WO2021182656A1

WO2021182656A1 - Apparatus and method for manufacturing electrode plate of secondary battery

Info

Publication number: WO2021182656A1
Application number: PCT/KR2020/003335
Authority: WO
Inventors: 김용성; 김성철; 김태안; 이나라; 김경섭
Original assignee: 엘지전자 주식회사
Priority date: 2020-03-10
Filing date: 2020-03-10
Publication date: 2021-09-16
Also published as: KR20220119728A

Abstract

An apparatus for manufacturing an electrode plate of a secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a lower plate; an upper plate upwardly spaced apart from the lower plate; a pair of first nip rollers which adhere an electrode sheet to the upper surface of a carrier film and feed same between the lower plate and the upper plate; a pair of second nip rollers which are located behind the lower plate and the upper plate with respect to the moving direction of the carrier film and the electrode sheet and maintain the tension of the electrode sheet and the carrier film; at least one cutting mold which is provided on the bottom surface of the upper plate and cuts the electrode sheet into a preset shape; and a lift mechanism for lowering the upper plate to a height enabling the cutting mold to cut the electrode sheet but not to cut the carrier film. The cutting mold may have a closed-loop shape.

Description

Secondary battery electrode plate manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for manufacturing an electrode plate for a secondary battery.

In general, secondary batteries are batteries that can be used repeatedly through a charging process in the opposite direction to a discharge that converts chemical energy into electrical energy. batteries, lithium-metal batteries, lithium-ion (Ni-Ion) batteries, and lithium-ion polymer batteries (hereinafter referred to as "LIPB").

A secondary battery consists of a positive electrode, a negative electrode, an electrolyte, and a separator, and stores and generates electricity by using the voltage difference between different positive and negative materials. Here, discharging is the movement of electrons from the high-voltage negative electrode to the low-voltage positive electrode (electricity is generated as much as the voltage difference between the positive electrodes), and charging is the movement of electrons from the positive electrode to the negative electrode again. At this time, the positive electrode material receives electrons and lithium ions It returns to the original metal oxide. That is, when the secondary battery is charged, a charging current flows as metal atoms move from the positive electrode to the negative electrode through the separator. Conversely, when the secondary battery is discharged, the metal atoms move from the negative electrode to the positive electrode and a discharge current flows.

These lithium secondary batteries are generally classified into liquid electrolyte batteries and polymer electrolyte batteries according to the type of electrolyte. A battery using a liquid electrolyte is called a lithium ion battery, and a battery using a polymer electrolyte is called a lithium polymer battery. In addition, the exterior material of the lithium secondary battery may be formed in various types, and representative types of the exterior material include a cylindrical type, a prismatic type, and a pouch. An electrode assembly in which a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, and a separator (separator) interposed therebetween are stacked or wound is provided inside the exterior material of the lithium secondary battery.

For example, in a lithium ion polymer battery cell, an electrode assembly including a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, and a separator disposed therebetween is built in the pouch, and the electrode tabs of the positive and negative electrodes protruding from the positive and negative plates of the electrode assembly are the positive electrodes. and electrically connected to the electrode lead of the anode, respectively, and sealed so as to be exposed to the outside of the pouch.

In a conventional battery cell manufacturing apparatus, a unit electrode sheet is formed by cutting an electrode sheet, and an electrode plate having an electrode tab is formed by notching the unit electrode sheet. That is, in the conventional battery cell manufacturing apparatus, the cutting process and the notching process are separately performed. Therefore, there is a problem in that the manufacturing apparatus is complicated and the tolerance is increased.

[Prior art literature]

[Patent Literature]

KR 10-2017-0000079A (2017.01.02. Disclosure)

KR 10-2015-0062738A (2015.06.08. Disclosure)

One problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an electrode plate manufacturing apparatus and a manufacturing method of a secondary battery for manufacturing a high-quality electrode plate.

One problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for manufacturing an electrode plate of a secondary battery with improved productivity.

An apparatus for manufacturing an electrode plate of a secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a lower plate; an upper plate spaced above the lower plate; A pair of first nip rollers for feeding (feeding) between the lower plate and the upper plate by adhering the electrode sheet to the upper surface of the carrier film; a pair of second nip rollers positioned after the lower plate and the upper plate with respect to the moving directions of the carrier film and the electrode sheet, and maintaining the tension of the electrode sheet and the carrier film; at least one cutting mold provided on the lower surface of the upper plate and configured to cut the electrode sheet into a predetermined shape; and a lifting mechanism for lowering the upper plate to a height where the cutting mold cuts the electrode sheet and does not cut the carrier film. The cutting mold may have a closed loop shape.

The electrode plate manufacturing apparatus of the secondary battery may further include a pickup unit for picking up the electrode plate formed by the cutting mold. The pickup unit may be positioned before the pair of second nip rollers with respect to the moving direction of the carrier film and the electrode sheet.

The electrode plate manufacturing apparatus of the secondary battery may further include an elastic member provided on a bottom surface of the upper plate and protruding further downward than the cutting mold.

The apparatus for manufacturing an electrode plate of the secondary battery may further include a pressing unit configured to adjust the height of the electrode sheet and the carrier film by pressing the electrode sheet from an upper side when the upper plate is lowered.

The pressing unit may include: a first pressing unit positioned before the upper plate with respect to the moving directions of the electrode sheet and the carrier film; and a second pressing part positioned after the upper plate with respect to the moving directions of the electrode sheet and the carrier film.

When the upper plate rises, the lower surface of the carrier film may be spaced apart from the upper side of the lower plate, and when the upper plate descends, the lower surface of the carrier film may contact the lower plate.

The carrier film may be made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

The cutting mold may include a first cutting part for cutting the coating part of the electrode sheet; and a second cutting part connected to the first cutting part and cutting the uncoated part of the electrode sheet.

