Diaphragm bonding equipment

Abstract

This invention relates to a diaphragm bonding apparatus for pressing and bonding spaced portions of a first electrode and a second electrode in an electrode stack, the electrode stack including a first diaphragm sheet and a second diaphragm sheet, the first electrode being spaced apart from each other at a regular interval on the first diaphragm sheet, and the second electrode being spaced apart from each other at a regular interval on the second diaphragm sheet. The diaphragm bonding apparatus includes: an bonding portion located above the electrode stack, the bonding portion pressing the spaced portions of the first and second electrodes; and a support roller located below the electrode stack to support the electrode stack, wherein an elastic material is added to at least a portion of the outer surface of the bonding portion such that adjacent diaphragm sheets in the spaced portions are bonded.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a diaphragm bonding apparatus. More specifically, this invention relates to a diaphragm bonding apparatus capable of preventing diaphragm folding in stacked electrode assemblies. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid increase in capacity and energy density of lithium-ion batteries, they have been used as an energy source for large and medium-sized devices (such as vehicles or power storage systems) as well as small devices (such as portable electronic devices).

[0003] Lithium secondary batteries can be manufactured by receiving an electrode assembly in a battery casing and sealing the battery casing hermetically, the electrode assembly being configured to have a structure in which a positive electrode, a separator, and a negative electrode are stacked in sequence.

[0004] The electrode assembly includes: a single cell configured to have a first electrode and a separator stacked together; a single cell configured to have a first electrode, a separator, and a second electrode stacked together; and a dual cell configured to have a first electrode, a separator, a second electrode, a separator, and a third electrode stacked together.

[0005] To manufacture this electrode assembly, two or more separator sheets are prepared, with electrodes on these separator sheets arranged at predetermined intervals, and the separator sheets are stacked so that the electrodes overlap. The stacked electrodes and separator sheets are subjected to a lamination process under heat and pressure to bond them together, and then the separator sheet portions between the electrodes that do not have electrodes are cut off, thereby completing the cell.

[0006] Each cell has an excess separator, approximately 1mm to 2mm in size, extending from the periphery of the electrodes. Because this excess is not fixed, it may fold or tear during cell transport, exposing the electrodes. When the exposed positive and negative electrodes come into contact, a fire may occur due to an internal short circuit. In other words, the safety of the lithium-ion secondary battery may be compromised.

[0007] Therefore, for safety reasons, it is necessary to prevent the separator of lithium secondary batteries from folding.

[0008] In this regard, Patent Document 1 discloses an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus that laminates the ends of adjacent diaphragms of an electrode stack consisting of a first electrode, a diaphragm, a second electrode, a diaphragm, and the first electrode stacked in sequence.

[0009] Patent Document 1 discloses a roller with an embossed or engraved surface configured to laminate the end of a diaphragm that extends further than the electrodes. The roller is configured to laminate the peripheral excess portion parallel to the transport direction of the electrode stack; however, no technique is proposed for fixing the excess portion of the diaphragm formed perpendicular to the transport direction of the electrode stack.

[0010] Patent document 2 discloses an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus comprising: a lamination unit configured to press an electrode assembly while allowing the electrode assembly to pass between a pair of pressing rollers to laminate an electrode and a diaphragm; and a thickness measuring unit configured to measure the thickness of at least one of the electrode and the diaphragm, wherein the electrode and the diaphragm are laminated, and to adjust at least one of the position of the pair of pressing rollers, the distance between the pressing rollers, and the pressing force of the pressing rollers based on the values ​​measured by the thickness measuring unit.

[0011] In Patent Document 2, the positions of a pair of pressing rollers, the distance between the pressing rollers, and the pressing force of the pressing rollers were adjusted in order to increase the adhesion between the electrodes and the diaphragm; however, no technique was proposed for increasing the adhesion between the excess portions of two or more overlapping diaphragms.

[0012] Therefore, there is a need for technology that can prevent the excess portion of the separator formed perpendicular to the direction of movement of the electrode stack in a cell with two or more overlapping separators, thereby ensuring the safety of lithium secondary batteries.

[0013] (Existing technical literature)

[0014] (Patent Document 1) Korean Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0057847 (May 31, 2018)

[0015] (Patent Document 2) Korean Patent Application Publication 2020-0066901 (June 11, 2020) Summary of the Invention

[0016] Technical issues

[0017] The present invention was made in view of the above-mentioned problems. One object of the present invention is to provide a diaphragm bonding device, which includes a structure in which electrodes on each diaphragm sheet are arranged to be spaced apart from each other and form a spacer portion, and pressing the spacer portion thereby bonding adjacent portions of the diaphragm sheet together at the spacer portion.

