Jig for welding cylindrical battery cells, method for manufacturing cylindrical battery cells using same, cylindrical battery cells produced according to method, and battery pack and vehicle comprising cylindrical battery cells

Abstract

Disclosed are a jig for welding a cylindrical battery cell, a method of manufacturing a cylindrical battery cell using the same, a cylindrical battery cell produced according to the method, and a battery pack and a vehicle including the cylindrical battery cell. A jig for welding a cylindrical battery cell according to an embodiment of the present invention is used when welding a collector plate electrically connected to an electrode assembly of the cylindrical battery cell to a battery can, and comprises: a main body part which is in contact with and presses the collector plate, and has a through hole formed for welding; and a position determining portion coupled to at least one of the two end portions of the main body portion, contacting an end portion of the collector plate, and fixing the collector plate in a correct position during welding.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0070167 filed in Korea on May 31, 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a jig for welding cylindrical battery cells, a method for manufacturing cylindrical battery cells using the same, cylindrical battery cells manufactured thereby, and battery packs and vehicles including the cylindrical battery cells, and more particularly to a jig for welding cylindrical battery cells capable of improving welding quality and battery cell stability, a method for manufacturing cylindrical battery cells using the same, cylindrical battery cells manufactured thereby, and battery packs and vehicles including the cylindrical battery cells. Background Art

[0003] Secondary batteries, which are easily applicable in terms of product groups and have electrical characteristics such as high energy density and the like, are generally used in electric vehicles (EVs) or hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) driven by an electric drive source, and portable devices.

[0004] These secondary batteries are attracting attention as a new energy source for improving eco-friendliness and energy efficiency because of a major advantage of significantly reducing the use of fossil fuels and another advantage of not generating byproducts caused by energy use.

[0005] Currently widely used secondary batteries include lithium ion batteries, lithium polymer batteries, nickel cadmium batteries, nickel metal hydride batteries, nickel zinc batteries, etc. The operating voltage of the unit secondary battery cell is about 2.5V to 4.5V.

[0006] Therefore, when an output voltage higher than this is required, a battery pack may be configured by connecting a plurality of battery cells in series. In addition, depending on the required charge / discharge capacity of the battery pack, a battery pack may be configured by connecting a plurality of battery cells in parallel. Therefore, depending on the required output voltage or charge / discharge capacity, the number and electrical connection of the battery cells included in the battery pack may be configured in various ways.

[0007] As types of secondary battery cells, cylindrical, prismatic, and pouch-type battery cells are known. The cylindrical battery cell is configured by winding a positive electrode and a negative electrode with an insulating separator sandwiched therebetween to form a jellyroll-type electrode assembly and then inserting the electrode assembly into a battery can together with an electrolyte.

[0008] Although conventional welding fixtures are used to weld the collector plate of a cylindrical battery cell to a battery can, since the collector plate moves left and right while being pressed by the welding fixture, it is difficult to accurately align the center of the collector plate and the center of the core-wound electrode assembly, resulting in welding defects due to differences in welding positions. Summary of the invention

[0009] Technical issues

[0010] The present disclosure has been designed to solve the problems of the related art and thus relates to providing a clamp for welding cylindrical battery cells which enables a collector plate to be fixed in the correct position when welding the collector plate and a battery can, thereby improving the welding quality, a method for manufacturing a cylindrical battery cell using the same, a cylindrical battery cell manufactured thereby, and a battery pack and a vehicle including the cylindrical battery cell.

[0011] Technical Solution

[0012] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a clamp for welding cylindrical battery cells, which is a clamp for welding a collector plate of an electrode assembly electrically connected to the cylindrical battery cell to a battery can, the clamp comprising: a main body, which is configured to contact the collector plate to press the collector plate and has a through hole for welding; and a position determining portion, which is connected to at least one of the two ends of the main body to contact the end of the collector plate and is configured to fix the collector plate in the correct position during welding.

[0013] In an embodiment, the battery can may include a curling portion formed to be compressed inwardly, and the collector plate may include a first portion in contact with the curling portion, a second portion in contact with the electrode assembly, and a third portion connecting the first portion and the second portion, and the main body may press the first portion of the collector plate so that the first portion of the collector plate contacts the curling portion.

[0014] In an embodiment, the left-right length of the lower side of the body may be configured to correspond to the left-right length of the first portion of the current collector plate.

