Title of Invention: Battery manufacturing apparatus and battery manufacturing method using same
technical field
[One]
This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2018-014839 filed on November 20, 2018, and all contents disclosed in the literature of the Korean patent application are incorporated as a part of this specification.
[2]
The present invention relates to a battery manufacturing apparatus and a battery manufacturing method using the same.
background
[3]
Recently, an increase in the price of an energy source due to the depletion of fossil fuels, interest in environmental pollution is increasing, and the demand for an eco-friendly alternative energy source is becoming an indispensable factor for future life. Accordingly, research on various power production technologies such as nuclear power, solar power, wind power, and tidal power continues, and power storage devices for using the generated energy more efficiently are also of great interest.
[4]
In particular, as technology development and demand for mobile devices increase, the demand for batteries as an energy source is rapidly increasing, and accordingly, a lot of research on batteries capable of meeting various needs is being conducted.
[5]
Typically, in terms of battery shape, there is a high demand for prismatic secondary batteries and pouch-type secondary batteries that can be applied to products such as mobile phones with thin thickness, and in terms of materials, they have advantages such as high energy density, discharge voltage, and output stability. There is a high demand for lithium secondary batteries such as lithium ion batteries and lithium ion polymer batteries.
[6]
Such a secondary battery is manufactured by housing an electrode assembly having a structure in which a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode are stacked in a battery case.
[7]
1 is a plan view showing that an active material is applied to an electrode of a secondary battery. FIG. 2 is a side view viewed from the direction A of FIG. 1 . FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing that the electrode is disconnected in the process of rolling the electrode of FIG. 1 .
[8]
1 to 3, in general, the electrode 10 of the secondary battery is coated with an active material 12 on both sides of a metal current collector 11, and a rolling process is performed to increase the density per unit volume of the applied active material. will go through However, a step is formed between the portion to which the active material 12 is applied to the metal current collector 11 and the uncoated portion to which the active material 12 is not applied, and stress is concentrated on the step portion in the rolling process of the electrode 10 . As a result, the electrode 10 is bent toward the uncoated region or a disconnection B occurs.
[9]
As such, when a disconnection occurs in the electrode 10 in the rolling process, the disconnected electrode 10 deviates from the original movement path, and the operator uses all of the manufacturing apparatus and related equipment to reconnect the disconnected electrode 10 . Since it has to be stopped, there is a problem in that the operation rate and productivity of the manufacturing facility are significantly lowered.
[10]
Accordingly, there is a need for a technology capable of fundamentally solving these problems.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
technical challenge
[11]
The problem to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention is to solve the above problems, and a battery capable of preventing the disconnected electrode from being separated in the rolling process and connecting the disconnected electrode without stopping the operation of the battery manufacturing apparatus To provide a manufacturing apparatus and a battery manufacturing method using the same.
means of solving the problem
[12]
The battery manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention for achieving this object is located between a fixed roller for moving an electrode coated with an active material, a rolling mill for rolling the electrode, and the fixed roller and the rolling machine, and when the electrode is disconnected, It may include a stopper for moving the disconnected electrode.
[13]
The battery manufacturing apparatus may further include a tension sensor for detecting a change in tension of the electrode.
[14]
The tension sensor may transmit a tension abnormality detection signal to the stopper.
[15]
The stopper may move toward the electrode in response to the tension abnormality detection signal.
[16]
The stopper may include a moving roller for moving the disconnected electrode.
[17]
The stopper may include a first stopper, a second stopper, a third stopper, and a fourth stopper.
[18]
When the tension sensor does not detect a tension abnormality in the electrode, the first stopper and the third stopper are positioned upwardly spaced apart from the upper surface of the electrode, and the second stopper and the fourth stopper are the lower surface of the electrode. It can be located spaced apart from the bottom.
[19]
When the tension sensor detects a tension abnormality in the electrode, the first stopper, the second stopper, the third stopper, and the fourth stopper move toward the electrode, and the first stopper and the third stopper may contact the upper surface of the electrode, and the second stopper and the fourth stopper may contact the lower surface of the disconnected electrode to fix the disconnected electrode.
