332132B1; KR20210097904A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a pressure activation device having a degassing unit and, more particularly, to a pressure activation device having a degassing unit and configured to remove gas, generated during a pressure activation process for a plurality of pouch-type battery cells mounted on each of a plurality of pressure units, by means of the one movably-arranged degassing unit, so that the manufacturing process efficiency of pouch-type battery cells can be improved, and the time, effort, and cost for degassing can be reduced.

Description

Pressurization activation device with degassing unit

The present invention relates to a pressurization activation device having a degassing unit, in particular, a degassing unit movably arranged to move gas generated in a pressurization activation process for a plurality of pouch-type battery cells mounted for each of the plurality of pressurization units. By configuring it to be removable through, it is possible to improve the manufacturing process efficiency of the pouch-type battery cell, and to a pressure activation device having a degassing unit that can reduce the time, effort and cost for degassing.

A secondary battery refers to a battery that can be repeatedly reused through charging and discharging. Recently, secondary batteries have been widely used in high-tech electronic devices such as smart phones, notebook computers, and electric vehicles. In particular, lithium secondary batteries have a high energy density per unit weight and can be rapidly charged compared to other secondary batteries such as conventional lead-acid batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-hydrogen batteries, and nickel-zinc batteries. It is being actively used in

Among these secondary batteries, a typical configuration of a pouch-type battery cell includes an electrode assembly including a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, and a separator, a pouch case, and electrode leads. The electrode assembly is accommodated in the pouch case, and electrode leads are connected to the electrode assembly and protrude out of the pouch case.

Meanwhile, in the manufacture of a pouch-type battery cell, an electrolyte is filled inside the pouch case accommodating the electrode assembly of the completed battery cell. The completed battery cell is subjected to a charging/discharging process after sealing the pouch case. In the process of charging and discharging a battery cell, gas is generated inside. The pressure inside the battery cell may increase due to the gas generated therein. In addition, the pouch case is convexly inflated due to an increase in internal pressure. In this process, the electrode plates are lifted, and the bonding force between the active material and the current collector may be weakened.

Accordingly, during or after the charging/discharging process of the pouch-type battery cell is in progress, a pressurization activation process of pressurizing the pouch-type battery cell is performed. The pressurization activation process of the pouch-type battery cell can collect the gas in one place. In addition, the electrolyte filled inside the pouch-type battery cell is evenly spread.

After the pressurization activation process of the pouch-type battery cell, a degassing process for removing the gas collected inside the pouch-type battery cell is performed. In general, the pressure activation process for pressurizing the pouch-type battery cell and the degassing process for removing the generated gas are performed in separate devices. However, as the gas is removed in a short time during the gas removal process (degassing process) in a separate device, the high-pressure gas existing inside the pouch-type battery cell is leaked to the outside, and in this process, the electrolyte may flow out together. can be a problem

In addition, if the degassing process is performed in a separate device without immediately removing the gas generated in the pressurization activation process, even the gas between the electrode plates cannot be completely removed. There is a problem that degrades the performance of the battery cell. In order to solve this problem, although it is necessary to perform the degassing process in the pressurized activation process, it is common not to perform the degassing process together in the existing pressurized activation process.

In order to solve this problem, Korean Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-2017-0095013 (hereinafter referred to as "prior art literature") reduces the process time by performing a process of pressurizing a battery cell and a gas removal process together, Disclosed are a secondary battery manufacturing apparatus and a secondary battery manufacturing method capable of improving battery manufacturing process efficiency.

However, since the prior art document proposes a configuration in which a gas removal unit for removing gas generated inside a battery cell is disposed in a one-to-one correspondence with each of a plurality of pressurization units, the configuration of the device is complicated and time required for configuring the device , a problem of increasing effort and cost arises.

In addition, the prior art document only describes the conceptual configuration of the gas removal unit, but does not suggest a specific configuration and operation for performing a degassing process for the battery cells mounted in each pressurization unit.

The present invention is configured to remove the gas generated in the pressurization activation process for a plurality of pouch-type battery cells mounted for each of the plurality of pressurization units through one degassing unit movably disposed, thereby It is an object of the present invention to provide a pressurized activation device having a degassing unit that can improve manufacturing process efficiency and reduce time, effort and cost for degassing.

The constituent means constituting the pressurization activation device having the degassing unit of the present invention proposed to solve the above problems is, in the pressurization activation device, a plurality of pressurization units for pressing both sides of a plurality of pouch-type battery cells, and a degassing unit for removing gas generated inside a plurality of pouch-type battery cells from an upper side of the plurality of pressurization units, wherein the degassing unit is movably disposed on the upper side of the plurality of pressurization units, each It is characterized in that the degassing process is performed on the plurality of pouch-type battery cells that are pressurized in the pressurization unit of the

Here, the degassing unit is supported by a transfer means disposed along the arrangement direction of the plurality of pressurization units, a support mounted to be reciprocally transferred along the arrangement direction of the plurality of pressurization units by the transfer means, and the supporter. It is characterized in that it is mounted so as to form a piercing hole in the gas pocket portion of each pouch-type battery cell, and then includes a plurality of venting modules for venting the gas of the gas pocket portion through vacuum suction.

