A bag-shaped battery sealing device including a position adjustment unit and a bag-shaped battery sealing method using the bag-shaped battery sealing device.

Abstract

This invention relates to a pouch battery sealing device including a position adjustment unit, and a pouch battery sealing method using the pouch battery sealing device. During the manufacture of a pouch battery, the pouch battery sealing device is able to adjust the relative positions of the electrode leads and the insulating film before applying heat and pressure to the outer periphery of the battery casing made of laminated sheets to seal the outer periphery of the battery casing during inter-cycle sealing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 2020-0165644, filed on December 1, 2020, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] This invention relates to a pouch battery sealing device including a position adjustment unit and a method for sealing a pouch battery using the same device. More specifically, this invention relates to a pouch battery sealing device including a position adjustment unit and a method for sealing a pouch battery using the same device, wherein, during the manufacture of a pouch battery, the sealing device is capable of adjusting the position of leads at the battery housing, which is made of laminated sheets, while applying heat and pressure to the outer periphery of the battery housing to seal the outer periphery of the battery housing. Background Technology

[0003] The demand for secondary batteries, used as energy sources for mobile devices, electric vehicles, and other applications, is increasing dramatically. In particular, there is a high demand for lithium-ion secondary batteries with high energy density and high discharge voltage.

[0004] Based on their shape and materials, lithium-ion batteries can be categorized into cylindrical batteries made of metal, prismatic batteries made of metal, and pouch batteries made of laminated sheets. Pouch batteries offer the following advantages: they are stacked with high integration, resulting in high energy density per unit weight; they are also low-cost to manufacture and easily deformable. Therefore, pouch batteries are used in a variety of devices.

[0005] Generally, a laminate comprising an outer coating, a metal barrier layer, and an inner adhesive layer is molded into a battery casing for use as a pouch cell. Electrode assemblies, along with the electrolyte, are housed within a housing formed from the laminate, and the housing is sealed, thereby manufacturing the pouch cell.

[0006] like Figure 1 As shown, the pouch battery is configured such that the electrode assembly 20 is mounted in the receiving portion 13 of the battery housing 10, which is composed of a lower pouch portion 11 and an upper pouch portion 12. In the electrode assembly 20, the positive electrode contact 21 and the negative electrode contact 22 are exposed to the outside of the battery housing 10, respectively, and are soldered to two electrode leads 31 and 32. The outer periphery of the battery housing 10 is sealed with a pair of insulating films 41 and a pair of insulating films 42 respectively provided above and below the electrode leads 31 and 32.

[0007] As a result of the inner adhesive layer of the laminate being hot-melted and pressed by a long rectangular sealing tool in the longitudinal direction, the outer periphery of the battery casing 10 is sealed.

[0008] Figure 2This is a side view of a standard pouch battery sealing device 1000, and Figure 3 This is a top view of the position adjustment unit 1200 of a conventional pouch battery sealing device 1000.

[0009] A conventional pouch battery sealing device 1000 includes: a sealing block 1100, comprising an upper sealing block 1110 and a lower sealing block 1120; a position adjustment unit 1200 configured to allow the pouch battery 50 to be located on or therein, the position adjustment unit being configured to adjust the position of the pouch battery 50 relative to the sealing block 1100; and a conveying unit 1300 configured to assist in moving the entire position adjustment unit 1200. The conveying unit 1300 is located on a base 1400.

[0010] In a conventional pouch battery sealing device 1000, a pouch battery 50 is positioned on or in the position adjustment unit 1200. To accurately seal the pouch battery 50, a position measuring unit 1220 is used to measure the position of the pouch battery 50, and also to measure its displacement. The position measuring unit 1220 includes a ruler 1222 configured to measure the horizontal displacement of the pouch battery and a ruler 1224 configured to measure the vertical displacement of the pouch battery. Adjusting the position of the pouch battery 50 requires adjusting the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis positions of the electrode leads 31, 32 and the insulating films 41, 42 of the pouch battery 50, preferably the x-axis and y-axis positions of the electrode leads and the insulating films, i.e., the left-right positions excluding the vertical positions, thereby setting the position of the pouch battery relative to the sealing block 1100.

[0011] exist Figure 3 In the middle, the diagonal section of the battery casing 10 of the pouch battery 50 is the part to be sealed. For the left and right sealing sections, the adjacent portions of the battery casing 10 are sealed, so detailed adjustment of their position is not necessary or very important. For the upper sealing section where the electrode leads 31 and 32 and the insulating films 41 and 42 are located, the sealing varies greatly depending on the position. If there is no groove in the sealing block, no position adjustment is required.

[0012] As will refer to Figure 5 As described, in this invention, grooves are provided on the upper sealing block 1110 and the lower sealing block 1120 of the sealing block 1100 to improve the sealing performance of the protruding portions of the electrode leads 31 and 32 and the insulating films 41 and 42. First grooves 1114 and 1124 and second grooves 1112 and 1122 corresponding to the electrode leads 31 and 32 and the insulating films 41 and 42 are provided in the sealing block 1100.

