Secondary battery manufacturing apparatus and secondary battery manufacturing method using same

Abstract

A secondary battery manufacturing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment is provided. The secondary battery manufacturing apparatus includes: a support plate configured to support an electrode assembly having a plurality of tabs; a pressing device configured to press the electrode assembly to fix the electrode assembly; a welding head configured to weld the plurality of tabs; an anvil configured to support a plurality of tabs welded by the horn, where the pressing device includes an aperture for discharging air.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a secondary battery manufacturing device and a secondary battery manufacturing method using the same. This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0035289 filed on March 17, 2023 and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0102669 filed on August 7, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Background Art

[0002] Unlike primary batteries, secondary batteries can be charged and discharged many times. Secondary batteries have been widely used as energy sources for various wireless devices, such as mobile phones, laptops, and cordless vacuum cleaners. Recently, the manufacturing costs of hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and battery electric vehicles (BEVs) have dropped sharply due to improvements in energy density and economies of scale, and the driving range of BEVs has increased to the same level as that of fuel vehicles. Therefore, the main use of secondary batteries is shifting from mobile devices to transportation equipment.

[0003] The battery cell is the most basic unit of a secondary battery, so improving the mechanical and electrical properties of the battery cell is the most effective and critical factor in improving the performance of a secondary battery. Summary of the invention

[0004] [Technical issues]

[0005] The present invention is directed to providing a secondary battery manufacturing apparatus with improved productivity and a secondary battery manufacturing method using the apparatus.

[0006] [Technical solution]

[0007] An embodiment of the present invention provides a secondary battery manufacturing device. The secondary battery manufacturing device includes: a support plate configured to support an electrode assembly having a plurality of tabs; a pressure device configured to press the electrode assembly to fix the electrode assembly; a welding head configured to weld the plurality of tabs; and a welding anvil configured to support the plurality of tabs welded by the welding head, wherein the pressure device includes a hole for exhausting air.

[0008] The pressure applying device may be configured to discharge air to the plurality of tabs.

[0009] The pressure device may include a bottom surface in contact with the electrode assembly, a top surface opposite to the bottom surface, and a front surface located between the top surface and the bottom surface and facing the welding head and the anvil, and the hole in the pressure device may extend from the top surface to the front surface.

[0010] The aperture may include an outlet at the front surface and an inlet at the top surface.

[0011] The shape of the inlet may be different from the shape of the outlet.

[0012] The secondary battery manufacturing apparatus may further include: an air supply device configured to supply air to the pressure applying device; and an air supply line connecting the air supply device and the hole in the pressure applying device.

[0013] The cross-sectional shape of the gas supply line may be the same as the shape of the inlet.

[0014] An embodiment of the present invention provides a secondary battery manufacturing device, comprising: a support plate configured to support an electrode assembly having a plurality of tabs; and a welding head configured to weld the plurality of tabs, wherein the support plate comprises holes for discharging air toward the plurality of tabs.

[0015] The support plate may include a top surface contacting the electrode assembly, a bottom surface opposite to the top surface, and a front surface between the top surface and the bottom surface and facing the welding head, and the hole in the support plate may extend from the bottom surface to the front surface.

[0016] The hole may include an outlet located at the front surface and an inlet located at the bottom surface.

[0017] The secondary battery manufacturing apparatus may further include: an air supply device configured to supply air to the support plate; and an air supply line connecting the air supply device and the hole in the support plate.

[0018] The cross-sectional shape of the gas supply line is the same as that of the inlet.

[0019] An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a secondary battery manufacturing method including: fixing an electrode assembly including a plurality of tabs; discharging air toward the plurality of tabs; aligning the plurality of tabs; and welding the plurality of tabs.

[0020] According to exemplary embodiments, the electrode assembly may be fixed by a support plate configured to support the electrode assembly and a pressurizing device configured to pressurize the electrode assembly, and air may be discharged through the support plate or the pressurizing device.

[0021] [Beneficial Effects]

[0022] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, before welding a plurality of tabs of an electrode assembly, the plurality of tabs can be prevented from being folded by exhausting air to the plurality of tabs. Therefore, the reliability of welding can be improved, and the performance of a secondary battery manufactured by welding can be improved.

