Molding apparatus and method, and pouch-type battery case molded by same

Abstract

The molding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention can mold a cup portion on a soft envelope. The molding apparatus may include: a mold having a first opening formed therein; the demolding device is used for fixing the soft wrapping film above the mold, and a second opening is formed in the position corresponding to the first opening; the upper punch presses the soft wrapping film through the second opening; and a lower punch pressing the soft envelope between the outer periphery of the upper punch and the inner periphery of the second opening through the first opening.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross - Reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10 - 2022 - 0140761, filed on October 27, 2022, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0004] The present invention relates to a molding apparatus and method for molding a soft packaging film, and a soft - pack type battery case molded by the molding apparatus and method. Background Art

[0005] Generally, secondary batteries include nickel - cadmium batteries, nickel - metal hydride batteries, lithium - ion batteries, and lithium - ion polymer batteries. Such secondary batteries are being applied to small products such as digital cameras, P - DVDs, MP3Ps, mobile phones, PDAs, portable game devices, power tools, electric bicycles, etc., and large products that require high power such as electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles, power storage devices for storing surplus power or renewable energy, and backup power storage devices.

[0006] Generally, in order to manufacture a secondary battery, first, an electrode active material slurry is coated on a positive electrode current collector and a negative electrode current collector to manufacture a positive electrode and a negative electrode. Then, the electrodes are laminated on both sides of a separator to form an electrode assembly. In addition, the electrode assembly is accommodated in a battery case, and then, after injecting an electrolyte into the battery case, the battery case is sealed.

[0007] According to the material of the case that accommodates the electrode assembly, such secondary batteries are classified into soft - pack type secondary batteries and can - type secondary batteries. In a soft - pack type secondary battery, the electrode assembly is accommodated in a soft pack made of a flexible polymer material. In addition, in a can - type secondary battery, the electrode assembly is accommodated in a case made of a metal or plastic material.

[0008] Generally, a soft - pack type battery case is manufactured by performing a pressing process on a flexible soft packaging film to form a cup portion. Additionally, when forming the cup portion, the electrode assembly is accommodated in the cup portion, and then, the side portion of the cup portion is sealed to manufacture a secondary battery.

[0009] Generally, in the pressing process, drawing molding is performed by inserting the soft packaging film between a mold and a stripper and stretching the soft packaging film by applying pressure to the soft packaging film using a punch.

[0010] However, in the method according to the related art, when molding the cup portion, there is a risk of generating cracks in the soft packaging film, and there is a limit to increasing the depth of the cup portion. Summary of the Invention

[0011] Technical problem

[0012] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a molding device and method capable of deeply molding a cup portion on a soft film by dividing the molding process into multiple times.

[0013] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a soft-pack type battery case manufactured by the molding device or method.

[0014] Technical solution

[0015] The molding device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can mold a cup portion on a soft film. The molding device may include: a mold in which a first opening is formed; a stripper configured to fix the soft film above the mold and having a second opening at a position corresponding to the first opening; an upper punch configured to press the soft film through the second opening; and a lower punch configured to press the soft film between the outer periphery of the upper punch and the inner periphery of the second opening through the first opening.

[0016] The lower punch may be configured to press the soft film once while the upper punch is in the second opening, and the upper punch may be configured to press the soft film a second time while the lower punch is disengaged from the first opening.

[0017] The upper punch may be configured to press the soft film to a depth at which the upper punch protrudes downward from the first opening.

[0018] The top surface of the lower punch may be provided to protrude.

[0019] The molding method according to an embodiment of the present invention can mold a cup portion on a soft film. The molding method for molding a cup portion on a soft film may include: fixing the soft film between a mold having a first opening and a stripper having a second opening; causing the lower punch to press the soft film once between the outer periphery of the upper punch and the inner periphery of the second opening through the first opening; and causing the upper punch to press the soft film downward a second time through the second opening.

[0020] In the first pressing, the lower punch may enter the second opening from the first opening.

[0021] In the second pressing, the lower punch may be disengaged from the first opening.

