Formation clamp and formation system comprising formation clamp

Abstract

A formation jig according to one example of the present invention is a formation jig for performing a formation process of one or more battery cells, comprising: a first pressing plate and a second pressing plate disposed so as to face each other with a predetermined gap so as to insert the battery cells, and for pushing both ends of the battery cells; and a gap holding portion provided on one of the first and second pressing plates to hold a gap between the first and second pressing plates.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a formation jig and a formation system including the formation jig, and more particularly to a formation jig capable of improving the productivity of a battery unit formation process and a formation system including the formation jig.

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0029662, filed on March 7, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Background Art

[0003] In general, with the popularization of portable small electronic and electrical devices, the development of new secondary batteries such as nickel metal hydride batteries and lithium secondary batteries is being actively carried out. Lithium secondary batteries refer to batteries that use carbon such as graphite as a negative electrode active material, lithium-containing oxides as positive electrode active materials, and non-aqueous solvents as electrolytes.

[0004] The secondary batteries may be classified into coin-type secondary batteries, square-type secondary batteries, cylindrical-type secondary batteries, pouch-type secondary batteries, and the like according to the shape of the battery case.

[0005] Since the pouch type secondary battery has advantages of simple structure, high capacity per unit volume, low manufacturing cost, small weight and easily changeable shape, the pouch type secondary battery which encapsulates an aluminum pouch in a battery cell where electrodes and separators are alternately laminated tends to be widely used.

[0006] In addition, the formation process in the manufacturing process of the pouch type secondary battery is a process of activating the battery cell by repeating charge / discharge while pressurizing and heating the battery cell assembled through the electrode process and the assembly process. In order to perform this formation process, a formation jig that pressurizes the battery cell is used.

[0007] Figure 1 is a diagram for explaining a conventional forming jig.

[0008] Reference Figure 1 The conventional formation jig 1 includes a plurality of pressurizing plates 11, and the plurality of pressurizing plates 11 are pressurized (P) by a screw-shaped driving shaft 14 and a plurality of driving plates 13 moved by the driving shaft 14. At this time, a pair of pressurizing plates 11 form a space (channel) for inserting the battery cell 10 therein, and in a state where the plurality of pressurizing plates are arranged in sequence, the battery cells 10 are respectively inserted into the space between two adjacent pressurizing plates 11.

[0009] exist Figure 1In the orthogonal coordinate system shown, the X-axis may represent the direction in which the driving plate 13 presses the pressurizing plate 11 , and the Z-axis may represent the direction in which the battery cell 10 is inserted between the pair of pressurizing plates 11 .

[0010] The battery cell 10 is inserted between the pair of pressurizing plates 11, and then the pressurizing plates 11 are pressurized using the driving shaft 14 and the driving plate 13, and charging and discharging of the battery cell 10 are performed. When the pressurizing plates 11 are pressurized, the gap between the pair of pressurizing plates 11 becomes smaller, and pressure is applied to the battery cell 10 disposed between the pair of pressurizing plates 11.

[0011] In addition, the plurality of battery cells 10 are transferred to the formation jig 1 by the first transfer device in a state of being accommodated in a tray, and each battery cell 10 is inserted into a space between two adjacent pressurizing plates 11 .

[0012] Here, the first conveying device performs an operation of inserting the plurality of battery cells accommodated in the tray into the space between the plurality of pressurizing plates 11 .

[0013] At this time, the number of battery cells inserted by the first conveyor may not be the same as the number of spaces between two adjacent pressurizing plates 11. At this time, if a blank space is generated without inserting the battery cells 10 between the pressurizing plates 11, the pressurizing plates 11 may be damaged or the inserted battery cells 10 may not be uniformly pressurized.

[0014] Therefore, during the formation process, dummy cells 12 having a size and shape similar to the battery cells 10 are inserted into the empty spaces between the pressurizing plates 11 where no battery cells 10 are inserted, and the dummy cells 12 fill the empty spaces between the pressurizing plates 11 where no battery cells are inserted.

[0015] In order to insert the dummy cell 12 , a sensor (not shown) is provided on the pressurizing plate 11 , and the sensor is configured to sense whether the battery cell 10 is inserted between two adjacent pressurizing plates 11 .

