Cylindrical battery cell cleaning device, cylindrical battery cells produced using the same, battery packs including the cylindrical battery cells, and automobiles

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cylindrical battery cell cleaning apparatus, a cylindrical battery cell produced using the same, and a battery pack and a vehicle including the cylindrical battery cell. The cylindrical battery cell cleaning apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a rotating member coupled to a cell carrier on which cylindrical battery cells are attached and rotating about a rotating shaft, a fixing member disposed outside the rotating member and in contact with the cell carrier so that the cell carrier rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the rotating member, and an injection member that injects cleaning water toward the cylindrical battery cells attached to the cell carrier.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cylindrical battery cell cleaning device, cylindrical battery cells produced using the same, and a battery pack and automobile including the cylindrical battery cells. More particularly, the present invention relates to a cylindrical battery cell cleaning device capable of sufficiently cleaning cylindrical battery cells of various sizes, cylindrical battery cells produced using the same, and a battery pack and automobile including the cylindrical battery cells.

[0002] This application claims priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0179855 filed on December 20, 2022 and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0185491 filed on December 19, 2023, and the contents disclosed in the specifications and drawings of those applications are incorporated herein in their entirety. [Background technology]

[0003] Secondary batteries, which are easily applicable to various products and have electrical properties such as high energy density, are widely used not only in portable devices but also in electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) that are driven by electrical sources.

[0004] Such secondary batteries are attracting attention as a new energy source that not only has the primary advantage of dramatically reducing the use of fossil fuels, but also is environmentally friendly because they do not produce any by-products associated with energy use, and can improve energy efficiency.

[0005] Currently, the types of secondary batteries that are widely used include lithium-ion batteries, lithium polymer batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, etc. The operating voltage of such a unit secondary battery cell is approximately 2.5V to 4.5V.

[0006] Therefore, if a higher output voltage is required, a battery module or a battery pack may be configured by connecting a plurality of battery cells in series. Alternatively, a battery module or a battery pack may be configured by connecting a plurality of battery cells in parallel depending on a required charge / discharge capacity. Therefore, the number and electrical connection form of battery cells included in a battery module or a battery pack may be variously set depending on at least one of the required output voltage and charge / discharge capacity.

[0007] Known types of secondary battery cells include cylindrical, prismatic, and pouch-type battery cells. In the case of a cylindrical battery cell, a separator, which is an insulator, is interposed between a positive electrode and a negative electrode, and the separator is wound up to form a jelly-roll-shaped electrode assembly. This jelly-roll-shaped electrode assembly is then placed in a battery can together with an electrolyte to form a battery. Furthermore, a current collector plate may be used to electrically connect the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate to each other in the cylindrical battery cell.

[0008] Meanwhile, cylindrical battery cells undergo various processes in the production process, especially a cleaning process.

[0009] In the case of the conventional technology, when cylindrical battery cells are washed while moving, dead spots are created where the washing water does not reach and the cells are not cleaned, resulting in insufficient cleaning. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide a cylindrical battery cell cleaning device capable of sufficiently cleaning cylindrical battery cells, a cylindrical battery cell produced using the same, and a battery pack and automobile including the cylindrical battery cell.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a cylindrical battery cell cleaning device that can maintain cleaning power even for cylindrical battery cells of various sizes, a cylindrical battery cell manufactured using the same, and a battery pack and a vehicle including the cylindrical battery cell.

[0012] However, the technical problems that the present invention aims to solve are not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description of the invention. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] According to one aspect of the present invention, a cylindrical battery cell cleaning device may be provided, including: a rotating member coupled to a cell carrier having cylindrical battery cells attached thereto and coupled to a rotation shaft to rotate; a fixing member disposed on the outside of the rotating member and in contact with the cell carrier so that the cell carrier rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the rotating member when the rotating member rotates; and an injection member that injects cleaning water toward the cylindrical battery cells attached to the cell carrier.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the rotating member may include a first member that supports a bottom of the cell carrier and a second member that supports a side of the cell carrier.

