TECHNICAL FIELD
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims the benefit of the
priority of Korean Patent Application Nos. 10-2020-0072598,
10 filed on June 15, 2020, and 10-2021-0071811, filed on June 02,
2021, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their
entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to a facility for
15 manufacturing a secondary battery, which is capable of bonding
a plurality of separators and simultaneously cutting a bonding
surface through ultrasonic vibration, and a method for
manufacturing the same.
BACKGROUND ART
20 [0003] In general, secondary batteries refer to chargeable
and dischargeable, unlike primary batteries that are not
chargeable. The secondary batteries are being widely used for
mobile phones, notebook computers, and camcorders, electric
vehicles, and the like.
25 [0004] The secondary battery is classified into a can-type
2
secondary battery, in which an electrode assembly is embedded
in a metal can, and a pouch-type secondary battery, in which
an electrode assembly is embedded in a pouch. The pouch-type
secondary battery comprises an electrode assembly, in which
5 electrodes and a separator are alternately stacked, a pouch,
which accommodates the electrode assembly, and an electrode
lead coupled to an electrode tab provided in the electrode
assembly. Here, the electrode tab and the electrode lead are
coupled to each other through welding.
10 [0005] The electrode assembly comprises at least one radical
unit, and the radical unit has a structure in which a plurality
of electrodes and a plurality of separators are alternately
stacked. A method for manufacturing the electrode assembly
having such a structure comprises a lamination & stack
15 manufacturing process, in which each of an electrode and a
separator is cut, and the cut electrodes and separators are
bonded to each other, or a stack & folding process.
[0006] However, in the above-described method for
manufacturing the electrode assembly, the plurality of
20 separators are cut at the same time. Here, it is difficult to
uniformly cut the plurality of separators, and in particular,
there is a problem that, when each of the separator is cut, an
end of the separator is folded to cause product defects or
short circuit.
25 DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
3
TECHNICAL PROBLEM
[0007] The present invention has been invented to solve the
above problems, and an object of the present invention is to
provide a facility for manufacturing a secondary battery, which
5 is capable of bonding a plurality of separators comprised in
a radical unit and simultaneously cutting a bonding surface to
uniformly cut the plurality of separators and prevent the
bonding surface of the each of the plurality of separators
from being folded, thereby reducing frequency of occurrence of
10 product defects and short circuit and improving process
simplification, and a method for manufacturing the same.
TECHNICAL SOLUTION
[0008] A facility for manufacturing a secondary battery
according to the present invention for achieving the above
15 objects comprises: a separation sheet supply device configured
to supply two separation sheets to be disposed vertically; an
electrode supply device configured to supply electrodes to be
disposed between the two separation sheets and on a top surface
of the separation sheet, which is disposed at an upper side;
20 a lamination device configured to bond the two separation
sheets and the electrodes to each other; and an ultrasonic
cutting device configured to bond surfaces of the two
separation sheets to each other and simultaneously cut a
bonding surface of the two separation sheets, wherein the
25 ultrasonic cutting device comprises: an ultrasonic vibration
4
part configured to generate ultrasonic vibration on surfaces
of the two separation sheets disposed between the electrodes
and bond the surfaces of the two separation sheets through
thermal energy generated during the vibration; and a cutting
5 part configured to cut a bonding surface of the two separation
sheets, which are bonded to each other by the ultrasonic
vibration part.
[0009] The ultrasonic vibration part may be provided above
the two separation sheets, generate ultrasonic vibration in a
10 state in which the two separation sheets disposed between the
electrodes are pressed to be in close contact with each other,
and have an ultrasonic bonding surface that bonds surfaces of
the two separation sheets to each other through thermal energy,
and the cutting part may be provided under the two separation
15 sheets, press the bonding surface of the two separation sheets
to compress the bonding surface of the two separation sheets
together with the ultrasonic vibration part, and have a cutting
surface configured to cut the bonding surface of the two
separation sheets through frictional force due to the vibration
20 of the ultrasonic generation part.
[0010] The ultrasonic vibration part may be provided above
the two separation sheets, generate ultrasonic vibration in a
state in which the two separation sheets disposed between the
electrodes are pressed to be in close contact with each other,
25 and have an ultrasonic bonding surface that bonds surfaces of
5
the two separation sheets to each other through thermal energy.