[0018] Technical solution

[0019] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a diaphragm bonding apparatus configured to press and bond together a spacer portion between first electrodes and a spacer portion between second electrodes in an electrode stack. The electrode stack includes a first diaphragm sheet and a second diaphragm sheet, wherein the first electrodes on the first diaphragm sheet are arranged spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, and the second electrodes on the second diaphragm sheet are arranged spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. The diaphragm bonding apparatus includes: a bonding unit located above the electrode stack, the bonding unit being configured to press the spacer portion between the first electrodes and the spacer portion between the second electrodes; and a support roller located below the electrode stack, the support roller being configured to support the electrode stack, wherein at least a portion of the outer surface of the bonding unit is coated with an elastic material.

[0020] The diaphragm bonding apparatus according to the present invention may further include: a conveying unit configured to convey the electrode stack; and an alignment unit configured to arrange the first electrode and the second electrode of the electrode stack such that the center of the first electrode and the center of the second electrode are aligned with each other.

[0021] Parallel to the conveying direction of the electrode stack, the length of the first electrode is less than the length of the second electrode.

[0022] The diaphragm bonding apparatus according to the present invention may further include a sensor configured to sense the position of the spacer portion.

[0023] The adhesive unit may include: an end end configured to press the spacer portion, the end end being made of an elastic material; an adhesive unit body configured to allow the end end to attach thereto; a vertical conveying portion configured to move the adhesive unit body vertically; and a horizontal conveying portion configured to move the adhesive unit body horizontally at a conveying speed synchronized with the conveying speed of the electrode stack when the end end presses the spacer portion.

[0024] The bonding unit may include: a cylindrical body roller configured to rotate about a central axis; at least one tool end disposed on an outer surface of the body roller and protruding from the outer surface, the tool end being made of an elastic material; and a rotation unit configured to adjust the rotational speed of the body roller.

[0025] The bonding unit can adjust the rotational speed of the main roller so that the tool tip presses the interval portion of the electrode stack during the transfer of the electrode stack. The tool tip can be arranged perpendicular to the interval portion on the outer surface of the main roller, and the length of the tool tip protruding outward from the main roller is greater than the thickness of the electrode stack.

[0026] In a circle with the outermost diameter of the tool tip, when there is only one tool tip, the length obtained by subtracting the thickness of the tool tip from the total circumference of the circle can be equal to the distance between adjacent intervals or the distance between non-adjacent intervals. When there are two or more tool tips, the circumference length between the closest tool tips can be equal to the distance between adjacent intervals or the distance between non-adjacent intervals, and the circumference length between the closest tool tips can be equal to each other.

[0027] The rotating unit may include a control unit configured to synchronize the outermost circumferential speed of the tool tip with the conveying speed of the electrode stack when the adhesive unit presses the spacer portion.

[0028] The bonding unit can be configured to adjust the protrusion height of the tool tip according to the thickness of the electrode stack.

[0029] The adhesive unit can be configured to add elastic material to the entire outer surface of a cylindrical press roller configured to rotate about a central axis, thereby having an equal thickness.

[0030] The adhesive unit may be equipped with a pressing roller conveying part, which is configured to move the adhesive unit up and down, so that the adhesive unit presses the interval portion.

[0031] Protruding end tool ends may be added to the circumference of opposite ends of the main body roller in the transverse direction. The first diaphragm and the second diaphragm may have excess portions that are formed at opposite ends of the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm parallel to the direction of movement of the electrode stack and extend further than the first electrode and the second electrode. The end tool ends may press the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm at the excess portions.

[0032] Furthermore, the present invention can provide various combinations of the above-mentioned solutions.

[0033] Beneficial effects

[0034] As can be seen from the above description, the membrane bonding device according to the present invention includes a structure configured to press the spacer portion between the first electrodes of the electrode stack and the spacer portion between the second electrodes, thereby enabling the manufacture of a cell battery configured to bond excess portions of adjacent membranes together.

[0035] Because the excess portions of the separator are bonded together, as described above, it is possible to prevent the excess portions of the separator from folding during the transport and stacking of the cell units. Furthermore, even if the excess portions of the separator fold while they are bonded together, contact between the first electrode and the second electrode is prevented.

[0036] Furthermore, by simultaneously performing the process of bonding the spacer portion between the first electrodes and the spacer portion between the second electrodes of the electrode stack, and the process of bonding the excess portion of the separator formed parallel to the moving direction of the electrode stack, the manufacturing process of the cell can be simplified.

