Sheet connection device and method for secondary battery

Abstract

The invention relates to a sheet connection device and method for a secondary battery. The sheet connecting device for a secondary battery includes: a first main roller on which a first sheet is wound; a second main roller on which a second sheet is wound; a first correction roller configured to wind at least a portion of the first sheet moved from the first main roller; a first sensor configured to detect a position of the first sheet moving from the first main roller to the first correction roller; a controller configured to adjust the position of the first sheet in a sheet width direction when the at least a portion of the first sheet is being wound on the first correction roller; and a connection unit configured to connect the repositioned first sheet with the second sheet.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a sheet connecting device and method for a secondary battery. Background Art

[0002] Unlike primary batteries that are not designed to be (re)chargeable, 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 smart phones, feature phones, notebook computers, digital cameras and portable cameras), while large-capacity secondary batteries are widely used as a power source for driving electric motors in hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles and for storing electricity (e.g., household and / or utility-scale electricity storage). Secondary batteries generally include an electrode assembly including a positive electrode and a negative electrode, a housing for accommodating the electrode assembly, and an electrode terminal connected to the electrode assembly.

[0003] Secondary batteries are manufactured through various processes. In order to manufacture main components of secondary batteries such as an electrode assembly, a method including continuously conveying and winding an electrode plate and a separator sheet has been widely used.

[0004] However, when the sheets supplied to the process are exhausted, when the operator supplies new sheets to the manufacturing device, the new sheets to be supplied may not match the previously supplied sheets in the sheet width direction (e.g., may not be aligned). If the sheets do not match each other in the sheet width direction, not only the quality of the secondary battery is reduced due to the shoulder line defect, but also a large number of sheets are unnecessarily consumed in the process of resolving the mismatch between the sheets, resulting in reduced manufacturing efficiency.

[0005] 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

[0006] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a sheet connection device for a secondary battery that avoids or alleviates the above-mentioned problems.

[0007] However, the technical problems to be solved by the present disclosure are not limited to the above problems, and other problems not mentioned herein and aspects and features of the present disclosure to solve these problems will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description of the present disclosure.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a sheet connecting device for a secondary battery includes: a first main roller, on which a first sheet is wound; a second main roller, on which a second sheet is wound; a first correction roller, configured to wind at least a portion of the first sheet moved from the first main roller; a first sensor, configured to detect the position of the first sheet moving from the first main roller to the first correction roller; a controller, configured to adjust the position of the first sheet in a sheet width direction when at least a portion of the first sheet is being wound on the first correction roller; and a connecting unit, configured to connect the repositioned first sheet to the second sheet.

[0009] The sheet connection device may further include a first reel on which the first main roller is mounted, and the controller may be configured to adjust the position of the first sheet by moving the first reel in the sheet width direction.

[0010] The sheet connecting device may further include a first buffer roller configured to adjust tension of the first sheet when a position of the first reel is being adjusted.

[0011] The connection unit may include a first connection unit and a second connection unit spaced apart from each other such that the first sheet and the second sheet are disposed between the first connection unit and the second connection unit and face each other.

[0012] Each of the first connection unit and the second connection unit may include an adsorption member and an adhesive member.

[0013] Each of the first connection unit and the second connection unit may further include: a fixed member; and a rotating member having a first rotating shaft and a second rotating shaft at opposite ends thereof. The rotating member may be rotatably connected to the fixed member via the first rotating shaft, and the rotating member may be rotatably connected to the adsorption member via the second rotating shaft.

[0014] The adsorption member may have an adsorption surface and an adhesion surface on which the adhesion member is adhered, and the adsorption surface and the adhesion surface may face in opposite directions with respect to the second rotation axis.

[0015] At least one of the first connection unit and the second connection unit may further include a cutting member for simultaneously cutting the first sheet and the second sheet.

[0016] The cutting line of the first sheet and the cutting line of the second sheet may be parallel to each other, the adsorption member of the first connection unit may be configured to adsorb the first sheet during the process of cutting the first sheet, and the adsorption member of the second connection unit may be configured to adsorb the second sheet during the process of cutting the second sheet.

[0017] The adhesive member of the second connection unit may connect the cut surface of the first sheet with the cut surface of the second sheet.

[0018] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a sheet connecting method includes: performing a trial run, the trial run including winding a first sheet moved from a first main roller and waiting to be used for a subsequent process on a correction roller; detecting a position of the first sheet moved from the first main roller to the correction roller by a sensor; adjusting the position of the first sheet in a sheet width direction by a controller when at least a portion of the first sheet is being wound on the correction roller; and connecting the first sheet with the adjusted position to a second sheet being supplied from a second main roller to the subsequent process by a connecting unit.