[0015] In one embodiment, the first member may have a first recess recessed inward from a periphery of the first member so that the cleaning water sprayed from the spray member can be discharged.

[0016] According to one embodiment, a discharge hole may be formed in the bottom of the cell carrier, and a groove may be formed in the first recess, and the discharge hole and the groove may be in communication with each other.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the second member may have a second recess recessed inward from a periphery of the second member so that the cell carrier can be coupled thereto.

[0018] According to one embodiment, a groove is formed in the second recess, and a side surface of the cell carrier can be inserted into the groove to be supported.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the cell carrier has a circular cross section at its outermost edge, one side is inserted into the second recess, and the other side contacts the fixed member, so that when the rotating member rotates, the cell carrier can rotate along the contact surface of the fixed member.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the contact surface of the fixing member may be formed with a friction providing portion.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the friction providing portion may include at least one O-ring coupled to the contact surface along the contact surface of the fixing member.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the O-ring may be made of rubber.

[0023] According to one embodiment, a carrier support may be coupled to the rotating member to support the cell carrier for rotation.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the carrier support may contact the cell carrier on an underside of the cell carrier.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the carrier support may be provided as a bearing.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the bearing may be made of polyether ether ketone (PEEK).

[0027] According to one embodiment, there are multiple first recesses, and the carrier support portion can be coupled to the first member between any one of the multiple first recesses and another adjacent first recess.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the cell carrier may rotate in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the rotating member when the rotating member rotates.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the injection member may include at least one injection nozzle arranged to face the cylindrical battery cell attached to the cell carrier.

[0030] According to another aspect of the present invention, a cylindrical battery cell produced using the cylindrical battery cell cleaning apparatus described above is provided. Also, a battery pack including at least one cylindrical battery cell described above is provided, and further, a vehicle including at least one cylindrical battery cell described above may be provided. [Effects of the Invention]

[0031] In the embodiment of the present invention, the cell carrier to which the cylindrical battery cells are attached moves while rotating, so that the cylindrical battery cells can be thoroughly cleaned.

[0032] In addition, cleaning power can be maintained even for cylindrical battery cells of various sizes.

[0033] However, the effects of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and other technical effects of the present invention not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description of the invention.

[0034] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and, together with the detailed description of the invention, serve to further understand the technical concepts of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to the matters described in the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0035] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the interior of a cylindrical battery cell cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2]1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a portion of a cylindrical battery cell cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] 1 is an enlarged view showing a state in which a cell carrier with a battery cell attached thereto is coupled to a rotating member in a cylindrical battery cell cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a plan view of a portion of a cylindrical battery cell cleaning apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 5] 10 is a view illustrating a process in which a cell carrier moves while being rotated by a rotating member in a cylindrical battery cell cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which a second member of the rotating member is omitted. [Figure 6] 10 is a view illustrating a process in which a cell carrier moves while being rotated by a rotating member in a cylindrical battery cell cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which a second member of the rotating member is omitted. [Figure 7] 10 is a view illustrating a state in which a friction-providing portion is formed on a contact surface of a fixing member in a cylindrical battery cell cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 1 is a bottom view of a rotating member in a cylindrical battery cell cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating how a first member supports the bottom of a cell carrier. FIG. [Figure 9] 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a battery pack including cylindrical battery cells produced using the cylindrical battery cell cleaning apparatus according to each embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a vehicle including the battery pack of FIG. 9. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0036] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Prior to this, the terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be construed as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but should be construed as meanings and concepts corresponding to the technical ideas of the present invention, in accordance with the principle that the inventor himself can appropriately define the concepts of terms in order to best explain the invention. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiment described in this specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are merely the most preferred embodiment of the present invention and do not represent the entire technical ideas of the present invention, and therefore, various equivalents and modifications that can be substituted therefor may exist at the time of filing this application.

