Electrode plate of rechargeable battery, pressing device therefor, and pressing method

Abstract

An electrode plate of a rechargeable battery, a pressing apparatus therefor, and a pressing method are disclosed. The apparatus for pressing an electrode plate of a rechargeable battery includes: an uncoiler configured to supply a label from an inlet side of the electrode plate, the electrode plate having first and second coated portions coated with an active material slurry and an uncoated portion between the first and second coated portions; a label applicator configured to apply a label to the uncoated portion; a roller press configured to press together with the label a first coated portion and a second coated portion of the electrode plate in which the label is coated to the uncoated portion; and a label separator configured to separate the pressed label from the uncoated portion of the pressed electrode plate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electrode plate of a rechargeable battery, a pressing device and a pressing method therefor, and more particularly, to an electrode plate of a rechargeable battery that minimizes stress between a coated portion and an uncoated portion, a pressing device and a pressing method therefor. Background Art

[0002] Unlike primary batteries, rechargeable batteries are batteries that are repeatedly charged and discharged. Miniaturized rechargeable batteries are used in small portable electronic devices such as cellular phones, laptop computers, and video cameras.

[0003] A rechargeable battery includes an electrode assembly for charging and discharging and a case or bag that accommodates the electrode assembly. The electrode assembly can be formed by placing a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate on opposite sides of a separator and winding the positive electrode plate, the separator and the negative electrode plate into a core form.

[0004] The rolling facility used to produce electrode plates rolls the electrode plates to a predetermined thickness during the plate process in battery production to increase the density of the coated portion after slurry coating. However, the shape of the coated portion may cause defects in the uncoated portion, making it difficult to apply the rolling method. Summary of the invention

[0005] An embodiment includes an apparatus for pressing an electrode plate of a rechargeable battery. The apparatus includes: an unwinder configured to supply a label from an inlet side of an electrode plate having a first coating portion and a second coating portion coated with an active material slurry and an uncoated portion between the first coating portion and the second coating portion; a label applicator configured to apply the label to the uncoated portion; a roller press configured to press the first coating portion and the second coating portion of the electrode plate in which the label is applied to the uncoated portion together with the label; and a label separator configured to separate the pressed label from the uncoated portion of the pressed electrode plate.

[0006] The apparatus may further include a rewinder configured to rewind the label separated from the uncoated portion by the label separator.

[0007] The apparatus may further include an alignment sight provided between the label applicator and the roller press, the alignment sight configured to detect alignment of the label attached to the uncoated portion with the uncoated portion.

[0008] The label applicator can apply the label to the uncoated portion while maintaining a first gap provided between the first coating portion and one side of the label, and a second gap provided between the second coating portion and the other side of the label, the one side and the other side of the label being provided on opposite sides in the width direction of the label.

[0009] The label applicator may be formed of a roller, and the label may be transferred to the surface of the roller and then applied to the uncoated portion.

[0010] The first and second coating portions are formed on the electrode plate in a stripe shape along the length direction of the electrode plate with an uncoated portion interposed therebetween, and the label applicator may apply the label in a stripe shape along the length direction of the electrode plate.

[0011] The label separator can continuously remove labels along the length of the electrode plate.

[0012] The first coating portion and the second coating portion may be formed on the electrode plate in a pattern type extending along the width direction of the electrode plate and spaced apart along the length direction of the electrode plate with an uncoated portion interposed between the first coating portion and the second coating portion, and the label applicator may apply labels of a plurality of unit patterns extending along the width direction of the electrode plate and spaced apart along the length direction of the electrode plate to correspond to the pattern of the uncoated portion.

[0013] The label separator can intermittently remove the label along the width direction of the electrode plate.

[0014] An embodiment includes a method for pressing an electrode plate of a rechargeable battery. The method includes: a first operation of continuously supplying an electrode plate having a first coating portion and a second coating portion coated with an active material slurry and an uncoated portion between the first coating portion and the second coating portion and supplying a label; a second operation of applying the supplied label to the uncoated portion; a third operation of pressing the first coating portion and the second coating portion of the electrode plate in which the label is applied to the uncoated portion together with the label; and a fourth operation of separating the label from the uncoated portion of the pressed electrode plate.

[0015] The method may further include: a fifth operation of rewinding the separated label.

[0016] The second operation may further include an alignment detection operation of detecting an alignment of the label attached to the uncoated portion with the uncoated portion.