[0037] Therefore, it is possible to prevent short circuits between the first and second electrodes in the battery cell, thus providing a battery cell with improved safety. Attached Figure Description

[0038] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the process of the diaphragm bonding apparatus according to the present invention when viewed from the side.

[0039] Figure 2 This is a side view of the diaphragm bonding apparatus according to the first embodiment.

[0040] Figure 3 This is a side view of the diaphragm bonding device according to the second embodiment.

[0041] Figure 4 This is a side view of the diaphragm bonding apparatus according to the third embodiment.

[0042] Figure 5 This is a side view of the bonding unit of the diaphragm bonding apparatus according to the fourth embodiment.

[0043] Figure 6 This is a perspective view of the bonding unit of the diaphragm bonding apparatus according to the fifth embodiment.

[0044] Figure 7 This is a side view of the diaphragm bonding apparatus according to the sixth embodiment and a perspective view of the bonding unit of the diaphragm bonding apparatus.

[0045] Figure 8 This is a perspective view of the diaphragm bonding device according to the seventh embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0046] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, so that those skilled in the art can readily implement these preferred embodiments. However, in describing the operational principles of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, detailed descriptions of known functions and configurations incorporated herein may obscure the subject matter of the invention; therefore, such detailed descriptions will be omitted if they would obscure the main points of the invention.

[0047] Furthermore, throughout the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals will be used to refer to parts that perform similar functions or operations. Throughout the specification, where a part is referred to as being connected to another part, this means not only that the part can be directly connected to said other part, but also that the part can be indirectly connected to said other part via other parts. Moreover, including an element does not mean excluding other elements, but rather that such elements can be further included, unless otherwise mentioned.

[0048] Furthermore, descriptions that embody elements through limitations or additions can be applied to all inventions, and do not limit specific inventions unless otherwise specified.

[0049] Furthermore, in the description of the invention and the claims of this application, unless otherwise mentioned, the singular form is intended to include the plural form.

[0050] Furthermore, in the description of this invention and the claims of this application, "or" includes "and" unless otherwise mentioned. Therefore, "including A or B" refers to three cases: including A, including B, and including both A and B.

[0051] In the following, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0052] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the process of the diaphragm bonding apparatus according to the present invention when viewed from the side.

[0053] refer to Figure 1 The first electrode 111 is arranged on the first diaphragm 112 at a predetermined distance from each other, and the second electrode 121 is arranged on the second diaphragm 122 at a predetermined distance from each other, and the first diaphragm 112 and the second diaphragm 122 are stacked to form an electrode stack.

[0054] According to the diaphragm bonding device of the present invention, the spacer portion 115 formed between adjacent first electrodes 111 and the spacer portion 125 formed between adjacent second electrodes 121 are pressed together and bonded.

[0055] The diaphragm bonding apparatus includes: a bonding unit 210 located above the electrode stack, the bonding unit being configured to press the spacer portion 115 between the first electrodes 111 and the spacer portion 125 between the second electrodes 121; and a support roller 201 located below the electrode stack, the support roller being configured to support the electrode stack.

[0056] To prevent damage to the first diaphragm when the adhesive unit presses against it, an elastic material can be added to at least a portion of the outer surface of the adhesive unit. The type of elastic material is not particularly limited. For example, the elastic material can be polyurethane, silicone, or rubber.

[0057] The electrode stack is conveyed in one direction by the conveying unit 300, and the first diaphragm 112, on which the first electrode 111 is arranged, and the second diaphragm 122, on which the second electrode 121 is arranged, are supplied by different supply units and joined and stacked at the alignment unit 400. Parallel to the conveying direction of the electrode stack, the length of the first electrode 111 is shorter than the length of the second electrode 121. The first electrode can be a positive electrode, and the second electrode can be a negative electrode. Alternatively, the first electrode can be a negative electrode, and the second electrode can be a positive electrode.

[0058] The alignment unit 400 can guide the first electrode 111 and the second electrode 121, which are of different sizes, so that the centers of the first electrode and the second electrode are aligned with each other. In addition, the alignment unit 400 can guide the first electrode 111 and the second electrode 121 to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, and can arrange the adjacent peripheries of the electrodes to be perpendicular to the direction of movement of the electrode stack.

[0059] The sensor 500, located above the electrode stack, can sense the positions of the spacers 115 and 125. When the spacers 115 and 125 pass the bonding unit 210, the bonding unit 210 presses the spacer 115 of the first diaphragm sheet 112 against the spacer 125 of the second diaphragm sheet 122, so that the spacers 115 and 125 are bonded together.

