Electrode plate processing apparatus having plurality of inspection members and electrode plate processing method using same

Abstract

The present invention discloses an electrode sheet processing apparatus having a plurality of inspection members and an electrode sheet processing method using the same, and more particularly, discloses such an electrode sheet processing apparatus and an electrode sheet processing method using the same, the electrode sheet processing apparatus comprising: an unwinder unit, which is provided with a plurality of inspection members; the electrode plate supply unit supplies electrode plates; the slotting unit is configured to slot the electrode plate; a drying unit configured to dry the slotted electrode sheet; and a rewinder unit configured to wind the dried electrode sheet, in which a second inspection member configured to inspect a state of the wound electrode sheet is located between the drying unit and the rewinder unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority of Korean Patent Application No. 2023-0060457, filed on May 10, 2023, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to an electrode sheet processing apparatus having a plurality of inspection members and an electrode sheet processing method using the electrode sheet processing apparatus, and more particularly, to an electrode sheet processing apparatus having a plurality of inspection members capable of reducing defects of an electrode sheet and an electrode sheet processing method using the electrode sheet processing apparatus. Background Art

[0003] With the recent development of alternative energy due to air pollution and energy depletion caused by the use of fossil fuels, the demand for secondary batteries capable of storing generated electric energy has increased.

[0004] Due to the increasing usage of mobile devices, the increasing complexity of mobile devices, and the development of electric vehicles, the required capacity of secondary batteries used as energy sources for various electronic devices inevitably used in modern society has increased. To meet the needs of users, a plurality of battery cells are provided in small devices, and a battery module including a plurality of battery cells electrically connected to each other or a battery pack including a plurality of battery modules is used in devices such as vehicles.

[0005] Meanwhile, referring to Figure 1 , Figure 1 is a side view of a conventional slitting device for a secondary battery. The slitting device includes: a slitting unit 10 configured to cut an electrode sheet 1; a drying unit 20 having a heating body 21 and a lamp 22 configured to dissipate heat; and a collecting unit 30 configured to wind the dried electrode sheet 1.

[0006] After the drying process performed by the drying unit 20, the total length, shoulder line, surface state, etc. of the electrode may change due to drying, and during the transfer of the dried electrode sheet 1, the electrode sheet 1 may be deformed and may not be properly wound on the recovery unit 30.

[0007] However, a conventional slitting device for a secondary battery does not properly provide an inspection device capable of solving the above problems, and thus defective electrodes may be produced.

[0008] (Prior Art Documents)

[0009] (Patent Document 1) Korean Patent Application Publication No. 2019-0133530 Summary of the Invention

[0010] Technical Problem

[0011] The present invention is proposed in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electrode sheet processing apparatus having a plurality of inspection members capable of inspecting whether an electrode sheet is defective and an electrode sheet processing method using the apparatus, thereby minimizing the productivity of defective electrodes.

[0012] Technical solution

[0013] The electrode sheet processing apparatus for achieving the above object according to the present invention includes: an unwinder unit 100 configured to supply an electrode sheet S; a slitting unit 200 configured to slit the electrode sheet S; a drying unit 300 configured to dry the slit electrode sheet S; and a rewinder unit 400 configured to wind the dried electrode sheet S, wherein a second inspection member 700 is located between the drying unit 300 and the rewinder unit 400, and the second inspection member is configured to inspect the state of the wound electrode sheet S.

[0014] In addition, in the electrode sheet processing apparatus according to the present invention, a guide roller 500 configured to change the moving direction of the electrode sheet S may be located near the rewinder unit 400.

[0015] In addition, in the electrode sheet processing apparatus according to the present invention, the second inspection member 700 may be accommodated in the guide roller 500.

[0016] In addition, in the electrode sheet processing apparatus according to the present invention, the guide roller 500 may include a second drum 510 having a space defined therein and a pair of second shafts 520 located at both ends of the second drum 510, and the second drum 510 may be made of a transparent material.