[0022] In the second pressing, the upper punch may enter the first opening from the second opening.

[0023] The pouch - type battery case according to an embodiment of the present invention may include: a cup portion having a recessed shape; and a terrace provided on the peripheral edge of the cup portion. The peripheral edge portion of the cup portion may include: a first peripheral edge portion connected to the terrace through a die edge; a second peripheral edge portion connected to the first peripheral edge portion and having a thickness thinner than that of the first peripheral edge portion; and a third peripheral edge portion connected to the second peripheral edge portion, the third peripheral edge portion being connected to the base portion of the cup portion through a punch edge and having a thickness thicker than that of the second peripheral edge portion.

[0024] The thickness of the first peripheral edge portion may correspond to the thickness of the third peripheral edge portion and / or the thickness of the die edge to each other.

[0025] The thickness of the second peripheral edge portion and the thickness of the punch edge may correspond to each other.

[0026] The thickness of the second peripheral edge portion may be thinner than the thickness of the die edge.

[0027] Advantageous Effects

[0028] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a deep cup portion can be molded without generating cracks in the soft packaging film. More specifically, according to the related art, since the cup portion is molded by a single pressing, only a specific area of the soft packaging film is over - stretched, so the depth of the cup portion can be limited to prevent cracks. On the other hand, in the present invention, the area of the soft packaging film that was not stretched in the related art can be molded deeper for the cup portion because the molding process is performed multiple times.

[0029] In addition, effects that are obvious to those skilled in the art can be predicted from the configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0030] The following drawings attached to this specification show preferred embodiments of the present invention and are used to further understand the technical spirit of the present invention and the detailed description of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention should not be construed as being limited to the drawings.

[0031] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a molding device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] Figures 2 to 5 is a schematic diagram showing the operations of the molding device according to an embodiment of the present invention in sequence.

[0033] Figure 6 is a flowchart of a molding method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 7It is a schematic diagram showing the process of molding a soft-pack type battery case according to another embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0035] Hereinafter, 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 can easily implement the present invention. However, the present invention can be implemented in several different forms and is not limited or restricted by the following examples.

[0036] To clearly describe the present invention, a detailed description of parts unrelated to the description or related known technologies that may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention has been omitted, and in this specification, reference numerals are added to the components in each of the accompanying drawings. In this case, throughout the specification, the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements.

[0037] In addition, the terms or words used in the specification and claims should not be construed restrictively as ordinary meanings or dictionary-based meanings, but should be construed as meanings and concepts that conform to the scope of the present invention based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concepts of the terms, so as to describe and explain the invention in the best way.

[0038] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of a molding device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figures 2 to 5 It is a schematic diagram sequentially showing the operations of the molding device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] The molding device according to an embodiment of the present invention can mold the soft packaging film 100. The soft packaging film 100 can have a predetermined thickness. The soft packaging film 100 can be a laminated sheet having formability. More specifically, the soft packaging film 100 can be a laminated sheet in which a pair of resin layers provided on two outermost surfaces and a metal layer provided between the pair of resin layers are laminated.

[0040] The molding device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can include a mold 10, a stripper 20, an upper punch 30, and a lower punch 40.

[0041] A part of the mold 10, the stripper 20, the upper punch 30, and the lower punch 40 can be configured to be raised relative to other parts. For example, any one of the mold 10, the stripper 20, the upper punch 30, and the lower punch 40 can be fixed, and the other components can be configured to be raised independently of any one of them. As another example, each of the mold 10, the stripper 20, the upper punch 30, and the lower punch 40 can be configured to rise independently.

[0042] The mold 10 can be disposed below the soft film envelope 100. A first opening 12 can be formed in the mold 10. The first opening 12 can be formed to penetrate downward from the top surface of the mold 10. The first opening 12 can be a molded space recessed for the soft film envelope 100. Additionally, the first opening 12 can be a space for disposing a lower punch 40 which will be described later.

[0043] The cross-section of the first opening 12 can be generally square, but is not limited thereto.