[0060] Subsequently, the separator sheets are cut at the bonded gaps to manufacture unit cells. The manufactured unit cells are configured to have a structure in which excess portions of the separator extending from the periphery of the electrodes are bonded together, thereby preventing the excess portions of the separator from folding.

[0061] Figure 2 This is a side view of the diaphragm bonding apparatus according to the first embodiment.

[0062] In the diaphragm bonding apparatus according to the first embodiment, the electrode stack is conveyed horizontally in its moving direction, and the bonding unit 220 does not press the first electrode 111 arranged on the first diaphragm sheet 112 and the second electrode 121 arranged on the second diaphragm sheet 122, but only presses the spacer portion 115 of the first diaphragm sheet 112.

[0063] Specifically, the adhesive unit 220 includes: an end 221 configured to press the spacer portion 115, made of an elastic material; an adhesive unit body 222 configured to allow the end 221 to attach thereto; a vertical conveying portion 202 configured to move the adhesive unit body 222 vertically; and a horizontal conveying portion 203 configured to move the adhesive unit body 222 horizontally at a conveying speed synchronized with the conveying speed of the electrode stack when the end 221 presses the spacer portion 115.

[0064] As the first electrode 111 and the second electrode 121 of the electrode stack move below the bonding unit 220, the vertical conveying section 202 conveys the bonding unit body 222 upwards, so that the end 221 is above the electrode stack. When the spacer portion 115 is below the bonding unit 220, the vertical conveying section 202 conveys the bonding unit body 222 downwards, so that the end 221 presses against the spacer portion 115. Even at this time, the electrode stack moves continuously in the horizontal direction. To prevent the diaphragm from being damaged by the end 221, the horizontal conveying section 203 can horizontally convey the bonding unit body 222, so that the end 221 is conveyed horizontally at a conveying speed synchronized with the conveying speed of the electrode stack, or the bonding unit body 222 can be rotated. When the first electrode 111 and the second electrode 121 are conveyed again, the bonding unit body 222 is conveyed upwards.

[0065] The vertical conveying section 202 and the horizontal conveying section 203 can adjust the position of the adhesive unit body 222 according to the position signal of the interval section 115 sensed by the sensor located above the electrode stack.

[0066] Figure 3 This is a side view of the diaphragm bonding device according to the second embodiment.

[0067] refer to Figure 3 In the diaphragm bonding apparatus according to the second embodiment, the bonding unit 230 includes: a cylindrical main body roller 232 configured to rotate about a central axis; a tool end 231 arranged at the outer surface of the main body roller 232 and protruding from the outer surface, made of an elastic material; and a rotation unit 600 configured to adjust the rotational speed of the main body roller 232.

[0068] The main roller 232 of the bonding unit 230 rotates with its central axis fixed, and the tool end 231 is attached to the main roller 232 and protrudes from it. When the main roller 232 rotates, the outer surface of the main roller 232, except for the tool end 231, does not contact the electrode stack, and the tool end 231 presses the spacer portion 115 to bond the first diaphragm 112 and the second diaphragm 122 to each other at the spacer portion 115.

[0069] The rotating unit 600 can adjust the rotational speed of the main roller so that the tool tip 231 presses against the spacer portion 115 of the battery stack during electrode stack transfer. The tool tip 231 is arranged perpendicular to the tangential plane of the main roller 232. When the tool tip 231 presses against the spacer portion 115, the central axis of the tool tip 231 is perpendicular to the spacer portion 115.

[0070] In addition, the rotating unit 600 may include a control unit 700 configured to synchronize the outermost peripheral speed of the tool tip with the conveying speed of the electrode stack when the tool tip 231 presses the interval portion 115.

[0071] For example, when the sensor detects a change in the distance between the first electrode and the second electrode, the control unit can control the power of the rotating unit to reduce or increase the rotation speed of the main roller.

[0072] The tool tip 231 must be pressed so that the spaced portion of the first diaphragm 112 contacts the spaced portion of the second diaphragm 122, so that the length H1 of the tool tip 231 is greater than the thickness H2 of the electrode stack.

[0073] In the bonding unit 230, only the tool tip 231 contacts the electrode stack, while the rest of the main body roller 232, excluding the tool tip, does not contact the electrode stack. In a circle with the outermost edge of the tool tip 231 as its diameter, the length L1 obtained by subtracting the thickness T1 of the tool tip from the total circumference of the circle can be equal to the distance L2 between adjacent intervals, or it can be equal to the distance between non-adjacent intervals.