[0011] The cutting part may be provided under the two
separation sheets and comprise a circular blade configured to
cut the bonding surface of the two separation sheets while
5 moving from one side to the other side in a width direction of
the two separation sheets.
[0012] The ultrasonic vibration part may be provided to be
movable from an upper side of the two separation sheets toward
the separation sheets, generate the ultrasonic vibration on
10 the two separation sheets, and bond the surfaces of the two
separation sheets to each other through the thermal energy
generated during the vibration, and the cutting part may be
provided at an end of the ultrasonic vibration part and
transmit the ultrasonic vibration of the ultrasonic vibration
15 part to the surfaces of the two separation sheets and
simultaneously cut the bonding surface of the two separation
sheets boned to each other by the ultrasonic vibration part.
[0013] The ultrasonic vibration part may comprise an
ultrasonic wave generation member configured to generate the
20 ultrasonic vibration and an ultrasonic boding member coupled
to the ultrasonic wave generation member, disposed to be
supported on the upper separation sheet of the two separation
sheets, and having an ultrasonic bonding surface configured to
vibrate and bond the surfaces of the separation sheets through
25 the ultrasonic vibration transmitted from the ultrasonic wave
6
generation part, wherein the ultrasonic bonding member may be
detachably coupled to the ultrasonic wave generation member.
[0014] The boding surface of the ultrasonic bonding member
supported on the separation sheets may have a shape corresponds
5 to an edge surface of each of the electrodes facing the
surfaces of the separation sheets.
[0015] The cutting part may have a shape corresponding to the
bonding surface of the ultrasonic bonding member supported on
the separation sheets.
10 [0016] The cutting part may be detachably coupled to the
ultrasonic vibration part.
[0017] A method for manufacturing a secondary battery
according to the present invention comprises a separation sheet
supply step of supplying two separation sheet to be disposed
15 vertically; an electrode supply step of supplying electrodes
to be disposed between the two separation sheets and on a top
surface of the separation sheet, which is disposed at the
uppermost end; a lamination step of bonding the two separation
sheets and the electrodes to each other; and a cutting and
20 bonding step of cutting and bonding surface of the two
separation sheets at the same time through an ultrasonic
cutting device, wherein the cutting and bonding step comprises:
a bonding process of generating ultrasonic vibration on the
surfaces of the two separation sheets disposed between the
25 electrodes through an ultrasonic vibration part of the
7
ultrasonic cutting device to bond the surfaces of the two
separation sheets through thermal energy generated during the
vibration; and a cutting process of cutting the bonding surface
of the two separation sheets through a cutting part of the
5 ultrasonic cutting device.
[0018] In the bonding process, the two separation sheets
disposed between the electrodes may be pressed to be in close
contact with each other through the ultrasonic vibration part
provided above the two separation sheets, and then, the
10 ultrasonic vibration may be generated to bond the surfaces of
the two separation sheets through the thermal energy generated
during the vibration, and in the cutting process, the bonding
surface of the two separation sheets may be pressed through a
cutting part provided under the two separation sheets to
15 compress the bonding surface of the two separation sheets
together with the ultrasonic vibration part and cut the bonding
surface of the two separation sheets through frictional force
due to the vibration of the ultrasonic generation part.
[0019] In the bonding process, the ultrasonic vibration part
20 may comprise a plurality of ultrasonic bonding members having
different shapes, and the ultrasonic bonding member
corresponding to an edge of the electrode among the plurality
of ultrasonic bonding members may be detachably coupled to the
ultrasonic wave generation member.
25 [0020] In the cutting process, the cutting part may have a
8
shape corresponding to the ultrasonic bonding member.
ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS
[0021] The facility for manufacturing the secondary battery
according to the present invention may comprise the separation
5 sheet supply device, the electrode supply device, the
lamination device, and the ultrasonic cutting device, and the
ultrasonic cutting device may comprise the ultrasonic
vibration part bonding the surfaces of the two separation
sheets to each other and the cutting part cutting the center
10 of the bonding surface of the two separation sheets. Therefore,
the separation sheet may be uniformly cut, the bonding force
of the separation sheet may increase to prevent the separation
sheet from being folded, and the process may be simplified.
Particularly, the ultrasonic vibration device may be used to
15 prevent the burr from being generated on the cut surface of
the separation sheet, thereby improving the marketability of
the electrode assembly.