[0019] The connecting unit may include a first connecting unit and a second connecting unit, the first connecting unit and the second connecting unit being spaced apart from each other so that the first sheet and the second sheet are arranged between the first connecting unit and the second connecting unit and face each other. Connecting the first sheet to the second sheet may include: sucking a portion of the first sheet by a sucking member of the first connecting unit, and sucking a portion of the second sheet by a sucking member of the second connecting unit.

[0020] The sheet connecting method may further include bringing the portion of the first sheet into contact with the portion of the second sheet by moving the adsorption member of the first connecting unit and the adsorption member of the second connecting unit close to each other.

[0021] In the connecting the first sheet and the second sheet, the first sheet and the second sheet may be cut simultaneously by a cutting member of the connecting unit.

[0022] A cutting direction of the first sheet and the second sheet may correspond to a direction perpendicular to a contact surface between the first sheet and the second sheet.

[0023] The connecting the first sheet and the second sheet may further include collecting, by the correction roller, a portion of the cut first sheet connected to the correction roller after cutting the first sheet and the second sheet.

[0024] The connecting the first sheet with the second sheet may further include: adsorbing a portion of the cut first sheet and a portion of the cut second sheet together by the adsorption member of the first connecting unit; and connecting a cut surface of the first sheet with a cut surface of the second sheet by moving an adhesive member of the second connecting unit toward the adsorption member of the first connecting unit.

[0025] After the first sheet and the second sheet are connected, the first sheet may be supplied to the subsequent process.

[0026] The sheet connecting method may further include: arranging a third sheet waiting for the subsequent process around the second main roller; and connecting the third sheet to the first sheet.

[0027] The connecting the third sheet with the first sheet may include connecting the third sheet whose position is adjusted with the first sheet being supplied from the first main roller to the subsequent process through the connecting unit.

[0028] However, aspects and features of the present disclosure are not limited to those described above, and other aspects and features not mentioned herein will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] The following figures 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 figures:

[0030] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating a cross-sectional view of a sheet connecting device for a secondary battery according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] Figure 2 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of adjusting the position of the first sheet in the sheet width direction according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] Figure 3 FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a subsequent process of a sheet connection process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] Figure 4 A diagram illustrating a configuration of a connection unit in a sheet connection device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] Figure 5 are diagrams illustrating first to fifth operations for connecting sheets for a secondary battery to each other according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] Figure 61 and 2 are diagrams illustrating sixth to eighth operations for connecting sheets for a secondary battery to each other according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] Figure 7 2 are diagrams illustrating ninth to twelfth operations for connecting sheets for a secondary battery to each other according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] Figure 8 A flowchart is shown for describing a sheet connection method for a secondary battery according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] Fig. 9 The flowchart is for describing a slice connection method using a connection unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 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 the present specification and claims should not be construed restrictively (or restrictively) in view of their general meanings or dictionary meanings, but should be construed as having meanings consistent with the technical idea of ​​the present disclosure and embodying concepts consistent with the technical idea 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 to describe his / her invention in the best manner.

[0040] The embodiments described in this specification and the configurations shown in the figures are only some of the embodiments of the present disclosure and do not represent all technical spirits, aspects and features of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that various equivalents and modifications that can replace or modify the embodiments described in this article may be available when submitting this application.

[0041] 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 directly coupled to the other element or layer, or there may also 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 are 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 or connected to the second element, or the first element may be indirectly coupled or connected to the second element via one or more intervening elements.

[0042] In the figure, for the sake of clarity, the sizes of various elements, layers, etc. may be exaggerated. The same reference numerals indicate the same elements. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the related enumerated items. Further, "may" is used to describe the embodiments of the present disclosure in relation to "one or more embodiments of the present disclosure". Statements such as "at least one of..." and "any of..." modify the entire element list when following the element list, not the individual elements of the modified 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 indicate 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 term "use" may be considered synonymous with the term "utilize". As used herein, the terms "substantially," "approximately," and similar terms are used as terms of approximation rather than terms of degree, and are intended to account for the inherent variation in measured or calculated values ​​that would be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0043] 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 sections, these elements, components, regions, layers, and / or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, or section from another element, component, region, layer, or section. Therefore, the first element, component, region, layer, or section discussed below may be referred to as a second element, component, region, layer, or section without departing from the teachings of the exemplary embodiments.

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

[0045] The terms used in this article are for the purpose of describing the embodiments of the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. As used in this article, the singular form "a" is intended to also include the plural form, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprising" and / or "including" when used in this specification specify the presence of the described 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.

