Wobble laser processing apparatus and processing method

Abstract

A wobble laser processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a laser oscillator provided to oscillate a laser; and a wobble laser irradiator that is provided to, to process a partial area of a coating electrode which is traveling, irradiate the laser irradiated from the laser oscillator, to a coating electrode in a wobbling pattern, and that is capable of adjusting at least one of a wobbling width, a wobbling height, and a wobbling frequency on the basis of a traveling speed of the coating electrode.

Description

Wobble laser processing device and processing method

[0001] The present invention relates to a wobble laser processing device and a wobble laser processing method, and more particularly, to a wobble laser notching device and a wobble laser notching method for forming an electrode tab on a coated electrode.

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0093140, filed July 15, 2024, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2025-0093429, filed July 11, 2025, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] Secondary batteries are rechargeable batteries manufactured using materials capable of repeating oxidation and reduction processes between current and material. Secondary batteries charge when current causes a reduction reaction in the material, and discharge when the material undergoes an oxidation reaction. This repeated charge-discharge cycle generates electricity.

[0004] Figure 1 is a drawing for explaining a conventional laser notching method.

[0005] Electrodes for secondary batteries are manufactured through coating, drying, rolling, slitting, and notching processes. Electrodes for secondary batteries can be cathodes or anodes. Electrodes for secondary batteries can be unit electrodes, with the coated electrodes cut to secondary battery specifications.

[0006] The above-mentioned coating electrode (10) is manufactured by applying and drying a slurry containing an electrode active material to a substrate (1). The above-mentioned coating electrode (10) is rolled to increase the energy density of the coating layer (2) in which the slurry is dried.

[0007] The above-mentioned coating electrode (10) may be slitted along the length of the coating electrode (10) so as to have one retaining portion. In addition, the above-mentioned coating electrode (10) may be notched in a shape that conforms to the specifications of the secondary battery.

[0008] For example, in the notching step, the uncoated portion (12, 13) of the coating electrode (10) may be cut to form an electrode tab (14) and / or a notching groove (16, 18) on the coating electrode (10).

[0009] Conventional notching processes have adopted methods such as physically cutting the electrode using a press mold or cutting it using a laser.

[0010] The notching method using a press mold has problems such as a decrease in the economic feasibility of the process due to the cost of polishing the mold caused by the aging of the press mold, and equipment immobilization due to the replacement of the press mold.

[0011] Conventional laser notching is performed by cutting the coated electrode (10) by irradiating the coated electrode (10) with a linear laser (LB) in the thickness direction of the coated electrode (10). The laser (LB) can cut a portion of the coating layer (2) of the coated electrode (10) or a non-coated portion (12, 13) along a preset virtual notching cutting line (41, 42) so that an electrode tab (14) and a notching groove (16, 18) are formed.

[0012] As the above coating electrode (10) is moved, the laser irradiation point can be moved in a straight line along the notching cutting line (41 or 42).

[0013] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a secondary battery (30), and is a drawing for explaining a problem when a burr (38) exists on the electrode of the secondary battery (30).

[0014] The coated electrode (10) that passed the laser irradiation point could not be processed again as it continued to move in a direction away from the laser irradiation point. Therefore, the conventional laser notching method had the problem of not being able to remove the burr (38) that was created on the cut surface of the coated electrode (10) during laser notching.

[0015] The above burr (38) is a portion that protrudes outward from the cut surface (15, 17) of the coating electrode (10) in the thickness direction of the coating electrode (10). This burr (38) may cause a defect in the secondary battery (30).

[0016] The above-mentioned coating electrode (10) is a substrate (1) in which a coating layer (2) containing an electrode active material is laminated. The substrate (1) has an insulating resin laminated on both sides of a metal layer. The metal layer may be, for example, aluminum, copper, etc.

[0017] Referring to Fig. 2, the secondary battery (30) may include an electrode assembly (33) and a pouch case (31). The secondary battery (30) is manufactured by housing and sealing the electrode assembly (33) and an electrolyte (not shown) in the pouch case (31).

[0018] The above electrode assembly (33) is formed by sequentially stacking a cathode (35) and an anode (36) via a separator (34).

[0019] For example, in a secondary battery (30), if a burr (38) present in the negative electrode (35) penetrates the separator (34) and comes into contact with the positive electrode (36), the negative electrode (35) and the positive electrode (36) can be electrically connected through the burr (38) of the negative electrode (35). In this state, if charging and discharging of the secondary battery (30) is performed, a short circuit of the secondary battery (30) may occur.

[0020] Meanwhile, in order to solve the problem of burrs (38) occurring in the manufacturing process of electrodes for secondary batteries, if the output of the laser is increased in the notching step, a change in the physical properties of the coating layer (2) of the coating electrode (10) may be induced, which may result in defects in the electrodes for secondary batteries.