[0015] In an embodiment, the position determining portion may include at least one of a first position determining portion coupled to a left side of the main body and a second position determining portion coupled to a right side of the main body.

[0016] In an embodiment, a first protrusion may be formed in the first position determining portion to protrude further downward than the body, and the first protrusion may contact a left end of the first portion of the collector plate.

[0017] In an embodiment, the first position determining portion and the first protrusion formed in the first position determining portion may be spaced apart from the battery can.

[0018] In an embodiment, a second protrusion may be formed in the second position determining portion to protrude further downward than the body, and the second protrusion may contact a right end of the first portion of the collector plate.

[0019] In an embodiment, the second position determining portion may be in contact with the third portion of the collector plate.

[0020] In an embodiment, the beading portion may include a horizontal portion formed horizontally, and the welding is performed while the first portion of the collector plate is seated on the horizontal portion of the beading portion.

[0021] In an embodiment, a rounded portion in a curved shape may be formed in at least a portion of the beaded portion.

[0022] In addition, according to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for manufacturing a cylindrical battery cell using a clamp is provided, the method comprising the following steps: electrically connecting one side of a collector plate to an electrode assembly; using the above-mentioned clamp for welding cylindrical battery cells to press the collector plate so that the collector plate contacts the battery can; fixing the collector plate in the correct position by the clamp; and welding the collector plate to the battery can by the clamp.

[0023] In an embodiment, the clamp may include: a main body having a through hole for welding; and a position determining portion connected to at least one of the two ends of the main body and protruding from the main body, and the method may include the following steps: bringing the main body into contact with the collector plate to press the collector plate; and bringing the position determining portion into contact with the end of the collector plate so that the collector plate is fixed in the correct position during welding.

[0024] Furthermore, according to another aspect of the present disclosure, a cylindrical battery cell manufactured by the above cylindrical battery cell manufacturing method, a battery pack including the above cylindrical battery cell, and a vehicle including the above cylindrical battery cell are provided.

[0025] Beneficial Effects

[0026] The embodiments of the present disclosure have the effect of improving the welding quality by ensuring that the current collector plate is fixed in the correct position when welding the current collector plate and the battery can. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The accompanying drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the detailed description of the present invention, serve to provide further understanding of the technical concept of the present disclosure, and thus the present disclosure is not to be construed as being limited to the accompanying drawings.

[0028] Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a cylindrical battery cell manufactured by a cylindrical battery cell manufacturing method using a jig for welding cylindrical battery cells according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] Figures 2 to 7 is a diagram illustrating a process of manufacturing a cylindrical battery cell using a jig for welding cylindrical battery cells according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] Figure 8 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] Fig. 9 Examples include Figure 8 Diagram of a battery pack in a vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Hereinafter, the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the terms used in the specification and the appended claims should not be interpreted as limited to the usual and dictionary meanings, but are interpreted based on the meanings and concepts corresponding to the technical solutions of the present disclosure, based on the principle of allowing the inventor to appropriately define the terms for the best interpretation. Therefore, the configurations proposed in the embodiments of this specification and the accompanying drawings only indicate the most preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, and do not represent all technical concepts of the present disclosure, so it should be understood that various equivalents and modifications may be made to them when submitting an application.

[0033] For the convenience of explanation and illustration, the size of the corresponding elements or specific parts of each element shown in the drawings is exaggerated, omitted or simplified. Therefore, the size of the corresponding element does not fully reflect its actual size. The description of the related known functions or configurations that may obscure the subject matter of the present disclosure will be omitted.

[0034] In this document, the expression “one element is 'coupled to' or 'connected to' another element” should be understood that the elements may be directly coupled or connected to each other, and one element may be indirectly coupled or connected to another element through a connecting element.

[0035] Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a cylindrical battery cell manufactured by a cylindrical battery cell manufacturing method using a jig for welding cylindrical battery cells according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figures 2 to 7 is a diagram illustrating a process of manufacturing a cylindrical battery cell using a jig for welding cylindrical battery cells according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] The jig for welding cylindrical battery cells according to an embodiment of the present disclosure enables the collector plate to be fixed in the correct position when welding the collector plate and the battery can. Hereinafter, this will be described in detail.

[0037] Reference Figure 1 , the cylindrical battery cell 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be configured to include an electrode assembly 110, a battery can 150, a collector plate 160, and a cell terminal 199. Details of the cylindrical battery cell 10 and a configuration included in the cylindrical battery cell 10 will be described later.