[20]
The fixing roller may include an unwinder unit and a winder unit.
[21]
When the electrode disconnected between the third stopper and the fourth stopper moves toward the rolling mill, the winder unit may rotate in a direction opposite to a direction in which the battery manufacturing apparatus normally operates.
[22]
When the electrode disconnected between the first stopper and the second stopper moves toward the rolling mill, the unwinder unit may rotate in a rotational direction when the battery manufacturing apparatus operates normally.
[23]
A battery manufacturing method using the battery manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention,
[24]
introducing the electrode coated with the active material into the rolling mill using a fixed roller;
[25]
measuring the tension of the electrode by operating a tension sensor;
[26]
transmitting, by the tension sensor, a tension abnormality detection signal to a stopper;
[27]
moving the stopper to the electrode to catch the disconnected electrode;
[28]
moving the disconnected electrode to connect the disconnected electrode with the stopper; and
[29]
It may include the step of connecting the disconnection portion of the electrode.
Brief description of the drawing
[30]
1 is a plan view illustrating that an active material is applied to an electrode of a secondary battery.
[31]
FIG. 2 is a side view viewed from the direction A of FIG. 1 .
[32]
FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing that the electrode is disconnected in the process of rolling the electrode of FIG. 1 .
[33]
4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an apparatus for manufacturing a battery according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[34]
5 to 7 are views illustrating a battery manufacturing method according to another embodiment of the present invention.
Modes for carrying out the invention
[35]
Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail so that those of ordinary skill in the art can easily carry out the present invention. The present invention may be embodied in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.
[36]
In addition, throughout the specification, when a part "includes" a certain component, this means that other components may be further included, rather than excluding other components, unless otherwise stated.
[37]
In addition, throughout the specification, when a "plan view" is referred to, it means when the target part is viewed from above.
[38]
In addition, throughout the specification, when referred to as "side view", this means when the target part is viewed from the side.
[39]
In addition, throughout the specification, when referring to the "upper surface" of the electrode, it means a surface located in the opposite direction to which gravity acts with respect to the ground, and the "lower surface" of the electrode means a surface located opposite the upper surface. .
[40]
4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an apparatus for manufacturing a battery according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[41]
Referring to FIG. 4 , the battery manufacturing apparatus 100 includes an unwinder unit 101 , a winder unit 102 , a rolling mill 109 , a first stopper 103 , a second stopper 104 , and a third stopper. 105 and a fourth stopper 106 . The rolling mill 109 may be positioned between the unwinder unit 101 and the winder unit 102 to roll the electrode 10 moving from the unwinder unit 101 to the winder unit 102 . The structure of the rolling mill 109 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, a roller capable of pressing the surface of the electrode 10 .
[42]
A constant tension may be maintained in the electrode 10 between the unwinder unit 101 and the winder unit 102 while the manufacturing apparatus 100 operates normally. The manufacturing apparatus 100 may include a first tension sensor 107 and a second tension sensor 108 for sensing the tension.
[43]
It is not particularly limited as long as the change in tension can be accurately detected. For example, the first tension sensor 107 may be disposed between the unwinder unit 101 and the first stopper 103 and the second stopper 104 . The second tension sensor 108 may be located between the winder unit 102 and the third stopper 105 and the fourth stopper 106 .
[44]
The first tension sensor 107 may transmit a tension abnormality detection signal to the first stopper 103 and the second stopper 104 when the tension is out of a threshold range. Similarly, the second tension sensor 108 may transmit a tension abnormality detection signal to the third stopper 105 and the fourth stopper 106 . The tension abnormality detection signal may be transmitted to the first stopper 103 , the second stopper 104 , the third stopper 105 , and the fourth stopper 106 by wire or wirelessly.
[45]
It is not particularly limited as long as the change in the tension can be accurately detected. For example, the first tension sensor 107 and the second tension sensor 108 may be load cells. Since the operating principle of the load cell is a technique already known in the art, a description thereof will be omitted. An operator may select an appropriate load cell in consideration of the range of tension maintained on the electrode 10 and use it as the first tension sensor 107 and the second tension sensor 108 .
