Automatic electrode supplying device for manufacturing secondary battery and automatic electrode supplying method using the same

Abstract

Disclosed are an automatic electrode supply device and an automatic electrode supply method using the automatic electrode supply device, wherein the automatic electrode supply device is configured to automatically supply electrodes in various processes for manufacturing secondary batteries, and the automatic electrode supply device comprises: a first chuck splicing unit, the first chuck splicing unit comprising a splicing portion on which a traveling electrode is arranged; and a second chuck splicing unit, the second chuck splicing unit comprising a splicing portion on which a spare electrode is arranged; wherein each of the first chuck splicing unit and the second chuck splicing unit comprises an edge position control (EPC) sensor, which is configured to measure the position of the edge of the corresponding electrode in the traveling electrode and the spare electrode so as to prevent distortion or rupture defects of the electrode caused by positional offset between the traveling electrode and the spare electrode.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 2019-0145198, filed on November 13, 2019, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to an apparatus and an automatic electrode supply method for automatically supplying electrodes in various processes of manufacturing secondary batteries, and more specifically, to an apparatus capable of continuously supplying electrodes and an automatic electrode supply method using the apparatus, wherein the apparatus comprises a plurality of chuck splicing units, each chuck splicing unit being configured to supply electrodes. Background Art

[0003] With the technological development of mobile devices such as mobile phones, laptops, camcorders and digital cameras and the increase in demand for them, secondary batteries that can be charged and discharged have been actively studied. In addition, secondary batteries as energy sources to replace fossil fuels that cause air pollution have been applied to electric vehicles (EVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (P-HEVs), so there is an increasing need to develop secondary batteries.

[0004] This secondary battery includes an electrode assembly in which electrodes and separators are alternately stacked, and a housing configured to accommodate the electrode assembly. The electrode assembly is a power generating element configured to have a structure in which positive electrodes and negative electrodes are stacked in a state in which a separator is interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and the electrode assembly is divided into: a jelly roll type electrode assembly, which is configured to have a structure in which a long sheet type positive electrode to which an active material is applied and a long sheet type negative electrode are wound in a state in which a separator is interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode; or a stacked type electrode assembly, which is configured to have a structure in which a plurality of positive electrodes having a predetermined size and a plurality of negative electrodes having a predetermined size are sequentially stacked in a state in which separators are respectively interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode.

[0005] A stacked / folded type electrode assembly has been developed as an electrode assembly with an improved structure. The stacked / folded type electrode assembly is a combination of a jelly-roll type electrode assembly and a stacked type electrode assembly. The stacked / folded type electrode assembly is configured to have a structure in which a single cell (mono-cell) each having a positive electrode / separator / negative electrode structure of a predetermined unit size or a bicell (bicell) each having a positive electrode (negative electrode) / separator / negative electrode (positive electrode) / separator / positive electrode (negative electrode) structure is folded using a continuous separator having a longer length.

[0006] In addition, a laminated / stacked type electrode assembly has been developed, which is configured to have a structure in which unit cells are stacked in order to improve the processability of a conventional stacked type electrode assembly and meet the demand for secondary batteries having various shapes. In each unit cell, electrodes and separators are alternately stacked and laminated.

[0007] The positive electrode used for such an electrode assembly is manufactured by applying a mixture of a positive electrode active material, a conductive agent, and a binder to a positive electrode current collector such as a metal foil and drying the mixture. A filler may be further added as needed.

[0008] In addition, the negative electrode is manufactured by applying the negative electrode material to a negative electrode current collector such as a metal foil and drying the negative electrode material. As needed, the above-mentioned components related to the positive electrode may be further optionally included.

[0009] In order to improve the productivity of the secondary battery manufacturing process and reduce the process defect rate, there is an increasing need for equipment that can stably and continuously supply electrodes in the electrode and electrode assembly manufacturing process.