The apparatus for manufacturing an electrode plate of the secondary battery includes: an upper roll for unwinding an electrode sheet in a reel state; at least one upper guide roller for guiding the electrode sheet unwound by the upper roll between the pair of first nip rollers; a lower roll for unwinding the carrier film in a reel state and positioned below the upper roll; and at least one lower guide roller for guiding the carrier film unwound by the lower roll between the pair of first nip rollers.

The electrode plate manufacturing method of a secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present invention, a carrier film and an electrode sheet passing between a pair of first nip rollers and are attached to each other and fed between the upper plate and the lower plate feeding step; The upper plate descends toward the lower plate, and a closed-loop cutting mold provided on the lower surface of the upper plate cuts the electrode sheet attached to the upper surface of the carrier film into a predetermined shape to form an electrode plate. step; and a pickup step of picking up the electrode plate moved on the carrier film by a pickup unit. In the cutting step, the cutting mold may cut only the electrode sheet and may not cut the carrier film.

The pair of first nip rollers may intermittently feed the electrode sheet and the carrier film according to a preset cycle.

The cutting step may include: a process in which the electrode sheet is temporarily fixed by an elastic member provided on the lower surface of the upper plate and protruding further downward than the cutting mold; and further lowering the upper plate while the elastic member is in contact with the electrode sheet so that the cutting mold cuts the electrode sheet.

The cutting step may further include a step of adjusting the height of the electrode sheet and the carrier film by the pressing unit pressing the electrode sheet from the upper side.

The cutting mold may include a first cutting part for cutting the coating part of the electrode sheet; and

It may include a second cutting part connected to the first cutting part and cutting the uncoated part of the electrode sheet.

In the cutting step, the lower surface of the carrier film may be in contact with the lower plate, and when the upper plate rises after the cutting step, the lower surface of the carrier film may be spaced apart from the upper side of the lower plate.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, since the electrode plate body and the electrode tab are simultaneously cut, the manufacturing speed can be improved and the tolerance can be reduced. Accordingly, the quality of the electrode plate may be improved and productivity may be increased.

Further, since the carrier film is not cut, the electrode plate can be reliably transported by the carrier film.

In addition, the electrode plate on the carrier film can be easily picked up and transported by the pickup unit.

In addition, the cutting mold can stably cut the electrode sheet temporarily fixed by the elastic member and the pressing unit. Accordingly, the tolerance of the electrode plate may be reduced.

In addition, by minimizing the cutting tolerance and maximizing the electrode size of the battery, it is possible to increase the capacity compared to the area of the battery.

In addition, by changing the shape of the cutting mold, electrode plates of various shapes can be easily manufactured.

In addition, since the process is reduced compared to the conventional manufacturing apparatus, the equipment investment cost can be reduced and the production cost of the electrode plate can be reduced.

1 is a schematic diagram of an apparatus for manufacturing an electrode plate of a secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2A to 2G are diagrams for explaining the operation of an electrode plate manufacturing apparatus of a secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a view showing a loading unit and a guide unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a view showing a feeding unit and a kerning unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a view showing a cutting unit and an unloading unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a plan view of an electrode sheet according to an embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a view viewed from the lower side of the cutting mold according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with drawings.

Hereinafter, when an element is described as being "fastened" or "connected" to another element, it means that two elements are directly fastened or connected, or a third element exists between the two elements and two elements are connected by the third element. It may mean that the elements are connected or fastened to each other. On the other hand, when it is described that one element is "directly fastened" or "directly connected" to another element, it may be understood that a third element does not exist between the two elements.

In addition, with respect to the components described below, the suffixes "device" and "unit" are described in consideration of ease of description and do not have different meanings. Thus, the suffixes "device" and "unit" may be used interchangeably.

An electrode plate manufacturing apparatus 1 (hereinafter, "manufacturing apparatus") of a secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a loading unit 100 , a guide unit 200 , and a feeding device. It may include a feeding unit 300 , an unloading unit 400 , and a cutting unit 500 . The manufacturing apparatus 1 may further include a pick-up unit 600 (see FIG. 2A ).

The loading unit 100 may unwind the electrode sheet 10 and the carrier film 20 in a reel state and supply it to the feeding unit 300 .

The guide unit 200 may guide the electrode sheet 10 and the carrier film 20 supplied from the loading unit 100 to the feeding unit 300 .

The feeding unit 300 may feed the cutting unit 500 by matching the electrode sheet 10 and the carrier film 20 with each other. The electrode sheet 10 may be attached to the upper surface of the carrier film 20 . The feeding unit 300 may control the feeding cycle and speed of the electrode sheet 10 and the carrier film 20 .

The unloading unit 400 may move the electrode sheet 10 and the carrier film 20 together with the feeding unit 300 to pass through the cutting unit 500 while maintaining a constant tension. The unloading unit 400 may unload the remaining electrode sheet 10 and the carrier film 20 remaining after the electrode plate is manufactured.

The cutting unit 500 may be positioned between the feeding unit 300 and the unloading unit 400 . The cutting unit 500 may cut the electrode sheet 10 attached to the upper surface of the carrier film 20 in a blanking method to form an electrode plate having an electrode tab. The electrode plate may be a positive electrode plate or a negative electrode plate.

The pickup unit 600 (see FIG. 2 ) may pick up and transport the electrode plate formed by the cutting unit 500 from the upper side of the carrier film 20 . The pickup unit 600 may be positioned after the cutting unit 500 and positioned before the unloading unit 400 with respect to the moving direction of the electrode sheet 10 and the carrier film 20 .

The electrode sheet 10 may be formed by providing a coated portion and an uncoated portion on the current collector sheet.

The carrier film 20 may be made of a PET (polyethylene terephthalate) material. The carrier film 20 may serve as a carrier for transporting the electrode sheet 10 between the feeding unit 300 and the unloading unit 400 .

The manufacturing apparatus 1 may further include a guide unit 200 , a feeding unit 300 , an unloading unit 400 , and a base frame 2 supporting the cutting unit 500 . The base frame 2 may be arranged horizontally.

Referring to FIG. 2A , the feeding unit 300 may include a pair of first nip rollers 310 . A pair of first nip rollers 310 may rotate in opposite directions. A pair of first nip rollers 310 may be spaced apart in a vertical direction.