[0037] In the drawings, the size of each component or specific parts of the component may be exaggerated, omitted, or illustrated schematically for convenience and clarity of description. Therefore, the size of each component may not completely reflect the actual size. If a detailed description of well-known functions or configurations related to the present invention is deemed to unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, such description will be omitted.

[0038] As used herein, the terms "coupled" or "connected" include not only cases where one member is directly coupled or connected to another member, but also cases where one member is indirectly coupled or connected to another member via a joint member.

[0039] Fig. 1 is a schematic view of the interior of an apparatus for cleaning cylindrical battery cells according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of the apparatus for cleaning cylindrical battery cells according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of a cell carrier with battery cells attached being coupled to a rotating member in an apparatus for cleaning cylindrical battery cells according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 4 is a plan view of a portion of the apparatus for cleaning cylindrical battery cells according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figs. 5 and 6 are views showing a process in which a cell carrier moves while rotating by a rotating member in an apparatus for cleaning cylindrical battery cells according to an embodiment of the present invention, with the second member of the rotating member omitted, Fig. 7 is a view showing a state in which a friction-providing portion is formed on a contact surface of a fixing member in an apparatus for cleaning cylindrical battery cells according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 8 is a view showing the bottom of a rotating member in an apparatus for cleaning cylindrical battery cells according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which a first member supports the bottom of the cell carrier.

[0040] The cylindrical battery cell cleaning device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention is a device for cleaning cylindrical battery cells 20 with cleaning water during the manufacturing process of the cylindrical battery cells 20.

[0041] Here, the cylindrical battery cell 20 may include an electrode assembly, a battery can, and a cap plate.

[0042] The electrode assembly may have a structure in which a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, and a separator interposed between the positive and negative electrode plates are wound in one direction, and may have a center hole formed in the center of the electrode assembly, forming a jelly roll shape.

[0043] For example, the electrode assembly may be manufactured by sequentially stacking a negative electrode plate, a separator, a positive electrode plate, and a separator at least once, and then winding the stacked body, where the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate may be formed in a sheet shape.

[0044] That is, the electrode assembly applied to the present embodiment may be a winding-type electrode assembly. In this case, a separator may be further provided on the outer periphery of the electrode assembly for insulation from the battery can. That is, the electrode assembly may have any winding structure known in the related art without limitation.

[0045] The positive electrode plate may have a positive electrode active material coated on one or both sides, and a first uncoated portion where the positive electrode active material is not coated may be formed at an end of the positive electrode plate. The first uncoated portion may be exposed to the outside of the separator while forming a plurality of winding turns based on the center of the electrode assembly, and may be used as an electrode tab. However, the positive electrode plate does not necessarily have to have a first uncoated portion.

[0046] The negative electrode plate may have a negative electrode active material coated on one or both sides, and a second uncoated portion where the negative electrode active material is not coated may be formed at an end of the negative electrode plate. The second uncoated portion may be exposed to the outside of the separator while forming multiple winding turns based on the center of the electrode assembly, and may be used as an electrode tab. However, the negative electrode plate does not necessarily have to have a second uncoated portion.

[0047] Here, when the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate each include a non-coated portion, the first non-coated portion and the second non-coated portion may be configured to face in opposite directions.

[0048] The positive electrode active material coated on the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode active material coated on the negative electrode plate may be any active material known in the art without any limitations.

[0049] The separator may be a porous polymer film, for example, a porous polymer film made of a polyolefin polymer such as an ethylene homopolymer, a propylene homopolymer, an ethylene / butene copolymer, an ethylene / hexene copolymer, or an ethylene / methacrylate copolymer, either alone or in combination.

[0050] As another example, the separator may be made of a common porous nonwoven fabric, such as a nonwoven fabric made of high-melting-point glass fiber or polyethylene terephthalate fiber.

[0051] At least one surface of the separator may include a coating layer of inorganic particles. Alternatively, the separator itself may be made of a coating layer of inorganic particles. The particles constituting the coating layer may have a structure in which they are bound with a binder so that there is an interstitial volume between adjacent particles.