[0074] For example, when the bonding unit 230 is arranged in the cell manufacturing process, in the circle with the outermost diameter of the tool end 231, it is preferable that the length L1 obtained by subtracting the thickness T1 of the tool end from the total circumference of the circle is equal to the distance L2 between adjacent intervals, that is, the width of an electrode in its direction of movement.

[0075] As another embodiment, when two bonding units (e.g., a first bonding unit and a second bonding unit) are arranged in a cell manufacturing process, the first bonding unit can press the even number of interval portions, and the second bonding unit can press the odd number of interval portions, so that the first diaphragm sheet and the second diaphragm sheet can be attached to each other at all interval portions.

[0076] That is, in a circle with the outermost edge of the tool tip 231 as its diameter, the length L1 obtained by subtracting the thickness T1 of the tool tip from the total circumference of the circle can be equal to the distance between the nth interval and the (n+2)th interval among n intervals (n is a natural number of 1 or greater).

[0077] Furthermore, the size of the circle with the outermost diameter of the tool tip and the number of tool tips formed on the main body roller can be set within a range as needed, within which the tool tips press against the interval portion, and the outer surface of the main body roller, excluding the tool tips, does not contact the electrode stack.

[0078] Figure 4 This is a side view of the diaphragm bonding apparatus according to the third embodiment.

[0079] refer to Figure 4 In the diaphragm bonding apparatus according to the third embodiment, the bonding unit 240 includes: a cylindrical main body roller 242 configured to rotate about a central axis; two tool ends 241 provided to protrude from the outer surface of the main body roller 242, each tool end being made of an elastic material; and a rotation unit (not shown) configured to adjust the rotational speed of the main body roller 242.

[0080] In the bonding unit 240, the tool ends 241 protrude from the main body roller 242 in opposite directions. When two or more tool ends are provided, the circumferential lengths between the closest tool ends in a circle with the outermost diameter of each tool end are equal. That is, all tool ends can be arranged at equal intervals between each other.

[0081] For example, when an adhesive unit is arranged in a cell manufacturing process, the circumferential length L3 between adjacent tool ends 241 can be equal to the distance L2 between adjacent spaced portions in a circle with the outermost diameter of each tool end 241, so that the adhesive unit can press all spaced portions.

[0082] Alternatively, when two bonding units (e.g., a first bonding unit and a second bonding unit) are arranged in the cell manufacturing process, the first bonding unit can press the even number of interval portions, and the second bonding unit can press the odd number of interval portions, so that the first separator and the second separator can be attached to each other at all interval portions.

[0083] That is, in a circle with the outermost edge of each tool tip 241 as its diameter, the circumference length L3 between adjacent tool tips 241 can be equal to the distance L4 between the nth non-adjacent interval and the (n+2)th interval among n intervals (n is a natural number of 1 or greater).

[0084] In the case of multiple bonding units, as described above, different bonding units can press different interval portions, thereby allowing the diaphragm sheet to bond to each other at all interval portions of the electrode stack that has passed through multiple bonding units.

[0085] The above description of the second embodiment can also be applied to the length of each tool end, rotating unit, and controller in the third embodiment.

[0086] Figure 5 This is a side view of the bonding unit of the diaphragm bonding apparatus according to the fourth embodiment.

[0087] refer to Figure 5 The bonding unit of the diaphragm bonding apparatus according to the fourth embodiment includes: a main roller 252 configured to rotate about a central axis; and four tool ends 251 arranged at the outer surface of the main roller 252 to protrude from the outer surface.

[0088] The tool ends 251 are equidistant from each other. In a circle with the outermost edge of each tool end 251 as its diameter, the circumference length L3 between adjacent tool ends 251 can be equal.

[0089] Furthermore, the size of the circle with the outermost diameter of each tool tip and the number of tool tips formed on the main body roller can be set within a range as needed, within which the tool tips press against the interval portion and the outer surface of the main body roller, excluding the tool tips, does not contact the electrode stack.

[0090] Figure 6 This is a perspective view of the bonding unit of the diaphragm bonding apparatus according to the fifth embodiment.

[0091] According to the fifth embodiment, the bonding unit 260 of the diaphragm bonding apparatus includes: a main roller 262 configured to rotate about a central axis; and six tool ends 261 arranged at the outer surface of the main roller 262 to protrude from the outer surface.

[0092] The bonding unit 260 is configured to adjust the protrusion height of the tool tip according to the thickness of the electrode stack.

[0093] Specifically, a groove 265 is formed on the outer surface of the main body roller 262 of the bonding unit 260, located below the tool end 261. The tool end 261 can be deeply inserted into the groove 265 to reduce the height of each tool end, or the tool end 261 can be pulled upward while located in the groove 265 to increase the height of each tool end from the outer surface of the main body roller 262.