[0010] Korean Patent Publication No. 1479724 discloses a secondary battery electrode production system, which includes: a plurality of electrode rolls configured to store electrode materials in a wound state to continuously supply electrode materials; an unfolding portion configured to continuously supply electrode materials from a plurality of electrode rolls; a line position control (LPC) sensor or an edge position control (EPC) sensor; and a misalignment adjustment device configured to align the position of the electrode material so that the electrode material moves along a predetermined moving path. However, the above patent disclosure only relates to a system capable of producing electrodes from electrode materials at high speed, and does not disclose a device capable of continuously supplying electrodes in various processes for producing secondary batteries. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop such a technology.

[0011] (Prior art literature)

[0012] (Patent Document 1) Korean Patent Publication No. 1479724 Summary of the invention

[0013] Technical issues

[0014] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and an automatic electrode supply method for automatically and continuously supplying electrodes in various processes of manufacturing a secondary battery.

[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic electrode supplying device and an automatic electrode supplying method, which can prevent the distortion or breakage defects of the electrode caused by the positional deviation between the traveling electrode and the backup electrode in the above process.

[0016] Technical Solution

[0017] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present invention provides an automatic electrode supplying device, which is configured to automatically supply electrodes in a process for manufacturing secondary batteries, and the automatic electrode supplying device includes: a first chuck splicing unit (chuck splicing unit), the first chuck splicing unit includes a splicing portion on which a traveling electrode is arranged; and a second chuck splicing unit, the second chuck splicing unit includes a splicing portion on which a spare electrode is arranged; wherein each of the first chuck splicing unit and the second chuck splicing unit includes an edge position control (EPC) sensor, and the edge position control sensor is configured to measure the position of the edge of the corresponding electrode in the traveling electrode and the spare electrode.

[0018] Furthermore, in the automatic electrode supplying apparatus according to the present invention, each of the splicing part of the first chuck splicing unit and the splicing part of the second chuck splicing unit may include a splicing plate and an electrode cutter, and may be movable in a direction parallel to the ground.

[0019] In addition, in the automatic electrode supplying device according to the present invention, the splicing plate may include: an upper plate and a lower plate, each of the upper plate and the lower plate having a suction hole formed in a surface thereof in contact with the electrode, the suction hole being configured to adsorb the electrode so as to fix the electrode; and a cutting groove arranged between the upper plate and the lower plate, the cutting groove being configured to allow the electrode cutter to move in the cutting groove.

[0020] In addition, in the automatic electrode supplying device according to the present invention, each of the first chuck splicing unit and the second chuck splicing unit may include: a lower support member configured to support the chuck splicing unit; an upper support member located above the lower support member, the upper support member configured to support the splicing part; and a rotating shaft located between the lower support member and the upper support member, the rotating shaft configured to rotate the upper support member.

[0021] Furthermore, in the automatic electrode supplying apparatus according to the present invention, the upper supporting member may include a horizontal portion and a vertical portion.

[0022] Furthermore, in the automatic electrode supplying apparatus according to the present invention, each of the first chuck splicing unit and the second chuck splicing unit may further include a splicing portion supporting member located on the vertical portion of the upper supporting member, the splicing portion supporting member being configured to support the splicing portion.

[0023] Furthermore, in the automatic electrode supplying apparatus according to the present invention, the edge position control sensor is fixed to the vertical portion of the upper supporting member or to the splicing portion supporting member.

[0024] In addition, the present invention provides an automatic electrode supplying method, which includes the following steps: (i) preparing a traveling electrode on a splicing plate of a first chuck splicing unit; (ii) preparing a spare electrode on a splicing plate of a second chuck splicing unit; (iii) rotating the second chuck splicing unit to move the splicing plate on which the spare electrode is prepared to face the splicing plate on which the traveling electrode is prepared; (iv) measuring the position of the edge of the spare electrode using an edge position control sensor; (v) calculating the position offset between the edge of the traveling electrode and the edge of the spare electrode; (vi) moving the splicing plate on which the spare electrode is prepared to correct the position offset; and (vii) laminating the splicing plate on which the spare electrode is adsorbed and the splicing plate on which the traveling electrode is adsorbed to each other so as to connect the traveling electrode and the spare electrode to each other.

