Apparatus for manufacturing electrode assembly and method for controlling the same

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly and a method of controlling the same. The present invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly formed in a stacked structure of electrode plates and separators, the apparatus comprising: a separator supplier configured to supply a separator; the folder moves relative to the stacking table to fold the partition plates on the stacking table; a guide provided on a movement path of the separator from the separator supplier to the folder to guide movement of the separator; a compensator movable to compensate for a length change of a movement path of the partition plate; and a controller configured to control movement of the compensator based on a structure parameter of a structure of the apparatus and a motion parameter of a motion of the folder to compensate for a length change of a movement path of the partition plate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiment relates to an apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly and a method of controlling the apparatus. Background Art

[0002] Unlike a primary battery that cannot be recharged, a secondary battery is a battery that can be charged and discharged. Low-capacity secondary batteries are used in small portable electronic devices such as smart phones, feature phones, laptop computers, digital cameras, and video cameras, and high-capacity secondary batteries are widely used as a driving power source and a power storage battery for motors in hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, etc. Such a secondary battery includes an electrode assembly, a case for accommodating the electrode assembly, and electrode terminals connected to the electrode assembly.

[0003] The above information disclosed in this background art section is only for enhancing the understanding of the background of the present disclosure. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The embodiment includes an apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly formed in a stacked structure of electrode plates and separators. The apparatus includes: a separator supply unit configured to supply separators; a folding unit that moves relative to a stacking table to fold a separator on the stacking table; a guiding unit provided on a movement path of the separator from the separator supply unit to the folding unit to guide the movement of the separator; a compensation unit that is movable to compensate for a change in the length of the movement path of the separator; and a control unit configured to control the movement of the compensation unit based on structural parameters of the structure of the apparatus and motion parameters of the motion of the folding unit to compensate for the change in the length of the movement path of the separator.

[0005] The guiding unit may include: a terminal guiding member placed and fixed at a front end of the folding unit with respect to the movement path of the separator to guide the movement of the separator toward the folding unit.

[0006] If the length of the separator on the movement path of the separator that connects the terminal guiding member, the folding unit, and the stacking table is defined as a control length, the change in the length of the movement path of the separator is a change in the control length according to the movement of the folding unit.

[0007] The folding unit may reciprocate between a first point and a second point to fold the separator, and if a two-dimensional coordinate system is introduced to include a first axis passing through the first point and the second point and a second axis extending from the stacking table in a direction perpendicular to the first axis, the control unit controls the movement of the compensation unit to compensate for the change in the control length in the two-dimensional coordinate system.

[0008] The compensation unit may be provided on the movement path of the separator to move in the direction of the first axis and compensate for the change in the control length.

[0009] In compensation, if the control length changes to a value less than a predefined reference value, the control unit compensates for the negative change in the control length by controlling the movement of the compensation unit to increase the tension of the portion of the partition corresponding to the control length, where the predefined reference value is the control length when a target tension is formed in the partition.

[0010] In compensation, if the control length changes to a value greater than a predefined reference value, the control unit compensates for the positive change in the control length by controlling the movement of the compensation unit to decrease the tension of the portion of the partition corresponding to the control length, where the predefined reference value is the control length when a target tension is formed in the partition.

[0011] In compensation, the control unit can control the movement of the compensation unit in real time according to the change in the control length to actively compensate for the change in the control length.

[0012] The structural parameters may include: (i) a first distance between a first point and a second point, (ii) a second distance formed in the width direction of the partition between an edge of the partition and the folding unit in a state where the folding unit is placed at the first point or the second point, (iii) a third distance from the stacking table to the end guiding member, (iv) a fourth distance from the stacking table to the lower end of the folding unit, and (v) a radius of the folding unit implemented as a roller type, and wherein the motion parameters may include a first axial movement distance of the folding unit.

[0013] The control length may include: (i) a first straight-line length of the partition extending from the end guiding member to a first contact point between the partition and the folding unit, (ii) a first arc length of the partition extending from the first contact point to an intersection point between the folding unit and the first axis, (iii) a second arc length of the partition extending from the intersection point to a second contact point between the partition and the folding unit, and (iv) a second straight-line length of the partition extending from the second contact point to the stacking table.

[0014] The control unit can use the first distance, the third distance, the fourth distance, the radius of the folding unit, and the first axial movement distance of the folding unit to calculate the first straight-line length and the first arc length.

[0015] The control unit can use the second distance, the fourth distance, the radius of the folding unit, and the first axial movement distance of the folding unit to calculate the second straight-line length and the second arc length.

[0016] An embodiment includes a method of controlling a device for manufacturing an electrode assembly formed in a stacked structure of electrode plates and separators. The method includes: obtaining, by a control unit, structural parameters of the structure of the device and motion parameters of the motion of a folding unit; and controlling, by the control unit, the movement of a compensation unit based on the obtained structural parameters and motion parameters to compensate for a change in the length of the movement path of the separator. The device includes: a separator supply unit configured to supply separators; a folding unit that moves relative to a stacking table to fold a separator on the stacking table; and a guiding unit provided on the movement path of the separator from the separator supply unit to the folding unit to guide the movement of the separator.

