Sealing device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a sealing device, and to a sealing device that can maintain a constant temperature of a sealing surface thereof even if a proper solvent is continuously heated using a phase change of a material, and thus can manufacture a pouch-type secondary battery having a uniformity and an excellent quality. The sealing device according to the present invention includes a sealing body including a sealing surface for sealing an object to be sealed on one surface thereof, a solvent in contact with another surface of the sealing body to supply heat to the sealing body, and a heat source for heating the solvent such that at least a portion of the solvent becomes a gas phase.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0093793, filed on July 16, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0004] This invention relates to a sealing device, and more specifically, to a sealing device in which the temperature of the sealing surface remains constant even when a suitable solvent is continuously heated by a phase change of the material, thereby producing a soft-pack sealing component with excellent quality in a soft-pack secondary battery product. Background Technology

[0005] Rechargeable secondary batteries can be classified into cylindrical, prismatic, and pouch batteries based on their structure and manufacturing method. Among these, pouch batteries are manufactured by enclosing the electrode components within a sealed pouch. Compared to other types of secondary batteries, pouch batteries have a simpler structure and higher capacity per unit volume, and are therefore widely used in vehicle batteries or energy storage devices.

[0006] More specifically, in a pouch-type secondary battery, after forming a recessed cup in the pouch sheet, an electrode assembly is housed within the cup, and the pouch sheet is folded such that a region of the pouch sheet covers the electrode assembly. Then, a sealing member is formed to seal the periphery of the electrode assembly to manufacture the pouch-type secondary battery.

[0007] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of a sealing device based on existing technology.

[0008] Reference Figure 1 In the sealing device 1 according to the prior art, a heat source 30, such as a heat wire, is built into the sealing tool 10 for performing the sealing. When the sealing tool 10 is heated by the heat source 30, the temperature of the sealing tool 10 rises, and therefore the temperature of the sealing surface 11, which is in direct contact with the soft package for sealing, rises. Then, sealing is performed after the temperature of the sealing surface 11 has risen to a temperature suitable for sealing.

[0009] Figure 2 It is shown Figure 1 A view showing the temperature changes of the sealing surface in a sealing device.

[0010] Reference Figure 2In the sealing device 1 according to the prior art, the temperature of the sealing surface 11 is not always kept constant at the sealing target temperature. When the temperature of the sealing surface 11 rises above the sealing target temperature, the heat source 30 is controlled to turn off, causing the temperature of the sealing surface 11 to drop. When the temperature of the sealing surface 11 drops below the sealing target temperature, the heat source 30 is controlled to turn on to heat the sealing surface 11, causing the temperature of the sealing surface 11 to rise. Therefore, the temperature of the sealing surface 11 is not always kept constant, but is controlled to vary. Figure 2 The wave shape shown.

[0011] If soft-pack sealing is performed under such irregular temperatures, there will be problems such as uneven quality of the soft-pack sealing components and subsequent defects such as leakage or damage. Summary of the Invention

[0012] Technical issues

[0013] The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a sealing device in which the temperature of the sealing surface of the sealing device remains constant even when a suitable solvent is continuously heated by the phase change of the material, thereby manufacturing a soft-pack sealing component with excellent quality in the product of soft-pack secondary battery.

[0014] Technical solution

[0015] The sealing device according to the invention comprises: a sealing body having a sealing surface disposed on one surface of the sealing body, the sealing surface being configured to seal a target object; a solvent in contact with another surface of the sealing body to supply heat to the sealing body; and a heat source configured to heat the solvent such that at least a portion of the solvent undergoes a phase change to gas.

[0016] During the phase transition of at least a portion of the solvent to a gas, the sealant can seal the target object.

[0017] The sealing device may also include a housing having a structure connected to the sealing body and configured to contain solvent.

[0018] The housing may include sidewalls extending upward from the edge of the seal, and the solvent may be contained in a liquid state in an internal space having a recessed shape formed by another surface of the seal and the sidewalls.

