Electrode tab guiding apparatus, electrode tab manufacturing apparatus using electrode tab guiding apparatus, and electrode assembly manufacturing method

Abstract

An electrode tab guiding device according to the present invention is used to compress and gather electrode tabs when a plurality of electrode tabs protruding from an electrode assembly are welded by a welding unit, comprising: a first tab guide and a second tab guide, the first tab guide and the second tab guide moving toward the electrode tabs from the top and bottom of the electrode tabs to compress and gather the electrode tabs; and a moving device for moving the first tab guide and the second tab guide, wherein the moving device comprises: a vertical moving device for vertically moving the first tab guide and the second tab guide; and a horizontal moving device for horizontally moving the first tab guide and / or the second tab guide.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an electrode contact guide device.

[0002] More particularly, the present invention relates to an electrode contact guide device, the electrode contact...

[0003] The guiding device can prevent the electrode terminals from being disconnected by elongating the electrode terminals by horizontally moving at least one of the first and second terminal guides located above and below the electrode terminals toward the electrode assembly.

[0004] The present invention also relates to an electrode connector manufacturing apparatus and an electrode assembly manufacturing method using the electrode connector guiding device.

[0005] This application claims to be based on Korean patent application No. filed on September 2, 2021.

[0006] The Korean patent application No. 10-2021-0117219 is hereby invoked and its entire contents are incorporated herein by reference. Background Technology

[0007] Recently, rechargeable and discharging secondary batteries have been widely used as a power source for wireless mobile devices. Furthermore, secondary batteries have attracted attention as a power source for electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, and other applications proposed as a solution to air pollution from existing gasoline and diesel vehicles that use fossil fuels. Accordingly, due to the advantages of secondary batteries, their applications are currently very diverse, and they are expected to be used in many fields and products in the future.

[0008] Depending on the composition of the electrodes and electrolyte, these secondary batteries can be classified as lithium-ion batteries, lithium-ion polymer batteries, lithium polymer batteries, etc., and among them, the use of lithium-ion polymer batteries, which are less likely to leak electrolyte and are easier to manufacture, is increasing.

[0009] Generally, depending on the shape of the battery casing, secondary batteries are classified into cylindrical and prismatic batteries where the electrode assembly is embedded in a cylindrical or prismatic metal can, and pouch batteries where the electrode assembly is embedded in a pouch-shaped casing made of aluminum laminated sheet material. The electrode assembly embedded in the battery casing consists of a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator between the positive and negative electrodes, and is a power-generating element capable of charging and discharging. Electrode assemblies are classified into: jelly roll type, in which a jelly roll is wound with a separator between a long sheet-shaped positive electrode and a negative electrode coated with active material; and stack type, in which multiple positive and negative electrodes of predetermined size are sequentially stacked with separators between them.

[0010] Figure 1 The diagram shows an electrode connector manufacturing equipment based on related technologies.

[0011] refer to Figure 1 In the electrode assembly 10, electrode tabs 20 disposed at the ends of multiple electrodes are assembled and welded to electrode leads. When the electrode assembly is housed and sealed within the battery casing, the electrode assembly can be electrically connected to the outside via the electrode leads. Before the electrode tabs are welded to the electrode leads, the electrode tabs are assembled and undergo a pre-welding process via a welding head and anvil. At this time, there is a problem that external dust is introduced into the direction of the electrode assembly during the pre-welding process, thereby degrading the quality of the electrode assembly. To prevent this, as in Figure 1 As shown, multiple electrode tabs 20 are pressed and assembled by tab guides 110 and 120 to form an electrode tab stack, the tab guides 110 and 120 being located above and below the electrode tabs 20 and both having a straight bar shape. Subsequently, an anvil 320 supports the welding target portion A, and a welding head 310 applies ultrasonic vibrations to the welding target portion A to weld the electrode tabs 20. Thereafter, an electrode assembly is manufactured by welding electrode leads (not shown) to the upper or lower portion of the welding target portion A, where the electrode tabs 20 are welded.

[0012] When the straight-bar-shaped lead guides 110 and 120 come into contact with the electrode lead 20, a predetermined pressure is applied to the electrode lead 20, and thus the electrode lead 20 is elongated. However, depending on the model, the elongation of the electrode lead is limited, and therefore the length margin ratio of the outermost lead (the straight length of the outermost lead due to the lead guide / the lead length of the raised unit) is usually low. In this case, lead breakage defects are likely to occur when tension is applied due to the post-welding process. To prevent this, the electrode lead needs to be elongated further and welded. However, conventional lead guides only move up and down, and therefore, when the electrode lead is squeezed by the lead guide, there is a limitation that the elongation length cannot increase beyond a certain length.

[0013] Accordingly, a technology needs to be developed that can reduce breakage of the terminals due to tension by making the outermost electrode terminals longer during the pre-welding process.