[0016] According to whether the battery cell 10 is inserted, a control signal is sent to the second conveying device for conveying the dummy cell 12, and thus the second conveying device performs an operation of inserting the dummy cell 12 into the empty space between the pair of pressurizing plates.

[0017] In this way, in order to prepare for the formation process, time is required for providing the dummy cell 12 to the empty space between the pressurizing plates 11 or removing the inserted dummy cell 12 from the space between the pressurizing plates 11 .

[0018] Furthermore, if the number of dummy cells 12 is insufficient compared to the number of empty spaces generated between the plurality of pressurizing plates 11 , the pressurizing process cannot be performed normally and must be on standby, which causes a problem of deteriorating the production process of the battery cell 10 .

[0019] Also, since the dummy cell 12 is separately manufactured to have the same shape and size as the battery cell 10 , there is a disadvantage in that the entire manufacturing cost of manufacturing the secondary battery is increased.

[0020] Furthermore, since a first conveying device for conveying and inserting the battery cell 10 and a second conveying device for conveying and inserting the dummy cell 12 must be separately provided, there is a problem that the entire formation process equipment becomes larger. Summary of the invention

[0021] Technical issues

[0022] An object of the present invention is to provide a formation jig capable of improving the productivity of a battery cell formation process and a formation system including the formation jig.

[0023] Technical Solution

[0024] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, an example of the present invention involves a formation fixture for performing a formation process of a battery cell, which includes: a first pressure plate and a second pressure plate, the first pressure plate and the second pressure plate are arranged to face each other with a predetermined gap so that a battery cell is inserted therebetween, and are used to pressurize both ends of the inserted battery cell; and a gap maintaining portion, the gap maintaining portion is arranged on the first pressure plate and is arranged to maintain the gap between the first pressure plate and the second pressure plate when no battery cell is inserted.

[0025] The gap maintaining portion may include: a support frame rotatably mounted on the first pressurizing plate; and an elastic member connecting the support frame and the first pressurizing plate.

[0026] In addition, the support frame may be configured to rotate toward a side close to the first pressure plate when one end thereof is hingedly coupled to the first pressure plate and the other end thereof contacts the battery cell inserted between the first and second pressure plates.

[0027] Furthermore, the support frame may be disposed such that when the support frame is not in contact with the battery cell, the other end of the support frame is in contact with the second pressurizing plate, thereby maintaining a gap between the first pressurizing plate and the second pressurizing plate.

[0028] Furthermore, one end of the elastic member may be connected to the first pressurizing plate, and the other end of the elastic member may be connected to the other end of the supporting frame.

[0029] In addition, when the battery cell and the support frame contact each other as the battery cell is inserted between the first and second pressure plates, the elastic member can be deformed, and when the battery cell is withdrawn to the outside from the space between the first and second pressure plates, the elastic member can be restored to its original state.

[0030] In addition, when the battery cell and the support frame contact each other as the battery cell is inserted between the first pressure plate and the second pressure plate, the elastic member can be compressed, and when the battery cell is withdrawn from the space between the first pressure plate and the second pressure plate to the outside, the elastic member can be decompressed.

[0031] In addition, the support frame can be configured so that when the support frame is in contact with the battery cell, the other end of the support frame rotates in a first direction, and when the support frame is not in contact with the battery cell, the other end of the support frame rotates in a direction opposite to the first direction, thereby contacting the second pressurizing plate.

[0032] Furthermore, another example of the present invention relates to a chemical formation system including: the chemical formation jig; and a driving unit for pushing any one of the first pressurizing plate and the second pressurizing plate.

[0033] Furthermore, a plurality of formation jigs may be provided.

[0034] Beneficial Effects

[0035] As described above, the chemical formation jig and the chemical formation system including the chemical formation jig of the present invention have the following effects.

[0036] The gap retaining portion is provided to maintain a constant gap between the pair of pressurizing plates when no battery cell is inserted, so that the gap between the pair of pressurizing plates without the battery cell inserted can be automatically maintained by the gap retaining portion during the formation process.

[0037] Therefore, the process of inserting a dummy cell in the blank space between the pressurizing plates where no battery cell is inserted can be omitted, thereby eliminating the need for a separate device (e.g., a conveying device) for inserting the dummy cell between a pair of pressurizing plates, and the productivity of secondary batteries per unit time can be improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] Figure 1 is a diagram for explaining a conventional forming jig.

