Tape Attachment Equipment

Abstract

The present invention relates to a tape attaching device, comprising: a tape supply unit configured to provide a tape to be attached to an end portion of an electrode roll; a tape attaching unit configured to attach the tape provided by the tape supply unit to the electrode roll; and a frame configured to mount the tape attaching unit thereto, wherein a tape attaching process for preventing the electrode roll from unwinding is automatically performed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority of Korean Patent Application No. 2020-0087018, filed on Jul. 14, 2020, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a tape attaching device, and more particularly, to a device for automatically attaching a tape attached to an electrode roll without a worker to prevent the electrode roll from unwinding. Background Art

[0003] A lithium secondary battery capable of charging and discharging does not require replacement of a battery cell, and thus the lithium secondary battery is suitable for use as a built-in battery cell, and has rapidly achieved functional improvements such as improved stability and increased capacity. Accordingly, the types of devices to which the lithium secondary battery is applied have gradually increased.

[0004] For example, lithium secondary batteries have been widely used as an energy source for wireless mobile devices or wearable devices worn on the body, which are small multifunctional products, and have also been used as an energy source for electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles proposed as alternatives to existing gasoline and diesel vehicles that cause air pollution.

[0005] Electrode assemblies of lithium secondary batteries are classified according to the structure of the electrode assembly including a positive electrode, a separator, and a negative electrode. Generally, the electrode assembly includes: a stacked electrode assembly configured to have a structure in which one or more positive electrode plates and one or more negative electrode plates are stacked with a separator interposed therebetween; a stacked and folded electrode assembly configured to have a structure in which stacked unit cells each including a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate are wound with an insulating sheet; a laminated stacked electrode assembly configured to have a structure in which stacked unit cells each including a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate are stacked with a separator interposed therebetween; and a jelly roll type electrode assembly configured to have a structure in which a positive electrode sheet and a negative electrode sheet are wound with a separator interposed therebetween.

[0006] The process of manufacturing an electrode including a positive electrode and a negative electrode includes the following steps: coating an electrode agent on the remaining portion of an electrode sheet wound in a roll form except for a portion where an electrode tab is to be formed; drying and rolling the electrode agent; slitting the electrode sheet; and cutting the slit electrode sheet into unit electrodes.

[0007] In order to prevent the electrode roll from unwinding during the electrode manufacturing process, the electrode roll is stored and transported in a state where a tape is attached to the starting part or the end part of the electrode roll. In addition, the tape must be removed so that the electrode roll with the tape attached unwinds and can be used in the electrode manufacturing process. Workers are required to attach and remove the tape. However, depending on the skills of the workers, the states of attaching and removing the tape may not be consistent, which delays the electrode manufacturing process.

[0008] In this regard, Patent Document 1 discloses a tape attaching device that attaches a tape to each of the front surface and the back surface of an electrode sheet. In the tape attaching device according to Patent Document 1, the tape is adsorbed into the adsorption holes by the adsorption force of the adsorption head, thereby forming unevenness on the surface of the tape, and bubbles are generated between the electrode sheet and the tape due to the unevenness, which results in defective products in the battery manufacturing process.

[0009] In order to solve the above problems, Patent Document 1 discloses a tape attaching device and method for attaching a tape to a portion where electrode sheets are connected to each other in a state where the electrode sheets are arranged side by side, but does not disclose or teach a method for attaching a tape to an electrode roll wound with electrode sheets to prevent the electrode roll from unwinding.

[0010] Therefore, there is a high need for a device that can attach a tape to an electrode roll to prevent the electrode roll from unwinding, which is applicable to electrode rolls without being limited by the size of the electrode roll and can automatically attach the tape to the electrode roll without the need for workers.

[0011] (Prior Art Documents)

[0012] (Patent Document 1) Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-167757 (June 22, 2001) Summary of the Invention

[0013] Technical Problem

[0014] In view of the above problems, the present invention has been made, and an object of the present invention is to provide a tape attaching device that can automatically attach a tape to the winding end of an electrode roll to prevent the electrode roll from unwinding, and can uniformly maintain the attachment position of the tape and the size of the tape, thereby improving the productivity of the electrode manufacturing process.

