Slotting device for secondary battery

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a slotting apparatus for a secondary battery, including: a lower body configured to support an electrode plate, the electrode plate including a first region coated with an active material and a second region not coated with the active material and being conveyed in a first direction; an upper body mounted to move vertically above the lower body; a mold installed in the lower body and arranged to face the second area; punching holes formed by passing through the die and including a first punching hole, a second punching hole, and a third punching hole sequentially arranged in the first direction; and a punch head installed in the upper body, inserted into the punch hole when the upper body moves downward, and configured to cut the second region. According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, different sections of the second region of the electrode plate cut by the punching hole and the punching head in two consecutive cuts partially overlap, thereby improving the consumption efficiency of the electrode plate and further improving the cutting quality.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a notching apparatus for a secondary battery. Background Art

[0002] Generally, with the recent rapid popularization of electronic devices using batteries (such as mobile phones, laptop computers and electric vehicles), the demand for secondary batteries with high energy density and high capacity is rapidly increasing. Therefore, research and development of improvements in the performance of lithium secondary batteries are being actively carried out.

[0003] A lithium secondary battery is a battery including a positive electrode and a negative electrode and an electrolyte solution, each of the positive electrode and the negative electrode containing an active material capable of inserting and deinserting lithium ions, and when lithium ions are inserted into and deinserted from the positive electrode and the negative electrode, the lithium secondary battery generates electrical energy due to oxidation and reduction reactions.

[0004] In order to manufacture positive and negative electrodes, a process of slotting a continuous electrode plate coated with electrode active materials at unit intervals on one or both sides thereof is required. The slotting process is generally performed by slotting a portion of the electrode sheet using a punching machine.

[0005] The above information disclosed in the art forming the background of the present disclosure is only intended to enhance understanding of the background of the present disclosure and therefore may include information that does not constitute the relevant art. Summary of the invention

[0006] An aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure is directed to providing a notching apparatus for a secondary battery capable of preventing defects such as sticking or burr from occurring when punching an electrode plate.

[0007] These and other aspects and features of the present disclosure will be described in, or will be apparent from, the following description of some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0008] According to one or more embodiments, a notching device for a secondary battery includes: a lower body configured to support an electrode plate including a first area coated with an active material and a second area not coated with the active material and conveyed in a first direction; an upper body installed to move vertically above the lower body; a mold installed in the lower body and arranged to face the second area; a punching hole formed by passing through the mold and including a first punching hole, a second punching hole, and a third punching hole arranged in sequence in the first direction; and a punching head installed in the upper body, inserted into the punching hole when the upper body moves downward, and configured to cut the second area.

[0009] The mold may include: a mold body fixed to a lower body; a first extension extending from the mold body and including a first surface; a second extension extending from the mold body and including a second surface arranged to face the first surface in a first direction; a first terminal plate support arranged between the first extension and the second extension; and a second terminal plate support arranged between the first extension and the second extension and spaced apart from the first terminal plate support in the first direction.

[0010] Widths of the first tab supporter and the second tab supporter parallel to the first direction may be the same.

[0011] The longitudinal directions of the first extension portion, the second extension portion, the first terminal plate support and the second terminal plate support may extend in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and the lengths of the first terminal plate support and the second terminal plate support parallel to the second direction may be less than the lengths of the first extension portion and the second extension portion parallel to the second direction.

[0012] The first punch hole may be arranged between the first extension portion and the first tab support, the second punch hole may be arranged between the first tab support and the second tab support, and the third punch hole may be arranged between the second tab support and the second extension portion.

[0013] The longitudinal directions of the first punching hole, the second punching hole and the third punching hole may be arranged parallel to a second direction intersecting the first direction, and the length of the first punching hole parallel to the second direction may be smaller than the length of the third punching hole parallel to the second direction.

[0014] A width of the third punching hole parallel to the first direction may be greater than a width of the first punching hole parallel to the first direction.

[0015] After the electrode plate is transferred in the first direction as much as a set distance, the upper body may move downward.

[0016] The set distance may be smaller than a maximum gap between the first punch hole and the third punch hole.

[0017] One surface of the first punching hole may contact the first surface, one surface of the third punching hole may contact the second surface, and the set distance may be smaller than a gap between the first surface and the second surface.

[0018] The second tab supporter may be arranged to face the second surface in the first direction and may include a third surface contacting another surface of the third punch hole, and the set distance may be greater than a gap between the first surface and the third surface.

[0019] The punched holes may further include a slotted hole extending from the third punched hole in a direction parallel to the second direction.

[0020] One surface of the slotted hole may be in contact with the second surface.

[0021] The width of the slotted hole in the first direction may be formed to be narrowed in the second direction.

[0022] The electrode plate may further include a third region that is not coated with active material and is arranged on a side opposite to the second region, and the grooving device may further include: a sub-mold installed in the lower body and arranged to face the third region; a sub-punching hole formed by passing through the sub-mold; and a sub-punching head installed in the upper body, inserted into the sub-punching hole when the upper body moves downward, and configured to cut the third region.