[0017] In addition, in the electrode sheet processing apparatus according to the present invention, the transparent material may include at least one of glass, quartz, acrylic, polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyamide, and polystyrene.

[0018] In addition, in the electrode sheet processing apparatus according to the present invention, the second inspection member 700 may include an inspector body 710 located in the space of the second drum 510 and third shafts 720 located at both ends of the inspector body 710.

[0019] In addition, in the electrode sheet processing apparatus according to the present invention, the inspector body 710 may be a rod-shaped vision camera.

[0020] In addition, in the electrode sheet processing apparatus according to the present invention, the inspector body 710 may capture information on at least one of the total length, shoulder line, tab height, and surface of the electrode sheet S.

[0021] In addition, in the electrode sheet processing apparatus according to the present invention, the length of the checker body 710 may be greater than the width of the electrode sheet S.

[0022] In addition, in the electrode sheet processing apparatus according to the present invention, the third shaft 720 may extend through the inside of the second shaft 520 so that the guide roller 500 and the second inspection member 700 can be independently driven.

[0023] In addition, in the electrode sheet processing apparatus according to the present invention, a first inspection member 600 may be further provided between the unwinder unit 100 and the drying unit 300.

[0024] In addition, in the electrode sheet processing apparatus according to the present invention, a third inspection member 800 configured to inspect the state of the electrode sheet S wound around the rewinder unit 400 may be further provided.

[0025] In addition, the electrode sheet processing method according to the present invention includes: a first step of supplying an electrode sheet through an unwinder unit; a second step of slitting the supplied electrode sheet; a third step of drying the slit electrode sheet; and a fourth step of winding the dried electrode sheet through a rewinder unit, wherein a step of inspecting the state of the dried electrode sheet S is provided between the third step and the fourth step.

[0026] In addition, in the electrode sheet processing method according to the present invention, the step of inspecting the state of the electrode sheet S may include obtaining information on at least one of the total length, shoulder line, tab height, and surface of the electrode sheet S.

[0027] In addition, in the electrode sheet processing method according to the present invention, when the obtained information deviates from a set value, the process may be paused.

[0028] Advantageous Effects

[0029] As is obvious from the above description, the advantages of the electrode sheet processing apparatus having a plurality of inspection members and the electrode sheet processing method using the same according to the present invention are that the inspection members are provided between the drying unit and the rewinder unit, whereby defects occurring after the drying process can be inspected.

[0030] In addition, the advantages of the electrode sheet processing apparatus having a plurality of inspection members and the electrode sheet processing method using the same according to the present invention are that the inspection members are accommodated in the guide roller, whereby no additional space for installing the inspection members needs to be provided. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Figure 1 is a side view of a conventional slitting apparatus for a secondary battery.

[0032] Figure 2 is a side view of an electrode sheet processing apparatus according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing winding of an electrode sheet grooved by an electrode sheet processing apparatus according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a guide roller of an electrode sheet processing apparatus according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention with an inspection member accommodated therein.

[0035] Figure 5 is Figure 4 a cross-sectional view of the shown guide roller ((a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the A-A direction, and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the B-B direction).

[0036] Figure 6 is a side view of an electrode sheet processing apparatus according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 7 is a side view of an electrode sheet processing apparatus according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing an electrode sheet processing method according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Embodiments

[0039] Now, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains can easily implement the preferred embodiments of the present invention. However, when describing in detail the working principle of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, if the detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein may obscure the subject matter of the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted.

[0040] In addition, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to components that perform similar functions or operations. In the case where a component is referred to as being connected to another component throughout the application, not only can one component be directly connected to another component, but also one component can be indirectly connected to another component through other components. Further, unless otherwise specified, including a certain element does not mean excluding other elements, but means that these elements can be further included.