The electrode sheet 10 and the carrier film 20 pass between the pair of first nip rollers 310 and may coincide with each other, and may move in the direction of the cutting unit 500 .

The electrode sheet 10 may be in contact with the first nip roller 310 located on the upper side of the pair of first nip rollers 310 , and the carrier film 20 is one of the pair of first nip rollers 310 . It may be in contact with the first nip roller 310 located on the lower side. Accordingly, the electrode sheet 10 may be attached to the upper surface of the carrier film 20 .

A pair of first nip rollers 310 may intermittently feed the electrode sheet 10 and the carrier film 20 according to a preset cycle. That is, the pair of nip rollers 310 may periodically repeat rotation and stop rotation.

The cutting unit 500 may include a lower plate 510 , an upper plate 250 spaced apart from the upper side of the lower plate 510 , and a cutting mold 530 provided on a lower surface of the upper plate 520 . . The cutting unit 500 may further include an elastic member 540 provided on a bottom surface of the upper plate 520 .

The lower plate 510 and the upper plate 520 may be horizontally disposed. The electrode sheet 10 and the carrier film 20 may pass between the lower plate 510 and the upper plate 520 . That is, the upper surface of the lower plate 510 may face the lower surface of the carrier film 20 , and the lower surface of the upper plate 520 may face the upper surface of the electrode sheet 10 .

The carrier film 20 may move while being spaced apart from the lower plate 510 . That is, a gap g1 may be formed between the moving carrier film 20 and the lower plate 510 . The gap g1 may be approximately 1 mm to 2 mm. Accordingly, friction does not occur between the carrier rum 20 and the lower plate 510 , and damage to the carrier film 20 can be minimized.

The upper plate 520 may be raised and lowered by an elevating mechanism 550 (see FIG. 4 ) to be described later. That is, the vertical distance between the upper plate 520 and the lower plate 510 may be variable.

The cutting mold 530 may be provided to protrude downward from the bottom surface of the upper plate 520 . The cutting mold 530 may move up and down together with the upper plate. The cutting mold 530 may have a shape corresponding to the electrode plate.

The cutting mold 530 may cut the electrode sheet 10 in a predetermined shape and may not cut the carrier film 20 . That is, when cutting the electrode sheet 10 , the upper plate 520 may descend to a cutting level where the cutting mold 530 cuts only the electrode sheet 10 and the carrier film 20 is not cut.

The elastic member 540 may be provided at a position not interfering with the cutting mold 530 among the bottom surface of the upper plate 520 . Preferably, the elastic member 540 may be located inside the cutting mold 530 . That is, the cutting mold 530 may be positioned between the circumference of the bottom surface of the upper plate 520 and the outer circumference of the elastic member 540 .

The elastic member 540 may have an elastic material. For example, the elastic member 540 may be a sponge. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

The elastic member 540 may protrude further downward than the cutting mold 530 . Accordingly, when the upper plate 520 is lowered, the elastic member 540 may contact the electrode sheet 10 before the cutting mold 530 , and the elastic member 540 may contact the electrode sheet 10 and the upper plate ( 520) may be compressed.

Accordingly, the cutting mold 530 may stably cut the electrode sheet 10 temporarily fixed by the elastic member 540 . Accordingly, the cutting tolerance of the electrode sheet 10 may be reduced.

The cutting unit 500 may further include

pressing parts

591 and 592 . The

pressing units

591 and 592 may press the electrode sheet 10 from the upper side when the upper plate 520 is lowered to adjust the heights of the electrode sheet 10 and the carrier film 20 .

The

pressing parts

591 and 592 may be provided in a state separated from the upper plate 520 .

The

pressing parts

591 and 592 include a first pressing part 591 positioned before the upper plate 520 with respect to the moving direction of the electrode sheet 10 and the carrier film 20 , the electrode sheet 10 and A second pressing unit 592 positioned after the upper plate 520 with respect to the moving direction of the carrier film 20 may be included.

When the upper plate is lowered, the first pressing part 591 may be adjacent to the front end of the upper plate 520 , and the second pressing part 592 may be adjacent to the rear end of the upper plate 520 . . Accordingly, the first pressing unit 591 and the second pressing unit 592 may prevent the electrode sheet 10 and the carrier film 20 from being lifted by tension. Accordingly, the cutting mold 530 can stably cut the electrode sheet 10 temporarily fixed by the pressing part 540 .

Meanwhile, the pickup unit 600 may include a support plate 610 , a pickup unit 620 spaced apart from the upper side of the support plate 610 , and a suction plate 630 provided on the bottom surface of the pickup body 620 .

The support plate 610 may be positioned below the carrier film 20 . The support plate 610 may be horizontally disposed. The upper surface of the support plate 610 may face the lower surface of the carrier film 20 . The support plate 610 may be integrally formed with the lower plate 510 , but is not limited thereto.

The upper surface of the support plate 610 may be located on the same horizontal plane as the upper surface of the lower plate 510 . That is, the height of the upper surface of the support plate 610 may be the same as the height of the upper surface of the lower plate 510 . Accordingly, the carrier film 20 may move while being spaced apart from the support plate 610 . A gap g1 may be formed between the moving carrier film 20 and the support plate 610 .

The pickup unit 620 may be an end-effector of a pick and place robot. The pick and place robot may be applied and used in a handling process in which a starting point, an end point, and a path are fixed, and may be called a sequence type robot. The basic motion of the pick-and-place robot may include pick-up, transfer, and lacing operations. Since the general configuration of the pick and place robot is a well-known technology, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The suction plate 630 may absorb and pick up the electrode plate located on the upper surface of the carrier film 20 . The pickup unit 620 may include a vacuum device (not shown) for forming a negative pressure on the suction plate 630 .

The unloading unit 400 may include a pair of second nip rollers 410 . A pair of second nip rollers 410 may rotate in opposite directions. A pair of second nip rollers 410 may be spaced apart in a vertical direction.