[0017] The guiding unit may include: a terminal guiding member placed and fixed at the front end of the folding unit relative to the movement path of the separator to guide the movement of the separator toward the folding unit. If the length of the separator connecting the terminal guiding member, the folding unit, and the stacking table on the movement path of the separator is defined as a control length, the change in the length of the movement path of the separator is based on the movement of the folding unit and is a change in the control length.

[0018] The folding unit may reciprocate between a first point and a second point to fold the separator. If a two-dimensional coordinate system is introduced to include a first axis passing through the first point and the second point and a second axis extending from the stacking table in a direction perpendicular to the first axis, the control unit controls the movement of the compensation unit to compensate for the change in the control length in the two-dimensional coordinate system.

[0019] In this compensation, if the control length changes to a value less than a predefined reference value, the control unit may compensate for the negative change in the control length by controlling the movement of the compensation unit to increase the tension of the portion of the separator corresponding to the control length. The predefined reference value may be the control length when a target tension is formed in the separator.

[0020] In this compensation, if the control length changes to a value greater than a predefined reference value, the control unit may compensate for the positive change in the control length by controlling the movement of the compensation unit to decrease the tension of the portion of the separator corresponding to the control length. The predefined reference value may be the control length when a target tension is formed in the separator.

[0021] In this compensation, the control unit may control the movement of the compensation unit in real time according to the change in the control length to actively compensate for the change in the control length. Description of the Drawings

[0022] By describing exemplary embodiments in detail with reference to the drawings, the features will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, where:

[0023] Figure 1Illustrates the structure of an apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to one or more embodiments;

[0024] Figure 2 Is a graph showing an example of occurrence of a tension deviation in a separator according to one or more embodiments;

[0025] Figure 3 Shows parameters for compensating for a length change of a separator according to one or more embodiments;

[0026] Figure 4 And Figure 5 Shows an example of a process for compensating for a length change of a separator according to one or more embodiments;

[0027] Figures 6 to 9 Shows an example in which a control length is calculated according to one or more embodiments; and

[0028] Figure 10 Is a flowchart of a method for controlling an apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to one or more embodiments. Detailed Description

[0029] Example embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings; however, the example embodiments may be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the exemplary embodiments to those skilled in the art.

[0030] In the drawings, for clarity of illustration, the dimensions of layers and regions may be exaggerated. It will also be understood that when a layer or element is referred to as being "on" another layer or substrate, the layer or element may be directly on the other layer or substrate, or there may also be intervening layers. Further, it will be understood that when a layer is referred to as being "under" another layer, the layer may be directly underneath and there may also be one or more intervening layers. Further, it will be understood that when a layer is referred to as being "between" two layers, the layer may be the only layer between the two layers, or there may also be one or more intervening layers. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

[0031] Before proceeding with the description, it should be understood that the terms used in the specification and claims should not be construed as limited to their ordinary and dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted based on the principle that allows the inventor to appropriately define the terms and corresponding to the meanings and concepts related to the technical aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed in this specification and the configurations illustrated in the accompanying drawings are only the most representative embodiments of the present disclosure, and do not represent all of the technical ideas of the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be understood that various equivalents and modifications that can replace these embodiments may exist at the time of filing this application. In addition, the use of "comprising" and "including" in this specification should be construed as specifying the existence of the described shape, quantity, step, operation, component, element, and / or their groups, and does not exclude the existence or addition of other shapes, quantities, steps, operations, components, elements, and / or their groups. In addition, when describing the embodiments of the present disclosure, the use of "may" and "may be" means "one or more embodiments of the present disclosure".

[0032] In addition, for a better understanding of the present disclosure, the drawings are not illustrated in actual scale, and the sizes of some elements may be exaggerated.

[0033] Stating that two compared objects are "the same" means that the two compared objects are "substantially the same". Therefore, substantially the same may include a deviation considered to be low in the art, such as a deviation of 5% or less. In addition, the uniformity of a parameter in a certain area may mean uniformity from an average perspective.

[0034] It will be understood that although terms such as "first" and "second" are used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another, and the first element may also be the second element unless otherwise specifically described.

[0035] Throughout this specification, each element may be singular or plural unless otherwise specifically described.

[0036] When it is stated that any element is disposed "on the upper (or lower) part" of an element or disposed "above (or below)" an element, this not only means that the any element is disposed in contact with the upper surface (or lower surface) of the element, but also means that another element may be interposed between the element and the any element disposed above (or below) the element.

[0037] In addition, when it is stated that a certain element is "connected" or "coupled" to another element, this may mean that the certain element and the other element are directly connected or coupled to each other. However, it should be understood that another element may be "interposed" between the certain element and the other element, or the certain element and the other element may be "connected" or "coupled" to each other via another element. In addition, the term "electrically coupled" may not only mean "directly coupled", but may also mean "coupled via other inserted elements".

