Battery activation device

Abstract

A battery activation device is provided in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus comprises: a horizontal frame; a first clamp holder and a second clamp holder, the first clamp holder and the second clamp holder being configured to move along the horizontal frame; a vertical frame which is placed on the horizontal frame; a drive shaft coupled to the vertical frame; a first arm and a second arm, the first arm and the second arm being coupled to the drive shaft; a first guide connected to the first arm; and a second guide connected to the second arm.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery formation device. This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0046193, filed on April 7, 2023, and the entire content of the Korean patent application is incorporated herein by reference. Background Art

[0002] Unlike primary batteries, secondary batteries can be charged and discharged multiple times. Secondary batteries have been widely used as an energy source for various types of wireless devices (e.g., mobile phones, laptop computers, and cordless vacuum cleaners). Recently, the main use of secondary batteries has evolved from mobile devices to transportation vehicles because the manufacturing cost per unit capacity of secondary batteries has decreased significantly due to improved energy density and economies of scale, and the driving range of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) has increased to the same level as fuel vehicles.

[0003] The manufacturing of secondary batteries includes electrode processes (including mixing, coating, rolling, slitting, and grooving processes), an assembly process of inserting an electrode assembly into a case, and a formation process of electrically activating and stabilizing battery cells. After the formation process, battery cells can be stacked to form a battery cell stack. The battery cell stack can be installed in a housing together with a module frame or directly installed in the housing without a module frame. Summary of the Invention

[0004] [Technical Problem]

[0005] The present invention aims to provide a battery formation device with improved reliability.

[0006] [Technical Solution]

[0007] An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a battery formation device. The battery formation device includes: a horizontal frame; a first jig holder and a second jig holder configured to move along the horizontal frame; a vertical frame on the horizontal frame; a drive shaft coupled to the vertical frame; a first arm and a second arm coupled to the drive shaft; a first guide connected to the first arm; and a second guide connected to the second arm.

[0008] The first jig holder and the second jig holder can be configured to fix battery cells.

[0009] The first guide and the second guide can be configured to fix airbags of battery cells.

[0010] The first guide can be perpendicular to the first arm.

[0011] The second guide member can be perpendicular to the second arm.

[0012] The first arm and the second arm can be configured to rotate about the drive shaft.

[0013] The first arm and the second arm can contact the first clamp holder and the second clamp holder.

[0014] The first arm and the second arm can be configured to rotate through the first clamp holder and the second clamp holder.

[0015] The length of each of the first arm and the second arm can be in the range of 100 mm to 160 mm.

[0016] The distance between the horizontal frame and the drive shaft can be in the range of 40 mm to 70 mm.

[0017] The length of each of the first guide member and the second guide member can be in the range of 50 mm to 100 mm.

[0018] The thickness of each of the first guide member and the second guide member can be in the range of 2 mm to 3 mm.

[0019] The first arm and the second arm can be spaced apart from the first clamp holder and the second clamp holder respectively.

[0020] The drive shaft can include a shaft configured to rotate the first arm and the second arm.

[0021] Example embodiments of the present invention provide a battery formation device. The battery formation device includes: a horizontal frame; a first clamp holder and a second clamp holder configured to move along the horizontal frame to fix a battery cell; a first arm in contact with the first clamp holder; a second arm in contact with the second clamp holder; a first guide member connected to the first arm; and a second guide member connected to the second arm.

[0022] The first arm can be configured to rotate by the movement of the first clamp holder.

[0023] The second arm can be configured to rotate by the movement of the second clamp holder.

[0024] The first end of the first arm can contact the first clamp holder.

[0025] The second end of the first arm opposite to the first end can be connected to the first guide member.

[0026] [Advantageous Effects]

[0027] The battery formation device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a guide configured to flatten the airbag of a battery cell. Accordingly, damage to the airbag and the battery cell can be prevented during unloading of the battery cell.