[0021] For example, if the laser (LB) has a high output that melts the metal layer of the substrate (1), when the coating electrode (10) is laser-cut, the metal layer of the substrate (1) melts and forms a lump of dross together with the insulating resin of the substrate (1), and in this process, the physical properties of the coating electrode (10) may be affected.

[0022] The above dross contains a component of the metal layer and can conduct electricity with the coating layer (2). The coating layer contains an electrode active material and thus has conductivity.

[0023] Accordingly, there is a need for the development of a technology capable of laser notching a coating electrode (10) so that no burr (38) or dross occurs on the cut surface (15) of the coating electrode (10).

[0024] In order to solve the above problem, the present invention aims to provide a wobble laser processing device and processing method capable of processing a coating electrode by cutting a portion of the coating electrode using a wobble laser.

[0025] In addition, the present invention aims to provide a wobble laser notching device and a notching method capable of forming electrode tabs and / or notching grooves in a coated electrode using a wobble laser.

[0026] In addition, the present invention aims to provide a wobble laser processing device and processing method capable of slitting a coating electrode into a plurality of unit electrodes using a wobble laser.

[0027] In addition, the present invention aims to provide a wobble laser processing device and processing method capable of adjusting one or more of the wobble width, wobble height, and wobble frequency of the wobble laser based on the traveling speed of the coating electrode.

[0028] In order to solve the above-described problem, a wobble laser processing device related to one embodiment of the present invention includes a laser generator configured to oscillate a laser, and a wobble laser irradiator configured to irradiate a laser irradiated from the laser generator to the coating electrode in a wobble pattern to process a portion of a moving coating electrode, and at least one of a wobble width, a wobble height, and a wobble frequency can be adjusted based on a moving speed of the coating electrode.

[0029] The above wobble laser irradiator may include a first movable mirror arranged on the input side of the laser irradiated from the laser generator, and a first mirror driving unit arranged to rotate the first movable mirror in a first axial direction. In addition, the wobble laser irradiator may include a second movable mirror arranged to reflect the laser reflected by the first movable mirror in a direction different from that of the first movable mirror, and a second mirror driving unit arranged to rotate the second movable mirror in a second axial direction orthogonal to the first axial direction.

[0030] Additionally, the first mirror driving unit may include a first axis galvanometer configured to adjust at least one of a rotation angle and a rotation speed of the first movable mirror.

[0031] Additionally, the second mirror driving unit may include a second axis galvanometer configured to adjust at least one of a rotation angle and a rotation speed of the second movable mirror.

[0032] In addition, the wobble laser irradiator may include a lens configured to focus the laser reflected from the second movable mirror. In the wobble laser irradiator, the first movable mirror may be arranged to reflect the laser transmitted from the laser generator to the second movable mirror. The second movable mirror may be arranged to reflect the laser reflected from the first movable mirror to the lens.

[0033] In addition, the wobble laser processing device may include a transport unit that transports the coating electrode and a controller that adjusts at least one of the wobble width, the wobble height, and the wobble frequency based on the traveling speed of the coating electrode. The transport unit may include one or more transport rolls and an encoder.

[0034] The above coating electrode may be an anode or a cathode, and the wobble laser irradiator may be arranged to irradiate the wobble laser to the holding portion (coating portion) or the uncoated portion of the coating electrode.

[0035] In addition, during a notching process for forming an electrode tab or a notching groove on the coating electrode, the wobble laser irradiator may irradiate a wobble laser so that the center of the wobble pattern moves along a preset notching cutting line. In addition, the wobble laser irradiator may irradiate a wobble laser so that at least a portion of two adjacent wobble patterns overlaps when the wobble laser moves along the notching cutting line. In addition, the wobble laser irradiator may irradiate a wobble laser to a non-coated portion or a holding portion of the coating electrode so that the center of the wobble pattern moves along a preset notching cutting line. The wobble laser may have a predetermined wobble width, a wobble height, and a wobble frequency.

[0036] The above wobbling pattern may have a circular shape with a predetermined radius. In this case, the wobbling width and wobbling height may have the same value.

[0037] The controller is configured to adjust the wobble width and wobble height of the wobble laser irradiator based on the traveling speed of the coating electrode, and the controller can adjust the wobble amplitude to be greater than the wobble amplitude at the first traveling speed when the coating electrode is traveling at a low speed lower than a first traveling speed of the coating electrode set in advance. That is, the controller can increase at least one of the wobble width and the wobble height when the coating electrode is traveling at a low speed lower than the first traveling speed of the coating electrode set in advance.