[0023] The effects that can be achieved from the exemplary embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above effects, and other effects not described here will be clearly inferred and understood by those of ordinary skill in the art from the exemplary embodiments of the present invention described below. That is, the unexpected effects obtained when implementing the exemplary embodiments of the present invention can be inferred from the exemplary embodiments of the present invention by those of ordinary skill in the art. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 is a diagram for describing a secondary battery manufacturing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0025] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A view of the bottom surface of the support plate.

[0026] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A view of the front surface of the support plate.

[0027] Figure 4 is along Figure 3 A cross-sectional view taken along line AA-AA′.

[0028] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A view of the top surface of the pressure applying device.

[0029] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 A view of the front surface of the pressure applying device.

[0030] Figure 7 is along Figure 6 A cross-sectional view along line BB-BB′.

[0031] Figure 8 is a flowchart of a secondary battery manufacturing method according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0032] Fig. 9 is a view of a bottom surface of a support plate according to other exemplary embodiments.

[0033] Fig.10 is a view of a front surface of a support plate according to other exemplary embodiments.

[0034] Fig.11 is along Fig.10 Cross-sectional view along line CC-CC′.

[0035] Fig.12 is a view of a bottom surface of a pressure applying device according to other exemplary embodiments.

[0036] Fig.13 is a view of a front surface of a pressure applying device according to other exemplary embodiments.

[0037] Fig.14 is along Fig.13 A cross-sectional view along line DD-DD′. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] Below, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Before describing the embodiments of the present invention, the terms or expressions used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted as limited to the definitions in the general understanding or commonly used dictionaries, but should be understood according to the meanings and concepts matching the present invention based on the inventors of the present application being able to appropriately define the terms or expressions to best explain the principles of the present invention.

[0039] Therefore, the embodiments described here and the configurations shown in the drawings are merely embodiments of the present invention and do not reflect all technical ideas of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that various equivalent methods and modifications can be made to replace these configurations on the filing date of this application.

[0040] When it is determined that known structures or functions related to describing the present invention would obscure the subject matter of the present invention due to unnecessary detail, they are not described in detail.

[0041] Since the embodiments of the present invention are provided to more fully explain the present invention to those skilled in the art, the shapes, sizes, etc. of the components shown in the drawings may be exaggerated, omitted, or schematically illustrated for the sake of clarity. Therefore, it should not be understood that the size or ratio of the component completely reflects its actual size or ratio.

[0042] [First embodiment]

[0043] Figure 1 is a diagram for describing a secondary battery manufacturing apparatus 10 according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0044] refer to Figure 1 The secondary battery manufacturing apparatus 10 may include a support plate 100 , a pressure applying device 200 , a gas supply device 300 , a guide device 400 , an anvil 500 , and a horn 600 .

[0045] The electrode assembly EA may include a plurality of electrodes. Each of the plurality of electrodes may be a positive electrode or a negative electrode. Therefore, each of the plurality of electrodes of the electrode assembly EA may include a positive electrode tab or a negative electrode tab. Therefore, the electrode assembly EA may include a plurality of tabs ET.

[0046] According to an exemplary embodiment, the secondary battery manufacturing apparatus 10 may be configured to weld the tab ET. According to an exemplary embodiment, the secondary battery manufacturing apparatus 10 may use ultrasonic welding of the tab ET. Incomplete welding of the tab ET may cause a decrease in the capacity of the electrode assembly EA, so welding of the tab ET is one of the key processes that determine the performance of the electrode assembly EA.

[0047] According to an exemplary embodiment, the welding performed by the secondary battery manufacturing device 10 may be pre-welding. In recent years, due to the increase in the energy density of secondary batteries, the number of electrodes that need to be welded has increased significantly, so it is necessary to weld dozens of tabs ET at the same time. In order to reliably weld a large number of tabs ET, the welding of multiple tabs ET may include two steps of pre-welding and main welding. As a non-limiting example, the pre-welding may be ultrasonic welding as described above, and the main welding may be laser welding.

[0048] After pre-welding a plurality of tabs ET, the plurality of tabs ET may be welded together with electrode leads. The electrode leads may be external connection terminals of a battery cell. Here, a battery cell is a basic unit of a lithium-ion battery (i.e., a secondary battery). In addition to an electrode assembly EA, a battery cell also includes an electrolyte and a casing. According to the configuration of the electrode assembly EA and the electrolyte, the battery cell is divided into a lithium-ion battery, a lithium-ion polymer battery, a lithium polymer battery, and the like. The market share of lithium-ion polymer batteries in the field of secondary batteries is increasing due to the advantages of low possibility of electrolyte leakage and easy manufacturing.