[0017] The second operation may include applying the label to the uncoated portion while maintaining a first gap provided between the first coating portion and one side of the label, and a second gap provided between the second coating portion and the other side of the label, the one side and the other side of the label being provided on opposite sides in a width direction of the label.

[0018] The first and second coating portions are formed on the electrode plate in a stripe shape along a length direction of the electrode plate with an uncoated portion interposed therebetween, and the second operation includes applying the label in a stripe shape along a length direction of the electrode plate.

[0019] The fourth operation may include continuously removing the labels along the length direction of the electrode plate.

[0020] The first coating portion and the second coating portion are formed on the electrode plate in a pattern extending along the width direction of the electrode plate and spaced apart along the length direction of the electrode plate with an uncoated portion interposed between the first coating portion and the second coating portion, and the second operation includes applying the label in a pattern along the width direction of the electrode plate.

[0021] The fourth operation may include intermittently removing the label along the width direction of the electrode plate.

[0022] Embodiments include an electrode plate for a rechargeable battery. The electrode plate includes: a first coating portion and a second coating portion coated with an active material slurry; and an uncoated portion disposed between the first coating portion and the second coating portion by exposing the electrode plate, wherein the uncoated portion includes wrinkles formed by pressing the first coating portion and the second coating portion with a label attached to the uncoated portion and then removing the label, and wherein the wrinkles are formed within a maximum range of 0.05W on each side of the opposite sides of the uncoated portion having a width W disposed in the width direction of the electrode plate.

[0023] The width of the uncoated portion was 60 mm, and wrinkles were formed within a maximum range of 3 mm on each of opposite sides in the width direction.

[0024] A maximum of 3 wrinkles can be formed on each side of the width direction intersecting each other in the width direction and the length direction of the electrode plate with 10×10 mm arranged 2 within the unit area.

[0025] The wrinkles can be formed in a maximum length of 10 mm per unit area.

[0026] The first coating portion, the uncoated portion, and the second coating portion may be formed in a stripe type or a pattern type. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Features will become apparent to those skilled in the art by describing in detail exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0028] Figure 1 is a block diagram of an apparatus for pressing an electrode plate of a rechargeable battery according to one or more embodiments;

[0029] Figure 2 is a partial plan view of a strip-type electrode plate before pressing according to one or more embodiments;

[0030] Figure 3 According to one or more embodiments Figure 2 A partial plan view of an electrode plate with a label attached;

[0031] Figure 4 According to one or more embodiments Figure 3 A partial plan view of an electrode plate of , showing a label attached to an uncoated portion and a gap between a coated portion;

[0032] Figure 5 For application to Figure 2 A top view of a roller type label applicator for an electrode plate;

[0033] Figure 6 is a partial plan view of a patterned electrode plate before pressing according to one or more embodiments;

[0034] Figure 7 For application to Figure 6 A top view of a roller type label applicator for an electrode plate;

[0035] Figure 8 According to one or more embodiments, Figure 7 Label applicator for applying labels Figure 6 A partial plan view of an electrode plate;

[0036] Fig. 9 is a flow chart of a method for pressing an electrode plate of a rechargeable battery according to one or more embodiments;

[0037] Fig.10 is an image illustrating a wrinkle generation state in an uncoated portion of a strip-type electrode plate according to the related art; and

[0038] Fig.11 2 are images illustrating a wrinkle generation state in an uncoated portion of a strip-type electrode plate according to one or more embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] Example embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings; however, they may be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey exemplary implementations to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0040] In the accompanying drawings, the dimensions of layers and regions may be exaggerated for clarity of illustration. It will also be understood that if a layer or element is referred to as being "on" another layer or element, it can be directly on the other layer or element, or intervening layers or elements may also exist. Further, it will be understood that if a layer is referred to as being "below" another layer, it can be directly below the other layer, or one or more intervening layers may also exist. In addition, it will be understood that if a layer is referred to as being "between" two layers, it can be the only layer between the two layers, or one or more intervening layers may also exist. The same reference numerals refer to the same elements throughout.

[0041] Figure 1 is a block diagram of an apparatus for pressing an electrode plate of a rechargeable battery according to one or more embodiments, Figure 2 is a partial plan view of a strip-type electrode plate before pressing according to one or more embodiments, and Figure 3 According to one or more embodiments Figure 2 Partial plan view of an electrode plate with attached labels.

