WO2023080348A1 - Secondary battery degassing device and method - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a secondary battery degassing method enabling internal gas of a case in a chamber to be efficiently discharged, comprising the steps of: (a) preparing a case in which a battery cell is accommodated; (b) forming a piercing hole in the case; (c) bringing a curved pressure plate, having a predetermined surface curvature, in contact with a battery cell loading area of the case; (d) pressing the curved pressure plate in the direction of the battery cell loading area of the case so as to discharge a residual internal gas from the case through the piercing hole; and (e) sealing the case area between the battery cell and the piercing hole, wherein, in step (d), the curved pressure plate is pressed so that the protruding surface of the curved pressure plate becomes flat in a state in which the central part of the protruding surface of the curved pressure plate is in contact with the center of the battery cell loading area of the case, and thus the protruding surface of the curved pressure plate can sequentially come into contact from the center to the edge of the battery cell loading area of the case.

Description

Secondary battery degassing device and method

The present invention relates to a degassing device and method for a secondary battery, and more particularly, to a degassing device and method for a secondary battery capable of efficiently discharging gas inside a case.

In general, a secondary battery is a battery that can be used repeatedly through a discharging process in which chemical energy is converted into electrical energy and a charging process in which electrical energy is converted into chemical energy.

Secondary batteries include nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries, nickel-hydrogen (Ni-MH) batteries, lithium-metal batteries, lithium-ion (NLi-Ion) batteries, and lithium-ion polymer batteries (Li-Ion Polymer Battery, hereinafter referred to as "LIPB") and the like.

Among secondary batteries, lithium secondary batteries have a cycle life of about 500 times or more, a short charging time of about 1 to 2 hours, and are about 30% to 40% lighter than nickel-hydrogen batteries, enabling weight reduction. Among secondary batteries, it has the highest voltage (3.0 to 3.7 V) per unit cell and excellent energy density, so it can have characteristics optimized for mobile devices.

Such a lithium secondary battery may be processed into a secondary battery by encapsulating the battery cell with an aluminum encapsulant case.

The secondary battery includes a battery cell accommodated in a case, which is an encapsulant, a lead tab electrically connected to electrode tabs of electrodes provided in the battery cell and drawn out of the case, and an insulating film electrically insulating the lead tab. can do.

In particular, the case may perform a function of sealing the battery cell accommodated therein by being fused together with an insulating film formed on the lead tab of the battery cell or by directly fusion bonding the case and the case surface.

During the manufacturing process, the secondary battery undergoes a degassing process for discharging gas generated by battery activation to the outside of the case.

In the degassing process, a plurality of piercing holes for discharging gas inside the case are formed on one side of the case where the battery cells are accommodated, and the gas inside the case is discharged to the outside through the piercing holes in a vacuum state. is performing

However, in this degassing method, the gas inside the case is not normally discharged, and residual gas remains, resulting in low gas removal efficiency and a long degassing time.

Therefore, in the future, it is required to develop a degassing method of a secondary battery capable of smoothly and efficiently discharging the gas inside the case.

A technical problem to be achieved by an embodiment of the present invention is to perform a degassing process by compressing a case in which battery cells are accommodated with a curved pressure plate, thereby smoothly and efficiently discharging the internal gas of the case in an atmospheric pressure or vacuum environment, and reducing the degassing time. It is intended to provide a degassing device and method for a secondary battery capable of reducing and lowering the degree of vacuum in the chamber.

The technical problems to be achieved in the present invention are not limited to the technical problems mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below. You will be able to.

In order to solve the above technical problem, a degassing method of a secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present invention includes (a) preparing a case in which a battery cell is accommodated, (b) forming a piercing hole in the case Step (c) contacting a curved pressure plate having a predetermined surface curvature to the battery cell seating area of the case, (d) pressing the curved pressure plate toward the battery cell seating area of the case so that residual gas inside the case discharging through the piercing hole, and (e) sealing a case area between the battery cell and the piercing hole. In the state of contacting the center of the battery cell seating area of the case, the convex surface of the curved pressing plate is pressed so that the convex surface of the curved pressing plate becomes flat, and the convex surface of the curved pressing plate is sequentially moved from the center to the edge of the battery cell seating area of the case. can make contact.

In an alternative embodiment of the secondary battery degassing method, in the step (d), in an atmospheric pressure atmosphere, the curved pressure plate is pressed in the direction of the battery cell seating area to discharge residual gas from the case through the piercing hole. can make it

In an alternative embodiment of the secondary battery degassing method, in the step (d), in a vacuum atmosphere, the curved pressure plate is pressed toward the battery cell seating area to discharge residual gas from the case through the piercing hole. can make it

In an alternative embodiment of the secondary battery degassing method, in the step (d), when the curved pressure plate is pressed, the curved pressure plate sequentially moves from the center of the battery cell seating area of the case to the lead tabs at both edges. can be contacted.

In an alternative embodiment of the degassing method of the secondary battery, the step (d) may be repeated once or several times for pressing the curved pressure plate.

In an alternative embodiment of the secondary battery degassing method, the curved pressure plate is connected to a contact plate having a convex surface having a predetermined surface curvature in contact with the case, and both ends of the contact plate to move in a predetermined direction. A part, a support part supporting the moving part, and an elastic body connected to the concave surface of the contact plate to apply restoring force to the contact plate.

In an alternative embodiment of the secondary battery degassing method, when the first side of the case is supported by the support plate, the curved pressure plate may compress the second side of the case facing the first side of the case.