[0049] According to the shape of the battery casing, the battery cells are divided into cylindrical batteries in which the electrode assembly EA is housed in a cylindrical metal can, prismatic batteries in which the electrode assembly EA is housed in a prismatic metal can, and pouch batteries in which the electrode assembly EA is housed in a pouch casing of an aluminum laminate.

[0050] The electrode assembly EA included in the battery housing includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. According to the assembly form, the electrode assembly EA can be divided into a wound electrode assembly or a stacked electrode assembly. The wound electrode assembly is manufactured by winding the positive electrode, the negative electrode, and the separator disposed therebetween. The stacked electrode assembly includes a plurality of positive electrodes, a plurality of negative electrodes, and a plurality of separators disposed therebetween stacked in sequence.

[0051] Each positive electrode may include a positive electrode current collector and a positive electrode active material. Each negative electrode may include a negative electrode current collector and a negative electrode active material.

[0052] The thickness of the positive electrode collector may range from about 3 μm to about 500 μm. The positive electrode collector does not cause chemical changes in the secondary battery finally manufactured and may have high conductivity. The positive electrode collector may include, for example, stainless steel, nickel, titanium, calcined carbon and aluminum. The positive electrode collector may include stainless steel surface-treated with carbon, nickel, titanium, silver or the like. The surface of the positive electrode collector may include a fine uneven structure to increase the adhesion of the active material. The positive electrode collector may be in the form of a film, a sheet, a foil, a mesh, a pore, a foam, a non-woven fabric, and the like.

[0053] The thickness of the negative electrode current collector may range from about 3 μm to about 500 μm. The negative electrode current collector does not cause chemical changes in the secondary battery finally manufactured and may have high conductivity. The negative electrode current collector may include stainless steel, aluminum, nickel, titanium, calcined carbon, and aluminum-cadmium alloy. The negative electrode current collector may include stainless steel surface-treated with carbon, nickel, titanium, silver, or the like. The surface of the negative electrode current collector may include a fine uneven structure to increase the adhesion of the active material. The negative electrode current collector may be in the form of a film, a sheet, a foil, a mesh, a pore, a foam, a non-woven fabric, and the like.

[0054] The positive electrode active material is a material that can cause an electrochemical reaction. The positive electrode active material can be a lithium transition metal oxide. For example, the positive electrode active material may include: a layered compound substituted with one or more transition metals, such as lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO 2 ) or lithium nickel oxide (LiNiO 2 ); lithium manganese oxide substituted with one or more transition metals; with the chemical formula LiNi 1-y M y O 2 Lithium nickel-based oxide represented by the chemical formula Li 1+z Ni b Mn c Co 1-(b+c+d) M d O (2-e) A represents a lithium nickel cobalt manganese compound oxide, such as Li 1+z Ni 1 / 3 Co 1 / 3 Mn 1 / 3 O 2 or Li 1+z Ni 0.4 Mn 0.4 Co 0.2 O 2 (-0.5≤z≤0.5, 0.1≤b≤0.8, 0.1≤c≤0.8, 0≤d≤0.2, 0≤e≤0.2, b+c+d<1, M is Al, Mg, Cr, Ti, Si or Y, A is F, P or Cl); or with the chemical formula Li 1+x M 1-y M' y PO 4-z X z An olivine-based lithium metal phosphate represented by (M is a transition metal, specifically Fe, Mn, Co or Ni, M' is Al, Mg or Ti, X is F, S or N, -0.5≤x≤+0.5, 0≤y≤0.5, 0≤z≤0.1).