[0094] When using the diaphragm bonding apparatus according to the fifth embodiment, the height of the tool tip can be adjusted according to the size of the electrode, thus enabling the manufacture of cell batteries including electrodes of various sizes without replacing the entire bonding unit.

[0095] Figure 7 This is a side view of the diaphragm bonding apparatus according to the sixth embodiment and a perspective view of the bonding unit of the diaphragm bonding apparatus.

[0096] According to the sixth embodiment, the bonding unit 270 of the diaphragm bonding apparatus is configured to have a structure in which an elastic material 272 is added to the entire outer surface of a cylindrical pressing roller 271 configured to rotate about a central axis.

[0097] Elastic material 272 is added to the entire outer surface of the pressing roller 271 to have the same thickness.

[0098] The adhesive unit 270 may be equipped with a pressing roller conveying part (not shown) configured to move the adhesive unit 270 up and down, so that the pressing roller 271 presses the interval portion 115.

[0099] For example, the adhesive unit 270 may not press the first electrode 111 and the second electrode 121, and the adhesive unit may move downward when the spacer portion 115 moves below the adhesive unit 270, so that the first diaphragm 112 and the second diaphragm 122 are attached to each other at the spacer portion 115.

[0100] Alternatively, the bonding unit 270 can perform the function of laminating an electrode stack while rotating in contact with the outer surface of the first electrode 111.

[0101] Specifically, when the first electrode 111 moves below the bonding unit 270, the bonding unit 270 can rotate while pressing the electrode stack in contact with the first electrode 111 to laminate the electrode stack. When a step is formed at the spacer portion 115 due to the electrode thickness, the bonding unit 270 can move downwards to push the first diaphragm sheet 112 toward the second diaphragm sheet 122. Subsequently, after the spacer portion 115 has passed below the bonding unit 270, the bonding unit 270 can move upwards to press all of the first electrode 111, the first diaphragm sheet 112, the second electrode 121, and the second diaphragm sheet 122, thereby performing lamination.

[0102] That is, while rotating in contact with the outer surface of the electrode stack, the bonding unit 270 laminates the electrodes and the diaphragm at the positions where the electrodes and the diaphragm overlap, and bonds the diaphragm at the positions where only the diaphragm overlaps.

[0103] At this time, the thickness H3 of the elastic material 272 can be greater than the thickness H2 of the electrode stack, so that the elastic material can stably press the first diaphragm against the second diaphragm at the interval.

[0104] Figure 8 This is a perspective view of the diaphragm bonding device according to the seventh embodiment.

[0105] refer to Figure 8 According to the seventh embodiment, the bonding unit 280 of the diaphragm bonding apparatus includes: a cylindrical main body roller 282 configured to rotate about a central axis; two tool ends 281 provided at the outer surface of the main body roller 282 to protrude from the surface, each tool end being made of an elastic material; and protruding end tool ends 287, 288 provided along the circumference of opposite ends of the main body roller 282 in the transverse direction (z).

[0106] The first diaphragm 112, on which the first electrode 111 is arranged, and the second diaphragm 122, on which the second electrode is arranged, each include redundant portions 118 and 128. The redundant portions 118 and 128 are formed at opposite ends of the first diaphragm 112 and the second diaphragm 122, parallel to the direction of movement (x) of the electrode stack, and extend further than the first electrode 111 and the second electrode.

[0107] The ends 287 and 288 of the end tools press the first diaphragm 112 and the second diaphragm 122 at the excess portions 118 and 128, respectively.

[0108] Therefore, when using the diaphragm bonding apparatus according to the seventh embodiment, the first diaphragm sheet 112 and the second diaphragm sheet 122 are bonded together at the spacer portion 115 by means of the tool end 281, and further, the first diaphragm sheet 112 and the second diaphragm sheet 122 are even bonded together at the excess portions 118 and 128. Therefore, the cell battery 800 can be manufactured with the excess portions 118 and 128 of the diaphragm sheet in all four directions bonded as a result of cutting the diaphragm sheet.

[0109] When using the diaphragm bonding apparatus according to each of the first to sixth embodiments, further attachment can be performed after the bonding interval portion. Figure 8 The process of bonding the excess portions 118 and 128 of the separator. However, when using the separator bonding apparatus according to the seventh embodiment, the process of bonding the first separator sheet and the second separator sheet together at the spacer portion and the excess portion of the separator can be performed simultaneously, thereby shortening the cell manufacturing time.