[0052] The center hole of the electrode assembly may be used to weld the cell terminal (positive terminal) and the positive current collector plate, that is, the cell terminal and the positive current collector plate may be welded by irradiating a laser through the center hole of the electrode assembly.

[0053] The battery can accommodates the electrode assembly. A through-hole may be formed in the battery can. Here, the battery can is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the electrode assembly is accommodated inside the battery can, and the battery can may be electrically connected to the negative electrode plate of the electrode assembly. Therefore, the battery can may have the same polarity as the negative electrode plate.

[0054] The diameter of the battery can is larger than the diameter of the electrode assembly. A predetermined gap is formed between the battery can and the positive electrode current collector plate, and an insulator may be interposed in the gap.

[0055] If the size of the electrode assembly is increased while the size of the battery can is determined according to the standard, the overall capacity of the battery cell increases, but the gap between the battery can and the electrode assembly decreases.

[0056] That is, when the size of the electrode assembly is increased to increase the overall capacity of the battery cell, the gap between the battery can and the electrode assembly is reduced. Therefore, in order to increase the capacity of the battery cell, an insulator must be interposed in the reduced gap between the battery can and the electrode assembly. For this reason, it is desirable that the thickness of the insulator be as thin as possible.

[0057] The battery can is a generally cylindrical container and may be made of a conductive material such as metal, for example, aluminum, steel, stainless steel, etc., but is not limited thereto.

[0058] The positive current collector is electrically connected to the positive plate, for example, connected to the positive plate at the top of the electrode assembly. For example, the positive current collector may be made of a conductive metal material and electrically connected to the first uncoated portion of the positive plate.

[0059] The cell terminal is made of a conductive metal material and is electrically connected to the positive electrode collector plate. The cell terminal is electrically connected to the positive electrode plate of the electrode assembly through the positive electrode collector plate, and thus has a positive polarity.

[0060] That is, the cell terminal can function as a positive terminal, and the battery can can be electrically connected to the negative electrode plate of the electrode assembly as described above, thereby having a negative polarity.

[0061] The negative current collector is electrically connected to the negative plate, for example, connected to the negative plate at the bottom of the electrode assembly. For example, the negative current collector may be made of a conductive metal material such as aluminum, steel, copper, or nickel, and may be electrically connected to the second uncoated portion of the negative plate.

[0062] The negative electrode current collector may be electrically connected to the battery can, and for this purpose, the negative electrode current collector may be fixed with at least a portion of its edge interposed between the inner surface of the battery can and a sealing gasket.

[0063] In one embodiment, at least a portion of the edge of the negative electrode current collector plate may be fixed to the beading portion by welding while being supported by the lower surface of the beading portion formed at the lower end of the battery can.

[0064] At least a portion of the remaining portion of the negative electrode current collector plate excluding the bonding portion of the beading portion can be bonded to the bent surface of the second non-coated portion by welding, for example, laser welding.

[0065] In addition, at least a portion of the end of the negative electrode current collector plate may be electrically coupled to one of the upper and lower surfaces of the beading portion that is adjacent to the crimping portion.

[0066] The cap plate is configured to seal an opening formed at the bottom of the battery can, and may be made of, for example, a metal material to ensure rigidity.

[0067] The cap plate may be separated from the electrode assembly and may be non-polar, i.e., the cap plate may not have polarity even if it is made of a conductive metal material.

[0068] The fact that the cap plate has no polarity means that the cap plate is electrically insulated from the battery can and the cell terminals. Thus, the cap plate does not have to have polarity, and its material does not necessarily have to be a conductive metal.

[0069] The cap plate may be mounted on and supported by a beading portion formed on the battery can. The cap plate may be fixed by a crimping portion, which will be described later. A sealing gasket may be interposed between the cap plate and the crimping portion of the battery can to ensure airtightness of the battery can. That is, the sealing gasket may be interposed between an edge of the cap plate and an opening of the battery can.