[0044] A rounded edge 11 can be formed on the mold 10. More specifically, the top surface of the mold 10 and the inner peripheral edge of the first opening 12 can be connected to each other by the rounded edge 11. The edge 11 can have a prescribed radius of curvature. The edge 11 can be provided with a chamfer to prevent the portion in close contact with the edge 11 from cracking when the soft film envelope 100 is stretched into the first opening 12.

[0045] The stripper 20 can face the mold 10, and the soft film envelope 100 is located between the stripper 20 and the mold 10. The stripper 20 can fix the soft film envelope 100 on the upper side of the mold 10.

[0046] More specifically, at least one of the mold 10 or the stripper 20 can be configured to be raised, and the gap between the mold 10 and the stripper 20 can be variable. The soft film envelope 100 can be inserted between the mold 10 and the stripper 20 when the mold 10 and the stripper 20 are spaced apart from each other, and then when the mold 10 and the stripper 20 approach each other, the soft film envelope 100 can be fixed between the mold 10 and the stripper 20. That is, the soft film envelope 100 can be fixed between the top surface of the mold 10 and the bottom surface of the stripper 20.

[0047] A second opening 22 can be formed in the stripper 20. The second opening 22 can be formed to penetrate upward from the bottom surface of the stripper 20. The second opening 22 can be a space for disposing an upper punch 30 which will be described later.

[0048] The cross-section of the second opening 22 can be generally square, but is not limited thereto. The second opening 22 can be disposed above the first opening 12. The second opening 22 and the first opening 12 can face each other, and the soft film envelope 100 is located between the second opening 22 and the first opening 12.

[0049] A rounded edge 21 can be provided on the stripper 20. More specifically, the bottom surface of the stripper 20 and the inner peripheral edge of the second opening 22 can be connected to each other by the rounded edge 21. The edge 21 can have a prescribed radius of curvature. The edge 21 can be provided with a chamfer to prevent the portion in close contact with the edge 21 from cracking when the soft film envelope 100 is stretched into the second opening 22.

[0050] The upper punch 30 can press the flexible packaging film 100 via the second opening 22.

[0051] The height of the upper punch 30 relative to the mold 10 within the second opening 22 can be variable. More specifically, at least one of the mold 10 or the upper punch 30 can be configured to be liftable, and the height difference between the top surface of the mold 10 and the bottom surface of the upper punch 30 can be variable.

[0052] A rounded edge 31 can be provided on the upper punch 30. More specifically, the top surface and the outer peripheral edge of the upper punch 30 can be connected to each other by the rounded edge 31. The edge 31 can have a prescribed radius of curvature. The edge 31 can be provided as a chamfer to prevent the portion in close contact with the edge 31 from rupturing when the flexible packaging film 100 is stretched into the first opening 12.

[0053] The lower punch 40 can press the flexible packaging film 100 between the outer peripheral edge of the upper punch 30 and the inner peripheral edge of the second opening 22 via the first opening 12. The lower punch 40 can be arranged to face the space between the outer peripheral edge of the upper punch 30 and the inner peripheral edge of the second opening 22, with the flexible packaging film 100 located therebetween.

[0054] The height of the lower punch 40 relative to the mold 10 within the first opening 12 can be variable. More specifically, at least one of the mold 10 or the lower punch 40 can be configured to be lifted, and the height difference between the top surface of the mold 10 and the top surface of the lower punch 40 can be variable.

[0055] The top surface of the lower punch 40 can be chamfered. The top surface 41 of the lower punch 40 can have a prescribed radius of curvature. The top surface 41 of the lower punch 40 can be provided to be convex. Thus, it is possible to prevent the portion of the flexible packaging film 100 in close contact with the top surface 41 of the lower punch 40 from rupturing when the lower punch 40 presses the flexible packaging film 100. However, not limited thereto, the top surface 41 of the lower punch 40 can be provided to be flat to connect the outer peripheral edge and the inner peripheral edge of the lower punch 40 to each other by a rounded edge.