[0013] The x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis positions of the electrode leads 31, 32 and the insulating films 41, 42 are adjusted to adjust their positions relative to the first grooves 1114 and 1124 and the second grooves 1112 and 1122. Due to space constraints, adjusting the position of the pouch battery 50 after it has been positioned in the sealing block 1100 is not easy. Therefore, position adjustment is performed in a separate position adjustment unit 1200, and the entire position adjustment unit 1200 is translated by the conveying unit 1300. The pouch battery 50, whose position has been adjusted, is positioned between the sealing blocks 1100 via the conveying unit 1300. When the pouch battery 50 is conveyed by the conveying unit 1300 or sealed by the sealing block 1100, the side and top surfaces of the pouch battery 50 are fixed by the fixing unit 1260 so that the pouch battery 50 cannot move. Figure 3 The fixing unit 1260 shown is composed, for example, of sidewalls 1262 and 1264 configured to fix the side of the pouch battery and a pressing member 1266 configured to fix the upper surface of the pouch battery.

[0014] The problem with conventional pouch cell sealing equipment 1000 is that during the process of adjusting the position of the pouch cell 50, it is impossible to accurately move the pouch cell the required distance, and the displacement of the pouch cell cannot be accurately measured. In particular, sealing the pouch cell leads is always problematic due to their metal material and thickness. Depending on the position and type of the leads, it is difficult to obtain accurate information about the seal strength. Therefore, whenever processing conditions change, workers set the lead position and its tolerances based on inaccurate standards (such as their experience). Furthermore, for measurement, rulers 1222 and 1224 are used to measure the displacement of the pouch cell. In this case, the accuracy is very low, and many errors occur.

[0015] When using a sealing device, such as the pouch battery sealing device according to Patent Document 1, which includes a stepped section configured to prevent electrolyte leakage, the necessity of positioning the electrode leads of the pouch battery in accurate locations becomes even greater. Patent Document 1 lacks a detailed solution for this.

[0016] Patent document 2 mentions a pressing clamp control unit configured to uniformly fix battery cells, wherein the control unit moves in the vertical direction and the device capable of accurately moving pouch batteries of various sizes in all directions is not disclosed.

[0017] The sealing strength can vary greatly depending on the positions of the electrode leads 31 and 32 and the insulating films 41 and 42 relative to the sealing block 1100. Because even a displacement of a few micrometers can significantly alter the sealing strength, the electrode leads 31 and 32 and the insulating films 41 and 42 must be positioned precisely. Furthermore, setting the allowable error range for the process is also crucial.

[0018] The sealing strength can vary depending on the type and thickness of the metal barrier layer of the laminate, the thickness and composition of the inner adhesive layer of the laminate, the type and thickness of the metal of the electrode leads, the thickness and composition of the insulating film, and the temperature of the retainer and sealing block. Therefore, selecting the appropriate positions of the electrode leads 31 and 32 and the insulating films 41 and 42 is of paramount importance. In recent years, due to the increase in battery capacity, the thickness of the electrode assembly and the resulting thickness of the contacts has increased, thus requiring even greater precision in sealing.

[0019] The present invention was made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the present invention was derived to accurately check the defect rate depending on various variables and to obtain sealing results based on the positions of electrode leads 31 and 32 and insulating films 41 and 42.

[0020] Korean Patent Application Publication No. 2016-0118931 (October 12, 2016) (“Patent Document 1”)

[0021] Korean Patent Application Publication No. 2020-0053783 (May 19, 2020) (“Patent Document 2”) Summary of the Invention

[0022] Technical issues

[0023] The present invention was made in view of the above problems. The object of the present invention is to provide a pouch battery sealing device and a pouch battery sealing method using the pouch battery sealing device. When manufacturing a pouch battery, the pouch battery sealing device is able to accurately adjust the position of the electrode leads and insulating film of the pouch battery during the application of heat and pressure to the outer periphery of the battery casing made of laminated sheets to seal the outer periphery of the battery casing and check the degree of sealing based on it.

[0024] Technical solution

[0025] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a bag-shaped battery sealing device, comprising: a sealing block including a sealing groove corresponding to the thickness and width of the cross-section of an electrode lead; and a position adjustment unit configured to adjust the position of the electrode lead relative to the sealing groove.

[0026] The position adjustment unit may include:

[0027] 1) A first fixing unit configured to fix a pouch-shaped battery housing having an electrode assembly including electrode leads housed therein; a first moving unit configured to move the entire first fixing unit; and a first position measuring unit configured to measure the displacement caused by the first moving unit.

[0028] 2) A second moving unit configured to position the horizontal and vertical partition walls of the electrode leads; a second fixing unit configured to fix a pouch-shaped battery housing having an electrode assembly including the electrode leads housed therein, with the electrode leads assembled to the horizontal and vertical partition walls of the second moving unit; and a second position measuring unit configured to measure the displacement caused by the second moving unit, or

[0029] 3) A third moving unit configured to position a horizontal partition wall and a vertical partition wall of a pouch battery housing having an electrode assembly including electrode leads housed therein; a third fixing unit configured to fix the pouch battery housing having an electrode assembly including electrode leads housed therein in a state where the pouch battery housing having an electrode assembly including electrode leads housed therein is assembled to the horizontal partition wall and the vertical partition wall of the third moving unit; and a third position measuring unit configured to measure the displacement caused by the third moving unit.

[0030] Each of the first, second, and third moving units may include a horizontal moving portion, a vertical moving portion, and a height moving portion, respectively configured to move along the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis directions based on orthogonal xyz coordinates. Each of the first, second, and third position measuring units may include a horizontal measuring portion, a vertical measuring portion, and a height measuring portion, respectively configured to measure the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis displacements of the battery casing fixing unit. The height may be fixed, thus eliminating the need for the height moving portion and the height measuring portion.