The pair of second nip rollers 410 may be positioned after the cutting unit 500 with respect to the moving direction of the carrier film 20 and the electrode sheet 10 .

A pair of second nip rollers 410 may rotate simultaneously with a pair of first nip rollers 310 . Therefore, the pair of second nip rollers 410, like the pair of first nip rollers 310, may periodically repeat rotation and stop rotation.

The pair of second nip rollers 410 may maintain the tension of the electrode sheet 10 and the carrier film 20 together with the pair of first nip rollers 310 . The electrode sheet 10 may be in contact with the second nip roller 410 located on the upper side of the pair of second nip rollers 410 , and the carrier film 20 is one of the pair of second nip rollers 410 . It may be in contact with the second nip roller 410 located on the lower side.

The pair of second nip rollers 410 may be spaced apart from the pair of first nip rollers 310 in the horizontal direction. Accordingly, the electrode sheet 10 and the carrier film 20 between the pair of first nip rollers 310 and the pair of second nip rollers 410 can be taut and horizontally maintained without wrinkles.

The electrode sheet 10 and the carrier film 20 may be unloaded from the manufacturing apparatus 1 by passing between the pair of second nip rollers 410 .

Hereinafter, the operation of the manufacturing apparatus 1, that is, a method for manufacturing an electrode plate of a secondary battery will be described. The manufacturing apparatus 1 may sequentially perform the operations illustrated in FIGS. 2A to 2G .

Referring to FIG. 2A , the carrier film 20 and the electrode sheet 10 pass between the pair of first nip rollers 310 and are attached to each other to be fed between the upper plate 510 and the lower plate 520 . can This can be called a feeding step.

During the feeding step, the pair of first nip rollers 310 and the pair of second nip rollers 410 may be rotated and moved while maintaining the tension between the electrode sheet 10 and the carrier film 20 . The carrier film 20 may move while forming a gap g1 between the lower plate 510 and the support plate 610 .

Also, the upper plate 520 and the pickup unit 620 may be in a raised state, and the pressing unit may be in a state in which the electrode sheet 10 is not pressed.

Referring to FIG. 2B , the upper plate 520 may descend toward the lower plate 510 , and the cutting mold 530 may cut the electrode sheet 10 into a predetermined shape to form an electrode plate. This can be called the cutting step.

During the cutting step, the pair of first nip rollers 310 and the pair of second nip rollers 410 may stop rotating. Accordingly, in a state in which the movement of the electrode sheet 10 and the carrier film 20 is stopped, the

pressing units

591 and 592 may press the electrode sheet 10 downward. Accordingly, a bottom surface of a portion between the first pressing unit 591 and the second pressing unit 592 of the carrier film 20 may be in contact with the upper surface of the lower plate 510 . Accordingly, when the electrode sheet 10 is cut by the cutting mold 530 , the electrode sheet 10 and the carrier film 20 may be stably cut without shaking up and down.

That is, the cutting step may include a step of adjusting the height of the electrode sheet 10 and the carrier film 20 by the

pressing parts

591 and 592 pressing the electrode sheet 10 from the upper side.

Thereafter, the upper plate 520 may descend to a cutting level. The cutting level may be a height at which the cutting mold 530 cuts only the electrode sheet 10 and does not cut the carrier film 20 .

In more detail, when the upper plate 520 descends to the cutting level, the elastic member 540 presses the electrode sheet 10 downward to temporarily fix it, and the cutting mold 530 holds the electrode sheet 10 . It can cut stably.

That is, in the cutting step, the electrode sheet 10 is temporarily fixed by the elastic member 540 , and the upper plate 520 is further descended while the elastic member 540 is in contact with the electrode sheet 10 . Thus, the cutting mold 530 may include a process of cutting the electrode sheet 10 .

Referring to FIG. 2C , the cutting mold 530 for cutting the electrode sheet 10 may rise together with the upper plate 520 . In addition, the pressing part 591 may not press the electrode sheet 10 by rising. Accordingly, a gap g1 may be generated again between the carrier film 20 and the lower plate 510 due to the tension of the carrier film 20 .

Also, the electrode plate P1 formed by the cutting mold 530 may be attached to the upper surface of the carrier film 20 .

Referring to FIG. 2D , the feeding step may be re-executed. That is, the pair of first nip rollers 310 and the pair of second nip rollers 410 may rotate again, and the electrode sheet 10 and the carrier film 20 may move again.

The electrode plate P1 is separated from the rest of the electrode sheet 10 , but may be transported by the carrier film 20 . A pair of first nip rollers 310 and a pair of second nip rollers 410 may rotate until the electrode plate P1 reaches between the support plate 610 and the pickup unit 620 .

2E and 2F , the pickup unit 620 may pick up the electrode plate P1 on the carrier film 20 . This may be referred to as a pick-up phase.

During the pickup step, the pair of first nip rollers 310 and the pair of second nip rollers 410 may stop rotating. Due to this, in a state in which the movement of the electrode sheet 10 and the carrier film 20 is stopped, the pickup unit 620 may descend toward the support plate 610 , and the electrode plate P1 is attached to the pickup unit 620 . It may be adsorbed to the provided suction plate 630 . The adsorption force between the adsorption plate 630 and the electrode plate P1 may be stronger than the adhesion force between the electrode plate P1 and the carrier film 20 . Accordingly, when the pickup unit 620 rises, the electrode plate P1 may be picked up while being absorbed by the suction plate 630 .

In addition, the picking up step of one electrode plate P1 and the cutting step for cutting the other electrode plate P2 may be performed at the same time. That is, the upper plate 520 and the pickup unit 620 may be raised/lowered at the same time. Accordingly, the other electrode plate P2 may be formed simultaneously with the pickup of one electrode plate P1 , and the manufacturing speed of the plurality of electrode plates may be increased.

Referring to FIG. 2G , the feeding step may be re-executed. That is, the pair of first nip rollers 310 and the pair of second nip rollers 410 may rotate again, and the electrode sheet 10 and the carrier film 20 may move again. Accordingly, the electrode sheet 10 and the carrier film 20 remaining after the electrode plate P1 is picked up may be unloaded by passing between the pair of second nip rollers 610 .