[0022] In addition, in the facility for manufacturing the
secondary battery according to the present invention, the
20 bonding surface of the ultrasonic bonding member may have the
shape corresponding to the edge surface of the electrode, which
faces the surface of the separation sheet. Due to these
characteristics, the surface of the separation sheet may be
bonded to correspond to the edge surface of the electrode.
25 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
9
[0023] FIG. 1 is a process view illustrating a facility for
manufacturing a secondary battery according to a first
embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating an ultrasonic
5 cutting device of the facility for manufacturing the secondary
battery according to the first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0025] FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view illustrating an
ultrasonic cutting device of the facility for manufacturing
10 the secondary battery according to the first embodiment of the
present invention.
[0026] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 3.
[0027] FIG. 5 is a bottom view illustrating an ultrasonic
vibration part comprised in the ultrasonic cutting device of
15 the facility for manufacturing the secondary battery according
to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating a cutting part
comprised in the ultrasonic cutting device of the facility for
manufacturing the secondary battery according to the first
20 embodiment of the present invention.
[0029] FIG. 7 is a plan view illustrating the secondary
battery manufactured by the facility for manufacturing the
secondary battery according to the first embodiment of the
present invention.
25 [0030] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method for
10
manufacturing the second battery according to the first
embodiment of the present invention.
[0031] FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating an ultrasonic
cutting device of a facility for manufacturing a secondary
5 battery according to a second embodiment of the present
invention.
[0032] FIG. 10 is a side view illustrating an ultrasonic
cutting device of a facility for manufacturing a secondary
battery according to a third embodiment of the present
10 invention.
MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0033] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will
be described in detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings in such a manner that the technical idea of the
15 present invention may easily be carried out by a person with
ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains.
The present invention may, however, be embodied in different
forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments
set forth herein. In the drawings, anything unnecessary for
20 describing the present invention will be omitted for clarity,
and also like reference numerals in the drawings denote like
elements.
[0034] [Secondary battery according to first embodiment of
the present invention]
25 [0035] A secondary battery according to a first embodiment of
11
the present invention comprises an electrode assembly and a
pouch accommodating the electrode assembly. Referring to FIG.
1, the electrode assembly comprises one or more radical units
10, and the radical unit 10 has a structure in which a plurality
5 of electrodes and a plurality of separators are alternately
stacked. In addition, the plurality of electrodes may comprise
a first electrode and a second electrode, and the first
electrode may be a positive electrode, and the second electrode
may be a negative electrode, and, of course, vice and versa.
10 [0036] Here, the radical unit 10 is manufactured using a
facility 100 for manufacturing the secondary battery according
to the first embodiment of the present invention. The facility
100 for manufacturing the secondary battery according to the
first embodiment of the present invention performs a process
15 in which, when the radical unit 10 is manufactured, ultrasonic
vibration is applied to bond a plurality of separation sheets
to each other, and simultaneously, cut bonding surface of the
plurality of separation sheets.
[0037] Hereinafter, the facility 100 for manufacturing the
20 secondary battery according to the first embodiment of the
present invention will be described in detail with reference
to the accompanying drawings.
[0038] [Facility for manufacturing secondary battery
according to first embodiment of the present invention]
25 [0039] The facility 100 for the secondary battery according
12
to the first embodiment of the present invention is, as
illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 7, comprises a separation sheet
supply device 110, an electrode supply device 120, a lamination
device 130, and an ultrasonic cutting device 140.
5 [0040] Separation sheet supply device
[0041] The separation sheet supply device 110 is provided to
supply two separation sheets so as to be arranged vertically,
and comprises a first separation sheet supply roller 111
supplying one separation sheet 11 and a second separation sheet
10 supply roller 112 supplying the other separation sheet 12 on
a top surface of the one separation sheet 11 supplied from the
first separation sheet supply roller 111.
[0042] Hereinafter, the separation sheet 11 disposed at a
lower side is referred to as the first separation sheet 11,
15 and the separation sheet 12 disposed at an upper side is
referred to as the second separation sheet 12.
[0043] Electrode supply device
[0044] The electrode supply device 120 is provided to supply
electrodes so as to be disposed between the two separation
20 sheets and on the top surface of the separation sheet disposed
at the upper side, and comprises a first electrode supply part
121 supplying a first electrode 13 between the two separation
sheets 11 and 12 and a second electrode supply part 122
supplying a second electrode 14 to be disposed on a top surface
25 of the second separation sheet 12.