In an alternative embodiment of the secondary battery degassing method, the curved pressure plate may include a first curved pressure plate pressing the first side surface of the case and a second surface pressing the second side surface facing the first side surface of the case. A curved pressure plate may be included, and the first curved pressure plate and the second curved pressure plate may simultaneously press both sides of the case with a battery cell seating area of the case interposed therebetween.

Meanwhile, a degassing device for a secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a piercing unit forming a piercing hole in a case in which a battery cell is accommodated, a sealing unit sealing a case area between the battery cell and the piercing hole, and the and a pressing unit for discharging residual gas in the case through the piercing hole by applying pressure toward a battery cell seating area of the case, wherein the pressing unit includes a curved pressing plate having a predetermined surface curvature, the curved pressing plate In a state in which the central portion of the convex surfaces of the case is in contact with the center of the battery cell seating area of the case, the curved pressing plate is pressed so that the convex surface of the curved pressing plate becomes flat so that the convex surface of the curved pressing plate is seated in the battery cell of the case. Contact can be made sequentially from the center to the edge of the area.

Effects of the secondary battery degassing device and method according to the present invention will be described as follows.

According to the present invention, the degassing process is performed by pressing the case in which the battery cell is accommodated with a curved pressure plate, so that the internal gas of the case can be smoothly and efficiently discharged from the chamber, the degassing time can be reduced, and the degree of vacuum in the chamber can be lowered. .

A further scope of the applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description that follows. However, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples such as preferred embodiments of the present invention are given as examples only.

1 to 5 are views for explaining a degassing method of a secondary battery according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

6 and 8 are views for explaining a degassing method of a secondary battery according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

9 and 10 are diagrams for explaining a degassing method of a secondary battery according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

11 and 12 are views for explaining a curved pressure plate according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

The suffixes "module" and "unit" for components used in the following description are simply given in consideration of the ease of writing the present specification, and the "module" and "unit" may be used interchangeably.

Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and the contents described in the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited or limited by the embodiments.

The terminology used in this specification has been selected as a general term that is currently widely used as much as possible while considering the function in the present invention, but it may vary according to the intention or custom of a person skilled in the art or the emergence of new technology. In addition, in a specific case, there is also a term arbitrarily selected by the applicant, and in this case, the meaning will be described in the description of the invention. Therefore, it should be clarified that the terms used in this specification should be interpreted based on the actual meaning of the term and the overall content of this specification, rather than simply the name of the term.

1 to 5 are views for explaining a degassing method of a secondary battery according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1 , in the present invention, when the case 110 is supplied, a cup may be formed in the battery cell seating area of the case 110 .

Here, when the cup is molded, the present invention provides a first cup in which the lower surface of the battery cell is seated on the left case based on the center line at which the case 110 is folded, and a first cup in which the upper surface of the battery cell is covered in the right case. Two cups can be molded symmetrically to each other

Next, in the present invention, the battery cell 120 may be seated in the cup of the case 110 .

Here, the lead tab 130 of the battery cell 120 is exposed to the outside of the case 110, and the insulating film electrically insulating the lead tab is the edge of the case 110 for sealing with the case 110. can be located in

Next, according to the present invention, a sealing area 160 may be formed by sealing an edge of the case 110 so that the battery cell 120 is accommodated in the case 110 .

Here, when sealing the edge of the case 110, the present invention forms a first sealing area to seal the edge areas of both sides of the case 110 where the lead tab of the battery cell 130 is located, and ) may form a second sealing region sealing an edge region of the gas pocket region.

In some cases, the present invention may supply an electrolyte into the case 110 after forming the first sealing region when sealing the edge of the case, but is not limited thereto.

In addition, in the present invention, a plurality of piercing holes 182 are formed in the gas pocket area of the case 110 by a piercing unit, and residual gas inside the case 110 can be discharged to the outside through the piercing holes 182. .

In some cases, according to the present invention, the piercing hole 182 may be formed in the sealing area of the case 110 where the lead tab 130 of the battery cell 120 is located.

As another case, in the present invention, the piercing hole 182 may be formed in the edge region of the case 110 .

Subsequently, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , according to the present invention, the curved pressure plate 500 having a predetermined surface curvature may be brought into contact with the seating area of the battery cell 120 of the case 110 .

Next, as shown in FIG. 4 , the present invention presses the curved pressure plate 500 in the direction of the seating area of the battery cell 120 of the case to discharge the remaining gas inside the case 110 through the piercing hole 182. can make it

That is, in the present invention, in a state in which the central part of the convex surface of the curved pressing plate 500 is in contact with the center of the seating area of the battery cell 120 of the case 110, the convex surface of the curved pressing plate 500 is flattened. By pressing the pressure plate 500 , the convex surface of the curved pressure plate 500 may sequentially contact the battery cell 120 seating area of the case 110 from the center to the edge.

For example, in the present invention, the curved pressure plate 500 may be pressed in the direction of the seating area of the battery cell 120 in an atmospheric pressure atmosphere to discharge residual gas from the case 110 through the piercing hole 182 .

As another example, in the present invention, the curved pressure plate 500 may be pressed in the direction of the seating area of the battery cell 120 in a vacuum atmosphere to discharge residual gas from the case 110 through the piercing hole 182 .

In the present invention, when the curved pressure plate 500 is pressed, the curved pressure plate 500 is sequentially contacted in the direction of the lead tabs 130 at both edges in the center of the seating area of the battery cell 120 of the case 110. can

Here, in the present invention, when the curved pressing plate 500 is pressed, the contact area between the curved pressing plate 500 and the case 110 may gradually increase.