A pair of first nip rollers 310 and a pair of second nip rollers 410 may rotate until the electrode plate P2 reaches between the support plate 610 and the pickup unit 620 .

The manufacturing apparatus 1 may continuously form and pick up a plurality of electrode plates by repeating the above-described processes.

The loading unit 100 is the frame 110, the lower roll 120 on which the carrier film 20 is wound, the upper roll 130 on which the electrode sheet 10 is wound, and the tension of the carrier film 20. A first tension control unit 140 for adjusting, a second tension control unit 150 for adjusting the tension of the electrode sheet 10 , a first support roller 145 for supporting the carrier film 20 , and an electrode A second support roller 155 for supporting the sheet 10 may be included.

The lower roll 120 and the upper roll 130 may be supported by the frame 110 . The rotation axes of the lower roll 120 and the upper roll 130 may be parallel to each other. The lower roll 120 may be located at a lower height than the upper roll 130 .

The carrier film 20 may be wound on the lower roll 120 in a reel state, and the electrode sheet 10 may be wound on the upper roll 130 in a reel state.

The lower roll 120 may rotate in a direction in which the carrier film 20 is unwound, and the upper roll 130 may rotate in a direction in which the electrode sheet 10 is unwound. The loading unit 100 may include a motor (not shown) for rotating the lower roll 120 and the upper roll 130 , respectively.

The first tension control unit 140 and the second tension control unit 150 may be supported by the frame 110 . The first tension control unit 140 may be located above the lower roll 120 and below the upper roll 130 . The second tension control unit 150 may be located above the upper roll 130 .

Each of the

tension adjusting units

140 and 150 includes a

rotation shaft

141 and 151, a plurality of

idle rollers

142 and 152 spaced apart from the

rotation shaft

141 and 151 in parallel, and a rotation shaft ( It may include a pair of connecting

portions

143 and 153 connecting the 141 and 151 to the plurality of

idle rollers

142 and 152 . Each of the

tension adjusting units

140 and 150 may include a motor (not shown) for rotating the

rotation shafts

141 and 151 .

The

rotation shafts

141 and 151 may extend in parallel with the rotation axis of each

roll

120 and 130 . The

rotation shafts

141 and 151 may be supported by the frame 110 .

Ends of the pair of

rotating parts

143 and 153 may be connected to the

rotating shafts

141 and 151 . A pair of

rotating parts

143 and 153 may be spaced apart from each other in a direction parallel to each other. In addition, both ends of the

idle rollers

142 and 152 may be connected to a pair of

rotating parts

143 and 153 .

Accordingly, the pair of

rotating parts

143 and 153 may rotate around the rotating

shafts

141 and 151 , and the plurality of

idle rollers

142 and 152 may rotate around the rotating

shafts

141 and 142 . The axis can revolve at the same angular velocity.

The carrier film 20 unwound in the lower roll 120 may move while being in contact with the plurality of idle rollers 142 of the first tension adjusting unit 140 . Depending on the rotation direction of the rotation shaft 141 of the first tension control unit 140, the plurality of idle rollers 142 may move away from or close to the lower roll 120, thereby being unwound in the lower roll 120. The tension of the carrier film 20 may be adjusted.

The electrode sheet 10 unwound by the upper roll 130 may move while being in contact with the plurality of idle rollers 152 of the second tension adjusting unit 150 . Depending on the rotation direction of the rotation shaft 151 of the second tension control unit 150, the plurality of idle rollers 152 may move away from or close to the upper roll 130, thereby being unwound in the upper roll 130. The tension of the electrode sheet 10 may be adjusted.

The first support roller 145 may extend in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the lower roll 120 . The first support roller 145 may be supported by the frame 110 . A plurality of first support rollers 145 may be provided with different distances from the lower roll 120 and the first tension adjusting unit 140 . For example, the plurality of first support rollers 145 may be located on the upper side of the lower roll 120 and on the side of the first tension adjusting unit 140 , and may be arranged to be obliquely spaced apart from each other.

The carrier film 20 unwinding from the lower roll 120 and passing through the first tension adjusting unit 140 may be supported by at least one of the plurality of first supporting rollers 145 .

The second support roller 155 may extend in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the upper roll 130 . The second support roller 155 may be supported by the frame 110 . A plurality of second support rollers 155 may be provided with different distances from the upper roll 130 and the second tension adjusting unit 150 . For example, the plurality of second support rollers 155 may be disposed on the upper side of the upper roll 130 and on the side of the second tension adjusting unit 150 , and may be arranged to be obliquely spaced apart from each other.

The electrode sheet 10 unwound by the upper roll 130 and passing through the second tension control unit 150 may be supported by at least one of the plurality of second support rollers 155 .

The loading unit 100 may further include

limiters

144 and 154 for limiting the rotation range of each of the

tension adjusting units

140 and 150 .

The

limiters

144 and 154 may be fixed to the frame 110 . According to the rotation of the

tension control unit

140, 150, the

connection portion

143, 153, in more detail, the frame side connection portion in contact with the

limiter

144, 154 may not be able to rotate any more.

The

limiters

144 and 154 are a first limiter 144 for limiting the rotation range of the first tension control unit 140 and a second limiter 154 for limiting the rotation range of the second tension control unit 150 . may include.

A pair of the first limiters 144 may be provided with the first tension adjusting unit 140 interposed therebetween. Any one of the first limiter 144 may limit the rotation range of the first tension adjusting unit 140 in one direction (eg, clockwise), and the other first limiter 144 is the first The rotation range of the first tension adjusting unit 140 in the other direction (eg, counterclockwise) may be limited.

The second limiter 154 may be provided with a pair of spaced apart with the second tension adjusting unit 150 therebetween. Any one of the second limiter 154 may limit the rotation range in one direction (eg, clockwise) of the second tension adjusting unit 150, and the other second limiter 154 is the second 2 It is possible to limit the rotation range of the tension control unit 150 in the other direction (eg, counterclockwise direction).