13
[0045] The first electrode supply part 121 comprises a first
electrode supply roller 121a supplying a first electrode sheet
13a and a first electrode cutter 121b cutting the first
electrode sheet 13a supplied from the first electrode supply
5 roller 121a to manufacture a first electrode 13 and then
disposing the first electrode 13 between the two separations
sheets 11 and 12.
[0046] The second electrode supply part 122 comprises a second
electrode supply roller 122a supplying a second electrode sheet
10 14a and a second electrode cutter 122b applying the second
electrode sheet 14a supplied from the second electrode supply
roller 122a to manufacture a second electrode 14 and then
disposing the second electrode 14 on a top surface of the
second separation sheet 12, which corresponds to the first
15 electrode 13.
[0047] Lamination device
[0048] The lamination device 130 is provided bond the two
separation sheets and the electrodes, which are disposed
vertically, and comprises a heater 131 heating an unfinished
20 radical unit comprising the second electrode 14, the second
separation sheet 12, the first electrode 13 and the first
separation sheet 11 and a rolling roller 132 rolling and
bonding the unfinished radical unit passing through the heater
131.
25 [0049] Ultrasonic cutting device
14
[0050] The ultrasonic cutting device 140 is provided to
manufacture bonds the separation sheet between the electrodes
and simultaneously cuts a center of the separation sheet to
manufacture a finished radical unit 10 and comprises an
5 ultrasonic vibration part 141 and a cutting part 142.
[0051] The ultrasonic vibration part 141 is provided to bond
surfaces of the two separation sheets by using ultrasonic
vibration and generates the ultrasonic vibration on the
surfaces of the two separation sheets 11 and 12 comprised in
10 the radical unit 10 to bond the two separation sheets 11 and
12 through thermal energy generated due to the vibration.
[0052] That is, the ultrasonic vibration part 141 is provided
on an upper portion of the two separation sheets 11 and 12
disposed between the electrodes disposed in a longitudinal
15 direction of the separation sheet, and presses the second
separation sheet 12 to generate the ultrasonic vibration in a
state in which the two separation sheets 11 and 12 are in close
contact with each other, thereby bonding the two separation
sheets 11 and 12 through the thermal energy generated during
20 the vibration.
[0053] For example, the ultrasonic vibration part 141
comprises an ultrasonic wave generation member 141a generating
ultrasonic vibration and an ultrasonic boding member 141b
coupled to the ultrasonic wave generation member 141a to press
25 the upper separation sheets 12 of the two separation sheets so
15
that the two separation sheets 11 and 12 are in close contact
with each other and vibrating the surfaces of the separation
sheets 11 and 12 to bond the surfaces to each other through
the ultrasonic vibration transmitted from the ultrasonic wave
5 generation member 141a.
[0054] The ultrasonic wave vibration part 141 having such a
structure presses the second separation sheet 12 through the
ultrasonic bonding member 141b so that the first and second
separation sheets 11 and 12 are in close contact with each
10 other, and then generates the ultrasonic vibration through the
ultrasonic wave generation member 141a. As a result, the
ultrasonic vibration of the ultrasonic wave generation member
141a is transmitted to the first and second separation sheets
11 and 12 through the ultrasonic bonding member 141b, and the
15 thermal energy is generated on the surfaces of the separation
sheets 11 and 12 by the ultrasonic vibration to melt the
surfaces of the separation sheets 11 and 12. At this time,
when the ultrasonic wave generation member 141a is stopped,
the ultrasonic vibration transmitted to the surfaces of the
20 separation sheet 11 and 12 is removed, and thus, the melted
portions of the separation sheets 11 and 12 are solidified to
bond the surfaces of the first and second separation sheets to
each other.
[0055] Here, the ultrasonic bonding member 141b may be formed
25 to have a length less than each of the separation sheets 11
16
and 12 in a width direction of the separation sheets 11 and
12, and thus, even if a position error between the ultrasonic
bonding member 141b and the separation sheets 11 and 12 occurs,
a portion of the ultrasonic bonding member 141b may be
5 prevented from being disposed outside the separation sheets 11
and 12.