[0038] Figure 1The cylindrical battery cell 10 in the embodiment may include a collector plate 160, and the collector plate 160 may include a positive collector plate electrically connected to the positive electrode plate 120 and a negative collector plate electrically connected to the negative electrode plate 130. The collector plate 160 may be made of a conductive metal material.

[0039] Reference Figure 1 , the collector plate 160 is in contact with the curling portion 151. Here, the collector plate 160 may be a positive electrode collector plate or a negative electrode collector plate.

[0040] Reference Figure 2 , the collector plate 160 may be configured to include a first portion 161, a second portion 162, and a third portion 163. Figure 5 , the first portion 161 may be in contact with the bead portion 151 (eg, the horizontal portion 156 of the bead portion 151), and may be coupled to the horizontal portion 156 of the bead portion 151 by welding. Figure 1 and Figure 7 , the second portion 162 may be in contact with the electrode assembly 110 and electrically connected to the electrode assembly 110. Figure 2 , the third part 163 connects the first part 161 and the second part 162 .

[0041] The curling portion 151 is formed by compressing the outer circumferential surface of the battery can 150 inward in the area near the opening of the battery can 150. The curling portion 151 can support the electrode assembly 110 so that the electrode assembly 110 having a size approximately corresponding to the width of the battery can 150 does not come out through the opening of the battery can 150, and can also serve as a support for placing the cover plate 180. In addition, the curling portion 151 can support the outer circumferential surface of the sealing gasket 190. The details of the cover plate 180 and the sealing gasket 190 will be described later.

[0042] Reference Figure 2 , a rounded portion 157 having a curved surface shape may be formed in at least a portion of the curling portion 151. The rounded portion 157 may be formed in the curling portion 151 during the manufacturing process of the cylindrical battery cell 10. The gap between the battery can 150 and the collector plate 160 formed by the rounded portion 157, more specifically, the gap between the rounded portion 157 of the battery can 150 and the first portion 161 of the collector plate 160, causes the collector plate 160 to move to the left or right side of the curling portion 151.

[0043] As described above, if the collector plate 160 moves to the left or right side of the curling portion 151, the center of the collector plate 160 may not be aligned with the center of the electrode assembly 110, and when the laser beam used for welding is radiated, it may deviate from the laser irradiation area, thereby causing penetration of the battery can 150 or partial weakening thereof. As a result, there is a problem of reduced welding quality of the cylindrical battery cell 10. In addition, if the center of the collector plate 160 and the center of the electrode assembly 110 are not aligned, defects may occur in the cylindrical battery cell 10 itself, which may adversely affect the stability of the battery cell.

[0044] However, the clamp 20 used for welding cylindrical battery cells according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can prevent the left and right movement of the collector plate 160, so that even if the rounded portion 157 is formed in the curling portion 151, the collector plate 160 will be set in the correct position, thereby improving the quality of welding, ultimately preventing defects in the cylindrical battery cell 10, and improving its stability.

[0045] In addition, even if the unrounded portion 157 is formed in the curling portion 151, a gap may be generated between the battery can 150 and the collector plate 160 due to a processing error, a design tolerance, etc., and thus the collector plate 160 may move due to the gap as described above. Even in this case, the jig 20 for welding cylindrical battery cells according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can prevent the left and right movement of the collector plate 160 to ensure that the collector plate 160 is set in the correct position.

[0046] In addition, refer to Figure 2 , the beading portion 151 may include a horizontal portion 156 formed horizontally. However, the beading portion 151 may have various shapes and does not necessarily have to be formed horizontally. However, in the case where the first portion 161 of the collector plate 160 is welded to the beading portion 151 of the battery can 150, as shown in FIG. Figures 2 to 4 As shown, the curling portion 151 includes a horizontal portion 156 formed horizontally, which is advantageous for welding. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Figure 5 As shown, the first portion 161 of the collector plate 160 can be placed on the horizontal portion 156 of the curling portion 151, and then can be Figure 6 Welding is performed as indicated by the arrows in the figure.