[0038] The controller can adjust the rotation angles of the first movable mirror and the second movable mirror based on the wobbling width and the wobbling height. That is, the controller can increase or decrease the wobbling width and the wobbling height by adjusting the rotation angles of the first movable mirror and the second movable mirror. For example, the wobbling width may be the first axis amplitude of the first movable mirror. The wobbling height may be the second axis amplitude of the second movable mirror.

[0039] For example, the controller can adjust the wobbling width and height, respectively, in the range of 10 μm to 500 μm.

[0040] The controller is configured to adjust the wobbling frequency of the wobble laser irradiator based on the traveling speed of the coating electrode, and the controller can adjust the wobbling frequency to be lower than the wobbling frequency at the first traveling speed when the coating electrode is traveling at a low speed lower than a first traveling speed of the coating electrode set in advance. That is, the controller can reduce the wobbling frequency when the coating electrode is traveling at a low speed lower than the first traveling speed of the coating electrode set in advance.

[0041] The above wobble laser irradiator can adjust the rotation speed of the first movable mirror and the second movable mirror based on the wobble frequency. The rotation speed of the first and second movable mirrors can be increased or decreased in proportion to the wobble frequency. That is, the controller can increase or decrease the wobble frequency by adjusting the rotation speed of the first movable mirror and the second movable mirror.

[0042] For example, the controller can adjust the wobbling frequency in the range of 5,000 Hz to 100,000 Hz.

[0043] Additionally, the controller may be configured to adjust one or more of the laser output and laser frequency of the laser generator based on the traveling speed of the coating electrode.

[0044] A wobble laser processing method according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises the steps of (a) irradiating a laser from the laser generator to the coating electrode in a wobble pattern to process a portion of the coating electrode while the electrode is moving, and (b) adjusting at least one of a wobble width, a wobble height, and a wobble frequency based on a moving speed of the coating electrode.

[0045] The above wobble laser processing method is a processing method of a coating electrode using the above wobble laser processing device, and the coating electrode may be an anode or a cathode.

[0046] Additionally, the wobbling laser may have a predetermined wobbling width, wobbling height, and wobbling frequency. The wobbling pattern may have a circular shape with a predetermined radius. In this case, the wobbling width and wobbling height may have the same value.

[0047] In addition, in the step (a), an electrode tab can be formed by cutting the holding portion or the uncoated portion of the coated electrode. In addition, in the step (a), a notching groove can be formed by cutting the holding portion or the uncoated portion of the coated electrode. In the notching process, the wobble laser processing method may be a wobble laser notching method.

[0048] Additionally, in the step (a), the coated electrode can be slit into a plurality of unit electrodes by cutting the uncoated portion of the coated electrode. In the slitting process, the wobble laser processing method may be a wobble laser slitting method.

[0049] Additionally, in step (b), the wobbling width and height can be adjusted in the range of 10 μm to 500 μm, and the wobbling frequency can be adjusted in the range of 5,000 Hz to 100,000 Hz.

[0050] Additionally, in the step (b), when the coating electrode is driven at a low speed lower than the first driving speed of the preset coating electrode, at least one of the wobbling width and the wobbling height may be increased.

[0051] Additionally, in the step (b), when the coating electrode is driven at a low speed lower than the first driving speed of the preset coating electrode, the wobbling width and the wobbling height can be increased simultaneously.

[0052] Additionally, in step (b), when the coating electrode is driven at a low speed lower than the first driving speed of the preset coating electrode, the wobbling frequency can be reduced.

[0053] As described above, the wobble laser processing device and processing method related to one embodiment of the present invention have the following effects.

[0054] The coated electrode can be processed by cutting a portion of the coated electrode using a wobbling laser. In particular, when cutting a portion of the coated electrode, overlapping processing is possible using a wobbling laser, thereby preventing the occurrence of burrs.

[0055] In addition, by removing burrs from the cut surface of the coated electrode during laser notching to form an electrode tab or a notching groove, the notching quality of the cut surface of the coated electrode can be improved.

[0056] Additionally, the notching quality of the coated electrode can be improved by adjusting one or more of the wobbling width, wobbling height, and wobbling frequency of the wobbling laser based on the traveling speed of the coated electrode.

[0057] In addition, the notching quality of the coating electrode can be improved by making the overlapping range of the wobbling laser uniform according to the running speed of the coating electrode.

[0058] Figure 1 is a drawing for explaining a conventional laser notching method.

[0059] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a secondary battery, and is a drawing for explaining a problem when a burr exists in the electrode of the secondary battery.

[0060] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a layout of a wobble laser processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0061] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a wobble laser processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0062] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an operation state of a wobble laser processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention irradiating a wobble laser to a moving coating electrode.

[0063] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation status of a wobble laser irradiator according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0064] FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 are drawings for explaining a wobbling pattern formed on a coating electrode during operation of a wobble laser irradiator according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0065] Fig. 8(a) shows the wobbling pattern of the wobbling laser when the coating electrode is running at normal speed, and Fig. 8(b) shows the wobbling pattern of the wobbling laser when the coating electrode is running at low speed.