[0031] Each of the first, second, and third moving units can be operated by a control device, or the movement of each of the first, second, and third moving units can be adjusted by rotating a screw. Each of the first, second, and third position measuring units can be a laser rangefinder or a micrometer.

[0032] Each of the first fixing unit, the second fixing unit, and the third fixing unit may include: a partition wall configured to support at least one side of the pouch battery housing; and / or a pressing member configured to fix the upper surface of the pouch battery housing in a flat position by pressing.

[0033] The sealing block may include an upper sealing block and a lower sealing block, and the sealing groove may be disposed in at least one of the upper sealing block and the lower sealing block. The sealing groove may include a first groove corresponding to the thickness of the insulating film and a second groove corresponding to the thickness of the insulating film and the electrode lead.

[0034] The position adjustment unit can adjust the position of the electrode lead within the range of the sealing groove.

[0035] A conveying unit may be added to the position adjustment unit, the conveying unit being configured to move the entire position adjustment unit such that the portion of the pouch-shaped battery housing to be sealed is positioned between the sealing blocks.

[0036] Meanwhile, the present invention provides a sealing method for a pouch battery, comprising the following steps: (S1) placing a pouch battery housing having an electrode assembly including electrode leads housed therein at a pouch battery sealing device; (S2) adjusting the position of the electrode leads and the insulating film of the electrode assembly relative to the sealing groove using the position adjustment unit; and (S3) sealing the pouch battery housing.

[0037] In step (S2), the positions of the electrode leads and the insulating film relative to the sealing groove in the position adjustment unit can be adjusted. Step (S3) can be performed after the electrode assembly, including the electrode leads fixed to the position adjustment unit, is moved to the sealing block. The pouch battery sealing device may further include step (S4) after step (S3): checking the sealing force of the sealed pouch battery housing. In step (S4), the filling length of the adhesive in the blank space when the electrode leads and the insulating film are bonded to each other is checked. Step (S4) can be performed visually or using transmitted light such as a laser.

[0038] Furthermore, the present invention can provide all possible combinations of the above-described solutions.

[0039] Beneficial effects

[0040] As can be clearly seen from the above description, the present invention provides a pouch battery sealing device that can accurately adjust the position of the electrode leads and insulating film of the pouch battery during the process of manufacturing the pouch battery by applying heat and pressure to the outer periphery of the battery casing made of laminated sheets to seal the outer periphery of the battery casing and check the degree of sealing based on it, as well as a pouch battery sealing method using the pouch battery sealing device.

[0041] In this invention, the positions of the electrode leads and the insulating film can be accurately adjusted by the position adjustment unit, and their displacement can be observed at the same time, so that an accurate and uniform sealing position can be set, thus providing consistent results.

[0042] The position adjustment unit according to the present invention can not only adjust the position of the electrode leads, but also measure the degree of sealing based on the position of the electrode leads, thereby reducing the defect rate in sealed pouch cells. Attached Figure Description

[0043] Figure 1 This is an exploded perspective view of a typical pouch battery.

[0044] Figure 2 This is a side view of a typical pouch battery sealing device.

[0045] Figure 3 This is a top view of the position adjustment unit of a conventional pouch battery sealing device.

[0046] Figure 4 This is a top view of the position adjustment unit of the bag-shaped battery sealing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] Figure 5 This is a top view of the position adjustment unit of the bag-shaped battery sealing device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] Figure 6 This is a top view of the position adjustment unit of the bag-shaped battery sealing device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram showing the position adjustment unit (2200) of the bag-shaped battery sealing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention moving along a track.

[0050] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view of the sealing block according to the present invention.

[0051] Figure 9 This is a top view of a pouch battery sealed by a pouch battery sealing device according to the present invention.

[0052] Figure 10 This is a photograph of a pouch battery sealed by the pouch battery sealing device according to the present invention.

[0053] Figure 11 This is a bias error diagram of a pouch battery moved by a conventional pouch battery sealing device and a pouch battery sealing device according to the present invention.

[0054] Figure 12 This is a diagram showing the PP filling length error of a pouch battery sealed by a conventional pouch battery sealing device and a pouch battery sealing device according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0055] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, enabling those skilled in the art to readily implement these preferred embodiments. However, in describing the working principle of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, detailed descriptions of known functions and structures incorporated herein may obscure the main points of the invention, and such descriptions will be omitted.

[0056] Furthermore, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the accompanying drawings to denote components performing similar functions or operations. Where, throughout the application, one component is referred to as being connected to another component, that one component may not only be directly connected to the other component, but also indirectly connected to the other component via another component. Moreover, including an element does not imply the exclusion of other elements, but rather the inclusion of further elements, unless otherwise stated.

[0057] Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the description of elements by limitation or addition can be applied to all inventions and does not limit any particular invention.

[0058] Furthermore, in the description of the invention and the claims of this application, the singular form is intended to include the plural form, unless otherwise stated.

[0059] Furthermore, in the description of this invention and the claims of this application, "or" includes "and" unless otherwise stated. Therefore, "including A or B" refers to three cases: including A, including B, and including both A and B.

[0060] In the following, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0061] In the description of this application, the sealing block and conveying unit of the bag battery sealing device according to each of the first to third embodiments of the present invention are the same as the sealing block 1100 and conveying unit 1300 of the conventional bag battery sealing device 1000 mentioned in the description of this application.