[0015] Technical Solution

[0016] In order to achieve the above object, the tape attaching device according to the present invention includes: a tape supply unit configured to provide a tape to be attached to the end of an electrode roll; a tape attaching unit configured to attach the tape provided by the tape supply unit to the electrode roll; and a frame configured to mount the tape attaching unit to the frame.

[0017] In the tape attaching device according to the present invention, the tape supply unit may include: an unwinding roller configured to draw out a tape sheet having a structure in which a tape body is attached to a tape base; and a rewinding roller configured to rewind the tape base from which the tape body has been separated.

[0018] In the tape attaching device according to the present invention, the tape attaching unit may include: a mounting portion configured to mount the tape attaching unit to the frame; an attaching portion configured to adsorb the tape supplied by the tape supply unit and attach the tape to the electrode roll; and a transfer portion configured to transfer the attaching portion from the tape supply unit to the electrode roll.

[0019] In the tape attaching device according to the present invention, the tape body may be configured to have a structure including an adhesive portion and a non-adhesive portion.

[0020] In the tape attaching device according to the present invention, the attaching portion may include: an upper end portion configured to rotate about a rotation axis; an extension portion connected to the upper end portion, the length of which is adjustable; and an adsorption portion configured to adsorb the tape.

[0021] In the tape attaching device according to the present invention, the adsorption portion may be configured to have a structure in which a surface of the adsorption portion to which the tape is attached can be deformed from a flat surface to a curved surface.

[0022] In the tape attaching device according to the present invention, the frame may be equipped with a sensor configured to sense an end portion of the electrode roll.

[0023] In the tape attaching device according to the present invention, a rotating roller on which the electrode roll is mounted may rotate the electrode roll so that the sensor senses the end portion of the electrode roll.

[0024] In the tape attaching device according to the present invention, the frame may include a structure capable of moving in a direction toward the electrode roll.

[0025] In the tape attaching device according to the present invention, the frame may include a contact roller configured to increase the adhesion force of the tape attached to the electrode roll.

[0026] Furthermore, in the tape attaching device according to the present invention, when the contact roller contacts the surface of the electrode roll, the electrode roll with the tape attached thereto may rotate in a state of abutting against the contact roller.

[0027] Advantageous Effects

[0028] As is apparent from the above description, the tape attaching device according to the present invention can automatically perform a tape attaching process to prevent the electrode roll in a wound state from unwinding during the electrode manufacturing process, so that the tape can be quickly attached to the surface of the electrode roll and an electrode with a tape of the same size attached at a predetermined position can be provided.

[0029] In addition, in the tape sheet configured to have a structure in which the tape body is attached to the tape base, the tape body is separated from the tape base and attached to the electrode roll, so that a separate process of cutting the tape is not required, and a tape composed of a tape body having a predetermined size can be attached to the electrode roll.

[0030] In addition, the attaching portion of the tape attaching unit is configured to have a structure in which the attaching portion is deformed into a curved surface to closely contact the outer surface of the curved surface of the electrode roll, so that the tape attaching device according to the present invention can be applied to electrode rolls of various sizes. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a tape attaching device according to the present invention.

[0032] Figure 2 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing a state in which a tape supply unit is mounted on a frame.

[0033] Figure 3 is a partial plan view of a tape drawn out from a tape sheet.

[0034] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a tape attaching unit.

[0035] Figure 5 is Figure 4 an enlarged view of the attaching portion of

[0036] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the bottom surface of the adsorption portion.

[0037] Figure 7 is Figure 1 a perspective view of the frame of the tape attaching device of

[0038] Figure 8 is a partially enlarged view of the frame on which a sensor is mounted. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0039] Now, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, so that those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains can easily implement the preferred embodiments of the present invention. However, in the detailed description of the working principle of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, when the detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein may obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted.

[0040] In addition, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to denote components that perform similar functions or operations. In cases where a component is referred to as being connected to another component throughout the application, the one component may be directly connected to the other component, and the one component may also be indirectly connected to the other component via additional components. In addition, the inclusion of an element does not mean excluding other elements, but rather means that other elements may be further included, unless otherwise specified.