[0025] In addition, in the automatic electrode supply method according to the present invention, step (i) may include the following steps: allowing the splicing plate of the first chuck splicing unit to adsorb the traveling electrode; and using an electrode cutter to cut the adsorbed portion of the traveling electrode below the upper plate.

[0026] In addition, in the automatic electrode supply method according to the present invention, step (ii) may include the following steps: attaching a connecting tape to a surface of the end of the spare electrode; and adsorbing the spare electrode attached with the connecting tape to the lower part of the splicing plate of the second chuck splicing unit.

[0027] In addition, the automatic electrode supply method according to the present invention may further include, after step (vii), a step (viii) of separating the connected electrodes from the splicing plate of the first chuck splicing unit and the splicing plate of the second chuck splicing unit.

[0028] Beneficial Effects

[0029] The automatic electrode supplying device and the automatic electrode supplying method according to the present invention have the advantage of using a plurality of chuck splicing units having the same function and structure to continuously supply electrodes, thereby continuously supplying electrodes in various processes for manufacturing secondary batteries and minimizing the loss of production time.

[0030] In addition, the advantages of the automatic electrode supplying equipment and the automatic electrode supplying method according to the present invention are that the position offset is measured using an EPC sensor, and the measured position offset is corrected, thereby preventing the distortion or breakage defects of the electrode caused by the position offset between the traveling electrode and the spare electrode that may occur when the electrode is continuously supplied. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an automatic electrode supplying apparatus according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the spliced ​​plate of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an automatic electrode supplying apparatus according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method of automatically supplying electrodes using the automatic electrode supplying apparatus according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] In the present application, it should be understood that the terms "including", "having", "comprising", etc. specify the existence of the stated features, quantities, steps, operations, elements, parts or their combinations, but do not exclude the existence or addition of one or more other features, quantities, steps, operations, elements, parts or their combinations.

[0036] In addition, throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals will be used to refer to components that perform similar functions or operations. Where a component is referred to as being connected to another component in this application, the component may not only be directly connected to the other component, but the component may also be indirectly connected to the other component via another component. In addition, including a certain element does not mean excluding other elements, but means that other elements may be further included unless otherwise specified.

[0037] Hereinafter, an automatic electrode supplying apparatus and an automatic electrode supplying method according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0038] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an automatic electrode supplying apparatus according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Reference Figure 1, the automatic electrode supplying device according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention includes: a first chuck splicing unit 1000 on which a traveling electrode A is arranged; and a second chuck splicing unit 2000 on which a backup electrode B is arranged.

[0040] The first chuck splicing unit 1000 includes: a lower driving device 1100 arranged adjacent to the ground, the lower driving device is configured to support the first chuck splicing unit 1000; a lower support member 1200 located on the lower driving device 1100; an upper support member 1400 located above the lower support member 1200; and a rotating shaft 1300 located between the lower support member 1200 and the upper support member 1400, the rotating shaft is configured to rotate the upper support member 1400.

[0041] In addition, the first chuck splicing unit 1000 further includes: a splicing portion support member 1500 located on the upper support member 1400; a splicing portion driving device 1600 located on the splicing portion support member 1500, the splicing portion driving device being configured to drive a splicing portion 1700; a splicing portion 1700 located on the splicing portion driving device 1600, the splicing portion 1700 being configured as an adsorption electrode; an edge position control (EPC) sensor 1800; and a winding roller retainer 1900 located on the upper support member 1400, the winding roller retainer being configured to retain an electrode winding roller.

[0042] The various components of the first chuck splicing unit 1000 will be described in detail. First, the lower driving device 1100 can be implemented by a combination of a linear motion (LM) guide rail and a servo motor so that the first chuck splicing unit 1000 can move linearly in one direction. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Any of various known devices capable of performing linear reciprocating motion can be used.

[0043] In addition, the upper supporting member 1400 includes a horizontal portion 1410 and a vertical portion 1420. A winding roll holder 1900 is located on the horizontal portion 1410, and a guide roll 1010 configured to transfer a roll-type electrode is fixed to the vertical portion 1420.

[0044] The splicing section driving device 1600 may be implemented by a combination of an LM guide, a rack gear, and a driving device such as a servo motor or an actuator, so that the splicing section 1700 can reciprocate linearly on the splicing section supporting member 1500. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Any of various known devices capable of performing linear reciprocating motion may be used.

