Pressing roller device and pressing method

Abstract

According to the present invention, a pressure roller device for passing a cell unit between an upper roller and a lower roller comprises: the lower roller; the upper roller; a lower mounting member, the lower roller being mounted on the lower mounting member and the lower mounting member being fixed; an upper mounting member, the upper roller being mounted on the upper mounting member and the upper mounting member being constrained by a bracket to allow the upper mounting member to rise and fall via the bracket; and a stop member disposed between the lower mounting member and the upper mounting member, such that the lower roller and the upper roller are spaced apart from each other. According to the present invention, a pressure method for applying pressure to a cell unit passing between an upper roller and a lower roller comprises: allowing the cell unit to pass between the lower roller and the upper roller, the lower roller being mounted on the lower mounting member and the lower mounting member being fixed, the upper roller being mounted on the upper mounting member, the upper mounting member being capable of rising and falling in a state where separation from the bracket is constrained, wherein, when the cell unit passes between the upper roller and the lower roller, the upper roller and the lower roller are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0167120, filed on Dec. 13, 2019, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a pressing roller device for applying pressure to a unit cell to press the unit cell when manufacturing a unit cell in which electrodes (positive and negative electrodes) and a separator are stacked, and a pressing method using the pressing roller device, and more specifically, to a pressing roller device and a pressing method, wherein when an electrode and a separator enter the pressing roller device in a stacked state, the electrode and the separator enter the pressing roller device in a state in which an upper roller and a lower roller are spaced apart from each other to minimize damage to the electrode and the separator. Background Art

[0003] Unlike primary batteries, secondary batteries are rechargeable and have a high possibility of compact size and high capacity. Therefore, many studies are being conducted on secondary batteries recently. With the technological development and increase in demand for mobile devices, the demand for secondary batteries as energy sources is rapidly increasing.

[0004] This secondary battery is configured so that the electrode assembly is embedded in a battery case (e.g., a bag, a can, etc.). Because of the structure of repeated stacking of positive electrode / separator / negative electrode, the electrode assembly installed in the battery case can be repeatedly charged and discharged. The electrode assembly is manufactured in various ways. However, generally, the electrode assembly can be manufactured in such a way that after preparing the unit cells in advance, a plurality of unit cells are stacked to manufacture the electrode assembly.

[0005] The process of manufacturing a unit cell includes a lamination process of bonding a separator to an electrode. In the lamination process, the negative electrode, the separator, and the positive electrode, each of which is wound into a roll form, are continuously unrolled to be provided. Here, two or more separators are generally provided continuously, and the positive electrode and the negative electrode are provided to be stacked between the separators and on the uppermost separator. That is, each of the positive electrode and the negative electrode is cut into a predetermined size, and then the positive electrode and the negative electrode are alternately stacked, with the separator sandwiched between the positive electrode and the negative electrode.

[0006] In addition, in a state where the positive electrode and the negative electrode are alternately stacked between the separators, the separators are continuously connected to each other to pass through a laminating device. In the laminating device, heat and pressure are applied to bond the positive electrode, the separator, and the negative electrode to each other. In addition, after passing through the laminating device, the separator is cut to make individual unit cells.

[0007] Here, the laminating device includes a press roll device in which the positive electrode, the separator, and the negative electrode pass between two rolls and are thereby pressed.

[0008] Figure 1FIG. 1 shows a state (a) in which the upper roller and the lower roller of the pressing roller device according to the prior art are in contact with each other and a state (b) in which the upper roller and the lower roller are spaced apart from each other, with reference to FIG. Figure 1 According to the prior art, the pressing roller device includes an upper roller 2a and a lower roller 1a, and when the positive electrode, the separator and the negative electrode pass through the pressing roller device in a stacked state, the upper roller 2a and the lower roller 1a are vertically arranged. The lower roller 1a is rotatably mounted on the lower mounting member 1, and the upper roller 2a is rotatably mounted on the upper mounting member 2. Here, the lower mounting member 1 is fixed in movement, but the upper mounting member 2 is connected to the motor 4 through the bracket 3 and the screw 5 and rises and falls according to the rotation direction of the motor 4.

