Membrane holding device, and method and system for manufacturing electrode assembly using the same

Abstract

The invention provides a diaphragm clamping device and a method and a system for manufacturing an electrode assembly by using the same. The diaphragm clamping device comprises a main body part, a first diaphragm fixing part and a second diaphragm fixing part, the main body part comprises a vacuum channel, the vacuum channel is connected to the vacuum device, and the first diaphragm fixing part is arranged on the upper surface of the main body part; a first diaphragm fixing portion connected to the vacuum channel and configured to fix a diaphragm to an upper surface of the main body portion by vacuum suction, and a second diaphragm fixing portion on a side surface of the main body portion, the second diaphragm fixing portion connected to the vacuum channel, and is configured to fix the diaphragm to a side surface of the main body portion by vacuum suction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a separator clamping device, and a method and system for manufacturing an electrode assembly for a rechargeable battery using the same. Background Art

[0002] Unlike primary batteries, which are not designed to be (re)charged, secondary (or rechargeable) batteries are batteries designed to be discharged and recharged. Low-capacity secondary batteries are used in portable small electronic devices such as smartphones, feature phones, laptops, digital cameras, and camcorders, while large-capacity secondary batteries are widely used as power sources for driving motors in hybrid and electric vehicles and for storing electricity (e.g., home and / or utility-scale electricity storage).

[0003] A secondary battery generally includes an electrode assembly consisting of a positive electrode and a negative electrode, a housing for accommodating the electrode assembly, and an electrode terminal connected to the electrode assembly. In addition, the electrode assembly may include a separator between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The separator electrically insulates the positive electrode from the negative electrode while separating the positive electrode from the negative electrode.

[0004] The above information disclosed in this Background section is for enhancement of understanding of the background of the present disclosure and therefore it may contain information that does not constitute related (or prior) art. Summary of the invention

[0005] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a diaphragm clamping device includes a main body portion having a vacuum channel connected to a vacuum providing device, a first diaphragm fixing portion connected to the vacuum channel and fixing the diaphragm to the upper surface of the main body portion by a vacuum suction method, and a second diaphragm fixing portion connected to the vacuum channel and fixing the diaphragm to the side surface of the main body portion by a vacuum suction method.

[0006] According to one embodiment, the first diaphragm fixing portion may include at least one first vacuum suction hole, and the second diaphragm fixing portion may include at least one second vacuum suction hole.

[0007] According to one embodiment, the number of the at least one first vacuum suction hole may be equal to the number of the at least one second vacuum suction hole.

[0008] According to one embodiment, the diameter of the second vacuum suction holes may be 1 mm, and the pitch of the second vacuum suction holes may be 12 mm.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the diameter of the second vacuum suction holes may be 1 mm, and the pitch of the second vacuum suction holes may be 25 mm.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the number of the at least one second vacuum suction hole may be determined based on the size of the diaphragm.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the second diaphragm fixing portion may protrude from a side surface of the body portion, the side surface of the body portion being perpendicular to an upper surface of the body portion.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the diaphragm holding device may further include at least one connecting portion formed to connect the main body portion to the vacuum providing device.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly for a rechargeable battery includes: fixing at least a portion of a diaphragm to an upper surface of a diaphragm clamping device by a first diaphragm fixing portion, fixing a first surface of a cut end of the diaphragm to a side surface of the diaphragm clamping device by a second diaphragm fixing portion, moving and arranging the diaphragm clamping device so that the second surface of the cut end of the diaphragm contacts a side surface of a stacking table, and stacking electrode plates and diaphragms on the upper side of the stacking table.

[0014] According to one embodiment, fixing the first surface of the cut end of the diaphragm by the second diaphragm fixing part may include: clamping the electrode assembly manufactured on the upper side of the stacking table by a clamp, cutting the portion of the diaphragm between the electrode assembly and the diaphragm clamping device by a cutter so that the cut end of the diaphragm is defined and separated from the electrode assembly, discharging the electrode assembly from the stacking table, and fixing the first surface of the cut end of the diaphragm to the second diaphragm fixing part by a pusher by pressurizing the cut end of the diaphragm.

[0015] According to one embodiment, stacking the electrode plates and the diaphragm on the upper side of the stacking table may include stacking the electrode plates and the diaphragm on the upper side of the stacking table while the cut end of the diaphragm is fixed between the diaphragm clamping device and the side surface of the stacking table, and the diaphragm clamping device moves laterally together with the side surface of the stacking table.

[0016] According to one embodiment, each of the first diaphragm fixing portion and the second diaphragm fixing portion may fix the diaphragm by a vacuum suction method.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the first diaphragm fixing portion may include at least one first vacuum suction hole, the second diaphragm fixing portion may include at least one second vacuum suction hole, and the number of the at least one first vacuum suction hole is equal to the number of the at least one second vacuum suction hole.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the method may further include moving and arranging the diaphragm clamping device to be separated from the stacking stage in a state in which the electrode plates are completely stacked on an upper side of the stacking stage.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a system for manufacturing an electrode assembly for a rechargeable battery includes a stacking table and a diaphragm clamping device, the stacking table is configured to stack electrode plates and diaphragms, the stacking table is movable in a vertical direction, the diaphragm clamping device is adjacent to a side surface of the stacking table and is movable in a horizontal direction, and the diaphragm clamping device is configured to fix an end of the diaphragm.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the diaphragm clamping device may include a first diaphragm fixing portion on the upper surface of the diaphragm clamping device and a second diaphragm fixing portion on the side surface of the diaphragm clamping device, the first diaphragm fixing portion being configured to fix the diaphragm to the upper surface of the diaphragm clamping device by vacuum suction, and the second diaphragm fixing portion being configured to fix the diaphragm to the side surface of the diaphragm clamping device by vacuum suction.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the diaphragm clamping device may include a vacuum channel connected to the vacuum providing device, and each of the first diaphragm fixing portion and the second diaphragm fixing portion may include at least one vacuum suction hole connected to the vacuum channel.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the system may further include: a clamp configured to clamp an electrode assembly made by stacking electrode plates and separators on an upper side of a stacking table; a cutter configured to cut the separator; and a pusher configured to press downward an end of the separator cut by the cutter.