[46]
The first stopper 103 and the second stopper 104 may be formed between the unwinder unit 101 and the rolling mill 109 at a portion of the electrode 10 flowing into the rolling mill 109 . The third stopper 105 and the fourth stopper 106 may be formed between the winder unit 102 and the rolling mill 109 at a portion of the electrode 10 discharged from the rolling mill 109 .
[47]
When the electrode 10 is not disconnected and the battery manufacturing apparatus 100 operates normally, the first stopper 103 may be positioned upwardly spaced apart from the upper surface of the electrode 10 . The second stopper 104 may be positioned to be spaced downward from the lower surface of the electrode 10 . Similarly, the third stopper 105 may be positioned upwardly spaced apart from the upper surface of the electrode 10 . The fourth stopper 106 may be positioned to be spaced downward from the lower surface of the electrode 10 .
[48]
In addition, when receiving a tension abnormality detection signal from the first tension sensor 107 and the second tension sensor 108 , the first stopper 103 , the second stopper 104 , the third stopper 105 , and the fourth stopper 016 may move toward the electrode 10 , respectively. In addition, the first stopper 103 , the second stopper 104 , the third stopper 105 , and the fourth stopper 016 each include a moving roller 110 to press and move the electrode 10 . can do.
[49]
Hereinafter, a method of manufacturing a battery using the battery manufacturing apparatus according to the present embodiment described above, specifically, a process of rolling an electrode active material will be described.
[50]
5 to 7 are views illustrating a battery manufacturing method according to another embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a schematic diagram showing that the stopper moves toward the electrode when a disconnection occurs in the electrode in FIG. 4 , and FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the movement of the electrode by the operation of the roller of the stopper in FIG. 5 , FIG. 7 is the electrode It is a schematic diagram showing that the disconnection parts are connected.
[51]
Referring to FIG. 5 , when the tension of the electrode 10 is out of the critical range or a disconnection occurs, the first tension sensor 107 and the second tension sensor 108 detect the abnormal tension and generate a tension abnormality detection signal. It may be transmitted to the first stopper 103 , the second stopper 104 , the third stopper 105 , and the fourth stopper 016 . In response to the tension abnormality detection signal, the first stopper 103 , the second stopper 104 , the third stopper 105 , and the fourth stopper 016 may move toward the electrode 10 .
[52]
Specifically, the first stopper 103 moves downward and contacts the upper surface of the disconnected electrode 10 , and the second stopper 104 moves upward and contacts the lower surface of the disconnected electrode 10 , and the disconnection The electrode 10 may be fixed so that it does not deviate from the movement path. Similarly, the third stopper 103 moves downward to contact the upper surface of the disconnected electrode 10 , and the second stopper 104 moves upward and contacts the lower surface of the disconnected electrode 10 to contact the disconnected electrode (10) can be fixed so that it does not deviate from the movement path.
[53]
6 and 7, in a state in which the first stopper 103, the second stopper 104, the third stopper 105, and the fourth stopper 106 fix the disconnected electrode 10, The moving roller 110 formed on the first stopper 103 , the second stopper 104 , the third stopper 105 , and the fourth stopper 106 operates to move the disconnected electrode 10 toward the rolling mill 109 . can do it
[54]
At this time, the moving roller 110 of the first stopper 103 and the moving roller 110 of the fourth stopper 106 rotate clockwise, and the moving roller 110 of the third stopper 104 and the fourth stopper The moving roller 110 of 105 rotates counterclockwise, and thus the electrode 10 is disconnected between the moving roller 110 of the first stopper 103 and the moving roller 110 of the second stopper 104. Moving toward the rolling mill 109, the disconnected electrode 10 between the moving roller 110 of the third stopper 105 and the moving roller 110 of the fourth stopper 106 moves toward the rolling mill 109 can When moving the disconnected electrode 10 between the moving roller 110 of the third stopper 105 and the moving roller 110 of the fourth stopper 106 toward the rolling mill 109, the winder unit 102 is manufactured When the device 100 operates normally, the electrode 100 may be moved while rotating in a direction opposite to the rotation direction.