[0038] Throughout the specification, "A and / or B" means "A, B, or A and B", unless specifically described otherwise. That is, "and / or" includes all or any combination of the listed items. "C to D" means C or more and D or less, unless specifically described otherwise.

[0039] 1. Structure of a device for manufacturing an electrode assembly

[0040] Reference Figure 1 , a device for manufacturing an electrode assembly (hereinafter referred to as a manufacturing device) of one or more embodiments includes a separator supply unit 100 (e.g., a separator supplier), a guiding unit 200 (e.g., a guide), a folding unit 300 (e.g., a folder), a compensation unit 400 (e.g., a compensator), and a control unit 500 (e.g., a controller).

[0041] The separator supply unit 100 may be placed at the front end in the moving direction of the separator SP on the moving path of the separator SP, so as to supply the separator SP. The separator supply unit 100 may be implemented as an unwinder that unwinds the wound separator SP and supplies the separator SP to a first guiding member 201 described below. The separator supply unit 100 may be configured to rotate at a predetermined rotational speed and operate to unwind the separator SP. Accordingly, the supply rate of the separator SP may be maintained at a constant rate corresponding to the rotational speed.

[0042] The guiding unit 200 may be provided on the moving path of the separator SP from the separator supply unit 100 to the folding unit 300 (which will be described below) to guide the movement of the separator SP. The guiding unit 200 may be provided as a plurality of guiding members provided on the moving path of the separator SP, and may include first to Nth guiding members 201 to 205 (N is a natural number of 2 or greater), and the first to Nth guiding members 201 to 205 may be sequentially arranged in the moving direction of the separator SP. As Figure 1As shown, each of the guide members 201 to 205 may be implemented as a guide roller that guides the movement of the separator SP through rotational movement. The first to Nth guide members 201 to 205 may be fixedly installed on a frame constituting a device for manufacturing an electrode assembly and provided to rotate at a constant speed. Since the positions of the first to Nth guide members 201 to 205 are fixed and the rotational speeds of the first to Nth guide members 201 to 205 are kept constant, the first to Nth guide members 201 to 205 are configured not to affect the change in the length of the movement path of the separator SP (i.e., in the exemplary embodiment, the change in the length of the movement path of the separator SP may be caused only by the folding unit 300 to be described below). Depending on the type or specifications of the electrode assembly to be manufactured, the number of guide members (i.e., the value of N) may have a specific value ( Figure 1 illustrates an example in which five guide rollers are provided). Meanwhile, to aid in the understanding of the present embodiment, the Nth guide member 205 placed and fixed at the end of the movement path of the separator SP (i.e., at the front end of the folding unit 300) will be referred to as the "end guide member 205".

[0043] The folding unit 300 is configured to fold the separator SP on the stacking table ST by reciprocating (e.g., moving) between a first point P1 and a second point P2 symmetrically placed in a first axial direction (described below) with respect to the center of the stacking table ST. That is, in the present embodiment, the position of the stacking table ST may be fixed, and the folding unit 300 may fold the separator SP by reciprocating between the first point P1 and the second point P2 under the control of a control unit 500 (to be described below). The folding unit 300 may be implemented as a final roller that supplies the separator SP to the stacking table ST and may be provided as a Figure 1 pair of roller members as shown. Accordingly, the pair of rollers constituting the folding unit 300 may rotate in opposite directions, the separator SP may be introduced between the pair of rollers, and the separator SP may be pulled out between the pair of rollers. In a state where the separator SP is introduced and pulled out, by moving the folding unit 300 in the first axial direction (e.g., Figure 3 the x-axis direction in )), the separator SP may be folded on the stacking table ST. The distance between a specific component and the folding unit 300 (to be described below) refers to the distance between the specific component and the center between the pair of rollers. In addition, the first point P1 and the second point P2 may each correspond to the point where the center between the pair of rollers is placed.

[0044] As described above, during the process of folding the separator SP, when the consumption rate of the separator SP cannot keep up with the supply rate of the separator SP, there may be a situation where the tension of the separator SP instantaneously converges to a value of 0 (see Figure 2The part indicated by (-). In addition, when the supply rate of the separator SP cannot keep up with the consumption rate of the separator SP, it is possible that the separator SP stretched as the tension of the separator SP increases is stacked on the stacking table ST (see Figure 2 The part indicated by (+)).

[0045] In order to eliminate the tension deviation of the separator SP caused by the deviation between the supply amount and the consumption amount of the separator SP as described above, in one or more embodiments, the compensation unit 400 may be provided to be movable in the first axial direction (as described below) to compensate for the change in the length of the movement path of the separator SP. As Figure 1 shown, the compensation unit 400 may be implemented as a tension adjustment roller, and since the compensation unit 400 is provided to be movable in the first axial direction, the compensation unit 400 may also be referred to as an active tension regulator. An actuator (not shown) including a motor and a gear member, etc. may be provided to move the tension adjustment roller in the first axial direction, and the movement of the tension adjustment roller may be controlled by the control unit 500.