[0045] In addition, the splicing unit 1700 includes: an electrode cutter 1710 configured to cut the electrode; and a splicing plate 1720 configured to adsorb the electrode.

[0046] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a splicing plate 1720 according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] Will refer to Figure 2 The splicing plate 1720 is described in detail. The splicing plate 1720 includes: an upper plate 1721; a lower plate 1722; a cutout groove 1723 disposed between the upper plate 1721 and the lower plate 1722, the cutout groove being configured to allow an electrode cutter 1710 for cutting electrodes to move therein; and suction holes 1724 formed in the upper plate and the lower plate.

[0048] Next, the EPC sensor 1800 is a sensor configured to measure the position of the edge of the electrode in order to determine the degree of positional deviation of the electrode, and the EPC sensor 1800 may be fixed to the vertical portion 1420 of the upper support member 1400 or to the splicing portion support member 1500. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The EPC sensor may measure the position of the edge of the electrode and may be located in other parts of the chuck splicing unit within a range that does not interfere with the operation of other devices.

[0049] Furthermore, the EPC sensor includes: a detector configured to measure a position; an amplifier configured to amplify a detected signal; and a controller configured to calculate a position offset from the measured value and control the device to correct the position based on the position offset.

[0050] Any of various types of known EPC sensors may be used.

[0051] The second chuck splicing unit 2000 is a device having the same structure and function as the first chuck splicing unit 1000. Therefore, reference may be made to the description of the first chuck splicing unit 1000, and a detailed description of the components of the second chuck splicing unit will be omitted.

[0052] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an automatic electrode supplying apparatus according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] Reference Figure 3 , except that the backup electrode B is located in the first chuck splicing unit 1000 and the traveling electrode A is located in the second chuck splicing unit 2000, Figure 3 and Figure 1 same.

[0054] That is, in this configuration, the first chuck splicing unit 1000 and the second chuck splicing unit 2000 having the same structure are alternately used to continuously supply electrodes to the manufacturing process, minimizing the time loss required to introduce a spare electrode.

[0055] The automatic electrode supplying device according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described above. Hereinafter, a method of automatically supplying electrodes using the automatic electrode supplying device will be described.

[0056] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the automatic electrode supply method includes: step (i), preparing a traveling electrode A on the splicing plate 1720 of the first chuck splicing unit 1000; step (ii), preparing a spare electrode B on the splicing plate 2720 of the second chuck splicing unit 2000; step (iii), rotating the second chuck splicing unit to move the splicing plate 2720 on which the spare electrode is prepared to a position where the splicing plate 2720 faces the splicing plate 1720 on which the traveling electrode is prepared; step (iv), using the EPC sensor 2800 to measure the position of the edge of the spare electrode; step (v), calculating the position offset between the edge of the traveling electrode and the edge of the spare electrode; step (vi), moving the splicing plate on which the spare electrode is prepared to correct the position offset; step (vii), laminating the splicing plate on which the spare electrode is adsorbed and the splicing plate on which the traveling electrode is adsorbed to each other to connect the traveling electrode and the spare electrode to each other; and step (viii), separating the connected electrodes from the splicing plates.

[0057] Will refer to Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 Each step is described in detail. First, step (i) includes the following steps: moving the splicing plate 1720 of the first chuck splicing unit 1000 in a direction toward the traveling electrode A and causing the splicing plate to adsorb the traveling electrode A using a suction hole formed in one surface of the splicing plate; and in order to connect the spare electrode B to the traveling electrode A adsorbed by the splicing plate, cutting the portion of the traveling electrode below the upper plate 1721 using the electrode cutter 1710 via the cutout groove 1723, as shown in FIG. Figure 4 As shown in (b) and (c).

[0058] Next, refer to Figure 4 (d), step (ii) includes the following steps: attaching a connecting tape C to a surface of the end of the spare electrode B so as to be connected to the traveling electrode; and causing the spare electrode attached with the connecting tape to be adsorbed to the lower portion of the splicing plate 2720 of the second chuck splicing unit 2000.