[0066] Hereinafter, a wobble laser processing device and processing method related to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

[0067] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of a wobble laser processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a wobble laser processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0068] In addition, FIG. 5 schematically illustrates an operating state of a wobble laser processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention irradiating a wobble laser to a moving coating electrode, and FIG. 6 schematically illustrates an operating state diagram of a wobble laser irradiator according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0069] Referring to FIGS. 3 to 6, the wobble laser processing device (100) related to the present embodiment includes a laser generator (110) configured to generate a laser (111). The laser generator (110) may be configured such that the output and frequency of the laser (111) are adjustable. For example, the laser generator (111) may be configured to generate a picosecond or femtosecond laser.

[0070] In addition, the wobble laser processing device (100) is provided to irradiate a laser from the laser generator (110) to the coating electrode (10) in a wobble pattern (P) in order to process a portion of the coating electrode (10) while it is moving, and includes a wobble laser irradiator (130) in which at least one of a wobble width (DX), a wobble height (DY), and a wobble frequency can be adjusted based on the moving speed of the coating electrode (10).

[0071] The above wobble laser irradiator (130) may include a plurality of movable mirrors (132, 134) connected to the laser generator (110) and arranged to reflect the laser (111) in different axial directions.

[0072] In this document, the above-described wobble laser processing device and processing method can be applied to a slitting process in which the coating electrode (10) is slit along the longitudinal direction (x-axis direction) of the coating electrode (10) so that the coating electrode (10) has one retaining portion, or a notching process in which an electrode tab or a notching groove is formed in the coating electrode (10). Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the device and method used in the notching process will be described as an example.

[0073] Referring to FIG. 3, the wobble laser processing device (100, 100A) is a device for laser processing an electrode tab (14) and / or a notching groove (16, 18) on a moving coating electrode (10). The wobble laser processing devices (100, 100A) may be provided as a pair, and a pair of wobble laser processing devices (100, 100A) may be arranged to process the uncoated portions (12, 13) provided on both sides of the coating layer (2) of the coating electrode (10), respectively. For example, a pair of wobble laser processing devices (100, 100A) may be spaced apart from each other on the upper portion of the moving coating electrode (10).

[0074] The above-mentioned coating electrode (10) includes a holding portion (11) and a non-coated portion (12, 13). The holding portion (11) is a portion on which the coating layer (2) is formed on the substrate (1). The non-coated portion (12, 13) is a portion on which the coating layer (2) is not formed. The non-coated portion (12, 13) may be provided on one side or the anode of the holding portion (11).

[0075] When the coating layer (2) includes a positive electrode active material, the coating electrode (10) may be a positive electrode, and when the coating layer (2) includes a negative electrode active material, the coating electrode (10) may be a negative electrode.

[0076] For example, when the coating electrode (10) is an anode, an electrode tab (14) may be formed in the uncoated portion (12) located on one side of the coating layer (2), and the uncoated portion (13) located on the other side of the coating layer (2) may be removed. When the coating electrode (10) is an anode, the wobbling laser (101) may be irradiated only to the uncoated portions (12, 13). As another example, when the coating electrode (10) is a cathode, an electrode tab (14) and / or a notched groove (16) may be formed in the uncoated portion (12) located on one side of the coating layer (2), and a notched groove (18) may be formed in the uncoated portion (13) located on the other side of the coating layer (2). When the coating electrode (10) is a cathode, the wobbling laser (101) may be irradiated to a portion of the coating layer (2) and the uncoated portions (12, 13). The above notching groove (16) can be formed by cutting a portion of the coating layer (2) and the uncoated portion.

[0077] The above-described wobble laser processing device (100) may include a transport unit (140) for transporting the coating electrode (10), and the transport unit may include one or more transport rolls (20) and an encoder (25).

[0078] In the notching process, the coating electrode (10) is moved in the moving direction (MD) along the transfer roll (20), and while passing through the wobble laser processing device (100, 100A), an electrode tab (14) and a notching groove (16 and / or 18) can be provided.

[0079] An encoder (25) may be mounted on the above-mentioned transfer roll (20). The encoder (25) may be mounted on the transfer roll (20) facing the wobble laser processing device (100). The encoder (25) is a device that can accurately measure speed and position by converting rotational motion into a digital signal.

[0080] The above encoder (25) can measure the traveling speed of the coating electrode (10). The encoder (25) can provide the measured traveling speed to the controller (200).

[0081] The above controller (200) can control the operation of the wobble laser processing device (100) according to the traveling speed of the coating electrode (10) measured by the encoder (25).