[0046] The control unit 500 may be a device that controls the movement of the folding unit 300 and the compensation unit 400, may be implemented as a central processing unit (CPU), a system-on-chip (SoC) chip, or a processor, may control a plurality of hardware components or software components connected to the control unit 500 by running an operating system or an application program, and may perform various data processing and calculations. The control unit 500 may be configured to execute at least one instruction stored in the memory and store the execution result data in the memory.

[0047] 2. Definitions of Terms and Parameters

[0048] To help understand one or more embodiments herein, terms are first defined. The length of the movement path of the separator is the length from the point where the separator is drawn out from the separator supply unit 100 to the point where the separator reaches the stacking table ST.

[0049] As described above, the change in the length of the movement path of the separator is only caused by the movement of the folding unit 300. Among the entire movement path of the separator, the part of the length that changes due to the movement of the folding unit 300 corresponds to the path connecting to the end guide member 205, the folding unit 300, and the stacking table ST. Accordingly, in one or more embodiments, the length of the separator on the movement path of the separator that connects to the end guide member 205, the folding unit 300, and the stacking table ST is defined as the "control length". In other words, the change in the length of the movement path of the separator is the change in the control length based on the movement of the folding unit 300. Accordingly, the control unit 500 operates to control the movement of the compensation unit 400 and compensate for the change in the control length.

[0050] In one or more embodiments, a two-dimensional coordinate system may be introduced to provide a quantitative mechanism for compensating for changes in the control length. Refer to Figure 3 , a first axis (e.g., the x-axis) constituting the two-dimensional coordinate system corresponds to an axis passing through a first point P1 and a second point P2, where both the first point P1 and the second point P2 are endpoints of a movement path of the folding unit 300. A second axis (e.g., the z-axis) constituting the two-dimensional coordinate system corresponds to an axis extending from the stacking table ST in a direction perpendicular to the first axis. Accordingly, the control unit 500 operates to control the movement of the compensation unit 400 and compensate for changes in the control length in the two-dimensional coordinate system.

[0051] The control unit 500 may control the movement of the compensation unit 400 based on structural parameters of the structure of the manufacturing apparatus and motion parameters of the motion of the folding unit 300 to compensate for changes in the length of the movement path of the partition (e.g., changes in the control length).

[0052] Figure 3 Shows the movement path of the partition from the end guide member 205 to the stacking table ST. Refer to Figure 3 , the structural parameters may include: (i) a first distance D1 between the first point P1 and the second point P2, (ii) a second distance D2 formed in the width W_Stp direction of the partition between the edge of the partition and the folding unit 300 (the center of a pair of rollers) in a state where the folding unit 300 is placed at the first point P1 or the second point P2, (iii) a third distance D3 from the stacking table ST to the end guide member 205 (the center between a pair of rollers constituting the end guide member 205), (iv) a fourth distance D4 from the stacking table ST to the lower end of the folding unit 300, and (v) the radius r of each of the two rollers constituting the folding unit 300. In addition, the motion parameters may include the first-axis direction movement distance posfrx(t) of the folding unit 300 (e.g., along the x-axis), and in one or more embodiments where the folding unit 300 is provided to be movable in the second-axis direction, the motion parameters may further include the second-axis direction movement distance posfrz(t) (e.g., along the z-axis). The structural parameters may be pre-input by the user through an input interface. The motion parameters (the first-axis direction movement distance and the second-axis direction movement distance of the folding unit 300) may be calculated by multiplying the movement speed in the first-axis direction and the movement speed in the second-axis direction that can be pre-input by the user through the input interface by the elapsed time (i.e., the movement time of the folding unit 300).

[0053] The symbols and descriptions of the structural parameters and the motion parameters are summarized in Table 1 below.

[0054] Table 1

[0055]

[0056] In addition, referring to Figure 3 , the control length described above may include two straight lengths and two arc lengths. For example, the control length may be defined as the sum of the following lengths: (i) a first straight length L of the separator extending from the end guiding member 205 to the first contact point between the separator and the folding unit 300 1S , (ii) a first arc length L of the separator extending from the first contact point to the intersection point between the folding unit 300 and the first axis 1C , (iii) a second arc length L of the separator extending from the intersection point to the second contact point between the separator and the folding unit 300 2C , and (iv) a second straight length L of the separator extending from the second contact point to the stacking table ST 2S . That is to say, the control length L can be quantitatively expressed as "L 1S + L 1C + L 2S + L 2C ".

[0057] 3. Compensation for changes in the control length

[0058] 3-1. Method for compensating for changes in the control length in the control unit

[0059] In this embodiment, the control unit 500 operates to compensate for changes in the control length by differentially controlling the movement of the compensation unit 400 according to the comparison result between the control length and a predefined reference value. The predefined reference value described above may be the control length when a target tension is formed in the separator (e.g., the target tension of the separator defined in the design specifications for manufacturing the electrode assembly), and may be predefined in the control unit 500. That is to say, when the control length has a length corresponding to the reference value, no compensation for changes in the control length may be required, and when the control length has a value less than or greater than the reference value, compensation for changes in the control length may be performed to eliminate the tension deviation formed in the separator.