[0023] According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, in two consecutive cutting operations, different sections of the second region of the electrode plate cut by the punching hole and the punching head partially overlap, thereby improving the consumption efficiency of the electrode plate and further improving the cutting quality.

[0024] According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the size of the portion pre-cut by the first punching hole in the second area facing the third punching hole is reduced, and the two ends of the second area facing the third punching hole remain connected to the remaining second areas, thereby preventing adhesion from occurring when operating the punching head.

[0025] However, the effects obtainable by the present disclosure are not limited to the above effects, and other technical effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The accompanying drawings attached to this specification illustrate some embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the detailed description of the present disclosure, further describe aspects and features of the present disclosure. However, the present disclosure should not be interpreted as being limited to the accompanying drawings:

[0027] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a configuration of a notching device for a secondary battery according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0028] Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional perspective view showing a configuration of a notching device for a secondary battery according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0029] Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a notching device for a secondary battery according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0030] Figure 4 and Figure 5 is a schematic plan view showing a configuration of a notching device for a secondary battery according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0031] Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of a die, a punch hole, and a punch head according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0032] Figure 7 It is from Figure 6 Different perspective views show perspective views of the configuration of a die, a punch hole, and a punch head according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0033] Figure 8 is a schematic plan view showing the configuration of a mold according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0034] Figures 9 to 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of a notching apparatus for a secondary battery according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Here, some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The terms or words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted as limited to the usual or dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted as meanings and concepts consistent with the technical concept of the present disclosure based on the principle that the inventor can be his / her own lexicon compiler to appropriately define the concepts of the terms.

[0036] The embodiments described in this specification and the configurations shown in the accompanying drawings are provided as some example embodiments of the present disclosure and do not represent all technical ideas, aspects and features of the present disclosure. Therefore, it will be understood that when submitting this application, there may be various equivalents and modifications that can replace or modify the embodiments described herein.

[0037] It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being "on," "connected to," or "coupled to" another element or layer, it may be directly on, directly connected to, or coupled to the other element or layer, or there may be one or more intervening elements or layers. When an element or layer is referred to as being "directly on," "directly connected to," or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers. For example, when a first element is described as being "coupled to" or "connected to" a second element, the first element may be directly coupled to or connected to the second element, or the first element may be indirectly coupled to or connected to the second element via one or more intervening elements.

[0038] In the accompanying drawings, for the clarity of the illustration, the sizes of various elements, layers, etc. may be exaggerated. The same reference numerals represent the same or similar elements. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more associated listed items. In addition, when describing the embodiments of the present disclosure, the use of "may" relates to "one or more embodiments of the present disclosure". Statements such as "at least one of ..." and "any one of ..." modify the entire column of elements when following a column of elements, rather than modifying the individual elements in the list. When phrases such as "at least one of A, B, and C", "at least one of A, B, or C", "at least one selected from the group of A, B, and C", or "at least one selected from A, B, and C" are used to specify the list of elements A, B, and C, the phrase may refer to any and all suitable combinations or subsets of A, B, and C, such as A, B, C, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C. As used herein, the terms "use," "using," and "used" may be considered synonymous with the terms "utilize," "utilizing," and "utilized," respectively. As used herein, the terms "substantially," "about," and similar terms are used as terms of approximation rather than terms of degree, and are intended to take into account the inherent variations in measured or calculated values ​​that one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize.

[0039] It will be understood that although the terms "first", "second", "third", etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and / or portions, these elements, components, regions, layers and / or portions should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or portion from another element, component, region, layer or portion. Therefore, the first element, component, region, layer or portion discussed below may be referred to as a second element, component, region, layer or portion without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

[0040] For ease of description, spatial relational terms (such as "below", "beneath", "lower", "above", "upper", etc.) may be used here to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another one or more elements or features as shown in the drawings. It will be understood that in addition to the orientations depicted in the drawings, the spatial relational terms are intended to cover different orientations of the device in use or operation. For example, if the device in the drawings is turned over, the elements described as being "below" or "beneath" other elements or features will be oriented as being "above" or "above" other elements or features. Therefore, the term "below" can cover both above and below orientations. The device can be oriented in other ways (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatial relational descriptors used here should be interpreted accordingly.

[0041] The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing the embodiments of the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "one" and "an" are intended to also include the plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will also be understood that the terms "include" and / or "comprise", when used in this specification, specify the presence of the features, integers, steps, operations, elements and / or parts, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, parts and / or groups thereof.

[0042] In addition, any numerical range disclosed and / or recorded herein is intended to include all sub-ranges of the same numerical precision contained in the recorded range. For example, the range of "1.0 to 10.0" is intended to include all sub-ranges between the recorded minimum value 1.0 and the recorded maximum value 10.0 (including these two values), i.e., having a minimum value equal to or greater than 1.0 and a maximum value equal to or less than 10.0, such as, for example, 2.4 to 7.6. Any maximum numerical limit recorded here is intended to include all lower numerical limits contained therein, and any minimum numerical limit recorded in this specification is intended to include all higher numerical limits contained therein. Therefore, the applicant reserves the right to modify this specification (including claims) to clearly record any sub-ranges contained in the range clearly recorded here.