Here, each of the plurality of venting modules is characterized in that when the venting of the gas of the gas pocket portion is completed, the periphery of the piercing hole is sealed.

Here, the plurality of venting modules are arranged in a plurality of rows on the support, the plurality of venting modules arranged in each row is characterized in that it is arranged to intersect with the plurality of venting modules arranged in another row.

According to the pressurization activation device having a degassing unit of the present invention, gas generated in the pressurization activation process for a plurality of pouch-type battery cells mounted for each of the plurality of pressurization units is removed through one degassing unit movably disposed. Since it is configured to be able to do so, it is possible to improve the manufacturing process efficiency of the pouch-type battery cell, and to reduce the time, effort, and cost for degassing.

1 is a schematic plan view of a pouch-type battery cell applied to a pressure activation device having a degassing unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a pressure activation device having a degassing unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a plan view of a pressurization unit constituting a pressurization activation device having a degassing unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A - A' of FIG. 3 .

5 is a schematic cross-sectional view for showing an arrangement relationship according to one form of a pouch-type battery cell pressed between a pressure plate and a venting module constituting a pressure activation device having a degassing unit according to an embodiment of the present invention; am.

Figure 6 is a schematic plan view for showing the arrangement relationship according to another form of the pouch-type battery cell pressed between the pressure plate and the venting module constituting the pressure activation device having a degassing unit according to an embodiment of the present invention am.

7 is a perspective view of a venting module constituting a pressure activation device having a degassing unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a side view of a venting module constituting a pressure activation device having a degassing unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A' of FIG. 8, FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken from line B-B' of FIG. 8, and FIG. It is a schematic plan view of a pouch-type battery cell that has undergone a degassing process.

1 is a schematic plan view of a pouch-type battery cell applied to a pressure activation device having a degassing unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. With reference to FIG. 1 , the pouch-type battery cell 1 that is subjected to a pressurization activation process and further subjected to a degassing process during the pressurization activation process will be described first.

The pouch-type battery cell 1 applied to the present invention includes an electrode assembly 2 , a pouch case 3 , an electrode lead 6 , and an insulating tape 7 . The electrode assembly 2 includes a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, and a separator. The electrode assembly 2 may be provided in a form in which one or more positive plates and one or more negative plates are disposed with a separator interposed therebetween. The electrode assembly 2 may be provided in a form in which a plurality of positive plates and a plurality of negative plates are alternately stacked. Alternatively, one positive electrode plate and one negative electrode plate may be provided in a wound form.

The pouch case 3 has a space therein. The electrode assembly 2 and the electrolyte are accommodated in the inner space of the pouch case 3 . The pouch case 3 may be formed of various structures and materials. For example, the pouch case 3 may be provided as a laminate sheet, and the laminate sheet may be composed of a resin layer and a metal layer.

The pouch case 3 includes a pouch body 4 and a pouch rim 5 . The pouch body 4 can accommodate the electrode assembly 2 . The pouch body 4 may be formed in various structures and shapes. The pouch body 4 in the present invention is exemplified in a rectangular shape when viewed from the top. The pouch rim 5 is provided protruding from the pouch body 4 . The pouch edge 5 may seal the end of the pouch body 4 to seal the inside. Accordingly, a basic sealing portion 5a is formed along the end of the pouch edge 5 .

The electrode lead 6 is electrically connected to the electrode assembly 2 . The electrode lead 6 may protrude out of the pouch edge 5 of the pouch case 3 . For example, the electrode leads 6 may protrude from both sides or one end of the pouch case 3 in the longitudinal direction. A pair of the electrode leads 6 may be provided. The pair of electrode leads 6 may protrude from one or both ends of the pouch case 3 . One of the pair of electrode leads 6 may be provided as an anode lead, and the other may be provided as a cathode lead. The pair of electrode leads 6 are electrically connected to the pair of electrode tabs coupled to the electrode assembly 2 .

An insulating tape 7 may be attached to the electrode lead 6 . The insulating tape 7 can prevent a short circuit between the electrode lead 6 and the pouch case 3 . The insulating tape 7 may improve adhesion between the electrode lead 6 and the pouch case 3 . The insulating tapes 7 are provided in a number corresponding to the electrode leads 6 . An insulating tape 7 may be attached to the periphery of the electrode lead 6 . The insulating tape 7 may be made of an insulating material.