[0062] Figure 4 This is a top view of the position adjustment unit 2200 of the bag-shaped battery sealing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0063] Reference Figure 4 The position adjustment unit 2200 of the bag-shaped battery sealing device according to the first embodiment includes: a first fixing unit 2260 configured to fix the bag-shaped battery housing 10, the bag-shaped battery housing 10 having an electrode assembly 20, the electrode assembly 20 including electrode leads 31 housed therein; a first moving unit 2240 configured to move the entire first fixing unit 2260; and a first position measuring unit 2220 configured to measure the displacement caused by the first moving unit 2240.

[0064] exist Figures 4 to 6 In, with Figure 3Unlike other electrode assemblies, only one electrode tab 21, insulating film 41, and electrode lead 31 are shown disposed on one surface of the electrode assembly 20. This is an example, omitting the other electrode. Two or more electrode tabs, insulating films, and electrode leads corresponding to the positive and negative electrodes may be disposed on one surface of the electrode assembly 20, or at least one electrode tab, insulating film, and electrode lead may be disposed on each of one and the other surfaces of the electrode assembly. Obviously, in all cases, the electrode tabs, insulating films, and electrode leads may be sealed simultaneously or individually; however, preferably, the electrode tabs, insulating films, and electrode leads disposed on one surface of the electrode assembly are sealed simultaneously.

[0065] Typically, the positions of the electrode tabs, insulating films, and electrode leads located on the electrode assembly are fixed relative to the electrode assembly before sealing. Therefore, the position of any one of the multiple electrode tabs, insulating films, or electrode leads can be adjusted, thereby allowing the position of another electrode tab, insulating film, or electrode lead relative to the sealing block to be adjusted.

[0066] Return to reference Figure 4 The upper surface of the position adjustment unit 2200 is flat, and a first fixing unit 2260 with another flat surface is disposed on the upper surface of the position adjustment unit. The first fixing unit 2260 includes three sidewalls 2262 and a clamp 2264 configured to fix a pouch-shaped battery housing 10 having an electrode assembly 20 including electrode leads 31 housed therein, the pouch-shaped battery housing 10 being fixed by the clamp 2264. A pressure hole 2268, serving as a through hole, is provided in both the position adjustment unit 2200 and the first fixing unit 2260 so that it can be pressed by the sealing block 1100 for sealing. The pressure hole 2268 in the first fixing unit 2260 is a fixed-size hole, while the through hole in the position adjustment unit 2200 is larger than the size of the pressure hole 2268. Because the position of the first fixing unit 2260 is variable, a through hole larger than the pressure hole 2268 is necessary.

[0067] Figure 4 Only the clamp 2264 configured to hold the electrode leads 31 is shown; however, a pressing member (not shown) can be added, configured to press the upper surface of the pouch battery housing 10 having an electrode assembly 20 including the electrode leads 31 housed therein. The shape and material of the pressing member are not limited, as long as the pressing member can be used to hold the pouch battery 50. As an example, the pressing member can be made of a magnet and can hold the pouch battery 50 to the first fixing unit 2260.

[0068] The entire first fixed unit 2260 is movable in the x-axis and y-axis directions by the first moving unit 2240. The first moving unit 2240 includes two adjusting screws 2242 and 2244. The two adjusting screws 2244 and 2242 can move the first fixed unit 2260 in the x-axis and y-axis directions, respectively. The two adjusting screws 2242 and 2244 are provided as one embodiment, and a stepper motor can also be used instead.

[0069] Adjustable screws 2242 and 2244 can be fixed to the position adjustment unit 2200 via a fixed shaft (not shown), and can engage with screw recesses provided in the first fixing unit 2260 to move the first fixing unit 2260 in the x-axis and y-axis directions by rotation of the screws. The pouch-shaped battery sealing device according to the invention can be adjusted in units of 0.01 μm.

[0070] A first position measuring unit 2220 configured to measure the displacement of a first moving unit 2240 includes two micrometers 2222 and 2224 configured to measure the x-axis and y-axis displacements of the first moving unit. Figure 4 In the middle, two protruding portions 2266 protrude from the first fixing unit 2260. Figure 4 Only one is shown in the image) with probe 2226 of two micrometers 2222 and 2224. Figure 4 (Only one of them is shown in the figure) are adjacent to each other, so that the displacement of the first fixed unit 2260 caused by the first moving unit 2240 can be measured. Figure 4 The example shown is a micrometer; other accurate laser rangefinders can also be used.

[0071] Figure 4 The diagram shows that the first moving unit 2240 moves only in the x-axis and y-axis directions, and the first position measuring unit 2220 measures the displacement of the first moving unit. Furthermore, the first moving unit can move in the z-axis direction, and the first position measuring unit can measure the displacement of the first moving unit. Typically, the upper sealing block 1110 and the lower sealing block 1120 of the sealing block 1100 are symmetrical to each other. Therefore, when the pouch-shaped battery housing 10, having an electrode assembly 20 including electrode leads 31 housed therein, is disposed between the upper and lower sealing blocks, the portion configured to measure movement and displacement in the z-axis direction can be omitted.

[0072] Figure 5 This is a top view of the position adjustment unit 3200 of the bag-shaped battery sealing device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0073] Reference Figure 5The position adjustment unit 3200 of the pouch battery sealing device according to the second embodiment includes: a second moving unit 3240 configured to position the horizontal partition wall 3246 and the vertical partition wall 3248 of the electrode lead 31; a second fixing unit 3260 configured to fix the pouch battery housing 10 having an electrode assembly 20 including the electrode lead 31 housed therein when the electrode lead 31 is assembled to the horizontal partition wall 3246 and the vertical partition wall 3248 of the second moving unit 3240; and a second position measuring unit 3220 configured to measure the displacement caused by the second moving unit 3240.