[0019] At least a portion of the heat source may be contained in a liquid solvent, and the heat source may be spaced a predetermined distance from the sealed body.

[0020] The sealing device may also include a condenser configured to condense the solvent that has undergone a phase change to gas into a liquid.

[0021] The condenser can be positioned above the heat source.

[0022] Solvents vaporized by a heat source can move upwards, while solvents liquefied by a condenser can move downwards.

[0023] The condenser can be housed within the casing.

[0024] A heat insulation component can be installed between the heat source and the condenser.

[0025] The solvent can be made from materials with a boiling point of 180 to 200 degrees Celsius.

[0026] The solvent can be any one selected from ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and dimethyl sulfoxide.

[0027] Beneficial effects

[0028] The sealing device according to the invention may include a sealing body, a solvent, and a heat source. One surface of the sealing body has a sealing surface for sealing a target object. The solvent contacts another surface of the sealing body to supply heat to the sealing body. The heat source heats the solvent, causing at least a portion of the solvent to undergo a phase change to gas. Therefore, even if a suitable solvent is continuously heated using the phase change of the material, the temperature of the sealing surface of the sealing device can be continuously maintained. Thus, in pouch-type secondary battery products, pouch sealing components with uniformity and excellent quality can be manufactured. Attached Figure Description

[0029] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of a sealing device based on existing technology.

[0030] Figure 2 It is shown Figure 1 A view showing the temperature changes of the sealing surface in a sealing device.

[0031] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view showing a sealing device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 4 It is shown Figure 3 A view showing the temperature changes of the sealing surface in a sealing device.

[0033] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view showing a sealing device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0034] Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings to enable those skilled in the art to readily implement the invention. However, the invention may be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to or construed in the examples below.

[0035] To clearly explain the invention, detailed descriptions of parts unrelated to the description or relevant prior art that may unnecessarily obscure the spirit of the invention have been omitted, and reference numerals have been added to components in each drawing throughout this specification. In this case, the same or similar reference numerals are assigned to the same or similar elements throughout the specification.

[0036] Furthermore, the terms or words used in this specification and claims should not be construed as having a general or dictionary meaning, but rather should be interpreted as meanings and concepts that are within the scope of this invention, based on the inventor's ability to appropriately define the concepts of the terms in order to best describe or explain the principles of their invention.

[0037] Example 1

[0038] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view showing a sealing device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Figure 4 It is shown Figure 1 A view showing the temperature changes of the sealing surface in a sealing device.

[0039] Reference Figure 3 According to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, the sealing device 100 may include a sealing body 110, a solvent 120 and a heat source 130.

[0040] A sealing surface 111 for sealing a target object may be provided on one surface of the sealing body 110. The target object may be a pouch for a secondary battery, which serves as the casing of the secondary battery. In a secondary battery, a pouch-type battery can be manufactured by molding a pouch coated with resin onto aluminum to form an internal space, housing an electrode assembly within the internal space, and sealing the peripheral portion of the pouch surrounding the housed electrode assembly. The sealing device 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention can be used to seal the pouch during the sealing process while manufacturing a pouch-type secondary battery.

[0041] Solvent 120 can be configured to heat seal 110 by contacting another surface 112 of the seal. Solvent 120 is in liquid form and can be configured to contact the other surface 112 of the seal. Solvent 120 can receive heat from heat source 130 as described below to raise its temperature, and when the temperature of solvent 120 rises, solvent 120 can heat seal 110.

[0042] The heat source 130 can be configured to heat the solvent 120. Specifically, the heat source 130 can be configured to heat the solvent 120 such that at least a portion of the solvent 120 changes from a liquid phase to a gas. Furthermore, in the sealing device 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, the sealing body 110 can seal the target object through the sealing surface 111 while at least a portion of the solvent 120 changes from a liquid phase to a gas.

[0043] In this way, since the sealing device 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention utilizes a phase change of the material, the temperature of the sealing surface 111 of the sealing device 100 can remain constant even when a suitable solvent is continuously heated. Therefore, the pouch can be sealed at a constant temperature. Thus, in pouch-type secondary battery products, pouch sealing components with uniformity and excellent quality can be manufactured.