[0014] [Existing Technical Documents]

[0015] [Patent Literature]

[0016] Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2019-0054617 Summary of the Invention

[0017] Technical issues

[0018] The present invention has been designed to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the present invention aims to provide an electrode contact guide device that can prevent contact breakage caused by pre-welding.

[0019] The present invention also aims to provide an electrode terminal manufacturing apparatus including the electrode terminal guiding device.

[0020] The present invention also aims to provide a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly that can weld electrode terminals by increasing the length of the electrode terminals.

[0021] Technical solution

[0022] An electrode tab guiding device according to the present invention, for solving the above-mentioned problems, is configured such that, when electrode tabs are welded by a welding part, the electrode tab guiding device squeezes and gathers a plurality of electrode tabs protruding from an electrode assembly, and the electrode tab guiding device includes: a first tab guide and a second tab guide, the first tab guide and the second tab guide being configured to move toward the electrode tab from above and below the electrode tab, and squeeze and gather the electrode tabs; and a moving device configured to move the first tab guide and the second tab guide, wherein the moving device includes: a vertical moving device configured to move the first tab guide and the second tab guide vertically; and a horizontal moving device configured to move at least one of the first tab guide and the second tab guide horizontally.

[0023] As an example, the vertical moving device may include: a first lifting device configured to move the first connector guide up and down; and a second lifting device configured to move the second connector guide up and down.

[0024] As another example, the vertical movement device can be configured to simultaneously raise the first terminal guide and lower the second terminal guide, and simultaneously lower the first terminal guide and raise the second terminal guide.

[0025] Specifically, the vertical moving device can be an air chuck cylinder.

[0026] More specifically, the air chuck cylinder may include a first cantilever and a second cantilever, the first cantilever and the second cantilever being rotated by air pressure at their ends to move closer to and further apart from each other, and the first terminal guide and the second terminal guide being respectively connected to the first cantilever and the second cantilever.

[0027] As a specific example, the vertical moving device can be coupled to the horizontal moving device, and when the first terminal guide is lowered and the second terminal guide is raised by the vertical moving device to compress the electrode terminal, at least one of the first terminal guide and the second terminal guide can move horizontally toward the electrode assembly.

[0028] As an example, the horizontal moving device may include a drive unit and a linear moving device, wherein the vertical moving device may be coupled to the end of the linear moving device.

[0029] As an example, each of the first and second terminal guides may have a curved surface formed on the end extrusion surface that contacts the electrode terminal.

[0030] As another example, each of the first and second terminal guides may have a protrusion that protrudes in one direction from the end extrusion surface that contacts the electrode terminal.

[0031] As another example, the width of the second terminal guide may be greater than the width of the first terminal guide, and the area of ​​the pressing surface of the second terminal guide may be greater than the area of ​​the pressing surface of the first terminal guide.

[0032] According to another aspect of the present invention, an electrode tab manufacturing apparatus is an electrode tab manufacturing apparatus for an electrode assembly, wherein a plurality of electrode tabs protrude from at least one side of the electrode assembly, and the electrode tab manufacturing apparatus includes: a tab guide portion, the tab guide portion including a first tab guide and a second tab guide and a moving device, the first tab guide and the second tab guide being configured to move toward the electrode tabs from above and below the electrode tabs and to compress and gather the electrode tabs, the moving device being configured to move the first tab guide and the second tab guide; and a welding portion, the welding portion being configured to weld the gathered electrode tabs, wherein the moving device includes: a vertical moving device, the vertical moving device being configured to move the first tab guide and the second tab guide vertically; and a horizontal moving device, the horizontal moving device being configured to move at least one of the first tab guide and the second tab guide horizontally.

[0033] As an example, the terminal guide may be located between the electrode assembly and the solder joint.

[0034] As an example, the welding part may be an ultrasonic welding part, which is configured to ultrasonically weld the electrode terminals via a welding head and an anvil.

[0035] Specifically, the vertical moving device can be coupled to the horizontal moving device, and when the first terminal guide is lowered and the second terminal guide is raised by the vertical moving device to compress the electrode terminal, at least one of the first terminal guide and the second terminal guide can move horizontally toward the electrode assembly.

[0036] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly is a method of manufacturing an electrode assembly in which a plurality of electrode tabs protrude from at least one side of the electrode assembly, and the method of manufacturing the electrode assembly includes: positioning a welding target portion of the electrode tab on a welding portion; pressing the electrode tab by moving a first tab guide and a second tab guide toward the electrode tab from above and below the electrode tab; and elongating the electrode tab by horizontally moving at least one of the first tab guide and the second tab guide toward the electrode assembly while the welding target portion of the electrode tab is fixed to the welding portion.

[0037] The electrode assembly manufacturing method may further include welding the electrode terminals while the electrode terminals are in an elongated state.