[0023] According to one embodiment, at least a portion of the separator connected to the electrode assembly clamped by the clamp may be fixed to the separator clamping device by a first separator fixing portion.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the end of the diaphragm pressurized by the pusher may be fixed to the diaphragm clamping device by the second diaphragm fixing portion.

[0025] These and other aspects and features of the present disclosure will be described in the following description of the embodiments of the present disclosure or will be apparent from the following description of the embodiments of the present disclosure. However, the aspects and features of the present disclosure are not limited to those described above, and those skilled in the art will clearly understand other aspects and features not mentioned from the detailed description described below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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

[0027] Figure 1 shows a perspective view showing a diaphragm clamping device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0028] Figure 2 shows a plan view showing a diaphragm clamping device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0029] Figure 3 shows a side view showing a diaphragm clamping device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0030] Figure 4 A flowchart showing an example of a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly using a diaphragm clamping device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0031] Figure 5 A schematic diagram showing an example of an electrode assembly manufacturing system using a diaphragm clamping device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0032] Figure 6 A schematic diagram showing an example of an electrode assembly manufactured on an upper side of a stacking table by being clamped by a jig according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0033] Figure 7 A schematic diagram showing an example of cutting a separator connected between an electrode assembly and a separator clamping device by a cutter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0034] Figure 8 A schematic diagram showing an example in which an end of a diaphragm cut by a pusher is pressurized and fixed to a diaphragm clamping device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0035] Fig. 9 shows a schematic diagram showing an example of a stacked electrode assembly being discharged from a stacking station according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0036] Fig.10 A schematic diagram showing an example in which a diaphragm clamping device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is moved to be arranged on a side surface of a stacking table is shown;

[0037] Fig.11 A schematic diagram showing an example in which the diaphragm clamping device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure moves in a horizontal direction together with the stacking table is shown; and

[0038] Fig.12 A schematic diagram showing an example in which an electrode plate and a separator are stacked on an upper side of a stacking stage according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in 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 ordinary meaning or dictionary meaning, and 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 concept of the term to interpret his / her invention in the best manner.

[0040] The embodiments described in this specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are only some embodiments of the present disclosure and do not represent all technical ideas, aspects and features of the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be understood that various equivalents and modifications of the embodiments described herein may be present when the present application is filed and may be substituted or modified.

[0041] It should be understood that when a layer or element is referred to as being "between" two layers, it can be the only layer between the two layers, or one or more intervening layers may also be present. It should be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being "on," "connected to," or "bonded to" another element or layer, it can be directly on, directly connected to, or bonded to, another element or layer, or one or more intervening elements or layers may also be present. When an element or layer is referred to as being "directly on," "directly connected to," or "directly bonded to," another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers. For example, when a first element is described as being "bonded to" or "connected to" a second element, the first element may be directly bonded to or connected to the second element, or the first element may be indirectly bonded to or connected to the second element via one or more intervening elements.

[0042] In the accompanying drawings, for clarity, the sizes of various elements, layers, etc. may be exaggerated. The same reference numerals represent the same 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". Expressions such as "at least one of ... " and "any one of ... " modify the entire element list when they are before the element list, without 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 of the group selected from 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 would recognize.

[0043] It should be understood that although the terms first, second, third, etc. can be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and / or parts, these elements, components, regions, layers and / or parts should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish an element, component, region, layer or part from another element, component, region, layer or part. Therefore, without departing from the teaching of the example embodiments, the first element, component, region, layer or part discussed below can be referred to as the second element, component, region, layer or part.

[0044] For ease of description, spatial relative terms such as "below", "below", "lower", "above", "upper", etc. may be used herein to describe the relationship between one element or feature as shown in the figure and another one or more elements or features. It should be understood that in addition to the orientation shown in the figure, the spatial relative terms are intended to cover different orientations of the device in use or operation. For example, if the device in the accompanying drawings is turned over, the elements described as "below" or "below" other elements or features will be oriented as "above" or "on" other elements or features. Therefore, the term "below" can cover both orientations of above and below. The device can be oriented in other ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatial relative descriptors used herein should be interpreted accordingly.

[0045] 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 "a" and "an" are intended to also include plural forms, unless the context clearly states otherwise. It will be further understood that when used in this specification, the terms "includes", "including", "comprises" and / or "comprising" specify the presence of the features, integers, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and / or groups thereof.