[0047] Reference Figure 1 , one side of the collector plate 160 is electrically connected to the electrode assembly 110. In addition, the other side of the collector plate 160 is coupled to the battery can 150. Figure 7 The first portion 161 of the collector plate 160 may be coupled to the horizontal portion 156 of the beaded portion 151 of the battery can 150, and the collector plate 160 may be coupled to the beaded portion 151 of the battery can 150 in various ways, such as by Figure 6 The welding shown (see Figure 6 ). Specifically, for example, the collector plate 160 may be coupled to the curling portion 151 of the battery can 150 by laser welding. Hereinafter, description will be made based on a case where the collector plate 160 is coupled to the curling portion 151 of the battery can 150 by laser welding. However, coupling of the collector plate 160 is not limited to laser welding.

[0048] Here, the jig 20 is used to weld the collector plate 160 to the beaded portion 151 of the battery can 150. The jig 20 for welding cylindrical battery cells according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a jig 20 for welding the collector plate 160 to the battery can 150 and may be configured to include a body 210 and a position determining portion 220.

[0049] Reference Figure 3 Although the main body 210 and the position determining portion 220 are separated by alternating long dashed lines and short dashed lines for ease of explanation, the main body 210 and the position determining portion 220 may be manufactured as one body, or may be manufactured separately for ease of assembly and disassembly.

[0050] Reference Figure 4 and Figure 5 , the main body 210 contacts and presses the collector plate 160. Specifically, the main body 210 contacts and presses the first portion 161 of the collector plate 160. Here, when the main body 210 presses the collector plate 160, the collector plate 160 spaced apart from the battery can 150 moves and contacts the curling portion 151 of the battery can 150. That is, the main body 210 presses the first portion 161 of the collector plate 160 so that the first portion 161 of the collector plate 160 contacts the horizontal portion 156 of the curling portion 151.

[0051] Here, the left-right length of the lower side of the body 210 may be configured to correspond to the left-right length of the first portion 161 of the collector plate 160. The left-right length of the lower side of the body 210 corresponding to the left-right length of the first portion 161 of the collector plate 160 means that the body 210 may have various lengths as long as the body 210 contacts and presses the collector plate 160, and does not necessarily mean that the left-right length of the lower side of the body 210 is the same as the left-right length of the first portion 161 of the collector plate 160.

[0052] In addition, a through hole 211 for welding is formed in the body 210. That is, referring to Figure 6 , laser beam (see Figure 6 ) passes through the through hole 211 of the body 210 and couples the first portion 161 of the collector plate 160 to the horizontal portion 156 of the curling portion 151 of the battery can 150 .

[0053] Reference Figure 3, the position determining portion 220 is coupled to at least one of both ends of the body 210. That is, the position determining portion 220 may be coupled to both ends of the body 210, or in some cases, may be coupled to only one end of the body 210. Although the position determining portion 220 may be coupled to the body 210, it may be integrally manufactured with the body 210 to extend from the body 210.

[0054] The position determining portion 220 may be configured to include, for example, at least one of a first position determining portion 221 coupled to the left side of the body 210 and a second position determining portion 225 coupled to the right side of the body 210 .

[0055] Since the jig 20 is configured to move in the vertical direction, the collector plate 160 may be fixed at a correct position when the first and second position determining parts 221 and 225 protrude toward the lower portion of the body 210 and contact both ends of the collector plate 160 , respectively.

[0056] For example, refer to Figure 3 , the first protrusion 222 may be formed in the first position determining portion 221 to protrude further downward than the main body 210, and refer to Figure 4 , the first protrusion 222 may be configured to contact the left end of the first portion 161 of the collector plate 160. As described above, if the first protrusion 222 contacts the left end of the first portion 161 of the collector plate 160, the collector plate 160 contacting the first protrusion 222 cannot move leftward and is fixed.

[0057] In this case, if the first position determining portion 221 included in the jig 20 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure and the first protrusion 222 formed in the first position determining portion 221 contact the battery can 150, the battery can 150 may be damaged, so the first position determining portion 221 is spaced apart from the battery can 150, and the first protrusion 222 is also spaced apart from the battery can 150. For example, the thickness of the first protrusion 222 may be configured to be smaller than the thickness of the first portion 161 of the collector plate 160 so that the first protrusion 222 does not contact the curling portion 151 (e.g., the horizontal portion 156), as shown in FIG. Figure 5 shown.

[0058] Return to reference Figure 3 , the second protrusion 226 may be formed in the second position determining portion 225 to protrude further downward than the main body 210, and refer to Figure 4 , the second protrusion 226 may be configured to contact the right end of the first portion 161 of the collector plate 160. Figure 5 The second position determining portion 225 may be configured to contact the third portion 163 of the collector plate 160 .