[0043] Referring to two compared elements, features, etc. as "the same" may mean that they are "substantially the same." Thus, the phrase "substantially the same" may include situations with deviations that are considered low in the art, such as 5% or less. In addition, when a parameter is referred to as being uniform in a given area, this may mean that it is uniform with respect to an average value.

[0044] Throughout the specification, unless otherwise stated, each element may be in the singular or in the plural.

[0045] When any element is referred to as being arranged (or positioned or placed) "on (or under)" or "on (or under)" a component, this may mean that the arbitrary element is set to be in contact with the upper (or lower) surface of the component, and may also mean that another component may be interposed between the component and any element arranged (or positioned or placed) on (or under) the component.

[0046] Furthermore, it will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "coupled," "linked," or "connected" to another element, the elements may be directly "coupled," "linked," or "connected" to each other, or there may be one or more intervening elements therebetween through which the element may be "coupled," "linked," or "connected" to another element. Furthermore, when a component is referred to as being "electrically coupled" to another component, the component may be directly electrically connected to the other component, or there may be one or more intervening components therebetween such that the component and the other component are indirectly electrically connected to each other.

[0047] Throughout the specification, unless otherwise stated, when "A and / or B" is stated, it means A, B, or A and B. That is, "and / or" includes any or all combinations of the listed multiple items. Unless otherwise stated, when "C to D" is stated, it means C or greater and D or less.

[0048] The terms used in this specification are used to describe the embodiments of the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the present disclosure.

[0049] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a configuration of a notching device for a secondary battery according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional perspective view showing a configuration of a notching device for a secondary battery according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view showing a configuration of a notching device for a secondary battery according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 4 and Figure 5 is a schematic plan view showing a configuration of a notching device for a secondary battery according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0050] Reference Figures 1 to 5 , the notching device 1 for a secondary battery according to the present embodiment includes a lower body 100 , an upper body 200 , a mold 300 , a punching hole 400 , and a punching head 500 .

[0051] The lower body 100 forms a lower outer appearance of the notching device 1 for a secondary battery, and may serve as a member integrally supporting the upper body 200 and a mold 300 (which will be described below).

[0052] The lower body 100 may include a first lower body 110 and a second lower body 120 .

[0053] The first lower body 110 may be formed to have a rigid body shape having a substantially quadrilateral cross section. The first lower body 110 may be fixed to the ground or a separate structure (not shown) by various coupling methods such as welding, bolting, and fitting coupling.

[0054] The second lower body 120 is placed on the first lower body 110 and can provide a space in which the mold 300 (which will be described below) is installed. The cross-sectional area of ​​the second lower body 120 can be formed to be smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the first lower body 110. The second lower body 120 can be fixed to the first lower body 110 by various coupling methods such as welding, bolting, and fitting coupling. The upper surface of the second lower body 120 may have a shape parallel to the first lower body 110 based on the Figure 1 The flat shape of the XY plane.

[0055] The specific shapes of the first lower body 110 and the second lower body 120 are not limited to Figures 1 to 5 The shapes are shown, and design variations to various shapes are possible.

[0056] The lower body 100 may support the electrode plate 10 transferred in the first direction. Here, the first direction may be parallel to the direction based on Figure 1 Any one of the directions of the X axis.

[0057] The electrode plate 10 may be formed in a foil shape having a thin thickness. The electrode plate 10 may be made of a conductive material such as copper, a copper alloy, nickel, a nickel alloy, aluminum, or an aluminum alloy. The longitudinal direction of the electrode plate 10 may extend continuously in a first direction. The lower surface of the electrode plate 10 may be arranged to face the upper surface of the second lower body 120. The lower surface of the electrode plate 10 may be arranged to be in direct contact with the upper surface of the second lower body 120, or may be arranged to be spaced apart from the upper surface of the second lower body 120 by a predetermined distance.

[0058] The two ends of the electrode plate 10 can be respectively wound on a conveying roller (not shown) and unrolled from another conveying roller (not shown), and can be conveyed in a first direction. In this case, the electrode plate 10 can be gradually conveyed as much as a set distance in the first direction. For example, the following operation can be repeatedly performed: wherein the electrode plate 10 is conveyed as much as a set distance in the first direction, and then the conveyance of the electrode plate 10 is stopped for a set time. The specific details of the set distance that the electrode plate 10 is conveyed will be described below.

[0059] The electrode plate 10 may include a first region 11 and a second region 12 .

[0060] The first region 11 may be a region coated with the active material C among the entire region of the electrode plate 10 . As an example, the first region 11 may be a central region coated with the active material C among the entire region of the electrode plate 10 .