The pouch-type battery cell 1 according to the present invention configured as described above has a space for collecting gas generated during the pressurization activation process by the pressurization activation device according to the present invention to one side. That is, as shown in FIG. 1 , the pouch-type battery cell 1 applied to the present invention includes a gas pocket portion 9 formed by relatively extending one pouch edge 5 . Accordingly, the gas generated during the pressure activation process of the pouch-type battery cell 1 may move to the gas pocket 9 and be collected.

The gas pocket part 9 is a space formed between the pouch body 4 and the basic sealing part 5a, and may be formed for the purpose of collecting generated gas. It is preferable to be formed on any one of the four side sides of the type battery cell 1 .

Detailed configuration and operation of the pressure activation device 100 having the degassing unit according to the embodiment of the present invention capable of performing the pressure activation process and the degassing process for the pouch-type battery cell 1 described above. A detailed description is as follows.

2 is a schematic perspective view of a pressure activation device 100 having a degassing unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the pressure activating device 100 having a degassing unit according to an embodiment of the present invention is configured such that the degassing unit 50 is further included in the configuration of the existing pressure activating device. Specifically, the pressurization activation device 100 having a degassing unit according to the present invention includes a plurality of pressurization units 90 and the plurality of pressurization units 90 that pressurize both sides of a plurality of pouch-type battery cells 1 . It is configured to include a degassing unit 50 for removing the gas generated inside the plurality of pouch-type battery cells (1) on the upper side of the.

However, the degassing unit 50 according to the present invention is not arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with each pressurization unit as in the conventionally partially applied configuration, but is movably arranged above the plurality of pressurization units 90, , is configured to perform a degassing process for a plurality of pouch-type battery cells 1 that are pressurized in each pressurizing unit 90 .

The pressing unit 90 applied to the present invention may press both sides of the plurality of pouch-type battery cells 1 . The pressurization unit 90 pressurizes the pouch-type battery cell 1 to evenly distribute the electrolyte impregnated therein. A plurality of pressurizing units 90 may be provided. A plurality of pressurizing units 90 are sequentially arranged adjacent to each other in one direction.

A pressurization unit 90 constituting the pressurization activation device 100 having a degassing unit according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 .

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the pressurizing unit 90 is interposed between the main body 70 on which a plurality of pouch-type battery cells 1 are mounted, and each pouch-type battery cell 1, as shown in FIGS. A pressure plate 60 for pressing both sides of each pouch-type battery cell 1, a separator 71 disposed between the pressure plate 60 to support the pouch-type battery cell 1, and a pressure plate ( It is composed of a driving means 80 that moves 60) to pressurize the pouch-type battery cell 1, which is basically a well-known technique in the relevant field, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted and only the degree necessary for the present invention will be schematically provided. Explain.

The main body 70 forms the exterior of the pressurizing unit 90 and has a structure capable of accommodating the plurality of pouch-type battery cells 1 . The main body 70 may basically include a lower frame, an upper frame, and a pair of connecting frames disposed on both sides to connect the lower and upper frames to form a solid shape.

The plurality of pressure plates 60 may be provided in the body 70 so as to be disposed between the plurality of pouch-type battery cells 1 to face the front and rear surfaces of the plurality of pouch-type battery cells 1 . can Here, the gas pocket parts 9 of the plurality of pouch-type battery cells 1 may be disposed to protrude upward from the main body 70 . That is, the gas pocket portion 9 of the plurality of pouch-type battery cells 1 applied to the present invention is preferably disposed to protrude upward between the plurality of pressure plates 60 . However, the protrusion direction of the gas pocket part 9 may be a lateral direction or a downward direction according to the arrangement direction and the approach direction of the venting module 40 applied to the present invention to be described later.

The driving means 80 includes the plurality of pressure plates 60 to the body ( 70) can be slid along the front-rear direction (pressing direction).

To this end, the driving means 80 may include a driving source 81 , a driving plate 83 , a driving shaft 85 , and a guide rail 87 . The driving plate 83 may be provided in the main body 70 to face the pressing plate 60 disposed at the outermost side at one side of the plurality of pressing plates 60 .

The drive shaft 85 is connected to the drive plate 83 , so that the plurality of pressure plates 60 can slide in the front-rear direction (pressing direction) of the main body 70 , the drive source 81 is According to the driving, the driving plate 83 may be slid along the front-rear direction (pressure direction) of the main body 70 .

The guide rail 87 may be fixedly disposed between a pair of connecting frames of the main body 70 along the front-rear direction (pressing direction) of the main body 70 . The guide rail 87 may be connected to the plurality of pressing plates 60 and the driving plate 83 to guide sliding of the plurality of pressing plates 60 and the driving plate 83 .