That is, in the present invention, when the contact area between the curved pressing plate 500 and the case 110 is minimal, the curved pressing plate 500 contacts only the central surface of the seating area of the battery cell 120 of the case 110, and the curved surface When the contact area between the pressing plate 500 and the case 110 is maximum, the curved pressing plate 500 may contact the entire surface of the seating area of the battery cell 120 of the case 110 .

At this time, in the present invention, when the contact area between the curved pressing plate 500 and the case 110 is minimal, the curved pressing plate 500 controls the case 110 to start pressing toward the battery cell 120 seating area, , When the contact area between the curved pressing plate 500 and the case 110 is maximum, the pressing of the curved pressing plate 500 may be controlled to end.

In addition, in the present invention, the number of times of pressing the curved pressure plate 500 may be repeatedly performed one or more times, and in some cases, it may be performed only once.

Next, in the curved pressing plate 500 of the present invention, the area of the convex surface of the curved pressing plate 500 facing the case 110 may be larger than the area of the seating area of the battery cell 120 of the case 110 .

In some cases, in the curved pressing plate 500 of the present invention, the area of the convex surface of the curved pressing plate 500 facing the case 110 and the area of the battery cell 120 seating area of the case 110 may be equal to each other. may be

In addition, in the curved pressure plate 500 of the present invention, the convex surface having a predetermined surface curvature is connected to both ends of the contact plates 512 and 522 contacting the case and the contact plates 512 and 522 to move in a predetermined direction. The moving parts 514 and 524, the support parts 516 and 526 supporting the moving parts 514 and 524, and the contact plates 512 and 522 are connected to the concave surfaces of the contact plates 512 and 522 to provide restoring force. It may include elastic bodies 518 and 528 for applying the.

For example, the contact plates 512 and 522 may have the same thickness as the central portion of the contact plates 512 and 522 and the edge portions of the contact plates 512 and 522 .

As another example, the thicknesses of the contact plates 512 and 522 may be different from the central portion of the contact plates 512 and 522 and the edge portion of the contact plates 512 and 522 .

Here, the thickness of the contact plates 512 and 522 may be greater than the thickness of the central portion of the contact plates 512 and 522 than the thickness of the edge portion of the contact plates 512 and 522 .

In some cases, the thickness of the contact plates 512 and 522 may gradually increase from the center of the contact plates 512 and 522 to the edges of the contact plates 512 and 522 .

Next, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , when the moving parts 514 and 524 are pressed toward the case 110, the convex surfaces of the contact plates 512 and 522 are flat. It may be moved in an outward direction of the contact plates 512 and 522 so as to be supported.

For example, the moving parts 514 and 524 include a first guide rail formed on one side of the support parts 516 and 526, a second guide rail formed on the other side of the support parts 516 and 526, and a contact plate 512, 522) is connected to one end and the first guide rail and linearly moves in the outer direction of the contact plates 512 and 522 along the first guide rail, and the other end of the contact plates 512 and 522 A second linear guide connected to the second guide rail and linearly moving in an outward direction of the contact plates 512 and 522 along the second guide rail may be included.

Here, a plurality of elastic bodies 518 and 528 are arranged at regular intervals so as to be connected between the concave surface of the contact plates 512 and 522 and the support parts 516 and 526, and the contact plates 512 and 522 are connected to the case 110 ) direction, it can be compressed.

In some cases, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 , when the contact plates 512 and 522 are pressed toward the case 110, the convex surfaces of the contact plates 512 and 522 are It is moved in the direction of the contact plates 512 and 522 to be flat, and both ends of the contact plates 512 and 522 can be pushed toward the case 110 .

For example, the moving parts 514 and 524 are connected to one end of the contact plates 512 and 522 and the support parts 516 and 526 to push one end of the contact plates 512 and 522 toward the case 110. The other end of the contact plate 512 or 522 is connected to the other end of the first cylinder rod 610 or the case 110, which is pulled in the opposite direction, and the other end of the contact plate 512 or 522 and the support part 516 or 526. It may include a second cylinder rod 620 that pushes the case 110 in the direction or pulls the case 110 in the opposite direction.

Here, the elastic bodies 518 and 528 include a first fixture 612 disposed at one end of the concave surface of the contact plates 512 and 522 and a second fixture 612 disposed at the other end of the concave surface of the contact plates 512 and 522. A plurality of contact plates 512 and 522 are arranged at regular intervals so as to be connected between the fixed bodies 622, and when the contact plates 512 and 522 are pressed toward the case 110, they may be tensioned.

Next, the support portions 516 and 526 are connected to the pressure cylinder rod 600, and the contact plates 512 and 522 are pressed by the pressure cylinder rod 600 so that the contact plates 512 and 522 press the case 110. can move in either direction.

2 to 4 , the curved pressing plate 500 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes the first curved pressing plate 510 compressing the first side surface of the case 110 and the first curved pressing plate 510 of the case 110. It includes a second curved pressure plate 520 that compresses the second side facing the side, and the first curved pressure plate 510 and the second curved pressure plate 520 are the seating area of the battery cell 120 of the case 110. It is possible to compress both sides of the case 110 with the in-between.

Here, the first curved pressing plate 510 and the second curved pressing plate 520 press both sides of the case 110 simultaneously or at different times with the battery cell 120 seating area of the case 110 interposed therebetween. can

That is, in the present invention, as shown in FIG. 2 , the battery cell 120 seating area of the case 110 may be disposed between the first curved pressing plate 510 and the second curved pressing plate 520 .