[0059] As described above, if the second protrusion 226 contacts the right end of the first portion 161 of the collector plate 160 and if the second position determining part 225 contacts the third portion 163 of the collector plate 160 , the collector plate 160 contacting the second protrusion 226 is fixed without moving rightward.

[0060] As described above, when the collector plate 160 is fixed at the correct position by the first and second position determining parts 221 and 225 without moving left and right, welding is performed at the correct position, thereby improving welding quality, ultimately preventing defects in the cylindrical battery cell 10 itself and improving its stability.

[0061] Here, at the position where the collector plate 160 is fixed by the first position determining part 221 and the second position determining part 225 , the center of the collector plate 160 is aligned with the center of the electrode assembly 110 .

[0062] However, in the case where the current collecting plate 160 is configured to move in any one of the left and right directions, only one of the first position determining portion 221 and the second position determining portion 225 may be provided.

[0063] Hereinafter, the configuration and operation effects of the jig 20 for welding cylindrical battery cells according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0064] The jig 20 for welding cylindrical battery cells according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be used for various types of cylindrical battery cells 10. For example, as the cylindrical battery cells 10 are currently applied to electric vehicles, the form factor of the cylindrical battery cells 10 increases.

[0065] Here, the shape factor indicates a value representing the diameter and height of the cylindrical battery cell 10. That is, the first two digits of the shape factor value indicate the diameter of the cell, the next two digits indicate the height of the cell, and the last digit "0" indicates that the cross section of the cell is circular. If the height of the cell exceeds 100m, three digits are required to indicate the height, so the last digit can be omitted.

[0066] In addition, the diameter and height of the cylindrical battery cell 10 are increased compared to conventional cylindrical battery cells 10 having a form factor such as 18650, 21700, etc. The cylindrical battery cells 10 that can use the above-mentioned jig 20 may include not only cylindrical battery cells 10 having a conventional form factor but also cylindrical battery cells 10 having an increased form factor such as 48750, 48110, 48800, and 46800.

[0067] In the process of manufacturing the cylindrical battery cell 10, the collector plate 160 may be coupled to the beaded portion 151 of the battery can 150 by laser welding. In this case, a processing error, a design tolerance, or a gap between the battery can 150 and the collector plate 160 due to the rounded portion 157 formed in the beaded portion 151 causes the collector plate 160 to move to the left and right sides of the beaded portion 151. In order to prevent the collector plate 160 from moving as described above and to ensure that the center of the collector plate 160 is aligned with the center of the electrode assembly 110, the jig 20 may include a body 210 and a position determining portion 220.

[0068] The position determining portion 220 may be coupled to the body 210, and the position determining portion 220 may be configured to include at least one of a first position determining portion 221 and a second position determining portion 225. A first protrusion 222 may be formed in the first position determining portion 221 to protrude further downward than the body 210, and the first protrusion 222 may be configured to contact the left end of the first portion 161 of the collector plate 160. In addition, a second protrusion 226 may be formed in the second position determining portion 225 to protrude further downward than the body 210, and the second protrusion 226 may be configured to contact the right end of the first portion 161 of the collector plate 160.

[0069] As described above, since the first position determining portion 221 restricts the left end of the collector plate 160, and since the second position determining portion 225 restricts the right end of the collector plate 160, the collector plate 160 cannot move in the left-right direction and can be maintained at the correct position during welding. In addition, welding is performed while the collector plate 160 is fixed at the correct position, thereby improving welding quality.

[0070] Hereinafter, the configuration and operating effects of the method for manufacturing a cylindrical battery cell using the clamp 20 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described, but the above description of the clamp 20 (hereinafter referred to as the clamp 20) used for welding cylindrical battery cells according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will apply to the same configuration below.

[0071] In addition, the description of the method of manufacturing a cylindrical battery cell using the jig 20 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may be applied to the above jig 20 , and the description is applicable to the above jig 20 for welding cylindrical battery cells according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0072] Reference Figure 2 , the first portion 161 of the collector plate 160 is spaced apart from the curling portion 151 .

[0073] Reference Figure 3, insert the jig 20 into the battery can 150. The jig 20 may be configured to include a body 210 having a through hole 211 formed for welding and a position determining portion 220 coupled to at least one of both ends of the body 210. The detailed description of the body 210 and the position determining portion 220 is replaced with the above description.