[0056] The ultrasonic bonding member 141b may be detachably
coupled to the ultrasonic wave generation member 141a. That
is, a coupling groove 141a-1 is formed in a bottom surface of
10 the ultrasonic wave generation member 141a, and a coupling
protrusion 141b-1 coupled to the coupling groove 141a-1 is
formed on the ultrasonic bonding member 141b. The ultrasonic
bonding member 141b is detachably coupled to the ultrasonic
wave generation member 141a through the coupling groove 141a-
15 1 and the coupling protrusion 141b-1.
[0057] In particular, a coupling bolt 143 for improving fixing
force of the coupling protrusion 141b-1 coupled to the coupling
groove 141a-1 may be further provided. The coupling bolt 143
presses the coupling protrusion 141b-1 after passing through
20 the ultrasonic wave generation member 141a to improve fixing
force between the coupling groove 141a-1 and the coupling
protrusion 141b-1. As a result, it is possible to prevent the
ultrasonic bonding member 141b coupled to the ultrasonic wave
generation member 141a from being separated.
25 [0058] Referring to FIG. 5, an ultrasonic bonding surface
17
141b-2 of the ultrasonic bonding member 141b supported on the
second separation sheet 12 has a shape corresponding to an
edge surface of the electrode, which faces the surface of the
second separation sheet 12. That is, when the edge surface of
5 the electrode is formed in a straight or curved shape, the
ultrasonic bonding surface 141b-2 of the ultrasonic bonding
member 141b is also formed in a straight or curved shape.
[0059] At this time, the ultrasonic vibration part 141 may
replace the ultrasonic bonding member 141b having the
10 ultrasonic bonding surface 141b-2 having the shape
corresponding to the edge surface of the electrode with the
ultrasound generation member 141a to provide convenience and
compatibility of use.
[0060] The cutting part 142 is provided to cut the surfaces
15 of the two separation sheets bonded by the ultrasonic vibration
part and is disposed under the two separation sheets disposed
between the electrodes to press the first separation sheet 11,
thereby compressing the bonding surface of the two separation
sheets together with the ultrasonic vibration part 141 and
20 also cutting the bonding surface of the two separation sheets
through frictional force generated by the vibration of the
ultrasonic vibration part 141.
[0061] That is, when the cutting part 142 compresses the
bonding surface of the two separation sheets together with the
25 ultrasonic vibration part 141, rubbing occurs on the bonding
18
surface of the two separation sheets by the vibration of the
ultrasonic vibration part 141, and as a result, the bonding
surface of the two separation sheets may be cut.
[0062] Here, referring to FIG. 6, the cutting surface 142b of
5 the cutting part 142 has a shape corresponding to the bonding
surface of the ultrasonic bonding member supported on the
separation sheets 11 and 12. Thus, the bonding surface of the
separation sheet 12 may be cut along the edge surfaces of the
electrodes 13 and 14.
10 [0063] That is, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the facility 100
for manufacturing the secondary battery according to the first
embodiment of the present invention may cut the separation
sheet along the edge surfaces of the electrodes 13 and 14.
[0064] Therefore, the facility 100 for manufacturing the
15 secondary battery according to the first embodiment of the
present invention is characterized by comprising the
ultrasonic vibration device, and due to such a characteristic,
the two separation sheets provided in the unfinished radical
unit 10a may be bonded to each other, and simultaneously, be
20 cut to manufacture the finished product radical unit 10.
Particularly, the separation sheet may be uniformly cut, and
the cutting surface of the separation sheet may be prevented
from being folded to prevent defects and short circuit from
occurring.
25 [0065] Hereinafter, a method for manufacturing a secondary
19
battery using the facility for manufacturing the secondary
battery according to the first embodiment of the present
invention will be described.
[0066] [Method for manufacturing secondary battery according
5 to first embodiment of the present invention]
[0067] As illustrated in FIG. 8, a method for manufacturing
the secondary battery according to the first embodiment of the
present invention comprises a separation sheet supply step, an
electrode supply step, a lamination step, and a cutting and
10 bonding step.
[0068] Separation sheet supply step
[0069] In the separation sheet supply step, first and second
separation sheets 11 and 12, which are two separation sheets,
are supplied to be disposed vertically through a separation
15 sheet supply device 110.