Meanwhile, the guide unit 200 includes a structure frame 202 , a plurality of lower guide rollers 210 for guiding the carrier film 20 , and a plurality of upper guide rollers 220 for guiding the electrode sheet 10 . may include.

The structure frame 202 may be disposed on the upper side of the base frame 2 . The structure frame 202 may form a spare space therein. The spare space may store a spare of some of the components included in the manufacturing apparatus 1 , in particular the cutting unit 500 .

The plurality of lower guide rollers 210 may extend in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the lower roll 120 . The plurality of lower guide rollers 210 may be spaced apart from each other in a horizontal direction.

The plurality of lower guide rollers 210 may be disposed on the upper side of the base frame 2 . The plurality of lower guide rollers 210 may be supported by the base frame 2 .

Some of the plurality of lower guide rollers 210 may be disposed inside the structure frame 202 . In this case, the structure frame 202 may have a shape that does not interfere with the carrier film 20 guided by the lower guide roller 210 . That is, the carrier film 20 guided by the plurality of lower guide rollers 210 may pass through the inside of the structure frame 202 .

The plurality of upper guide rollers 220 may extend in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the upper roll 130 . The plurality of upper guide rollers 220 may be spaced apart from each other in a horizontal direction.

The plurality of upper guide rollers 220 may be disposed on the upper side of the structure frame 202 . The plurality of upper guide rollers 220 may be supported by the structure frame 202 . The electrode sheet 10 guided by the plurality of upper guide rollers 220 may pass through the upper side of the structure frame 202 .

FIG. 4 is a view showing a feeding unit and a kerning unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a view showing a cutting unit and an unloading unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As described above, the feeding unit 300 may include a pair of first nip rollers 310 . In addition, the feeding unit 300 includes a pair of brackets 311 on which a pair of first nip rollers 310 are mounted, and a first mounting plate 312 on which any one of the pair of brackets 311 is mounted. ) and a first distance adjusting unit 330 for varying the distance between the pair of first nip rollers 310 may be included.

The pair of first nip rollers 310 may extend in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the lower roll 120 and the upper roll 130 . The pair of first nip rollers 310 may be rotatably mounted on the pair of brackets 311 . Each bracket 311 may extend in a direction parallel to the first nip roller 310 .

The pair of brackets 311 may include an upper bracket 311a and a lower bracket 311b. The upper bracket 311a and the lower bracket 311b may be vertically spaced apart with a pair of first nip rollers 310 interposed therebetween.

The upper bracket 311a may support the first nip roller 310 located on the upper side from the upper side, and the lower bracket 311b may support the first nip roller 310 located on the lower side from the lower side.

The upper bracket 311a may be fixed to the first mounting plate 312 . In more detail, one end of the upper bracket 311a may be fastened to the first mounting plate 312 .

The lower bracket 311b may be supported by the supporter 331 fixed to the first mounting plate 312 , and may be raised/lowered by the first distance adjusting unit 330 . The first distance adjusting unit 330 may be positioned between the supporter 331 and the lower bracket 311b. One end of the supporter 331 may be fastened to the first mounting plate 312 , so that the supporter 331 may be horizontally fixed.

The first distance adjusting unit 330 may be configured to automatically or manually elevate the lower bracket 311b. Therefore, the operator can easily adjust the distance between the pair of first nip rollers 310 .

The feeding unit 300 may further include a pair of end guide rollers 320 mounted on the first mounting plate 312 .

The end guide roller 320 may be spaced apart from the first nip roller 310 in parallel. The end guide roller 320 may be positioned before the first nip roller 310 with respect to the moving direction of the electrode sheet 10 and the carrier film 20 .

The end guide roller 320 may be supported by the first mounting plate 312 .

A pair of end guide rollers 320 may be vertically spaced apart. The electrode sheet 10 may be in contact with the upper end guide roller 320 of the pair of end guide rollers 320 , and the carrier film 20 may be located on the lower side of the pair of end guide rollers 320 . It may contact the end guide roller 320 .

The distance between the pair of end guide rollers 320 may be greater than the distance between the pair of first nip rollers 310 . The gap between the pair of first nip rollers 310 may overlap with the gap between the pair of end guide rollers 320 in the horizontal direction.

The pair of end guide rollers 320 may be located at a higher point than the plurality of lower guide rollers 210 (see FIG. 3 ) with respect to the base frame 2 , and the plurality of upper guide rollers 220 . It may be located at a lower point than (see FIG. 3 ).

Accordingly, the electrode sheet 10 and the carrier film 20 may be closer to each other as the pair of end guide rollers 320 are closer to each other. Therefore, the distance between the electrode sheet 10 and the carrier film 20 passed between the pair of end guide rollers 320 may be sufficiently close, and the pair of first nip rollers 310 are the electrode sheets 10 . and the carrier film 20 can be reliably attached.

The first mounting plate 312 may be vertically disposed. The first mounting plate 312 is connected to the vertical frame 313 , and the height may be adjusted manually or automatically along the vertical frame 313 . Accordingly, the height of the pair of first nip rollers 310 and the pair of end guide rollers 320 can be adjusted.

Meanwhile, as described above, the cutting unit 500 may include a lower plate 510 , an upper plate 520 , and a cutting mold 530 (refer to FIG. 2A ). The cutting unit 500 may further include a lifting mechanism 550 for raising and lowering the upper plate 520 .

The lifting mechanism 550 may be connected to the upper surface of the upper plate 520 . The lifting mechanism 550 may lower the upper plate 520 to a height at which the cutting mold 530 cuts the electrode sheet 10 and does not cut the carrier film 20 .

The type of the lifting mechanism 550 is not limited and those skilled in the art may use an appropriate mechanism. For example, the lift mechanism 550 may include a linear motion actuator.

The cutting unit 500 may further include a support frame 560 for supporting the lower plate 510 and the lifting mechanism 550 , and a moving mechanism 570 for moving the support frame 560 in a horizontal direction.