[0070] 1 and 2, a cylindrical battery cell cleaning apparatus 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a rotating member 100, a stationary member 200, and an injection member 300.

[0071] The rotating member 100 is configured to rotate by being coupled to a rotating shaft 500. The rotating member 100 is coupled to a cell carrier 400, to which cylindrical battery cells 20 are attached. That is, when the rotating member 100 rotates, the cell carrier 400 coupled to the rotating member 100 moves in the rotation direction of the rotating member 100. The cylindrical battery cells 20 attached to the cell carrier 400 move together with the cell carrier 400.

[0072] 2 and 3, the rotating member 100 may include a first member 110 and a second member 120. For example, the first member 110 may be configured to be located below the second member 120, and the second member 120 may be configured to be located above the first member 110.

[0073] 8, the first member 110 supports the bottom of the cell carrier 400. The first member 110 may have a first recess 111 recessed inward from the periphery of the first member 110 so that the cleaning water sprayed from the spray member 300 can be discharged.

[0074] For example, if a groove 112 is formed in the first recess 111 and a discharge hole 410 is formed in the bottom of the cell carrier 400, the groove 112 in the first recess 111 can be configured to communicate with the discharge hole 410 in the bottom of the cell carrier 400. This allows the cleaning water sprayed from the spray member 300 to be discharged downward through the discharge hole 410 and the groove 112.

[0075] 2 and 3, the second member 120 supports the side surface of the cell carrier 400. The second member 120 may have a second recess 121 recessed inward from the periphery of the second member 120 so that the cell carrier 400 can be coupled thereto.

[0076] Here, for example, a groove 122 is formed in the second recess 121, and the side surface of the cell carrier 400 can be inserted into the groove 122 to be supported.

[0077] Referring to FIG. 4, the fixed member 200 is arranged outside the rotating member 100 and configured to come into contact with the cell carrier 400 so that the cell carrier 400 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the rotating member 100 when the rotating member 100 rotates.

[0078] That is, the fixed member 200 is formed to have a diameter larger than that of the rotating member 100 and is disposed outside the rotating member 100. Here, the fixed member 200 may be disposed so as to surround the entire rotating member 100, or may be disposed so as to surround only a portion of the rotating member 100.

[0079] 7, a friction providing portion 210 may be formed on the contact surface of the fixing member 200. The friction providing portion 210 provides friction to the cell carrier 400, allowing the cell carrier 400 to rotate.

[0080] Here, the friction providing part 210 may include at least one O-ring coupled to the contact surface along the contact surface of the fixing member 200. The O-ring may be made of rubber, but the material of the O-ring is not limited thereto.

[0081] 7, the outermost cross section of the cell carrier 400 may be formed, for example, in a circular shape. In this case, one side of the cell carrier 400 is inserted into the second recess 121, and the other side contacts the fixed member 200. When the rotating member 100 rotates, the cell carrier 400 rotates along the contact surface of the fixed member 200.

[0082] That is, the cell carrier 400 has its bottom supported by the first recess 111 of the rotating member 100 (see FIG. 8), and is inserted into the recess groove 122 of the second recess 121 (see FIG. 7). When the rotating member 100 rotates in the direction of arrow X as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 (the second member 120 is omitted in FIGS. 5 and 6 for ease of explanation), the cell carrier 400 moves in the rotation direction of the rotating member 100 and comes into contact with the fixed member 200, as described above.

[0083] Here, since a friction-providing portion 210 is formed on the contact surface of the fixed member 200, the portion of the cell carrier 400 that comes into contact with the friction-providing portion 210 of the fixed member 200 tends to stop, but the portion of the cell carrier 400 that is inserted into the groove 122 of the second recess 121 receives a rotational force in the direction of arrow X of the rotating member 100, so when the rotating member 100 rotates, the cell carrier 400 rotates in the direction of arrow Y, which is the opposite direction to the rotational direction of the rotating member 100.