[0110] Alternatively, a structure corresponding to the end tool end of the adhesive unit added to the diaphragm adhesive device according to the seventh embodiment may be added to the adhesive unit of the diaphragm adhesive device according to each of the first to sixth embodiments, such a structure being within the scope of the present invention.

[0111] When using the separator bonding apparatus according to the invention, as described above, the separator sheets can be bonded to each other at the intervals of an electrode stack consisting of two or more stacked separator sheets (where the electrodes are spaced apart from each other). Therefore, when manufacturing a cell using the separator bonding apparatus, a cell with improved safety can be manufactured because the individual excess portions are attached to each other.

[0112] Those skilled in the art will understand that, based on the above description, various applications and modifications are possible within the scope of this invention.

[0113] (Explanation of reference numerals in the attached diagram)

[0114] 111: First electrode

[0115] 112: First diaphragm

[0116] 115, 125: Interval section

[0117] 118, 128: Redundant parts

[0118] 121: Second electrode

[0119] 122: Second diaphragm

[0120] 201: Support roller

[0121] 202: Up and Down Teleportation Section

[0122] 203: Horizontal Teleportation Section

[0123] 210, 220, 230, 240, 260, 270, 280: Adhesive Units

[0124] 221: End

[0125] 222: Adhesive unit body

[0126] 231, 241, 251, 261, 281: Tool end

[0127] 232, 242, 252, 262, 282: Main rollers

[0128] 265: slot

[0129] 271: Pressing roller

[0130] 272: Elastic Materials

[0131] 287, 288: End tool tip

[0132] 300: Transmission Unit

[0133] 400: Alignment unit

[0134] 500: Sensor

[0135] 600: Rotating unit

[0136] 700: Control Unit

[0137] 800: Single cell battery

[0138] H1: Length of the tool tip

[0139] H2: Thickness of the electrode stack

[0140] H3: Thickness of the elastic material

[0141] L1: The length obtained by subtracting the thickness of the tool tip from the total circumference of the circle with the outermost diameter of the tool tip. L2: The distance between adjacent intervals.

[0142] L3: The circumference length between adjacent tool ends within a circle with the outermost diameter of the tool end.

[0143] L4: Distance between non-adjacent intervals

[0144] T1: Thickness of the tool tip

Claims

1. A diaphragm bonding apparatus configured to press and bond together a spacer portion between first electrodes and a spacer portion between second electrodes in an electrode stack, the electrode stack including a first diaphragm sheet and a second diaphragm sheet, the first electrodes on the first diaphragm sheet being arranged spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, and the second electrodes on the second diaphragm sheet being arranged spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, the diaphragm bonding apparatus comprising: An adhesive unit located above the electrode stack is configured to press the spacer portion between the first electrodes and the spacer portion between the second electrodes, such that adjacent excess portions of the first diaphragm sheet and the second diaphragm sheet are bonded together. as well as A support roller located below the electrode stack, the support roller being configured to support the electrode stack. At least a portion of the outer surface of the adhesive unit is supplemented with an elastic material. The adhesive unit includes: The end, configured to press the spacer portion, is made of an elastic material; An adhesive unit body, the adhesive unit body being configured to allow the end to be attached thereto; The vertical conveying section is configured to move the adhesive unit body vertically; and A horizontal conveying section is configured to move the adhesive unit body horizontally at a conveying speed synchronized with the conveying speed of the electrode stack when the end presses the interval portion.

2. The diaphragm bonding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the diaphragm bonding apparatus further comprises: A transfer unit configured to transfer the electrode stack; as well as An alignment unit is configured to arrange the first and second electrodes of the electrode stack such that the centers of the first electrode and the centers of the second electrode are aligned with each other.

3. The diaphragm bonding device according to claim 2, wherein, Parallel to the conveying direction of the electrode stack, the length of the first electrode is less than the length of the second electrode.

4. The diaphragm bonding apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a sensor configured to sense the position of the spacer portion.

5. A diaphragm bonding apparatus configured to press and bond together a spacer portion between first electrodes and a spacer portion between second electrodes in an electrode stack, the electrode stack including a first diaphragm sheet and a second diaphragm sheet, the first electrodes on the first diaphragm sheet being arranged spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, and the second electrodes on the second diaphragm sheet being arranged spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, the diaphragm bonding apparatus comprising: An adhesive unit located above the electrode stack is configured to press the spacer portion between the first electrodes and the spacer portion between the second electrodes, such that adjacent excess portions of the first diaphragm sheet and the second diaphragm sheet are bonded together. as well as A support roller located below the electrode stack, the support roller being configured to support the electrode stack. At least a portion of the outer surface of the adhesive unit is supplemented with an elastic material. The adhesive unit includes: A cylindrical main roller configured to rotate about a central axis; At least one tool end, the tool end being arranged to protrude from the outer surface of the body roller, the tool end being made of an elastic material; and A rotating unit configured to adjust the rotational speed of the main roller.