[0039] Figure 2 : is a diagram for explaining a formation system according to one example of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 3 It is used to illustrate Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the formation fixture shown in .

[0041] Figure 4 is shown sequentially Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the operating state of the formation jig shown in . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] Hereinafter, a formation jig according to an example of the present invention and a formation system including the same will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0043] In addition, regardless of reference numerals, the same or corresponding components are given the same or similar reference numerals, and repeated descriptions thereof will be omitted, and the size and shape of each component shown may be exaggerated or reduced for the convenience of explanation.

[0044] Figure 2 is a diagram for explaining a formation system according to an example of the present invention, Figure 3 It is used to illustrate Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the formation fixture shown in, Figure 4 is shown sequentially Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the operating state of the formation jig shown in .

[0045] exist Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the orthogonal coordinate system shown, the X-axis represents the direction in which the driving unit 110 presses the pressurizing plate 122 , and the Z-axis represents the direction in which the battery cell 10 is inserted between a pair of pressurizing plates 122 and the direction in which the battery cell 10 is withdrawn from between the pair of pressurizing plates.

[0046] The formation jig 120 and the formation system 100 including the same according to an example of the present invention may be used in a process of activating a plurality of battery cells 10 , and the formation jig 120 and the formation system 100 including the same may be configured to perform a degassing process while activating a plurality of battery cells 10 .

[0047] Reference Figure 2 The formation system 100 according to an example of the present invention includes a formation fixture 120 and a driving unit 110. In addition, the formation system 100 may include a control unit 140 for controlling the driving unit 110.

[0048] The formation system 100 includes a formation fixture 120, which includes: a pair of pressure plates 122 arranged to face each other with a predetermined gap so that the battery cell 10 is inserted between them, and used to push the two ends of the battery cell 10; and a gap maintaining portion 124 arranged on any one of the pressure plates 122a, 122b of the pair of pressure plates 122 to maintain the gap between the pair of pressure plates 122.

[0049] In addition, the formation system 100 may include a driving unit 110 for pushing at least one of the pair of pressing plates 122 in the formation jig 120. The driving unit 110 may perform a function of pushing at least one of the plurality of pressing plates in a predetermined direction so that a gap between two adjacent pressing plates becomes smaller.

[0050] As an example, the driving part 110 may include a driving shaft 114 and one or more driving plates 112. In addition, the driving part 110 may include a driving source 130 for rotating the driving shaft, and the driving source 130 may include a motor capable of rotating in forward and reverse directions.

[0051] The driving plate 112 is mounted on the driving shaft 114 and may be configured to be movable along the axial direction of the driving shaft 114 according to the rotation of the driving shaft 114. As an example, when the motor rotates the driving shaft 115 in the forward direction, the driving plate 112 may move in a direction that pushes at least one pressurizing plate, so that the gap between two adjacent pressurizing plates becomes smaller.

[0052] The driving shaft 114 is connected to the driving plate 112 and performs a function of pushing the formation jig 120 through the driving plate 112 .

[0053] When the driving shaft 114 is rotated in one direction by the driving force provided, the formation jig 120 is pressurized (P) by the movement of the driving plate 120 .

[0054] Alternatively, when the motor rotates the drive shaft 115 in the reverse direction, the drive plate 112 may move in a direction away from the pressure plate. The rotation speed, rotation direction, etc. of the motor may be adjusted by the control unit 140 .

[0055] The driving plate 112 may be disposed at the outermost side of the formation fixture 120 to push the formation fixture 120. In addition, the driving plates 112 may also be disposed at two outermost sides of the formation fixture 120, respectively.

[0056] The formation fixture 120 is used to perform the formation process of the battery cell 10, and the formation fixture 120 includes: a first and a second pressurizing plates 122a, 122b, which are arranged to face each other with a predetermined gap so that the battery cell 10 is inserted therebetween, and are used to pressurize both ends of the inserted battery cell; and a gap maintaining portion 124, which is arranged on the first pressurizing plate 122a and is arranged to maintain the gap between the first and second pressurizing plates 122a, 122b when the battery cell 10 is not inserted.

[0057] The driving part 110 pushes the pressurizing plate 122 of the formation jig 120 in a predetermined direction, thereby applying pressure (P) to the battery cell inserted into the space 122 c between a pair of adjacent pressurizing plates 122 .