[0070] Electrode supply step
[0071] In the electrode supply step, electrodes 13 and 14 are
respectively disposed on between the first and second
separation sheets 11 and 12 and on a top surface of the second
20 separation sheet 12, which are disposed at an upper side,
through an electrode supply device 120. That is, in the
electrode supply step, the first electrode 13 is supplied
between the first and second separation sheets 11 and 12, and
the second electrode 14 is supplied on the top surface of the
25 second separation sheet 12, which corresponds to the first
20
electrode 13.
[0072] As a result, an unfinished radical unit, in which the
second electrode 14, the second separation sheet 12, the first
electrode 13, and the first separation sheet 11 are arranged
5 in a direction from the uppermost end to the lowermost end.
[0073] Lamination step
[0074] The lamination step is performed to bond the electrode
and the separation sheet, which are comprised in the unfinished
radical unit. In the lamination step, the unfinished radical
10 unit is heated through a heater 131 and then rolled through a
rolling roller 132 to bond the electrode and the separation
sheet comprised in the unfinished radical unit.
[0075] Cutting and bonding step
[0076] The cutting and bonding step is performed to bond and
15 cut the separation sheets 11 and 12 disposed between the
electrodes in the unfinished radical unit. In the cutting and
boding step, the surfaces of the two separation sheets are
bonded and cut at the same time through the ultrasonic cutting
device 140.
20 [0077] The ultrasonic cutting device 140 comprises an
ultrasonic vibration part 141 and a cutting part 142, and the
ultrasonic vibration part 141 comprises an ultrasonic wave
generation member 141a and an ultrasonic bonding member 141b.
[0078] That is, the cutting and bonding step comprises a
25 bonding process of bonding the surfaces of the two separation
21
sheets through the ultrasonic vibration part 141 and a cutting
process of cutting the bonding surface of the two separation
sheets through the cutting part 142 to manufacture a finished
product radical unit 10.
5 [0079] In the bonding process, the first and second separation
sheets 11 and 12 are in close contact with each other by
pressing a top surface of the second separation sheet 12. When
the ultrasonic wave generation member 141a is driven to
generate ultrasonic vibration in the above-described state,
10 the ultrasonic vibration generated by the ultrasonic wave
generation member 141a is transmitted to the surfaces of the
separation sheets through the ultrasonic bonding member 141b
to melt the surfaces of the separation sheets through thermal
energy due to the ultrasonic vibration transmitted to the
15 separation sheets. Thereafter, the first and second
separation sheets 11 and 12 may be bonded to each other while
the melted surfaces of the separation sheets are solidified by
stopping the operation of the ultrasonic wave generation member
141a.
20 [0080] In the bonding process, the ultrasonic vibration part
comprises a plurality of ultrasonic bonding members having
different shapes, and the ultrasonic bonding member
corresponding to an edge of the electrode among the plurality
of ultrasonic bonding members is detachably coupled to the
25 ultrasonic wave generation member.
22
[0081] In the cutting process, the bonding surface of the two
separation sheets 11 and 12 is pressed through the cutting
part 142 disposed under the first separation sheet 11 to
compress the bonding surface of the two separation sheets
5 together with the ultrasonic vibration part 141. Then, slim
occurs on the bonding surface of the two separation sheets 11
and 12 by the ultrasonic vibration part 141, and thus, the
bonding surface of the two separation sheets 11 and 12 is cut.
As a result, the radical unit 10, in which the second separator,
10 the second electrode, the first separator, and the first
electrode are stacked, may be manufactured.
[0082] In the cutting process, a plurality of cutting parts
142 having different shapes are provided, and the cutting part
corresponding to the ultrasonic bonding member among the
15 plurality of cutting parts is mounted to be used. That is,
the cutting part has a shape corresponding to the ultrasonic
bonding member.
[0083] Thus, in the method for manufacturing the secondary
battery according to the first embodiment of the present
20 invention, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the finished radical unit
10, in which both ends of the separator facing the transport
direction of the radical unit are bonded to each other may be
manufactured.
[0084] Hereinafter, in descriptions of another embodiment of
25 the present invention, constituents having the same function
23
as the above-mentioned embodiment have been given the same
reference numeral in the drawings, and thus duplicated
description will be omitted.
[0085] [Facility for manufacturing secondary battery
5 according to second embodiment of the present invention]
[0086] As illustrated in FIG. 9, an ultrasonic cutting device
140 of a facility 140 for manufacturing a secondary battery
according to a second embodiment of the present invention
comprises an ultrasonic vibration part 141 and a cutting part
10 142.