[0056] Referring to Figure 2 , in one molding enabling the lower punch 40 to press the flexible packaging film 100, the lower punch 40 can protrude upward from the top surface of the mold 10. Here, the upper punch 30 can be arranged in the second opening 22. More specifically, the bottom surface of the upper punch 30 can be arranged on the same horizontal plane as the bottom surface of the ejector 20.

[0057] Referring to Figure 3 and Figure 4, in the secondary molding where the upper punch 30 presses the soft film package 100, the lower punch 40 can be disengaged from the first opening 12. Thus, the upper punch 30 can fully press the soft film package 100 downward without interference between the soft film package 100 and the lower punch 40. More specifically, the upper punch 30 can press the soft film package 100 to a depth that protrudes downward from the first opening 12.

[0058] Hereinafter, the operation of the molding device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. In addition, for convenience of explanation, hereinafter, the case where the mold 10 is fixed and the ejector 20, the upper punch 30, and the lower punch 40 each independently rise will be described as an example.

[0059] Refer to Figure 1 , in a state where the soft film package 100 enters between the mold 10 and the ejector 20, the ejector 20 descends toward the mold 10, and a part of the outer side of the soft film package 100 can be fixed between the ejector 20 and the mold 10.

[0060] Refer to Figure 2 , the upper punch 30 can be aligned such that its bottom surface is disposed on the same plane as the bottom surface of the ejector 20. In this state, the lower punch 40 can rise from the first opening 12 to the second opening 22 to press the soft film package 100 between the outer peripheral edge of the upper punch 30 and the inner peripheral edge of the second opening 22. Thus, the portion of the soft film package 100 fixed between the mold 10 and the ejector 20 and the portion of the soft film package in contact with the upper punch 30 can be kept flat, and the portion of the soft film package 100 pressed by the lower punch 40 can be stretched. This can be referred to as primary molding, and the protrusion 110 can be formed on the soft film package 100 by primary molding.

[0061] After that, refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 , the lower punch 40 can descend from the first opening 12. More specifically, the lower punch 40 can descend and disengage from the first opening 12. In addition, the upper punch 30 can descend from the second opening 22 into the first opening 12 to press the soft film package 100 downward. This can be referred to as secondary molding, and the protrusion 110 molded in the soft film package 100 before can be unfolded by secondary molding to mold the cup portion 120. The cup portion 120 can be recessed in a direction opposite to the direction in which the protrusion 110 protrudes.

[0062] After that, refer to Figure 5 , the upper punch 40 can rise to return to its initial position. In addition, the ejector 20 can also rise, and the soft film package 100 fixed between the mold 10 and the ejector 20 can be released.

[0063] Due to this series of processes, it is possible to mold the cup portion 120 on the soft film envelope 100. In the related art, the cup portion is molded by a single pressing. However, in this case, only a specific area of the soft film envelope is overstretched, so the depth of the cup portion is limited to prevent cracks from occurring. On the other hand, in the present invention, since the soft film envelope 100 is molded multiple times such that areas of the soft film envelope that were not stretched in the related art are also stretched, there is an advantage that the cup portion 120 can be molded deeper.

[0064] Figure 6 is a flowchart of a molding method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0065] Hereinafter, as another embodiment of the present disclosure, a molding method for molding the soft film envelope 100 using the above-described molding apparatus will be described.

[0066] The molding method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a step (S10) of fixing the soft film envelope 100 between the mold 10 and the ejector 20 (hereinafter referred to as the "fixing step"); a step (S20) of pressing the soft film envelope 100 once between the outer peripheral edge of the lower punch 40 and the inner peripheral edge of the second opening 22 (hereinafter referred to as the "primary molding step"); and a step (S30) of pressing the soft film envelope 100 a second time with the upper punch 30 (hereinafter referred to as the "secondary molding step").

[0067] In each of the steps (S10, S20, and S30), the foregoing description of the operation of the molding apparatus may be cited. More specifically, the fixing step (S10) may cite the content described with reference to Figure 1 the content described, the primary molding step (S20) may cite the content described with reference to Figure 2 the content described, and the secondary molding step (S30) may cite the content described with reference to Figures 3 to 5 the content described. Hereinafter, the main features will be briefly described.