[0046] In addition, any numerical range disclosed and / or listed herein is intended to include all sub-ranges of the same numerical precision included in the listed range. For example, the range of "1.0 to 10.0" is intended to include all sub-ranges between the minimum value 1.0 and the maximum value 10.0 (and including endpoints), that is, with a minimum value equal to or greater than 1.0 and a maximum value equal to or less than 10.0, such as 2.4 to 7.6. Any maximum numerical limit described herein is intended to include all lower numerical limits included therein, and any minimum numerical limit described in this specification is intended to include all higher numerical limits included therein. Therefore, the applicant reserves the right to modify this specification (including claims) to explicitly describe any sub-ranges included in the scope explicitly described herein. All such ranges are intended to be inherently described in this specification.

[0047] 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 (e.g., 5% or less). In addition, when a parameter is referred to as being uniform in a given area, it may mean that it is uniform in terms of average value.

[0048] Throughout the specification, unless otherwise specified, each element may be in the singular or in the plural.

[0049] Arranging an arbitrary element "above (or below)" or "on (under) another element" may mean that the arbitrary element may be arranged to be in contact with the upper (or lower) surface of the element, and another element may also be inserted between the element and any element disposed on (or under) the element.

[0050] In addition, it should be understood that when a component is referred to as being “linked,” “coupled” or “connected” to another component, the components may be directly “coupled,” “linked” or “connected” to each other or another component may be “interposed” between the components.

[0051] Throughout the specification, unless otherwise specified, 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. When "C to D" is stated, unless otherwise specified, it means C or greater and D or less.

[0052] In a stacked battery or a method / system for manufacturing a stacked battery according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, one of a stacked battery or a wound battery is selected, and the selected battery is described as having a general structure, and generally applied techniques describe the general structure of a stacked / wound type battery.

[0053] In the present disclosure, an "electrode assembly" may be formed or manufactured by winding or stacking a stack of a positive electrode plate, a separator, and a negative electrode plate formed into a thin plate or film shape. In some embodiments, the positive electrode plate may be formed by applying a positive electrode active material (e.g., graphite or carbon) to a positive electrode electron collector formed of a metal foil (such as aluminum). In addition, the negative electrode plate may be formed by applying a negative electrode active material (such as a transition metal oxide) to a negative electrode electron collector formed of a metal foil (such as copper or nickel).

[0054] In the present disclosure, "separator" may refer to an intermediate film that separates a positive electrode from a negative electrode in a battery and continuously maintains ionic conductivity, thereby enabling the battery to be charged and discharged. In addition, the separator may be made of, for example, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, or a multilayer film of two or more layers thereof, but is not limited thereto.

[0055] Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 1 and 2 respectively show a perspective view, a plan view, and a side view showing a diaphragm clamping device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figures 1 to 3 The diaphragm clamping device 100 may include a main body portion 110 , a first diaphragm fixing portion 120 , a second diaphragm fixing portion 130 and a connecting portion 140 .

[0056] In one embodiment, the body portion 110 may include a vacuum channel 150 including at least one outlet connected to a vacuum providing device 151 (eg, a vacuum device) and at least one connecting channel connected to the first diaphragm fixing portion 120 and / or the second diaphragm fixing portion 130. Figure 2 As shown, the vacuum channel 150 (indicated by the dotted line) can have an approximate "angled C" shape depending on the position of the vacuum providing device 151 and the first diaphragm fixing portion 120 and the second diaphragm fixing portion 130 connected to at least one outlet (for example, connected to each of a plurality of outlets).

[0057] For example, Figure 2 As shown, the vacuum channel 150 may be within the body portion 110 (e.g., completely within the body portion 110), and may extend (e.g., continuously) along the entire length of the body portion 110 (e.g., in the X direction). An outlet (e.g., a doorway) of the vacuum channel 150 may be formed on each of the left and right sides of one side surface of the body portion 110 (e.g., one side surface facing the surface on which the second diaphragm fixing portion 130 is formed). Here, the left and right outlets of the vacuum channel 150 may be formed axially symmetrically (e.g., relative to the central axis of the body portion 110 along the Y axis). In addition, the vacuum channel 150 may be formed to be introduced into the body portion 110 from the outlet in a first direction (e.g., in the Y-axis direction). In addition, the vacuum channel 150 may include a connecting channel that bends and extends in a second direction (e.g., in the X-axis direction) from the outlet in the body portion 110 in an "L" shape (e.g., as viewed in a top view). In this manner, the vacuum channel 150 including the outlet and the connecting channel can be substantially axisymmetrically formed in the body portion 110. In another example, the shape of the vacuum channel 150 can be modified in any suitable manner and / or shape to provide vacuum to the first diaphragm fixing portion 120 and the second diaphragm fixing portion 130.

[0058] like Figure 1-3 As shown, the first diaphragm fixing portion 120 may be formed on the upper surface of the body portion 110 and may be connected to at least a portion of the vacuum channel 150. Figures 4 to 12 As described above, the first diaphragm fixing portion 120 can fix the diaphragm on the upper surface of the main body portion 110 to the main body portion 110 by a vacuum suction method. For example, the first diaphragm fixing portion 120 may include at least one first vacuum suction hole 122. The at least one first vacuum suction hole 122 may penetrate the upper surface of the main body portion 110 to be connected to at least a portion of the vacuum channel 150 (for example, the at least one first vacuum suction hole 122 may be in fluid communication with the connection channel of the vacuum channel 150). Therefore, at least a portion of the diaphragm located in the at least one first vacuum suction hole 122 or in contact with the at least one first vacuum suction hole 122 may be fixed to the upper surface of the main body portion 110 by the vacuum suction force provided by the vacuum channel 150.