[0060] For example, when the control length changes to a value smaller than the predefined reference value, the control unit 500 controls the movement of the compensation unit 400 by increasing the tension of the part of the separator corresponding to the control length, thereby compensating for the negative change in the control length.

[0061] Figure 4 An example showing the case where the target tension formed in the separator corresponds to the case where the folding unit 300 is placed at the first point P1 is shown. Since Figure 4 the control length L in this state is the same as the reference value Length_REF, no compensation for changes in the control length is required.

[0062] In Figure 4 the state where, when the folding unit 300 moves rightward in the first axis direction to fold the partition, the control length decreases to a value smaller than the reference value, and thus, the tension formed at the portion of the partition corresponding to the control length decreases. To compensate for the decrease in tension caused by the negative change in the control length, the control unit 500 can control the movement of the compensation unit 400 to increase the tension of the portion of the partition corresponding to the control length. For example, in the case where the compensation unit 400 is provided on the right side of the manufacturing apparatus as shown in Figure 1 , the control unit 500 can move the compensation unit 400 rightward to increase the tension of the portion of the partition corresponding to the control length.

[0063] In addition, when the control length changes to a value larger than the reference value, the control unit 500 controls the movement of the compensation unit 400 by reducing the tension of the portion of the partition corresponding to the control length, thereby compensating for the positive change in the control length.

[0064] Figure 5 An example is shown where the target tension formed in the partition corresponds to the case where the folding unit 300 is placed at the midpoint between the first point P1 and the second point P2. Since Figure 5 the control length L in the state is the same as the reference value Length_REF, there is no need for compensation for the change in the control length.

[0065] In Figure 5 the state where, if the folding unit 300 moves leftward (or rightward) in the first axis direction to fold the partition, the control length increases to a value larger than the reference value, and thus, the tension formed at the portion of the partition corresponding to the control length increases. To compensate for the increase in tension caused by the positive change in the control length, the control unit 500 can control the movement of the compensation unit 400 to reduce the tension of the portion of the partition corresponding to the control length. For example, in the case where the compensation unit 400 is provided on the right side of the manufacturing apparatus as shown in Figure 1 , the control unit 500 can move the compensation unit 400 leftward to reduce the tension of the portion of the partition corresponding to the control length.

[0066] The control unit 500 can control the movement of the compensation unit 400 in real time according to the change of the control length, so as to actively compensate for the change of the control length. The control unit 500 can obtain the movement amount of the compensation unit 400 according to the amount of change of the control length relative to the reference value, so as to control the movement of the compensation unit 400 according to the obtained movement amount. The movement amount of the compensation unit 400 can be obtained based on a look-up table or a function that defines the relationship between the change of the control length relative to the reference value and the movement amount of the compensation unit, and these look-up tables or functions can be predefined in the control unit 500 based on the experimental results of the designer, etc.

[0067] 3-2. Quantitative control method for compensating the change of the control length

[0068] As described above, by moving the compensation unit 400 in the first axis direction, the negative change or positive change of the control length can be compensated. The control length can be calculated based on the structural parameters of the manufacturing device and the motion parameters of the folding unit 300. In this embodiment, since the control length is used as a factor for controlling the movement of the compensation unit 400, the structural parameters of the manufacturing device and the motion parameters of the folding unit 300 considered when calculating the control length can also be used as factors for controlling the movement of the compensation unit 400.

[0069] The control length can be defined as the sum of the first straight line length, the first arc length, the second straight line length, and the second arc length, and the control unit 500 can calculate the first straight line length, the first arc length, the second straight line length, and the second arc length based on the structural parameters and the motion parameters. The factors of the following mathematical equations are as shown in Table 1 above.

[0070] Figure 6 and Figure 7 are example diagrams for describing the process of calculating the first straight line length and the first arc length according to the position of the folding unit 300.

[0071] First, referring to Figure 6 , Equation 1 and Equation 2 are defined as follows.

[0072] [Equation 1]

[0073]

[0074] B = D3 - D4 - r - posfrz(t)

[0075] [Equation 2]

[0076] θ = θ1 + θ2

[0077]

[0078]

[0079] According to the modeling of Equation 1 and Equation 2 and Figure 6 the first straight line length and the first arc length are expressed according to Equation 3 below.

[0080] [Equation 3]

[0081]

[0082] L 1C = r × (θ1 + θ2)

[0083] Equation 3 is valid when the application condition satisfies "|A| ≥ r".

[0084] Figure 7 Illustrates a case where the application condition changes from "|A| ≥ r" to "|A| < r" because the folding unit 300 moves toward the center of the stacking table ST (for the sake of clearly understanding this embodiment, the rollers of the folding unit 300 are enlarged as shown).

[0085] Refer to Figure 7 Equations 4 and 5 are defined as follows.