[0046] In addition, any numerical range disclosed and / or recorded in this article is intended to include all sub-ranges of the same numerical precision contained in the recorded range. For example, the range "1.0-10.0" is intended to include all sub-ranges between the recorded minimum value 1.0 and the recorded maximum value 10.0 (and including the recorded minimum value 1.0 and the recorded maximum value 10.0), that is, 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, 2.4-7.6. Any maximum numerical limit recorded in this article is intended to include all smaller numerical limits contained therein, and any minimum numerical limit recorded in this specification is intended to include all larger numerical limits contained therein. Accordingly, the applicant reserves the right to modify this specification (including claims) to explicitly record any sub-ranges contained in the range explicitly recorded in this article. All such ranges are intended to be inherently described in this specification so that modifications to explicitly record any of these sub-ranges will meet the requirements.

[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, such as 5% or less. Additionally, when a parameter is referred to as being uniform within a given region, it may mean that it is uniform with respect to an average value.

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

[0049] Arranging an arbitrary element “on (or below)” or “over (under)” another element may mean that the arbitrary element may be disposed to be in contact with the upper (or lower) surface of the element, and another element may also be interposed between the element and the arbitrary element disposed on (or under) the element.

[0050] In addition, it will 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 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 greater than or equal to C and less than or equal to D.

[0052] Figure 1 FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional view of a sheet connecting device 100 for a secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 1 , the sheet connecting device 100 may include main rollers 110, 120, reels 112, 122, sensors 132, 134, buffer rollers 142, 144, connecting units 150, 160, and correction rollers 172, 174. However, not limited thereto, the sheet connecting device 100 may further include other components, or some components of the sheet connecting device 100 may be omitted.

[0053] In the sheet connecting device 100, components corresponding to each other may be configured to perform the same role (e.g., the same function). For example, the first main roller 110 may have the same role as that of the second main roller 120; the first reel 112 may have the same role as that of the second reel 122; the first sensor 132 may have the same role as that of the second sensor 134; the first buffer roller 142 may have the same role as that of the second buffer roller 144; the first connecting unit 150 may have the same role as that of the second connecting unit 160; the first correction roller 172 may have the same role as that of the second correction roller 174. Depending on the position of the sheet waiting for a subsequent process and the position of the sheet being supplied for a subsequent process, one of the components corresponding to each other may be selectively deactivated or not used. For example, in Figure 1 In the case where the first sheet 114 waiting for a subsequent process is wound around the first main roller 110, the second sensor 134 and the second correction roller 174 may not be used.

[0054] The main rollers 110, 120 may be mounted on reels 112, 122, respectively, and sheets 114, 124 may be wound on the main rollers 110, 120, respectively. Each of the sheets 114, 124 may correspond to a sheet used in the manufacture of a secondary battery (e.g., in the manufacture of an electrode assembly for a secondary battery), such as, but not limited to, an electrode plate (e.g., a negative plate or a positive plate) or a separator. Further, the sheet connection device 100 may be used not only for manufacturing sheets for secondary batteries, but also for sheets of any type or purpose.

[0055] The first sheet 114 waiting for the subsequent process may be wound on the first main roller 110 mounted on the first reel 112, and the second sheet 124 being supplied for the subsequent process may be wound on the second main roller 120 mounted on the second reel 122. Without being limited thereto, the positional relationship between the waiting sheet and the supplied sheet may be periodically changed depending on the manufacturing process. For example, in the case where the second sheet 124 being supplied is completely used, the first sheet 114 may be used for the subsequent process. In this case, the third sheet ready to wait for the subsequent process may be wound on the second main roller 120.

[0056] The connection units 150, 160 may connect the first sheet 114 and the second sheet 124. The first connection unit 150 and the second connection unit 160 may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other such that the first sheet 114 and the second sheet 124 are disposed therebetween to face each other.

[0057] Before the second sheet 124 is fully used, the operator (or the sheet connection device 100 and some components of the sheet connection device 100) may attach or adsorb at least a portion of the first sheet 114 to the first connection unit 150 to allow the first connection unit 150 and the second connection unit 160 to perform a connection operation between the first sheet 114 and the second sheet 124. In this connection, in the case where the position of the first sheet 114 attached or adsorbed by the operator in the sheet width direction does not match the position of the second sheet 124 in the sheet width direction, misalignment between the sheets may occur in the sheet width direction (e.g., z-axis direction) when the first sheet 114 and the second sheet 124 are connected, resulting in deterioration of the quality of the secondary battery due to the shoulder line defect. Therefore, before the first sheet 114 and the second sheet 124 are connected, the position of the first sheet 114 in the sheet width direction should be pre-aligned so that the position of the first sheet 114 matches the position of the second sheet 124 in the sheet width direction.