[0061] The active material C may be a positive electrode active material capable of reversibly inserting and deintercalating lithium or a negative electrode active material capable of reversibly inserting and deintercalating lithium ions. The positive electrode active material may include one or more of a composite oxide of lithium and a metal selected from cobalt, manganese, nickel, and a combination thereof. The negative electrode active material may include crystalline carbon, amorphous carbon, or a combination thereof.

[0062] The second region 12 may be a region of the electrode plate 10 that is not coated with the active material C among the entire region. As an example, the second region 12 may be a region of one end of the electrode plate 10 among the entire region of the electrode plate 10, which protrudes from the first region 11 in a direction parallel to the second direction. The second direction may be a direction intersecting the first direction, for example, a direction perpendicular to the first direction and the vertical direction, that is, based on Figure 1 The direction from the first region 11 toward the second region 12 among the directions parallel to the Y axis.

[0063] The electrode plate 10 may further include a third region 13. The third region 13 may be a region that is not coated with the active material C and excludes the second region 12 among the entire region of the electrode plate 10. As an example, the third region 13 may be a region at the other end of the electrode plate 10 located on the side opposite to the second region 12 among the entire region of the electrode plate 10. The second region 12 and the third region 13 may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other in a direction parallel to the second direction.

[0064] Hereinafter, an example will be described in which the electrode plate 10 includes the first region 11, the second region 12, and the third region 13. However, the electrode plate 10 is not limited thereto, and may include only the first region 11 and the second region 12.

[0065] The upper body 200 forms an upper exterior of the notching device 1 for a secondary battery and may serve as a member for supporting a punch head 500 to be described below. The upper body 200 may be installed to be vertically moved above the lower body 100.

[0066] After the electrode plate 10 is transferred in the first direction as much as the set distance, the upper body 200 may be moved downward. Therefore, the upper body 200 may be configured so that a cutting operation (which will be described below) in the second region 12 by the die 300, the punch hole 400, and the punch head 500 is performed during a period of time when the transfer of the electrode plate 10 is stopped.

[0067] The upper body 200 may include a first upper body 210 and a second upper body 220 .

[0068] The first upper body 210 may be formed to have a rigid body shape having a substantially quadrilateral cross section. The first upper body 210 may be arranged above the lower body 100. The first upper body 210 may be connected to a separate power device (not shown) (such as a press or a cylinder) and may be moved up and down in a vertical direction by a driving force generated from the power device.

[0069] The first guide column G1 may be installed between the first lower body 110 and the first upper body 210 to guide the up and down movement of the first upper body 210. The first guide column G1 may have a column shape whose longitudinal direction extends in the vertical direction. The upper end and the lower end of the first guide column G1 may be connected to the first upper body 210 and the first lower body 110, respectively. The first guide column G1 may have a telescopic structure, and its length is variable by being interrelated with the up and down movement of the first upper body 210. The first guide column G1 may be provided to be vertically separable from the first upper body 210 when the first upper body 210 moves upward by a predetermined distance. A spring may be installed on the first guide column G1 to return the first upper body 210 to its initial position when the external force applied to the first upper body 210 is removed.

[0070] The first guide pillar G1 may be provided as a plurality of first guide pillars G1 . The plurality of first guide pillars G1 may be individually arranged at corners of the first lower body 110 and the first upper body 210 .

[0071] The second upper body 220 may be arranged below the first upper body 210 and arranged to face the second lower body 120. The cross-sectional area of ​​the second upper body 220 may be formed to be smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the first upper body 210. The second upper body 220 may be fixed to the first upper body 210 by various coupling methods such as welding, bolting, and fitting coupling. When the first upper body 210 moves up and down, the second upper body 220 may move up and down together with the first upper body 210. The lower surface of the second upper body 220 may have a shape parallel to the first upper body 210 based on the cross-sectional area of ​​the second upper body 220. Figure 1 The flat shape of the XY plane.

[0072] The second guide column G2 may be installed between the second lower body 120 and the second upper body 220 to guide the up and down movement of the second upper body 220. The second guide column G2 may have a column shape whose longitudinal direction extends in the vertical direction. The upper end and the lower end of the second guide column G2 may be connected to the second upper body 220 and the second lower body 120, respectively. The second guide column G2 may have a telescopic structure, and its length is variable by being interrelated with the up and down movement of the second upper body 220. The second guide column G2 may be provided to be vertically separable from the second upper body 220 when the second upper body 220 moves upward by a predetermined distance. A spring may be installed on the second guide column G2 to return the second upper body 220 to its initial position when the external force applied to the second upper body 220 is removed.

[0073] The second guide pillar G2 may be provided as a plurality of second guide pillars G2 . The plurality of second guide pillars G2 may be arranged at corners of the second lower body 120 and the second upper body 220 .

[0074] The mold 300 may be installed in the lower body 100, and at least a portion of an area of ​​the mold 300 may be arranged to face the second area 12. The mold 300 may serve as a member for determining a processed shape of the second area 12 together with a punch hole 400 to be described below.