[0059] like Figure 1-3 As further shown in FIG. 1 , the second diaphragm fixing portion 130 may be formed on a side surface of the body portion 110 to connect to at least a portion of the vacuum channel 150 (e.g., the second diaphragm fixing portion 130 may be formed on a surface of the body portion 110 that is perpendicular or orthogonal to a surface of the body portion 110 that supports the first diaphragm fixing portion 120). For example, Figure 1As shown, the second diaphragm fixing portion 130 can be configured to protrude from the side surface of the main body portion 110 to effectively adsorb and / or separate at least a portion of the diaphragm (e.g., the end of the diaphragm). In another example, the second diaphragm fixing portion 130 can be formed not to protrude from the side surface of the main body portion 110. Figures 4 to 12 As described above, the second diaphragm fixing portion 130 may fix the diaphragm on the side surface of the body portion 110 by using a vacuum suction method.

[0060] For example, the second diaphragm fixing portion 130 may include at least one second vacuum suction hole 132. The at least one second vacuum suction hole 132 may penetrate the side surface of the main body portion 110 to be connected to at least a portion of the vacuum channel 150 (e.g., the at least one second vacuum suction hole 132 may be in fluid communication with the connection channel of the vacuum channel 150). Therefore, at least a portion of the diaphragm located in or in contact with the at least one second vacuum suction hole 132 (e.g., an end portion of the diaphragm) may be fixed to the side surface of the main body portion 110 by the vacuum suction force provided by the vacuum channel 150.

[0061] In an embodiment, the number of the first vacuum suction holes 122 included in the first diaphragm fixing portion 120 may be equal to the number of the second vacuum suction holes 132 included in the second diaphragm fixing portion 130. Therefore, the vacuum suction forces respectively provided by the first diaphragm fixing portion 120 and the second diaphragm fixing portion 130 may remain substantially the same as each other (e.g., may be equal to each other).

[0062] In an embodiment, the number of the first vacuum suction holes 122 and / or the number of the second vacuum suction holes 132 may be determined based on the size, thickness, material, etc. of the diaphragm to be adsorbed. For example, as the size (e.g., length) of the diaphragm increases, the number of the first vacuum suction holes 122 and / or the number of the second vacuum suction holes 132 may increase within a range that does not leave suction marks on the diaphragm. In another example, as the thickness of the diaphragm increases, the number of the first vacuum suction holes 122 and / or the number of the second vacuum suction holes 132 may increase within a range that does not leave suction marks on the diaphragm. In another embodiment, the size of the first vacuum suction holes 122 and / or the size of the second vacuum suction holes 132 may be changed according to the size, thickness, material, etc. of the diaphragm to be adsorbed. In yet another embodiment, the arrangement of the first vacuum suction holes 122 and / or the arrangement of the second vacuum suction holes 132 may also be changed according to the size, thickness, material, etc. of the diaphragm to be adsorbed. For example, referring to Figure 1, the first vacuum suction holes 122 may be arranged in a row, and the second vacuum suction holes 132 may be arranged in a row. In another example, the first vacuum suction holes 122 and / or the second vacuum suction holes 132 may be arranged in two or more rows according to various characteristics of the diaphragm to be adsorbed. In this way, the first diaphragm fixing portion 120 and / or the second diaphragm fixing portion 130 may also be changed in size (e.g., length, width, and / or area) according to changes in the arrangement form or range of the first vacuum suction holes 122 and / or the second vacuum suction holes 132.

[0063] In an embodiment, the spacing between at least two adjacent holes among the first vacuum suction holes 122 may be set equal to the spacing between at least two adjacent holes among the second vacuum suction holes 132. Therefore, the vacuum suction forces provided by the first diaphragm fixing portion 120 and the second diaphragm fixing portion 130, respectively, may remain substantially the same as each other.

[0064] In an embodiment, the spacing between at least two adjacent first vacuum suction holes 122 and / or the spacing between at least two adjacent second vacuum suction holes 132 may be determined based on the size, thickness, material, etc. of the diaphragm to be adsorbed. For example, as the size of the diaphragm increases, the spacing between at least two adjacent first vacuum suction holes 122 and / or the spacing between at least two adjacent second vacuum suction holes 132 may be set to decrease within a range that does not leave suction marks on the diaphragm. In another example, as the thickness of the diaphragm increases, the spacing between at least two adjacent first vacuum suction holes 122 and / or the spacing between at least two adjacent second vacuum suction holes 132 may be set to decrease within a range that does not leave suction marks on the diaphragm. Therefore, the first diaphragm fixing portion 120 and / or the second diaphragm fixing portion 130 may also change in size. For example, referring to Figure 1 , the intervals between adjacent vacuum suction holes in the first vacuum suction holes 122 may be constant, and the intervals between adjacent vacuum suction holes in the second vacuum suction holes 132 may be constant.