[0068] In the fixing step (S10), the soft film envelope 100 may be fixed between the top surface of the mold 10 and the bottom surface of the ejector 20.

[0069] In the primary molding step (S20), the lower punch 40 may press the soft film envelope 100 and may enter the second opening 22 from the first opening 12. More specifically, the lower punch 40 may be inserted between the inner peripheral edge of the second opening 22 and the outer peripheral edge of the upper punch 30. Accordingly, the lower punch 40 may mold the protruding portion 110 on the soft film envelope 100.

[0070] In the secondary molding process (S30), the upper punch 30 can press the soft film package 100 and enter the first opening 12 from the second opening 22. More specifically, the upper punch 30 can press the central portion of the soft film package 100 downward to expand the protruding portion 110 and mold the cup portion 120.

[0071] Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram showing the molding process of the soft package type battery case according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

[0072] Hereinafter, as another embodiment of the present invention, the soft package type battery case manufactured by the above molding equipment or molding method will be described.

[0073] The soft package type battery case (hereinafter referred to as "battery case") according to another embodiment of the present disclosure may include a cup portion 120 having a concave shape and a platform 130 disposed around the cup portion 120.

[0074] The cup portion 120 may define a space for accommodating an electrode assembly (not shown). The platform 130 may be a portion of the soft film package 100 fixed between the mold 10 and the ejector 20 and not molded into the cup portion 120.

[0075] In the manufacturing process of the battery case, the protruding portion 110 can be molded once, and the protruding portion 110 can be expanded, and the cup portion 120 recessed in the direction opposite to the protruding portion 110 can be molded secondarily.

[0076] The protruding portion 110 may include an outer peripheral edge portion 111, an inner peripheral edge portion 112, and a connecting portion 113.

[0077] The outer peripheral edge portion 111 may be connected to the platform 130 through the ejector edge 114. The ejector edge 114 may be formed to be rounded. More specifically, the ejector edge 114 may have a prescribed radius of curvature. The ejector edge 114 may be formed by the edge 21 of the ejector 20 (see Figure 1 ) and may have a radius of curvature corresponding to the radius of curvature of the edge 21 of the ejector 20.

[0078] The inner peripheral edge portion 112 may be connected to the central portion 101 through the connecting edge 115. The central portion 101 may be a portion of the soft film package 100 that is supported by the upper punch 30 during the primary molding without forming the protruding portion 110.

[0079] The connecting edge 115 may be a portion pressed by the upper punch 30. More specifically, the edge 31 of the upper punch 30 (see Figure 1)The contacting portion can be stretched to the connecting edge 115 by the relative movement of the lower punch 40 with respect to the upper punch 30. The connecting edge 115 can be formed to be rounded. The connecting edge 115 can have a radius of curvature corresponding to the radius of curvature of the edge 31 of the upper punch 30.

[0080] The connecting portion 113 can connect the outer peripheral portion 111 and the inner peripheral portion 112. The connecting portion 113 can have a shape corresponding to the shape of the top surface 41 of the lower punch 40. The connecting portion 113 can have a prescribed radius of curvature. The connecting portion 113 can be formed to bulge upward.

[0081] In the primary molding of the soft film package 100, the platform 130 and the central portion 101 may not be stretched or may be slightly stretched, so their remaining thicknesses are thick.

[0082] Since the connecting portion 113 is directly pressed by the lower punch 40, the connecting portion 113 can be relatively stretched and its remaining thickness can be thin. Similarly, since the connecting edge 115 is directly pressed by the upper punch 30, the connecting portion 113 can be relatively stretched and its remaining thickness can be thin. The connecting portion 113 and the connecting edge 115 can be stretched to the same or a similar degree. Therefore, the remaining thicknesses of the connecting portion 113 and the connecting edge 115 in the protruding portion 110 can be the same or similar.