[0055] For example, the negative electrode active material may include, for example, carbon such as non-graphitized carbon or graphite-based carbon. The negative electrode active material may include, for example, metal composite oxides such as Li x Fe 2 O 3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1), Li x WO 2 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1), or Sn x Me 1-x Me' y O z (Me is Mn, Fe, Pb, or Ge, Me' is Al, B, P, Si, a Group I element, a Group II element, or a Group III element in the periodic table, or a halogen, 0 < x ≤ 1, 1 ≤ y ≤ 3, 1 ≤ z ≤ 8). The negative electrode active material may include, for example, lithium metal, lithium alloy, silicon-based alloy, and tin-based alloy. The negative electrode active material may include, for example, metal oxides such as SnO, SnO 2 , PbO, PbO 2 , Pb 2 O 3 , Pb 3 O 4 , Sb 2 O 3 , Sb 2 O 4 , Sb 2 O 5 , GeO, GeO 2 , Bi 2 O 3 , Bi 2 O 4 or Bi 2 O 5 . The negative electrode active material may include, for example, conductive polymers such as polyacetylene, lithium cobalt nickel-based materials, etc.

[0056] The support plate 100 may be configured to support the electrode assembly EA, and the electrode assembly EA may be located on the top surface 100T of the support plate 100. The top surface 100T of the support plate 100 may be in contact with the electrode assembly EA, and the support plate 100 may further include a bottom surface 100B opposite to the top surface 100T and a front surface 100F located between the top surface 100T and the bottom surface 100B and facing the anvil 500 and the welding head 600.

[0057] Hereinafter, two directions substantially parallel to the top surface 100T of the support plate 100 are defined as the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, and the direction substantially perpendicular to the top surface 100T of the support plate 100 is defined as the Z-axis direction. The X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction may be substantially perpendicular to each other. Unless otherwise defined, the above directions apply to all the drawings.

[0058] The pressure device 200 may be configured to fix the electrode assembly EA, and the bottom surface 200B of the pressure device 200 may contact the electrode assembly EA. The pressure device 200 may also include a top surface 200T opposite to the bottom surface 200B, and a front surface 200F located between the bottom surface 200B and the top surface 200T and facing the welding anvil 500 and the welding head 600.

[0059] The pressure applying device 200 may be configured to apply pressure to the electrode assembly EA. The pressure applying device 200 may be configured to fix the electrode assembly EA by applying pressure to the electrode assembly EA together with the support plate 100. The electrode assembly EA may be fixed by pressure applied by the support plate 100 and the pressure applying device 200 and friction generated by the pressure.

[0060] Each of the support plate 100 and the pressure device 200 may be configured to discharge air toward the plurality of tabs ET of the electrode assembly EA. By discharging air through the support plate 100 and the pressure device 200, the plurality of tabs ET may be prevented from being folded and welding reliability of the tabs ET may be improved.

[0061] The air supply device 300 may be configured to supply air to the support plate 100 and the pressure applying device 200. The air supply device 300 may be configured to control the composition, speed, flow rate, temperature, humidity, and pressure of air to be discharged through the support plate 100 and the pressure applying device 200.

[0062] The air supply device 300 may be configured to adjust the air to be supplied through the plurality of holes 100H (see Figure 3 ) of each hole in the support plate 100. Figure 3 ) The speed, flow rate and pressure of air discharged from each hole in the 100H may be different from the speed, flow rate and pressure of air discharged from other holes 100H.

[0063] The gas supply device 300 may be configured to adjust the gas to be supplied through the plurality of holes 200H (see Figure 3 ) in each hole. Therefore, the plurality of holes 200H (see FIG. 200 ) of the pressure applying device 200 may be used to discharge air from the plurality of holes 200H (see FIG. 200 ) in the pressure applying device 200. Figure 3 ) The velocity, flow rate and pressure of air discharged from each hole in the 200H may be different from the velocity, flow rate and pressure of air discharged from other holes 200H.

[0064] The air supply device 300 may include a controller configured to control the air discharge through the support plate 100 and the pressure device 200. The controller may be configured to control the air discharge through the support plate 100 and the pressure device 200 according to a preset process recipe. The controller may be configured to control the air discharge through the support plate 100 and the pressure device 200 according to the state of the plurality of tabs ET of the electrode assembly EA (e.g., the visual inspection result of the plurality of tabs ET).