[0074] Reference Figure 4 , the main body 210 contacts the other side of the collector plate 160 (eg, the first portion 161 of the collector plate 160) to press the first portion 161 of the collector plate 160. Then, as Figure 5 As shown, the first portion 161 of the collector plate 160 is in contact with the horizontal portion 156 of the curling portion 151 .

[0075] In this case, the position determining portion 220 (e.g., the first position determining portion 221 or the second position determining portion 225) connected to the main body 210 can contact the left end or the right end of the first portion 161 of the collector plate 160 to limit the movement of the collector plate 160 in the left and right directions so that the collector plate 160 can be fixed in the correct position.

[0076] Reference Figure 6 , laser is radiated through the through hole 211 formed in the body 210 so that the collector plate 160 can be coupled to the beaded portion 151 of the battery can 150 by welding.

[0077] In addition, if necessary, Figure 7 As shown, when the collector plate 160 is coupled to the beaded portion 151 of the battery can 150, the beaded portion 151 may be bent to change its shape. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0078] Hereinafter, the configuration and operating effects of a cylindrical battery cell 10 manufactured according to a cylindrical battery cell manufacturing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described, but the above description of at least one of a clamp 20 for welding cylindrical battery cells according to an embodiment of the present disclosure and a cylindrical battery cell manufacturing method using the clamp 20 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will apply to the same configuration below.

[0079] In addition, the description of the cylindrical battery cell 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can be applied to the above-mentioned fixture 20 or method, and the description is applicable to at least one of the fixture 20 for welding cylindrical battery cells according to an embodiment of the present disclosure and the cylindrical battery cell manufacturing method using the fixture according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0080] Hereinafter, it should be understood that the following cylindrical battery cell 10 indicates a cylindrical battery cell 10 manufactured according to a cylindrical battery cell manufacturing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0081] As mentioned above, refer to Figure 1 , the cylindrical battery cell 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be configured to include an electrode assembly 110, a battery can 150, a collector plate 160, and a cell terminal 199. In addition, the cylindrical battery cell may further include an insulator 170, a cap plate 180, and a sealing gasket 190.

[0082] The electrode assembly 110 may include a positive electrode plate 120 , a negative electrode plate 130 , and a separator 140 , and may be configured by winding the positive electrode plate 120 and the negative electrode plate 130 with the separator 140 interposed therebetween in one direction.

[0083] That is, the electrode assembly 110 may be configured as a core-wound type in which the long sheet-shaped positive electrode plate 120 and the negative electrode plate 130 coated with an electrode active material are wound with the separator 140 interposed therebetween.

[0084] In this case, the electrode assembly 110 is wound around a core provided at one end of the electrode assembly 110 , and then the core is removed after the electrode assembly 110 is wound, so that a central opening is formed at the center where the core is removed.

[0085] The positive plate 120 has a positive active material layer including a positive active material formed on at least one surface of a positive current collector. The positive tab may be attached to the positive plate 120 by ultrasonic welding or the like, and the positive tab may be attached to an uncoated area of ​​the positive current collector to which the positive active material is not applied. However, the present disclosure does not necessarily require an uncoated area, nor is it limited to the above-mentioned method of attaching the positive tab, and various tab attachment techniques known at the time of filing the present disclosure may be applied to the present disclosure.

[0086] Furthermore, as the positive electrode current collector, a thin metal plate having excellent conductivity, such as aluminum (Al) foil, may be used, and the positive electrode tab may be made of, for example, aluminum (Al).

[0087] The negative electrode plate 130 is formed by applying a negative active material to at least one surface of a negative current collector, and a negative electrode tab is attached to the negative electrode plate 130. Similar to the positive electrode tab, the negative electrode tab may also be attached to an uncoated region of the negative current collector to which the negative active material is not applied by various attachment methods such as ultrasonic welding.

[0088] In addition, similar to the positive electrode plate 120 , the negative electrode plate 130 does not necessarily require an uncoated area, nor is it limited to the above-mentioned negative electrode tab attachment method, and various tab attachment techniques known at the time of filing the present disclosure may be applied to the present disclosure.

[0089] In addition, as the negative electrode collector, a conductive metal plate such as copper (Cu) or nickel (Ni) foil may be used, and the negative electrode tab may be made of, for example, nickel (Ni).