[0041] In addition, the limitations set forth in the dependent claims may be applied to all embodiments described in the present application.

[0042] In addition, in the description of the present invention and the claims of the present application, unless otherwise mentioned, the singular form is intended to include the plural form.

[0043] In addition, in the description of the present invention and the claims of the present application, unless otherwise mentioned, "or" includes "and". Thus, "including A or B" means three cases, namely, the case of including A, the case of including B, and the case of including both A and B.

[0044] In addition, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, all numerical ranges include the minimum value, the maximum value, and all intermediate values therebetween.

[0045] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0046] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a tape attaching device according to the present invention, Figure 2 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing a state in which a tape supply unit is mounted to a frame.

[0047] Referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , a tape attaching device according to the present invention includes: a tape supply unit 200 configured to provide a tape to be attached to an end of an electrode roll; a tape attaching unit 100 configured to attach the tape provided by the tape supply unit 200 to the electrode roll; and a frame 300 to which the tape attaching unit is mounted.

[0048] The tape attaching unit 100 is configured to be detachably mounted to the frame 300. The configuration of the frame that can constitute the tape attaching device according to the present invention is not limited to Figure 1 the configuration of the frame shown in, as long as the tape attaching unit 100 can be coupled to the frame.

[0049] The tape supply unit 200 includes: an unwinding roller 210 configured to draw out a tape sheet configured to have a structure in which a tape body is attached to a tape base; and a rewinding roller 220 configured to rewind the tape base from which the tape body has been separated.

[0050] The tape supply unit 200 can be provided independently of the frame as shown in Figure 1 or can be configured to have a structure in which the tape supply unit is mounted to the frame and moves together with the frame as shown in Figure 2 .

[0051] In the present application, the "tape" refers to the portion that is separated from the tape sheet and attached to the outer surface of the electrode roll, that is, the tape body left after removing the tape base from the tape sheet. In the following description, the "tape" and the "tape body" have the same meaning.

[0052] The tape sheet is mounted to the unwinding roller 210 of the tape supply unit according to the present invention, and the unwinding roller 210 draws out the tape sheet configured such that one surface of the tape body is attached to the tape base. In the tape sheet conveyed to the separation table 230, the tape body is adsorbed by the adsorption portion 123 of the attachment portion 120 of the tape attachment unit, so that the tape body is separated from the tape base.

[0053] In this regard, Figure 3 is a partial plan view of the tape drawn out from the tape sheet.

[0054] Referring to Figure 3 , which shows a state in which the tape sheet is drawn out in the drawing direction F of the tape sheet. The tape bodies 252 are attached to one surface of the tape base 251 at a predetermined distance from each other. Therefore, in the tape sheet conveyed to the separation table 230, the tape bodies 252 are separated one by one from the tape base 251 due to the adsorption force of the adsorption portion 123.

[0055] The tape body 252 is configured to have a structure including an adhesion portion 252a and a non-adhesion portion 252b. Therefore, when the adsorption portion 123 adsorbs the tape body 252, the non-adhesion portion 252b having no adhesion force can be first separated from the tape base and attached to the surface of the adsorption portion 123.

[0056] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the tape attachment unit, Figure 5 is Figure 4 an enlarged view of the attachment portion of

[0057] Referring to Figure 4 and Figure 5, the tape attaching unit 100 includes: a mounting portion 110 configured to mount the tape attaching unit to the frame; an attaching portion 120 configured to adsorb the tape supplied by the tape supply unit and attach the tape to the electrode roll; and a transfer portion 130 configured to transfer the attaching portion 120 from the tape supply unit to the electrode roll.

[0058] The mounting portion 110 is provided with a plurality of holes for screw fastening. The tape attaching unit can be mounted to the frame by screw fastening using bolts and nuts.

[0059] The attaching portion 120 includes: an upper end portion 121 configured to rotate about a rotation axis; an extension portion 122 connected to the upper end portion 121, the length of the extension portion being adjustable; and an adsorption portion 123 configured to adsorb the tape.