[0065] The controller can be a computing device, such as a workstation computer, a desktop computer, a notebook computer, or a tablet computer. The controller can be configured as a separate hardware component, or can be a separate software contained in each hardware component. The controller can be a simple controller, a microprocessor, a complex processor (such as a CPU or GPU), a processor configured by software, dedicated hardware, or firmware. The controller can be implemented by, for example, a general-purpose computer or application-specific hardware, such as a digital signal processor (DSP), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0066] According to some embodiments, the operation of the controller may be implemented by instructions stored in a machine-readable medium that is readable and executable by one or more processors. Here, a machine-readable medium may include any mechanism for storing and / or transmitting information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a computing device). For example, a machine-readable medium may include a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk storage medium, an optical storage medium, a flash memory device, an electrical, optical, acoustic or other type of radio signal (e.g., a carrier wave, an infrared signal, a digital signal, etc.), and other signals.

[0067] The firmware, software, routines, and instructions may be configured to perform the operations described above for the controller or the processing to be described below. However, the above description is provided only for ease of description, and it should be understood that the above operations of the controller may be performed by a computing device, processor, controller, or other device for executing firmware, software, routines, instructions, etc.

[0068] The first air supply line 310 may connect the air supply device 300 and the support plate 100. The first air supply line 310 may connect the air supply device 300 and the support plate 100, and provide a passage for transferring air between the air supply device 300 and the support plate 100.

[0069] The second air supply line 320 may connect the air supply device 300 and the pressure applying device 200. The second air supply line 320 may connect the air supply device 300 and the pressure applying device 200, and provide a passage for transferring air between the air supply device 300 and the pressure applying device 200.

[0070] The guide device 400 may be configured to align the plurality of tabs ET. The guide device 400 may gather the plurality of tabs ET. The operation of the guide device 400 may improve the welding reliability of the plurality of tabs ET.

[0071] The welding anvil 500 may be configured to support the plurality of tabs ET during welding of the plurality of tabs ET by the secondary battery manufacturing apparatus 10. According to an exemplary embodiment, the welding anvil 500 may be a supporting jig. The welding anvil 500 may be configured to fix the positions of the plurality of tabs ET so that energy is effectively transferred to the plurality of tabs ET through the welding head 600. The welding anvil 500 may include one of a knurled shape and a rib shape so as to fix the plurality of tabs ET.

[0072] The welding head 600 can be configured to provide ultrasonic energy to the plurality of tabs ET. The wavelength of the ultrasonic wave provided by the welding head 600 to the plurality of tabs ET can be in the range of about 18000 Hz to about 1 GHz. The welding head 600 can include a converter that converts AC power or DC power into mechanical vibration and a booster that amplifies the mechanical vibration. The ultrasonic energy can generate friction heat on the plurality of tabs ET, so that the plurality of tabs ET can be welded.

[0073] The horn 600 may be an ultrasonic resonator and include a structure repeated at intervals of a spatial period, the spatial period being half of the ultrasonic wavelength or equal to the ultrasonic wavelength or equal to an integer multiple of the ultrasonic wavelength. The repeating unit structure of the horn 600 may include a knurled shape or a rib shape. As non-limiting examples, the horn 600 may include an aluminum alloy, a titanium alloy, and a die steel.

[0074] [Second embodiment]

[0075] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a view of a bottom surface 100B of the support plate 100 .

[0076] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A view of the front surface 100F of the support plate 100.

[0077] Figure 4 For along Figure 3 A cross-sectional view taken along line AA-AA′.

[0078] refer to Figures 1 to 4 , the support plate 100 may include a plurality of holes 100H. The plurality of holes 100H may extend from the bottom surface 100B to the front surface 100F. The plurality of holes 100H may extend obliquely to the bottom surface 100B and the top surface 100T of the support plate 100. According to an exemplary embodiment, an angle 100θ between an extension direction of the plurality of holes 100H and the bottom surface 100B may be in a range of about 5° to about 85°.

[0079] Inlets 100HI of the plurality of holes 100H may be located at the bottom surface 100B of the support plate 100 .

[0080] The outlets 100HE of the plurality of holes 100H may be located at the front surface 100F of the support plate 100. As a non-limiting example, the distance between each outlet 100HE and the top surface 100T may be smaller than the distance between each outlet 100HE and the bottom surface 100B. According to an exemplary embodiment, the outlets 100HE may be aligned in the X-axis direction. Therefore, the outlets 100HE may be at the same level in the Z-axis direction relative to the bottom surface 100B.

[0081] The shapes of each inlet 100HI and each outlet 100HE of the plurality of holes 100H may be different from each other. For example, each outlet 100HE may be circular, and each inlet 100HI may be elliptical.