[0028] The effects achievable from the exemplary embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above effects, and other effects not described herein will be clearly derived and understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the exemplary embodiments of the present invention pertain from the following description. That is, those of ordinary skill in the art can derive unanticipated effects achieved when implementing the exemplary embodiments of the present invention from the exemplary embodiments of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a battery formation device according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0030] Figure 2 is a flowchart of a secondary battery manufacturing method according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0031] Figure 3 is a perspective view for describing a secondary battery manufacturing method according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0032] Figure 4 is a perspective view for describing a secondary battery manufacturing method according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0033] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a battery formation device according to an exemplary embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Before describing the embodiments of the present invention, terms or expressions used in this specification and the claims should not be construed as being limited to those defined in a commonly understood or commonly used dictionary, but should be understood based on the principle that the inventors of the present application can appropriately define terms or expressions to best explain the present invention, in accordance with the meanings and concepts corresponding to the present invention.

[0035] Therefore, the embodiments described herein and the configurations shown in the drawings are only examples of the present invention and do not reflect all the technical concepts of the present invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that various equivalents and modifications replacing these configurations were made as of the filing date of the present application.

[0036] When it is determined that well-known configurations or functions related to the description of the present invention would obscure the subject matter of the present invention due to unnecessary details, those configurations or functions will not be described in detail.

[0037] Since the embodiments of the present invention are provided to more comprehensively explain the present invention to those of ordinary skill in the art, for clarity, the shapes, sizes, etc. of the components shown in the drawings may be enlarged, omitted, or schematically shown. Therefore, the dimensions or ratios of the components should not be understood as fully reflecting their actual dimensions or ratios.

[0038] (First Embodiment)

[0039] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a battery formation device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0040] Reference Figure 1 , the battery formation device 100 may include a horizontal frame 110, a first jig holder 121, a first jig 122, a second jig holder 123, a second jig 124, a vertical frame 130, a drive shaft 140, a first arm 151, a second arm 153, a first guide 161, and a second guide 163.

[0041] The battery formation device 100 may be configured to perform a formation process on battery cells. Here, the formation process of the battery cells may include repeating the aging, charging, and discharging of the battery cells. Here, the aging of the battery cells is to store the battery cells at room temperature for a specific time (e.g., 30 minutes to 3 hours) so that the electrolyte injected in the assembly process can fully penetrate the positive and negative electrodes of the battery cells. The electrolyte can be evenly dispersed in the battery through the aging of the battery cells, and thus the movement of ions between the positive and negative electrodes can be promoted. Subsequently, when the electrolyte decomposes due to repeated charging and discharging, a solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) film can be formed on the surface of the negative electrode. The SEI film can block electrons and allow lithium ions to pass through. The SEI film can improve the safety of the battery cells and improve the performance and lifespan of the battery. The battery cells undergo secondary aging at a high temperature of 40 to 70 °C after charging, and thus the uniformity (e.g., thickness uniformity) of the SEI film can be improved. The formation process of the battery cells may include degassing to remove the gas generated in the battery during aging and charging.

[0042] The horizontal frame 110 may support other elements of the battery formation device 100. The horizontal frame 110 may extend in the X-axis direction.

[0043] The first jig holder 121 and the second jig holder 123 may be coupled to the horizontal frame 110. The first jig holder 121 and the second jig holder 123 may be configured to move along the horizontal frame 110 in the X-axis direction. The first jig holder 121 and the second jig holder 123 may move towards each other or away from each other.

[0044] Each of the first fixture 122 and the second fixture 124 may have a plate shape. Each of the first fixture 122 and the second fixture 124 may be substantially perpendicular to the X-axis direction. Each of the first fixture 122 and the second fixture 124 may be parallel to the Y-axis direction and the Z-axis direction. The first fixture 122 and the second fixture 124 may be substantially parallel to each other.