Among the plurality of pressure plates 60 , a pair of adjacent pressure plates 60 presses the pouch-type battery cell 1 mounted therebetween so that the pressure activation process can proceed. On the other hand, the pressurization activation device 100 having a degassing unit according to the present invention performs an operation of degassing the gas generated in the pouch-type battery cell 1 by using the degassing unit during pressurization. For this, the pouch-type battery cell 1 according to the present invention is mounted and disposed between the pressure plates 60 as shown in FIG. do.

Accordingly, after the venting module 40 of the degassing unit 50 to be described later forms a piercing hole (indicated by reference numeral 5c in FIG. 11 ) in the gas pocket part 9 from the upper side, the piercing hole 5c ) is driven to be in a vacuum state so that the leaked gas is sucked and vented, and when gas venting is complete, sealing around the piercing hole 5c or the gas outlet area can be performed. there is.

Looking at the schematic operation of the pressing unit 90 configured in this way, the pouch-type battery cell 1 is inserted between the pressing plates 60 arranged at regular intervals in the main body 70, and the inserted pouch The type battery cell 1 is supported by the intervening paper 71 interposed between the pressure plates 60 .

In the state in which the pouch-type battery cell 1 is inserted as described above, the pressure plate 60 presses the pouch-type battery cell 1 by the driving means 80, and then the pressure plate 60 By operating a heating pad (not shown) installed in the battery cell 1, a high temperature is applied in a pressurized state to receive a pressurization activation process.

In the process of receiving the pressurization activation process, a charging/discharging or voltage measuring process for the pouch-type battery cell 1 may be performed, and according to an embodiment of the present invention, pressurization activation by the degassing unit 50 . An operation of degassing the gas generated from the pouch-type battery cell 1 generated in the process may be performed.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the degassing unit 50 applied to the present invention removes the gas generated inside the plurality of pouch-type battery cells 1 from the upper side of the plurality of pressurization units 90 . carry out However, the degassing unit 50 according to the present invention is not a plurality of degassing units fixedly disposed to correspond to each of the pressing units 90 , but a plurality of pouch-type batteries mounted on each of the plurality of pressing units 90 . It is composed of one degassing unit capable of performing all degassing processes for the cell 1 .

To this end, the degassing unit 50 according to the present invention is movably disposed on the upper side of the plurality of pressurization units 90 , and is applied to a plurality of pouch-type battery cells 1 that are pressurized by each pressurization unit 90 . The batch is configured to perform the degassing process for

In FIG. 2 , one degassing unit 50 performs a degassing process for a plurality of pouch-type battery cells 1 mounted on each pressurizing unit 90 while reciprocating on the upper side of the three pressurizing units 90 . Here is an example of a possible configuration. 2 illustrates that three pressurization units 90 are applied, one degassing unit 50 according to the present invention for four or more pressurization units 90 can be configured to perform the degassing process. may be

The degassing unit 50 according to the present invention should be arranged and mounted so as to be reciprocally movable on the upper side of the plurality of pressurization units 90 . To this end, the degassing unit 50 according to the present invention includes a transfer means 41 disposed along the arrangement direction of the plurality of pressurization units 90 , and the plurality of pressurization units 90 by the transfer means 41 . ), a support 43 mounted to be reciprocally transported along the arrangement direction, and a piercing hole 5c in the gas pocket portion 9 of each pouch-type battery cell 1 that is mounted to be supported on the support 43 . After forming, it is configured to include a plurality of venting modules 30 for venting the gas of the gas pocket 9 through vacuum suction.

The transfer means 41 is configured to reciprocally move the support 43 on which the plurality of venting modules 30 are supported and mounted along the arrangement direction of the plurality of pressing units 90 . The transfer means 41 may be configured in various ways as long as it can reciprocate the support 43 . For example, the transfer means 41 may be applied as a pair of rails or ball screws capable of moving while supporting both sides of the support, and these may be driven by a driving motor.

The support 43 is mounted on the transfer means 41 so as to be reciprocally transferred along the arrangement direction of the plurality of pressing units 90 by the transfer means 41 . In addition, the support 43 supports the mounting of a plurality of venting modules 40 . The plurality of bending modules 40 are disposed on each of the plurality of pouch-type battery cells 1 mounted in the corresponding pressurization unit 90 in order to perform a degassing process on the pouch-type battery cells 1 in a pressurized state. It shall be possible to locate the corresponding “degassing point”. To this end, the control means (not shown) may be located as a degassing performing point corresponding to each of the plurality of pouch-type battery cells 1 in which the plurality of bending modules 40 are mounted on the corresponding pressurizing unit 90 . So, by driving the transfer means (41), the support (43) is transferred to the upper side of the pressurizing unit (90).