[0075] Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of a die, a punch hole, and a punch head according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 7 It is from Figure 6 Different perspective views show perspective views of the configuration of a die, a punch hole, and a punch head according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 8 is a schematic plan view showing the configuration of a mold according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0076] Reference Figures 1 to 8 The mold 300 may include a mold body 310 , a first extension portion 320 , a second extension portion 330 , a first tab support 340 , and a second tab support 350 .

[0077] The mold body 310 may be fixed to the lower body 100 and may integrally support the first extension 320, the second extension 330, the first tab support 340, and the second tab support 350 (which will be described below). The mold body 310 may be arranged in the second lower body 120. The upper surface of the mold body 310 may be exposed to the external space of the second lower body 120 through the upper surface of the second lower body 120. The upper surface of the mold body 310 may be positioned coplanar with the upper surface of the second lower body 120. The longitudinal direction of the mold body 310 may be arranged parallel to the first direction. The upper surface of the mold body 310 may be arranged to face the first region 11 of the electrode plate 10.

[0078] The first extension 320 and the second extension 330 may extend from both ends of the mold body 310 in the second direction, respectively. The lengths of the first extension 320 and the second extension 330 parallel to the second direction may be the same. The first extension 320 and the second extension 330 may be arranged in sequence in the first direction. That is, the second extension 330 may be arranged at a position spaced apart from the first extension 320 by a predetermined distance along the first direction. The first extension 320 and the second extension 330 may be arranged in the second lower body 120. The upper surface of the first extension 320 and the upper surface of the second extension 330 may be exposed to the external space of the second lower body 120 through the upper surface of the second lower body 120. The upper surface of the first extension 320 and the upper surface of the second extension 330 may be positioned to be coplanar with the upper surface of the mold body 310. The upper surface of the first extension 320 and the upper surface of the second extension 330 may be arranged to face the second region 12 of the electrode plate 10.

[0079] The first extension portion 320 and the second extension portion 330 may include a first surface 321 and a second surface 331 , respectively.

[0080] The first surface 321 may be a surface facing the second extension portion 330 among the entire outer circumferential surface of the first extension portion 320. The second surface 331 may be a surface facing the first surface 321 of the first extension portion 320 among the entire outer circumferential surface of the second extension portion 330. The second surface 331 may be spaced apart from the first surface 321 by a predetermined distance L2 in the first direction. The first surface 321 and the second surface 331 may be arranged to face each other in parallel.

[0081] The first tab support 340 and the second tab support 350 may be arranged between the first extension 320 and the second extension 330. When the punch head 500 (which will be described below) is operated, the first tab support 340 and the second tab support 350 may be used as a component for determining the shape of the electrode tab formed in the second region 12 of the electrode plate 10. The first tab support 340 and the second tab support 350 may each extend from the mold body 310 in the second direction. The first tab support 340 and the second tab support 350 may be arranged in sequence in the first direction. That is, the first tab support 340 may be arranged at a position spaced apart from the first extension 320 by a predetermined distance along the first direction, and the second tab support 350 may be arranged at a position spaced apart from the first tab support 340 by a predetermined distance along the first direction.

[0082] The lengths of the first and second tab supports 340 and 350 parallel to the second direction may be smaller than the lengths of the first and second extensions 320 and 330 parallel to the second direction. The lengths of the first and second tab supports 340 and 350 parallel to the second direction may be the same. The widths of the first and second tab supports 340 and 350 parallel to the first direction may be the same.

[0083] The second tab supporter 350 may include a third surface 351 .

[0084] The third surface 351 may be a surface facing the second surface 331 among the entire peripheral surface of the second tab supporter 350. The third surface 351 may be spaced apart from the second surface 331 by a predetermined distance in a direction opposite to the first direction. The second surface 331 and the third surface 351 may be arranged to face each other in parallel.

[0085] The punch hole 400 is formed by penetrating the die 300 and may serve as a member for determining a region cut by a punch head 500 (which will be described below) in the second region 12 of the electrode plate 10 .

[0086] The punching holes 400 may include a first punching hole 410 , a second punching hole 420 , and a third punching hole 430 .

[0087] The first punch hole 410, the second punch hole 420, and the third punch hole 430 may be formed in a shape having a groove that is concavely recessed from the outer surface of the mold body 310 in a direction opposite to the second direction. The longitudinal directions of the first punch hole 410, the second punch hole 420, and the third punch hole 430 may be arranged parallel to the second direction. The upper end portion and the lower end portion of the first punch hole 410, the second punch hole 420, and the third punch hole 430 may pass through the upper surface and the lower surface of the mold body 310, respectively. The first punch hole 410, the second punch hole 420, and the third punch hole 430 may be arranged sequentially in the first direction.