[0041] Hereinafter, an electrode sheet processing apparatus having a plurality of inspection members according to the present invention and an electrode sheet processing method using the apparatus will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0042] Figure 2A side view of an electrode sheet processing apparatus according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 A perspective view showing the winding of an electrode sheet slotted by an electrode sheet processing apparatus according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] Figure 4 An enlarged perspective view of a guide roller of an electrode sheet processing apparatus according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention with an inspection member accommodated therein. Figure 5 is Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of the shown guide roller ((a) is a cross-sectional view along the A-A direction, and (b) is a cross-sectional view along the B-B direction).

[0044] Referring to Figures 2 to 5 , an electrode sheet processing apparatus according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention may include an unwinder unit 100, a slitting unit 200, a drying unit 300, a rewinder unit 400, a guide roller 500, a first inspection member 600, and a second inspection member 700.

[0045] The unwinder unit 100 is a unit configured to supply an electrode sheet to be processed.

[0046] In one example, the unwinder unit 100 may be configured to unwind an electrode sheet S wound on a columnar drum from the outermost end of the columnar drum and supply the unwound electrode sheet S to a slitting unit located in front of the unwinder unit.

[0047] Here, the electrode sheet S may be a negative electrode sheet or a positive electrode sheet manufactured by applying a slurry mixture of an active material and a binder to an electrode current collector.

[0048] Specifically, a negative electrode sheet is manufactured by applying a slurry mixture of a negative electrode active material and a binder to a negative electrode current collector.

[0049] As the negative electrode active material, for example, carbon such as non-graphitized carbon or graphitic carbon; metal composite oxides such as Li x Fe 2 O 3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1), Li x WO 2 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1), and Sn x Me 1-x Me’ y O z (Me: Mn, Fe, Pb, Ge; Me’: Al, B, P, Si, elements of Groups 1, 2, and 3 of the periodic table, halogens; 0 ≤ x ≤ 1; 1 ≤ y ≤ 3; 1 ≤ z ≤ 8); lithium metal; lithium alloy; silicon-based alloy; tin-based alloy; metal oxides such as SnO, SnO 2 , PbO, PbO 2, Pb 2 O 3 , Pb 3 O 4 , Sb 2 O 3 , Sb 2 O 4 , Sb 2 O 5 , GeO, GeO 2 , Bi 2 O 3 , Bi 2 O 4 or Bi 2 O 5 ; a conductive polymer such as polyacetylene; a Li-Co-Ni-based material; or a silicon-based material such as Si, SiO, SiO 2 or a mixture thereof. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0050] The positive electrode sheet is manufactured by applying a slurry mixture of the positive electrode active material and the binder to the positive electrode current collector.

[0051] The positive electrode active material may be a layered compound such as lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO 2 ), lithium nickel oxide (LiNiO 2 ), or a compound substituted by one or more transition metals; lithium manganese oxide represented by the chemical formula Li 1+x Mn 2-x O 4 (where x = 0 to 0.33), or lithium manganese oxide such as LiMnO 3 , LiMn 2 O 3 , or LiMnO 2 ; lithium copper oxide (Li 2 CuO 2 ); vanadium oxides such as LiV 3 O 8 , LiV 3 O 4 , V 2 O 5 , or Cu 2 V 2 O 7 ; lithium nickel oxide at the Ni site represented by the chemical formula LiNi 1-x M x O 2 (where M = Co, Mn, Al, Cu, Fe, Mg, B, or Ga, x = 0.01 to 0.3); lithium manganese oxide represented by the chemical formula LiMn 2-x M x O 2(wherein, M = Co, Ni, Fe, Cr, Zn, or Ta, x = 0.01 to 0.1) or the chemical formula Li 2 Mn 3 MO 8 (wherein, M is Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, or Zn) the lithium manganese composite oxide represented; having Li in the chemical formula partially replaced by alkaline earth metal ions LiMn 2 O 4 ; a disulfide compound; or Fe 2 (MoO 4 ) 3 , however, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0052] The slitting unit 200 located in front of the unwinding unit 100 is a unit configured to slit an uncoated portion of the electrode sheet S conveyed and supplied through the unwinding unit 100 to form an electrode tab T.