[0059] In addition, in step (v), i.e., the step of calculating the position offset, the position offset is calculated based on the value of the position of the edge of the standby electrode measured in step (iv) and the value of the position of the edge of the traveling electrode. Here, the traveling electrode is an electrode that has been introduced into the process before step (i). In order to prevent misalignment of the traveling electrode, the value of the position of the edge of the traveling electrode is frequently measured before being introduced into the process and during the process. During the execution of the automatic electrode supply method according to the present invention, the value of the position of the edge of the traveling electrode may not be measured separately.

[0060] In addition, as means for measuring the position of each of the traveling electrode and the backup electrode, not only the above-mentioned EPC sensor but also any one selected from all measuring means capable of measuring the position of the edge such as various known sensors and cameras can be used.

[0061] Next, refer to Figure 4 (f), in step (vi), in order to correct the positional deviation, the splicing plate is moved in a predetermined direction (a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the splicing plate is moved for adsorbing the traveling electrode and in a direction in which the traveling electrode and the spare electrode are laminated to each other and parallel to the ground, that is, Figure 4 Finely move the splicing plate 2720 to which the spare electrode is adsorbed (in the Y-axis direction).

[0062] After step (viii), the connected electrodes are introduced into the manufacturing process using transfer rollers 3010 to continue production. Figure 3 , a spare electrode is prepared in the first chuck splicing unit 1000 where the traveling electrode is usually set, so that after the traveling electrode prepared in the second chuck splicing unit 2000 is exhausted, the spare electrode is connected to the traveling electrode according to the above steps (i) to (viii), thereby minimizing the time loss caused by electrode replacement.

[0063] In addition, as a method of moving the splicing plate 1720 or 2720 in a predetermined direction (Y-axis direction) so as to correct the positional deviation, the following methods may be used: a method of driving the entire chuck splicing unit with the lower driving device 1100 or 2100; a method of providing a separate driving device (not shown) on the splicing portion supporting member 1500 or 2500 to drive only the splicing portion 1700 or 2700; or a method of providing a separate driving device (not shown) between the splicing portion supporting member 1500 or 2500 and the vertical portion 1420 or 2420 of the upper supporting member to simultaneously drive the splicing portion supporting member 1500 or 2500 and the splicing portion 1700 or 2700. Here, as the above-mentioned driving device, any of various known driving devices capable of performing linear reciprocating motion may be used.

[0064] Furthermore, it is preferable that the position correction is performed to such an extent that a distortion or breakage defect of the electrode due to a positional deviation between the traveling electrode and the backup electrode can be minimized.

[0065] Specifically, Table 1 below shows changes in the number of defects based on positional shift between the traveling electrode and the backup electrode in a process of connecting the backup electrode using an automatic electrode supply device after the traveling electrode wound on the traveling electrode winding roller is exhausted.

[0066] [Table 1]

[0067] Position offset(mm) 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 5.0 Number of defects 4 10 12 10 11 35 37

[0068] As shown in Table 1 above, it is preferred that the positional offset (path line) is corrected to 2.5 mm or less in order to prevent the distortion or breakage defects of the electrode due to the positional offset between the traveling electrode and the standby electrode. More preferably, it can be seen that in the case where the positional offset is corrected to less than 1 mm, the number of defects due to the positional offset is very small.

[0069] Although the specific details of the present invention have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the detailed description thereof only discloses the preferred embodiments of the present invention and thus does not limit the scope of the present invention. Therefore, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications are possible without departing from the scope and technical concept of the present invention, and it will be apparent that these changes and modifications fall within the scope of the appended claims.