[0082] Additionally, the controller (200) can adjust the laser (111) output and frequency of the laser generator (110).

[0083] In addition, the controller (200) can adjust at least one of the wobbling width, wobbling height, and wobbling frequency of the wobbling laser irradiator (130). In addition, the controller (200) can be arranged to automatically adjust the wobbling width, wobbling height, and wobbling frequency based on the traveling speed of the coating electrode (10).

[0084] FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 are drawings for explaining a wobbling pattern formed on a coating electrode during operation of a wobble laser irradiator according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0085] Referring to Fig. 6, the wobbling laser (101) may have a predetermined wobbling width (DX), wobbling height (DY), and wobbling frequency. The wobbling pattern (P) may be circular with a predetermined radius (r). The wobbling pattern (P) has the wobbling width (DX) and the wobbling height (DY). At this time, the wobbling width and the wobbling height may have the same value.

[0086] The above wobbling width (DX) may be the length in the X-axis direction of the wobbling laser (101) forming the above wobbling pattern (P). The above wobbling height (DY) may be the length in the Y-axis direction of the wobbling laser (101).

[0087] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the shape (pattern) of the wobbling laser (101) can be varied depending on the wobbling width (DX) and the wobbling height (DY).

[0088] The above wobbling width (DX) and the above wobbling height (DY) may be shape conditions of the above wobbling pattern (P). The above wobbling width (DX) and the above wobbling height (DY) may be set to the same value or different values.

[0089] The above wobbling laser (101) can be irradiated to the uncoated portion (12 and / or 13) of the coating electrode (10) so that the center (O) of the wobbling pattern (P) moves along the notching cutting line (41, 42).

[0090] The above wobbling pattern (P) may be a pattern in which the start and end points are connected in the form of a closed curve or a partially open curve along the driving direction (MD) of the coating electrode (10).

[0091] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, for example, the wobbling pattern (P) may have a circular shape having a predetermined radius (r1, r2) when the wobbling width (DX) and the wobbling height (DY) have the same value. The center of the wobbling pattern (P) may be moved linearly along the notching cutting line.

[0092] As another example, the wobbling pattern may have an elliptical shape if one of the wobbling width (DX) and the wobbling height (DY) is greater than the other.

[0093] The above wobbling pattern (P) can be formed on the XY plane of the coating electrode (10) while it is moving. The XY plane of the coating electrode (10) can be a plane on which the coating layer (2) of the coating electrode (10) is provided. In this document, the X-axis represents the moving direction of the coating electrode (10) (or the longitudinal direction of the coating electrode), the Y-axis represents the width direction of the coating electrode (10), and the Z-axis represents the height direction of the coating layer (2) in the coating electrode (10).

[0094] When the center (O) of the above wobbling pattern (P) moves along the notching cutting line, it can move so that at least a portion of two adjacent wobbling patterns (P) overlap.

[0095] The above wobbling laser (101) can continuously irradiate the coating electrode (10) running along the notching cutting line (41 and / or 42) in the wobbling pattern (P) and process the cutting surface (16 and / or 17) of the coating electrode (10) one or more times.

[0096] That is, the coating electrode (10) can be cut with a wobbling pattern (P, see FIGS. 7 and 8) having a predetermined radius (r1, r2), so that the cut surfaces (15, 17) of the coating electrode (10) can be overlapped and processed. That is, the wobbling laser (101) can laser process the cut surfaces (15 and / or 16) of the coating electrode (10) at least twice in the portion where the wobbling pattern (P) overlaps.

[0097] Hereinafter, the configuration of the wobbling laser (101) and the laser generator (110) and wobbling laser irradiator (130) for implementing the wobbling pattern (P) will be described.

[0098] Referring to Fig. 5, the laser generator (110) can be mounted on the wobble laser irradiator (130). The laser generator (110) is a device that generates, amplifies, and emits a laser. Referring to Fig. 6, the laser (111) emitted from the laser generator (110) is transmitted to the wobble laser irradiator (130).

[0099] Referring to Fig. 5, the wobble laser irradiator (130) is connected to the laser generator (110). The wobble laser irradiator (130) may be arranged to irradiate the wobble laser (101) to the uncoated portion (12, 13) of the coating electrode (10) traveling along a preset notching cutting line (41, 42).

[0100] The above-described notching cutting lines (41, 42) are virtual cutting lines for cutting at least one of the electrode tabs (14) and the notching grooves (16, 18) on the coating electrode (10). The above-described notching cutting lines (41, 42) may be provided to form only the electrode tabs (14) on the coating electrode (10), only the notching grooves (16 and / or 18), or both the electrode tabs (14) and the notching grooves (16).