[0083] In addition, the outer peripheral portion 111 and the inner peripheral portion 112 can be relatively less stretched than each of the connecting portion 113 and the connecting edge 115. The ejector edge 114 can also be stretched to the same or a similar degree as each of the outer peripheral portion 111 and the inner peripheral portion 112. Therefore, the remaining thicknesses of the outer peripheral portion 111, the inner peripheral portion 112, and the ejector edge 114 in the protruding portion 110 can be the same or similar.

[0084] That is to say, the thickness of each of the outer peripheral portion 111, the inner peripheral portion 112, and the ejector edge 114 can be thicker than the thickness of each of the connecting portion 113 and the connecting edge 115, and can be thinner than the thickness of each of the platform 130 and the central portion 101.

[0085] In the secondary molding of the soft film package 100, the ejector edge 114 and the outer peripheral edge portion 111 of the protrusion 110 can form the mold edge 123 of the cup portion 122 and the first peripheral edge portion 122a, and the first peripheral edge portion 122a is a part of the peripheral edge portion 122 of the cup portion 120. The connecting portion 113 of the protrusion 110 can form the second peripheral edge portion 122b, and the second peripheral edge portion 122b is another part of the peripheral edge portion 122 of the cup portion 120. The inner peripheral edge portion 112 of the protrusion 110 can form the third peripheral edge portion 122c, and the third peripheral edge portion 122c is another part of the peripheral edge portion 122 of the cup portion 120. The connecting edge 115 and the central portion 101 of the protrusion 110 can form the punch edge 124 and the base portion 121 of the cup portion 120.

[0086] Therefore, based on Figure 7 the cross-sectional view shown in, when in the protrusion 110, the length of the ejector edge 114 is L1, the length of the outer peripheral edge portion 111 is L2, the length of the connecting portion 113 is L3, the length of the inner peripheral edge portion is L4, the length of the connecting edge 115 is L5, the length of the central portion 101 is L6, and in the cup portion 120, the length of the mold edge 123 is L7, the length of the peripheral edge portion 122 is L8, the length of the punch edge is L9, and the length of the base portion is L10, the following conditional formula can be satisfied: 2*(L1 + L2 + L3 + L4 + L5) + L6 = 2*(L7 + L8 + L9) + L10.

[0087] However, not limited thereto, if the upper punch 30 further stretches the cup portion 120, the following conditional formula can be satisfied: 2*(L1 + L2 + L3 + L4 + L5) + L6 < 2*(L7 + L8 + L9) + L10.

[0088] The reference numeral L1 for the length of the demolding edge 114 may refer to the length from the boundary P1 between the platform 130 and the demolding edge 114 to the boundary P2 between the demolding edge 114 and the outer peripheral edge portion 111. The reference numeral L2 for the length of the outer peripheral edge portion 111 may refer to the length from the boundary P2 between the demolding edge 114 and the outer peripheral edge portion 111 to the boundary P3 between the outer peripheral edge portion 111 and the connecting portion 113. The reference numeral L3 for the length of the connecting portion 113 may refer to the length from the boundary P3 between the outer peripheral edge portion 111 and the connecting portion 113 to the boundary P4 between the connecting portion 113 and the inner peripheral edge portion 112. The reference numeral L4 for the length of the inner peripheral edge portion 112 may refer to the length from the boundary P4 between the connecting portion 113 and the inner peripheral edge portion 112 to the boundary P5 between the inner peripheral edge portion 112 and the connecting edge 115. The reference numeral L5 for the length of the connecting edge 115 may refer to the length from the boundary P5 between the inner peripheral edge portion 112 and the connecting edge 115 to the boundary P6 between the connecting edge 115 and the central portion 101. The reference numeral L6 for the length of the central portion 101 may refer to the length between the two boundaries P6 between the connecting edge 115 and the central portion 101.