On the other hand, in order to position the plurality of venting modules 40 supported by the support 43 as a degassing point, respectively, in the process of transporting the support 43 , it should not interfere with surrounding components or devices. To this end, the transfer means 41 needs to be raised and lowered in some cases. Specifically, it is preferable that the conveying means 41 is arranged to be raised and lowered by a lifting cylinder (not shown) disposed on the lower side.

After performing the degassing process on the plurality of pouch-type battery cells 1 mounted in the specific pressurizing unit 90 through the plurality of venting modules 40, the When moving to perform the degassing process for the plurality of pouch-type battery cells 1 , the control means (not shown) operates the lifting cylinder to raise the transfer means 41 , the first operation, the raised transfer means A second operation of horizontally moving the support 43 to the upper side of the other pressurizing unit 90 and a third operation of lowering the conveying means 41 by operating the elevating cylinder by (41) may be performed. .

Through this operation, the plurality of venting modules 40 may be located at the “degassing point”. That is, under the control of the control means, each of the plurality of venting modules 40 performs a degassing process corresponding to each pouch-type battery cell 1 mounted on the pressurizing unit 90 to perform the degassing process. It can be moved and positioned to a point where it can be done. The “degassing performance point” is between the fixed plate 13 and the moving plate 23 and the heating plate 33 where the gas pocket portion 9 of the pouch-type battery cell 1 constitutes the venting module 40 . It means the location point of the venting module 40 that is in the interposed state.

Each of the plurality of venting modules 40 performs a degassing process at the “degassing point”. Specifically, each of the plurality of venting modules 40 is mounted to be supported on the support 43 to form a piercing hole 5c in the gas pocket portion 9 of each pouch-type battery cell 1 and then vacuum suction. An operation of venting the gas of the gas pocket part 9 is performed through the .

Each of the venting modules 40 forms a piercing hole 5c in the gas pocket portion 9 of the corresponding pouch-type battery cell 1, and then vacuum-sucks it and collects it in the gas pocket portion 9. The operation of venting the gas is performed. Thereafter, although a sealing process for sealing the piercing hole 5c may be performed by a separate procedure, in the present invention, each venting module 40 is a sealing process diagram for the piercing hole 5c performed consecutively. That is, each of the plurality of venting modules 40 according to the present invention additionally performs an operation of sealing the periphery of the piercing hole 5c when the venting of the gas of the gas pocket part 9 is completed.

5 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a state in which a plurality of venting modules 40 are disposed on the upper side of each corresponding pouch-type battery cell 1 in a state pressed by the pressing plate 60 . In FIG. 5 , each of the plurality of venting modules 40 is located at a “degassing point”. That is, each venting module 40 has a gas pocket portion 9 of a corresponding pouch-type battery cell 1 attached to a fixing plate (indicated by reference numeral 13 in FIGS. 7 to 10 ) and a moving plate ( FIGS. 7 to 10 ). It is located at a point interposed between the reference numeral 23 in FIG. 10 ) and the heating plate (indicated by the reference numeral 33 in FIGS. 7 to 10 ).

In FIG. 5 , the plurality of venting modules 40 are arranged in a straight line in one row to illustrate that the plurality of venting modules 40 are arranged above the corresponding pouch-type battery cells 1 , respectively. However, when the width of each venting module 40 increases or when the thickness of the pouch-type battery cell 1 decreases, a plurality of venting modules corresponding to each pouch-type battery cell 1 sequentially ( 40) may not be arranged in one straight line.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6 , the width P1 of the venting module 40 is greater than the distance P2 between the pressing plates 60 that is changed according to the thickness of the pouch-type battery cell 1 . In a large case, the plurality of venting modules 40 may not be sequentially arranged in one row to correspond to the plurality of pouch-type battery cells 1 .

In such a case, the plurality of venting modules 40 according to the present invention are arranged in a plurality of rows on the support 43, and the plurality of venting modules 40 arranged in each row is a plurality of venting modules ( 40) and is configured to intersect.

Therefore, when the plurality of venting modules 40 cannot be arranged in one row, they may be arranged in at least two or more rows. For example, as shown in FIG. 6 , a plurality of venting modules 40 according to the present invention are supported and arranged in two rows (indicated by R1 and R2 in FIG. 6 ) on the support 43, one A plurality of venting modules disposed in a column of , and a plurality of venting modules disposed in the remaining columns may sequentially cross each other and are arranged in a zigzag form may be applied.