[0044] Reference Figure 4 As can be seen, in the sealing device 100 according to Embodiment 1, the temperature of the sealing surface 111 is maintained constant. Specifically, the temperature of the sealing surface 111 can be maintained constant according to the target sealing temperature, in which case uniformity and excellent sealing quality can be achieved.

[0045] The target sealing temperature can be a value between 180 degrees Celsius and 200 degrees Celsius. Therefore, solvent 120 can be a material with a boiling point between 180 degrees Celsius and 200 degrees Celsius. In an embodiment, solvent 120 can be any one selected from ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and dimethyl sulfoxide. Ethylene glycol can have a boiling point of approximately 198 degrees Celsius. Propylene glycol can have a boiling point of approximately 188.2 degrees Celsius. Dimethyl sulfoxide can have a boiling point of approximately 189 degrees Celsius.

[0046] In this way, the sealing device 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention can be sealed at a constant temperature by taking advantage of the fact that energy can enter and exit but there is no temperature change when the material undergoes a phase change.

[0047] Furthermore, the sealing device 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention may also include a housing 140 for containing solvent 120. The housing 140 has a structure connected to the sealing body 110 and can be configured to contain solvent 120. Since the solvent 120 is configured to contact another surface 112 of the sealing body, the housing 140 may be configured to extend from the other surface 112 of the sealing body.

[0048] Specifically, the housing 140 may include sidewalls 141 extending upward from the edge of the sealing body 110. When the sidewalls 141 are formed, space is provided through the other surface 112 of the sealing body and the sidewalls 141. Here, the solvent 120 can be contained in a liquid state within the recessed internal space formed by the other surface 112 of the sealing body and the sidewalls 141. Due to this structure, the solvent 120 can always be in contact with the other surface 112 of the sealing body, even if the sealing body 110 moves around to seal.

[0049] The heat source 130 can be configured to be at least partially contained in the liquid solvent 120 to heat the solvent 120. Furthermore, the heat source 130 can be spaced a predetermined distance from the sealing body 110. If the heat source 130 comes into contact with the sealing body 110, the temperature of the sealing body 110 (particularly the temperature of the sealing surface 111) will be rapidly affected. Therefore, the heat source 130 can be configured not to contact the sealing body 110.

[0050] The sealing device 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention may further include a condenser 150 for condensing the solvent 120, which has undergone phase transformation into a gas, into a liquid. The condenser 150 may be disposed above the heat source 130. Furthermore, the condenser 150 may be disposed within the housing 140. When the condenser 150 is disposed within the housing 140, the travel distance of the solvent 120 can be minimized to improve efficiency.

[0051] The working principle of the solvent 120 in the sealing device 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention can be described as follows.

[0052] First, when solvent 120 is heated to its boiling point by heat source 130, solvent 120 begins to vaporize and evaporate. During the evaporation of solvent 120, the temperature of solvent 120 can be maintained constant, and the temperature of sealed body 110 can be maintained constant during this period.

[0053] Reference Figure 3 The solvent 120, heated and vaporized by heat source 130, can move upward (see...). Figure 3 (See arrow ① in the image). Solvent 120 moving upwards can encounter condenser 150. When solvent 120 encounters condenser 150, solvent 120 can be condensed (see...). Figure 3 (See arrow ② in the image). In other words, the solvent can change from a gaseous phase to a liquid phase.

[0054] Solvent 120 can be liquefied by condenser 150 and then move in a downward direction toward seal 110 (see [link]). Figure 3 (See arrow ③ in the image). Therefore, solvent 120 can be reheated by heat source 130. Solvent 120 heated in this way can enter a process of being vaporized again and can continue to cycle in this way.

[0055] When this cycle is repeated, the heat source 130 can perform a sealing operation, while the temperature of the solvent 120 and the temperature of the sealing surface 111 can be maintained constantly even with continuous heating.

