A tab guide and a tab guide device including the tab guide

Abstract

The present invention relates to a tap guide, a tap guide device including the tap guide, and a battery cell pressure short circuit inspection device using the tap guide device. More specifically, the present invention is characterized by providing a tap guide that increases the width of the inlet into which a battery cell lead is inserted by using an extension member made of a flexible material.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a tap guide and a tap guide device including said tap guide. More specifically, the present invention is characterized by providing a tap guide that increases the width of the inlet into which a battery cell lead is inserted by using an extension member made of a flexible material. Background Technology

[0002] A secondary battery is manufactured by injecting an electrolyte, which is a liquid electrolyte, while the electrode assembly is housed in a battery container, and then sealing the battery container.

[0003] Completed secondary batteries may experience various defects due to diverse causes during the assembly, manufacturing, or use processes. Among these, the phenomenon in which a completed battery exhibits a voltage drop behavior exceeding its self-discharge rate is referred to as low voltage.

[0004] These low-voltage failures are often caused by metallic foreign matter located inside the battery. For instance, if metallic foreign matter is present in the positive electrode, it grows into dendrites on the negative electrode, and these dendrites cause an internal short circuit in the secondary battery. Consequently, an internal short circuit in the secondary battery leads to failure, damage, and ignition of the battery.

[0005] In particular, low voltage defects often occur during the assembly of secondary batteries. Types of assembly defects that cause low voltage include separator damage, such as tearing, folding, or puncturing. Such separator damage primarily occurs at the four corners of the cell body during the battery manufacturing process.

[0006] Although the aforementioned defects can cause an internal short circuit—that is, a short where the anode and cathode come into contact—they are currently not in contact due to the thickness of the separator; however, since a short circuit could occur at any time, it is necessary to identify the defective parts by inducing an internal short circuit through the application of pressure to the relevant area.

[0007] Conventionally, to rapidly and accurately identify low-voltage defects in a large number of battery cells, methods such as applying a jig-pressure short-circuit inspection to multiple uncharged battery cells to enable inspection in a short time are utilized.

[0008] Meanwhile, in order to detect a short circuit inside the battery cell, the leads of the battery cell must be electrically connected to the tester pins to detect the electrical characteristics of the battery cell in real time; a tap guide (chuck) and the like are used to stably guide and connect the leads of the battery cell to the tester pins.

[0009] FIG. 1 shows a conventional tab guide (10') configuration. Referring to FIG. 1, a pair of guide members (11a', 11b') fixed by a support block (13') have a structure that widens as they move forward, thereby guiding the lead (210) of the battery cell (200) to an inspection pin (20') interposed between the guide members (11a', 11b') so that the lead (210) of the battery cell (200) connects with the inspection pin (20'). However, due to the characteristics of the structure of the guide members (11a', 11b'), there is a limit to the angle of widening, so there was a problem that the width (11W') of the insertion part (I') into which the lead (210) of the battery cell (200) is inserted is formed relatively narrowly. FIG. 2 illustrates a problem case that occurs when inserting a battery cell (200) lead (210) into a tab guide (10') having the same structure as FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2(a), if the battery cell (200) lead (210) is bent in one direction, it may get stuck during the process of inserting the lead (210) into the insertion part (I'), and the lead (210) may not reach the tester pin (20') (Fig. 2(b)). In addition, a problem may occur where the battery cell (200) lead (210) is bent at the entrance of the insertion part (I') from the beginning, preventing it from being inserted into the insertion part (I') (Fig. 2(c)).

[0010] In order to solve the problem caused by the tab guide (10') of the structure of Fig. 1 as described above, a method was also used to increase the width (11W') of the insertion part (I') by making the degree of opening of the guide members (11a', 11b') larger.

[0011] FIG. 3 shows a configuration of a conventional tap guide (10') in which the insertion width (11W') of the tap guide (10') is widened. The tap guide (10') of FIG. 3 is characterized by having a relatively larger insertion width (11W') than the tap guide (10') of FIG. 1 by increasing the degree of opening of the guide members (11a', 11b'). By using the tap guide (10') having the structure of FIG. 3, it can be seen that the guide members (11a', 11b') guide a lead (210) that is bent to the point where it is difficult to insert, as in FIG. 4(a), and guide it to the inspection pin (20') ( FIG. 4(b)).