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 3, the present invention transfers the first curved pressing plate 510 and the second curved pressing plate 520 to the battery cell 120 seating area of the case 110, and the first and second curved pressing plates The convex surfaces of 510 and 520 may contact only the central surface of the seating area of the battery cell 120 of the case 110 .

4, in the present invention, the first and second curved surfaces of the first and second curved pressure plates 510 and 520 are in contact with the entire surface of the battery cell 120 seating area of the case 110. The pressing plates 510 and 520 may be pressed toward the seating area of the battery cell 120 of the case 110 to simultaneously compress the seating area of the battery cell 120 of the case 110 .

Here, when the battery cell seating area of the case 110 is pressed, the first and second curved pressure plates 510 and 520 of the present invention are placed on both edges of the center of the battery cell 120 seating area of the case 110. The residual gas inside the case 110 may be discharged by being sequentially contacted in the direction of the lead tab.

In addition, the first and second curved pressure plates 510 and 520 of the present invention, when the battery cell seating area of the case 110 is compressed, the first and second curved pressure plates 510 and 520 and the case 110 The contact area with may gradually increase.

In addition, the first and second curved pressure plates 510 and 520 of the present invention may press the case 110 with the same pressure when the battery cell seating area of the case 110 is compressed.

In addition, the first and second curved pressure plates 510 and 520 of the present invention may press the case 110 for the same amount of time when the battery cell seating area of the case 110 is compressed.

In addition, in the first and second curved pressure plates 510 and 520 of the present invention, when the pressurization of the case 110 is finished, the convex surface of the first and second curved pressure plates 510 and 520 is the battery of the case 110. It can be simultaneously returned to contact only the central surface of the cell seating area.

In addition, the first and second curved pressure plates 510 and 520 of the present invention are in a pressurized state in contact with the entire surface of the battery cell seating area of the case 110 and only on the central surface of the battery cell seating area of the case 110. The contacted return state may be repeatedly performed one or more times.

In some cases, the first and second curved pressure plates 510 and 520 of the present invention are in a pressurized state in contact with the entire surface of the battery cell seating area of the case 110 and the center of the battery cell seating area of the case 110. A return state in which only the surface is in contact may be performed only once.

Next, as shown in FIG. 5 , an area of the case 110 between the battery cell 120 and the piercing hole 182 may be sealed.

Here, in the present invention, the sealing bar including the sealing tab is transferred to the case 110, and the sealing tab is brought into contact with the area of the case 110 between the battery cell 120 and the piercing hole 182 to form the area of the case 110. can seal.

Next, in the present invention, the degassing process may be completed by cutting and removing the gas pocket region in which the piercing hole 182 is located on one side of the sealing region 190 of the case 110 .

As such, the present invention, by performing a degassing process by pressing the case in which the battery cells are accommodated with a curved pressure plate, smoothly and efficiently discharges the internal gas of the case in the chamber, reduces the degassing time, and lowers the degree of vacuum in the chamber. can

6 and 8 are views for explaining a degassing method of a secondary battery according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in Figures 6 and 8, the second embodiment of the present invention, the support plate 700 having a flat surface on the first side of the case 110 and the second facing the first side of the case 110 It is different from the first embodiment of the present invention in that degassing is performed by disposing one curved pressure plate 500 on the side.

When the first side of the case 110 is supported by the support plate 700 , the curved pressure plate 500 according to the second embodiment of the present invention may compress the second side surface facing the first side surface of the case 110 .

That is, as shown in FIG. 6 , according to the present invention, the seating area of the battery cell 120 of the case 110 may be disposed between the curved pressure plate 500 and the support plate 700 having a flat surface.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 7 , in the present invention, the support plate 700 and the curved pressure plate 500 are transferred to the battery cell seating area of the case 110, and then the support plate 700 is moved to the battery cell of the case 110. The entire surface of the cell seating area may be contacted, and the convex surface of the curved pressure plate 500 may contact only the central surface of the battery cell seating area of the case 110 .

Next, as shown in FIG. 8 , in the present invention, the curved pressure plate 500 is placed in the case 110 so that the convex surface of the curved pressure plate 500 contacts the entire surface of the battery cell seating area of the case 110. The battery cell seating area of the case 110 may be compressed by pressing in the direction of the cell seating area.

Here, when the battery cell seating area of the case 110 is compressed, the curved pressure plate 500 of the present invention is sequentially brought into contact in the direction of the lead tabs at both edges from the center of the battery cell seating area of the case 110 to the case ( 110) can discharge the residual gas inside.

In addition, when the battery cell seating area of the case 110 is compressed, the contact area between the curved pressure plate 500 and the case 110 may gradually increase.

In addition, the curved pressure plate 500 of the present invention presses the case 110 with the same pressure as the support pressure at which the support plate 700 supports the case 110 when the battery cell seating area of the case 110 is compressed. can do.

In addition, the curved pressure plate 500 of the present invention can be returned so that the convex surface of the curved pressure plate 500 contacts only the central surface of the battery cell seating area of the case 700 when the pressing of the case 110 is finished.

In addition, the curved pressure plate 500 according to the present invention undergoes a pressing state in contact with the entire surface of the battery cell seating area of the case 110 and a return state in contact with only the central surface of the battery cell seating area in the case 110 once. Alternatively, it may be repeated one or more times.

9 and 10 are diagrams for explaining a degassing method of a secondary battery according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

9 and 10, the curved pressure plate 500 according to the third embodiment of the present invention has a convex surface having a predetermined surface curvature of the contact plate 512 contacting the case, and the contact plate 512. The moving part 514 connected to both ends and moving in a predetermined direction, the support part 516 supporting the moving part 514, and the concave surface of the contact plate 512 apply restoring force to the contact plate 512. It may include an elastic body 518 to do.