[0053] The slitting unit 200 may be a stamping device configured to cut the uncoated portion into the shape of an electrode tab by stamping, or a laser processing device configured to cut the uncoated portion into the shape of an electrode tab by emitting a laser to the uncoated portion; however, the present invention is not limited thereto as long as the electrode tab can be formed at the uncoated portion.

[0054] Although not shown in the figures, it is obvious that a separate driving device such as a motor configured to rotate the unwinding unit 100 must be provided.

[0055] The drying unit 300 located in front of the slitting unit 200 is configured to dry the electrode sheet S slit by the slitting unit 200 while the electrode sheet S is being conveyed, and can heat the electrode sheet S so that the electrode current collector and the electrode active material can be more firmly bonded and fixed to each other.

[0056] Here, the drying unit 300 may be provided therein with a hot air blower configured to supply hot air to the electrode sheet S or an infrared lamp configured to apply heat to the electrode sheet by emitting infrared light; however, the present invention is not limited thereto as long as heat can be applied to the electrode sheet S.

[0057] The rewinding unit 400 located in front of the drying unit 300 is configured to rewind the electrode sheet S dried while passing through the drying unit 300, and may include a first roller 410 and a first shaft 420.

[0058] The columnar first roller 410 winds the electrode sheet S in close contact therewith thereon, and the first shaft 420 is formed at one end of the first roller 410, more preferably at both ends of the first roller 410.

[0059] Although not shown in the figure, a separate driving device such as a motor configured to rotate the first roller 410 is connected to the first shaft 420.

[0060] The guide roller 500 is located near the rewinder unit 400 and is configured to apply a predetermined pressure to the electrode sheet S wound around the first roller 410 to prevent the electrode sheet S from being zigzagged and to change the moving direction of the electrode sheet.

[0061] In the first embodiment of the present invention, the guide roller 500 is located below the rewinder unit 400, so that the moving direction of the dried electrode sheet S is changed, and the electrode sheet is conveyed upward from the guide roller 500.

[0062] The guide roller 500 may include a second roller 510 and a second shaft 520.

[0063] The columnar second roller 510 is arranged to be in close contact with the upper surface of the conveyed electrode sheet S, thereby guiding the electrode sheet S to the rewinder unit 400.

[0064] Here, a space for accommodating the second inspection member 700 is provided in the second roller 510.

[0065] In order for the second inspection member 700 accommodated in the second roller to capture various information of the electrode sheet S and obtain results, a part of the whole of the second roller 510 is preferably made of a transparent material. In one example, the material of the second roller may include at least one of glass, quartz, acrylic, polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyamide, and polystyrene; however, the present invention is not limited thereto, as long as the material is transparent and remains in close contact with the electrode sheet S.

[0066] Here, the second shaft 520 is formed in the shape of a hollow cylinder for the third shaft 720 of the second inspection member 700.

[0067] The first inspection member 600 is located between the slitting unit 200 and the drying unit 300 to inspect the slit electrode sheet S. In one example, the first inspection member may be a vision camera.

[0068] Here, the first inspection member 600 captures at least one piece of information of the slit electrode sheet S, such as the total length, shoulder line, tab height, and surface state, to determine whether the slit electrode sheet S meets the set reference values.

[0069] The second inspection member 700 is located between the drying unit 300 and the rewinder unit 400 to inspect the electrode sheet S in a dried state, and may include an inspector body 710 and a third shaft 720.

[0070] Specifically, the inspector body 710 inspects the electrode sheet S conveyed to the first roller 410 in a state where the inspector body and the second roller 210 are spaced apart by a predetermined distance so as not to contact the inner surface of the second roller 210 while being in the space of the second roller 210 located at the guide roller 500.