[0045] Here, the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction may be substantially perpendicular to each other. Each of the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction may be substantially parallel to the ground of the space where the battery formation device 100 is installed. The Z-axis direction may be substantially perpendicular to the ground of the space where the battery formation device 100 is installed.

[0046] The first fixture 122 may be connected to the first fixture holder 121. The second fixture 124 may be connected to the second fixture holder 123. The first fixture 122 and the second fixture 124 may move by the movement of the first fixture holder 121 and the second fixture holder 123. When the first fixture 122 and the second fixture 124 move closer to each other by the first fixture holder 121 and the second fixture holder 123, the first fixture 122 and the second fixture 124 may fix the battery cell BC (see Figure 4 ). The first fixture 122 and the second fixture 124 may press the battery cell BC (see Figure 4 ) to fix the battery cell BC therebetween.

[0047] When the first fixture 122 and the second fixture 124 move toward each other or away from each other, the minimum distance and the maximum distance between the first fixture 122 and the second fixture 124 may be determined by the width of the fixed battery cell BC in the X-axis direction. The minimum distance between the first fixture 122 and the second fixture 124 may be less than or equal to the width of the battery cell BC (see Figure 4 ) in the X-axis direction. The maximum distance between the first fixture 122 and the second fixture 124 may be in the range of about 35 mm to about 45 mm.

[0048] The vertical frame 130 may be on the horizontal frame 110. The vertical frame 130 may include a support member 131 and a frame rod 133. The support member 131 may support the frame rod 133. The frame rod 133 may be connected to the support member 131. The frame rod 133 may have a rod shape extending in the Z-axis direction.

[0049] The drive shaft 140 may be coupled to the frame rod 133. The drive shaft 140 may fix a part of the first arm 151 coupled to the drive shaft 140 and a part of the second arm 153 coupled to the drive shaft 140. According to an embodiment, the distance D1 between the horizontal frame 110 and the drive shaft 140 may be in the range of about 40 mm to about 70 mm.

[0050] The first arm 151 and the second arm 153 can be coupled to the drive shaft 140. Each of the first arm 151 and the second arm 153 can be configured to rotate about the drive shaft 140. According to an exemplary embodiment, the length L1 of each of the first arm 151 and the second arm 153 can be in the range of about 100 mm to about 160 mm.

[0051] According to an exemplary embodiment, the first arm 151 can be configured to be rotated by the first clamp holder 121. According to an exemplary embodiment, the first arm 151 can be rotated by the movement of the first clamp holder 121.

[0052] The first end of the first arm 151 can be in contact with the first clamp holder 121. When the first clamp holder 121 moves toward the second clamp holder 123 in the X-axis direction, the first clamp holder 121 can push the first end of the first arm 151 in the X-axis direction. Accordingly, a clockwise torque can be applied to the first arm 151, and thus the first arm 151 can rotate in the clockwise direction.

[0053] When the first clamp holder 121 moves in the X-axis direction away from the second clamp holder 123, the first clamp holder 121 can provide a space in which the first arm 151 can rotate in the counterclockwise direction. Due to the weight of the first guide 161 connected to the second end of the first arm 151, a counterclockwise torque can be applied to the first arm 151, and thus the first arm 151 can rotate in the counterclockwise direction. That is, even when the first clamp holder 121 moves in the X-axis direction away from the second clamp holder 123, the first arm 151 can rotate due to the movement of the first clamp holder 121. The first end of the first arm 151 and the second end of the first arm 151 can be opposite to each other.

[0054] According to an exemplary embodiment, the second arm 153 can be configured to be rotated by the second clamp holder 123. According to an exemplary embodiment, the second arm 153 can be rotated by the movement of the second clamp holder 123.

[0055] The first end of the second arm 153 can be in contact with the second clamp holder 123. When the second clamp holder 123 moves toward the first clamp holder 121 in the X-axis direction, the second clamp holder 123 can push the first end of the second arm 153 in the X-axis direction. Accordingly, a counterclockwise torque can be applied to the second arm 153, and thus the second arm 153 can rotate in the counterclockwise direction.