[0042] See also Figure 1 The apparatus for pressing an electrode plate of a rechargeable battery may include an unwinder 10, a label applicator 20, a roller press 30, and a label separator 40. The apparatus for pressing an electrode plate may further include a rewinder 50 and / or an alignment observation part 60.

[0043] See also Figure 2 , the electrode plate EP may include a first coating portion C1 and a second coating portion C2 coated with an active material slurry and an uncoated portion UC. The uncoated portion UC is provided between the first coating portion C1 and the second coating portion C2 at least in a width direction (e.g., an x-axis direction) of the electrode plate EP, and continuously extends in a length direction (e.g., a y-axis direction) of the electrode plate EP. The uncoated portion UC may be formed by exposing the electrode plate EP without being coated with the active material slurry.

[0044] In other words, the first coating portion C1 and the second coating portion C2 may be continuously elongated in the length direction (e.g., the y-axis direction), wherein the uncoated portion UC is interposed between the first coating portion C1 and the second coating portion C2 in the width direction (e.g., the x-axis direction). The first coating portion C1, the uncoated portion UC, and the second coating portion C2 may be formed in a stripe type on one side or opposite sides of the electrode plate EP.

[0045] The electrode plate EP having a first coating portion C1, an uncoated portion UC, and a second coating portion C2 is the minimum range applicable to this embodiment. In this embodiment, the electrode plate EP has three coating portions and four uncoated portions. There is an uncoated portion between two adjacent coating portions. The electrode plate EP further has two outermost uncoated portions UC1 and UC2 extending in the length direction (e.g., y-axis direction) at the opposite sides of the electrode plate in the width direction (e.g., x-axis direction).

[0046] The electrode plate EP may be provided with a first coating portion C1 and a second coating portion C2 which are separated from each other by being separated by an uncoated portion UC after being pressed. In this way, by having a plurality of first coating portions C1 and second coating portions C2 on one electrode plate EP and separating the first coating portions C1 and second coating portions C2 by an uncoated portion UC, the productivity of the electrode plate EP used in the rechargeable battery may be greatly improved. The electrode plate EP may be fed to the apparatus for pressing the electrode plate of the present embodiment, and discharged after the first coating portion C1 and the second coating portion C2 are pressed by the roller press 30.

[0047] The uncoiler 10 may supply the label LB to the electrode plate EP supplied for pressing the first coating portion C1 and the second coating portion C2. That is, the uncoiler 10 may unwind the label LB in the wound state, and may supply the label LB to the uncoated portion UC of the supplied electrode plate EP. In some embodiments, the uncoiler 10 may be configured to supply the label LB from the inlet side of the electrode plate EP corresponding to the uncoiler 10. In the present embodiment, the uncoiler 10 may be configured to supply the label LB to the two uncoated portions UC.

[0048] The label applicator 20 may be configured to apply the label LB supplied by the unwinder 10 to the uncoated portion UC. In the present embodiment, the label applicator 20 is configured to apply the label LB supplied by the unwinder 10 to the uncoated portion UC in two rows. The label applicator 20 applies the label LB in a stripe type along the longitudinal direction or length direction (e.g., y-axis direction) of the electrode plate EP.

[0049] Although not illustrated, see Figure 1 to Figure 3 , the uncoiler 10 may be configured to supply the label LB also to the outermost uncoated portions UC1 , UC2 , and the label applicator 20 may be configured to further apply the label LB to the outermost uncoated portions UC1 , UC2 .

[0050] The electrode plate EP can be kept as follows via the unwinder 10 and the label applicator 20. Figure 3The state in which the label LB is attached or coated between the pressed first coating part C1 and the second coating part C2 is illustrated. The label LB may be pressed together with the first coating part C1 and the second coating part C2 via the roller press 30. In this state, the electrode plate EP may be introduced into the roller press 30.

[0051] The roller press 30 may include a lower support roller 31 and an upper pressing roller 32. The first coating portion C1 and the second coating portion C2 of the electrode plate EP may be pressurized while passing between the lower support roller 31 and the upper pressing roller 32 so that the electrode plate EP has a density that can exhibit battery performance. In addition, the label LB attached between the first coating portion C1 and the second coating portion C2 may be pressurized while passing between the lower support roller 31 and the upper pressing roller 32.