Through the arrangement structure of the plurality of venting modules 40 as described above, a plurality of venting modules 40 corresponding to a plurality of pouch-type battery cells 1 mounted on each pressurizing unit 90 are arranged in a plurality of rows (especially two When the thickness of the venting module 40 increases structurally, or when the pressure activation process for the thin pouch-type battery cell 1 is performed because it is configured to be mounted and disposed on the support 43 by the column Also, through a single degassing unit 50, a degassing process can be simultaneously performed on a plurality of pouch-type battery cells 1 mounted on each pressurizing unit 90, and through this, the degassing process application range can be expanded and equipment application efficiency can be improved.

Next, a detailed configuration and operation of each of the venting modules 40 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 7 to 10 . As described above, each of the plurality of venting modules 40 has a structure capable of performing a piercing operation, a vacuum suction operation, and a sealing operation for the pouch-type battery cell 1 .

7 to 10, each of the venting modules 40 applied to the present invention is a fixed block 10 that maintains a fixed state in the process of performing a degassing process, the fixed block 10 ) and moves to a position close to or close to the fixing block 10 with the gas pocket portion 9 of the pouch-type battery cell 1 interposed therebetween in the process of performing the degassing process to move the gas pocket portion ( 9) after forming the piercing hole 5c in the piercing/suction block 20 for performing a vacuum suction operation and the pouch-type battery cell 1 in the process of performing the degassing process by being disposed opposite the fixing block 10 ) is moved to a position close to or close to the fixing block 10 with the gas pocket portion 9 interposed therebetween to seal the piercing hole 5c formed in the gas pocket portion 9 to the outside. It is configured to include a block (30).

The fixed block 10 includes a fixed mounting portion 11 and a fixed plate 13 . The fixing plate 11 is mounted and supported on the support 43 . And, the fixing plate 11 seats the first cylinder 18 and the second cylinder 19 for driving the forward and backward motions of the piercing/suction block 20 and the heating block 30 . The first cylinder 18 drives the forward/backward motion of the piercing/suction block 20 , and the second cylinder 19 is mounted one on each side of the first cylinder 18 to make the heating block 30 . ) to drive the forward and backward motions.

The fixed plate 13 corresponds to a fixed plate that is vertically disposed in the downward direction in the fixed mounting unit 11 , and the moving plate 23 of the piercing/suction block 20 and the heating block 30 . It is disposed opposite to the heating plate (33).

A first O-ring 14 on the opposite surface of the fixing plate 13 (the surface facing the moving plate 23 of the piercing/suction block 20 and the heating plate 33 of the heating block 30), A first suction hole 15 , an insertion groove 16 , and a heating support unit 17 are formed.

The insertion groove 16 provides a space for accommodating the end of the piercing pin 26 mounted on the moving plate 23 . That is, according to the driving of the first cylinder 18 , the moving plate 23 approaches the fixed plate 13 to reliably form the piercing hole 5c in the gas pocket 9 . The end of the piercing pin 26 protrudingly mounted to the plate 23 should pass through the gas pocket 9 . In this case, in order to prevent the end of the piercing pin 26 from being damaged by collision, and to ensure that the piercing hole 5c is formed reliably and efficiently, an insertion groove 16 is formed in the central portion of the fixing plate 13 . to form

The first O-ring 14 forms a gas venting area for blocking the peripheral area of the piercing hole 5c from the outside in order to efficiently vent the gas coming out through the piercing hole 5c. The first O-ring 14 is made of a silicon material and is formed on the opposite surface of the fixing plate 13 to partition an area including the insertion groove 16 . Accordingly, when the fixing plate 13 is in close contact with the gas pocket portion 9 , a gas venting region may be formed by the first O-ring 14 made of silicon.

A plurality of the first suction holes 15 are formed to pass through the inside of the fixing plate 13 , and are formed to communicate with the inside of the first O-ring 14 , that is, the gas venting region. The plurality of first suction holes 15 are connected to a separately provided pumping line. Specifically, the plurality of first suction holes 15 are formed through the inside of the fixing plate 13 to be connected to the pumping line to the outside, and the gas venting area (adherent fixing plate 13) by a vacuum suction pump. and the gas in the blocking space formed between the gas pocket part 9) can be vacuum sucked.

In this way, when the vacuum suction pump is operated after the piercing hole 5c is formed in the gas pocket portion 9, the gas in the gas pocket portion 9 is transferred to the fixed plate 13 and the gas pocket portion ( 9) The gas may be discharged into the gas venting area corresponding to the blocking space formed between them, and the gas may be vacuum sucked and vented to the outside through the first suction hole 15 .

The heating support 17 is a portion corresponding to the heating plate 33 of the sealing block 30, and when gas venting is completed, in order to seal the peripheral area of the piercing hole 5c, the heating plate 33 ) is in close contact with the fixing plate 13, it supports the heating plate 33 so that sealing by thermal fusion can be performed efficiently. Since the heating support 17 is a portion corresponding to the heating plate 33 , it is preferable to have the same shape as the heating plate 33 . That is, the heating support 17 is preferably formed in a "┗┛" shape that is the arrangement shape of the heating plate (33).