[0058] To this end, a trial run of the subsequent process is performed, in which the first correction roller 172 can be used to wind at least a portion of the first sheet 114 moved from the first main roller 110, and the controller 170 can adjust the position of the first sheet 114 in the sheet width direction when at least a portion of the first sheet 114 is being wound on the first correction roller 172. In one embodiment, the controller 170 can adjust the position of the first sheet 114 by moving the first reel 112 on which the first main roller 110 is circumferentially mounted in the sheet width direction.

[0059] In one embodiment, the first sensor 132 may detect the position of the first sheet 114 moving from the first main roller 110 to the first correction roller 172, and the controller 170 may adjust the position of the first sheet 114 based on the position of the first sheet 114 detected by the first sensor 132. For example, information associated with the normal position of the first sheet 114 may be pre-stored in the controller 170, and the position of the first sheet 114 may be adjusted based on (or according to) the pre-stored position information of the normal position and the position information of the first sheet 114 detected by the first sensor 132.

[0060] While the position of the first reel 112 (and thus the position of the first sheet 114) is being adjusted, the first buffer roller 142 may measure and adjust the tension of the first sheet 114. For example, in the case where high tension is applied to the first sheet 114 during the position adjustment process of the first reel 112, the first buffer roller 142 may rotate in a direction such that the tension on the first sheet 114 is released to reduce the tension applied to the first sheet 114. On the other hand, in the case where low tension is applied to the first sheet 114, the first buffer roller 142 may rotate in a direction such that the tension applied to the first sheet 114 is increased. Similar to the first buffer roller 142, the second buffer roller 144 may measure and adjust the tension of the second sheet 124 while the second sheet 124 is being supplied for a subsequent process. The driving direction and / or torque of the buffer rollers 142, 144 may be determined based on the measured tension value.

[0061] After adjusting the position of the first sheet 114, the connecting units 150 and 160 may connect the repositioned first sheet 114 to the second sheet 124. Figure 5 to Figure 7 The process of connecting the first sheet 114 and the second sheet 124 to each other by the connecting units 150 and 160 is described in detail.

[0062] Figure 2 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of adjusting the position of the first sheet 114 in the sheet width direction according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 Each component in the above reference may correspond to Figure 1 Components described herein have the same reference numerals.

[0063] In order to replace the sheet used in the secondary battery manufacturing process from the second sheet 124 to the first sheet 114, the operator can adsorb or attach the first sheet 114 to the connection unit by aligning the first sheet 114 with the reference line 176. The reference line 176 may indicate the normal position of the first sheet 114 when there is no misalignment between the first sheet 114 and the second sheet 124 in the sheet width direction (e.g., z-axis direction). For example, the reference line 176 may indicate the normal position where the boundary line of the uncoated portion of the first sheet 114 where the active material is not applied is located. In one embodiment, the reference line 176 can be indicated by a laser.

[0064] However, if Figure 2 As shown in , when the first sheet 114 is adsorbed or attached beyond (or extends beyond) the reference line 176, it is desirable to align the position of the first sheet 114 and the position of the second sheet 124 in the sheet width direction to match each other before the first sheet 114 and the second sheet 124 are connected to each other.

[0065] For this purpose, when at least a portion of the first sheet 114 is wound around the first correction roller 172 to perform a test run of a subsequent process, the position of the first sheet 114 may be adjusted in the sheet width direction by the controller 170. Figure 2 , the first sheet 114 is shown to be located to the left of the normal position in the sheet width direction. Therefore, the position of the first sheet 114 can be adjusted to move to the right (e.g., +z direction) in the sheet width direction. The position of the first sheet 114 can be adjusted based on the position of the first sheet 114 detected by the first sensor 132. Accordingly, the boundary line between the coated portion (represented by the shading) and the uncoated portion of the first sheet 114 can be aligned with the reference line 176 between the coated portion and the uncoated portion (represented by the shading) of the second sheet 124.

[0066] In one embodiment, the position of the first sheet 114 can be adjusted by moving the first reel 112 in the sheet width direction. In addition, when the position of the first reel 112 is adjusted, the buffer roller can adjust the tension of the first sheet 114.

[0067] Figure 3 Schematically illustrating a subsequent process of a sheet connection process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, a sheet transferred from the sheet connection device 100 to the outside of the sheet connection device 100 may be subjected to a slitting process and a cutting process at the slitting unit 180 and the cutting unit 190, respectively.

[0068] When two sheets are connected to each other in the sheet connecting device 100 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the cutting process may be omitted for a portion of the sheet including a portion where the two sheets are connected, and the portion of the sheet may be cut in the cutting process and then collected in the collection box 192. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the secondary battery manufacturing device from being damaged by the adhesive member used when connecting the sheets.

[0069] Figure 4 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a connecting unit 210 in a sheet connecting device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 4 The connection unit 210 shown in FIG. Figure 5 to Figure 7 The configurations of the first connection unit 210 and the second connection unit 240 shown in FIG. 2 are the same configuration.