[0065] In an embodiment, the size of the first vacuum suction hole 122 and / or the size of the second vacuum suction hole 132 or the spacing (e.g., pitch) between at least two adjacent holes may be determined based on the size, material, etc. of the diaphragm to be adsorbed. For example, in order to provide an appropriate vacuum suction force to the diaphragm, the diameter of the first vacuum suction hole 122 and / or the diameter of the second vacuum suction hole 132 may be set to about 1 mm, and the spacing or pitch between at least two adjacent first vacuum suction holes 122 and / or second vacuum suction holes 132 may be set to about 12 mm to about 25 mm. The size or spacing of the first vacuum suction hole 122 and the second vacuum suction hole 132 may be changed according to various characteristics of the suction target, the strength of the vacuum suction force to be provided, etc.

[0066] In an embodiment, the connection portion 140 may connect the body portion 110 to the vacuum providing device 151. For example, the connection portion 140 may include one or more connection portions 140_1, 140_2, and 140_3, in which screw holes or the like are formed to fasten or connect the body portion 110 to the vacuum providing device 151 by using screws or the like. Here, the one or more connection portions 140_1, 140_2, and 140_3 may be formed axially symmetrically to maintain consistency or balance of close contact of the bonding surfaces of the body portion 110 and the vacuum providing device 151. For example, as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the connection portion 140 may include three connection portions (ie, first to third connection portions 140_1, 140_2, and 140_3). In another example, the connection portion 140 may include less than three connection portions or more than three connection portions.

[0067] For example, Figure 3 As shown, some portions of the upper surface of the body portion 110 connected to the vacuum providing device 151 may be inclined downward. In another example, the upper surface of the body portion 110 may be formed to be completely flat, so that the body portion 110 may have a substantially rectangular shape.

[0068] As described above, the diaphragm clamping device 100 uses the vacuum suction force provided by the first diaphragm fixing part 120 and the second diaphragm fixing part 130, which are connected to the vacuum providing device 151 through the vacuum channel 150, so that the diaphragm can be fixed to the diaphragm clamping device 100 without sliding during the process of manufacturing the electrode assembly. In addition, by adjusting the size, number, spacing, etc. of the first vacuum suction holes 122 and the second vacuum suction holes 132 respectively formed in the first diaphragm fixing part 120 and the second diaphragm fixing part 130 of the diaphragm clamping device 100, diaphragms with various characteristics can be fixed without leaving suction marks. Therefore, the diaphragm can be prevented from being misaligned during the process of manufacturing the electrode assembly.

[0069] Figure 4 A flow chart showing an example of a method 400 of manufacturing an electrode assembly using a separator clamping device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an electrode assembly manufacturing system using a diaphragm clamping device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figures 6 to 12 A schematic diagram showing an example of the operations of an electrode assembly manufacturing method 400 is shown.

[0070] In an embodiment, reference Figure 5 , the electrode assembly manufacturing system may include a diaphragm clamping device 510, a stacking table 520, a roller 540 for moving a diaphragm 530, a clamp 550, a cutter 560, and a pusher 570. Here, the diaphragm clamping device 510 may be the above reference Figures 1 to 3 The diaphragm clamping device 100 is described.

[0071] Typically, the electrode assembly can be formed by winding or stacking a stack of positive electrode plates, separators, and negative electrode plates in the shape of a thin plate or film. In some embodiments, the positive electrode plate can be formed by applying a positive electrode active material (such as graphite or carbon) to a positive electrode electron collector formed by a metal foil (such as aluminum). In addition, the negative electrode plate can be formed by applying a negative electrode active material (such as a transition metal oxide) to a negative electrode electron collector formed by a metal foil (such as copper or nickel). In addition, the separator can be located between the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate to prevent electrical short circuits and to move transition metal ions, and can be composed of, for example, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, or a multilayer film of two or more layers thereof.

[0072] refer to Figure 5, the electrode assembly 580 may be formed by stacking electrode plates 582 (e.g., positive electrode plates and negative electrode plates) and separators 530 on a stacking stage 520. For example, the positive electrode plates and the negative electrode plates may be stacked on separate stages separated on the left and right sides around the stacking stage 520, and when the stacking stage 520 moves laterally, the separator 530 supplied from the upper direction may be folded in a Z-shape. In some embodiments, the positive electrode plates and the negative electrode plates may be sequentially supplied to the upper portion of the stacking stage 520 from each separate stage installed on both sides of the supplied separator 530, and the positive electrode plates and the negative electrode plates may be alternately stacked in the inner space of the separator 530 folded in a Z-shape.

[0073] In addition, the stacking stage 520 can be moved in the up, down, left and right directions, and the height of the electrode assembly 580 stack can be adjusted to be the same as the position where the separator 530 is folded. For example, as the stacking of the electrode assembly 580 proceeds, the stacking stage 520 can be moved downward, and thus, the height of the electrode assembly 580 stack can be adjusted to be the same as the position where the separator 530 is folded.

[0074] By using Figure 5 The electrode assembly manufacturing system shown in the figure can be executed as described in detail below including Figure 4 The electrode assembly manufacturing method 400 is shown with operations S410 to S470.