[0088] The first punch hole 410 may be disposed between the first extension portion 320 and the first tab support 340. One surface of the first punch hole 410 facing the first extension portion 320 may be in contact with the first surface 321 of the first extension portion 320. Here, one surface of the first punch hole 410 in contact with the first surface 321 of the first extension portion 320 may mean that one surface of the first punch hole 410 is positioned coplanar with the first surface 321 of the first extension portion 320.

[0089] The second punch hole 420 may be disposed between the first tab supporter 340 and the second tab supporter 350 .

[0090] The third punch hole 430 may be disposed between the second tab support 350 and the second extension 330. One surface of the third punch hole 430 facing the second extension 330 may contact the second surface 331 of the second extension 330. The other surface of the third punch hole 430 facing the second tab support 350 may contact the third surface 351 of the second tab support 350.

[0091] As described above, the electrode plate 10 may be gradually conveyed in the first direction as much as the set distance L1. In this case, the set distance L1 may be less than the maximum gap between the first punch hole 410 and the third punch hole 430. More specifically, the set distance L1 may be less than the gap L2 between the first surface 321 and the second surface 331, and the first surface 321 and the second surface 331 are in contact with one surface of the first punch hole 410 and one surface of the third punch hole 430, respectively. In addition, the set distance L1 may be greater than the gap L3 between the first surface 321 and the third surface 351 in contact with the other surface of the third punch hole 430. Since different sections of the second region 12 cut by the punch hole 400 and the punch head 500 in two consecutive cuts partially overlap, the consumption efficiency of the electrode plate 10 can be improved, and the cutting quality can be further improved.

[0092] The width of the third punch hole 430 parallel to the first direction may be greater than the width of the first punch hole 410 parallel to the first direction. In addition, the length of the first punch hole 410 parallel to the second direction may be less than the length of the third punch hole 430 parallel to the second direction. Therefore, since the punch hole 400 reduces the size of the portion pre-cut by the first punch hole 410 in the second area 12 facing the third punch hole 430 and keeps both ends of the second area 12 facing the third punch hole 430 connected to the remaining second area 12, when the punch head 500 is operated, adhesion can be prevented from occurring in the second area 12 facing the third punch hole 430.

[0093] The punched hole 400 may also include a slotted hole 440 .

[0094] The slotted hole 440 may have the shape of a groove extending concavely from the third punching hole 430 to the inside of the mold body 310 in a direction parallel to the second direction. The width of the slotted hole 440 parallel to the first direction may be less than the width of the third punching hole 430. The width of the slotted hole 440 may be formed to gradually decrease toward its end. One surface of the slotted hole 440 may be arranged to contact the second surface 331 of the second extension 330. The upper end and the lower end of the slotted hole 440 may pass through the upper surface and the lower surface of the mold body 310, respectively. The slotted hole 440 may be used as a component for dividing the electrode plate 10 into different sections at intervals of a set distance L1. Therefore, after completing the operation of the slotting device 1 for a secondary battery, the slotted hole 440 can further improve the ease of the process of cutting the electrode plate 10 at intervals of a set distance L1.

[0095] The punch head 500 is installed in the upper body 200 and may move up and down together with the upper body 200. When the upper body 200 moves downward to cut the second region 12, the punch head 500 may be inserted into the punch hole 400 and may form an electrode tab in the electrode plate 10.

[0096] The punch 500 may include a punch body 510 , a first punch 520 , a second punch 530 , and a third punch 540 .

[0097] The punch head body 510 can be fixed to the upper body 200 and can integrally support the first punch head 520, the second punch head 530, the third punch head 540 and the slotted punch head 550 (which will be described below). The punch head body 510 can be fixed to the lower surface of the second upper body 220 by various connection methods (such as welding, bolting and matching connection). The longitudinal direction of the punch head body 510 can be arranged parallel to the first direction. The lower surface of the punch head body 510 can be arranged to face the space between the first extension 320 and the second extension 330. When the upper body 200 moves downward, the punch head body 510 can be inserted into the space between the first extension 320 and the second extension 330. Therefore, the length of the punch head body 510 can correspond to the gap L2 between the first surface 321 and the second surface 331, or can be less than the gap L2 between the first surface 321 and the second surface 331.

[0098] The first punch head 520, the second punch head 530, and the third punch head 540 may protrude from the punch head body 510 in a direction opposite to the second direction. When the upper body 200 moves downward, the first punch head 520, the second punch head 530, and the third punch head 540 may be formed to have shapes and positions that are respectively inserted into the first punch hole 410, the second punch hole 420, and the third punch hole 430. That is, the cross-sectional shapes of the first punch head 520, the second punch head 530, and the third punch head 540 may be the same as the cross-sectional shapes of the first punch hole 410, the second punch hole 420, and the third punch hole 430, respectively.

[0099] The punch 500 may further include a slotted punch 550. The slotted punch 550 may protrude from the third punch 540 in a direction opposite to the second direction. The slotted punch 550 may be formed to have a shape and position to be inserted into the slotted hole 440 when the upper body 200 moves downward.