[0052] The label LB can be supported and pressed by the lower supporting roller 31 and the upper pressing roller 32 in the width direction (e.g., x-axis direction) between the first coating portion C1 and the second coating portion C2 without interfering with the pressing of the first coating portion C1 and the second coating portion C2. Therefore, the label LB can prevent the pressing stress from being concentrated at the ends of the first coating portion C1 and the second coating portion C2.

[0053] In other words, the label LB can disperse the compressive stress that may otherwise be concentrated at the ends of the first coating portion C1 and the second coating portion C2 to the uncoated portion UC. Therefore, cracking of the first coating portion C1 and the second coating portion C2 and breakage of the active material can be prevented at the ends of the first coating portion C1 and the second coating portion C2.

[0054] In addition, since the label LB evenly distributes the rolling force generated during rolling by the roller press 30 to the first coating portion C1, the second coating portion C2 and the uncoated portion UC, the stress generated between the first coating portion C1, the second coating portion C2 and the uncoated portion UC can be minimized, thereby minimizing the wrinkles generated in the uncoated portion UC.

[0055] In addition, the label LB can be used in a high frequency induction heating annealing (IHA) process to overcome the difference in elongation of the uncoated portion UC compared to the elongation of the first coating portion C1 and the second coating portion C2. In other words, the label LB is attached to the uncoated portion UC to maintain the same elongation as the first coating portion C1 and the second coating portion C2 during rolling. Therefore, wrinkles in the uncoated portion UC are significantly reduced or prevented.

[0056] The label separator 40 may separate the pressed label LB in the uncoated portion UC of the pressed electrode plate EP from the uncoated portion UC. The label separator 40 may be provided at the exit side of the roller press 30 to separate the label LB pressed between the first coating portion C1 and the second coating portion C2 from the uncoated portion UC. The label separator 40 may separate the label LB continuously applied in a stripe type along the length direction (e.g., y-axis direction) of the electrode plate EP. In an exemplary embodiment, the label separator 40 may continuously remove the label LB along the length direction of the electrode plate EP.

[0057] The rewinder 50 may rewind the label LB that has been separated from the uncoated portion UC by the label separator 40. The rewinder 50 facilitates processing of the label LB that is supplied in the form of a strip and then separated. Therefore, the label LB is preferably made of a heat-resistant material to withstand the roller press 30, separated by the label separator 40, and rewound in the rewinder 50. In an exemplary embodiment, the material of the label LB may have heat resistance that can be used at about 100° C. to 120° C., and may have a thickness, hardness, and adhesiveness similar to those of the first coating portion C1 and the second coating portion C2.

[0058] If the label LB is applied before rolling the electrode plate EP, an alignment sight 60 may be provided between the label applicator 20 and the roller press 30 to adjust the alignment of the label LB with the uncoated portion UC. The uncoiler 10 and the label applicator 20 minimize misalignment dispersion by correction of the alignment sight 60.

[0059] To this end, the alignment observation section 60 can detect the alignment of the label LB attached to the uncoated portion UC with the uncoated portion UC. The detection signal from the alignment observation section 60 can be applied to the uncoiler 10 and the label applicator 20. Therefore, the uncoiler 10 and the label applicator 20 can correct the supply position of the label LB in the uncoated portion UC, thereby attaching the label LB to the corrected position.

[0060] Figure 4 According to one or more embodiments Figure 3 A partial plan view of an electrode plate showing the tabs attached to the uncoated portion and the gap between the coated portion. Figure 4 , the label applicator 20 may apply the label LB to the uncoated portion UC while maintaining the first gap G1 and the second gap G2.

[0061] The first gap G1 may be provided between the first coating portion C1 and one side of the label LB provided on the opposite side in the width direction (eg, x-axis direction) of the label LB. The second gap G2 may be provided between the second coating portion C2 and the other side of the label LB provided on the opposite side in the width direction of the label LB.

[0062] If the label LB is applied, the alignment observation part 60 may detect the first gap G1 and the second gap G2 provided at the opposite side of the label LB. If the detection signal of the alignment observation part 60 for the first gap G1 and the second gap G2 exceeds the error range, the unwinder 10 and the label applicator 20 may correct the supply position of the label LB in the uncoated portion UC and apply the label LB to the corrected position.

[0063] Various embodiments will be described below. Compared with the above-described embodiments, descriptions of configurations that are the same as each other will be omitted, and descriptions of configurations that are different from each other will be described.