[0009] However, in this structure, it is difficult to maintain a constant distance between the upper roller 2a and the lower roller 1a due to vibration (and shock) generated by the mechanical device during the lamination process. In addition, when thickness deviation occurs, there is a risk of damage or deformation due to excessive pressure applied to the stacked positive and negative electrodes.

[0010] If the upper roller 2a and the lower roller 1a are spaced too far from each other in order to solve the above problem, the pressure for applying pressure is reduced, thereby deteriorating the bonding force. Summary of the invention

[0011] Technical issues

[0012] Therefore, the main object of the present invention is to provide a pressure roller device and a pressure applying method that can solve or at least improve the above-mentioned problems that may occur in the pressure roller device according to the prior art.

[0013] Technical Solution

[0014] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, a pressing roller device for allowing a unit battery to pass between an upper roller and a lower roller according to the present invention comprises: the lower roller; the upper roller; a lower mounting member, on which the lower roller is mounted, and the lower mounting member is fixed; an upper mounting member, on which the upper roller is mounted, and the upper mounting member is restricted by a bracket so that the upper mounting member can be raised and lowered by the bracket; and a stopper, which is arranged between the lower mounting member and the upper mounting member so that the lower roller and the upper roller are spaced apart from each other.

[0015] Here, the upper mounting member may include a head protruding from the top surface of the upper mounting member, the head may include a main body portion protruding vertically from the top surface of the upper mounting member and an extension portion whose diameter is increased at the upper end of the main body portion, and the head may be coupled so that separation of the extension portion is limited by the clamping portion of the bracket, wherein, in a state where the bracket is fixed, the upper mounting member may rise and fall in a state where the head is limited within a range where the bottom surface of the clamping portion contacts the top surface of the upper mounting member or within a range where the top surface of the clamping portion contacts the extension portion.

[0016] When the upper mount is seated on the stopper, a gap may be generated between the clamping portion and the expansion portion and between the clamping portion and the top surface of the upper mount.

[0017] The bracket may be connected to the motor to ascend and descend according to a rotation direction of the motor.

[0018] A damping member for absorbing an impact when the upper mounting member is seated may be mounted on the stopper.

[0019] In the present invention, the stopper may have a bar shape vertically standing from the lower mount, and the stopper may expand and contract in a longitudinal direction to adjust a spacing distance between the lower mount and the upper mount.

[0020] The stopper may include a fixing portion fixedly disposed on the lower mounting member and a sliding portion slidable to rise and fall from the fixing portion in a longitudinal direction. The sliding of the sliding portion may be performed by a motor in addition to pneumatic pressure or hydraulic pressure.

[0021] In addition, the present invention may additionally provide a pressing method for pressing a unit cell between an upper roller and a lower roller. A pressing method for pressing a unit cell passing between an upper roller and a lower roller according to the present invention includes: allowing the unit cell to pass between a lower roller and an upper roller, the lower roller being mounted on a lower mounting member, the lower mounting member being fixed, the upper roller being mounted on an upper mounting member, the upper mounting member being able to rise and fall in a state where separation from the bracket is restricted, wherein when the unit cell passes between the upper roller and the lower roller, the upper roller and the lower roller are spaced a predetermined distance from each other.

[0022] Here, when the unit batteries pass between the upper roller and the lower roller, pressure applied to the unit batteries may be applied by self-weights of the upper mount and the upper roller.

[0023] If a unit cell having a predetermined thickness passes between the upper roller and the lower roller, only the self-weight of the upper mount and the upper roller may be used as the pressure applied to the unit cell, and if a unit cell having a thickness greater than the predetermined thickness passes between the upper roller and the lower roller, in addition to the self-weight of the upper mount and the upper roller, a force applied from the bracket is added to serve as the pressure applied to the unit cell.