[0087] The ultrasonic vibration part 141 is provided above
two separation sheets 11 and 12, generates ultrasonic vibration
in a state in which the two separation sheets 11 and 12 disposed
between electrodes are pressed to be in close contact with
15 each other, and has an ultrasonic bonding surface that bonds
surfaces of the two separation sheets 11 and 12 to each other
through thermal energy.
[0088] The cutting part 142 is provided under the two
separation sheets 11 and 12 and comprises a circular blade
20 142a which cuts a bonding surface of two separation sheets 11
and 12 while moving from one side to the other side in a width
direction of the two separation sheets 11 and 12.
[0089] Therefore, in the facility 100 for manufacturing the
secondary battery according to the second embodiment of the
25 present invention, the bonding surface of the two separation
24
sheets 11 and 12 may be cut through the cutting part 142
comprising the rotating circular blade 142a. Thus, the bonding
surface of the two separation sheets 11 and 12 may be more
easily cut, and in particular, the bonding surface of the two
5 separation sheets 11 and 12 may be cut to have a uniform cut
surface.
[0090] [Facility for manufacturing secondary battery
according to third embodiment of the present invention]
[0091] As illustrated in FIG. 10, an ultrasonic cutting device
10 140 of the facility 100 for manufacturing the secondary battery
according to a third embodiment of the present invention
comprises an ultrasonic vibration part 141 and a cutting part
142.
[0092] The ultrasonic vibration part 141 is provided above
15 the two separation sheets 11 and 12, moves toward an upper
side of the two separation sheets 11 and 12, and generates
ultrasonic vibration on the two separation sheets to bond
surfaces of the two separation sheets 11 and 12 through thermal
energy generated during the vibration.
20 [0093] The cutting part 142 is provided at an end of the
ultrasonic vibration part 141 and transmits the ultrasonic
vibration of the ultrasonic vibration part 141 to the surfaces
of the two separation sheets 11 and 12 and simultaneously cut
a bonding surface of the two separation sheets 11 and 12, which
25 are bonded to each other by the ultrasonic vibration part 141.
25
[0094] Therefore, the facility 100 for manufacturing the
secondary battery according to the third embodiment of the
present invention comprises the ultrasonic cutting device 140
in which the ultrasonic vibration part 141 and the cutting
5 part 142 are integrally coupled to each other to bond and cut
the surfaces of two separation sheets 11 and 12 at the same
time.
[0095] The cutting part 142 may be detachably coupled to the
end of the ultrasonic vibration part 141. That is, the
10 ultrasonic vibration part 141 has a coupling groove formed in
the end thereof in a longitudinal direction, and the cutting
part 142 has a coupling protrusion fitted into and coupled to
the coupling groove. Therefore, the cutting part 142 and the
ultrasonic vibration part 141 may be easily attached and
15 detached.
[0096] Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is
defined by the appended claims more than the foregoing
description and the exemplary embodiments described therein.
Various modifications made within the meaning of an equivalent
20 of the claims of the invention and within the claims are to be
regarded to be in the scope of the present invention.

CLAIMS
1. A facility for manufacturing a secondary battery,
the facility comprising:
5 a separation sheet supply device configured to supply
two separation sheets to be disposed vertically;
an electrode supply device configured to supply
electrodes to be disposed between the two separation sheets
and on a top surface of the separation sheet, which is disposed
10 at an upper side;
a lamination device configured to bond the two separation
sheets and the electrodes to each other; and
an ultrasonic cutting device configured to bond surfaces
of the two separation sheets to each other and simultaneously
15 cut a bonding surface of the two separation sheets,
wherein the ultrasonic cutting device comprises:
an ultrasonic vibration part configured to generate
ultrasonic vibration on surfaces of the two separation sheets
disposed between the electrodes and bond the surfaces of the
20 two separation sheets through thermal energy generated during
the vibration; and
a cutting part configured to cut a bonding surface
of the two separation sheets, which are bonded to each other
by the ultrasonic vibration part.
25
27
2. The facility of claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic
vibration part is provided above the two separation sheets,
generates ultrasonic vibration in a state in which the two
separation sheets disposed between the electrodes are pressed
5 to be in close contact with each other, and has an ultrasonic
bonding surface that bonds surfaces of the two separation
sheets to each other through thermal energy, and
the cutting part is provided under the two separation
sheets, presses the bonding surface of the two separation
10 sheets to compress the bonding surface of the two separation
sheets together with the ultrasonic vibration part, and has a
cutting surface configured to cut the bonding surface of the
two separation sheets through frictional force due to the
vibration of the ultrasonic generation part.