The support frame 560 includes a first plate 561, a second plate 562 spaced above the first plate 561 and connected to a lifting mechanism 550, and the first plate 561 and A plurality of posts 563 disposed between the second plates 562 may be included.

The lower plate 510 may be seated on the first plate 561 . The upper plate 520 may be positioned between the first plate 561 and the second plate 562 . The lifting mechanism 550 may be connected to the upper plate 520 through the second plate 562 from an upper side of the second plate 562 .

The support frame 560 includes a third plate 564 spaced apart from the lower side of the first plate 561, and a plurality of supports 565 disposed between the first plate 561 and the third plate 564. may further include.

The moving mechanism 570 may move the support frame 560 in a direction parallel to the moving direction of the electrode sheet 10 and the carrier film 20 .

The moving mechanism 570 may include an actuator 571 , a guide rail 572 , and a slider 573 .

The actuator 571 may be a motor to which a lead screw (not shown) is connected. The support frame 560 , more specifically, a moving block (not shown) fastened to the bottom surface of the third plate 564 may move along the lead screw together with the support frame 560 .

The guide rail 572 may be formed to be elongated in the moving direction of the support frame 560 . The guide rail 572 may be positioned below the support frame 560 .

The slider 573 may be fixed to the bottom surface of the support frame 560 , more specifically, the third plate 564 , and may be slid along the guide rail 572 . Accordingly, the horizontal movement of the support frame 560 may be guided.

Meanwhile, as described above, the unloading unit 400 may include a pair of second nip rollers 410 . In addition, the unloading unit 400 includes a pair of brackets 411 on which a pair of second nip rollers 410 are mounted, and a second mounting plate on which any one of the pair of brackets 411 is mounted ( 412) and a second distance adjusting unit 430 for varying the distance between the pair of second nip rollers 410 may be included.

The second nip roller 410 may extend in a direction parallel to the first nip roller 410 . The pair of second nip rollers 410 may be rotatably mounted on the pair of brackets 411 . Each bracket 411 may extend in a direction parallel to the second nip roller 410 .

The pair of brackets 411 may include an upper bracket 411a and a lower bracket 411b. The upper bracket 411a and the lower bracket 411b may be vertically spaced apart with a pair of second nip rollers 410 therebetween.

The upper bracket 411a may support the second nip roller 410 located on the upper side from the upper side, and the lower bracket 411b may support the second nip roller 410 located on the lower side from the lower side.

The upper bracket 411a may be fixed to the second mounting plate 412 . In more detail, one end of the upper bracket 411a may be fastened to the second mounting plate 412 .

The lower bracket 411b may be supported by the supporter 431 fixed to the second mounting plate 412 , and may be raised/lowered by the second distance adjusting unit 430 . The second distance adjusting unit 430 may be positioned between the supporter 431 and the lower bracket 411b. One end of the supporter 431 may be fastened to the second mounting plate 412 , so that the supporter 431 may be horizontally fixed.

The second distance adjusting unit 430 may be configured to automatically or manually elevate the lower bracket 411b. Accordingly, the operator can easily adjust the distance between the pair of second nip rollers 410 .

The second mounting plate 412 may be vertically disposed. The second mounting plate 412 is connected to the vertical frame 413 , and the height may be adjusted manually or automatically along the vertical frame 413 . Accordingly, the height of the pair of second nip rollers 410 can be adjusted.

6 is a plan view of an electrode sheet according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a view of a cutting mold according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the lower side.

The electrode sheet 10 may include a coated portion 11 and an uncoated portion 12 .

Hereinafter, a case in which the coating part 11 is positioned in the center of the electrode sheet 10 and the uncoated part 12 is positioned at both edges of the electrode sheet 10 will be described as an example. However, the arrangement of the coated portion 11 and the uncoated portion 12 is not limited thereto.

The coated part 11 and the uncoated part 12 may extend in the longitudinal direction of the electrode sheet 10 . The coated portion 11 may have a constant first width W1 , and the uncoated portion 12 may have a second width W2 that is narrower than the first width W1 and is constant.

The electrode sheet 10 may be cut by a cutting mold 530 to form an electrode plate P. The electrode plate P may include an electrode plate body Pa and an electrode tab Pb connected to the electrode plate body Pa.

The electrode plate body Pa may be formed by cutting the coated portion 11 , and the electrode tab Pb may be formed by cutting the uncoated portion 12 .

In more detail, the cutting mold 530 may include a first cutting part 531 for cutting the coated part 11 and a second cutting part 532 for cutting the uncoated part 12 . The second cutting part 532 may have a shape protruding outward from the first cutting part 531 .

The first cut part 531 may be positioned above the coating part 11 , and the second cut part 532 may be positioned above the uncoated part 12 .

The first cut part 531 may have a shape corresponding to the electrode plate body Pa, and the second cut part 532 may have a shape corresponding to the electrode tab Pb.

The cutting mold 530 may have a closed-loop shape. In more detail, the first cutting part 531 and the second cutting part 532 may be continuously connected to form a closed loop. Both ends of the first cutting unit 531 and both ends of the second cutting unit 532 may be connected to each other.

The cutting mold 530 may be referred to as a one-plane cutting mold, a pinnacle cutter, or a dinking die. The cutting mold 530 may have a blade (530a) formed at the lower end of the inner circumference. The mold cover 530 may blank the electrode sheet 10 to form an electrode plate (P).

The elastic member 540 may be located inside the closed loop formed by the cutting mold 530 .

Meanwhile, at least one cutting mold 530 may be provided on the lower surface of the upper plate 520 , preferably a plurality of cutting molds 530 . Accordingly, the cutting unit 500 can manufacture a plurality of electrode plates P at the same time, thereby improving productivity.

Hereinafter, a case in which two cutting molds 530 are provided will be described as an example.

The second cutting portions 532 of the pair of cutting molds 530 may protrude toward opposite sides of each other. Therefore, the second cutting part 532 of any one cutting mold 530 can cut the uncoated part 12 located at one edge of the electrode sheet 10 , and the second cutting part 532 of the other cutting mold 530 can be The second cutting part 532 may cut the uncoated part 11 located at the other edge of the electrode sheet 10 .