[0100] The notching device 1 for a secondary battery according to the present embodiment may further include a sub-mold 610 , a sub-punching hole 620 , and a sub-punching head 630 .

[0101] The sub-mold 610 may be installed in the lower body 100 and arranged to face the third region 13. The sub-mold 610 may serve as a member for determining a processed shape of the third region 13 together with a sub-punching hole 620 to be described below.

[0102] The sub-mold 610 may include a sub-mold body 611 , a first sub-extension 612 , and a second sub-extension 613 .

[0103] The sub-mold body 611 can be fixed to the lower body 100 and can integrally support the first sub-extension 612 and the second sub-extension 613 (which will be described below). The sub-mold body 611 can be arranged in the second lower body 120. The sub-mold body 611 can be arranged to be spaced apart from the mold body 310 in a direction parallel to the second direction. The upper surface of the sub-mold body 611 can be exposed to the external space of the second lower body 120 through the upper surface of the second lower body 120. The upper surface of the sub-mold body 611 can be positioned to be coplanar with the upper surface of the second lower body 120. The longitudinal direction of the sub-mold body 611 can be arranged parallel to the first direction. The upper surface of the sub-mold body 611 can be arranged to face the third region 13 of the electrode plate 10.

[0104] The first sub-extension 612 and the second sub-extension 613 may extend from both ends of the sub-mold body 611 in a direction opposite to the second direction, respectively. The lengths of the first sub-extension 612 and the second sub-extension 613 parallel to the second direction may be the same. The first sub-extension 612 and the second sub-extension 613 may be arranged in sequence in the first direction. That is, the first sub-extension 612 may be arranged at a position spaced apart from the second sub-extension 613 by a predetermined distance along the first direction. The first sub-extension 612 and the second sub-extension 613 may be arranged in the second lower body 120. The upper surface of the first sub-extension 612 and the upper surface of the second sub-extension 613 may be exposed to the external space of the second lower body 120 through the upper surface of the second lower body 120. The upper surface of the first sub-extension 612 and the upper surface of the second sub-extension 613 may be positioned to be coplanar with the upper surface of the mold body 310. The upper surface of the first sub-extension 612 and the upper surface of the second sub-extension 613 may be arranged to face the third region 13 of the electrode plate 10. The gap between the first sub-extension 612 and the second sub-extension 613 may be the same as the gap L2 between the first surface 321 of the first extension 320 and the second surface 331 of the second extension 330 .

[0105] The sub-punching hole 620 is formed by passing through the sub-mold 610, and can be used as a member for determining an area cut by the sub-punching head 630 (which will be described below) in the third area 13 of the electrode plate 10. The sub-punching hole 620 can be exemplified as an empty space located between the first sub-extension 612 and the second sub-extension 613.

[0106] The sub-punching hole 620 may include a sub-slotted hole 621 .

[0107] The sub-slotted holes 621 may be used as a member for dividing the electrode plate 10 into different sections at intervals of the set distance L1 together with the slotted holes 440. The sub-slotted holes 621 may have a groove shape that is concavely recessed from the sub-punching hole 620 toward the inside of the sub-mold body 611 in a direction parallel to the second direction. The sub-slotted holes 621 may be arranged at a position facing the slotted holes 440 in a direction parallel to the second direction.

[0108] The sub-punch head 630 is installed in the upper body 200 and can move up and down with the upper body 200. When the upper body 200 moves downward, the sub-punch head 630 can be inserted into the sub-punch hole 620, and the third area 13 can be completely cut. The sub-punch head 630 can be fixed to the lower surface of the second upper body 220 by various connection methods (such as welding, bolting and matching connection). The longitudinal direction of the sub-punch head 630 can be arranged parallel to the first direction. The lower surface of the sub-punch head 630 can be arranged to face the sub-punch hole 620. The length of the sub-punch head 630 can correspond to the gap between the first sub-extension 612 and the second sub-extension 613, or can be less than the gap between the first sub-extension 612 and the second sub-extension 613.

[0109] Hereinafter, the operation of the notching device 1 for a secondary battery according to one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0110] Figures 9 to 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of a notching apparatus for a secondary battery according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0111] Reference Fig. 9 and Fig.10 In a state where the electrode plate 10 is located between the lower body 100 and the upper body 200 , when the upper body 200 moves downward, the punch head 500 is inserted into the inside of the punch hole 400 to cut the second region 12 .

[0112] More specifically, the first punch head 520, the second punch head 530, the third punch head 540 and the slotted punch head 550 of the punch head 500 are respectively inserted into the first punch hole 410, the second punch hole 420, the third punch hole 430 and the slotted hole 440, and cut the second area 12 that does not face the first terminal strip support 340 and the second terminal strip support 350 in the second area 12 located between the first extension portion 320 and the second extension portion 330.

[0113] At the same time, the sub-punching head 630 may be inserted into the sub-punching hole 620 and cut the third region 13 .

[0114] Reference Fig.11After cutting the second region 12 , the punch head 500 moves upward together with the upper body 200 and is separated from the punch hole 400 .