[0070] The connection unit 210 may include a fixing member 222, a roller 224, a rotating member 228, and an adsorption member 230. The roller 224 may be fixed to the fixing member 222 via a first rotating shaft 226, and the roller 224 may rotate around the first rotating shaft 226 to facilitate smooth transfer of the sheet.

[0071] The rotating member 228 may have a first rotating shaft 226 and a second rotating shaft 236 at both ends (eg, opposite ends) thereof. The rotating member 228 may be rotatably connected to the fixed member 222 via the first rotating shaft 226 and rotatably connected to the adsorption member 230 via the second rotating shaft 236.

[0072] The adsorption member 230 may have a T-shape. The adsorption member 230 may have an adsorption surface 232 and an adhesive surface 234, the sheet being adsorbed on the adsorption surface 232, and an adhesive member being provided on the adhesive surface 234 to connect the sheets to each other. The rotational position of the adsorption surface 232 and the adhesive surface 234 may be adjusted by rotating the adsorption member 230 around the second rotation axis 236. The adsorption surface 232 and the adhesive surface 234 may be arranged in opposite directions (e.g., 180 degrees apart from each other) relative to the second rotation axis 236, but are not limited thereto. For example, the adsorption surface 232 and the adhesive surface 234 may be arranged to be 90 degrees apart from each other relative to the second rotation axis 236.

[0073] Figure 4 The connection unit 210 shown in FIG. 2 is only an example, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the connection unit 210 may further include other components for connecting the sheets or some of the components may be omitted.

[0074] Figure 5 The figures are for illustrating the first to fifth operations for connecting sheets for secondary batteries to each other according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The first to fifth operations may be performed in a trial run and a positioning process. The first connecting unit 210 and the second connecting unit 240 may be used to connect the sheets for secondary batteries. The first connecting unit 210 may include a first fixing member 222, a first roller 224, a first rotating shaft 226, a first rotating member 228, a first adsorption member 230 having a first adsorption surface 232 and a first adhesive surface 234, and a second rotating shaft 236. Similarly, the second connecting unit 240 may include a second fixing member 252, a second roller 254, a third rotating shaft 256, a second rotating member 258, a second adsorption member 260 having a second adsorption surface 262 and a second adhesive surface 264, and a fourth rotating shaft 266. For the first connecting unit 210 and the second connecting unit 240, refer to the above Figure 4 For each component having the same configuration and the same function as the components described, its description will be omitted and the same reference numerals will be used to describe Figure 5 to Figure 7 Operation of the sheet connecting device.

[0075] In the first operation S510, the second sheet 284 may be transferred to the outside of the sheet connection device for subsequent processes. Figure 3 The incision unit 180 and the cutting unit 190 shown in FIG. 1 are introduced into the electrode assembly manufacturing process. In the first operation S510, the second adsorption member 260 may not adsorb the second sheet 284. When the second sheet 284 is transferred to the outside of the sheet connection device during the first operation S510, the second roller 254 may rotate around the third rotation axis 256 to facilitate the transfer of the second sheet 284.

[0076] In the second operation S520, the first rotating member 228 may rotate about the first rotating axis 226 (based on Figure 5 ) is rotated clockwise, in the third operation S530, the first adsorption member 230 may be rotated around the second rotation axis 236 so that the first adhesive surface 234 of the first adsorption member 230 faces the operator who operates the sheet connection device. By making the first adhesive surface 234 face the operator, the operator can attach the first adhesive member 272 to the first adhesive surface 234.

[0077] The first bonding member 272 may be Figure 5 to Figure 7 282 is not used in the operation described in , but may be used later in the secondary battery manufacturing process in a process of connecting the first sheet 282 to another sheet to be replaced after the use of the first sheet 282 is completed. Similarly, during the process of replacing the sheet used in the secondary battery manufacturing process with the second sheet 284, the second adhesive member 274 may be attached in advance. In other words, the second adhesive member 274 may be attached before operation S510.

[0078] In the fourth operation S540, the first adsorption member 230 may be rotated about the second rotation axis 236 so that the first adsorption surface 232 of the first adsorption member 230 faces the operator. The operator may position a portion of the first sheet 282 on the first adsorption surface 232 of the first adsorption member 230 so that the first adsorption member 230 adsorbs a portion of the first sheet 282. During the fourth operation S540, a reference line indicating a normal position of the first sheet 282 may be displayed by a laser or the like, thereby allowing the operator to align the first sheet 282 based on the reference line and position a portion of the first sheet 282 on the first adsorption member 230.