[0056] When the second jig holder 123 moves in the X-axis direction away from the first jig holder 121, the second jig holder 123 can provide a space in which the second arm 153 can rotate in the clockwise direction. Due to the weight of the second guide 163 connected to the second end of the second arm 153, a clockwise torque can be applied to the second arm 153, and thus, the second arm 153 can rotate in the clockwise direction. That is, even when the second jig holder 123 moves in the X-axis direction away from the first jig holder 121, the second arm 153 can rotate due to the movement of the second jig holder 123. The first end and the second end of the second arm 153 can be opposite to each other.

[0057] The above description of the directions of rotation of the first arm 151 and the second arm 153 is for describing the relationship between the first arm 151 and the second arm 153 and the first jig holder 121 and the second jig holder 123, and thus should not be construed as limiting the technical concept of the present invention in any sense. It is obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art that the terms "clockwise direction" and "counterclockwise direction" used to describe the rotation of the first arm 151 and the second arm 153 can vary depending on the direction of observing the first arm 151 and the second arm 153.

[0058] The first guide 161 can be connected to the first arm 151. The first guide 161 can be substantially perpendicular to the first arm 151, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. The first guide 161 can be inclined with respect to the first arm 151. The second guide 163 can be connected to the second arm 153. The second guide 163 can be substantially perpendicular to the second arm 153, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. The second guide 163 can be inclined with respect to the second arm 153.

[0059] According to an exemplary embodiment, the length L2 of each of the first guide 161 and the second guide 163 can be in the range of about 50 mm to about 100 mm. According to an exemplary embodiment, the thickness of each of the first guide 161 and the second guide 163 can be in the range of about 2 mm to about 3 mm.

[0060] (Second Embodiment)

[0061] Figure 2 is a flowchart of a method for manufacturing a secondary battery according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0062] Figure 3 and Figure 4 are perspective views for describing a method for manufacturing a secondary battery according to an exemplary embodiment. More specifically, Figure 3 and Figure 4 show the operation of the battery formation device 100.

[0063] Reference Figures 1 to 3, in P110, the battery cell BC can be loaded into the battery formation device 100. The loading of the battery cell BC can be performed by a pick-and-place machine.

[0064] The battery cell BC can include a main body BD, an airbag GP, and an electrode lead EL. In Figure 3 , the dual-direction battery cell BC is loaded into the battery formation device 100, but a single-direction battery cell can also be processed by the battery formation device 100. The airbag GP and the electrode lead EL can be spaced apart from each other. The airbag GP and the electrode lead EL can be on different sides of the main body BD.

[0065] The main body BD of the battery cell BC loaded in the battery formation device 100 can be inserted between the first clamp 122 and the second clamp 124. The airbag GP of the battery cell BC loaded in the battery formation device 100 can be inserted between the first guide 161 and the second guide 163.

[0066] The battery cell BC is the basic unit of a lithium-ion battery, i.e., a secondary battery. The battery cell BC can be a pouch-type battery cell. The battery cell BC can include a pouch case and an electrode assembly in the pouch case. The electrode assembly in the pouch case includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator between the positive electrode and the negative electrode.

[0067] The pouch case can be provided by performing a forming process and a sealing process on a pouch film. The pouch film can include an inner resin layer, a metal layer, and an outer resin layer. The inner resin layer can have thermal adhesiveness so as to be able to seal the pouch film. The inner resin layer can include, for example, a polyolefin-based material. The metal layer can include an alloy of iron, carbon, chromium, and manganese, an alloy of iron, chromium, and nickel, or aluminum.

[0068] The electrode assembly can be, but is not limited to, a jelly-roll type electrode assembly or a stacked type electrode assembly. The jelly-roll type electrode assembly includes a wound positive electrode and negative electrode, and a separator inserted therebetween. The stacked type electrode assembly can include a plurality of positive electrodes and a plurality of negative electrodes stacked in sequence, and a plurality of separators inserted therebetween. Figure 3 The battery cell BC can be a product obtained after the pouch forming process and the electrolyte injection process and before performing the formation process.