[0038] Beneficial effects

[0039] According to the present invention, by configuring the electrode tab guide to move horizontally toward the electrode assembly during the pre-welding process of welding the electrode tabs to each other to allow the electrode tabs to be stretched much longer than conventional electrode tabs, it is possible to manufacture an electrode assembly with improved durability against tab breakage. Attached Figure Description

[0040] Figure 1 The diagram shows an electrode connector manufacturing equipment based on related technologies.

[0041] Figure 2 This is a schematic view illustrating an electrode contact manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 3 This is a schematic view illustrating an electrode contact guide device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] Figure 4 This is a schematic view illustrating an electrode terminal manufacturing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Figure 5 This is a schematic view illustrating an electrode contact guide device according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0045] The present invention will be described in detail below. Prior to this, the terms or words used in this specification and claims should not be construed as having their ordinary or dictionary-based meanings, but should be interpreted as having meanings and concepts consistent with the technical spirit of the present invention, based on the principle that the inventor is able to properly define the concepts of the terms in order to best describe and explain his or her invention.

[0046] Throughout this specification, it should be understood that terms such as “comprising” or “having” are intended to indicate the presence of the features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof described in the specification, and these terms do not preclude the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features or numbers, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof.

[0047] Furthermore, when a part of a layer, film, region, plate, etc., is referred to as being "on" another part, this includes not only the case where the part is "directly" "on" the other part, but also the case where another part is located in between. In contrast, when a part of a layer, film, region, plate, etc., is referred to as being "below" another part, this includes not only the case where the part is "directly" "below" the other part, but also the case where another part is located in between. Additionally, in the description of this disclosure, "placed on" can include placement at both the lower and upper parts.

[0048] Meanwhile, in this application, "horizontal direction" refers to the direction in which the electrode contacts are pulled out, and "vertical direction" refers to the direction perpendicular to the horizontal direction.

[0049] According to the present invention, an electrode tab guiding device is configured such that, when electrode tabs are welded by a welding part, the electrode tab guiding device compresses and gathers a plurality of electrode tabs protruding from an electrode assembly, and the electrode tab guiding device includes: a first tab guide and a second tab guide, the first tab guide and the second tab guide being configured to move toward the electrode tab from above and below the electrode tab and compress and gather the electrode tabs; and a moving device configured to move the first tab guide and the second tab guide, wherein the moving device includes: a vertical moving device configured to move the first tab guide and the second tab guide vertically; and a horizontal moving device configured to move at least one of the first tab guide and the second tab guide horizontally.

[0050] As mentioned above, in the case where the electrode terminals are squeezed by a straight strip-shaped terminal guide during the conventional pre-welding process, there is a limitation on the elongation of the electrode terminals.

[0051] Therefore, in this invention, by horizontally moving at least one of the first and second lead guides toward the electrode assembly to allow for longer stretching of the electrode leads, durability against lead breakage can be improved. Specifically, when the electrode leads are stretched, the tension applied to the electrode leads adjacent to the electrode assembly can be reduced, thereby decreasing the likelihood of lead breakage due to external impacts. Furthermore, when the ends of the electrode leads are welded, the applied load is not directly transferred to the electrode leads adjacent to the electrode, significantly reducing the risk of breakage. Additionally, even when tension is applied due to post-welding processes, lead breakage defects can still be prevented.

[0052] The construction of the invention described above will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. Similar reference numerals are used for similar parts in each drawing. In the drawings, the scale of the structures is shown at an enlarged ratio for clarity of the invention. Terms such as “first” and “second” may be used to describe various parts, but the parts should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used merely to distinguish parts from one another. For example, a first part may be referred to as a second part without departing from the scope of the invention, and similarly, a second part may be referred to as a first part. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0053] The present invention will be described in detail below.

[0054] (First Embodiment)

[0055] Figure 2 This is a schematic view illustrating an electrode contact manufacturing apparatus 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0056] The electrode tab manufacturing apparatus 1000 of this embodiment is an electrode tab manufacturing apparatus for an electrode assembly 10. In the electrode assembly 10, a plurality of electrode tabs 20 protrude from at least one side of the electrode assembly 10, and the electrode tab manufacturing apparatus 1000 includes: a tab guide portion 1100, the tab guide portion 1100 including a first tab guide 1110 and a second tab guide 1120 and a moving device. The first tab guide 1110 and the second tab guide 1120 are configured to move toward the electrode tabs 20 from above and below them, and to squeeze and gather them. The assembly includes an electrode connector 20, the moving device being configured to move a first connector guide 1110 and a second connector guide 1120; and a welding portion 1300, the welding portion 1300 being configured to weld the assembled electrode connectors, wherein the moving device includes: a vertical moving device 1210, the vertical moving device 1210 being configured to vertically move the first connector guide 1110 and the second connector guide 1120; and a horizontal moving device 1220, the horizontal moving device 1220 being configured to horizontally move at least one of the first connector guide 1110 and the second connector guide 1120.

[0057] The lead guide 1100 is located between the electrode assembly 10 and the welding part 1300, and is used to squeeze and stretch the electrode lead 20 before it is welded.