[0058] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 As an example, the pressure plate located on the left side of the pair of pressure plates 122 may be referred to as a first pressure plate 122a, and the pressure plate located on the right side may be referred to as a second pressure plate 122b.

[0059] The first and second pressurizing plates 122a and 122b are arranged on both sides of the battery cell 10, so that the battery cell 10 is accommodated in the space 122c between the first and second pressurizing plates 122a and 122b. When the driving unit 110 operates, the first and second pressurizing plates 122a and 122b perform the function of pushing the two ends of the battery cell 10 respectively.

[0060] The first and second pressurizing plates 122a and 122b may be disposed at both sides of the battery cell 10 to face each other with a predetermined gap. At this time, the gap between the first and second pressurizing plates 122a and 122b may be set to be greater than the width of the battery cell 10.

[0061] In addition, the gap maintaining portion 124 may be provided on at least one of the first and second pressurizing plates 122a, 122b.

[0062] Such a gap maintaining portion 124 may include: a support frame 125 maintaining a gap between the first and second pressurizing plates 122 a and 122 b ; and an elastic member 127 for supporting the support frame 125 .

[0063] As one example, the gap maintaining part 124 may include: a support frame 125 rotatably mounted on the first pressurizing plate 122 a ; and an elastic member 127 connecting the support frame 125 and the first pressurizing plate 122 a .

[0064] Reference Figure 3 The support frame 125 may be configured to rotate toward a side close to the first pressurizing plate 122a when one end 125a thereof is connected to the first pressurizing plate 122a at a hinge axis h and the other end 125b thereof contacts the battery cell 10 inserted between the first and second pressurizing plates 122a, 122b.

[0065] In addition, when the support frame 125 is not in contact with the battery cell 10, the other end 125b thereof is in contact with the second pressurizing plate 122b, thereby maintaining the gap between the first and second pressurizing plates 122a, 122b. As an example, when the support frame 125 is not in contact with the battery cell 10, it may be mounted on the first pressurizing plate 122a at an angle of 90 degrees to the first pressurizing plate 122a.

[0066] The support frame 125 is coupled to the first pressurizing plate 122 a at a hinge axis h so as to be able to rotate by inserting the battery cell 10 between the first and second pressurizing plates 122 a , 122 b .

[0067] The elastic member 126 may be disposed to connect the first pressurizing plate 122a and the supporting frame 125 , and as an example, one end of the elastic member 126 may be connected to the first pressurizing plate 122a , and the other end may be connected to the other end 125b of the supporting frame 125 .

[0068] Reference Figure 3 (a) and Figure 3 (b) when the battery cell 10 and the support frame 125 contact each other as the battery cell 10 is inserted (IN) between the first and second pressurizing plates 122a, 122b, the elastic member 126 may be deformed, and when the battery cell 10 is withdrawn to the outside from the space 122c between the first and second pressurizing plates, the elastic member 126 may be restored to its original state.

[0069] For example, when the battery cell 10 and the support frame 125 contact each other as the battery cell 10 is inserted (IN) between the first and second pressurizing plates 122a, 122b, the elastic member 126 may be compressed, and when the battery cell 10 is withdrawn (OUT) to the outside, the elastic member 126 may be decompressed. In the present application, decompression may refer to the elastic member 126 returning to its original state, and the original state may refer to a state in which the battery cell 10 and the support frame 125 are not in contact with each other, that is, a state in which the support frame 125 and the second pressurizing plate 122 are in contact with each other, such as Figure 3 As shown in (a).

[0070] Specifically, the support frame 125 may be configured so that the other end 125b thereof rotates in a first direction M1 when the support frame contacts the battery cell 10, and rotates in a second direction M2 opposite to the first direction M1 when the support frame does not contact the battery cell 10, thereby contacting the second pressurizing plate 122b.

[0071] That is, the elastic member 127 performs a function of restoring the supporting frame 125 rotated by the battery cell 10 inserted between the first and second pressurizing plates 122a, 122b to its original position. As an example, the elastic member 127 may be made of a material having characteristics such as a spring.

[0072] like Figure 4 As shown in (a) of FIG. 1 , in a state where no battery cell is inserted, the support frame 125 maintains a gap between the first and second pressurizing plates 122 a and 122 b .