[0089] The reference numeral L7 for the length of the mold edge 123 may refer to the length from the boundary P1 between the platform 130 and the mold edge 123 to the boundary P7 between the mold edge 123 and the peripheral edge portion 122. The reference numeral L8 for the length of the peripheral edge portion 122 may refer to the length from the boundary P7 between the mold edge 123 and the peripheral edge portion 122 to the boundary P8 between the peripheral edge portion 122 and the punch edge 124. The reference numeral L9 for the length of the punch edge 124 may refer to the distance from the boundary P8 between the second peripheral edge portion 122b and the punch edge 124 to the boundary P9 between the punch edge 124 and the base portion 121. The reference numeral L10 for the length of the base portion 121 may refer to the length between the two boundaries P9 between the punch edge 124 and the base portion 121.

[0090] Since the protrusion 110 expands to form the cup portion 120, the thickness of each part of the cup portion 120 may be different from that of a cup portion formed in a conventional manner. Hereinafter, the cup portion 120 will be described.

[0091] The cup portion 120 may include a base portion 121 and a peripheral edge portion 122.

[0092] The peripheral edge portion 122 of the cup portion 120 may be connected to the platform 130 and the mold edge 111. The mold edge 123 may be formed to be rounded. More specifically, the mold edge 123 may have a predetermined radius of curvature. The mold edge 123 may be formed by the edge 11 of the mold 10 (see Figure 1 ) and may have a radius of curvature corresponding to that of the edge 11 of the mold 10.

[0093] The base portion 121 of the cup portion 120 may be connected to the peripheral portion 122 and the punch edge 124. The punch edge 124 may be formed to be rounded. More specifically, the punch edge 124 may have a specified radius of curvature. The punch edge 124 may be formed by the edge 31 of the upper punch 30 (see Figure 1 ) and may have a radius of curvature corresponding to the radius of curvature of the edge 31 of the upper punch 30. The punch edge 124 may be a portion corresponding to the connecting edge 115 formed during the molding of the protrusion 110 described above.

[0094] The peripheral portion 122 of the cup portion 120 may include: a first peripheral portion 122a connected to the platform 130 and the die edge 123; a second peripheral portion 122b connected to the first peripheral portion 122a and having a thickness smaller than the thickness of the first peripheral portion 122a; and a third peripheral portion 122c connected to the second peripheral portion 122b, connected to the base portion 121 and the punch edge 124 and having a thickness thicker than the thickness of the second peripheral portion 122b.

[0095] The first peripheral portion 122a may correspond to the outer peripheral portion 112 of the protrusion 110, the second peripheral portion 122b may correspond to the connecting portion 113 of the protrusion 110, and the third peripheral portion 122c may correspond to the inner peripheral portion 112 of the protrusion 110. As described above, the remaining thickness of the connecting portion 113 may be thinner than the remaining thickness of each of the outer peripheral portion 111 and the inner peripheral portion 112. Therefore, the thickness t2 of the second peripheral portion 122b may be relatively smaller than each of the thickness t1 of the first peripheral portion 122a and the thickness t3 of the third peripheral portion 122c.

[0096] In addition, as described above, the remaining thicknesses of the outer peripheral portion 111, the inner peripheral portion 112, and the ejector edge 114 in the protrusion 110 may be the same or similar to each other. Therefore, the thickness t1 of the first peripheral portion 122a and the thickness t3 of the third peripheral portion 122c of the cup portion 120 may be the same or similar to each other, that is, may correspond to each other. In addition, the thickness t1 of the first peripheral portion 122a of the cup portion 120 and the thickness t5 of the die edge 123 may correspond to each other. In addition, the thickness t2 of the second peripheral portion 122b of the cup portion 120 may be thinner than the thickness t5 of the die edge 123.

[0097] In addition, as described above, the remaining thicknesses of the connecting portion 113 and the connecting edge 115 of the protruding portion 110 may be the same as or similar to each other. Therefore, the thickness t2 of the second peripheral portion 122b of the cup portion 120 and the thickness t6 of the punch edge 124 may correspond to each other. In addition, the thickness t6 of the punch edge 124 may be smaller than the thickness t5 of the die edge 123, the thickness t1 of the first peripheral portion 122a, and the thickness t3 of the third peripheral portion 122c.