[0086] [Equation 4]

[0087]

[0088] B = D3 - D4 - r - posfrz(t)

[0089] [Equation 5]

[0090] θ

[0091]

[0092] According to the modeling of Equation 4 and Equation 5 and Figure 7 the first straight line length and the first arc length are expressed according to Equation 6 below.

[0093] [Equation 6]

[0094]

[0095] Figure 6 and Figure 7 Illustrates an example where the folding unit 300 is initially placed on the left side with respect to the center of the stacking table ST. However, even when the folding unit 300 is placed on the right side with respect to the center of the stacking table ST, Equations 1 to 6 are equally applicable.

[0096] Figure 8 and Figure 9It is an exemplary diagram for describing the process of calculating the second straight-line length and the second arc length according to the position of the folding unit 300.

[0097] Reference Figure 8 (For ease of understanding, the rollers of the folding unit 300 are enlarged as shown), Equations 7 and 8 are defined as follows.

[0098] [Equation 7]

[0099] C = abs(D2 - posfrx(t)) - r

[0100] D = D4 + r + posfrz(t)

[0101] [Equation 8]

[0102] θ = θ1 + θ2

[0103]

[0104] Based on Equation 7 and Equation 8 and Figure 8 the modeling of, the second straight-line length and the second arc length are expressed according to Equation 9 below.

[0105] [Equation 9]

[0106]

[0107] L 2C = r × (θ1 + θ2)

[0108] When the application condition satisfies "r + posfrx(t) ≤ D2", Equation 9 is valid (for D2, see Figure 3 ).

[0109] Figure 9 Shows the case where, due to the folding unit 300 moving towards the center of the stacking table ST, the application condition changes from "r + posfrx(t) ≤ D2" to "r + posfrx(t) > D2" (for ease of understanding, the rollers of the folding unit 300 are enlarged as shown).

[0110] Reference Figure 9 , Equations 10 and 11 are defined as follows.

[0111] [Equation 10]

[0112] C = abs(D2 - posfrx(t)) - r

[0113] B = D4 + r + posfrz(t)

[0114] [Equation 11]

[0115] θ = θ1 - θ2

[0116]

[0117] Based on Equation 10 and Equation 11 and Figure 9 the modeling of, the second straight-line length and the second arc length are expressed according to the following Equation 12.

[0118] [Equation 12]

[0119]

[0120] L 2C = r × (θ1 - θ2)

[0121] As shown in Table 2 below, according to the application conditions described above, Equations 1 to 12 are classified and summarized.

[0122] Table 2

[0123] Application conditions Equations used <![CDATA["|A|≥r”&"r+posfrx(t)≤D2”]]> Equation 3 and Equation 9 <![CDATA["|A|≥r”&"r+posfrx(t)>D2”]]> Equation 3 and Equation 12 <![CDATA["|A| < r" & "r + posfrx(t) <= D2"]]> Equation 6 and Equation 9 <![CDATA["|A| < r" & "r + posfrx(t) > D2"]]> Equation 6 and Equation 12

[0124] Since the first straight-line length, the first arc length, the second straight-line length, and the second arc length are calculated through such a process, if the control length is calculated as the sum of these values, the control unit 500 can obtain the movement amount of the compensation unit 400 based on the amount of change of the control length relative to the reference value, and can control the movement of the compensation unit 400 according to the obtained movement amount. Accordingly, the length change of the movement path of the separator is actively compensated in real time to eliminate the tension deviation of the separator caused by the change of the length of the separator, thereby ensuring the consistent physical properties of the separator and improving the quality of the electrode assembly.

[0125] Figure 10 is a flowchart of a method for controlling an apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to one or more embodiments. Reference will be made to Figure 10 describe a method for controlling an apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to the present embodiment. A detailed description of the content repeated with the above description will be omitted, and the description will focus on the time-series configuration.

[0126] Initially, the control unit 500 acquires the structural parameters of the structure of the manufacturing apparatus and the motion parameters of the motion of the folding unit 300 (operation S100). The structural parameters and the motion parameters can be obtained through the input of the user on the interface device.

[0127] Next, the control unit 500 controls the movement of the compensation unit 400 based on the structural parameters and the motion parameters obtained in operation S100 to compensate for the length change of the movement path of the separator (operation S200).

[0128] When the length of the separator connected to the end guide member 205, the folding unit 300, and the stacking table ST on the movement path of the separator is defined as the control length, the change in the length of the movement path of the separator can be expressed as the change in the control length based on the movement of the folding unit 300. Accordingly, in operation S200, the control unit 500 controls the movement of the compensation unit 400 to compensate for the change in the control length in the two-dimensional coordinate system.