After the electrode plate (P) is picked up, the first direction width g2 of the portion remaining on the coating portion 11 of the electrode sheet 10 is to be adjusted according to the feeding cycle of the pair of first nip rollers 310 . can The first direction means a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the electrode sheet 10 .

The second direction width g3 of the portion remaining on the coating portion 11 of the electrode sheet 10 after the electrode plate P is picked up is the gap between the blades 530a of the pair of cutting molds 530 ( g3). The second direction means a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the electrode sheet 10 .

The above description is merely illustrative of the technical spirit of the present invention, and various modifications and variations will be possible without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains.

Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are not intended to limit the technical spirit of the present invention, but to explain, and the scope of the technical spirit of the present invention is not limited by these embodiments.

The protection scope of the present invention should be construed by the following claims, and all technical ideas within the equivalent range should be construed as being included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims

lower plate;

an upper plate spaced above the lower plate;

A pair of first nip rollers for feeding (feeding) between the lower plate and the upper plate by adhering the electrode sheet to the upper surface of the carrier film;

a pair of second nip rollers positioned after the lower plate and the upper plate with respect to the moving directions of the carrier film and the electrode sheet, and maintaining the tension of the electrode sheet and the carrier film;

at least one cutting mold provided on the lower surface of the upper plate and configured to cut the electrode sheet into a predetermined shape; and

The cutting mold includes a lifting mechanism for lowering the upper plate to a height at which the electrode sheet is cut and the carrier film is not cut,

The cutting mold has a closed loop shape.

A device for manufacturing electrode plates for secondary batteries.
The method of claim 1,

Further comprising a pickup unit for picking up the electrode plate formed by the cutting mold,

The pickup unit is positioned before the pair of second nip rollers with respect to the moving direction of the carrier film and the electrode sheet.

A device for manufacturing electrode plates for secondary batteries.
The method of claim 1,

Further comprising an elastic member provided on the lower surface of the upper plate and protruding further downward than the cutting mold

A device for manufacturing electrode plates for secondary batteries.
The method of claim 1,

When the upper plate is lowered, by pressing the electrode sheet from the upper side further comprising a pressing unit for adjusting the height of the electrode sheet and the carrier film

A device for manufacturing electrode plates for secondary batteries.
5. The method of claim 4,

The pressurizing part,

a first pressing part positioned before the upper plate with respect to the moving directions of the electrode sheet and the carrier film; and

Comprising a second pressing part located after the upper plate with respect to the moving direction of the electrode sheet and the carrier film

A device for manufacturing electrode plates for secondary batteries.
The method of claim 1,

When the upper plate rises, the lower surface of the carrier film is spaced apart from the upper side of the lower plate,

When the upper plate descends, the lower surface of the carrier film is in contact with the lower plate.

A device for manufacturing electrode plates for secondary batteries.
The method of claim 1,

The carrier film is a PET (polyethylene terephthalate) material.

A device for manufacturing electrode plates for secondary batteries.
The method of claim 1,

The cutting mold,

a first cutting part for cutting the coating part of the electrode sheet; and

and a second cutting part connected to the first cutting part and cutting the uncoated part of the electrode sheet.

A device for manufacturing electrode plates for secondary batteries.
The method of claim 1,

an upper roll for unwinding the electrode sheet in a reel state;

at least one upper guide roller for guiding the electrode sheet unwound by the upper roll between the pair of first nip rollers;

a lower roll for unwinding the carrier film in a reel state and positioned below the upper roll; and

Further comprising at least one lower guide roller for guiding the carrier film unwound by the lower roll between the pair of first nip rollers

A device for manufacturing electrode plates for secondary batteries.
A feeding step in which the carrier film and the electrode sheet pass between the pair of first nip rollers and are attached to each other and fed between the upper plate and the lower plate;

The upper plate descends toward the lower plate, and a closed-loop cutting mold provided on the lower surface of the upper plate cuts the electrode sheet attached to the upper surface of the carrier film into a predetermined shape to form an electrode plate. step; and

A pickup unit comprising a pickup step of picking up the electrode plate moved on the carrier film,

In the cutting step, the cutting mold cuts only the electrode sheet and does not cut the carrier film

A method for manufacturing an electrode plate for a secondary battery.
11. The method of claim 10,

The pair of first nip rollers are intermittently feeding the electrode sheet and the carrier film according to a preset cycle.

A method for manufacturing an electrode plate for a secondary battery.
11. The method of claim 10,

The cutting step is

a process in which the electrode sheet is temporarily fixed by an elastic member provided on the lower surface of the upper plate and protruding further downward than the cutting mold; and

In a state in which the elastic member is in contact with the electrode sheet, the upper plate is further lowered and the cutting mold cuts the electrode sheet.

A method for manufacturing an electrode plate for a secondary battery.
11. The method of claim 10,

The cutting step is

Further comprising the step of adjusting the height of the electrode sheet and the carrier film by pressing the pressing unit from the upper side of the electrode sheet

A method for manufacturing an electrode plate for a secondary battery.
14. The method of claim 13,

The pressurizing part,

a first pressing part positioned before the upper plate with respect to the moving directions of the electrode sheet and the carrier film; and

Comprising a second pressing part located after the upper plate with respect to the moving direction of the electrode sheet and the carrier film

A method for manufacturing an electrode plate for a secondary battery.
11. The method of claim 10,

The cutting mold,

a first cutting part for cutting the coating part of the electrode sheet; and

and a second cutting part connected to the first cutting part and cutting the uncoated part of the electrode sheet.

A method for manufacturing an electrode plate for a secondary battery.
11. The method of claim 10,

During the cutting step, the lower surface of the carrier film is in contact with the lower plate,

When the upper plate rises after the cutting step, the lower surface of the carrier film is spaced apart from the upper side of the lower plate

A method for manufacturing an electrode plate for a secondary battery.