15
3. The facility of claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic
vibration part is provided above the two separation sheets,
generates ultrasonic vibration in a state in which the two
separation sheets disposed between the electrodes are pressed
20 to be in close contact with each other, and has an ultrasonic
bonding surface that bonds surfaces of the two separation
sheets to each other through thermal energy, and
the cutting part is provided under the two separation
sheets and comprises a circular blade configured to cut the
25 bonding surface of the two separation sheets while moving from
28
one side to the other side in a width direction of the two
separation sheets.
4. The facility of claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic
5 vibration part is provided to be movable from an upper side of
the two separation sheets toward the separation sheets,
generates the ultrasonic vibration on the two separation sheets,
and bonds the surfaces of the two separation sheets to each
other through the thermal energy generated during the vibration,
10 and
the cutting part is provided at an end of the ultrasonic
vibration part and transmits the ultrasonic vibration of the
ultrasonic vibration part to the surfaces of the two separation
sheets and simultaneously cuts the bonding surface of the two
15 separation sheets boned to each other by the ultrasonic
vibration part.
5. The facility of claim 2 or 3, wherein the ultrasonic
vibration part comprises an ultrasonic wave generation member
20 configured to generate the ultrasonic vibration and an
ultrasonic boding member coupled to the ultrasonic wave
generation member, disposed to be supported on the upper
separation sheet of the two separation sheets, and having an
ultrasonic bonding surface configured to vibrate and bond the
25 surfaces of the separation sheets through the ultrasonic
29
vibration transmitted from the ultrasonic wave generation part,
wherein the ultrasonic bonding member is detachably
coupled to the ultrasonic wave generation member.
5 6. The facility of claim 5, wherein the boding surface
of the ultrasonic bonding member supported on the separation
sheets has a shape corresponds to an edge surface of each of
the electrodes facing the surfaces of the separation sheets.
10 7. The facility of claim 6 wherein the cutting part
has a shape corresponding to the bonding surface of the
ultrasonic bonding member supported on the separation sheets.
8. The facility of claim 6, wherein the cutting part
15 is detachably coupled to the ultrasonic vibration part.
9. A method for manufacturing a secondary battery, the
method comparing
a separation sheet supply step of supplying two
20 separation sheet to be disposed vertically;
an electrode supply step of supplying electrodes to be
disposed between the two separation sheets and on a top surface
of the separation sheet, which is disposed at the uppermost
end;
25 a lamination step of bonding the two separation sheets
30
and the electrodes to each other; and
a cutting and bonding step of cutting and bonding surface
of the two separation sheets at the same time through an
ultrasonic cutting device,
5 wherein the cutting and bonding step comprises:
a bonding process of generating ultrasonic
vibration on the surfaces of the two separation sheets disposed
between the electrodes through an ultrasonic vibration part of
the ultrasonic cutting device to bond the surfaces of the two
10 separation sheets through thermal energy generated during the
vibration; and
a cutting process of cutting the bonding surface
of the two separation sheets through a cutting part of the
ultrasonic cutting device.
15
10. The method of claim 9, wherein, in the bonding
process, the two separation sheets disposed between the
electrodes are pressed to be in close contact with each other
through the ultrasonic vibration part provided above the two
20 separation sheets, and then, the ultrasonic vibration is
generated to bond the surfaces of the two separation sheets
through the thermal energy generated during the vibration, and
in the cutting process, the bonding surface of the two
separation sheets is pressed through a cutting part provided
25 under the two separation sheets to compress the bonding surface
31
of the two separation sheets together with the ultrasonic
vibration part and cut the bonding surface of the two
separation sheets through frictional force due to the vibration
of the ultrasonic generation part.
5
11. The method of claim 10, wherein, in the bonding
process, the ultrasonic vibration part comprises a plurality
of ultrasonic bonding members having different shapes, and
the ultrasonic bonding member corresponding to an edge
10 of the electrode among the plurality of ultrasonic bonding
members is detachably coupled to the ultrasonic wave generation
member.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein, in the cutting
15 process, the cutting part has a shape corresponding to the
ultrasonic bonding member.