[0064] Figure 5 For application to Figure 2 Top view of a roller-type label applicator with an electrode plate. Figure 5 In one example, the label applicator 220 may be formed as a roller type. That is, the label applicator 220 may be formed with a roller 221, for example, the label applicator 220 may be formed by the roller 221. The label LB supplied by the unwinder 10 may then be transferred to the surface of the roller 221 and then applied to the uncoated portion UC of the electrode plate EP. The roller type label applicator 220 may have a simple configuration. The label LB may be transferred to the surface of the roller 221 to correspond to the number of uncoated portions UC and the width of the uncoated portions UC and then applied to the uncoated portions UC.

[0065] Figure 6 is a partial plan view of a patterned electrode plate before pressing according to one or more embodiments, Figure 7 For application to Figure 6 A top view of a roller type label applicator having an electrode plate, and Figure 8 According to one or more embodiments, Figure 7 Label applicator for applying labels Figure 6 Partial plan view of the electrode plate.

[0066] See also Figure 6 to Figure 8 , the first coating portion C21 and the second coating portion C22 can be formed on the electrode plate EP2 in a pattern extending along the width direction (e.g., the x-axis direction) of the electrode plate EP2 and spaced apart along the length direction (e.g., the y-axis direction) of the electrode plate EP2, and the uncoated portion UC2 is interposed between the first coating portion C21 and the second coating portion C22.

[0067] In some embodiments, the label applicator 320 may be configured to attach a plurality of labels LB2, wherein a plurality of unit patterns of the labels LB2 extend along the width direction (e.g., x-axis direction) of the electrode plate EP2 and are spaced apart along the length direction (e.g., y-axis direction) of the electrode plate EP2 so as to correspond to the pattern of the uncoated portion UC2. The label separator may intermittently remove the unit pattern of the labels LB2 along the width direction (e.g., x-axis direction) of the electrode plate EP2.

[0068] See also Figure 7 In an exemplary embodiment, the label applicator 320 may be formed as a roller type. That is, the label applicator 320 is formed as a roller 321, for example, the label applicator 320 is formed by the roller 321. In this exemplary embodiment, the label LB2 supplied by the unwinder 10 may be transferred to the surface of the roller 321, and then may be attached to the uncoated portion UC2 of the electrode plate EP2. The roller type label applicator 320 may be simply configured. The label LB2 may be transferred to the surface of the roller 321 to correspond to the pattern type of the uncoated portion UC2, and then may be applied to the uncoated portion UC2.

[0069] Hereinafter, a method for pressing an electrode plate of a rechargeable battery, which presses an electrode plate EP using the apparatus for pressing an electrode plate of a rechargeable battery according to one or more embodiments, will now be described.

[0070] Fig. 9 is a flow chart of a method for pressing an electrode plate of a rechargeable battery according to one or more embodiments. Figure 2 to Figure 4 as well as Fig. 9 , the method for pressing an electrode plate of a rechargeable battery may include a first operation ST1, a second operation ST2, a third operation ST3, and a fourth operation ST4, and may further include a fifth operation ST5.

[0071] The first operation ST1 may continuously supply the electrode plate EP having the first and second coating portions C1 and C2 coated with the active material slurry and the uncoated portion UC between the first and second coating portions C1 and C2 and may supply the tab LB.

[0072] In the second operation ST2, the label LB may be attached to the uncoated portion UC. The second operation ST2 may further include an alignment detection operation ST21 to detect alignment of the label LB attached to the uncoated portion UC with the uncoated portion UC.

[0073] In the second operation ST2, the label LB may be attached to the uncoated portion UC while maintaining the first gap G1 and the second gap G2. The second operation ST2 may attach the label LB while maintaining the first gap G1 provided between the first coating portion C1 and one side of the label LB provided on the opposite side in the width direction (e.g., x-axis direction) of the label LB, and the second gap G2 provided between the second coating portion C2 and the other side of the label LB provided on the opposite side in the width direction of the label LB.

[0074] If the first coating portion C1 and the second coating portion C2 are formed on the electrode plate EP in a strip type along the length direction of the electrode plate EP with the uncoated portion UC interposed therebetween, the second operation ST2 may apply the label LB in a strip type along the length direction of the electrode plate EP.