[0024] The pressing method may further include the step of installing a stopper between the lower mount and the upper mount so that the lower roller and the upper roller are spaced apart from each other before the unit batteries pass through.

[0025] Therefore, the present invention may additionally provide a unit cell manufactured by the pressurizing method as described above.

[0026] Beneficial Effects

[0027] In the present invention having the above-mentioned structure, a stopper capable of rising and falling may be provided between the lower mounting member and the upper mounting member to more easily and reliably maintain the distance between the upper roller and the lower roller, and the length of the stopper may be adjusted to adjust the distance between the upper roller and the lower roller.

[0028] Here, when the upper mounting member is seated on the stopper, the upper mounting member may be seated so that a gap is generated between the clamping portion and the expansion portion and between the clamping portion and the top surface of the upper mounting member. Therefore, when the electrode passes, the stopper may only support the load of the upper mounting member and the upper roller to minimize damage to the electrode. That is, in the structure according to the prior art, the fixing force between the upper mounting member and the motor may serve as pressure on the electrode. However, in the present invention, the initial pressure applied to the electrode may be reduced, and if necessary, the pressure transmitted to the motor may be increased.

[0029] Furthermore, a damping member for buffering an impact when the upper mounting member is seated may be installed on the stopper to prevent durability from being deteriorated due to the impact. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Figure 1 1 and 2 are views illustrating a state (a) in which an upper roller and a lower roller are in contact with each other and a state (b) in which the upper roller and the lower roller are spaced apart from each other in a press roller device according to the related art.

[0031] Figure 2 1 is a view illustrating a state in which the upper mounting member is lowered to the lowermost side in the press roller device according to the present invention.

[0032] Figure 3 It is a graphic Figure 2 A view of the state in which the upper mounting member is raised.

[0033] Figure 4 It is a side view showing a state where the damping member is mounted on the stopper.

[0034] Figure 5 1 is a view illustrating a state in which the sliding portion rises from the fixing portion of the stopper to increase the length of the stopper.

[0035] Figure 6 3 is a view comparing a press roller device according to the prior art (left) and a press roller device according to the present invention (right). DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Hereinafter, the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that the technical idea of ​​the present invention can be easily implemented by those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs. However, the present invention can be implemented in different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

[0037] In order to clearly illustrate the present invention, parts irrelevant to the description are omitted, and the same or similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the specification.

[0038] Furthermore, the terms or words used in the specification and the claims should not be restrictively interpreted as ordinary meanings or dictionary-based meanings, but should be interpreted as meanings and concepts consistent with the scope of the present invention based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concepts of the terms to best describe and interpret the inventor's invention.

[0039] The present invention relates to a pressing roller device and a pressing method, wherein the pressing roller device is provided in a laminating device for manufacturing unit cells so that the unit cells pass between upper and lower rollers. Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0040] First embodiment

[0041] As a first embodiment, the present invention provides a pressing roller device that allows unit batteries to pass between an upper roller 21 and a lower roller 11 .

[0042] Figure 2 2 is a view illustrating a state in which the upper mounting member 20 in the pressing roller device according to the present invention is lowered to the lowermost side, Figure 3 It is a graphic Figure 2 A view showing a state in which the upper mounting member 20 is raised.

[0043] refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 The pressing roller device of the present invention includes an upper mounting member 20 and a lower mounting member 10, and an upper roller 21 and a lower roller 11 are coupled to the upper mounting member 20 and the lower mounting member 10 respectively.

[0044] Each of the upper roller 21 and the lower roller 11 is made of a material having sufficient rigidity to apply appropriate pressure to the electrode and the diaphragm and has a cylindrical shape. In addition, the upper mount 20 and the lower mount 10 are installed so that the upper roller 21 and the lower roller 11 can rotate at the center of both surfaces of the upper mount 20 and the lower mount 10, respectively.