[0084] That is, in Figures 5 and 6, when the rotating member 100 rotates clockwise in the direction of arrow X, the cell carrier 400 rotates counterclockwise in the direction of arrow Y, and the cylindrical battery cell 20 attached to the cell carrier 400 also rotates counterclockwise in the direction of arrow Y.

[0085] When the cylindrical battery cell 20 moves while rotating in this manner, the spray member 300 (see FIG. 2) sprays cleaning water toward the cylindrical battery cell 20, thereby achieving the effect of thoroughly cleaning the cylindrical battery cell 20 as a whole.

[0086] In addition, since the cylindrical battery cells 20 are cleaned while rotating, there are no dead spots that are not cleaned, and therefore the cylindrical battery cells 20 can be cleaned thoroughly even if the size of the cylindrical battery cells 20 varies. As a result, cleaning power can be maintained even for cylindrical battery cells 20 of various sizes.

[0087] The carrier support 130 may be coupled to the rotating member 100 to support the rotating cell carrier 400. Referring to Fig. 3, the carrier support 130 may contact the underside of the cell carrier 400. And referring to Fig. 5, the carrier support 130 may contact multiple surfaces of the cell carrier 400, for example, four surfaces, to support the cell carrier 400, but is not limited to this.

[0088] The carrier support portion 130 may be provided in various ways. For example, it may be provided as a bearing. Here, the bearing may be made of, but is not limited to, polyether ether ketone (PEEK). When the bearing is made of PEEK, it is a thermoplastic resin with high strength, high rigidity, and excellent heat resistance, and has the advantage of being easy to mold.

[0089] Referring to FIG. 5, there may be multiple first recesses 111, and the carrier support portion 130 may be coupled to the first member 110 between any one of the multiple first recesses 111a, 111b and another adjacent first recess 111b.

[0090] This has the effect of allowing the cell carrier 400 to rotate smoothly by the carrier support portion 130.

[0091] 2 , the injection member 300 is configured to inject cleaning water toward the cylindrical battery cells 20 attached to the cell carrier 400. Here, the injection member 300 may include, but is not limited to, at least one injection nozzle 310 arranged to face the cylindrical battery cells 20 attached to the cell carrier 400.

[0092] When a plurality of spray nozzles 310 are arranged in a horizontal or oblique direction, it is possible to spray cleaning water onto various parts of the cylindrical battery cell 20 .

[0093] FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of a battery pack including cylindrical battery cells 20 produced using the cylindrical battery cell cleaning apparatus 10 according to each embodiment of the present invention.

[0094] 9, a battery pack 30 according to one embodiment of the present invention may include one or more cylindrical battery cells 20. Here, the cylindrical battery cells 20 are produced using the cylindrical battery cell cleaning apparatus 10 according to each embodiment of the present invention as described above.

[0095] In addition, the battery pack 30 may further include a pack housing 31 for accommodating the cylindrical battery cells 20, and various devices for controlling the charging and discharging of the cylindrical battery cells 20, such as a BMS, a current sensor, a fuse, etc.

[0096] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a vehicle including the battery pack of FIG.

[0097] 10 , an automobile 40 according to one embodiment of the present invention may include one or more cylindrical battery cells 20 or battery packs 30. The cylindrical battery cells 20 are produced using the cylindrical battery cell cleaning apparatus 10 according to each embodiment of the present invention as described above. And, the battery pack 30 may include one or more cylindrical battery cells 20 as described above.

[0098] Here, the automobile 40 includes various automobiles designed to use electricity, such as electric automobiles or hybrid automobiles.

[0099] Although terms indicating directions such as up, down, left, right, front, and rear are used in this specification, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that these terms indicate relative positions and are used only for convenience of explanation, and may vary depending on the position of the object in question, the position of the observer, etc.