[0075] The electrode assembly manufacturing method 400 may start at operation S410 of fixing at least a portion of the diaphragm connected to the end of the diaphragm by using a first diaphragm fixing portion (eg, fixing at least a portion of an edge of the diaphragm to the first diaphragm fixing portion). Figure 5 , at least a portion of the diaphragm 530 connected to the end of the diaphragm 530 (e.g., the edge of the diaphragm 530) may be fixed by a first diaphragm fixing portion 512 formed on the upper surface of the diaphragm clamping device 510. Here, the first diaphragm fixing portion 512 may include at least one first vacuum suction hole (e.g., the first diaphragm fixing portion 512 may be the first vacuum suction hole previously described). Figures 1 to 3 In addition, the first diaphragm fixing portion 512 can fix the diaphragm 530 by a vacuum suction method through the first vacuum suction hole using a vacuum provided from a vacuum providing device. For example, referring to Figure 5 , the upper surface of the diaphragm clamping device 510 can be positioned parallel to the upper surface of the stacking table 520, so that the edge of the diaphragm 530 connected to the first diaphragm fixing part 512 (which is on the upper surface of the diaphragm clamping device 510) can extend parallel to the upper surface of the stacking table 520 and the upper surface of the diaphragm clamping device 510.

[0076] The electrode assembly 580 manufactured on the upper side of the stacking stage 520 may be clamped by the clamp 550 (S420). Figure 6 , the electrode assembly 580 manufactured on the upper side of the stacking table 520 can be clamped by the clamp 550. In some embodiments, the clamp 550 can be moved laterally (along the Figure 6 520) to approach the electrode assembly 580 from the outside of the stacking table 520. In addition, in a state where the electrode assembly 580 is located between the upper and lower jaws of the clamp 550, the electrode assembly 580 can be fixed when the upper and lower jaws of the clamp 550 clamp the upper and lower surfaces of the electrode assembly 580. The side surfaces of the upper and lower jaws of the clamp 550 are vertically enlarged to Figures 5 to 9 550, but the upper and lower jaws of the clamp 550 may have Figures 5 to 9 The smaller thickness shown in .

[0077] Next, the diaphragm between the electrode assembly and the diaphragm clamping device may be cut by a cutter (S430). Figure 7 , the portion of the diaphragm 530 between the electrode assembly 580 and the diaphragm clamping device 510 can be cut by the cutter 560. That is, both sides of the diaphragm 530 to be cut can be fixed by the clamp 550 and the first diaphragm fixing portion 512 of the diaphragm clamping device 510, the clamp 550 clamps the electrode assembly 580 (for example, where the Z-shaped diaphragm 530 surrounds the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate), and the first diaphragm fixing portion 512 of the diaphragm clamping device 510 holds the portion of the diaphragm 530 that extends beyond the Z-shaped diaphragm 530 in the electrode assembly 580). Therefore, the tension of the portion of the diaphragm 530 between the electrode assembly 580 and the diaphragm clamping device 510 can be maintained. In a state where the tension of the diaphragm 530 is maintained in this manner, the cutter 560 can be vertically lowered to approach the diaphragm 530 at a position between the stacking table 520 and the diaphragm clamping device 510, and cut the diaphragm 530.

[0078] After operation S430, the electrode assembly 580 may be discharged from the stacking stage 520 (S440). Figure 8 and Fig. 9 , the electrode assembly 580 can be discharged from the stacking stage 520. To this end, the stacking stage 520 can be moved in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction (for example, downwardly descended) to be separated from the electrode assembly 580 ( Figure 8 In addition, the clamp 550 may move to the outside of the stacking stage 520 (e.g., laterally away from the stacking stage) while clamping the electrode assembly 580 to eject (e.g., separate) the electrode assembly 580 from the stacking stage 520 ( Fig. 9 ).

[0079] While performing operation S440 or before performing operation S440, one surface of the end of the diaphragm may be fixed to the second diaphragm fixing part of the diaphragm clamping device by pressing the end of the cut diaphragm using a pusher (S450). Figure 8 , a surface of the end 532 of the cut diaphragm (e.g., Figure 8 The cut end of the diaphragm on the roller 540 on the right side of the diaphragm can be fixed to the second diaphragm fixing portion 514 of the diaphragm clamping device 510 by pressurizing (e.g., pressing) the end 532 of the cut diaphragm using the pusher 570. In some embodiments, the pusher 570 can be vertically lowered to approach the end 532 of the diaphragm at a position adjacent to the diaphragm clamping device 510 to pressurize the end 532 of the diaphragm, thereby guiding the end 532 of the diaphragm to contact the second diaphragm fixing portion 514 formed on the side surface of the diaphragm clamping device 510 (e.g., the second diaphragm fixing portion 514 can be the previously described diaphragm fixing portion 514). Figure 1-3 The second diaphragm fixing portion 130 described above).

[0080] In this manner, in a state where the end portion 532 of the diaphragm is pressurized by the pusher 570 and in contact with the second diaphragm fixing portion 514, the second diaphragm fixing portion 514 can fix the end portion 532 of the diaphragm by using a vacuum suction force. For example, the second diaphragm fixing portion 514 may include at least one second vacuum suction hole. In addition, by using the vacuum provided from the vacuum providing device, the second diaphragm fixing portion 514 can fix the end portion 532 of the diaphragm by a vacuum suction method through the second vacuum suction hole. For example, referring to Fig. 9 , the cutter 560 and the pusher 570 can be removed (eg, when the clamp 550 moves the electrode assembly 580) while the edge of the diaphragm rolling on the roller 540 is held on the surface of the diaphragm clamping device 510 by the vacuum.