[0074] Reference Figure 5 The upper surface of the position adjustment unit 3200 is flat. The second fixing unit 3260 includes three sidewalls 3262 and a clamp 3264, which is configured to fix the pouch battery housing 10, which has an electrode assembly 20 including electrode leads 31 housed therein. The pouch battery housing 10 is fixed by the clamp 3264. First, the horizontal partition wall 3246 and the vertical partition wall 3248 of the electrode leads 31 are positioned by the second moving unit 3240, and the electrode leads 31 are assembled thereon. Subsequently, the pouch battery housing 10 with the electrode assembly 20 including the electrode leads 31 housed therein is fixed by the second fixing unit 3260. C is an enlarged view of the horizontal partition wall 3246 and the vertical partition wall 3248 that are moved by the second moving unit 3240.

[0075] A pressure hole 3268, serving as a through hole, is provided in the position adjustment unit 3200 so that it can be pressed by the sealing block 1100 for subsequent sealing. Because the pouch-shaped battery housing 10, which has an electrode assembly 20 including electrode leads 31 housed therein, moves within the pressure hole 3268 provided in the position adjustment unit 3200, the size of the pressure hole is set to be slightly larger.

[0076] Figure 5 Only the clamp 3264 configured to fix the electrode leads 31 is shown; however, a pressing member (not shown) can be added, configured to press the upper surface of the pouch battery housing 10 having the electrode assembly 20 including the electrode leads 31 housed therein. The shape and material of the pressing member are not limited, as long as the pressing member can be used to fix the pouch battery 50. As an example, the pressing member can be made of a magnet and can fix the pouch battery 50 to the position adjustment unit 3200.

[0077] The second moving unit 3240 moves in the x-axis and y-axis directions. The second moving unit 3240 includes two adjusting screws 3242 and 3244. The two adjusting screws 3242 and 3244 can move the horizontal partition wall 3246 and the vertical partition wall 3248 in the y-axis and x-axis directions, respectively. The two adjusting screws 3242 and 3244 are provided as one embodiment; a stepper motor can also be used instead.

[0078] Adjustable screws 3242 and 3244 can be fixed to the position adjustment unit 3200 via a fixed shaft (not shown) and can engage with screw recesses provided in a second moving unit 3240 including a horizontal partition wall 3246 and a vertical partition wall 3248, so as to move the horizontal partition wall 3246 and the vertical partition wall 3248 in the y-axis and x-axis directions by rotation of the screws. The pouch-shaped battery sealing device according to the invention can be adjusted in units of 0.01 μm.

[0079] The second position measuring unit 3220, configured to measure the displacement of the second moving unit 3240, includes two micrometers 3222 and 3224 configured to measure the x-axis and y-axis displacements of the second moving unit. Figure 5 In the middle, two protruding portions 3266 protrude from the second moving unit 3240. Figure 5 Only one is shown in the image) with probe 3226 of two micrometers 3222 and 3224. Figure 5 (Only one of them is shown in the figure) are adjacent to each other, so that the displacement of the second moving unit 3240 can be measured. Figure 5 The example shown is a micrometer; other precision laser rangefinders can also be used instead.

[0080] Figure 5 The second moving unit 3240 is shown to move only in the x-axis and y-axis directions, and the second position measuring unit 3220 measures the displacement of the second moving unit. Furthermore, the second moving unit can move in the z-axis direction, and the second position measuring unit can measure the displacement of the second moving unit. Typically, the upper sealing block 1110 and the lower sealing block 1120 of the sealing block 1100 are symmetrical to each other. Therefore, when the pouch-shaped battery housing 10, having an electrode assembly 20 including electrode leads 31 housed therein, is disposed between the upper and lower sealing blocks, the portion configured to measure movement and displacement in the z-axis direction can be omitted.

[0081] Figure 6 This is a top view of the position adjustment unit 4200 of the bag-shaped battery sealing device according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0082] Reference Figure 6The position adjustment unit 4200 of the pouch battery sealing device according to the third embodiment includes: a third moving unit 4240 configured to position a horizontal partition wall 4246 and a vertical partition wall 4248 of a pouch battery housing 10 having an electrode assembly 20 including electrode leads 31 housed therein; a third fixing unit 4260 configured to fix the pouch battery housing 10 having the electrode assembly 20 including electrode leads 31 housed therein in a state where the pouch battery housing 10 having the electrode assembly 20 including electrode leads 31 housed therein is assembled to the horizontal partition wall 4246 and the vertical partition wall 4248 of the third moving unit 4240; and a third position measuring unit 4220 configured to measure the displacement caused by the third moving unit 4240.

[0083] Reference Figure 6 The upper surface of the position adjustment unit 4200 is flat. The third fixing unit 4260 includes a sidewall 4262 and a clamp 4264 configured to fix the pouch-shaped battery housing 10, which has an electrode assembly 20 including electrode leads 31 housed therein. The pouch-shaped battery housing 10 is fixed by the clamp 4264. First, the horizontal partition wall 4246 and the vertical partition wall 4248 of the electrode leads 31 are positioned by the third moving unit 4240, and the battery housing 10 is assembled thereon. Subsequently, the pouch-shaped battery housing 10 with the electrode assembly 20 including the electrode leads 31 housed therein is fixed by the third fixing unit 4260.