[0098] The base portion 121 of the cup portion 120 may be a portion corresponding to the central portion 101 in the first molding. As described above, the thickness of the central portion 101 may be relatively thick compared to the respective portions of the protruding portion 110. Therefore, the thickness t4 of the base portion 121 of the cup portion 120 may be greater than each of the thicknesses t1, t2, and t3 of the first peripheral portion 122a, the second peripheral portion 122b, and the third peripheral portion 122c, the thickness t5 of the die edge 123, and the thickness t6 of the punch edge 124.

[0099] The subject matter disclosed above is considered to be illustrative and not restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications, additions, and other embodiments that fall within the true spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0100] Therefore, the embodiments of the present disclosure are considered to be illustrative and not restrictive, and the technical spirit of the present invention is not limited to the foregoing embodiments.

[0101] Therefore, the scope of the present disclosure is not defined by the detailed description of the present disclosure, but by the appended claims, and all differences within the scope will be construed as being included in the present invention.

[0102] [Description of Reference Numerals]

[0103] 10: Die 12: First Opening

[0104] 20: Ejector 22: Second Opening

[0105] 30: Upper Punch 40: Lower Punch

[0106] 100: Soft Encapsulation Film 101: Central Portion

[0107] 110: Protruding Portion 111: Outer Peripheral Portion

[0108] 112: Inner Peripheral Portion 113: Connecting Portion

[0109] 114: Ejector Edge 115: Connecting Edge

[0110] 120: Cup Portion 121: Base Portion

[0111] 122: Peripheral part 122a: First peripheral part

[0112] 122b: Second peripheral part 122c: Third peripheral part

[0113] 123: Die edge 124: Punch edge

[0114] 130: Platform

Claims

1. A molding device that molds a cup portion on a soft packaging film, the molding device comprises: a mold in which a first opening is formed; a stripper configured to fix the soft packaging film above the mold and having a second opening at a position corresponding to the first opening; an upper punch configured to press the soft packaging film through the second opening; and a lower punch configured to press the soft packaging film through the first opening between the outer periphery of the upper punch and the inner periphery of the second opening.

2. The molding device according to claim 1, wherein the lower punch is configured to press the soft packaging film once while the upper punch is in the state of being in the second opening, and the upper punch is configured to press the soft packaging film a second time while the lower punch is disengaged from the first opening.

3. The molding device according to claim 2, wherein the upper punch is configured to press the soft packaging film to a depth at which the upper punch protrudes downward from the first opening.

4. The molding device according to claim 1, wherein the top surface of the lower punch is provided to be convex.

5. A molding method for molding a cup portion on a soft packaging film, the molding method comprises: fixing the soft packaging film between a mold having a first opening and a stripper having a second opening; causing a lower punch to press the soft packaging film once through the first opening between the outer periphery of an upper punch and the inner periphery of the second opening; causing the upper punch to press the soft packaging film downward a second time through the second opening.

6. The molding method according to claim 5, wherein in the first pressing, the lower punch enters the second opening from the first opening.

7. The molding method according to claim 5, wherein in the second pressing, the lower punch is disengaged from the first opening.

8. The molding method according to claim 5, wherein in the second pressing, the upper punch enters the first opening from the second opening.

9. A soft-pack battery case, comprises: a cup portion having a recessed shape; and a platform provided at the periphery of the cup portion, wherein the peripheral portion of the cup portion includes: a first peripheral portion connected to the platform through a mold edge; a second peripheral portion connected to the first peripheral portion and having a thickness thinner than that of the first peripheral portion; and a third peripheral portion connected to the second peripheral portion, connected to the base portion of the cup portion through a punch edge, and having a thickness thicker than that of the second peripheral portion.

10. The soft-pack battery case according to claim 9, wherein the thickness of the first peripheral portion corresponds to the thickness of the third peripheral portion and / or the thickness of the mold edge.

11. The soft-pack battery case according to claim 9, wherein the thickness of the second peripheral portion corresponds to the thickness of the punch edge.

12. The soft-pack battery case according to claim 9, wherein The thickness of the second peripheral part is thinner than the thickness of the mold edge.

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