The moving part 514 of the third embodiment of the present invention is moved in the direction of the contact plate 512 so that the convex surface of the contact plate 512 becomes flat when the contact plate 512 is pressed in the direction of the case 110. Both ends of the contact plate 512 may be pushed toward the case 110 .

For example, the moving part 514 is connected to one end of the contact plate 512 and the support part 516 to push one end of the contact plate 512 in the direction of the case 110 or in the opposite direction of the case 110. The first cylinder rod 610 that pulls the contact plate 512 and the other end of the contact plate 512 are connected to the support 516 to push the other end of the contact plate 512 toward the case 110 or the case 110 It may include a second cylinder rod 620 that pulls in the opposite direction.

As described above, the moving part 514 of the first and second embodiments of the present invention, when the contact plate 512 is pressed toward the case 110, the convex surface of the contact plate 512 is flattened. It can be moved in an outward direction of (512).

For example, the moving part 514 includes a first guide rail formed on one side of the support part 516, a second guide rail formed on the other side of the support part 516, one end of the contact plate 512 and the first guide rail formed on the other side of the support part 516. A first linear guide connected to the guide rail and linearly moving in the outer direction of the contact plate 512 along the first guide rail, and a second guide rail connected to the other end of the contact plate 512 and the second guide rail. A second linear guide linearly moving in an outward direction of the contact plate 512 may be included.

As such, the curved pressure plate 500 of the present invention can be deformed into various structures.

Therefore, the present invention, by performing a degassing process by pressing the case in which the battery cell is accommodated with a curved pressure plate, smoothly and efficiently discharges the internal gas of the case in the chamber, reduces the degassing time, and lowers the degree of vacuum in the chamber. can

11 and 12 are views for explaining a curved pressure plate according to another embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 11, a curved pressing plate 500 according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a first curved pressing plate 510 pressing the first side surface of the case and a second pressing plate facing the first side surface of the case. It includes a second curved pressure plate 520 that compresses the side, and the first curved pressure plate 510 and the second curved pressure plate 520 simultaneously or differently can squeeze in time.

Here, the first curved pressing plate 510 includes a contact plate 512 having a convex surface having a first surface curvature in contact with the case, and a moving part 514 connected to both ends of the contact plate 512 and moving in a predetermined direction. ), a support part 516 supporting the moving part 514, and an elastic body 518 connected to the concave surface of the contact plate 512 and applying a restoring force to the contact plate 512.

In addition, the second curved pressure plate 520 is connected to the contact plate 522 whose concave surface having the second surface curvature contacts the case and the convex surface of the contact plate 522 to apply restoring force to the contact plate 522. It may include an elastic body 528 and a support part 526 supporting the elastic body 528 .

At this time, the elastic body 518 of the first curved pressing plate 510 is located in the central region of the first curved pressing plate 510, and the elastic body 528 of the second curved pressing plate 520 is the second curved pressing plate 520. may be located in the edge region of

In addition, the first surface curvature of the first curved pressing plate 510 and the second surface curvature of the second curved pressing plate 520 may be different from each other.

For example, the first surface curvature of the first curved pressing plate 510 may be greater than the second surface curvature of the second curved pressing plate 520 .

In some cases, the first surface curvature of the first curved pressing plate 510 and the second surface curvature of the second curved pressing plate 520 may be equal to each other.

For example, the contact plates 512 and 522 may have the same thickness as the central portion of the contact plates 512 and 522 and the edge portions of the contact plates 512 and 522 .

As another example, the thicknesses of the contact plates 512 and 522 may be different from the central portion of the contact plates 512 and 522 and the edge portion of the contact plates 512 and 522 .

Here, the thickness of the contact plates 512 and 522 may be greater than the thickness of the central portion of the contact plates 512 and 522 than the thickness of the edge portion of the contact plates 512 and 522 .

In some cases, the thickness of the contact plates 512 and 522 may gradually increase from the center of the contact plates 512 and 522 to the edges of the contact plates 512 and 522 .

As shown in FIG. 12, the curved pressing plate 500 according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a first curved pressing plate 510 pressing the first side of the case and a first side facing the first side of the case. It includes a flat pressure plate 530 for compressing two sides, and the first curved pressure plate 510 and the flat pressure plate 530 press both sides of the case simultaneously or at different times with the battery cell seating area of the case interposed therebetween. can do.

Here, the first curved pressure plate 510 includes a contact plate 512 having a convex surface having a predetermined surface curvature in contact with the case, and a moving part 514 connected to both ends of the contact plate 512 and moving in a predetermined direction. ), a support part 516 supporting the moving part 514, and an elastic body 518 connected to the concave surface of the contact plate 512 and applying a restoring force to the contact plate 512.

In addition, the flat pressure plate 530 includes a contact plate 532 having a plane in contact with the case, an elastic body 538 connected to the plane of the contact plate 532 and applying a restoring force to the contact plate 532, and an elastic body 538 ) It may include a support 536 for supporting.

At this time, the elastic body 518 of the first curved pressing plate 510 is located in the central region of the first curved pressing plate 510, and the elastic body 538 of the flat pressing plate 530 is located in the edge region of the flat pressing plate 530. can be located

For example, the contact plates 512 and 532 may have the same thickness as the central portion of the contact plates 512 and 532 and the edge portions of the contact plates 512 and 532 .