[0084] A pressure hole 4268, serving as a through-hole, is provided in the position adjustment unit 4200 so that it can be pressed by the sealing block 1100 for subsequent sealing. Because the pouch-shaped battery housing 10, which includes an electrode assembly 20 containing electrode leads 31 housed therein, moves within the pressure hole 4268 in the position adjustment unit 4200, the size of the pressure hole is set to be slightly larger.

[0085] Figure 6 Only the clamp 4264 configured to fix the electrode leads 31 is shown; however, a pressing member (not shown) can be added, configured to press the upper surface of the pouch battery housing 10 having an electrode assembly 20 including the electrode leads 31 housed therein. The shape and material of the pressing member are not limited, as long as the pressing member can be used to fix the pouch battery 50. As an example, the pressing member can be made of a magnet and can fix the pouch battery 50 to the position adjustment unit 4200.

[0086] The third moving unit 4240 moves in the x-axis and y-axis directions. The third moving unit 4240 includes two adjusting screws 4242 and 4244. The two adjusting screws 4242 and 4244 can move the horizontal partition wall 4246 and the vertical partition wall 4248 in the y-axis and x-axis directions, respectively. The two adjusting screws 4242 and 4244 are provided as one embodiment; a stepper motor can also be used instead.

[0087] Adjustable screws 4242 and 4244 can be fixed to the position adjustment unit 4200 via a fixed shaft (not shown) and can engage with screw recesses provided in a third moving unit 4240 including a horizontal partition wall 4246 and a vertical partition wall 4248, so as to move the horizontal partition wall 4246 and the vertical partition wall 4248 in the y-axis and x-axis directions by rotation of the screws. The pouch-shaped battery sealing device according to the invention can be adjusted in units of 0.01 μm.

[0088] The third position measuring unit 4220, configured to measure the displacement of the third moving unit 4240, includes two micrometers 4222 and 4224 configured to measure the x-axis and y-axis displacements of the third moving unit. Figure 6 In the middle, two protruding portions 4266 protrude from the third moving unit 4240. Figure 6 Only one is shown in the image) with probe 4226 of two micrometers 4222 and 4224. Figure 6 (Only one of them is shown in the figure) are adjacent to each other, so that the displacement of the third moving unit 4240 can be measured. Figure 6 The example shown is a micrometer; other precision laser rangefinders can also be used instead.

[0089] Figure 6 The third moving unit 4240 is shown to move only in the x-axis and y-axis directions, and the third position measuring unit 4220 measures the displacement of the third moving unit. Furthermore, the third moving unit can move in the z-axis direction, and the third position measuring unit can measure the displacement of the third moving unit. Typically, the upper sealing block 1110 and the lower sealing block 1120 of the sealing block 1100 are symmetrical to each other. Therefore, when the pouch-shaped battery housing 10, having an electrode assembly 20 including electrode leads 31 housed therein, is disposed between the upper and lower sealing blocks, the portion configured to measure movement and displacement in the z-axis direction can be omitted.

[0090] According to the invention, the position adjustment unit 2200, 3200 or 4200 may be located below the sealing block 1100, or the position adjustment unit 2200, 3200 or 4200 may be set in a separate position to move the sealing block 1100.

[0091] In the pouch-shaped battery sealing device according to the invention, a conveying unit 1300 is added, configured to place the entire position adjustment unit 2200, 3200 or 4200 at the sealing block 1100, so as to position the position adjustment unit 2200, 3200 or 4200 below the sealing block 1100.

[0092] The conveying unit 1300 can be configured such that a track is set on the opposite side surface of the position adjustment units 2200, 3200 or 4200, and configured to move the wheels of the position adjustment units 2200, 3200 or 4200 to the track in order to move the position adjustment units 2200, 3200 or 4200 in a desired direction.

[0093] Figure 7 This illustrates the position adjustment unit 2200 of the pouch battery sealing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, along the left side. Figure 7 orbit a) and located on the right Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the movement of track b) shows the position adjustment unit before and after its movement.

[0094] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view of the sealing block 1100 according to the present invention, and Figure 9 This is a top view of a pouch battery sealed by a pouch battery sealing device according to the present invention.

[0095] like Figure 8 As shown, the sealing block 1100 according to the present invention includes an upper sealing block 1110 and a lower sealing block 1120, and a sealing groove is provided in at least one of the upper sealing block 1110 and the lower sealing block 1120.

[0096] The upper sealing block 1110 and the lower sealing block 1120 may be symmetrical to each other. Sealing grooves may be provided in the planes where the upper sealing block 1110 and the lower sealing block 1120 are adjacent to each other. The sealing grooves are formed symmetrically in the upper sealing block 1110 and the lower sealing block 1120 to provide predetermined space. Figure 8 As shown, the sealing groove may include first grooves 1114 and 1124 corresponding to the thickness of the insulating film 41 / 42 and second grooves 1112 and 1122 corresponding to the thickness of the insulating film 41 / 42 and the electrode lead 31 / 32. In this case, tapered ramps may be added between the first grooves 1114 and 1124 and the plane, and between the first grooves 1114 and 1124 and the second grooves 1112 and 1122.

[0097] Position adjustment units 2200, 3200 or 4200 can adjust the position of electrode leads 31 / 32 and insulating film 41 / 42 within the range A of the first groove and the range B of the second groove of the sealing block 1100.

[0098] In another embodiment, the groove may be formed only in the upper or lower sealing block of the sealing block 1100.