[0075] In the third operation ST3, the first coating portion C1 and the second coating portion C2 of the electrode plate EP having the label LB attached to the uncoated portion UC may be pressed together with the label LB. The label LB may be pressed together with the first coating portion C1 and the second coating portion C2 while passing through the roller press 30. Therefore, the label LB remains attached between the pressed first coating portion C1 and the second coating portion C2.

[0076] The label LB between the first coating portion C1 and the second coating portion C2 can be supported and pressed by the lower support roller 31 and the upper pressing roller 32 in the width direction (e.g., the x-axis direction) without interfering with the pressing of the first coating portion C1 and the second coating portion C2. The label LB disperses the pressing stress that may be concentrated at the ends of the first coating portion C1 and the second coating portion C2 to the uncoated portion UC. In this way, crack generation at the ends of the first coating portion C1 and the second coating portion C2 and the breakage of the active material can be prevented.

[0077] The fourth operation ST4 separates the label LB from the uncoated portion UC of the pressed electrode plate EP. Further, if the label LB is attached in a strip type along the length direction of the electrode plate EP in the second operation ST2, the label LB can be continuously removed along the length direction of the electrode plate EP in the fourth operation ST4.

[0078] See also Figure 6 to Figure 8If, in the second operation ST2, the label LB2 is provided in plurality, a plurality of unit patterns of the label LB2 extend along the width direction (e.g., the x-axis direction) of the electrode plate EP2 and are spaced apart along the length direction (e.g., the y-axis direction) of the electrode plate EP2, the label LB2 may be arranged so as to correspond to the pattern of the uncoated portion UC2, then in the fourth operation ST4, the unit pattern of the label LB2 may be intermittently removed along the width direction (e.g., the x-axis direction) of the electrode plate EP2.

[0079] See again Fig. 9 In the fifth operation ST5, the separated label LB may be rewound. Further, in the fifth operation ST5, an electrode plate EP having the pressed first and second coating portions C1 and C2 with the uncoated portion UC therebetween may be obtained.

[0080] Fig.10 For an image illustrating a wrinkle generation state in an uncoated portion of a strip-type electrode plate according to the related art, see Fig.10 , the electrode plate EP5 in the related art is pressed without applying the label to the uncoated portion UC, and has long and many wrinkles W5 on the uncoated portion UC adjacent to the coated portion C.

[0081] The wrinkles W5 are formed on each side of the opposite sides of the uncoated portion UC having a width W set in the width direction (e.g., the x-axis direction) of the electrode plate EP5 within a maximum formation range (or maximum range) Lw of 0.3 W. In an exemplary embodiment, if the width W of the uncoated portion UC is 60 mm, the wrinkles W5 may be formed on each side of the opposite sides in the width direction within a maximum formation range Lw=W / 4 of 15 mm.

[0082] 10×10 mm arranged in the width direction (eg, x-axis direction) and the length direction (eg, y-axis direction) where each of the opposite sides in the width direction intersects each other 2 In the unit area UA, no more than 5 or 6 wrinkles W5 may be formed. The wrinkles W5 may protrude outward from the unit area UA and may be formed to have a maximum length Lmax of 15 mm.

[0083] Fig.11 An image illustrating a wrinkle generation state in an uncoated portion of a strip-type electrode plate according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Fig.11 , and the electrode plate EP in the related art ( Fig.10 ), the electrode plate EP produced by the pressing apparatus and the pressing method of the embodiment has short and few wrinkles W1 on the uncoated portion UC adjacent to the first coating portion C1 and the second coating portion C2.

[0084] The electrode plate EP produced by the pressing apparatus and pressing method of the embodiment may have a first coating portion C1, a second coating portion C2 and an uncoated portion UC. The uncoated portion UC may include wrinkles W1 generated by pressing the first and second coating portions C1 and C2 with a label LB attached to the uncoated portion UC and then removing the label LB.

[0085] The wrinkles W1 may be provided in a maximum formation range Lw1 of 0.05 W on each side of the opposite side of the uncoated portion UC having a width W provided in the width direction (e.g., x-axis direction) of the electrode plate EP. The maximum range Lw1 of 0.05 W of the wrinkles W1 is smaller than the maximum range Lw of 0.3 W of the wrinkles W5 in the related art.

[0086] If the width W of the uncoated portion UC is, for example, 60 mm, the wrinkles W1 can be formed within a maximum forming range Lw1=W / 20 of 3 mm on each side of the opposite sides in the width direction (e.g., the x-axis direction). The maximum range Lw1 of W / 20 of the wrinkles W1 is smaller than the maximum range Lw of W / 4 of the wrinkles W5 in the related art.