[0100] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to limited embodiments and drawings, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited thereby, and that various modifications and variations may be made by those skilled in the art within the spirit of the present invention and the equivalent scope of the following claims. Therefore, the above-described embodiments should be considered from an illustrative rather than a restrictive perspective. In other words, the true spirit of the present invention is defined in the claims, and all differences within the equivalent scope should be construed as being included in the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0101] The present invention relates to a cylindrical battery cell cleaning device, a cylindrical battery cell produced using the same, and a battery pack and an automobile including the cylindrical battery cell, and is particularly applicable to the secondary battery-related industry. [Explanation of symbols]

[0102] 10 Cylindrical battery cell cleaning device 20 cylindrical battery cells 30 Battery Pack 31 Pack Housing 40 Automobiles 100 Rotating member 110 First member 111, 111a, 111b First recess 112, 122 groove 120 Second member 121 Second recess 130 Carrier support part 200 Fixing member 210 Friction providing section 300 Injection member 310 Injection Nozzle 400 cell carrier 410 Discharge hole 500 rotation axis

Claims

1. a rotating member coupled to a cell carrier having a cylindrical battery cell attached thereto, the rotating member being coupled to a rotating shaft and rotating; a fixed member disposed outside the rotating member and in contact with the cell carrier so that the cell carrier rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the rotating member when the rotating member rotates; an injection member that injects cleaning water toward the cylindrical battery cells attached to the cell carrier.

2. The rotating member is a first member supporting a bottom of the cell carrier; 2. The cylindrical battery cell cleaning device according to claim 1, further comprising: a second member supporting a side surface of the cell carrier.

3. 3. The cylindrical battery cell cleaning device according to claim 2, wherein the first member has a first recess recessed inward from a periphery of the first member so that the cleaning water sprayed from the spray member can be discharged.

4. 4. The cylindrical battery cell cleaning device according to claim 3, wherein a discharge hole is formed at the bottom of the cell carrier, a groove is formed in the first recess, and the discharge hole and the groove are in communication with each other.

5. 5. The cylindrical battery cell cleaning device according to claim 2, wherein the second member has a second recess recessed inward from a periphery of the second member so that the cell carrier can be coupled thereto.

6. The cylindrical battery cell cleaning device according to claim 5, wherein a groove is formed in the second recess, and a side surface of the cell carrier is inserted into the groove to be supported.

7. The cell carrier has a circular cross section at its outermost periphery, one side of which is inserted into the second recess, and the other side of which is in contact with the fixing member; The cylindrical battery cell cleaning device according to claim 5 , wherein the cell carrier rotates along the contact surface of the fixing member when the rotating member rotates.

8. The cylindrical battery cell cleaning device according to claim 7, wherein a friction-providing portion is formed on the contact surface of the fixing member.

9. 9. The cylindrical battery cell cleaning device according to claim 8, wherein the friction providing portion includes at least one O-ring coupled to the contact surface along the contact surface of the fixing member.

10. 10. The cylindrical battery cell cleaning device of claim 9, wherein the O-ring is made of rubber.

11. 5. The cylindrical battery cell cleaning device according to claim 3, wherein a carrier support is coupled to the rotating member to support the rotating cell carrier.

12. The cylindrical battery cell cleaning apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the carrier support contacts the cell carrier on an underside of the cell carrier.

13. The cylindrical battery cell cleaning apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that the carrier support is provided as a bearing.

14. 14. The cylindrical battery cell cleaning apparatus of claim 13, wherein the bearing is made of polyetheretherketone (PEEK).

15. the first recessed portion is plural; 12. The cylindrical battery cell cleaning device according to claim 11, wherein the carrier support portion is coupled to the first member between any one of the plurality of first recesses and another adjacent one of the first recesses.

16. 5. The cylindrical battery cell cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cell carrier rotates in a direction opposite to a rotation direction of the rotating member when the rotating member rotates.

17. 5. The cylindrical battery cell cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the spray member includes at least one spray nozzle arranged to face the cylindrical battery cell attached to the cell carrier.

18. A cylindrical battery cell produced using the cylindrical battery cell cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

19. A battery pack comprising at least one cylindrical battery cell according to claim 18.

20. 20. A motor vehicle comprising at least one cylindrical battery cell according to claim 18.

Images