[0101] For example, the notching cutting lines (41, 42) may include a first notching cutting line (41) and a second notching cutting line (42). The first notching cutting line (41) may be a cutting line for cutting an electrode tab (14) in the first non-coated portion (12) and for cutting a first notching groove (16) in the holding portion (11). The second notching cutting line (42) may be for cutting the second non-coated portion (13) and for cutting a second notching groove (18) in the holding portion (11).

[0102] The above-mentioned wobble laser irradiator (130) can cut the first non-coated portion (12) along the first notching cutting line (41) to process an electrode tab (14) and a first notching groove (16) on the first cutting surface (15) of the coating electrode (10).

[0103] The above-mentioned wobble laser irradiator (130) can cut the second non-coated portion (13) along the second notching cutting line (42) to process a second notching groove (18) on the second cutting surface (17) of the coating electrode (10).

[0104] The above wobble laser irradiator (130) can be arranged coaxially with the mask jig (40). The above wobble laser irradiator (130) can be arranged to irradiate the wobble laser (101) toward the mask jig (40).

[0105] The above mask jig (40) is placed below the travel path of the coating electrode (10). The mask jig (40) can be arranged so that the wobbling laser (101) cuts into a desired shape at a desired location.

[0106] The above mask jig (40) may have a mask opening (not shown). The mask opening (not shown) may be provided so that a wobbling laser (101) penetrating the coating electrode (10) may enter.

[0107] Referring to FIG. 6, the wobble laser irradiator (130) may include a first mirror driving unit (131), a first movable mirror (132), a second mirror driving unit (133), a second movable mirror (134), and a lens (135).

[0108] The above first mirror driving unit (131) includes the first movable mirror (132).

[0109] The first movable mirror (132) may be arranged to reflect the laser transmitted from the laser generator (110) to the second movable mirror (134). The first movable mirror (132) may be arranged to reflect the laser while rotating at a predetermined angle.

[0110] The first mirror driving unit (131) may be configured to rotate the first movable mirror (132) in a first axial direction. Here, the first axial direction may be the X-axis direction, for example, the longitudinal direction of the coating electrode (10).

[0111] The first mirror driving unit (131) may include a first axis galvanometer configured to adjust at least one of the rotation angle and rotation speed of the first movable mirror (132).

[0112] The first mirror driving unit (131) can adjust the rotation angle of the first movable mirror (132) based on the wobbling width (DX). The first mirror driving unit (131) can adjust the rotation speed of the first movable mirror (132) based on the wobbling frequency.

[0113] The rotation angle of the first movable mirror (132) increases as the wobbling width (DX) increases. That is, the wobbling width (DX) can be adjusted according to the rotation angle of the first movable mirror (132). The rotation speed of the first movable mirror (132) increases as the wobbling frequency increases. That is, the wobbling frequency can be adjusted according to the rotation speed of the first movable mirror (132).

[0114] The above wobbling width (DX) can be adjusted according to the traveling speed of the coating electrode (10) conveyed by the conveying roll (20). The traveling speed of the coating electrode (10) can vary while traveling in the traveling direction (MD) along the conveying roll (20). The traveling speed (V) of the coating electrode (10) can be measured by an encoder (25) mounted on the conveying roll (20).

[0115] For example, if the coating electrode (10) is decelerated at a slower speed than the first travel speed while traveling at the set first travel speed, the wobbling width (DX) can be adjusted to be larger than the wobbling width (DX) according to the first travel speed. Here, the first travel speed (also referred to as normal speed) is the speed at which the coating electrode (10) travels roll-to-roll during the notching process of the coating electrode (10).

[0116] The above second mirror driving unit (133) includes the second movable mirror (134).

[0117] The second movable mirror (134) may be arranged to reflect the laser (111) reflected from the first movable mirror (132) to the lens (135). The second movable mirror (134) may be arranged to reflect the laser (111) while rotating at a predetermined angle.

[0118] The second mirror driving unit (133) is provided to rotate the second movable mirror (134) in a second axis direction. The second axis direction is a direction orthogonal to the first axis direction. The second axis direction may be the Y-axis direction, for example, the width direction of the coating electrode (10).

[0119] The second mirror driving unit (133) may include a second axis galvanometer configured to adjust at least one of the rotation angle and rotation speed of the second movable mirror (134).

[0120] The second mirror driving unit (133) can adjust the rotation angle of the second movable mirror (134) based on the wobbling height (DY). The second mirror driving unit (133) can adjust the rotation speed of the second movable mirror (134) based on the wobbling frequency.

[0121] The rotation angle of the second movable mirror (134) increases as the wobbling height (DY) increases. In addition, the rotation speed of the second movable mirror (134) increases as the wobbling frequency increases.

[0122] The above wobbling height (DY) can be adjusted according to the driving speed of the coating electrode (10). When the coating electrode (10) is driven at a set first driving speed and decelerates slower than the first driving speed, the wobbling height (DY) can be adjusted to be greater than the wobbling height (DY) according to the first driving speed.