[0087] A maximum of three wrinkles W1 may be formed on each side of the opposite sides of the width direction, 10×10 mm arranged in the width direction (eg, x-axis direction) and the length direction (eg, y-axis direction) intersecting each other. 2 The maximum number of wrinkles W1 in the unit area UA is 3, which is smaller than the number of wrinkles W5 in the unit area UA in the related art.

[0088] The wrinkles W1 may be formed in the unit area UA with a maximum length Lmax1 of 10 mm. The maximum length Lmax1 of 10 mm of the wrinkles W1 is shorter than the maximum length Lmax of 15 mm of the wrinkles W5 in the related art.

[0089] According to the present embodiment, by applying the label LB to the uncoated portion UC and removing the label LB, the elongation difference between the first coating portion C1 and the second coating portion C2 is reduced, thereby minimizing the wrinkles W1 generated in the uncoated portion UC. Therefore, the quality of the electrode plate EP of the rechargeable battery can be improved.

[0090] The first coating portion C1, the uncoating portion UC, and the second coating portion C2 may be formed in a stripe type or a pattern type.

[0091] Due to the stripe shape of the coated portion on the electrode plate, there is a difference in rolling elongation between the active material coated portion, which is continuously coated along the traveling direction of the electrode plate, and the uncoated portion. Due to the difference in elongation, wrinkles are generated on the uncoated portion adjacent to the coated portion, and the wrinkles cause the uncoated portion to break or experience traveling defects.

[0092] This running defect makes it difficult to apply the rolling method to increase the density of the coated portion. The wrinkles in the uncoated portion cause the quality of the electrode plate to deteriorate. Therefore, it is desirable to overcome the difference in elongation between the coated portion and the uncoated portion.

[0093] The present disclosure provides an apparatus for pressing an electrode plate of a rechargeable battery, which minimizes a difference in elongation between a coated portion and an uncoated portion to minimize wrinkles generated in the uncoated portion.

[0094] The present disclosure also provides a method for pressing an electrode plate of a rechargeable battery, which minimizes a difference in elongation between a coated portion and an uncoated portion to minimize wrinkles generated in the uncoated portion.

[0095] The present disclosure further provides an apparatus for pressing an electrode plate of a rechargeable battery and an electrode plate of a rechargeable battery produced by the pressing method.

[0096] Example embodiments have been disclosed herein, and although specific terms are employed, they will be used and interpreted in a general and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. In some cases, as will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of filing this application, features, characteristics, and / or elements described in conjunction with a particular embodiment may be used alone or in combination with features, characteristics, and / or elements described in conjunction with other embodiments, unless otherwise specifically indicated. Therefore, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as set forth in the claims.

[0097] <Description of Reference Signs>

[0098] 10: Unwinder 20: Label applicator

[0099] 30: Roller press 31: Lower support roller

[0100] 32: Upper pressing roller 40: Label separator

[0101] 50: Rewinding machine 60: Alignment observation unit

[0102] 220: Label applicator 221: Roller

[0103] 320: Label applicator 321: Roller

[0104] C: coating part C1: first coating part

[0105] C2: Second coating part C21: First coating part

[0106] C22: Second coating part EP: Electrode plate

[0107] EP2: Electrode plate EP5: Electrode plate

[0108] G1: First gap G2: Second gap

[0109] LB: Label LB2: Label

[0110] Lmax: length Lw: range

[0111] UA: Unit Area UC: Uncoated Part

[0112] UC1, UC2: Outermost uncoated part UC2: Uncoated part W: Width W1, W5: Wrinkles