[0060] The adsorption portion 123 can be configured to have a structure in which the surface of the adsorbed tape of the adsorption portion can be deformed from a flat surface to a curved surface.

[0061] In this regard, Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the bottom surface of the adsorption portion.

[0062] Referring to Figure 6 , the adsorption portion is composed of three separated parts, namely, a first part 125a, a second part 125b, and a third part 125c. The bottom surfaces of the first part 125a, the second part 125b, and the third part 125c where the tape is attached are provided with a plurality of adsorption holes 126 to adsorb the tape by vacuum decompression.

[0063] A base portion 127 can be provided on the rear surfaces of the first part 125a, the second part 125b, and the third part 125c to fix and connect these parts to each other.

[0064] In order to increase the close contact force between the electrode roll and the tape attached to the outer surface of the electrode roll, preferably, the bottom surface of the adsorption portion 123 can be deformed into a curved shape so that the adsorption portion 123 is in close contact with the outer surface of the electrode roll.

[0065] When the diameter of the electrode roll is small, the radius of curvature of the electrode roll decreases. When the diameter of the electrode roll is large, the radius of curvature of the electrode roll increases. Therefore, when the bottom surface of the adsorption portion can be deformed so that its radius of curvature increases or decreases, the tape can be attached to the outer surface of each electrode roll with various different outer diameters with a high close contact force.

[0066] Therefore, as Figure 6In the shown adsorption part, the angles between the first part 125a, the second part 125b, and the third part 125c are variable, so the adhesion of the tape to electrode rolls of various sizes can be ensured.

[0067] Figure 7 is Figure 1 a perspective view of the frame of the tape attaching device.

[0068] Referring to Figure 7 , the frame 300 includes a contact roller 320 configured to increase the adhesion of the tape attached to the electrode roll.

[0069] In addition, the frame 300 may include a structure capable of moving in the direction toward the electrode roll to attach the tape to the electrode roll.

[0070] Although omitted from the Figure 1 frame 300, for example, wheels may be attached to the frame support part 310 so that the frame 300 can move, or the frame 300 may be arranged on a track so that the frame 300 can move in the front - rear direction.

[0071] In a specific example, the process of attaching the tape to the outer surface of the electrode roll by the tape attaching device according to the present invention is described. First, the transfer part of the tape attaching unit installed on the frame transfers the attaching part to the tape supply unit, and the adsorption part of the attaching part adsorbs the tape supplied by the tape supply unit.

[0072] The subsequent process after the tape is adsorbed by the attaching part will be described. Figure 8 is a partially enlarged view of the frame equipped with a sensor.

[0073] Referring to Figure 8 , the frame 300 is equipped with a sensor 400 configured to sense the end of the electrode roll. The rotating roller on which the electrode roll 10 is installed rotates the electrode roll 10 so that the sensor 400 senses the end of the electrode roll.

[0074] When the sensor 400 senses the end of the electrode roll 10, the rotation of the rotating roller is stopped, and the frame 300 on which the tape attaching unit that has adsorbed the tape is installed moves toward the electrode roll 10.

[0075] At this time, the transfer part transfers the attaching part from the tape supply unit in the direction toward the electrode roll, and increases the length of the extension part of the attaching part so that the adsorption part contacts the outer surface of the electrode roll to attach the tape to the end of the electrode roll.

[0076] The above process can be repeated as many times as the number of tapes attached to the electrode roll. Alternatively, in a state where the tape supply unit is installed on the frame, the tape adsorption, conveyance, and attachment processes of the tape attachment unit can be repeatedly executed without moving the frame at the position where the first tape is attached.

[0077] When the process of attaching a single tape or multiple tapes to the end of the electrode roll is completed, the contact roller moves toward the electrode roll so that the contact roller contacts the electrode roll. The electrode roll with the tape attached rotates while in contact with the contact roller to increase the adhesion of the tape.

[0078] As described above, when using the tape attachment device according to the present invention, the tape can be automatically attached to the electrode roll without the intervention of workers, so that the attachment quality of the tape attached to the electrode roll can be the same.