[0012] However, when a tap guide (10') having the structure of FIG. 3 is subjected to a pressure short-circuit test on a large number of battery cells (200), the guide members (11a', 11b') frequently collide with the guide members (11a', 11b') or pressure plates (300') of adjacent tap guides (10') due to the unique structure in which the guide members (11a', 11b') are spread out to the sides of the tap guide (10'), causing damage as shown in FIG. 5. Prior art literature

[0013] Korean Published Patent No. 10-2020-0059563, Japanese Registered Patent No. 6800419 The problem to be solved

[0014] The present invention aims to provide a tab guide capable of reliably performing electrical characteristic testing on a large number of battery cells.

[0015] In addition, the present invention aims to provide a tab guide capable of guiding the battery cell lead to the tester pin without damaging the battery cell lead. means of solving the problem

[0016] According to the present invention, a tap guide for guiding an electrode lead of a battery cell to an inspection pin for battery cell inspection is provided, comprising: a guide member comprising a pair of guide pieces arranged oppositely at a predetermined interval and having the inspection pin installed at the interval, wherein the opposing inner surfaces of the pair of guide pieces include a guide surface inclined toward the pin from the tip of the guide piece; and a pair of extension guide members protruding from the guide member and inclined toward the front of the guide member so as to be inclined away from each other.

[0017] Specifically, the rear end of the pair of extension guide members is coupled to the guide surface of the guide piece, so that the pair of extension guide members can protrude from the guide member at an angle equal to the inclination angle of the guide surface.

[0018] Additionally, the pair of guide pieces each have vertical inner surfaces that extend from the guide surface and are arranged opposite each other in parallel, and the inspection pin is fixedly installed between the rear ends of the opposite vertical inner surfaces, and the front ends of the opposite vertical inner surfaces can form a fixing part that fixes the electrode lead.

[0019] In addition, the opposite inner surface and the outer surface opposite to the above pair of guide pieces may be formed as vertical surfaces extending parallel to the vertical inner surface.

[0020] Meanwhile, the tab guide of the present invention may further include a support block coupled to the rear surface of the guide member.

[0021] In addition, it may further include a support member that is coupled to the lower part of the support block and extends downward.

[0022] Specifically, the rear end of the above pair of extended guide members can be coupled to the front end of the guide piece.

[0023] More specifically, the pair of extension guide members may protrude from the guide member at an angle equal to or different from the angle of inclination of the guide surface.

[0024] Meanwhile, the above guide member and extension guide member may be formed of different materials.

[0025] For example, the guide member may be formed of a metal material.

[0026] In addition, the above-mentioned extension guide member may be formed of an elastic material.

[0027] According to the present invention, a plurality of tab guides of the present invention are installed in parallel along the arrangement direction of a plurality of battery cells, and a tab guide device is provided comprising a connecting member that is slidably installed and extends along the arrangement direction of the battery cells. Effects of the invention

[0028] According to the present invention, when performing a pressure short-circuit test on a battery cell, the problem of the lead of the battery cell failing to come into contact with the tester pin can be solved.

[0029] In addition, the present invention has the effect of enabling stable short-circuit testing without damaging each tab guide when a large number of battery cells are pressurized to perform short-circuit testing. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0030] Figure 1 roughly shows the perspective and plan views of a conventional tap guide. Figure 2 illustrates a problem caused by the tab guide structure of Figure 1. Figure 3 roughly shows a perspective view and a plan view of a tap guide that is an improved form of the tap guide of Figure 1. Figure 4 illustrates the process of connecting a battery cell lead to the tab guide of Figure 3. Figure 5 illustrates a problem caused by the tab guide structure of Figure 3. FIG. 6 shows a perspective view and a plan view of a guide member and an extension guide member of a tap guide according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 shows a perspective view and a plan view of a tap guide according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is an example showing the effect of the tap guide of the present invention. FIG. 9 shows a perspective view and a plan view of a tap guide according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0031] The detailed configuration of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings and various embodiments. The embodiments described below are presented as examples to aid in understanding the present invention, and the attached drawings are not drawn to actual scale to aid in understanding the invention, and the dimensions of some components may be exaggerated.

[0032] The present invention is capable of various modifications and may take various forms, and specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the text. However, this is not intended to limit the invention to the specific disclosed forms, and it should be understood that the invention includes all modifications, equivalents, and substitutions that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0034] The present invention relates to a tab guide for guiding the leads of a battery cell to an inspection pin to inspect the electrical characteristics of the battery cell, and a tab guide device including said tab guide. In particular, the main feature of the present invention is to provide a tab guide that increases the width of the insertion portion of the battery cell leads by using an extension member made of a flexible material.