[0058] The welding section 1300 is an ultrasonic welding section that uses a welding head 1310 and an anvil 1320 to ultrasonically weld the electrode tabs 20. That is, the welding section 1300 is positioned further from the electrode assembly 10 than the tab guide 1100 and is used to weld the ends of each electrode tab in the electrode tabs 20. Specifically, the welding section 1300 includes: an anvil 1320 having an upper surface on which the electrode tabs 20 are mounted; and a welding head 1310 located above the electrode tabs 20 and configured to move downwards and apply ultrasonic waves while the electrode tabs 20 located on the upper surface of the anvil 1320 are compressed. Specifically, the welding head 1310 is used to apply ultrasonic vibration to the electrode terminal 20 to weld the electrode terminal 20, and the anvil 1320 is used to support the electrode terminal 20 so that the vibration energy caused by the ultrasonic waves can be effectively transferred to the electrode terminal 20 by maintaining the pressure transmitted to the electrode terminal 20.

[0059] Figure 2 The diagram illustrates a first contact guide 1110 and a second contact guide 1120, which move from above and below the electrode contact 20 toward the electrode contact 20, respectively, and compress and gather the electrode contact 20. That is, relative to the electrode contact 20, the first contact guide 1110 corresponds to the upper contact guide, and the second contact guide 1120 corresponds to the lower contact guide. The first contact guide 1110 and the second contact guide 1120 may include a vertical movement device 1210, and are therefore capable of moving vertically and compressing the electrode contact 20. In the initial position, the first contact guide 1110 and the second contact guide 1120 are positioned vertically facing each other with the electrode contact 20 between them.

[0060] In this embodiment, the first connector guide 1110 is configured to move horizontally in addition to vertically. The second connector guide 1120 can only move vertically. (As shown by...) Figure 2 As shown by the dashed lines, when the vertical moving device 1210 lowers the first terminal guide 1110 and raises the second terminal guide 1120, the electrode terminal 20 can be squeezed by the first terminal guide 1110 and the second terminal guide 1120 while being sandwiched between them. Traditionally, the first and second terminal guides only move up and down, and therefore, the elongation length of the electrode terminal is limited.

[0061] However, in this invention, the first contact guide 1110 is configured to move horizontally toward the electrode assembly 10 when the first contact guide 1110 is in a lowered state. Accordingly, as in Figure 2 As shown, it can be seen that the length of the electrode contact 20 compressed by the first contact guide 1110 is greatly elongated. That is, it can be seen that the elongation of the electrode contact 20 caused by the first contact guide 1110 above the electrode contact 20 is greater than the elongation of the electrode contact 20 caused by the second contact guide 1120 below the electrode contact 20. As described above, the contact guide moving device of this embodiment includes: a vertical moving device configured to vertically move the first contact guide 1110 and the second contact guide 1120; and a horizontal moving device configured to horizontally move the first contact guide 1110.

[0062] Figure 3 This is a schematic view of an electrode connector guiding device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0063] refer to Figure 3 According to the present invention, the electrode tab guiding device is configured such that, when the electrode tabs are welded by the welding part, the electrode tab guiding device squeezes and gathers a plurality of electrode tabs protruding from the electrode assembly, and the electrode tab guiding device includes: a first tab guide 1110 and a second tab guide 1120, the first tab guide 1110 and the second tab guide 1120 moving from above and below the electrode tabs toward the electrode tabs and squeezing and gathering the electrode tabs; and a moving device 1200 configured to move the first tab guide 1110 and the second tab guide 1120. The moving device 1200 includes: a vertical moving device 1210 configured to vertically move a first connector guide 1110 and a second connector guide 1120; and a horizontal moving device 1220 configured to horizontally move at least one of the first connector guide 1110 and the second connector guide 1120. In this embodiment, only the first connector guide 1110 is configured to move both vertically and horizontally.

[0064] refer to Figure 3The first electrode contact guide 1110 includes a vertically movable device 1211 and a horizontally movable device 1220. The horizontally movable device 1220 may include a ball screw shaft 1220a connected to a drive unit 1220c, such as a servo motor; and a horizontal guide block 1220b that moves along the ball screw shaft 1220a. The vertically movable device 1211 may consist of a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder 1211a connected to the horizontal guide block 1220b, and the vertical guide block 1211b connected to the end of the cylinder 1211a. The first electrode contact guide 1110, positioned above the electrode contact 20, is attached to the vertical guide block 1211b.

[0065] On the other hand, the second connector guide 1120 includes only a vertically movable device 1212. The vertically movable device 1212 includes: a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder 1212a mounted on a support 1212c; and a vertical guide block 1212b that rises according to the movement of the pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder 1212a. The second connector guide 1120, located below the electrode connector 20, is attached to the vertical guide block 1212b.