[0123] The above lens (135) may be provided to focus the wobbling laser (101). The lens (135) is placed in the irradiation path of the wobbling laser (101). The lens (135) may include an F-theta lens (135). The lens (135) may be provided to maintain a constant focus of the wobbling laser (101) on the cutting area of ​​the uncoated portion (12, 13) of the coating electrode (10).

[0124] Referring to Fig. 6, when the wobble laser processing device (100) is in operation, the laser (111) is transmitted from the laser generator (110) to the first movable mirror (132) and reflected from the first movable mirror (132) to the second movable mirror (134). The laser (111) can be converted into a wobble laser (101) having a predetermined radius (r) by being rotated at a predetermined angle through the first movable mirror (132) and the second movable mirror (134).

[0125] In addition, the wobbling laser (101) is focused by a lens (135) and irradiated along the notching cutting line (41, 42) to the uncoated portion (12, 13) of the coating electrode (10), thereby cutting the uncoated portion (12, 13) of the coating electrode (10). The wobbling laser (101) overlaps the cut surface (15, 17) of the coating electrode (10) with a wobbling pattern (P), thereby removing burrs generated on the cut surface (15, 17) of the coating electrode (10) during laser notching.

[0126] The above controller (200) can control at least one of the rotation angle and rotation speed of the first mirror driving unit (131) and the second mirror driving unit (133).

[0127] The wobbling width (DX) and wobbling height (DY) of the wobbling laser (101) can be adjusted by adjusting the rotation angle of the first movable mirror (132) and the second movable mirror (134).

[0128] The wobbling width (DX) and the wobbling height (DY) can be varied depending on the rotation angles of the first and second movable mirrors (132, 134). The rotation angles of the first and second movable mirrors (132, 134) increase as the wobbling width (DX) and the wobbling height (DY) increase.

[0129] Fig. 8(a) shows the wobble pattern of the wobble laser (101) when the coating electrode (10) is running normally, and Fig. 8(b) shows the wobble pattern of the wobble laser (101) when the coating electrode (10) is running at low speed.

[0130] The controller (200) can adjust the wobbling width and height of the wobble laser irradiator (130) based on the traveling speed of the coating electrode (10). The controller (200) can adjust the wobbling width and height within a range of 10 μm to 500 μm.

[0131] For example, the normal running and low-speed running of the coating electrode (10) are phrases expressing the relative difference in running speed of the coating electrode (10). The normal running of the coating electrode (10) may be a state in which the coating electrode (10) runs at a preset first running speed during the notching process. The low-speed running of the coating electrode (10) may be a state in which the coating electrode (10) runs at a speed slower than the first running speed due to various reasons, such as the stoppage of the notching equipment.

[0132] During normal operation of the coating electrode (10), the wobbling laser (101) can form a wobbling pattern (P) having a first diameter (D1) along the notching cutting line (41, 42) while rotating at a first radius (r1). For example, the first diameter (D1) can be 10 μm.

[0133] The controller (200) can increase the wobbling width and height when the coating electrode (10) is driven at a low speed at a second driving speed lower than the first driving speed of the preset coating electrode (10).

[0134] For example, when the coating electrode (10) runs at a low speed, the controller (200) can irradiate the wobbling laser (101) having a second radius (r2) to the coating electrode (10). Referring to Fig. 8(b), when the coating electrode (10) runs at a low speed, the wobbling laser (101) can form a wobbling pattern (P) having a second diameter (D2) along the notching cutting line (41, 42) while rotating at a second radius (r2) greater than the first radius (r1). For example, the second diameter (D2) can be 500 μm.

[0135] Additionally, the controller (200) can adjust the wobbling frequency of the wobble laser irradiator (130) based on the traveling speed of the coating electrode (10). The controller (200) can adjust the wobbling frequency in the range of 5,000 Hz to 100,000 Hz.

[0136] For example, when the coating electrode (10) is driven normally at the first driving speed, the wobbling frequency of the wobbling laser (101) can be set to 100,000 Hz.

[0137] The controller (200) can adjust the wobbling frequency to 10,000 Hz, which is lower than 100,000 Hz, when the coating electrode (10) is driven at a low speed at a second driving speed (e.g., 100 mm / s) lower than the first driving speed (e.g., 1,000 mm / s) of the preset coating electrode (10).

[0138] In order to control the above wobbling frequency, the controller (200) can adjust the rotation speed of the first movable mirror (132) and the second movable mirror (134). The rotation speed of the first and second movable mirrors (132, 134) can become faster as the wobbling frequency increases, and can become slower as the wobbling frequency decreases.