[0082] According to an exemplary embodiment, the shapes of each inlet 100HI and each outlet 100HE of the plurality of holes 100H may be the same. In this case, an angle 100θ between an extension direction of the plurality of holes 100H and the bottom surface 100B may be about 45°.

[0083] According to an exemplary embodiment, the length of each inlet 100HI in the X-axis direction may be substantially the same as the length of each outlet 100HE in the X-axis direction. In this example, it is shown that the length of each inlet 100HI in the Y-axis direction is greater than the length of each inlet 100HI in the X-axis direction, but the length of each inlet 100HI in the X-axis direction may be greater than the length of each inlet 100HI in the Y-axis direction.

[0084] According to an exemplary embodiment, a plurality of holes 100H may be formed by machining methods such as mechanical drilling and laser drilling to form outlets 100HE in various shapes such as circular, polygonal, elliptical, cross, star, etc. The shape of each inlet 100HI may be determined by the shape of a corresponding outlet 100HE and the angle 100θ of the plurality of holes 100H.

[0085] According to an exemplary embodiment, the pressure of air discharged through the outlet 100HE may be increased by increasing the shape of the outlet 100HE compared to the inlet 100HI.

[0086] According to an exemplary embodiment, the first air supply line 310 may be connected to the inlet 100HI. According to an exemplary embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the first air supply line 310 may be substantially the same as that of the inlet 100HI. Therefore, turbulence that may be caused by a change in the cross-sectional area along the air path may be prevented.

[0087] [Third Embodiment]

[0088] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 FIG. 2 is a view of a top surface 200T of a pressure applying device 200 .

[0089] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 A view of the front surface 200F of the pressure applying device 200.

[0090] Figure 7 is along Figure 6 A cross-sectional view along line BB-BB′.

[0091] Reference 1 and Figures 5 to 7 , the pressure applying device 200 may include a plurality of holes 200H. The plurality of holes 200H may extend from the top surface 200T to the front surface 200F. The plurality of holes 200H may extend obliquely to the top surface 200T and the bottom surface 200B of the pressure applying device 200. According to an exemplary embodiment, an angle 200θ between an extension direction of the plurality of holes 200H and the top surface 200T may be in a range of about 5° to about 85°.

[0092] Inlets 200HI of the plurality of holes 200H may be located at a top surface 200T of the pressure applying device 200 .

[0093] The outlets 200HE of the plurality of holes 200H may be located at the front surface 200F of the pressure applying device 200. As a non-limiting example, the distance between the outlet 200HE and the bottom surface 200B may be smaller than the distance between the outlet 200HE and the top surface 200T. According to an exemplary embodiment, the outlets 200HE may be aligned in the X-axis direction and thus may be at the same level in the Z-axis direction relative to the bottom surface 200B.

[0094] The shapes of each inlet 200HI and each outlet 200HE of the plurality of holes 200H may be different from each other. For example, each outlet 200HE may be circular, and each inlet 200HI may be elliptical.

[0095] According to an exemplary embodiment, each inlet 200HI and each outlet 200HE of the plurality of holes 200H may have the same shape. In this case, an angle 200θ between an extension direction of the plurality of holes 200H and the top surface 200T may be about 45°.

[0096] According to an exemplary embodiment, the length of each inlet 200HI in the X-axis direction may be substantially the same as the length of each outlet 200HE in the X-axis direction. In this example, it is shown that the length of each inlet 200HI in the Y-axis direction is greater than the length of each inlet 200HI in the X-axis direction, but the length of each inlet 200HI in the X-axis direction may be greater than the length of each inlet 200HI in the Y-axis direction.

[0097] According to an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of holes 200H may be formed by machining methods such as mechanical drilling and laser drilling to form outlets 200HE in various shapes such as circular, polygonal, elliptical, cross, star, etc. The shape of the inlet 200HI may be determined by the shape of the outlet 200HE and the angle 200θ of the plurality of holes 200H.

[0098] According to an exemplary embodiment, the pressure of air discharged through the outlet 200HE may be increased by increasing the shape of the outlet 200HE compared to the inlet 200HI.

[0099] According to an exemplary embodiment, the second air supply line 320 may be connected to the inlet 200HI. According to an exemplary embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the second air supply line 320 may be substantially the same as that of the inlet 200HI. Therefore, turbulence that may be caused by a change in the cross-sectional area along the air path may be prevented.