[0066] In this embodiment, the dual-axis transfer mechanism described above has been described as an example; however, other configurations are possible that can perform reciprocating translational motion in each of the vertical and horizontal directions. Furthermore, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that when such motion is performed, it includes a drive unit such as a linear motor and a control unit for controlling the movement of the drive unit.

[0067] Furthermore, this dual-axis transfer mechanism can be implemented by using linear motion (LM) guides or CNC tracks and thermal motors instead of ball screws or cylinders and employing linear moving devices with various well-known mechanical structures (such as belts and bearings that interact with them), and this is a known mechanical connection method, and therefore its more detailed description will be omitted.

[0068] When the electrode tab 20 is compressed, the vertical moving device 1210 is used to bring the tab guide closer to the electrode tab, and when the welding process ends, the vertical moving device 1210 is used to separate the tab guide from the electrode tab 20. Specifically, when the electrode tab 20 is compressed, the vertical moving device 1211 attached to the first tab guide 1110 lowers the first tab guide 1110 toward the electrode tab 20, and the vertical moving device 1212 attached to the second tab guide 1120 raises the second tab guide 1120 toward the electrode tab 20. On the other hand, when the welding process ends, in order to separate from the electrode tab 20, the vertical moving device 1211 attached to the first tab guide 1110 raises the first tab guide 1110 from the electrode tab 20, and the vertical moving device 1212 attached to the second tab guide 1120 lowers the second tab guide 1120 from the electrode tab 20.

[0069] The horizontal movement device 1220 is used to elongate the electrode tab 20 by horizontally moving the first tab guide 1110 toward the electrode assembly 10. In this case, the horizontal movement distance can be determined within an appropriate range according to the specifications of the electrode assembly 10 to be manufactured. For example, this distance can be in the range of 0.5 to 2 mm.

[0070] Simultaneously, as the first terminal guide 1110 moves horizontally, it can move while maintaining a constant vertical separation distance between the first terminal guide 1110 and the second terminal guide 1120. For example, the vertical separation distance can be in the range of 0.5 to 1.5 mm. When this distance is less than 0.5 mm, excessive pressure may be applied to the electrode terminal, causing it to disconnect, and when this distance is greater than 1.5 mm, the electrode terminal may not be sufficiently stretched.

[0071] As in Figure 2 As shown, each of the first terminal guide 1110 and the second terminal guide 1120 has a curved surface formed on the extrusion surface that contacts the electrode terminal 20. Accordingly, when the first terminal guide 1110 and the second terminal guide 1120 extrude the electrode terminal 20 by forming contact with it, the risk of breakage is lower compared to the case of a strip, and therefore the electrode terminal 20 can be effectively elongated.

[0072] In addition, such as in Figure 2As shown, the first connector guide 1110 and the second connector guide 1120 differ from each other in terms of length in the width direction and area of ​​the pressing surface in contact with the electrode connector 20. Specifically, the area of ​​the pressing surface of the second connector guide 1120, located below the electrode connector 20, can be greater than the area of ​​the pressing surface of the first connector guide 1110, and the length in the width direction of the second connector guide 1120 can be greater than the length in the width direction of the first connector guide 1110. By configuring the length in the width direction or the area of ​​the pressing surface of the second connector guide 1120 to be greater than the length in the width direction or the area of ​​the pressing surface of the first connector guide 1110, the second connector guide 1120 can stably support the electrode connector 20 when the first connector guide 1110 moves horizontally.

[0073] (Second Embodiment)

[0074] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of an electrode terminal manufacturing apparatus 2000 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0075] The electrode tab manufacturing apparatus 2000 of this embodiment differs from the electrode tab manufacturing apparatus of the first embodiment in that each of the first tab guide 2110 and the second tab guide 2120 has a convex portion C protruding to one side from the extrusion surface that contacts the electrode tab 20, and both the first tab guide 2110 and the second tab guide 2120 move horizontally toward the electrode assembly 10 simultaneously. In the second embodiment, components common to those in the first embodiment are indicated by the same reference numerals, and their detailed descriptions will be omitted.

[0076] As in Figure 4 As shown, each of the first tab guide 2110 and the second tab guide 2120 has a convex portion C protruding to one side at its extruded surface in contact with the electrode tab 20. Specifically, because the convex portion C protrudes in the direction toward the electrode assembly, the electrode tab 20 can be more effectively elongated when the first tab guide 2110 and the second tab guide 2120 move horizontally.

[0077] Furthermore, the first terminal guide 2110 and the second terminal guide 2120 move simultaneously in the horizontal direction. Specifically, while maintaining their facing positions, the first terminal guide 2110 and the second terminal guide 2120 move horizontally toward the electrode assembly 10, and elongate the electrode terminal 20. That is, through horizontal movement, both the first terminal guide 2110 and the second terminal guide 2120 are positioned closer to the electrode assembly 10. Correspondingly, the lower electrode terminal 20 can also be elongated, thereby effectively improving the length margin of the outermost terminal.