[0045] That is, the lower mounting member 10 is fixed so that the lower roller 11 is installed to be rotatable. On the other hand, similarly, the upper roller 21 is installed on the upper mounting member 20 so as to be rotatable. Here, the movement and separation of the upper mounting member 20 can be restricted by the bracket 30, and the upper mounting member 20 can also be raised and lowered by the bracket 30.

[0046] In addition, a stopper 60 is provided between the lower mount 10 and the upper mount 20 so that the lower roller 11 and the upper roller 21 are spaced apart from each other.

[0047] In the present invention, the head 22 protrudes from the top surface of the upper mount 20. The head 22 includes: a main body portion 23, which protrudes vertically from the top surface of the upper mount 20; and an expansion portion 24, the diameter of which increases at the upper end of the main body portion 23. In addition, the bracket 30 is provided with a clamping portion 31 facing the lower side, and the head 22 is coupled so that the separation of the expansion portion 24 is restricted by the clamping portion 31 of the bracket 30. As shown in the figure, the bracket 30 has a space for accommodating the head 22, and the clamping portion 31 supports the head 22 so that the head 22 does not separate downward when the head 22 enters the space.

[0048] Here, in a state where the bracket 30 is fixed, the upper mount 20 can rise and fall in a state where the head 22 is restricted within a range where the bottom surface of the clamping portion 31 contacts the top surface of the upper mount 20 or within a range where the top surface of the clamping portion 31 contacts the expansion portion 24. That is, the range of rise and fall is proportional to the length of the body portion 23.

[0049] When the upper mounting member 20 is seated on the stop member 60 according to the length of the stop member 60 while the height of the bracket 30 is fixed, the clamping portion 31 is configured so that a gap is generated between the clamping portion 31 and the expansion portion 24 and between the clamping portion 31 and the top surface of the upper mounting member 20.

[0050] That is, in the case of the above arrangement, when the electrode and the separator pass through the upper roller 21 and the lower roller 11, only the weight of the upper roller 21 and the upper mount 20 acts as a pressure. In addition, when the bracket 30 is lowered to allow the clamping portion 31 to press the top surface of the upper mount 20, the force transmitted by the bracket 30 is further increased as a pressure on the electrode and the separator.

[0051] The bracket 30 is configured to rise and fall by the motor 40. The motor 40 and the bracket 30 are connected to each other by a screw 50, and the screw 50 converts the rotational force of the motor 40 into the rising and falling movement of the bracket 30. Therefore, the bracket 30 rises and falls according to the rotation direction of the motor 40. For reference, instead of the motor 40, the bracket 30 may be configured to rise and fall by pneumatic pressure or hydraulic pressure. However, preferably, the bracket 30 is configured to rise and fall by the rotation of the motor 40 so as to control the rotation rate more accurately and quickly.

[0052] In addition, when the upper mount 20 is seated on the stopper 60 , the damping member 61 may be mounted on the stopper 60 to suppress the occurrence of impact noise and improve mechanical durability. Figure 4 The figure shows a state where the damping member 61 is installed on the upper end of the stopper 60, that is, Figure 4 As shown, a damping member 61 for buffering impact may be additionally provided at one or more ends of the upper end and the lower end of the stopper 60 .

[0053] Furthermore, in the present invention, the stopper 60 may expand and contract in the longitudinal direction to adjust the distance between the upper mount 20 and the lower mount 10 . Figure 5 The figure shows a state in which the length of the stopper 60 increases due to the rise of the sliding portion 63 from the fixing portion 62 of the stopper 60. Figure 5 As shown, the stopper 60 of the present invention may include a fixing portion 62 and a sliding portion 63 .

[0054] The fixing portion 62 has a strip shape vertically erected from the lower mount 10 and is fixedly coupled to the lower mount 10. In addition, the sliding portion 63 is configured to be slidable to rise and fall in the longitudinal direction from the fixing portion 62. The sliding portion 63 and the fixing portion 62 may be configured to rise and fall the sliding portion 63 by injecting compressed air into the internal space between the sliding portion 63 and the fixing portion 62 or by installing a rack and pinion in the internal space to allow the rack and pinion to be rotated by a motor.