[0079] Those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains will understand that, based on the above description, various applications and modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention.

[0080] (Description of reference numerals)

[0081] 10: Electrode roll

[0082] 100: Tape attachment unit

[0083] 110: Mounting portion

[0084] 120: Attachment portion

[0085] 121: Upper end portion

[0086] 122: Extension portion

[0087] 123: Adsorption portion

[0088] 125a: First part

[0089] 125b: Second part

[0090] 125c: Third part

[0091] 126: Adsorption hole

[0092] 127: Base

[0093] 130: Conveyance portion

[0094] 200: Tape supply unit

[0095] 210: Unwinding roller

[0096] 220: Rewinding roller

[0097] 230: Separation table

[0098] 251: Tape base

[0099] 252: Tape body

[0100] 252a: Adhesive part

[0101] 252b: Non - adhesive part

[0102] 300: Frame

[0103] 310: Frame support part

[0104] 320: Contact roller

[0105] 400: Sensor

[0106] F: Drawing direction of the tape sheet.

[0107] Industrial applicability

[0108] As is apparent from the above description, the tape attaching device according to the present invention can automatically perform the tape attaching process to prevent the electrode roll in a wound state from unwinding during the electrode manufacturing process, so that the tape can be quickly attached to the surface of the electrode roll and an electrode roll with a tape of the same size attached at a predetermined position can be provided.

[0109] In addition, in the tape sheet configured to have a structure in which the tape body is attached to the tape base, the tape body is separated from the tape base and attached to the electrode roll, so that a separate process of cutting the tape is not required, and a tape composed of a tape body having a predetermined size can be attached to the electrode roll.

[0110] In addition, the attaching part of the tape attaching unit is configured to have a structure in which the attaching part is deformed into a curved surface to closely contact the outer surface of the curved surface of the electrode roll, so that the tape attaching device according to the present invention can be applied to electrode rolls of various sizes.

Claims

1. A tape attaching device, comprising: A tape supply unit configured to provide a tape to be attached to an end portion of an electrode roll; A tape attaching unit configured to attach the tape provided by the tape supply unit to the electrode roll; and A frame configured to mount the tape attaching unit thereto, Wherein the tape attaching unit includes an attaching portion configured to adsorb the tape supplied by the tape supply unit and attach the tape to the electrode roll, Wherein the attaching portion includes: An upper end portion configured to rotate about a rotation axis; An extension portion connected to the upper end portion, the length of the extension portion being adjustable; and An adsorption portion configured to adsorb the tape, Wherein the adsorption portion is configured to have a structure in which a surface of the adsorption portion to which the tape is attached can be deformed from a flat surface to a curved surface according to a radius of curvature of the electrode roll so that the curved surface is in close contact with an outer surface of the electrode roll.

2. The tape attaching device according to claim 1, wherein the tape supply unit includes: An unwinding roll configured to draw out a tape sheet configured to have a structure in which a tape body is attached to a tape base; And A rewinding roll configured to rewind the tape base from which the tape body has been separated.

3. The tape attaching device according to claim 1, wherein the tape attaching unit includes: A mounting portion configured to mount the tape attaching unit to the frame; And A transfer portion configured to transfer the attaching portion from the tape supply unit to the electrode roll.

4. The tape attaching device according to claim 2, wherein the tape body is configured to have a structure including an adhesive portion and a non-adhesive portion.

5. The tape attaching device according to claim 1, wherein a sensor configured to sense the end portion of the electrode roll is mounted on the frame.

6. The tape attaching device according to claim 5, wherein a rotating roll on which the electrode roll is mounted rotates the electrode roll so that the sensor senses the end portion of the electrode roll.

7. The tape attaching device according to claim 1, wherein the frame includes a structure capable of moving in a direction toward the electrode roll.

8. The tape attaching device according to claim 1, wherein the frame includes a contact roll configured to increase an adhesive force of the tape attached to the electrode roll.

9. The tape attaching device according to claim 8, wherein, When the contact roll comes into contact with a surface of the electrode roll, the electrode roll with the tape attached thereto rotates in a state of abutting against the contact roll.

Images