6. The diaphragm bonding device according to claim 5, wherein, The bonding unit adjusts the rotational speed of the main roller so that the tool tip presses against the spaced portions of the electrode stack during the transfer of the electrode stack. Wherein, the tool tip is arranged perpendicular to the interval portion on the outer surface of the main roller, and The length of the tool end protruding outward from the main roller is greater than the thickness of the electrode stack.

7. The diaphragm bonding device according to claim 6, wherein, When a bonding cell is arranged during the cell manufacturing process Within a circle whose diameter is the outermost part of the tool's end, When the tool tip is set to one, the length obtained by subtracting the thickness of the tool tip from the total circumference of the circle is equal to the distance between adjacent intervals, and When the tool ends are set to two or more, the circumference lengths between the closest tool ends are equal to each other.

8. The diaphragm bonding device according to claim 6, wherein, When two bonded cells are arranged during the cell manufacturing process Within a circle whose diameter is the outermost part of the tool's end, When the tool tip is set to one, the length obtained by subtracting the thickness of the tool tip from the total circumference of the circle is equal to the distance between the nth interval and the (n+2)th interval out of n intervals, and When the tool tip is set to two or more, the circumferential length between the closest tool tips is equal to the distance between the nth interval and the (n+2)th interval. Where n is a natural number of 1 or greater.

9. The diaphragm bonding device according to claim 5, wherein, The rotating unit includes a control unit configured to synchronize the outermost circumferential speed of the tool tip with the conveying speed of the electrode stack when the adhesive unit presses the spacer portion.

10. The diaphragm bonding device according to claim 5, wherein, The bonding unit is configured to adjust the protrusion height of the tool tip according to the thickness of the electrode stack.

11. The diaphragm bonding device according to claim 5, wherein, Protruding end tool ends are added to the circumference of opposite ends of the main roller in the transverse direction. Wherein, the excess portions of the first and second diaphragms are formed at their opposite ends, parallel to the direction of movement of the electrode stack, extending further than the first and second electrodes, and The end tool presses the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm at the excess portion.

12. The diaphragm bonding apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the diaphragm bonding apparatus further comprises: A transfer unit configured to transfer the electrode stack; as well as An alignment unit is configured to arrange the first and second electrodes of the electrode stack such that the centers of the first electrode and the centers of the second electrode are aligned with each other.

13. The diaphragm bonding apparatus according to claim 12, wherein, Parallel to the conveying direction of the electrode stack, the length of the first electrode is less than the length of the second electrode.

14. The diaphragm bonding apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a sensor configured to sense the position of the spacer portion.

15. A diaphragm bonding apparatus configured to press and bond together a spacer portion between first electrodes and a spacer portion between second electrodes in an electrode stack, the electrode stack including a first diaphragm sheet and a second diaphragm sheet, the first electrodes on the first diaphragm sheet being arranged spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, and the second electrodes on the second diaphragm sheet being arranged spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, the diaphragm bonding apparatus comprising: An adhesive unit located above the electrode stack is configured to press the spacer portion between the first electrodes and the spacer portion between the second electrodes, such that adjacent excess portions of the first diaphragm sheet and the second diaphragm sheet are bonded together. as well as A support roller located below the electrode stack, the support roller being configured to support the electrode stack. At least a portion of the outer surface of the adhesive unit is supplemented with an elastic material. The adhesive unit is configured to add an elastic material to the entire outer surface of a cylindrical press roller configured to rotate about a central axis, thereby having an equal thickness.

16. The diaphragm bonding apparatus according to claim 15, wherein, The adhesive unit is equipped with a pressing roller conveying part, which is configured to move the adhesive unit up and down, so that the adhesive unit presses the interval portion.

17. The diaphragm bonding apparatus according to claim 15, wherein, The diaphragm bonding device further includes: A transfer unit, configured to transfer the electrode stack; and An alignment unit is configured to arrange the first and second electrodes of the electrode stack such that the centers of the first electrode and the centers of the second electrode are aligned with each other.

18. The diaphragm bonding apparatus according to claim 17, wherein, Parallel to the conveying direction of the electrode stack, the length of the first electrode is less than the length of the second electrode.

19. The diaphragm bonding apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a sensor configured to sense the position of the spacer portion.

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