As another example, the thicknesses of the contact plates 512 and 532 may be different from the central portion of the contact plates 512 and 532 and the edge portions of the contact plates 512 and 532 .

Here, as for the thickness of the contact plates 512 and 532, the thickness of the central portion of the contact plates 512 and 532 may be greater than the thickness of the edge portions of the contact plates 512 and 532.

In some cases, the thickness of the contact plates 512 and 532 may gradually increase from the center of the contact plates 512 and 532 to the edges of the contact plates 512 and 532 .

On the other hand, a degassing device for a secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a piercing unit forming a piercing hole in a case accommodating a battery cell, a sealing unit sealing a case area between the battery cell and the piercing hole, and a case A pressurizing unit for discharging residual gas in the case through a piercing hole by applying pressure toward a battery cell seating area, the pressurizing unit including a curved pressurizing plate having a predetermined surface curvature, and a central portion of convex surfaces of the curved pressurizing plate. In the state of contacting the center of the battery cell seating area of the case, the convex surface of the curved pressing plate is pressed so that the convex surface of the curved pressing plate becomes flat so that the convex surface of the curved pressing plate sequentially contacts from the center to the edge of the battery cell seating area of the case. there is.

Here, the pressure unit may press the curved pressure plate in the direction of the battery cell seating area in an atmospheric pressure atmosphere to discharge residual gas from the case through the piercing hole.

In some cases, the pressure unit may press the curved pressure plate toward the battery cell seating area in a vacuum atmosphere to discharge residual gas from the case through the piercing hole.

Subsequently, when pressing the curved pressure plate, the pressure unit may sequentially contact the curved pressure plate in a direction from the center of the battery cell seating area of the case to the lead tabs at both edges.

In addition, the curved pressure plate of the present invention includes a contact plate having a convex surface having a predetermined surface curvature in contact with the case, a moving part connected to both ends of the contact plate and moving in a predetermined direction, a support part supporting the moving part, and a contact plate. It may include an elastic body that is connected to the concave surface of and applies a restoring force to the contact plate.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 , the curved pressing plate 500 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes the first curved pressing plate 510 compressing the first side surface of the case 110 and the first side surface of the case 110 . and a second curved pressure plate 520 for compressing the second side surface facing the first curved pressure plate 510 and the second curved pressure plate 520, the battery cell 120 seating area of the case 110 It is possible to compress both sides of the case 110 in between.

Here, the first curved pressing plate 510 includes a contact plate 512 having a convex surface having a first surface curvature in contact with the case, and a moving part 514 connected to both ends of the contact plate 512 and moving in a predetermined direction. ), a support part 516 supporting the moving part 514, and an elastic body 518 connected to the concave surface of the contact plate 512 and applying a restoring force to the contact plate 512.

In addition, the second curved pressure plate 520 is connected to the contact plate 522 whose concave surface having the second surface curvature contacts the case and the convex surface of the contact plate 522 to apply restoring force to the contact plate 522. It may include an elastic body 528 and a support part 526 supporting the elastic body 528 .

At this time, the elastic body 518 of the first curved pressing plate 510 is located in the central region of the first curved pressing plate 510, and the elastic body 528 of the second curved pressing plate 520 is the second curved pressing plate 520. may be located in the central region of

In addition, the first surface curvature of the first curved pressing plate 510 and the second surface curvature of the second curved pressing plate 520 may be different from each other.

For example, the first surface curvature of the first curved pressing plate 510 may be greater than the second surface curvature of the second curved pressing plate 520 .

In some cases, the first surface curvature of the first curved pressing plate 510 and the second surface curvature of the second curved pressing plate 520 may be equal to each other.

In addition, the moving parts 514 and 524 are configured to move the contact plates 512 and 522 so that the convex surfaces of the contact plates 512 and 522 are flattened when the contact plates 512 and 522 are pressed toward the case 110. It can be moved in an outward direction of .

For example, the moving parts 514 and 524 include a first guide rail formed on one side of the support parts 516 and 526, a second guide rail formed on the other side of the support parts 516 and 526, and a contact plate 512, 522) connected to one end and the first guide rail and linearly moving in the outer direction of the contact plates 512 and 522 along the first guide rail, and the other end of the contact plates 512 and 522 A second linear guide connected to the second guide rail and linearly moving in an outward direction of the contact plates 512 and 522 along the second guide rail may be included.

Here, a plurality of elastic bodies 518 and 528 are arranged at regular intervals so as to be connected between the concave surface of the contact plates 512 and 522 and the support parts 516 and 526, and the contact plates 512 and 522 are connected to the case 110 ) direction, it can be compressed.

In some cases, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 , the moving parts 514 and 524 are connected to one end of the contact plates 512 and 522 and the support parts 516 and 526, so that one side of the contact plates 512 and 522 The first cylinder rod 610 pushes the end in the direction of the case 110 or pulls it in the opposite direction to the case 110, and is connected to the other ends of the contact plates 512 and 522 and the support parts 516 and 526 to make contact. It may include a second cylinder rod 620 that pushes the other ends of the plates 512 and 522 toward the case 110 or pulls them toward the opposite direction of the case 110 .

Here, the elastic bodies 518 and 528 include a first fixture 612 disposed at one end of the concave surface of the contact plates 512 and 522 and a second fixture 612 disposed at the other end of the concave surface of the contact plates 512 and 522. A plurality of contact plates 512 and 522 are arranged at regular intervals so as to be connected between the fixed bodies 622, and when the contact plates 512 and 522 are pressed toward the case 110, they may be tensioned.