[0090] The separator 140 may be disposed between the positive electrode plate 120 and the negative electrode plate 130 to insulate the positive electrode plate 120 and the negative electrode plate 130 from each other and to exchange active material ions between the positive electrode plate 120 and the negative electrode plate 130. Any separator 140 may be used without limitation as long as it is a separator 140 generally used in a lithium secondary battery.

[0091] Specifically, for the separator 140 , a porous polymer film made of a polyolefin-based polymer such as ethylene homopolymer, propylene homopolymer, ethylene / butene copolymer, ethylene / hexene copolymer, and ethylene / methacrylate copolymer, or a laminated structure of two or more layers thereof may be used.

[0092] In addition, a conventional porous nonwoven fabric (eg, a nonwoven fabric made of high melting point glass fiber, polyethylene terephthalate fiber, etc.) may be used. In addition, the separator 140 coated with a coating including a heat-resistant polymer material such as ceramic or engineering plastic may be used to ensure heat resistance or mechanical strength.

[0093] The battery can 150 is formed in a cylindrical shape, has a through opening, and stores the electrode assembly 110 therein. For example, the battery can 150 may be formed in a cylindrical shape, may store the electrode assembly 110 therein, and may be electrically connected to the negative electrode plate 130 or the negative electrode collector plate 160 of the electrode assembly 110. Therefore, the battery can 150 may have the same polarity as the negative electrode plate 130, that is, a negative electrode. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0094] Here, the diameter of the battery can 150 is formed to be greater than the diameter of the electrode assembly 110. A gap of a predetermined size may be formed between the battery can 150 and the electrode assembly 110 (between the battery can 150 and the positive collector plate when the positive collector plate is coupled to the electrode assembly 110), and the insulator 170 may be disposed in the gap.

[0095] The battery can 150 may be made of, for example, a conductive material such as metal. Although the battery can 150 may be made of a conductive metal such as aluminum, steel, or stainless steel, it is not limited thereto.

[0096] The cell terminal 199 may be made of a conductive metal material and coupled to a through opening formed in the battery can 150 so as to be electrically connected to the positive electrode collector plate through the through opening. In addition, the cell terminal 199 is electrically connected to the positive electrode plate 120 of the electrode assembly 110 through the positive electrode collector plate, thereby having a positive polarity. That is, the cell terminal 199 may be used as a positive terminal.

[0097] In addition, refer to Figure 1The crimping portion 152 may be formed adjacent to the curling portion 151 . The crimping portion 152 extends and bends toward the inside of the battery can 150 to surround and fix the edge of the cap plate 180 together with the sealing gasket 190 .

[0098] Here, the crimping portion 152 is based on Figure 1 The arrangement of the battery can 150 in the embodiment is formed in the upper part of the battery can 150. For example, in the battery can 150, the battery cell terminal 199 is configured such that Figure 1 In the case shown at the bottom, the crimping portion 152 is formed at Figure 1 In the upper part of the battery can 150. In addition, Figure 1 As shown, the crimping portion 152 is formed above the curling portion 151. Here, the crimping portion 152 is configured to extend and bend to surround the edge of the cover plate 180 disposed above the curling portion 151. Figure 1 In the case of the inverted arrangement, the crimping portion 152 is formed in the lower portion of the battery can 150 .

[0099] The cover plate 180 is configured to seal the opening of the battery can 150. The cover plate 180 may be made of, for example, a metal material to ensure rigidity. The cover plate 180 may be separated from the electrode assembly 110 so as to have no polarity. That is, even if the cover plate 180 is made of a conductive metal material, the cover plate 180 may have no polarity. The cover plate 180 having no polarity means that the cover plate 180 is electrically insulated from the battery can 150 and the cell terminal 199. As described above, the cover plate 180 does not need to have polarity and is not necessarily made of a conductive metal.

[0100] The cover plate 180 may be seated and supported on the curling portion 151 formed in the battery can 150. In addition, the cover plate 180 is fixed by the crimping portion 152. The sealing gasket 190 may be interposed between the cover plate 180 and the crimping portion 152 of the battery can 150 to ensure the airtightness of the battery can 150. That is, the sealing gasket 190 may be configured to be interposed between the edge of the cover plate 180 and the opening of the battery can 150.

[0101] Figure 8 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and Fig. 9 Examples include Figure 8 Diagram of a battery pack in a vehicle.