[0079] In the fifth operation S550, the first rotating member 228 may rotate around the first rotating shaft 226 (based on the first rotation axis 226) while the first adsorption member 230 adsorbs a portion of the first sheet 282. Figure 5) rotates counterclockwise. The first sheet 282 may be transferred to the correction roller 290, and at least a portion of the first sheet 282 is wound on the correction roller 290 to perform a test run of a subsequent process. During this operation, the position of the first sheet 282 may be detected by a sensor when at least a portion of the first sheet 282 is wound on the correction roller 290. Based on the detected position of the first sheet 282, the position of the first sheet 282 may be adjusted in the sheet width direction to move the first sheet 282 to a normal position (see, for example, Figure 2 Through the fifth operation S550, the misalignment between the first sheet 282 and the second sheet 284 in the sheet width direction may be resolved or corrected.

[0080] Figure 6 1 is a diagram illustrating sixth to eighth operations for connecting sheets for a secondary battery to each other according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The sixth to eighth operations may be performed in a process of cutting the sheet. Figure 5 After the position of the first sheet 282 is adjusted in the sheet width direction in the fifth operation S550 shown in FIG. Figure 6 In the sixth operation S610 shown in FIG. 1 , at least a portion of the second sheet 284 may be adsorbed onto the second adsorption surface 262 of the second adsorption member 260. At this time, the transfer of the second sheet 284 to the outside of the sheet connection device may be interrupted.

[0081] In the seventh operation S620, the adsorption member 230 of the first connection unit 210 and the adsorption member 260 of the second connection unit 240 may be close to each other so that a portion of the first sheet 282 and a portion of the second sheet 284 may contact each other. For example, one of the first connection unit 210 and the second connection unit 240 may move toward the other of the first connection unit 210 and the second connection unit 240, or the first connection unit 210 and the second connection unit 240 may move toward each other so that a portion of the first sheet 282 and a portion of the second sheet 284 may contact each other.

[0082] At least one of the first connection unit 210 and the second connection unit 240 may further include a cutting member 268. In the seventh operation S620, the cutting member 268 may simultaneously cut the first sheet 282 and the second sheet 284. The cutting direction of the first sheet 282 and the second sheet 284 may be perpendicular to the contact surface between the first sheet 282 and the second sheet 284. In addition, the cutting direction of the first sheet 282 and the second sheet 284 may be parallel to the width direction of the first sheet 282 and the second sheet 284. After the first sheet 282 and the second sheet 284 are cut, the cut portion of the first sheet 282 connected to the correction roller 290 may be wound by the correction roller 290 and collected by the operator later.

[0083] In the eighth operation S630, the adsorption member 230 of the first connection unit 210 may adsorb a portion of the cut first sheet 282 and a portion of the cut second sheet 284 together. Figure 6 As shown in FIG, the cutting line of the first sheet 282 and the cutting line of the second sheet 284 may be parallel to each other.

[0084] Figure 7 FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating ninth to twelfth operations for connecting sheets for a secondary battery to each other according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The ninth to twelfth operations may be performed during a process of combining sheets.

[0085] The ninth operation S710 corresponds to Figure 6 In the ninth operation S710, the adsorption member 230 of the first connection unit 210 may adsorb one end of the first sheet 282 excluding the portion collected by the correction roller 290 and one end of the second sheet 284 continuously connected to the portion of the second sheet 284 in use.

[0086] In the tenth operation S720, the second adsorption member 260 may be rotated around the fourth rotation axis 266 so that the second adhesive surface 264 faces one end of the first sheet 282 and one end of the second sheet 284. The second adhesive member 274 may be provided in advance on the second adhesive surface 264. For example, an adhesive material may be applied to both sides of the second adhesive member 274 so that the second adhesive member 274 may be bonded to the second adhesive surface 264. In this case, the adhesive material applied to the opposite side of the second adhesive member 274 may be configured to have a stronger adhesive force than the adhesive material applied to the side bonded to the second adhesive surface 264. This allows the second adhesive member 274 to be easily separated from the second adhesive surface 264 when the second adhesive member 274 contacts a sheet (e.g., the first sheet 284).

[0087] In the eleventh operation S730, one of the first connecting unit 210 and the second connecting unit 240 may be moved toward the other of the first connecting unit 210 and the second connecting unit 240, or the first connecting unit 210 and the second connecting unit 240 may be moved toward each other, so that one end of the first sheet 282 and one end of the second sheet 284 are bonded together using the second bonding member 274 provided on the second bonding surface 264. By approaching the adsorption member 230 of the first connecting unit 210, the second bonding member 274 may connect the cut surface of the first sheet 282 with the cut surface of the second sheet 284. In other words, the second bonding member 274 connects one end of the first sheet 282 and one end of the second sheet 284 adsorbed on the first adsorption member 230 to each other.