[0100] [Fourth Embodiment]

[0101] Figure 8 is a flowchart of a secondary battery manufacturing method according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0102] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 8 In P110, the electrode assembly EA may be fixed. After the electrode assembly EA is placed on the support plate 100, the electrode assembly EA may be fixed by applying pressure to the electrode assembly EA through the pressure applying device 200.

[0103] Next, in P120 , air may be discharged to the plurality of tabs ET of the electrode assembly EA. The air discharge may be performed by at least one of the support plate 100 and the pressure applying device 200 .

[0104] Next, in P130 , the plurality of tabs ET may be aligned. The plurality of tabs ET may be aligned by a guide device 400 .

[0105] Next, in P140, the plurality of tabs ET may be welded. The plurality of tabs ET may be welded by fixing the plurality of tabs ET with a welding anvil and applying ultrasonic energy to the plurality of tabs ET with a welding head.

[0106] [Fifth Embodiment]

[0107] Fig. 9 is a view of a bottom surface 100B' of a support plate 100' according to other exemplary embodiments.

[0108] Fig.10 is a view of a front surface 100F' of a support plate 100' according to other exemplary embodiments.

[0109] Fig.11 is along Fig.10 Cross-sectional view along line CC-CC′.

[0110] refer to Figures 9 to 11 , the support plate 100' can replace Figure 1 100 in the support plate 100. According to an exemplary embodiment, the support plate 100' may include only one hole 100H'. The hole 100H' may extend from the bottom surface 100B' of the support plate 100' to the front surface 100F' of the support plate 100'. The hole 100H' may extend obliquely to the bottom surface 100B' of the support plate 100' and the top surface 100T' of the support plate 100'. According to an embodiment, an angle 100θ' between the extension direction of the hole 100H' and the bottom surface 100B' may be in the range of about 5° to about 85°.

[0111] The inlet 100HI' of the hole 100H' may be located at the bottom surface 100B' of the support plate 100'. The outlet 100HE' of the hole 100H' may be located at the front surface 100F' of the support plate 100'. As a non-limiting example, the distance between the outlet 100HE' and the top surface 100T' may be smaller than the distance between the outlet 100HE' and the bottom surface 100B'.

[0112] The inlet 100HI' and the outlet 100HE' of the hole 100H' may have the form of a slit. The length of the inlet 100HI' of the hole 100H' in the X-axis direction may be greater than the length of the inlet 100HI' of the hole 100H' in the Y-axis direction. The length of the outlet 100HE' of the hole 100H' in the X-axis direction may be greater than the length of the outlet 100HE' of the hole 100H' in the Y-axis direction.

[0113] According to an exemplary embodiment, the hole 100H' may be formed by a machining method such as mechanical drilling and laser drilling. The shape of the inlet 100HI' may be determined by the shape of the outlet 100HE' and the angle 100θ' of the hole 100H'.

[0114] According to an exemplary embodiment, the first air supply line 310' may be connected to the inlet 100HI'. According to an exemplary embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the first air supply line 310' may be substantially the same as that of the inlet 100HI'. Therefore, turbulence that may be caused by a change in cross-sectional area along the air path may be prevented.

[0115] [Sixth Embodiment]

[0116] Fig.12 2 is a view of a top surface 200T′ of a pressure applying device 200 according to other exemplary embodiments.

[0117] Fig.13 is a view of a front surface 200F' of a pressure applying device 200 according to other exemplary embodiments.

[0118] Fig.14 is along Fig.13 A cross-sectional view along line DD-DD′.

[0119] refer to Figure 12 to Figure 14 , the pressure device 200 ′ can replace Figure 1 200 of the pressure applying device 200. According to an exemplary embodiment, the pressure applying device 200' may include a single hole 200H'. The hole 200H' may extend from the top surface 200T' of the pressure applying device 200' to the front surface 200F' of the pressure applying device 200'. The hole 200H' may extend obliquely to the bottom surface 200B' and the top surface 200T' of the pressure applying device 200'. According to an exemplary embodiment, an angle 200θ' between the extension direction of the hole 200H' and the top surface 200T' may be in the range of about 5° to about 85°.