[0102] Reference Figure 8The battery pack 30 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include one or more cylindrical battery cells 10 according to the above-mentioned embodiment of the present disclosure. In addition, the battery pack 30 may further include a battery pack case 31 for storing the cylindrical battery cells 10 and various devices for controlling the charging and discharging of the cylindrical battery cells 10, such as a BMS, a current sensor, a fuse, etc.

[0103] Reference Fig. 9 The vehicle 40 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include the above-mentioned cylindrical battery cell 10 or battery pack 30. In addition, the cylindrical battery cell 10 or battery pack 30 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may be applied to the vehicle 40, for example, a vehicle configured to use electric power such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle.

[0104] As described above, although the present disclosure has been described with reference to limited embodiments and drawings, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and various modifications and variations are possible within the equivalent scope of the appended claims by those skilled in the art and the technical concept of the present disclosure.

[0105] In addition, although terms indicating directions such as up, down, left, right, front, and rear are used in this specification, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that these terms are merely for convenience of interpretation and may vary depending on the position of the target object or the position of the observer.

[0106] Industrial Applicability

[0107] The present disclosure relates to a jig for welding cylindrical battery cells, a method for manufacturing a cylindrical battery cell using the same, a cylindrical battery cell manufactured thereby, and a battery pack and a vehicle including the cylindrical battery cell, and in particular, it can be used in secondary battery-related industries.

Claims

1. A clamp for welding cylindrical battery cells, the clamp being a clamp for welding a collector plate electrically connected to an electrode assembly of a cylindrical battery cell to a battery can, the clamp comprising: a main body configured to contact the collector plate to press the collector plate and having a through hole for welding; as well as A position determining portion is coupled to at least one of both ends of the body to contact an end of the collector plate and is configured to fix the collector plate in a correct position during welding.

2. The fixture for welding cylindrical battery cells according to claim 1, in, The battery can includes a curling portion formed to be compressed inwardly, The collector plate includes a first portion in contact with the curling portion, a second portion in contact with the electrode assembly, and a third portion connecting the first portion and the second portion, and The main body presses the first portion of the collector plate so that the first portion of the collector plate contacts the curling portion.

3. The fixture for welding cylindrical battery cells according to claim 2, in, The left-right length of the lower side of the main body is configured to correspond to the left-right length of the first portion of the collector plate.

4. The fixture for welding cylindrical battery cells according to claim 2, in, The position determining portion includes at least one of a first position determining portion coupled to a left side of the main body and a second position determining portion coupled to a right side of the main body.

5. The fixture for welding cylindrical battery cells according to claim 4, in, A first protrusion is formed in the first position determining portion to protrude further downward than the main body, and The first protrusion contacts a left end of the first portion of the collector plate.

6. The fixture for welding cylindrical battery cells according to claim 5, in, The first position determining portion and the first protrusion formed in the first position determining portion are spaced apart from the battery can.

7. The fixture for welding cylindrical battery cells according to claim 4, in, A second protrusion is formed in the second position determining portion to protrude further downward than the main body, and The second protrusion is in contact with the right end of the first portion of the collector plate.

8. The fixture for welding cylindrical battery cells according to claim 7, in, The second positioning portion is in contact with the third portion of the current collector plate.

9. The fixture for welding cylindrical battery cells according to claim 2, in, The curling portion includes a horizontal portion formed horizontally, and Wherein, welding is performed when the first portion of the collector plate is placed on the horizontal portion of the curling portion.

10. The fixture for welding cylindrical battery cells according to claim 2, in, A rounded portion having a curved surface shape is formed in at least a portion of the curling portion.

11. A method for manufacturing a cylindrical battery cell using a jig, the method comprising the following steps: Using the jig for welding cylindrical battery cells according to any one of claims 1 to 10, pressing the collector plate so that the collector plate contacts the battery can; Fixing the collector plate in a correct position by the clamp; as well as The current collector plate is welded to the battery can through the jig.

12. The method for manufacturing a cylindrical battery cell according to claim 11, in, The clamp includes: a main body having a through hole for welding; and a position determining portion coupled to at least one of both ends of the main body; The method comprises the following steps: bringing the body into contact with the collector plate to press the collector plate; and The position determining portion is brought into contact with the end of the collector plate so that the collector plate is fixed in a correct position during welding.

13. A cylindrical battery cell manufactured by the method for manufacturing a cylindrical battery cell according to claim 11.

14. A battery pack comprising the cylindrical battery cell according to claim 13.

15. A vehicle comprising the cylindrical battery cell according to claim 13.

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