[0129] In operation S200, when the control length changes to a value less than a predefined reference value, the movement of the compensation unit 400 is controlled by increasing the tension of the portion of the separator corresponding to the control length, thereby compensating for the negative change in the control length. In this case, the reference value described above can be predefined as the value of the control length when a target tension is formed in the separator. In addition, in operation S200, when the control length changes to a value greater than the reference value, the control unit 500 controls the movement of the compensation unit 400 by decreasing the tension of the portion of the separator corresponding to the control length, thereby compensating for the positive change in the control length. The control unit 500 can control the movement of the compensation unit 400 in real time according to the change in the control length to actively compensate for the change in the control length.

[0130] To control the movement of the compensation unit 400 in operation S200, the control unit 500 can calculate the first straight line length, the first arc length, the second straight line length, and the second arc length based on the parameters in Table 1 above and the application conditions in Table 2 above. Then, the control unit 500 can calculate the control length as the sum of the first straight line length, the first arc length, the second straight line length, and the second arc length, obtain the movement amount of the compensation unit 400 according to the amount of change of the control length relative to the reference value, and subsequently, control the movement of the compensation unit 400 according to the obtained movement amount.

[0131] The electrode assembly constituting the secondary battery generally has a stacked structure in which a separator is disposed between a positive electrode and a negative electrode, and is manufactured by a process of folding the separator in a zigzag manner and alternately arranging the cut positive electrodes and the cut negative electrodes therebetween. To form the electrode assembly into a zigzag stacked structure, the following process is performed: i) a process of folding the separator while laterally moving the stacking table on which the electrode plates are stacked, and stacking the electrode plates at a position where the stacking table is laterally stationary, or ii) a process of folding the separator by a method in which these rollers transfer the separator to the left or right side of the stacking table and stack the electrode plates on the stacking table stationary at the center.

[0132] In both cases, during the process of folding and stacking the separators, when the consumption amount of the separators (i.e., the amount of the separators that are folded and stacked) is less than the supply amount of the separators (i.e., the consumption rate of the separators cannot keep up with the supply rate of the separators), a situation may occur where the tension of the separators instantaneously converges to a value of 0. In addition, when the consumption amount of the separators is greater than the supply amount of the separators (i.e., the supply rate of the separators cannot keep up with the consumption rate of the separators), a situation may also occur where the separators stretched as the tension of the separators increases are stacked on the stacking table.

[0133] In order to eliminate such a tension deviation of the separators, a method of manufacturing an electrode assembly by moving the stacking table in a U shape has been proposed. However, it is not easy to move a heavy stacking table, and it takes a long time to move the heavy stacking table. Therefore, there is a disadvantage in terms of the time required to manufacture the electrode assembly.

[0134] As used herein, the term "unit" may include a unit implemented in hardware, software, or firmware, and may be used interchangeably with another term (e.g., logic, logic block, part, or circuit). A unit may be a single integral part or the smallest unit or a part thereof suitable for performing one or more functions. For example, according to one embodiment, a "unit" may be implemented in the form of an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). In addition, the implementations described herein may be implemented in, for example, a method, process, device, software program, data stream, or signal. Although the discussion is only in the context of a single implementation form (e.g., only discussed as a method), the implementation of the discussed features may also be implemented in other forms (e.g., a device or a program). The device may be implemented with appropriate hardware, software, firmware, etc. The method may be implemented with a device such as a processor, which is generally a computer, a microprocessor, an integrated circuit, or a processing device including a programmable logic device, etc. The processor also includes a communication device, such as a computer, a mobile phone, a portable / personal digital assistant ("PDA"), and other devices that facilitate the communication of information between the terminal and the user.

[0135] According to the present disclosure, by controlling the movement of a compensation unit (active tension regulator) based on the structural parameters of the structure of the device for manufacturing the electrode assembly and the movement parameters of the movement of a folding unit (final roller) for folding the separators, the length change of the movement path of the separators is actively compensated, so as to eliminate the tension deviation of the separators caused by the change in the length of the separators, thereby ensuring consistent physical properties of the separators and improving the quality of the electrode assembly.

[0136] The present disclosure provides a device for manufacturing an electrode assembly and a method for controlling the device, and the device can improve the quality of the electrode assembly by eliminating the tension deviation of the separators caused by the change in the length of the separators during the operation of folding the separators in the manufacturing process of the electrode assembly.

[0137] However, the technical objectives to be solved by the present disclosure are not limited to the above, and those skilled in the art will clearly understand other objectives not described herein from the above disclosure.

[0138] An apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly and a method of controlling the apparatus adopt the following configuration, which controls the movement of a compensation unit (active tension regulator) by structural parameters based on the structure of the apparatus for manufacturing the electrode assembly and movement parameters of a folding unit (final roller) of a folding separator, so as to actively compensate in real time for changes in the length of the movement path of the separator.

[0139] However, the effects that can be obtained through the present disclosure are not limited to the effects described above, and those skilled in the art will clearly understand other technical effects not described herein from the above disclosure.

[0140] Although the present disclosure has been described with limited embodiments and drawings, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. On the contrary, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and changes can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present disclosure, and the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

[0141] Example embodiments are disclosed herein, and although specific terms are used, they are used and interpreted only in a general and descriptive sense and not for the purpose of limitation. In some cases, as would be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art prior to the filing of the present application, features, characteristics, and / or elements described in connection with specific embodiments may be used alone or in combination with features, characteristics, and / or elements described in connection with other embodiments, unless otherwise specifically indicated. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications in form and detail can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims.