[0078] In this embodiment, the first terminal guide 2110 and the second terminal guide 2120 move vertically downwards and upwards, respectively, and then horizontally. In this case, as in... Figure 3 The horizontal movement device 1220 shown can be installed in each of the first terminal guide 2110 and the second terminal guide 2120. In this case, since the first terminal guide 2110 and the second terminal guide 2120 need to move toward the electrode assembly 10 simultaneously, the horizontal movement devices of the first terminal guide 2110 and the second terminal guide 2120 can operate synchronously.

[0079] (Third Embodiment)

[0080] Figure 5 This is a schematic view illustrating an electrode contact guide device according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.

[0081] As in Figure 3 As shown, when the individual vertical moving devices 1211 and 1212 are respectively connected to the first terminal guide 1110 and the second terminal guide 1120, it is difficult to raise and lower each terminal guide in the same manner. Furthermore, the horizontal movement of the first and second terminal guides requires two lifting members and two drive units.

[0082] In this embodiment, the vertical moving device 2210 is configured such that the raising of the first connector guide 2110 and the lowering of the second connector guide 2120 are performed simultaneously, and the lowering of the first connector guide 2110 and the raising of the second connector guide 2120 are performed simultaneously.

[0083] The vertical moving device 2210 in this embodiment is an air chuck cylinder.

[0084] The air chuck cylinder 2210 includes a first cantilever 2211 and a second cantilever 2212, which are configured to rotate by air pressure at their ends to approach and space from each other. A first lug guide 2110 and a second lug guide 2120 are respectively connected to the other ends of the cantilever 2211 and 2212 of the air chuck cylinder 2210. Accordingly, as by Figure 5 As indicated by the arrows, when the cantilever arms 2211 and 2212 rotate, the raising of the first terminal guide 2110 and the lowering of the second terminal guide 2120 are performed simultaneously, and the lowering of the first terminal guide 2110 and the raising of the second terminal guide 2120 are performed simultaneously.

[0085] Specifically, the air chuck cylinder 2210 includes: a piston rod 2213b supported by an elastic member 2213a located therein, and moving forward against the elastic force of the elastic member 2213a caused by the air pressure applied to the air chuck cylinder body 2213; and a movable member 2213c mounted on the front end of the piston rod 2213b. One end of each of the first cantilever 2211 and the second cantilever 2212 is hinged to the movable member 2213c. First hinge connections 2211a and 2212a connected to the movable member 2213c and second hinge connections 2211b and 2212b connected to the air chuck cylinder body 2213 are respectively provided at one end of the first cantilever 2211 and the second cantilever 2212. When air pressure is applied to the air chuck cylinder 2213, the piston rod 2213b and the movable member 2213c mounted thereon move forward, and correspondingly, the first hinge connections 2211a and 2212a of the first cantilever 2211 and the second cantilever 2212 move forward. Because the first hinge connections 2211a and 2211b, and the first hinge connections 2212a and 2212b are respectively located at one end of the first cantilever 2211 and the second cantilever 2212, one end of the first cantilever 2211 and the second cantilever 2212 rotates about the first hinge connections 2211a and 2211b, and the first hinge connections 2212a and 2212b, respectively, by the forward force of the first hinge connections 2211a and 2212a. Accordingly, the first cantilever 2211 and the second cantilever 2212 rotate vertically about the second hinge connection portions 2211b and 2212b, respectively, and the other ends of the first cantilever 2211 and the second cantilever 2212 rotate to space them apart from each other. Accordingly, the first terminal guide 2110 and the second terminal guide 2120, which are connected to the other ends of the first cantilever 2211 and the second cantilever 2212, move away from each other.

[0086] When the air pressure is removed, the elastic force of the elastic member 2213a comes into play, causing the first cantilever 2211 and the second cantilever 2212 to rotate in opposite directions about the first hinge connection 2211a and the second hinge connection 2211b, and the first hinge connection 2212a and the second hinge connection 2212b, respectively. In this situation, the first terminal guide 2110 and the second terminal guide 2120, attached to the other ends of the first cantilever 2211 and the second cantilever 2212, approach each other.

[0087] Here, the air chuck cylinder 2213 can be connected to the linear movement mechanism 2222, such as the ball screw described above, and can be moved in the horizontal direction by the drive unit 2221.

[0088] According to this embodiment, the vertical movement of the first terminal guide 2110 and the second terminal guide 2120 can be synchronized, and the operation of squeezing the electrode terminal can be performed more simply.

[0089] Furthermore, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly. In the following text, reference will be made to... Figure 4 The electrode assembly manufacturing method of the present invention is described in detail.

[0090] The electrode assembly manufacturing method of the present invention is a method of manufacturing an electrode assembly 10 in which a plurality of electrode tabs 20 protrude from at least one side of the electrode assembly 10, and the electrode assembly manufacturing method includes: positioning a welding target portion A of the electrode tab 20 on a welding portion 2300; compressing the electrode tab 20 by moving a first tab guide 2110' and a second tab guide 2120' toward the electrode tab 20 from above and below the electrode tab 20; and elongating the electrode tab 20 by horizontally moving the first tab guide 2110 and the second tab guide 2120 toward the electrode assembly while the welding target portion A of the electrode tab 20 is fixed to the welding portion 2300.