[0035] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8, a tap guide configuration according to various embodiments of the present invention will be described, and subsequently, a tap guide device configuration of the present invention will be described.

[0038] Tab Guide

[0039] The tab guide of the present invention for guiding the electrode leads of a battery cell to an inspection pin for battery cell inspection comprises a pair of guide pieces arranged oppositely at a predetermined interval, wherein the inspection pin is installed at the interval, and the opposing inner surfaces of the pair of guide pieces include a guide member comprising a guide surface inclined toward the pin from the tip of the guide piece, and a pair of extension guide members protruding from the guide member and inclined toward the front of the guide member so as to be inclined away from each other.

[0040] In particular, various embodiments can be derived depending on the installation location and shape of the extension guide member, and two embodiments of the tap guide will be described below with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9.

[0042] (First embodiment)

[0043] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view and a plan view of a guide member (11) and an extension guide member (12) included in a tap guide (10) according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] The tab guide (10) of the present invention includes a guide member (11) comprising a pair of guide pieces (11a, 11b) that guide the electrode lead (210) of the battery cell (200) to the tester pin (20), and a pair of extension guide members (12) that are installed protruding from the guide member (11) so as to be inclined toward each other toward the front of the guide member (11).

[0045] Referring to FIG. 6 above, it can be seen that the guide member (11) is composed of a pair of guide pieces (11a, 11b) arranged oppositely at a predetermined distance, and the opposing inner surfaces of the pair of guide pieces (11a, 11b) include guide surfaces (11a30, 11b30) inclined from the tip portions of the guide pieces (11a, 11b) toward the inspection pin (20).

[0046] The tester pin (20) of the present invention is a device for measuring electrical characteristics of a battery cell (200) by connecting to a lead (210) of a battery cell (200), and can be positioned interposed between a pair of guide pieces (11a, 11b) spaced apart at a predetermined interval. At this time, the tester pin (20) is preferably interposed at the rear end of a guide member (11).

[0047] The above-mentioned tester pin (20) may be connected to a measuring device (not shown) for measuring the electrical characteristics of a battery cell (200) via a wire (not shown), and the electrical connection between the tester pin (20) and the measuring device is not specifically limited in the present invention.

[0048] The above pair of guide pieces (11a, 11b) have a shape that widens as they move toward the front where the battery cell (200) lead (210) is inserted. Specifically, the inner surface of the guide piece (11a, 11b) includes a guide surface (11a30, 11b30) inclined from the tip of the guide piece (11a, 11b) toward the inspection pin (20), and includes a vertical inner surface (11a10, 11b10) that extends from the guide surface (11a30, 11b30) and is arranged opposite each other in parallel.

[0049] The spacing between the guide surfaces (11a30, 11b30) of the above-mentioned spaced-apart pair of guide pieces (11a, 11b) becomes shorter as they face the rear, and conversely, the spacing between the guide surfaces (11a30, 11b30) becomes longer as they face the front. Since the vertical inner surfaces (11a10, 11b10) are formed by extending to the guide surfaces (11a30, 11b30) at the point where the spacing between the guide surfaces (11a30, 11b30) is shortest, the space between the vertical inner surfaces (11a10, 11b10) of the above-mentioned pair of guide members (11) is formed very narrowly.

[0050] The inspection pin (20) is fixedly installed between the rear ends of the opposing vertical inner surfaces (11a10, 11b10), and the front ends of the opposing vertical inner surfaces (11a10, 11b10) form a fixing part (F) that fixes the electrode lead (210).

[0051] When the battery cell (200) lead (210) inserted to be connected to the tester pin (20) included in the tab guide (10) at the front of the tab guide (10) is not in the correct position (a position opposite to the tester pin (20)), it moves to the correct position along the guide surface (11a30, 11b30). At this time, the lead (210) that has moved to the correct position along the guide surface (11a30, 11b30) enters the fixed part (F), is fixed, and can come into contact with the tester pin (20).

[0052] The opposite inner surface and the opposite outer surface of the pair of guide pieces (11a, 11b) are formed as vertical surfaces (11a20, 11b20) that extend parallel to the vertical inner surface (11a10, 11b10). Specifically, it is preferable that the outer sides of the pair of guide pieces (11a, 11b) remain horizontal to each other, so as to prevent the guide pieces (11a, 11b) from being damaged by colliding with an adjacent tab guide (10) or a pressure plate pressing the battery cell (200) during the process of performing a pressure short-circuit test on a large number of battery cells (200).