[0071] Here, the length of the inspector body 710 is preferably greater than or equal to the width of the conveyed electrode sheet S. The reason is that if the length of the inspector body 710 is less than the width of the electrode sheet S, a part of the electrode sheet may not be inspected by the inspector body 710.

[0072] The inspector body 710 that performs the above functions can be a rod-shaped vision camera and can inspect at least one of the following information: the total length of the electrode sheet S, the shoulder line, the tab height, and the surface state.

[0073] The third axis 720 can be formed in the shape of a long rod and is located at each end of the inspector body 710 to support and fix the inspector body 710.

[0074] Specifically, the third axis 720 is spaced apart from the inner surface of the second axis 520 of the guide roller 500 by a predetermined distance so as not to contact the second axis 520 while extending through the inside of the second axis 520.

[0075] Therefore, even when the second inspection member 700 is accommodated in the guide roller 500, the second inspection member and the guide roller can move independently. In other words, when the electrode sheet S continuously moves toward the rewinder unit 400, control can be performed such that the guide roller 500 rotates while the second inspection member 700 does not rotate.

[0076] As described above, when the second inspection member 700 is accommodated in the guide roller 500, the advantage is that no additional space is required for installing the second inspection member 700.

[0077] Figure 6 It is a side view of the electrode sheet processing apparatus according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0078] Refer to Figure 6 Except for the positions of the guide roller and the rewinder unit, the electrode sheet processing apparatus according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention is the same as the electrode sheet processing apparatus according to the first embodiment described with reference to Figures 2 to 6 Therefore, the description of the same configuration will be omitted.

[0079] In the electrode sheet processing apparatus according to the second embodiment, the rewinder unit 400 is located below the conveyed electrode sheet S, so the guide roller 500 is in close contact with the lower surface of the electrode sheet S, enabling the electrode sheet S to move downward.

[0080] Figure 7 It is a side view of the electrode sheet processing apparatus according to the third preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0081] Referring to Figure 7 , the electrode sheet processing apparatus according to the third preferred embodiment of the present invention is the same as that referring to Figures 2 to 6 described for the electrode sheet processing apparatus according to the first embodiment, except that a third inspection member is further provided, and thus the description of the same configuration will be omitted.

[0082] The electrode sheet processing apparatus according to the third embodiment is further provided with a third inspection member 800 configured to inspect the electrode sheet S wound around the first drum 410.

[0083] The third inspection member 800 may be the same vision camera as the first inspection member 600, and inspects the wrinkles of the uncoated portion of the electrode tab T during or after the electrode sheet S is wound around the first drum 410.

[0084] Of course, the third inspection member 800 may also acquire at least one of the following information by capturing in the same manner as the first inspection member 600 and the second inspection member 700: the total length, shoulder line, tab height, and surface state of the electrode sheet S.

[0085] Figure 8 It is a flowchart showing an electrode sheet processing method according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0086] A method of processing an electrode sheet using the electrode sheet processing apparatus according to the first embodiment or the second embodiment may include: a first step of supplying an electrode sheet through a unwinder unit; a second step of grooving the supplied electrode sheet; a third step of drying the grooved electrode sheet; and a fourth step of winding the dried electrode sheet through a rewinder unit.

[0087] The first step of supplying an electrode sheet through a unwinder unit is a step in which the unwinder unit rotates in the direction of unwinding the electrode sheet to supply the electrode sheet in the direction toward the grooving unit.

[0088] The second step of grooving the supplied electrode sheet is a step of forming an electrode tab at the uncoated portion of the electrode sheet provided from the unwinder unit using the grooving unit.

[0089] In addition, preferably, an inspection step of acquiring at least one of the following information is performed using a first inspection member such as a vision camera: the total length, shoulder line, tab height, and surface state of the grooved electrode sheet.