[0055] Figure 6 Comparing the pressing roller device according to the prior art (left) with the pressing roller device according to the present invention (right), in the pressing roller device of the present invention having the above-mentioned structure, as shown in FIG. Figure 6 As shown, when the unit battery U passes through the upper roller 21 and the lower roller 11, a gap in which the upper mount 20 can rise may be provided to prevent electrodes provided in the unit battery U from being damaged and separated from their normal positions.

[0056] Second embodiment

[0057] Furthermore, as a second embodiment, the present invention provides a pressing method of pressing a unit battery between an upper roller and a lower roller by using the pressing roller device provided in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0058] The pressing method according to the present invention is a pressing method that allows the unit battery U to pass between the upper roller 21 and the lower roller 11 to press the unit battery U. The pressing method includes the steps of allowing the unit battery U to pass between the lower roller 11 and the upper roller 21, the lower roller 11 is mounted on the lower mount 10, the lower mount 10 is fixed, and the upper roller 21 is mounted on the upper mount 20, which can rise and fall in a state where separation from the bracket 30 is restricted.

[0059] Here, when the unit cell U passes between the upper roller 21 and the lower roller 11, the upper roller 21 and the lower roller 11 are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. That is, in the method according to the prior art, the upper roller and the lower roller may contact each other, and when the electrodes of the unit cell pass through, the load is concentrated on the edge portions of the negative and positive electrodes stacked in the unit cell, causing the positive and negative electrodes to be damaged or each of the positive and negative electrodes to be separated from its normal position. However, in the present invention, because the upper roller 21 and the lower roller 11 are spaced apart from each other, the amount of impact initially applied to the negative and positive electrodes can be reduced.

[0060] Here, because the upper mount 20 is restricted by the bracket 30 and can rise and fall within a predetermined range (due to the gaps generated between the clamping portion and the expansion portion and between the clamping portion and the top surface of the upper mount), the self-weight of each of the upper mount 20 and the upper roller 21 acts as pressure applied to the unit battery.

[0061] If a unit cell having a predetermined thickness passes between the upper roller 21 and the lower roller 11, only the self-weight of the upper mount 20 and the upper roller 21 may be applied as pressure to the unit cell. If a unit cell having a thickness greater than the predetermined thickness passes between the upper roller 21 and the lower roller 11, in addition to the self-weight of the upper mount 20 and the upper roller 21, a force applied from the bracket 30 may be added as pressure to the unit cell.

[0062] Therefore, the present invention may include the step of installing a stopper 60 between the lower mount 10 and the upper mount 20 so that the lower roller 11 and the upper roller 21 are spaced apart from each other before the unit batteries pass therethrough.

[0063] Furthermore, the present invention may additionally provide a unit battery manufactured by the pressurizing method as described above.

[0064] In the present invention having the above-mentioned structure, a stopper 60 capable of rising and falling can be arranged between the lower mounting member 10 and the upper mounting member 20 to more easily and reliably maintain the distance between the upper roller 21 and the lower roller 11, and the length of the stopper 60 can be adjusted to adjust the distance between the upper roller 21 and the lower roller 11.

[0065] Here, when the upper mounting member 20 is seated on the stopper 60, the upper mounting member 20 may be seated so that a gap is generated between the clamping portion 31 and the expansion portion 24 and between the clamping portion 31 and the top surface of the upper mounting member 20. Therefore, when the electrode passes, the stopper 60 may only support the load of the upper mounting member 20 and the upper roller 21 to minimize damage to the electrode. That is, in the structure according to the prior art, the fixing force between the upper mounting member and the motor may serve as pressure on the electrode. However, in the present invention, the initial pressure applied to the electrode may be reduced, and if necessary, the pressure transmitted to the motor may be increased.