[0055] The tab guide (10) of the present invention is characterized by further including an extension guide member (12) having elasticity made of a flexible material.

[0056] The above extension guide member (12) is installed on the guide piece so as to protrude forward from the guide member (11).

[0057] Specifically, the rear end of the pair of extension guide members (12) is coupled to the guide surface (11a30, 11b30) of the guide piece (11a, 11b), so that the pair of extension guide members (12) can be formed to protrude from the guide member (11) at an angle equal to the inclination angle of the guide surface (11a30, 11b30).

[0058] The rear end of the above pair of extended guide members (12) can be connected to the front end of the guide piece (11a, 11b).

[0059] The above pair of extension guide members (12) may be formed to protrude from the guide member (11) at an angle equal to or different from the angle of inclination of the guide surface (11a30, 11b30). The angle of inclination of the guide surface (11a30, 11b30) is fixed by the design of the guide piece (11a, 11b), but the angle of inclination of the extension guide member (12) can be freely changed by adjusting the installation position and shape of the extension guide member (12).

[0061] Generally, the section between the front ends of the guide member (11) can be the limiting section where the battery cell (200) lead (210) can be guided to the fixed part (F). That is, the larger the width (11W) of the guide member, the greater the probability that the battery cell (200) lead (210) can be guided to the fixed part (F).

[0062] The present invention is characterized by the ability to widen the limit section through the extension guide member (12). Specifically, the width between the extension guide members (12) that extend to the guide surface (11a30, 11b30) and protrude forward from the guide member (11) can be larger than the width between the guide members (11). Consequently, since the limit section capable of guiding the battery cell (200) lead (210) to the fixing part (F) is increased, the tab guide (10) of the present invention increases the likelihood of guiding the battery cell (200) lead (210) to the fixing part (F) and connecting it to the inspection pin (20).

[0063] In the present invention, the guide member (11) and the extension guide member (12) may be formed of different materials.

[0064] While the guide member (11) is formed of a metal material, it is preferable that the extension guide member (12) be formed of an elastic material.

[0065] The above-mentioned extension guide member (12) is formed by extending from the guide surface (11a30, 11b30) of the guide member (11) and protruding from the guide member (11), so it may be directly exposed to external impact. Therefore, if the above-mentioned extension guide member (12) is made of a material that does not have elasticity, damage such as the extension guide member (12) breaking or falling off may occur in such a situation. For example, the extension guide member (12) of the present invention may include a material such as polycarbonate that can be restored to its original state even after external impact.

[0066] The tap guide (10) of the present invention may further include a support block (13) coupled to the rear surface of the guide member (11) and a support member (14) coupled to the lower surface of the support block (13) and extending downward.

[0067] FIG. 7 is a perspective view and a plan view of the tab guide (10) of the present invention with the support block (13) and support (14) applied.

[0068] Referring to FIG. 7 above, the tab guide (10) of the present invention includes a guide member (11) formed to extend forward where a battery cell (200) lead (210) is located, a support block (13) coupled to the rear end of the guide member (11) to fix the guide member (11), and a support member (14) coupled to the lower part of the support block (13) and formed to extend downward.

[0069] The shape of the support block (13) is not limited to the drawings shown in the present invention, and it is sufficient if it is a shape that can fix the guide member (11) without interfering with the insertion of the battery cell (200) lead (210). Likewise, the support member (14) also does not need to be limited to the drawings shown in the present invention, and it is sufficient if it is a shape that can support the support block (13) and move the support block (13) in a lateral direction.

[0070] FIG. 8 is an example showing the effect of the tap guide (10) of the present invention.

[0071] Since the extension guide member (12) of the present invention is made of an elastic material, it can be bent without breaking or cracking due to external impact.

[0072] Referring to FIG. 8 above, it can be seen that the side of the tap guide (10) is pushed by the pressure plate. At this time, if the extension guide member (12) does not have elasticity, a problem of cracking or breaking would occur. However, the extension guide member (12) of the present invention can be bent by the pressure plate through elasticity and restored to its original state.

[0074] (Second embodiment)

[0075] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view and a plan view of a tap guide (10) according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0076] Referring to FIG. 9 above, it can be seen that the extension guide member (12) is installed so as to be coupled to the front end of the guide piece (11a, 11b) and protrude forward. That is, the rear end of the extension guide member (12) can be inserted and coupled into a groove (not shown) formed vertically along the front end of the guide piece (11a, 11b).