Next, the support portions 516 and 526 are connected to the pressure cylinder rod 600, and the contact plates 512 and 522 are pressed by the pressure cylinder rod 600 so that the contact plates 512 and 522 press the case 110. can move in either direction.

6 to 8, the curved pressing plate 500 according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes the first curved pressing plate 510 pressing the first side of the case 110 and the first side of the case 110. It includes a support plate 700 that presses the second side facing the first curved pressure plate 510 and the support plate 700, the battery cell 120 of the case 110, the battery cell 120 is placed in between the case 110 ) can be compressed on both sides.

Here, the first curved pressing plate 510 includes a contact plate 512 having a convex surface having a first surface curvature in contact with the case, and a moving part 514 connected to both ends of the contact plate 512 and moving in a predetermined direction. ), a support part 516 supporting the moving part 514, and an elastic body 518 connected to the concave surface of the contact plate 512 and applying a restoring force to the contact plate 512.

Also, the support plate 700 may have a flat plate shape.

As shown in FIG. 11, the curved pressing plate 500 according to the third embodiment of the present invention includes a first curved pressing plate 510 pressing the first side of the case and a first side facing the first side of the case. It includes a second curved pressure plate 520 that compresses two sides, and the first curved pressure plate 510 and the second curved pressure plate 520 simultaneously or mutually support both sides of the case with the battery cell seating area of the case interposed therebetween. You can crimp at different times.

Here, the first curved pressing plate 510 includes a contact plate 512 having a convex surface having a first surface curvature in contact with the case, and a moving part 514 connected to both ends of the contact plate 512 and moving in a predetermined direction. ), a support part 516 supporting the moving part 514, and an elastic body 518 connected to the concave surface of the contact plate 512 and applying a restoring force to the contact plate 512.

In addition, the second curved pressure plate 520 is connected to the contact plate 522 whose concave surface having the second surface curvature contacts the case and the convex surface of the contact plate 522 to apply restoring force to the contact plate 522. It may include an elastic body 528 and a support part 526 supporting the elastic body 528 .

At this time, the elastic body 518 of the first curved pressing plate 510 is located in the central region of the first curved pressing plate 510, and the elastic body 528 of the second curved pressing plate 520 is the second curved pressing plate 520. may be located in the edge region of

In addition, the first surface curvature of the first curved pressing plate 510 and the second surface curvature of the second curved pressing plate 520 may be different from each other.

For example, the first surface curvature of the first curved pressing plate 510 may be greater than the second surface curvature of the second curved pressing plate 520 .

In some cases, the first surface curvature of the first curved pressing plate 510 and the second surface curvature of the second curved pressing plate 520 may be equal to each other.

As shown in FIG. 12, the curved pressing plate 500 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention includes a first curved pressing plate 510 pressing the first side of the case and a first side facing the first side of the case. It includes a flat pressure plate 530 for compressing two sides, and the first curved pressure plate 510 and the flat pressure plate 530 press both sides of the case simultaneously or at different times with the battery cell seating area of the case interposed therebetween. can do.

Here, the first curved pressure plate 510 includes a contact plate 512 having a convex surface having a predetermined surface curvature in contact with the case, and a moving part 514 connected to both ends of the contact plate 512 and moving in a predetermined direction. ), a support part 516 supporting the moving part 514, and an elastic body 518 connected to the concave surface of the contact plate 512 and applying a restoring force to the contact plate 512.

In addition, the flat pressing plate 530 includes a contact plate 532 in which the flat plate contacts the case, an elastic body 538 connected to the flat plate of the contact plate 532 and applying a restoring force to the contact plate 532, and an elastic body. A support portion 536 supporting 538 may be included.

At this time, the elastic body 518 of the first curved pressing plate 510 is located in the central region of the first curved pressing plate 510, and the elastic body 538 of the flat pressing plate 530 is located in the edge region of the flat pressing plate 530. can be located

The piercing unit may include a piercing unit, a piercing transfer unit for transporting the piercing unit in the direction of the gas pocket of the case, a guide unit for guiding the piercing unit, and a guide transfer unit for transporting the guide unit in the direction of the gas pocket of the case.

Here, the piercing unit may include a piercing knife for forming a piercing hole in the case, and the guide unit may have a guide groove for guiding the piercing knife.

Subsequently, the sealing unit includes a first sealing unit, a first transfer unit for transporting the first sealing unit in the direction of the gas pocket of the case, a second sealing unit facing the first sealing unit, and transporting the second sealing unit in the direction of the gas pocket of the case. It may include a second transfer unit to do.

Here, the first and second sealing parts may include a heater generating heat, a sealing bar in which the heater is built in, and a sealing tab attached to the sealing bar to contact the sealing area of the case.

Also, according to the present invention, the piercing unit may be disposed adjacent to an edge of the case in the gas pocket area of the case, and the sealing unit may be disposed adjacent to the battery cell of the case in the gas pocket area of the case.

The features, structures, effects, etc. described in the present inventions above are included in at least one embodiment of the present invention, and are not necessarily limited to only one embodiment. Furthermore, the features, structures, and effects illustrated in each embodiment can be combined or modified with respect to other embodiments by those skilled in the art in the field to which the embodiments belong. Therefore, contents related to these combinations and variations should be construed as being included in the scope of the present invention.

In addition, although the above has been described with a focus on the embodiments, these are only examples and do not limit the present invention, and those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs can exemplify the above to the extent that does not deviate from the essential characteristics of the present embodiment. It will be seen that various variations and applications that have not been made are possible. For example, each component specifically shown in the embodiment can be modified and implemented. And differences related to these modifications and applications should be construed as being included in the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

Various embodiments have been described as the best mode for carrying out the present invention.