[0099] from Figure 8 and Figure 9 It can be seen that the sealing part S sealed by the sealing block 1100 can be located at the battery casing 10 of the pouch battery 50, that is, the part of the battery casing 10 to be sealed. The range A of the first groove can be set at the insulating film 41 and 42, and the range B of the second groove can be set at the electrode leads 31 and 32.

[0100] Depending on the circumstances, to check the sealing force of the pouch battery 50, the range A of the first groove and the range B of the second groove can be partially offset. In this case, the sealing force of the pouch battery 50 can be checked by the range of the tapered slope corresponding to the first grooves 1114 and 1124 and the second grooves 1112 and 1122, i.e., the sealing force check portion G.

[0101] The sealing force is checked by measuring the fill length of the adhesive between the electrode leads 31 and 32 corresponding to the sealing force inspection section G and the insulating films 41 and 42. The fill length of the adhesive can be checked visually or using a laser.

[0102] Figure 10 This is a photograph of a pouch battery sealed by the pouch battery sealing device according to the present invention. The fill length of the adhesive can be easily checked when the electrode lead 31 is set to bias.

[0103] Figure 11 This is a bias error diagram of a pouch battery moved using a conventional pouch battery sealing device and a pouch battery sealing device according to the present invention, and Figure 12 This is a diagram showing the PP filling length error of pouch batteries sealed using conventional pouch battery sealing equipment and the pouch battery sealing equipment according to the present invention. When using the pouch battery sealing equipment according to the present invention, the position can be accurately set, thus showing a reduction in the filling length offset.

[0104] The pouch battery sealing method according to the present invention includes the following steps: (S1) setting a pouch battery housing 10 having an electrode assembly 20 including electrode leads 31 and 32 housed therein at a pouch battery sealing device; (S2) adjusting the position of the electrode leads 31 and 32 and the insulating films 41 and 42 of the electrode assembly 20 relative to the sealing groove using a position adjustment unit 2200, 3200 or 4200; and (S3) sealing the pouch battery housing 10.

[0105] Step (S1) includes securing the pouch battery housing 10, which has an electrode assembly 20 including electrode leads 31 and 32 housed therein, to a position adjustment unit 2200, 3200, or 4200. The pouch battery 50 may be a battery after the electrode assembly 20 has been housed and secured in the pouch battery housing 10.

[0106] In step (S2), the positions of electrode leads 31 and 32 relative to the sealing grooves in position adjustment units 2200, 3200, or 4200 can be adjusted. The alignment of electrode leads 31 and 32 with the centers of the first grooves 1114 and 1124 and the second grooves 1112 and 1122 can be set to an initial value of 0. The pouch cell 50 can be moved according to the initial value, or a setting can be performed to have a certain degree of deviation from the initial value for experimentation. That is, in step (S2), electrode leads 31 and 32 can be positioned with their positions relative to the sealing grooves adjusted to be off-center to check the sealing force.

[0107] Step (S3) can be performed after the electrode assembly 20, including the electrode leads 31 and 32 fixed to the position adjustment unit 2200, 3200 or 4200, is moved to the sealing block 1100.

[0108] The pouch battery 50 can be moved into the sealing block 1100, and then the pouch battery can be sealed. The sealing block 1100 may be composed of an upper sealing block 1110 and a lower sealing block 1120, and pressure holes 2268, 3268 or 4268 for the space sealed by the sealing blocks 1110 and 1120 may be provided in the position adjustment unit 2200, 3200 or 4200.

[0109] Therefore, the position adjustment unit 2200, 3200 or 4200 may consist of a part configured to fix the main body of the pouch-shaped battery housing and a part configured to fix the electrode leads.

[0110] The process may further include step (S4) following step (S3): checking the sealing force of the sealed pouch battery casing. This can be used to check the range of pressure error depending on the material or shape of the pouch battery, the material of the adhesive, or the material or shape of the sealing block.

[0111] In step (S4), the length of the adhesive filling the blank space when the electrode leads and the insulating film are bonded together can be checked, thereby checking the sealing force.

[0112] At this point, the sealing force can be checked with the naked eye or by using transmitted light such as a laser.

[0113] Those skilled in the art will understand that, based on the above description, various applications and modifications can be made within the scope of this invention.

[0114] [Reference Label Explanation]