[0070] (Explanation of reference numbers)

[0071] 1000: First chuck splicing unit

[0072] 2000: Second chuck splicing unit

[0073] 1010, 2010: Guide roller

[0074] 1100, 2100: Lower drive unit

[0075] 1200, 2200: Lower support member

[0076] 1300, 2300: Rotation axis

[0077] 1400, 2400: Upper support member

[0078] 1410, 2410: Horizontal part of the upper support member

[0079] 1420, 2420: Vertical part of the upper support member

[0080] 1500, 2500: Splicing support components

[0081] 1600, 2600: Splicing drive device

[0082] 1700, 2700: Splicing

[0083] 1710, 2710: Electrode cutter

[0084] 1720, 2720: Splicing board

[0085] 1721: On the board

[0086] 1722: Lower board

[0087] 1723: Notch

[0088] 1724: Suction hole

[0089] 1800, 2800: EPC sensor

[0090] 1900, 2900: Winding roller holder

[0091] 3010: Conveyor roller

[0092] A: Traveling Electrode

[0093] B: Spare electrode

[0094] C: Connecting tape.

Claims

1. An automatic electrode supply device, the automatic electrode supply device is configured to automatically supply electrodes in a process for manufacturing a secondary battery, the automatic electrode supply device comprising: a first chuck splicing unit, the first chuck splicing unit comprising a splicing portion on which a traveling electrode is disposed; as well as a second chuck splicing unit, the second chuck splicing unit comprising a splicing portion on which a spare electrode is disposed; in: Each of the first chuck splicing unit and the second chuck splicing unit includes an edge position control sensor configured to measure the position of an edge of a corresponding electrode of the traveling electrode and the backup electrode, wherein each of the splicing part of the first chuck splicing unit and the splicing part of the second chuck splicing unit comprises a splicing plate and an electrode cutter, and is movable in a direction parallel to the ground, and The splicing plate comprises: an upper plate and a lower plate, each of the upper plate and the lower plate having a suction hole formed in a surface thereof in contact with the electrode, the suction hole being configured to adsorb the electrode so as to fix the electrode; and A notch groove is provided between the upper plate and the lower plate, the notch groove being configured to allow the electrode cutter to move in the notch groove, Each of the first chuck splicing unit and the second chuck splicing unit comprises: a lower support member configured to support the chuck splicing unit; an upper support member located above the lower support member, the upper support member configured to support the splicing portion; and A rotation shaft is located between the lower support member and the upper support member, and the rotation shaft is configured to rotate the upper support member. 2 . The automatic electrode supplying apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the upper support member comprises a horizontal portion and a vertical portion.

3. The automatic electrode supplying device according to claim 2, wherein each of the first chuck splicing unit and the second chuck splicing unit further comprises a splicing part supporting member located on the vertical portion of the upper support member, and the splicing part supporting member is configured to support the splicing part. 4 . The automatic electrode supplying apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the edge position control sensor is fixed to the vertical portion of the upper support member or to the splicing portion support member.

5. An automatic electrode supply method for automatically supplying electrodes using the automatic electrode supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the automatic electrode supply method comprising the following steps: (i) preparing a traveling electrode on a splicing plate of a first chuck splicing unit; (ii) preparing a spare electrode on a splicing plate of a second chuck splicing unit; (iii) rotating the second chuck splicing unit to move the splicing plate on which the backup electrode is prepared to face the splicing plate on which the traveling electrode is prepared; (iv) measuring the position of the edge of the backup electrode using an edge position control sensor; (v) calculating the positional offset between the edge of the traveling electrode and the edge of the standby electrode; (vi) moving the splicing plate on which the spare electrode is prepared to correct the positional deviation; as well as (vii) laminating the splicing plate to which the backup electrode is adsorbed and the splicing plate to which the traveling electrode is adsorbed to each other so as to connect the traveling electrode and the backup electrode to each other, Wherein step (i) comprises the following steps: Allowing the splicing plate of the first chuck splicing unit to adsorb the traveling electrode; and The portion of the adsorbed traveling electrode below the upper plate is cut using an electrode cutter.

6. The automatic electrode supply method according to claim 5, wherein step (ii) comprises the following steps: attaching a connection tape to one surface of an end portion of the backup electrode; and The backup electrode with the connection tape attached thereto is adsorbed onto the lower portion of the splicing plate of the second chuck splicing unit.

7. The automatic electrode supply method according to claim 5, further comprising after step (vii): The step (viii) is to separate the connected electrodes from the splicing plate of the first chuck splicing unit and the splicing plate of the second chuck splicing unit.

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