Claims

1. A device for pressing an electrode plate of a rechargeable battery, the device comprising: an unwinder configured to supply a label from an inlet side of the electrode plate, the electrode plate having a first coating portion and a second coating portion coated with an active material slurry and an uncoated portion between the first coating portion and the second coating portion; a label applicator configured to apply the label to the uncoated portion; a roller press configured to press the first coating portion and the second coating portion of the electrode plate in which the label is applied to the uncoated portion together with the label; as well as A label separator is configured to separate the pressed label from the pressed uncoated portion of the electrode plate. 2 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a rewinder configured to rewind the label separated from the uncoated portion by the label separator.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an alignment sight provided between the label applicator and the roller press, the alignment sight configured to detect alignment of the label attached to the uncoated portion with the uncoated portion.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the label applicator applies the label to the uncoated portion while maintaining a first gap provided between the first coating portion and one side of the label, and a second gap provided between the second coating portion and the other side of the label, the one side and the other side of the label being provided on opposite sides in a width direction of the label.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein: The label applicator is formed by a roller, and The label is transferred to the surface of the roller and then applied to the uncoated portion.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The first coating portion and the second coating portion are formed on the electrode plate in a stripe shape along a length direction of the electrode plate with the uncoated portion interposed between the first coating portion and the second coating portion, and The label applicator applies the label in a stripe shape along the length direction of the electrode plate. 7 . The device according to claim 6 , wherein the label separator continuously removes the label along the length direction of the electrode plate.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The first coating portion and the second coating portion are formed on the electrode plate in a pattern extending along the width direction of the electrode plate and spaced apart along the length direction of the electrode plate with the uncoated portion interposed between the first coating portion and the second coating portion, and The label applicator applies the label in a plurality of unit patterns extending along the width direction of the electrode plate and spaced apart along the length direction of the electrode plate to correspond to the pattern of the uncoated portion. 9 . The apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the label separator removes the label intermittently along the width direction of the electrode plate.

10. A method for pressing an electrode plate of a rechargeable battery, the method comprising: A first operation of continuously supplying the electrode plate having a first coating portion and a second coating portion coated with an active material slurry and an uncoated portion between the first coating portion and the second coating portion and supplying a label; A second operation is to apply the supplied label to the uncoated portion; a third operation of pressing the first coated portion and the second coated portion of the electrode plate in which the label is applied to the uncoated portion together with the label; as well as A fourth operation is to separate the label from the uncoated portion of the pressed electrode plate.

11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising: The fifth operation is to rewind the separated label.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein the second operation further comprises: An alignment detection operation is performed to detect the alignment of the label attached to the uncoated portion with the uncoated portion.

13. The method according to claim 10, wherein the second operation includes applying the label to the uncoated portion while maintaining a first gap provided between the first coating portion and one side of the label, and a second gap provided between the second coating portion and the other side of the label, the one side and the other side of the label being provided on opposite sides in a width direction of the label.

14. The method according to claim 10, wherein the first coating portion and the second coating portion are formed on the electrode plate in a strip type along the length direction of the electrode plate and the uncoated portion is interposed between the first coating portion and the second coating portion, and the second operation includes applying the label in a strip type along the length direction of the electrode plate. 15 . The method according to claim 14 , wherein the fourth operation comprises continuously removing the label along the length direction of the electrode plate.

16. The method according to claim 10, wherein the first coating portion and the second coating portion are formed on the electrode plate in a pattern extending along the width direction of the electrode plate and spaced apart along the length direction of the electrode plate and the uncoated portion is interposed between the first coating portion and the second coating portion, and the second operation includes applying the label in a pattern along the width direction of the electrode plate. 17 . The method according to claim 16 , wherein the fourth operation includes intermittently removing the label along the width direction of the electrode plate.

18. An electrode plate of a rechargeable battery, the electrode plate comprising: A first coating portion and a second coating portion, coated with an active material slurry; and an uncoated portion disposed between the first coating portion and the second coating portion by exposing the electrode plate, wherein the uncoated portion includes wrinkles formed by pressing the first coated portion and the second coated portion with a label attached to the uncoated portion and then removing the label, and The wrinkles are formed within a maximum range of 0.05W on each side of the opposite sides of the non-coating portion having a width W disposed in the width direction of the electrode plate. 19 . The electrode plate according to claim 18 , wherein the width of the uncoated portion is 60 mm, and the wrinkles are formed within a maximum range of 3 mm on each of the opposite sides in the width direction.

20. The electrode plate according to claim 19, wherein a maximum of three wrinkles are formed on each side of the opposite sides in the width direction, and a 10×10 mm portion is provided in the width direction and the length direction of the electrode plate intersecting each other. 2 within the unit area. 21 . The electrode plate according to claim 20 , wherein the corrugations are formed in the unit area with a maximum length of 10 mm. 22 . The electrode plate of claim 18 , wherein the first coating portion, the uncoated portion, and the second coating portion are formed in a stripe type or a pattern type.

Images