[0081] In addition, the diaphragm clamping device may be moved so that the other surface of the end portion of the diaphragm contacts the side surface of the stacking table (S460). Fig.10, the diaphragm clamping device 510 may move (e.g., laterally or horizontally) so that the other surface of the end 532 of the diaphragm contacts the side surface of the stacking stage 520. For example, after the electrode assembly 580 is completely discharged from the stacking stage 520, the stacking stage 520 may rise again. In addition, the diaphragm clamping device 510 fixes the end 532 of the diaphragm to the side surface by using the second diaphragm fixing portion 514, and may move horizontally toward the stacking stage 520 in a state where the portion connected to the end 532 of the diaphragm is fixed to the upper surface by the first diaphragm fixing portion 512. Therefore, the end 532 of the diaphragm may be interposed between the stacking stage 520 and the diaphragm clamping device 510. In some embodiments, because the end 532 of the diaphragm may be fixed by the compressive force of the stacking stage 520 and the diaphragm clamping device 510, the vacuum providing device may stop providing vacuum to the diaphragm clamping device 510.

[0082] The electrode plates and the separators may be stacked on the upper side of the stacking table (S470). Fig.11 and Fig.12 , the electrode plate 584 (for example, a positive electrode plate or a negative electrode plate) and the separator 530 can be stacked on the upper side of the stacking table 520. For example, in a state where the end 532 of the separator is fixed between the stacking table 520 and the separator clamping device 510, the separator clamping device 510 can be moved laterally together with the stacking table 520, so that the separator 530 supplied by the roller 540 can be stacked on the upper side of the stacking table 520. In addition, the electrode plate 584 can be stacked on the separator 530 stacked on the upper side of the stacking table 520. Here, the separator 530 first stacked on the stacking table 520 can be fixed to the upper surface of the stacking table 520 by a vacuum suction method through the vacuum suction hole 522 of the stacking table 520. Return to reference Figure 5 After the electrode plate 584 and the separator 530 are completely stacked on the upper side of the stacking table 520 (for example, the roller 540 may move multiple times along the upper surface of the stacking table 520 to form a zigzag separator around the electrode plate 584 in the electrode assembly 580), the separator clamping device 510 may move to the outside of the stacking table 520 to be separated from the stacking table 520. For example, referring to Figure 5 , the membrane clamping device 510 can be moved laterally away from the stacking table 520 to have a space therebetween, and the end 532 of the membrane can be kept hanging along the side surface of the stacking table 520. Thereafter, the above reference Figures 5 to 12 Describe the process.

[0083] As described above, the end of the diaphragm 530 can be fixed by a vacuum suction method using the diaphragm clamping device 510, and thus, the curling of the end of the diaphragm 530 and the elongation of the diaphragm 530 that occur when the diaphragm 530 is cut can be reduced. In addition, in a state where the end of the diaphragm 530 is fixed, the diaphragm clamping device 510 moves together with the stacking stage 520 to stack the diaphragm 530 and the electrode plate 584 to manufacture the electrode assembly, and thus, the diaphragm can be prevented from being misaligned. Therefore, the position alignment distribution between the diaphragm and the electrode plate can be reduced, and thus, the quality of the electrode assembly can be improved, and defective electrode assemblies can be reduced.

[0084] By way of summary and review, due to the thin thickness and elongation of the separator, the separator may be misaligned during the process of aligning the separator. In addition, curling of the end of the separator may occur during the process of cutting the separator. Therefore, a defective electrode assembly may be manufactured due to abnormal alignment or abnormal shape of the separator, and the productivity of the electrode assembly may be reduced.

[0085] In contrast, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a diaphragm clamping device and a method and system for manufacturing an electrode assembly for a rechargeable battery using the diaphragm clamping device. That is, according to an embodiment, the diaphragm clamping device uses a vacuum suction force provided by a first diaphragm fixing portion and a second diaphragm fixing portion, and the first diaphragm fixing portion and the second diaphragm fixing portion are connected to a vacuum providing device through a vacuum channel, so that the diaphragm can be fixed to the diaphragm clamping device without sliding during the process of manufacturing the electrode assembly. In addition, by adjusting the size, number, spacing, etc. of the first vacuum suction holes and the second vacuum suction holes respectively formed in the first diaphragm fixing portion and the second diaphragm fixing portion of the diaphragm clamping device, diaphragms with various characteristics can be fixed without leaving suction marks. Therefore, the diaphragm can be prevented from being misaligned during the process of manufacturing the electrode assembly.

[0086] In addition, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the end of the diaphragm can be fixed by a vacuum suction method using a diaphragm clamping device, and thus, the curling of the end of the diaphragm and the elongation of the diaphragm that occur when the diaphragm is cut can be reduced. In addition, in a state where the end of the diaphragm is fixed, the diaphragm clamping device moves together with the stacking table to stack the diaphragm and the electrode plate to manufacture the electrode assembly, and thus, the diaphragm can be prevented from being misaligned. Therefore, the position alignment distribution between the diaphragm and the electrode plate can be reduced, and thus, the quality of the electrode assembly can be improved, and defective electrode assemblies can be reduced.

[0087] Although the present disclosure has been described above with respect to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Various modifications and changes may be made to it by those skilled in the art within the spirit of the present disclosure and the equivalent scope of the appended claims.