[0073] During the formation process, when the driving unit 110 applies pressure (P) to the first and second pressurizing plates 122a and 122b, the gap between the first and second pressurizing plates 122a and 122b where no battery cell is inserted is maintained by the gap maintaining unit 124. That is, when no dummy cell is inserted (see Figure 1 12), the gap between the first and second pressurizing plates 122a and 122b into which the battery cell 10 is not inserted can be constantly maintained.

[0074] like Figure 4 As shown in (b), when the battery cell 10 is inserted between the first and second pressurizing plates 122a, 122b, the support frame 125 rotates about the hinge shaft 126 in the first direction by the inserted battery cell 10. When the support frame 125 rotates, the elastic member 127 is compressed.

[0075] like Figure 4 As shown in (c) of FIG. 1 , when the battery cell 10 is withdrawn from between the first and second pressurizing plates 122 a , 122 b to the outside, the elastic member 127 is decompressed.

[0076] In this case, the supporting frame 125 is restored to its original position by the elastic force of the elastic member 127. The supporting frame 125 restored to its original position maintains the gap between the first and second pressurizing plates 122a, 122b.

[0077] In addition, the formation system 100 may be provided with a plurality of formation jigs 120. That is, when a plurality of formation jigs 120 are provided, the gap between the first and second pressurizing plates 122a and 122b of the formation jig into which the battery cell 10 is not inserted may be constantly maintained by the gap maintaining portion 124.

[0078] While the preferred examples of the present invention described above have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, a person skilled in the art could make various modifications, changes and additions within the spirit and scope of the present invention, and such modifications, changes and additions should be considered to fall within the scope of the following claims.

[0079] Industrial Applicability

[0080] According to the formation jig and the formation system including the formation jig of the present invention, the gap between a pair of pressurizing plates into which no battery cell is inserted can be automatically maintained during the formation process.

Claims

1. A formation fixture for performing a formation process of a battery cell, comprising: a first pressurizing plate and a second pressurizing plate, the first pressurizing plate and the second pressurizing plate being arranged to face each other with a predetermined gap so that the battery cell is inserted therebetween and for pressurizing both ends of the inserted battery cell; as well as A gap maintaining portion is provided on the first pressurizing plate and is provided to maintain a gap between the first pressurizing plate and the second pressurizing plate in a state where no battery cell is inserted.

2. The formation fixture according to claim 1, The gap maintaining portion comprises: a support frame rotatably mounted on the first pressure plate; and an elastic member connecting the support frame and the first pressurizing plate.

3. The formation fixture according to claim 1, The support frame is configured to rotate toward a side close to the first pressure plate when one end of the support frame is hingedly coupled to the first pressure plate and the other end of the support frame contacts the battery unit inserted between the first pressure plate and the second pressure plate.

4. The formation fixture according to claim 3, When the support frame is not in contact with the battery cell, the other end of the support frame is in contact with the second pressurizing plate, thereby maintaining a gap between the first pressurizing plate and the second pressurizing plate.

5. The formation fixture according to claim 4, One end of the elastic member is connected to the first pressurizing plate, and the other end of the elastic member is connected to the other end of the supporting frame.

6. The formation fixture according to claim 5, When the battery cell and the support frame contact each other as the battery cell is inserted between the first and second pressurization plates, the elastic member is deformed, and when the battery cell is withdrawn to the outside from the space between the first and second pressurization plates, the elastic member returns to its original state.

7. The formation jig according to claim 6, Wherein when the battery cell and the support frame contact each other as the battery cell is inserted between the first pressurizing plate and the second pressurizing plate, the elastic member is compressed, and when the battery cell is withdrawn from the space between the first pressurizing plate and the second pressurizing plate to the outside, the elastic member is decompressed.

8. The formation fixture according to claim 6, The support frame is configured so that when the support frame contacts the battery cell, the other end of the support frame rotates in a first direction, and when the support frame does not contact the battery cell, the other end of the support frame rotates in a direction opposite to the first direction, thereby contacting the second pressurizing plate.

9. A formation system comprising: The formation fixture according to any one of claims 1 to 8; and A driving unit for pushing any one of the first pressurizing plate and the second pressurizing plate.

10. The chemical formation system according to claim 9, A plurality of forming fixtures are provided therein.

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