[0091] exist Figure 4 In this case, the welding target portion A of the electrode contact 20 can be located on the anvil 2320. In this case, the anvil 2320 can be installed to be raised and lowered, and in order to perform welding, the anvil 2320 can be raised so that the electrode contact 20 is located on the anvil 2320.

[0092] Subsequently, the first terminal guide 2110' and the second terminal guide 2120' move from above and below the electrode terminal 20 toward the electrode terminal 20 to press the electrode terminal 20. The vertical movement of the first terminal guide 2110' and the second terminal guide 2120' can be performed by a vertical movement device as described above. In this case, welding via the welding section 2300 has not yet begun.

[0093] Next, with the welding target portion A of the electrode connector 20 fixed to the welding section 2300, the first connector guide 2110 and the second connector guide 2120 move horizontally toward the electrode assembly 10 to elongate the electrode connector 20. Before this horizontal movement, the welding target portion A is fixed to the welding section 2300 because when the first connector guide 2110 and the second connector guide 2120 move toward the electrode assembly 10 by the horizontal moving device, the position of the welding target portion A in the welding section 2300 shifts when the end of the electrode connector 20 is not fixed. That is, the welding head 2310 lowers on the anvil 2320, causing the welding target portion A to be squeezed between the welding head 2310 and the anvil 2320. As described above, with the welding target portion A fixed, the first connector guide 2110 and the second connector guide 2120 (see...) Figure 2 One or both of these guides (see) Figure 4 The electrode terminals 20 of the electrode assembly 10 are moved toward the electrode assembly 10. Accordingly, compared with related technologies, the electrode terminals 20 of the electrode assembly 10 are stretched to be longer.

[0094] Subsequently, while the electrode terminal piece 20 is in an elongated state, the electrode terminal piece 20 can be welded by the welding part 2300.

[0095] Furthermore, after the electrode tab 20 is elongated, the electrode assembly manufacturing method may further include: returning the first tab guide 2110 and the second tab guide 2120 to their initial positions 2110' and 2120'; raising the welding head 2310 to separate it from the electrode tab 20; raising and lowering the first tab guide 2110 and the second tab guide 2120 respectively, such that the first tab guide 2110 and the second tab guide 2120 are separated from the electrode tab 20; and lowering the anvil 2320 to separate it from the electrode tab 20.

[0096] The foregoing description is merely an example illustrating the technical spirit of the invention, and those skilled in the art will understand that various changes in form and detail can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings disclosed herein are to be considered descriptive and not limiting of the technical spirit of the invention, and the scope of the technical spirit of the invention is not limited by these drawings. The scope of the invention should be interpreted through the appended claims in conjunction with the full scope of their equivalents.

[0097] In addition, this specification uses directional terms such as “up,” “down,” “left,” “right,” “front,” and “back,” but these terms are merely for descriptive convenience and will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these terms may vary depending on the position of the object, the position of the observer, etc.

[0098] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0099] 10: Electrode assembly

[0100] 20: Electrode connector

[0101] 100: Connector guide

[0102] 110: First connector guide

[0103] 120: Second connector guide

[0104] 300: Welding section

[0105] 310: Welding head

[0106] 320: Anvil

[0107] 1000: Electrode Connector Manufacturing Equipment

[0108] 1100: Connector guide section

[0109] 1110: First connector guide

[0110] 1120: Second connector guide

[0111] 1200: Mobile device

[0112] 1210: Vertical moving device

[0113] 1211: First vertical moving device

[0114] 1211a: Pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder

[0115] 1211b: Vertical guide block

[0116] 1212: Second vertical moving device

[0117] 1212a: Pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder

[0118] 1212b: Vertical guide block

[0119] 1212c: Support component

[0120] 1220: Horizontal moving device

[0121] 1220a: Ball screw shaft

[0122] 1220b: Horizontal Guide Block

[0123] 1220c: Drive Unit

[0124] 1300: Welding section

[0125] 1310: Welding head

[0126] 1320: Anvil

[0127] 2000: Electrode Connector Manufacturing Equipment

[0128] 2100: Connector guide

[0129] 2110: First connector guide

[0130] 2120: Second connector guide

[0131] 2210: Vertical moving device (air chuck cylinder)