[0088] Example embodiments have been disclosed herein, and although specific terms are employed, they are used and interpreted in a general and descriptive sense only, and not for purposes of limitation. In some cases, as will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art when filing this application, unless otherwise specifically stated, features, characteristics, and / or elements described in conjunction with a particular embodiment may be used alone or in combination with features, characteristics, and / or elements described in conjunction with other embodiments. Therefore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A diaphragm clamping device, comprising: a main body portion including a vacuum passage, the vacuum passage being connected to a vacuum device; a first diaphragm fixing portion on the upper surface of the body portion, the first diaphragm fixing portion being connected to the vacuum channel and configured to fix a diaphragm to the upper surface of the body portion by vacuum suction; as well as A second diaphragm fixing portion is provided on the side surface of the body portion, the second diaphragm fixing portion being connected to the vacuum channel and configured to fix the diaphragm to the side surface of the body portion by vacuum suction.

2. The diaphragm clamping device according to claim 1, wherein: The first diaphragm fixing portion includes at least one first vacuum suction hole, and The second diaphragm fixing portion includes at least one second vacuum suction hole. 3 . The diaphragm clamping device according to claim 2 , wherein the number of the at least one first vacuum suction hole is equal to the number of the at least one second vacuum suction hole. 4 . The diaphragm holding device according to claim 2 , wherein a diameter of the second vacuum suction hole is 1 mm, and a pitch of the second vacuum suction hole is 12 mm. 5 . The diaphragm holding device according to claim 2 , wherein a diameter of the second vacuum suction hole is 1 mm, and a pitch of the second vacuum suction hole is 25 mm. 6 . The diaphragm holding device according to claim 2 , wherein the number of the at least one second vacuum suction hole is determined based on the size of the diaphragm.

7. The diaphragm clamping device according to claim 1, wherein the second diaphragm fixing portion protrudes from the side surface of the main body portion, and the side surface of the main body portion is perpendicular to the upper surface of the main body portion.

8. The diaphragm clamping device of claim 1, further comprising at least one connecting portion connecting the body portion to the vacuum device.

9. A method for manufacturing an electrode assembly for a rechargeable battery, the method comprising: securing at least a portion of the diaphragm to an upper surface of the diaphragm holding device via a first diaphragm securing portion; fixing a first surface of the cut end of the diaphragm to a side surface of the diaphragm clamping device via a second diaphragm fixing portion; moving and arranging the membrane clamping device so that the second surface of the cut end of the membrane contacts the side surface of the stacking table; as well as Electrode plates and the separator are stacked on the upper side of the stacking table.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein fixing the first surface of the cut end of the diaphragm by the second diaphragm fixing portion comprises: clamping the electrode assembly manufactured on the upper side of the stacking table by a clamp; cutting a portion of the diaphragm between the electrode assembly and the diaphragm clamping device by a cutter so that the cut end of the diaphragm is defined and separated from the electrode assembly; discharging the electrode assembly from the stacking station; as well as The first surface of the cut end of the diaphragm is fixed to the second diaphragm fixing portion by pressing the cut end of the diaphragm with a pusher.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein stacking the electrode plate and the separator on the upper side of the stacking stage comprises: The electrode plates and the diaphragms are stacked on the upper side of the stacking table while the cut ends of the diaphragms are fixed between the diaphragm clamping device and the side surface of the stacking table, and the diaphragm clamping device moves laterally together with the side surface of the stacking table. 12 . The method according to claim 9 , wherein each of the first diaphragm fixing portion and the second diaphragm fixing portion fixes the diaphragm by a vacuum suction method.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein: The first diaphragm fixing portion includes at least one first vacuum suction hole, The second diaphragm fixing portion includes at least one second vacuum suction hole, and The number of the at least one first vacuum suction hole is equal to the number of the at least one second vacuum suction hole. 14 . The method according to claim 9 , further comprising moving and arranging the diaphragm holding device to be separated from the stacking stage in a state in which the electrode plates are stacked on the upper side of the stacking stage.

15. A system for manufacturing an electrode assembly for a rechargeable battery, the system comprising: a stacking table configured to stack electrode plates and separators, wherein the stacking table is movable in a vertical direction; as well as A diaphragm clamping device is adjacent to a side surface of the stacking table and is movable in a horizontal direction, and is configured to fix an end portion of the diaphragm.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the diaphragm clamping device comprises: a first diaphragm fixing portion on an upper surface of the diaphragm holding device, the first diaphragm fixing portion being configured to fix the diaphragm to the upper surface of the diaphragm holding device by vacuum suction; as well as A second diaphragm fixing portion on a side surface of the diaphragm holding device is configured to fix the diaphragm to the side surface of the diaphragm holding device by vacuum suction.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein: The diaphragm clamping device includes a vacuum channel connected to a vacuum device, and Each of the first diaphragm fixing portion and the second diaphragm fixing portion includes at least one vacuum suction hole connected to the vacuum passage.

18. The system of claim 16, further comprising: a clamp configured to clamp the electrode assembly, the electrode assembly including the electrode plates and the separator stacked on an upper side of the stacking table; a cutter configured to cut the septum; as well as A pusher is configured to press downward the end of the septum cut by the cutter.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein at least a portion of the diaphragm connected to the electrode assembly clamped by the clamp is fixed to the diaphragm clamping device by the first diaphragm fixing portion.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the end of the diaphragm pressurized by the pusher is fixed to the diaphragm clamping device by the second diaphragm fixing portion.

Images