The present invention is used in a field related to a secondary battery degassing device capable of efficiently discharging internal gas of a secondary battery case.

It is obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Accordingly, it is intended that this invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims (13)

1. (a) preparing a case in which a battery cell is accommodated;

   (b) forming a piercing hole in the case;

   (c) contacting a curved pressure plate having a predetermined surface curvature to the battery cell seating area of the case;

   (d) discharging residual gas from the case through the piercing hole by pressing the curved pressure plate toward the battery cell seating area of the case; and

   (e) sealing a case area between the battery cell and the piercing hole;

   In step (d),

   With the central part of the convex surface of the curved pressing plate in contact with the center of the battery cell seating area of the case, the curved pressing plate is pressed so that the convex surface of the curved pressing plate becomes flat so that the convex surface of the curved pressing plate is formed in the case. A method of degassing a secondary battery, characterized in that sequential contact is made from the center to the edge of the battery cell seating area.
2. According to claim 1,

   In step (d),

   The method of degassing a secondary battery, characterized in that, when the curved pressure plate is pressed, the curved pressure plate is sequentially contacted in a direction from the center of the battery cell seating area of the case to the lead tabs at both edges.
3. According to claim 2,

   In step (d),

   The method of degassing a secondary battery, characterized in that when the curved pressing plate is pressed, a contact area between the curved pressing plate and the case gradually increases.
4. According to claim 3,

   In step (d),

   When the contact area between the curved pressing plate and the case is minimal, the curved pressing plate contacts only the central surface of the battery cell seating area of the case,

   The method of degassing a secondary battery, characterized in that, when the contact area between the curved pressing plate and the case is maximum, the curved pressing plate contacts the entire surface of the battery cell seating area of the case.
5. According to claim 4,

   In step (d),

   When the contact area between the curved pressing plate and the case is minimal, control the curved pressing plate to start pressing toward the battery cell seating area of the case;

   The degassing method of a secondary battery, characterized in that, when the contact area between the curved pressing plate and the case is maximized, the pressing of the curved pressing plate is terminated.
6. According to claim 1,

   The curved pressure plate,

   a first curved pressure plate pressurizing the first side surface of the case; and,

   And a second curved pressing plate for compressing the second side facing the first side of the case,

   The first curved pressing plate and the second curved pressing plate,

   The method of degassing a secondary battery, characterized in that simultaneously pressing both sides of the case with the battery cell seating area of the case interposed therebetween.
7. According to claim 6,

   In step (d),

   transferring the first curved pressing plate and the second curved pressing plate to a battery cell seating area of the case;

   bringing the convex surfaces of the first and second curved pressure plates into contact with only the central surface of the battery cell seating area of the case; and

   The first and second curved pressure plates are simultaneously pressed toward the battery cell seating area of the case so that the convex surfaces of the first and second curved pressure plates come into contact with the entire surface of the battery cell seating area of the case. A method of degassing a secondary battery, comprising the step of compressing a cell seating area.
8. According to claim 1,

   The curved pressure plate,

   The method of degassing a secondary battery, characterized in that when the first side of the case is supported by the support plate, the second side facing the first side of the case is compressed.
9. According to claim 8,

   In step (d),

   transferring the support plate and the curved pressure plate to a battery cell seating area of the case;

   bringing the support plate into contact with the entire surface of the battery cell seating area of the case, and bringing the convex surface of the curved pressure plate into contact with only the central surface of the battery cell seating area of the case; and

   Pressing the curved pressure plate toward the battery cell seating area of the case so that the convex surface of the curved pressing plate contacts the entire surface of the battery cell seating area of the case to compress the battery cell seating area of the case. Degassing method of a secondary battery characterized in that.
10. a piercing unit forming a piercing hole in a case in which a battery cell is accommodated;

    a sealing unit sealing a case area between the battery cell and the piercing hole; and,

    A pressurization unit for discharging residual gas in the case through the piercing hole by applying pressure toward the battery cell seating area of the case;

    The pressurization unit,

    Including a curved pressure plate having a predetermined surface curvature,

    With the central part of the convex surface of the curved pressing plate in contact with the center of the battery cell seating area of the case, the curved pressing plate is pressed so that the convex surface of the curved pressing plate becomes flat so that the convex surface of the curved pressing plate is formed in the case. A degassing device for a secondary battery, characterized in that it sequentially contacts from the center to the edge of the battery cell seating area.
11. According to claim 10,

    The curved pressure plate,

    a contact plate having a convex surface having a predetermined surface curvature in contact with the case;

    a moving unit connected to both ends of the contact plate and moving in a predetermined direction;

    a support unit supporting the moving unit; and,

    Degassing device of a secondary battery, characterized in that it comprises an elastic body connected to the concave surface of the contact plate to apply a restoring force to the contact plate.
12. According to claim 11,

    The curved pressure plate,

    a first curved pressure plate pressurizing the first side surface of the case; and,

    And a second curved pressure plate pressing a second side surface facing the first side surface of the case,

    The first curved pressing plate and the second curved pressing plate,

    Degassing device for a secondary battery, characterized in that simultaneously compressing both sides of the case with the battery cell seating area of the case interposed therebetween.
13. According to claim 11,

    The curved pressure plate,

    The degassing device of a secondary battery, characterized in that when the first side of the case is supported by the support plate, the second side facing the first side of the pouch is compressed.

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