[0077] The angle at which the extension guide member (12) opens can vary depending on the angle of the groove formed at the tip of the guide piece (11a, 11b). By changing the angle of the extension guide member (12) as described above, the width (11W) of the extension guide member formed by the extension guide member (12) can be adjusted.

[0078] When the tap guide (10) has a structure as shown in FIG. 9, the inclination angle of the extension guide member (12) can be adjusted relatively freely without needing to be limited to the angle of the guide surface (11a30, 11b30) of the guide member (11).

[0080] Tab guide device

[0081] The tap guide device of the present invention includes the tap guide of the present invention.

[0082] Specifically, the above-mentioned tab guide device may have multiple tab guides installed side by side along the arrangement direction of multiple battery cells.

[0083] The above-described tab guide device is a means to simultaneously connect the leads of the battery cells and the tester pins at once when a large number of battery cells are arranged in a row.

[0084] The above-described tab guide device may further include a plurality of tab guides that are slidably installed and a connecting member extending along the battery cell arrangement direction (transverse direction).

[0085] The above connecting member is a member that penetrates one end of a support included in the above tap guide and allows the above tap guide to move laterally along the above connecting member. It is sufficient for the above connecting member to have a structure capable of moving the above tap guide laterally, and the present invention is not specifically limited thereto.

[0089] The present invention has been described in more detail above through drawings and embodiments. However, the configurations described in the drawings or embodiments described in this specification are merely one embodiment of the present invention and do not represent all technical concepts of the present invention; therefore, it should be understood that various equivalents and modifications that can replace them may exist at the time of filing this application. Explanation of the symbols

[0090] 10: Tab Guide 10': (Prior Art) Tab Guide 11: Lack of guide 11W: Guide member width 11W': (Prior art) Width of insertion part 11a, 11b: Guide 11a', 11b': (Prior art) Guide member 11a10, 11b10: Vertical inner surface 11a20, 11b20: Vertical plane 11a30, 11b30: Guide surface 12: Absence of extension guide 12W: Width of extension guide member 13: Support block 13': (Prior art) Support block 14: Support 20: Inspector pin 20: (Prior Art) Inspector Pin 200: Battery cell 210: Lead 300: Pressure plate 300': (Prior art) Pressure plate F: Fixed part I': (Prior art) Insert part

Claims

Claim 1 A tab guide for guiding electrode leads of a battery cell to an inspection pin for battery cell inspection, comprising: a guide member comprising a pair of guide pieces arranged oppositely at a predetermined interval and having the inspection pin installed at the interval, wherein the opposing inner surfaces of the pair of guide pieces include a guide surface inclined toward the inspection pin from the leading end of the guide piece; and a pair of extension guide members installed protruding from the guide member so as to be inclined toward each other toward the front of the guide member, wherein the rear end of the pair of extension guide members is coupled to the guide surface of the guide piece, so that the pair of extension guide members protrude from the guide member at an angle equal to the angle of inclination of the guide surface, and the extension guide members are formed of an elastic material. Claim 2 delete Claim 3 A tab guide according to claim 1, wherein the pair of guide pieces each have vertical inner surfaces that extend from the guide surface and are arranged opposite each other parallel to each other, the inspection pin is fixedly installed between the rear ends of the opposite vertical inner surfaces, and the front ends of the opposite vertical inner surfaces form a fixing part that fixes the electrode lead. Claim 4 A tab guide according to claim 1, further comprising a support block coupled to the rear surface of the guide member. Claim 5 In paragraph 3, the opposite inner surface and the outer surface opposite to the pair of guide pieces are formed as a vertical surface extending parallel to the vertical inner surface, forming a tab guide. Claim 6 A tab guide according to claim 1, wherein the rear end of the pair of extended guide members is coupled to the front end of the guide piece. Claim 7 delete Claim 8 In claim 1, the guide member and the extension guide member are formed of different materials in a tab guide. Claim 9 In claim 1, the guide member is a tap guide formed of a metal material. Claim 10 delete Claim 11 A tab guide according to claim 4, further comprising a support member formed to be coupled to the lower part of the support block and extending downward. Claim 12 A tab guide device comprising a plurality of tab guides according to any one of claims 1, 3 to 6, 8, 9 and 11, installed in parallel along the arrangement direction of a plurality of battery cells, and a connecting member extending along the arrangement direction of the battery cells, wherein the plurality of tab guides are installed to be slidably.

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