[0120] The inlet 200HI' of the hole 200H' may be located at the top surface 200T' of the pressure applying device 200'. The outlet 200HE' of the hole 200H' may be located at the front surface 200F' of the pressure applying device 200'. As a non-limiting example, the distance between the outlet 200HE' and the top surface 200T' may be greater than the distance between the outlet 200HE' and the bottom surface 200B'.

[0121] The inlet 200HI' and the outlet 200HE' of the hole 200H' may have the form of a slit. The length of the inlet 200HI' of the hole 200H' in the X-axis direction may be greater than the length of the inlet 200HI' of the hole 200H' in the Y-axis direction. The length of the outlet 200HE' of the hole 200H' in the X-axis direction may be greater than the length of the outlet 200HE' of the hole 200H' in the Y-axis direction.

[0122] According to an exemplary embodiment, the hole 200H' may be formed by a processing method such as mechanical drilling and laser drilling, etc. The shape of the inlet 200HI' may be determined by the shape of the outlet 200HE' and the angle 200θ' of the hole 200H'.

[0123] According to an exemplary embodiment, the second air supply line 320' may be connected to the inlet 200HI'. According to an exemplary embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the second air supply line 320' may be substantially the same as that of the inlet 200HI'. Therefore, turbulence that may be caused by a change in cross-sectional area along the air path may be prevented.

[0124] The present invention has been described in more detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, embodiments, etc. However, the configurations shown in the drawings or the embodiments described in this specification are merely embodiments of the present invention and do not reflect all the technical ideas of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that various equivalents and modifications may be made to replace these configurations on the filing date of this application.

Claims

1. A secondary battery manufacturing device, comprising: a support plate configured to support an electrode assembly having a plurality of tabs; a pressure applying device configured to apply pressure to the electrode assembly to fix the electrode assembly; a welding head configured to weld the plurality of tabs; and a welding anvil configured to support the plurality of tabs to be welded by the welding head, Wherein, the pressure applying device comprises a hole for discharging air.

2. The secondary battery manufacturing device according to claim 1, wherein: The pressure applying device is configured to discharge air to the plurality of tabs.

3. The secondary battery manufacturing device according to claim 1, wherein: The pressure applying device comprises: a bottom surface in contact with the electrode assembly; a top surface opposite the bottom surface; and a front surface located between the top surface and the bottom surface and facing the welding head and the welding anvil, Wherein, the hole in the pressure applying device extends from the top surface to the front surface.

4. The secondary battery manufacturing device according to claim 3, wherein: The aperture includes an outlet at the front surface and an inlet at the top surface.

5. The secondary battery manufacturing device according to claim 4, wherein: The shape of the inlet is different from the shape of the outlet.

6. The secondary battery manufacturing device according to claim 4, further comprising: an air supply device configured to supply air to the pressure applying device; and an air supply line connecting the air supply device and the hole in the pressure applying device, Wherein, the cross-sectional shape of the gas supply pipeline is the same as the shape of the inlet.

7. A secondary battery manufacturing device, comprising: a support plate configured to support an electrode assembly having a plurality of tabs; a welding head configured to weld the plurality of tabs, Wherein, the support plate comprises holes for discharging air toward the plurality of tabs.

8. The secondary battery manufacturing device according to claim 7, wherein: The support plate comprises: a top surface in contact with the electrode assembly; a bottom surface opposite the top surface; and a front surface located between the top surface and the bottom surface and facing the welding head, Wherein, the hole in the support plate extends from the bottom surface to the front surface.

9. The secondary battery manufacturing device according to claim 8, wherein: The aperture includes an outlet at the front surface and an inlet at the bottom surface.

10. The secondary battery manufacturing device according to claim 9, further comprising: an air supply device configured to supply air to the support plate; and a gas supply line connecting the gas supply device and the hole in the support plate, Wherein, the cross-sectional shape of the gas supply pipeline is the same as the shape of the inlet.

11. A method for manufacturing a secondary battery, comprising: fixing an electrode assembly including a plurality of tabs; discharging air toward the plurality of tabs; aligning the plurality of tabs; as well as The plurality of tabs are welded.

12. The secondary battery manufacturing method according to claim 11, wherein: fixing the electrode assembly by a support plate configured to support the electrode assembly and a pressure applying device configured to apply pressure to the electrode assembly, The air is discharged through the support plate or the pressure applying device.

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