The piercing/suction block 20 is composed of a first connecting portion 21 and a moving plate 23 . The first connection part 21 is connected to the first cylinder 18 so as to move forward and backward. The first cylinder 18 is connected to the first connection part 21 to drive the first connection part 21 forward and backward. Accordingly, the moving plate 23 vertically connected to the first connection part 21 in the downward direction may also be moved forward and backward.

The movable plate 23 corresponds to a movable plate vertically disposed in a downward direction from the first connection part 21 , and is disposed opposite to the fixing plate 13 of the fixing block 10 . A second O-ring 24 , a second suction hole 25 and a piercing pin 16 are formed on the opposite surface of the moving plate 23 (the surface facing the fixing plate 13 of the fixing block 10 ). do.

The piercing pin 26 forms a piercing hole 5c in the gas pocket part 9, and passes through the gas pocket part 9 to form a piercing hole 5c, the end of which is the fixing plate It can be inserted into the insertion groove (16) formed on the opposite surface of (13). That is, when the moving plate 23 closely approaches the fixed plate 13 with the gas pocket 9 interposed therebetween according to the driving of the first cylinder 18, the piercing pin 26 is A piercing hole 5c is formed through the gas pocket 9, and the end of the piercing pin 26 protrudingly mounted to the moving plate 23 passes through the gas pocket 9 and then It is in a state inserted into the insertion groove (16). The piercing pin 26 is eventually formed at a position corresponding to the insertion groove 16 . The piercing pin 26 preferably has a pointed end or a blade shape so that the piercing hole 5c can be easily formed in the gas pocket portion 9 .

The second O-ring 24 is a gas venting area (moving plate 23 and a gas pocket) for blocking the peripheral area of the piercing hole 5c from the outside in order to efficiently vent the gas coming out through the piercing hole 5c. a blocking region formed between the portions 9). The second O-ring 24 is made of a silicon material and is formed on the opposite surface of the movable plate 23 to define a region including the piercing pin 26 . Accordingly, when the moving plate 23 is in close contact with the gas pocket portion 9 , a gas venting region may be formed by the second O-ring 24 made of silicon. The second O-ring 24 is preferably formed at a position corresponding to the first O-ring 14 .

A plurality of second suction holes 25 are formed to pass through the inside of the moving plate 23 , and are formed to communicate with the inside of the second O-ring 24 , that is, the gas venting region. The plurality of second suction holes 25 are connected to a pumping line separately provided in the same manner as the first suction holes 15 . Specifically, the plurality of second suction holes 25 are formed through the inside of the moving plate 23 to be connected to the pumping line to the outside, and the gas venting area (closed moving plate 23) by a vacuum suction pump. and the gas in the blocking space formed between the gas pocket part 9) can be vacuum sucked.

In this way, when the vacuum suction pump is operated after the piercing hole 5c is formed in the gas pocket part 9, the gas in the gas pocket part 9 is transferred to the moving plate 23 and the gas pocket part ( 9) The gas is discharged into the gas venting area corresponding to the blocking space formed therebetween, and the gas may be vacuum sucked and vented to the outside through the second suction hole 25 .

The sealing block 30 includes a second connection part 31 and a heating plate 33 . The second connection part 31 is connected to the second cylinder 19 so as to move forward and backward. The second cylinders 19 are disposed on both sides of the first cylinder 18 and are respectively connected to both sides of the second connection part 31 to drive the second connection part 31 forward and backward. Accordingly, the heating plate 33 vertically connected to the second connection part 31 in the downward direction may also be operated forward and backward.

The heating plate 33 corresponds to a movable plate vertically disposed in a downward direction from the second connection part 31 , and is disposed opposite to the fixing plate 13 of the fixing block 10 . However, the heating plate 33 has a structure disposed around both sides and lower sides of the moving plate 23 so that the moving plate 23 can be interposed therebetween.

Specifically, the heating plate 33 is preferably formed in a "┗┛" shape consisting of both sides of the plate and the lower plate connecting the bottom of the both sides of the plate. The heating plate 33 is formed in a “┗┛” shape to correspond to the heating support 17 .

When gas venting is completed through the piercing process and the vacuum suction process by the piercing/suction block 20, the heating plate 33 performs an operation for sealing the periphery of the piercing hole 5c by thermal fusion. . Accordingly, when the gas venting is completed, the second cylinder 19 advances the heating block 30 and drives the gas pocket part 9 to be in close contact with the fixing plate 13 with the gas pocket part 9 interposed therebetween. Then, an additional sealing part (indicated by reference numeral 5b in FIG. 11 ) is formed in the gas pocket part 9 to correspond to the "┗┛"-shaped heating plate 33 .