[0139] During normal operation of the coating electrode (10), the wobble laser (101) rapidly vibrates the coating electrode (10) at a high wobble frequency so that the heat of the wobble laser (101) is evenly distributed to the cutting surface (15, 17) of the coating electrode (10), thereby preventing thermal deformation of the coating electrode (10) due to the heat of the laser.

[0140] When the coating electrode (10) is driven at a low speed, the wobble laser (101) can laser notch the coating electrode (10) at a wobble frequency lower than the wobble frequency during normal driving. This lowers the vibration frequency of the wobble laser (10) irradiated onto the coating electrode (10) when the coating electrode (10) is driven at a low speed, thereby preventing deterioration of cutting quality due to thermal effects on the coating electrode (10).

[0141] The preferred embodiments of the present invention described above are disclosed for the purpose of illustration, and those skilled in the art having ordinary knowledge of the present invention will be able to make various modifications, changes, and additions within the spirit and scope of the present invention, and such modifications, changes, and additions should be considered to fall within the scope of the following claims.

[0142] According to a wobble laser processing device and processing method related to one embodiment of the present invention, when cutting a part of a coating electrode in a notching process, overlapping processing is possible with a wobble laser, and the occurrence of burrs can be prevented.

Claims

1. A laser generator configured to emit a laser; and A wobble laser processing device comprising a wobble laser irradiator configured to irradiate a laser from the laser generator to the coating electrode in a wobble pattern in order to process a portion of a moving coating electrode, and wherein at least one of a wobble width, a wobble height, and a wobble frequency is adjustable based on a moving speed of the coating electrode.

2. In the first paragraph, the wobble laser irradiator A first mirror driving unit including a first movable mirror arranged on the entry side of the laser irradiated from the laser generator, and arranged to rotate the first movable mirror in the first axial direction; and A wobble laser processing device comprising a second movable mirror arranged to reflect a laser reflected by the first movable mirror in a direction different from that of the first movable mirror, and a second mirror driving unit arranged to rotate the second movable mirror in a second axial direction orthogonal to the first axial direction.

3. In paragraph 2, The first mirror driving unit includes a first axis galvanometer configured to adjust at least one of a rotation angle and a rotation speed of the first movable mirror, A wobble laser processing device, wherein the second mirror driving unit includes a second axis galvanometer configured to adjust at least one of a rotation angle and a rotation speed of the second movable mirror.

4. In paragraph 2, The above wobble laser irradiator is a wobble laser processing device including a lens configured to focus the laser reflected from the second movable mirror.

5. In paragraph 1, A transport unit for transporting the above-mentioned coated electrode; and A wobble laser processing device further comprising a controller configured to adjust at least one of the wobble width, the wobble height, and the wobble frequency based on the driving speed of the coating electrode.

6. In paragraph 5, A wobble laser processing device characterized in that the controller increases at least one of the wobble width and the wobble height when the coating electrode is driven at a low speed lower than a first driving speed of the preset coating electrode.

7. In paragraph 5, A wobble laser processing device characterized in that the controller reduces the wobble frequency when the coating electrode is driven at a low speed lower than a first driving speed of the preset coating electrode.

8. In paragraph 1, A wobble laser processing device characterized in that the above wobble pattern is circular with a predetermined radius.

9. In paragraph 8, A wobble laser processing device characterized in that the wobble laser irradiator irradiates the non-coated portion or the holding portion of the coating electrode so that the center of the wobble pattern moves along a preset notching cutting line.

10. A step (a) of irradiating a laser from a laser generator to the coating electrode in a wobbling pattern to process a portion of the coating electrode while it is being driven; and A wobble laser processing method comprising a step (b) of controlling at least one of a wobble width, a wobble height, and a wobble frequency based on a traveling speed of the above-mentioned coating electrode.

11. In paragraph 10, The above coating electrode is an anode or a cathode, A wobble laser processing method characterized in that, in the above step (a), an electrode tab is formed by cutting a holding portion or a non-holding portion of the coating electrode.

12. In paragraph 10, The above coating electrode is an anode or a cathode, A wobble laser processing method characterized in that, in the above step (a), the coating electrode is slit into a plurality of unit electrodes by cutting the uncoated portion of the coating electrode.

13. In paragraph 10, A wobble laser processing method characterized in that, in step (b), when the coating electrode is driven at a low speed lower than a first driving speed of the preset coating electrode, at least one of the wobble width and the wobble height is increased.

14. In paragraph 13, A wobble laser processing method characterized in that, in step (b), the wobble width and the wobble height are simultaneously increased when the coating electrode is driven at a low speed lower than a first driving speed of the preset coating electrode.

15. In paragraph 10, A wobble laser processing method characterized in that, in step (b), the wobble frequency is reduced when the coating electrode is driven at a low speed lower than a first driving speed of the preset coating electrode.

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