[0069] Next, referring to Figure 1 and Figure 4 , in P120, the battery formation device 100 can fix the main body BD and the airbag GP of the battery cell BC.

[0070] The main body BD of the battery cell BC can be fixed by the first fixture 122 and the second fixture 124. The first fixture 122 and the second fixture 124 can be moved by the first fixture holder 121 and the second fixture holder 123 to the position where the airbag GP is to be pressed. The main body BD of the battery cell BC can be pressed in the lateral direction (e.g., the X-axis direction) by the first fixture 122 and the second fixture 124. Thus, an increase in the volume of the main body BD of the battery cell BC due to the gas generated by the charging and discharging of the battery cell BC can be prevented. The gas generated by the charging and discharging of the battery cell BC can be collected by the airbag GP. After the formation process is completed, the collected gas can be removed by cutting a part of the airbag GP.

[0071] The airbag GP of the battery cell BC can be fixed by the first guide member 161 and the second guide member 163. The first arm 151 and the second arm 153 can be rotated by the first fixture holder 121 and the second fixture holder 123, and the first guide member 161 and the second guide member 163 can fix the airbag GP by the rotation of the first arm 151 and the second arm 153.

[0072] The airbag GP of the battery cell BC only includes a heat-sealable bag film and gas, and thus is flexible. Therefore, when the pick-and-place machine drops the battery cell BC, the airbag GP of the battery cell BC can be easily buckled. When the battery cell BC is unloaded from the battery formation device 100, the pick-and-place machine grips the airbag GP. Thus, the airbag GP buckles, and thus the reliability of the operation of the pick-and-place machine may be reduced, and damage to the airbag GP may be caused by the pick-and-place machine.

[0073] According to an exemplary embodiment, the first guide member 161 and the second guide member 163 can flatten the buckled airbag GP and fix the airbag GP. Thus, the battery formation device 100 according to the exemplary embodiment can provide a solution to problems such as reducing the operation reliability and damaging the airbag GP during unloading of the battery cell BC.

[0074] As a non-limiting example, the first fixture holder 121 and the second fixture holder 123 can move towards each other until the first arm 151 and the second arm 153 contact the support member 131. The size of the support member 131 can be determined such that when the first fixture holder 121 and the second fixture holder 123 move to the minimum distance, the first fixture 122 and the second fixture 124 can press the main body BD of the battery cell BC, and the first guide member 161 and the second guide member 163 can flatten the airbag GP of the battery cell BC.

[0075] Next, in P130, the formation process can be performed on the battery cell BC. The formation process can include repeated charging and discharging of the battery cell BC as described above. The charging and discharging of the battery cell BC includes supplying current to the electrode lead EL. The fully charged or discharged battery cell BC can be unloaded from the battery formation device 100 to perform an aging process or cut the airbag GP. Before unloading the battery cell BC, the first clamp holder 121 and the second clamp holder 123 can be moved away from each other. Accordingly, the first clamp 122 and the second clamp 124 can be separated from the main body BD, and the first guide 161 and the second guide 163 can be separated from the airbag GP.

[0076] (Third Embodiment)

[0077] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a battery formation device 101 according to other exemplary embodiments.

[0078] Refer to Figure 5 , the battery formation device 101 can include a horizontal frame 110, a first clamp holder 121, a first clamp 122, a second clamp holder 123, a second clamp 124, a vertical frame 130, a drive shaft 141, a first arm 152, a second arm 154, a first guide 161, and a second guide 163.

[0079] The horizontal frame 110, the first clamp holder 121, the first clamp 122, the second clamp holder 123, the second clamp 124, the vertical frame 130, the first guide 161, and the second guide 163 are substantially the same as those described above with reference to Figures 1 to 4 and thus redundant descriptions thereof are omitted here.