[0066] In addition, a damping member 61 for buffering an impact when the upper mount 20 is seated may be installed on the stopper 60 to prevent durability from being deteriorated due to the impact.

[0067] While embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to specific embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A pressing roller device for allowing a unit battery to pass between an upper roller and a lower roller, the pressing roller device comprising: The lower roller; The upper roller; a lower mounting member, the lower roller is mounted on the lower mounting member, and the lower mounting member is fixed; an upper mounting member on which the upper roller is mounted and which is restricted by a bracket so as to be raised and lowered by the bracket; and a stopper disposed between the lower mounting member and the upper mounting member so that the lower roller and the upper roller are spaced apart from each other, wherein the upper mounting member includes a head protruding from a top surface of the upper mounting member, The head portion includes a main body portion vertically protruding from a top surface of the upper mounting member and an expansion portion whose diameter increases at an upper end of the main body portion, The head is coupled so that separation of the extension portion is limited by the clamping portion of the bracket, wherein, in a state in which the bracket is fixed, the upper mounting member rises and descends in a state in which the head is limited within a range in which the bottom surface of the clamping portion contacts the top surface of the upper mounting member or within a range in which the top surface of the clamping portion contacts the extension portion.

2. The pressing roller device according to claim 1, wherein: When the upper mount is seated on the stopper, a gap is generated between the clamping portion and the expansion portion and between the clamping portion and the top surface of the upper mount. 3 . The pressing roller device according to claim 1 , wherein the bracket is connected to the motor to rise and fall according to a rotation direction of the motor. 4 . The press roller device according to claim 1 , wherein a damping member for absorbing an impact when the upper mounting member is seated is installed on the stopper. 5 . The pressing roller device according to claim 1 , wherein the stopper has a bar shape vertically standing from the lower mounting member, and the stopper expands and contracts in a longitudinal direction to adjust a spacing distance between the lower mounting member and the upper mounting member.

6. The pressure roller device according to claim 5, wherein the stopper comprises: A fixing portion, fixedly disposed on the lower mounting member; and The sliding portion is slidable to ascend and descend from the fixing portion in a longitudinal direction.

7. A method for applying pressure to a unit battery passing between an upper roller and a lower roller, the method comprising: a step of allowing the unit cells to pass between the lower roller and the upper roller, the lower roller being mounted on a lower mounting member, the lower mounting member being fixed, the upper roller being mounted on an upper mounting member capable of ascending and descending in a state where separation from a support is restricted, wherein, when the unit battery passes between the upper roller and the lower roller, the upper roller and the lower roller are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, The upper mounting member includes a head protruding from a top surface of the upper mounting member, The head portion includes a main body portion vertically protruding from a top surface of the upper mounting member and an expansion portion whose diameter increases at an upper end of the main body portion, The head is coupled so that separation of the extension portion is limited by the clamping portion of the bracket, wherein, in a state in which the bracket is fixed, the upper mounting member rises and descends in a state in which the head is limited within a range in which the bottom surface of the clamping portion contacts the top surface of the upper mounting member or within a range in which the top surface of the clamping portion contacts the extension portion.

8. The pressure application method according to claim 7, wherein: When the unit cells pass between the upper roller and the lower roller, pressure applied to the unit cells is applied by the self-weight of the upper mount and the upper roller.

9. The pressure application method according to claim 8, wherein: If a unit cell having a predetermined thickness passes between the upper roller and the lower roller, only the self-weight of the upper mount and the upper roller serves as pressure applied to the unit cell, and if a unit cell having a thickness greater than the predetermined thickness passes between the upper roller and the lower roller, in addition to the self-weight of the upper mount and the upper roller, a force applied from the bracket is added to serve as pressure applied to the unit cell.

10. The pressure applying method according to claim 7, further comprising: Before the unit batteries pass through, a stopper is installed between the lower mount and the upper mount so that the lower roller and the upper roller are spaced apart from each other.

11. A unit cell manufactured by the pressurizing method according to claim 7.

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