[0090] At this time, if the information obtained from the first inspection member deviates from the set value, the process may be paused.

[0091] The third step of drying the slotted electrode sheet is the step of transferring the slotted electrode sheet and drying it by the heat applied by the drying unit to improve the adhesion between the electrode current collector and the electrode active material.

[0092] The fourth step of winding the dried electrode sheet by the rewinder unit is the step of winding the dried electrode sheet around the first roller of the rewinder unit.

[0093] Meanwhile, it is advantageous to further perform, before the fourth step, the step of inspecting the state of the dried electrode sheet using a second inspection member such as a vision camera accommodated in a guide roller located near the rewinder unit.

[0094] Furthermore, if at least one of the following information deviates from the set value: the total length of the dried electrode sheet, the shoulder line, the tab height, and the surface state, the process can be paused.

[0095] Those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains will understand that, based on the above description, various applications and modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention.

[0096] (Description of reference numerals)

[0097] 100: Unwinder unit

[0098] 200: Slotting unit

[0099] 300: Drying unit

[0100] 400: Rewinder unit

[0101] 410: First roller 420: First shaft

[0102] 500: Guide roller

[0103] 510: Second roller 520: Second shaft

[0104] 600: First inspection member

[0105] 700: Second inspection member

[0106] 710: Inspector body 720: Third shaft

[0107] 800: Third inspection member

[0108] S: Electrode sheet

[0109] T: Electrode tab

Claims

1. An electrode sheet processing device, comprising: an unwinder unit configured to supply an electrode sheet; A slotting unit, wherein the slotting unit is configured to slot the electrode sheet; a drying unit, the drying unit being configured to dry the grooved electrode sheet; as well as a rewinder unit configured to wind up the dried electrode sheet, wherein A second inspection member is located between the drying unit and the rewinder unit, and is configured to inspect a state of the wound electrode sheet. 2 . The electrode sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a guide roller configured to change a moving direction of the electrode sheet is located near the rewinder unit. 3 . The electrode sheet processing apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the second inspection member is accommodated in the guide roller.

4. The electrode sheet processing equipment according to claim 3, wherein The guide roller includes a second roller having a space defined therein and a pair of second shafts located at both ends of the second roller, and The second roller is made of a transparent material. 5 . The electrode sheet processing equipment according to claim 4 , wherein the transparent material comprises at least one of glass, quartz, acrylic, polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyamide and polystyrene. 6 . The electrode sheet processing apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the second inspection member includes an inspector body located in the space of the second roller and third shafts located at both ends of the inspector body. 7 . The electrode sheet processing apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the inspector body is a rod-shaped vision camera. 8 . The electrode sheet processing apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the inspector body captures information of at least one of a total length, a shoulder line, a tab height, and a surface of the electrode sheet. 9 . The electrode sheet processing apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the length of the inspector body is greater than the width of the electrode sheet. 10 . The electrode sheet processing apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the third shaft extends through an interior of the second shaft so that the guide roller and the second inspection member can be driven independently. 11 . The electrode sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a first inspection member is further provided between the unwinder unit and the drying unit. 12 . The electrode sheet processing apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein a third inspection member configured to inspect a state of the electrode sheet wound on the rewinder unit is further provided.

13. A method for processing an electrode sheet, comprising: a first step of supplying an electrode sheet through an unwinder unit; A second step of slotting the supplied electrode sheet; A third step of drying the slotted electrode sheet; as well as A fourth step of winding the dried electrode sheet by a rewinder unit, wherein A step of inspecting the state of the dried electrode sheet is provided between the third step and the fourth step. 14 . The electrode sheet processing method according to claim 13 , wherein the step of checking the state of the electrode sheet comprises obtaining information of at least one of a total length, a shoulder line, a tab height, and a surface of the electrode sheet. 15 . The electrode sheet processing method according to claim 14 , wherein the process is suspended when the acquired information deviates from a set value.

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