[0080] According to an exemplary embodiment, the first arm 152 can be spaced apart from the first clamp holder 121, and the second arm 154 can be spaced apart from the second clamp holder 123. According to an exemplary embodiment, the first arm 152 and the second arm 154 can be configured to rotate by the power transmitted to them by the drive shaft 141. The battery formation device 101 can include a motor (e.g., a servo motor) configured to supply torque to the drive shaft 141. According to an exemplary embodiment, the motor can be mounted in the vertical frame 130, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. The drive shaft 141 can include a shaft configured to transmit power from the motor.

[0081] The motor can synchronize the rotation of the first arm 152 and the second arm 154 with the movement of the first clamp holder 121 and the second clamp holder 123, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. In the battery cell BC (see Figure 4 ) of the main body BD (see Figure 4After being fixed by the first jig holder 121 and the second jig holder 123, the first arm 152 and the second arm 154 can be rotated to flatten the airbag GP (see Figure 4 ).

[0082] The present invention has been described in more detail above with reference to the drawings, embodiments, etc. However, the configurations shown in the drawings or the embodiments described in this specification are only embodiments of the present invention and do not reflect all the technical concepts of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that various equivalents and modifications replacing these configurations will appear on the filing date of this application.

Claims

1. A battery formation device comprising: Horizontal frame; a first clamp holder and a second clamp holder, the first clamp holder and the second clamp holder being configured to move along the horizontal frame; a vertical frame, the vertical frame being on the horizontal frame; a drive shaft coupled to the vertical frame; a first arm and a second arm, the first arm and the second arm being coupled to the drive shaft; a first guide connected to the first arm; as well as A second guide is connected to the second arm.

2. The battery formation equipment according to claim 1, wherein: The first clamp holder and the second clamp holder are configured to fix a battery cell, and The first guide and the second guide are configured to fix an air bag of the battery cell.

3. The battery formation equipment according to claim 1, wherein: The first guide is perpendicular to the first arm, and The second guide is perpendicular to the second arm.

4. The battery formation equipment according to claim 1, wherein: The first arm and the second arm are configured to rotate about the drive axis.

5. The battery formation equipment according to claim 1, wherein: The first arm and the second arm are in contact with the first clamp holder and the second clamp holder.

6. The battery formation equipment according to claim 1, wherein: The first arm and the second arm are configured to be rotated by the first clamp holder and the second clamp holder.

7. The battery formation equipment according to claim 1, wherein: A length of each of the first arm and the second arm is in the range of 100 mm to 160 mm.

8. The battery formation equipment according to claim 1, wherein: A distance between the horizontal frame and the driving shaft is in a range of 40 mm to 70 mm.

9. The battery formation equipment according to claim 1, wherein: A length of each of the first guide and the second guide is in the range of 50 mm to 100 mm.

10. The battery formation equipment according to claim 1, wherein: A thickness of each of the first guide and the second guide is in a range of 2 mm to 3 mm.

11. The battery formation equipment according to claim 1, wherein: The first arm and the second arm are spaced apart from the first clamp holder and the second clamp holder, respectively.

12. The battery formation equipment according to claim 1, wherein: The drive shaft includes a shaft configured to rotate the first arm and the second arm.

13. A battery formation device comprising: Horizontal frame; a first clamp holder and a second clamp holder configured to move along the horizontal frame to fix a battery cell; a first arm, the first arm being in contact with the first clamp holder; a second arm, the second arm being in contact with the second clamp holder; a first guide connected to the first arm; as well as a second guide connected to the second arm, wherein the first arm is configured to rotate by movement of the first clamp holder, and The second arm is configured to be rotated by movement of the second clamp holder.

14. The battery formation equipment according to claim 13, wherein: The first end of the first arm is in contact with the first clamp holder, and A second end of the first arm is connected to the first guide, wherein the second end of the first arm is opposite the first end of the first arm.

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