[0056] Example 2

[0057] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view showing a sealing device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0058] The difference between Embodiment 2 of the present invention and the sealing device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is that a heat insulation component 260 is added.

[0059] Content that overlaps with Embodiment 1 will be omitted as much as possible, and the focus will be on describing the differences in Embodiment 2. That is, obviously, if necessary, the content not described in Embodiment 2 supplements the content of Embodiment 1.

[0060] Reference Figure 5 In the sealing device 200 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, a heat insulation component 260 may be provided between the heat source 130 and the condenser 150. Since the heat source 130 and the condenser 150 are disposed in a housing 140, and the heat source 130 and the condenser 150 are maintained at different temperatures, it may be necessary to prevent heat exchange between the heat source 130 and the condenser 150 considering energy efficiency. Therefore, a heat insulation component 260 that blocks heat exchange may be provided between the heat source 130 and the condenser 150.

[0061] Specifically, the heat insulation component 260 may be a heat insulation gap or a heat insulation board. Alternatively, the heat insulation component 260 may be a heat insulation coating or a heat insulation material layer.

[0062] A thermal insulation gap can provide a spatial gap between the heat source 130 and the condenser 150 for thermal insulation. This gap can be a spatial gap formed when the heat source 130 and the condenser 150 are spaced apart from each other. Alternatively, the thermal insulation gap can be filled with a thermally insulating gas, and the interior of the thermal insulation gap can be set to a vacuum.

[0063] The insulation panel or insulation material layer can be disposed between the heat source 130 and the condenser 150 by forming a material made of insulation components in the form of layers. Therefore, a physical barrier layer can be formed. In particular, when the insulation member 260 is configured as an insulation panel with rigid properties, the insulation member 260 can also serve as a support for supporting the weight of the condenser 150.

[0064] Although embodiments of the invention have been described with reference to specific examples, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

[0065] [Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures]

[0066] 100, 200: Sealing device

[0067] 110: Sealing body

[0068] 111: Sealing surface

[0069] 112: The other surface of the seal

[0070] 120: Solvent

[0071] 130: Heat source

[0072] 140: Casing

[0073] 141: Sidewall

[0074] 150: Condenser

[0075] 260: Thermal insulation components

Claims

1. A sealing device, comprising: A sealing body, wherein a sealing surface is provided on one surface of the sealing body, the sealing surface being configured to seal a target object; A solvent is brought into contact with another surface of the sealant to heat the sealant; as well as A heat source is configured to heat the solvent, causing at least a portion of the solvent to change phase to gas. The sealed target object is a soft pack used for secondary batteries.

2. The sealing device according to claim 1, wherein, During the phase transition of at least a portion of the solvent to a gas, the sealing body seals the target object.

3. The sealing device according to claim 2 further includes a housing having a structure connected to the sealing body and configured to contain the solvent.

4. The sealing device according to claim 3, wherein, The housing includes sidewalls extending upward from the edge of the seal, and The solvent is contained in a liquid state within an internal space having a recessed shape formed by the other surface of the seal and the sidewall.

5. The sealing device according to claim 4, wherein, At least a portion of the heat source is contained in a liquid solvent, and The heat source is spaced a predetermined distance from the sealing body.

6. The sealing device according to claim 3 further includes a condenser configured to condense the solvent that has undergone a phase change to gas into a liquid.

7. The sealing device according to claim 6, wherein, The condenser is positioned above the heat source.

8. The sealing device according to claim 7, wherein, The solvent vaporized by the heat source moves upward, and The solvent liquefied by the condenser moves downward.

9. The sealing device according to claim 8, wherein, The condenser is disposed in the housing.

10. The sealing device according to claim 7, wherein, A heat insulation component is provided between the heat source and the condenser.

11. The sealing device according to claim 1, wherein, The solvent is made of a material having a boiling point of 180 to 200 degrees Celsius.

12. The sealing device according to claim 11, wherein, The solvent is selected from ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and dimethyl sulfoxide.

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