[0088] In the twelfth operation S740, the first connection unit 210 and / or the second connection unit 240 may be moved back to (e.g., may be returned to) their initial positions, thereby completing the sheet connection process. After the first sheet 282 and the second sheet 284 are connected, the first sheet 282 may be supplied for subsequent processes. At this time, the portion of the sheet attached to the second adhesive member 274 may be cut and collected during the subsequent process without being introduced into the incision process, etc.

[0089] Figure 5 to Figure 7 Each operation shown and described in the embodiment is only an example and may be implemented differently in other embodiments. For example, one or more operations may be omitted, or the order of operations may be changed.

[0090] Figure 8 FIG. 8 is a flowchart for describing a sheet connection method 800 for a secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The sheet connection method 800 may be performed by the sheet connection device described above.

[0091] The sheet connecting method 800 may be started when a first sheet moved from a first main roller and waiting for a subsequent process is wound on a correction roller (S810).

[0092] Next, the position of the first sheet moved from the first main roller to the first correction roller may be detected by a sensor of the sheet connecting device (S820).

[0093] Then, the controller of the sheet connecting device may adjust the position of the first sheet in the sheet width direction when at least a portion of the first sheet is being wound on the correction roller (S830). At this time, the controller may adjust the position of the first sheet by moving the first reel on which the first main roller is circumferentially mounted in the sheet width direction. When adjusting the position of the first reel, the first buffer roller may adjust the tension of the first sheet.

[0094] Then, the relocated first sheet may be connected to the second sheet being supplied from the second main roller to a subsequent process through a connecting unit (S840).

[0095] After the first sheet and the second sheet are connected, the first sheet can be supplied to a subsequent process. After the first sheet is used, a third sheet waiting to be used in a subsequent process can be placed on the second main roller and wound on the second main roller. Further, the third sheet whose position is adjusted can be connected to the first sheet being supplied from the first main roller to a subsequent process through a connecting unit.

[0096] Fig. 9 FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a slice connection method 900 using a connection unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The slice connection method 900 may be described as follows: Figure 8The details of operation S840 are described below. The sheet connection method 900 can be performed by the above-mentioned sheet connection device (or the connection unit of the sheet connection device). The connection unit of the sheet connection device may include a first connection unit and a second connection unit, and the first connection unit and the second connection unit are arranged to be spaced apart from each other and the first sheet and the second sheet facing each other are interposed therebetween. Each of the first connection unit and the second connection unit may include a fixed member and a rotating member, and the rotating member has a first rotation axis and a second rotation axis at both ends thereof. The rotating member is rotatably connected to the fixed member via the first rotation axis, and the rotating member is also rotatably connected to the adsorption member via the second rotation axis.

[0097] The sheet connection method 900 may be started by moving the adsorption members of the first connection unit and the second connection unit close to each other so that a portion of the first sheet and a portion of the second sheet contact each other ( S910 ).

[0098] Then, the cutting member of the connection unit may simultaneously (or synchronously) cut the first sheet and the second sheet (S920). The cutting direction of the first sheet and the second sheet may correspond to a direction perpendicular to the contact surface between the first sheet and the second sheet, and the cutting line of the first sheet and the cutting line of the second sheet may be parallel to each other. In addition, the cutting direction of the first sheet and the second sheet may be parallel to the width direction of the first sheet and the second sheet.

[0099] After the first sheet and the second sheet are cut (eg, cut off or removed), a portion of the cut first sheet connected to the correction roller may be collected by the correction roller (S930).

[0100] Thereafter, the suction member of the first connecting unit may suction a portion of the cut first sheet and a portion of the cut second sheet together ( S940 ).

[0101] Next, the adhesive member of the second connection unit approaches the adsorption member of the first connection unit, and the cut surface of the first sheet and the cut surface of the second sheet may be connected to each other (S950).

[0102] Figure 8 and Fig. 9 The flowcharts and descriptions provided in the present invention are merely examples and may be implemented differently in some embodiments. For example, one or more operations may be omitted, the order of operations may be changed, one or more operations may be performed in a nested manner, or one or more operations may be performed multiple times.

[0103] Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to the embodiments and the drawings illustrating aspects thereof, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. A person skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains may make various modifications and changes within the scope of the technical spirit of the present disclosure and claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A sheet connection device for a secondary battery, comprising: a first main roller on which the first sheet is wound; a second main roller on which the second sheet is wound; a first correction roller configured to wind up at least a portion of the first sheet moved from the first main roller; a first sensor configured to detect a position of the first sheet moving from the first main roller to the first correction roller; a controller configured to adjust the position of the first sheet in a sheet width direction when the at least a portion of the first sheet is being wound around the first correction roller; as well as A connecting unit is configured to connect the repositioned first sheet with the second sheet.