The “┗┛”-shaped heating plate 33 is configured to generate heat because the gas pocket portion 9 is sealed by thermal fusion. That is, the heating plate 33 may be configured to generate heat by itself, may be configured to generate heat by disposing a heating wire, or may be configured to generate heat by inserting and mounting a separate heating member.

For example, a heater rod 35 as a heating member may be inserted into the heating plate 33 according to the present invention. Since the heating plate 33 is composed of a "┗┛" shape, that is, both sides of the plate and the lower plate connecting the lower ends, the heater rods 35 are also inserted into the both sides of the both sides of the heater rods 37. and a lower heater rod 36 inserted and disposed in the lower plate.

The venting module 40 of the present invention having the above-described configuration performs a piercing operation, a vacuum suction operation and a sealing operation when located at the degassing performing point. Specifically, the control means (not shown) drives the first cylinder 18 so that the moving plate 23 advances to the fixed plate 13 and is in close contact with the gas pocket part 9 interposed therebetween. In this process, the piercing pin 26 penetrates the gas pocket 9 to form a piercing hole 5c.

A gas venting region is formed while the moving plate 23 is in close contact with the fixed plate 13 . That is, the movement through the second O-ring 24 and the gas venting area corresponding to the blocking area between the fixing plate 13 and one side of the gas pocket 9 through the first O-ring 14 . A gas venting area corresponding to a blocking area between the plate 23 and the other side of the gas pocket portion 9 is formed.

When the vacuum suction pump is operated in this state, the gas coming out of the gas venting area from the gas pocket part 9 is vacuum sucked and vented to the outside through the first suction hole 15 and the second suction hole 25, respectively. and degassing may be performed.

When the gas venting is completed, the second cylinder 19 drives the heating plate 33 to be in close contact with the fixing plate 13 and the gas pocket part 9 interposed therebetween. Then, the “┗┛”-shaped heating plate 33 in which the heater rod 35 is inserted seals the periphery of the piercing hole 5c. As a result, the inside of the pouch can be kept airtight from the outside. That is, as shown in FIG. 11 , an additional sealing portion 5b of a “┗┛” shape is formed in the gas pocket portion 9 along the periphery of the piercing hole 5c.

Here, the venting module 40 performs a degassing process on the upper side of the gas pocket part 9, and since the basic sealing part 5a is formed along the end of the pouch edge 5 in advance, gas After the venting is completed, it is possible to maintain the airtightness of the inside of the pouch even if the additional sealing part 5b in the shape of "┗┛" is formed instead of a square. For this reason, the heating plate 33 and the heater rod 35 inserted therein are not configured and disposed in a rectangular shape, but are configured and disposed in a “┗┛” shape. As a result, the structure of the venting module 40 can be further simplified, thereby reducing time, effort, and cost for manufacturing the venting module.

Although the embodiments according to the present invention have been described above, these are merely exemplary, and those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent ranges of embodiments are possible therefrom. Accordingly, the true technical protection scope of the present invention should be defined by the following claims.

The pressurization activation device having a degassing unit according to the present invention removes gas generated in the pressurization activation process for a plurality of pouch-type battery cells mounted for each of the plurality of pressurization units through one degassing unit movably arranged. Since it is configured to be able to do so, it is possible to improve the manufacturing process efficiency of the pouch-type battery cell, and has industrial applicability to reduce the time, effort and cost for degassing.

Claims

A pressurized activation device comprising:

a plurality of pressing units for pressing both sides of the plurality of pouch-type battery cells;

It is configured to include a degassing unit for removing gas generated inside a plurality of pouch-type battery cells from an upper side of the plurality of pressurization units,

The degassing unit is movably disposed above the plurality of pressurization units, pressurizing with a degassing unit, characterized in that performing a degassing process for a plurality of pouch-type battery cells pressurized in each pressurizing unit activation device.
The method according to claim 1,

The degassing unit is mounted so as to be supported by a transport means disposed along the arrangement direction of the plurality of pressurization units, a support mounted so as to be reciprocally transferred along the arrangement direction of the plurality of pressurization units by the transfer means, and the support. Pressurization activation with a degassing unit, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of venting modules for forming a piercing hole in the gas pocket portion of each pouch-type battery cell and then venting the gas in the gas pocket portion through vacuum suction. Device.
3. The method according to claim 2,

Each of the plurality of venting modules is a pressure activation device having a degassing unit, characterized in that sealing the periphery of the piercing hole when the venting of the gas of the gas pocket portion is completed.
4. The method according to claim 2 or 3,

The plurality of venting modules are disposed in a plurality of rows on the support, and the plurality of venting modules disposed in each row intersect with a plurality of venting modules disposed in other rows. .