[55]
When the disconnected electrode 10 between the moving roller 110 of the first stopper 103 and the moving roller 110 of the second stopper 104 moves toward the rolling mill 109, the unwinder unit 101 is When the manufacturing apparatus 100 operates normally, it may rotate in a rotational direction.
[56]
As a modified example, when moving the disconnected electrode 10 between the moving roller 110 of the third stopper 105 and the moving roller 110 of the fourth stopper 106 toward the rolling mill 109, the first stopper The disconnected electrode 10 between the moving roller 110 of 103 and the moving roller 110 of the second stopper 104 may not move.
[57]
The operator may reconnect the disconnected portion C of the moved electrode 10 using a connecting member. Here, the connecting member may be an insulating tape or the like.
[58]
With this structure, the operator does not need to stop the operation of the battery manufacturing apparatus 100 in order to connect the disconnected portion C of the electrode 10, and also prevents the electrode 10 from being separated by the disconnection. Therefore, manufacturing productivity can be increased.
[59]
Those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains will be able to make various applications and modifications within the scope of the present invention based on the above content.
Industrial Applicability
[60]
As described above, the battery manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention prevents disconnection of the disconnected electrode in the rolling process by using a stopper and can connect the disconnected electrode without stopping the operation of the battery manufacturing apparatus. It can improve the utilization rate and productivity.
Claims
[Claim 1]
a fixing roller for moving the electrode coated with the active material; a rolling mill for rolling the electrode; and a stopper positioned between the fixing roller and the rolling mill and moving the disconnected electrode when the electrode is disconnected. A battery manufacturing apparatus comprising a.
[Claim 2]
The battery manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the battery manufacturing apparatus further comprises a tension sensor for detecting a change in tension of the electrode.
[Claim 3]
The battery manufacturing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the tension sensor transmits a tension abnormality detection signal to the stopper.
[Claim 4]
The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the stopper moves toward the electrode in response to the tension abnormality detection signal.
[Claim 5]
The battery manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the stopper includes a moving roller for moving the disconnected electrode.
[Claim 6]
The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the stopper includes a first stopper, a second stopper, a third stopper, and a fourth stopper.
[Claim 7]
The method of claim 6, wherein when the tension sensor does not detect a tension abnormality in the electrode, the first stopper and the third stopper are spaced apart upward from the upper surface of the electrode, and the second stopper and the fourth stopper The stopper is a battery manufacturing apparatus positioned to be spaced downward from the lower surface of the electrode.
[Claim 8]
The method of claim 6, wherein when the tension sensor detects a tension abnormality in the electrode, the first stopper, the second stopper, the third stopper, and the fourth stopper move toward the electrode, and the first stopper The stopper and the third stopper are in contact with the upper surface of the electrode, and the second stopper and the fourth stopper are in contact with the lower surface of the disconnected electrode to fix the disconnected electrode.
[Claim 9]
The battery manufacturing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the fixing roller includes an unwinder unit and a winder unit.
[Claim 10]
The method according to claim 9, wherein when the electrode disconnected between the third stopper and the fourth stopper moves toward the rolling mill, the winder unit rotates in the opposite direction to the direction in which the battery manufacturing apparatus is normally operated. battery manufacturing device.
[Claim 11]
The battery according to claim 9, wherein when the electrode disconnected between the first stopper and the second stopper moves toward the rolling mill, the unwinder unit rotates in a rotating direction when the battery manufacturing apparatus operates normally. manufacturing device.
[Claim 12]
introducing the electrode coated with the active material into the rolling mill using a fixed roller; measuring the tension of the electrode by operating a tension sensor; transmitting, by the tension sensor, a tension abnormality detection signal to a stopper; moving the stopper to the electrode to catch the disconnected electrode; moving the disconnected electrode to connect the disconnected electrode with the stopper; and connecting the disconnected portions of the electrodes.