2. The sheet connecting device according to claim 1, further comprising a first reel on which the first main roller is mounted, wherein the controller is configured to adjust the position of the first sheet by moving the first reel in the sheet width direction. 3 . The sheet connecting device according to claim 2 , further comprising a first buffer roller configured to adjust tension of the first sheet when a position of the first reel is being adjusted.

4. The sheet connecting device according to claim 1, wherein the connecting unit includes a first connecting unit and a second connecting unit, the first connecting unit and the second connecting unit are spaced apart from each other so that the first sheet and the second sheet are arranged between the first connecting unit and the second connecting unit and face each other. 5 . The sheet connecting device according to claim 4 , wherein each of the first connecting unit and the second connecting unit includes a suction member and an adhesive member.

6. The sheet connecting device according to claim 5, wherein each of the first connecting unit and the second connecting unit further comprises: Fixed components; as well as a rotating member having a first rotating axis and a second rotating axis at opposite ends thereof, wherein the rotating member is rotatably connected to the fixed member via the first rotating shaft, and The rotating member is rotatably connected to the adsorption member via the second rotating shaft.

7. The sheet connection device according to claim 6, wherein the adsorption member has an adsorption surface and an adhesive surface, the adhesive member is adhered to the adhesive surface, and wherein the adsorption surface and the adhesive surface face in opposite directions relative to the second rotation axis. 8 . The sheet connecting device according to claim 7 , wherein at least one of the first connecting unit and the second connecting unit further comprises a cutting member for simultaneously cutting the first sheet and the second sheet.

9. The sheet connection device according to claim 8, wherein the cutting line of the first sheet and the cutting line of the second sheet are parallel to each other, wherein the adsorption member of the first connecting unit is configured to adsorb the first sheet in a process of cutting the first sheet, and The suction member of the second connecting unit is configured to suction the second sheet in a process of cutting the second sheet. 10 . The sheet connecting device according to claim 9 , wherein the adhesive member of the second connecting unit connects a cut surface of the first sheet with a cut surface of the second sheet.

11. A sheet connection method, comprising: performing a test run, the test run comprising winding a first sheet moved from a first main roller and waiting for a subsequent process on a correction roller; detecting, by a sensor, a position of the first sheet moving from the first main roller to the correction roller; adjusting the position of the first sheet in a sheet width direction by a controller when at least a portion of the first sheet is being wound around the correction roller; as well as The first sheet whose position is adjusted is connected to the second sheet being supplied from the second main roller to the subsequent process through a connecting unit.

12. The sheet connection method according to claim 11, wherein the connection unit includes a first connection unit and a second connection unit, the first connection unit and the second connection unit are spaced apart from each other so that the first sheet and the second sheet are arranged between the first connection unit and the second connection unit and face each other, and Wherein connecting the first sheet with the second sheet comprises: sucking a portion of the first sheet by the suction member of the first connecting unit, and A part of the second sheet is sucked by the suction member of the second connecting unit.

13. The sheet connection method according to claim 12, further comprising: The portion of the first sheet is brought into contact with the portion of the second sheet by moving the adsorption member of the first connecting unit and the adsorption member of the second connecting unit closer to each other.

14. The sheet connection method according to claim 13, wherein: In the connecting the first sheet and the second sheet, the first sheet and the second sheet are simultaneously cut by a cutting member of the connecting unit. 15 . The sheet connection method according to claim 14 , wherein a cutting direction of the first sheet and the second sheet corresponds to a direction perpendicular to a contact surface between the first sheet and the second sheet.

16. The sheet connection method according to claim 15, wherein connecting the first sheet to the second sheet further comprises: After the first sheet and the second sheet are cut, a portion of the cut first sheet connected to the correction roller is collected by the correction roller.

17. The sheet connection method according to claim 16, wherein connecting the first sheet to the second sheet further comprises: sucking a portion of the cut first sheet and a portion of the cut second sheet together by the suction member of the first connecting unit; as well as The cut surface of the first sheet is connected to the cut surface of the second sheet by moving the adhesive member of the second connecting unit toward the adsorption member of the first connecting unit. 18 . The sheet connection method according to claim 13 , wherein after the first sheet and the second sheet are connected, the first sheet is supplied to the subsequent process.

19. The sheet connection method according to claim 18, further comprising: arranging a third sheet to be used in the subsequent process around the second main roller; as well as The third sheet is connected to the first sheet.

20. The sheet connection method according to claim 19, wherein: The connecting the third sheet to the first sheet includes: connecting the third sheet whose position is adjusted to the first sheet being supplied from the first main roller to the subsequent process through the connecting unit.

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