[0115] Thereafter, the electrode plate 10 moves in the first direction as much as the set distance L1.

[0116] The second area 12 positioned facing the third punch hole 430 is formed by Fig. 9 The first punch hole 410 in the second extension 330 and one end of the portion cut by the first punch head 520 are arranged to contact and be coplanar with the second surface 331 of the second extension 330 .

[0117] Reference Fig.12 When the upper body 200 moves downward, the punch head 500 moves with Fig. 9 Insert it into the punch hole 400 and cut the second area 12 in the same way as in FIG.

[0118] In this process, both ends of the second region 12 positioned facing the third punch hole 430 remain connected to the second region 12 positioned facing the second extension 330 and the second tab support 350 so that the second region 12 can be smoothly cut without adhesion.

[0119] Reference Fig.13 , when repeatedly executed Fig.10 and Fig.11 During the operation, a plurality of electrode tabs t may be formed at regular intervals in the second region 12 of the electrode plate 10 that has passed through the notching apparatus 1 for a secondary battery, and the third region 13 may be completely cut.

[0120] Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings, these embodiments are merely illustrative, and it is understood that those skilled in the art may derive various modifications and other equivalent embodiments based on the embodiments.

Claims

1. A slotting device for a secondary battery, comprising: a lower body configured to support an electrode plate including a first region coated with an active material and a second region not coated with the active material and to be conveyed in a first direction; an upper body mounted for vertical movement above the lower body; a mold installed in the lower body and arranged to face the second area; a punching hole formed by passing through the die and comprising a first punching hole, a second punching hole, and a third punching hole sequentially arranged in the first direction; as well as A punch head is installed in the upper body, inserted into the punch hole as the upper body moves downward, and configured to cut the second area.

2. The groove forming device for a secondary battery according to claim 1, wherein the mold comprises: a mold body fixed to the lower body; a first extension extending from the mold body and comprising a first surface; a second extension portion extending from the mold body and including a second surface, the second surface being arranged to face the first surface in the first direction; a first lug support disposed between the first extension portion and the second extension portion; as well as A second lug supporter is disposed between the first extension portion and the second extension portion and is spaced apart from the first lug supporter in the first direction. 3 . The notching device for a secondary battery according to claim 2 , wherein widths of the first tab supporter and the second tab supporter parallel to the first direction are the same.

4. The groove opening device for a secondary battery according to claim 2, wherein: The longitudinal directions of the first extension portion, the second extension portion, the first lug support member, and the second lug support member extend in a second direction intersecting the first direction; as well as Lengths of the first and second lug supports parallel to the second direction are smaller than lengths of the first and second extensions parallel to the second direction.

5. The groove opening device for a secondary battery according to claim 2, wherein: The first punching hole is arranged between the first extension portion and the first terminal block support; The second punching hole is arranged between the first lug support and the second lug support; and The third punching hole is arranged between the second tab support and the second extension portion.

6. The groove opening device for a secondary battery according to claim 5, wherein: The longitudinal directions of the first punching hole, the second punching hole and the third punching hole are arranged parallel to a second direction intersecting the first direction; and A length of the first punching hole parallel to the second direction is smaller than a length of the third punching hole parallel to the second direction. 7 . The notching device for a secondary battery according to claim 6 , wherein a width of the third punching hole parallel to the first direction is greater than a width of the first punching hole parallel to the first direction. 8 . The notching device for a secondary battery according to claim 6 , wherein the upper body moves downward after the electrode plate is transferred as much as a set distance in the first direction. 9 . The notching device for a secondary battery according to claim 8 , wherein the set distance is smaller than a maximum gap between the first punching hole and the third punching hole.

10. The groove opening device for a secondary battery according to claim 9, wherein: One surface of the first punch hole contacts the first surface, and one surface of the third punch hole contacts the second surface; as well as The set distance is smaller than a gap between the first surface and the second surface.

11. The groove forming device for a secondary battery according to claim 10, wherein: The second tab support is arranged to face the second surface in the first direction and includes a third surface in contact with another surface of the third punch hole; and The set distance is greater than a gap between the first surface and the third surface. 12 . The notching device for a secondary battery according to claim 6 , wherein the punching hole further comprises a notching hole extending from the third punching hole in a direction parallel to the second direction. 13 . The notching device for a secondary battery according to claim 12 , wherein one surface of the notched hole contacts the second surface. 14 . The notching device for a secondary battery according to claim 12 , wherein a width of the notched hole in the first direction is formed to be narrowed in the second direction.

15. The groove forming device for a secondary battery according to claim 1, wherein: The electrode plate further includes a third region which is not coated with the active material and is arranged on a side opposite to the second region; as well as The slotting device further includes: a sub-die installed in the lower body and arranged to face the third area; a sub-punching hole formed by penetrating the sub-die; and a sub-punching head installed in the upper body, inserted into the sub-punching hole when the upper body moves downward, and configured to cut the third area.

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