[0115] 10: Battery casing

[0116] 11: Lower part

[0117] 12: Upper part

[0118] 13: Reception Department

[0119] 20: Electrode assembly

[0120] 21, 22: Electrode contacts

[0121] 31, 32: Electrode leads

[0122] 41, 42: Insulating film

[0123] 50: Pocket battery

[0124] 1000: Bag-type battery sealing equipment

[0125] 1100: Sealing block

[0126] 1110: Upper sealing block

[0127] 1112, 1122: Second groove

[0128] 1114, 1124: First groove

[0129] 1120: Lower sealing block

[0130] 1200, 2200, 3200, 4200: Position adjustment unit

[0131] 1220, 2220, 3220, 4220: Position measurement unit

[0132] 2222, 2224, 3222, 3224, 4222, 4224: Micrometer

[0133] 2226, 3226, 4226: Probes

[0134] 1222, 1224: Ruler

[0135] 2240, 3240, 4240: Moving units

[0136] 2242, 2244, 3242, 3244, 4242, 4244: Adjusting screws

[0137] 3246, 4246: Horizontal partition wall

[0138] 3248, 4248: Vertical partition walls

[0139] 1260, 2260, 3260, 4260: Fixed unit

[0140] 1262, 1264, 2262, 3262, 4262: Sidewall

[0141] 1266: Pressing component

[0142] 2264, 3264, 4264: Fixtures

[0143] 2266, 3266, 4266: Highlighted parts

[0144] 2268, 3268, 4268: Pressed holes

[0145] 1300: Conveying Unit

[0146] 1400: Base

[0147] A: The range of the first groove

[0148] B: The range of the second groove

[0149] C: Amplification part

[0150] G: Sealing force inspection section

[0151] S: Sealing part

[0152] Industrial applicability

[0153] This invention relates to a pouch battery sealing device including a position adjustment unit and a pouch battery sealing method using the pouch battery sealing device. In the manufacture of pouch batteries, the pouch battery sealing device can adjust the relative positions of the electrode leads and the insulating film before applying heat and pressure to the outer periphery of the battery casing made of laminated sheets to seal the outer periphery of the battery casing periodically. Therefore, this invention has industrial applicability.

Claims

1. A bag-shaped battery sealing device, comprising: The sealing block includes a sealing groove corresponding to the thickness and width of the cross-section of the electrode lead; and The position adjustment unit is configured to adjust the position of the electrode lead relative to the sealing groove. The position adjustment unit includes: 1) A first fixing unit configured to fix a pouch-shaped battery housing having an electrode assembly including electrode leads housed therein; The first moving unit is configured to move the entire first fixed unit; and The first position measuring unit is configured to measure the displacement caused by the first moving unit. 2) A second moving unit, configured to position the horizontal and vertical partition walls of the electrode leads; The second fixing unit is configured to fix a pouch-shaped battery housing having an electrode assembly including the electrode leads housed therein, with the electrode leads assembled to the horizontal and vertical partition walls of the second moving unit; and The second position measuring unit is configured to measure the displacement caused by the second moving unit, or 3) A third moving unit configured to position the horizontal and vertical partition walls of a pouch-shaped battery housing having an electrode assembly including electrode leads housed therein. The third fixing unit is configured to fix the pouch battery housing having the electrode assembly including the electrode leads housed therein, in a state where the pouch battery housing having an electrode assembly including the electrode leads housed therein is assembled to the horizontal and vertical partition walls of the third moving unit; and The third position measuring unit is configured to measure the displacement caused by the third moving unit. The sealing block includes an upper sealing block and a lower sealing block. The sealing groove is disposed in at least one of the upper sealing block and the lower sealing block. The sealing groove includes a first groove corresponding to the thickness of the insulating film and a second groove corresponding to the thickness of the insulating film and the electrode leads, and The position adjustment unit adjusts the position of the electrode lead within the range of the sealing groove, such that the range of the first groove is set to be located at the insulating film, and the range of the second groove is set to be located at the electrode lead.

2. The bag-shaped battery sealing device according to claim 1, wherein... Each of the first, second, and third moving units includes a horizontal moving portion, a vertical moving portion, and a height moving portion, respectively configured to move along the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis directions based on orthogonal xyz coordinates. Each of the first position measuring unit, the second position measuring unit, and the third position measuring unit includes a horizontal measuring part, a vertical measuring part, and a height measuring part, respectively configured to measure the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis displacements of the battery housing fixing unit.

3. The bag-shaped battery sealing device according to claim 2, wherein the height is fixed, thereby omitting the height moving part and the height measuring part.

4. The bag-shaped battery sealing device according to claim 1, wherein... Each of the first moving unit, the second moving unit, and the third moving unit is operated by a control device, or The movement of each of the first moving unit, the second moving unit, and the third moving unit is adjusted by rotating a screw.

5. The bag-shaped battery sealing device according to claim 1, wherein each of the first position measuring unit, the second position measuring unit and the third position measuring unit is a laser rangefinder or a micrometer.

6. The bag-shaped battery sealing device according to claim 1, wherein each of the first fixing unit, the second fixing unit, and the third fixing unit comprises: A partition wall is configured to support at least one side of the pouch-shaped battery housing; and / or The pressing component is configured to fix the upper surface of the pouch-shaped battery casing into a flat position by pressing.

7. The bag-shaped battery sealing device according to claim 1, wherein a conveying unit is added to the position adjusting unit, the conveying unit being configured to move the entire position adjusting unit such that the portion of the bag-shaped battery housing to be sealed is positioned between the sealing blocks.

8. A method for sealing a pouch battery, comprising the following steps: (S1) A pouch battery housing having an electrode assembly including electrode leads housed therein is disposed at a pouch battery sealing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7; (S2) Using the position adjustment unit, adjust the position of the electrode leads and insulating film of the electrode assembly relative to the sealing groove; and (S3) Seal the pouch-shaped battery casing.

9. The method for sealing a pouch battery according to claim 8, wherein, In step (S2), the positions of the electrode leads and the insulating film in the position adjustment unit relative to the sealing groove are adjusted.

10. The bag-shaped battery sealing method according to claim 8, wherein step (S3) is performed after the electrode assembly, including the electrode leads fixed to the position adjustment unit, is moved to the sealing block.

11. The bag-shaped battery sealing method according to claim 8, further comprising: Step (S4) following step (S3): Check the sealing force of the sealed pouch battery casing.

12. The method for sealing a pouch battery according to claim 11, wherein, In step (S4), the length of the adhesive filling the blank space is checked when the electrode lead and the insulating film are bonded together.

13. The method for sealing a pouch battery according to claim 12, wherein, Step (S4) is performed using the naked eye or by using transmitted light.

14. The method for sealing a pouch battery according to claim 13, wherein, The transmitted light includes laser light.

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