[0132] 2211: First Cantilever

[0133] 2212: Second cantilever

[0134] 2211a and 2212a: First hinge connection part

[0135] 2211b and 2212b: Second hinge connection

[0136] 2213: Air chuck cylinder body

[0137] 2213a: Elastic member

[0138] 2213b: Piston rod

[0139] 2213c: Movable component

[0140] 2220: Horizontal moving device

[0141] 2221: Drive Unit

[0142] 2222: Linear translation mechanism

[0143] 2300: Welding Section

[0144] 2310: Welding head

[0145] 2320: Anvil

[0146] A: Welding target area

[0147] C: Convex part

Claims

1. An electrode tab guiding device, the electrode tab guiding device being configured such that, when electrode tabs are welded by a welding part, the electrode tab guiding device compresses and gathers a plurality of electrode tabs protruding from an electrode assembly, the electrode tab guiding device comprising: A first terminal guide and a second terminal guide are configured to move toward the electrode terminal from above and below the electrode terminal, and to squeeze and gather the electrode terminal. and A moving device configured to move the first terminal guide and the second terminal guide. The moving device includes: a vertical moving device configured to vertically move the first terminal guide and the second terminal guide; and a horizontal moving device configured to horizontally move at least one of the first terminal guide and the second terminal guide. The vertical moving device is connected to the horizontal moving device, and when the first terminal guide is lowered and the second terminal guide is raised by the vertical moving device to compress the electrode terminal, at least one of the first terminal guide and the second terminal guide moves horizontally toward the electrode assembly to elongate the electrode terminal.

2. The electrode connector guiding device according to claim 1, wherein, The vertical moving device includes: a first lifting device configured to move the first connector guide up and down; and a second lifting device configured to move the second connector guide up and down.

3. The electrode connector guiding device according to claim 1, wherein, The vertical moving device is configured to simultaneously raise the first terminal guide and lower the second terminal guide, and simultaneously lower the first terminal guide and raise the second terminal guide.

4. The electrode connector guiding device according to claim 3, wherein, The vertical moving device is an air chuck cylinder.

5. The electrode connector guiding device according to claim 4, wherein, The air chuck cylinder includes a first cantilever and a second cantilever, which are rotated by air pressure at their ends to move closer to and further apart from each other, wherein the first terminal guide and the second terminal guide are respectively connected to the first cantilever and the second cantilever.

6. The electrode connector guiding device according to claim 1, wherein, The horizontal moving device includes a drive unit and a linear moving device, wherein the vertical moving device is connected to the end of the linear moving device.

7. The electrode connector guiding device according to claim 1, wherein, Each of the first and second terminal guides has a curved surface formed on the end extrusion surface that contacts the electrode terminal.

8. The electrode connector guiding device according to claim 1, wherein, Each of the first and second terminal guides has a protrusion that protrudes in one direction from the end extrusion surface that contacts the electrode terminal.

9. The electrode connector guiding device according to claim 1, wherein, The width of the second terminal guide is greater than the width of the first terminal guide, and The area of ​​the extrusion surface of the second connector guide is greater than the area of ​​the extrusion surface of the first connector guide.

10. An electrode tab manufacturing apparatus for an electrode assembly, wherein a plurality of electrode tabs protrude from at least one side of the electrode assembly, the electrode tab manufacturing apparatus comprising: A connector guide portion, the connector guide portion including a first connector guide member and a second connector guide member and a moving device, the first connector guide member and the second connector guide member being configured to move toward the electrode connector from above and below the electrode connector and to squeeze and gather the electrode connector, the moving device being configured to move the first connector guide member and the second connector guide member; and The welding section is configured to weld the assembled electrode terminals. The moving device includes: a vertical moving device configured to vertically move the first terminal guide and the second terminal guide; and a horizontal moving device configured to horizontally move at least one of the first terminal guide and the second terminal guide. The vertical moving device is connected to the horizontal moving device, and when the first terminal guide is lowered and the second terminal guide is raised by the vertical moving device to compress the electrode terminal, at least one of the first terminal guide and the second terminal guide moves horizontally toward the electrode assembly to elongate the electrode terminal.

11. The electrode connector manufacturing equipment according to claim 10, wherein, The terminal guide is located between the electrode assembly and the welding part.

12. The electrode connector manufacturing equipment according to claim 10, wherein, The welding part is an ultrasonic welding part, which is configured to ultrasonically weld the electrode terminals using a welding head and an anvil.

13. The electrode connector manufacturing equipment according to claim 10, wherein, The vertical moving device is coupled to the horizontal moving device, and when the first terminal guide is lowered and the second terminal guide is raised by the vertical moving device to compress the electrode terminal, at least one of the first terminal guide and the second terminal guide moves horizontally toward the electrode assembly.

14. A method of manufacturing an electrode assembly, wherein a plurality of electrode tabs protrude from at least one side of the electrode assembly, the method comprising: Position the target portion of the electrode connector on the welding section; The electrode terminals are squeezed by moving the first and second terminal guides toward the electrode terminals from above and below them. as well as The electrode tab is lengthened by horizontally moving at least one of the first tab guide and the second tab guide toward the electrode assembly while the welding target portion of the electrode tab is fixed to the welding portion.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising welding the electrode tab while the electrode tab is in an elongated state.

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