Claims

1. A device for manufacturing an electrode assembly, wherein the electrode assembly is formed in a stacked structure of an electrode plate and a separator, the device comprising: a separator supplier configured to supply the separator; a folder, movable relative to the stacking table to fold the partition on the stacking table; a guide provided on a moving path of the partition from the partition supplier to the folder to guide the movement of the partition; a compensator movable to compensate for a change in length of the travel path of the diaphragm; as well as A controller is configured to control the movement of the compensator based on structural parameters of the structure of the device and motion parameters of the movement of the folder to compensate for the length change of the movement path of the diaphragm.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The guide comprises: A terminal guide member is placed and fixed at a front end of the folder relative to the moving path of the partition plate to guide the movement of the partition plate toward the folder.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein: If the length of the partition on the moving path of the partition connected to the end guide member, the folder and the stacking table is defined as a control length, the length change of the moving path of the partition is the change of the control length according to the movement of the folder.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein: The folder reciprocates between a first point and a second point to fold the partition, and If a two-dimensional coordinate system is introduced to include a first axis passing through the first point and the second point and a second axis extending from the stacking stage in a direction perpendicular to the first axis, the controller controls the movement of the compensator to compensate for the change in the control length in the two-dimensional coordinate system.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein: The compensator is provided on the moving path of the diaphragm to move in the direction of the first axis and compensate for the change in the control length.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein: In the compensation, if the control length changes to a value less than a predefined reference value, the controller compensates for the negative change in the control length by controlling the movement of the compensator to increase the tension of the portion of the diaphragm corresponding to the control length, wherein the predefined reference value is the control length when a target tension is formed in the diaphragm.

7. The device according to claim 5, wherein: In the compensation, if the control length changes to a value greater than a predefined reference value, the controller compensates for the positive change in the control length by controlling the movement of the compensator to reduce the tension of the portion of the diaphragm corresponding to the control length, wherein the predefined reference value is the control length when a target tension is formed in the diaphragm.

8. The device according to claim 5, wherein: In the compensation, the controller controls the movement of the compensator in real time according to the change of the control length to actively compensate for the change of the control length.

9. The device according to claim 4, wherein: The structural parameters include: (i) a first distance between the first point and the second point, (ii) a second distance between an edge of the partition and the folder formed in a width direction of the partition in a state where the folder is placed at the first point or the second point, (iii) a third distance from the stacking stage to the end guide member, (iv) a fourth distance from the stacking stage to a lower end of the folder, and (v) a radius of the folder implemented as a roller type, and The motion parameter includes a moving distance of the folder in the first axis direction.

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein: The control length includes: (i) a first straight line length of the partition extending from the end guide member to a first contact point between the partition and the folder, (ii) a first arc length of the partition extending from the first contact point to an intersection between the folder and the first axis, (iii) a second arc length of the partition extending from the intersection to a second contact point between the partition and the folder, and (iv) a second straight line length of the partition extending from the second contact point to the stacking table.

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein: The controller calculates the first straight line length and the first arc length using the first distance, the third distance, the fourth distance, the radius of the folder, and the first axis direction movement distance of the folder.

12. The device according to claim 10, wherein: The controller calculates the second straight line length and the second arc length using the second distance, the fourth distance, the radius of the folder, and the first-axis direction movement distance of the folder.

13. A method for controlling an apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly, wherein the electrode assembly is formed in a stacked structure of an electrode plate and a separator, the method comprising: Obtaining, by means of a controller, structural parameters of the structure of the device and motion parameters of the movement of the folder; and By means of the controller, the movement of the compensator is controlled based on the obtained structural parameters and motion parameters to compensate for the change in the length of the moving path of the diaphragm, The device comprises: a partition supplier configured to supply the partition; a folder moving relative to a stacking table to fold the partition on the stacking table; and a guide provided on the moving path of the partition from the partition supplier to the folder to guide the movement of the partition.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein: The guide comprises: a terminal guide member, which is placed and fixed at the front end of the folder relative to the moving path of the partition to guide the movement of the partition toward the folder, and If the length of the partition on the moving path of the partition connected to the end guide member, the folder and the stacking table is defined as a control length, the length change of the moving path of the partition is the change of the control length according to the movement of the folder.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein: The folder reciprocates between a first point and a second point to fold the partition, and If a two-dimensional coordinate system is introduced to include a first axis passing through the first point and the second point and a second axis extending from the stacking stage in a direction perpendicular to the first axis, the controller controls the movement of the compensator to compensate for the change in the control length in the two-dimensional coordinate system.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein: In the compensation, if the control length changes to a value less than a predefined reference value, the controller compensates for the negative change in the control length by controlling the movement of the compensator to increase the tension of the portion of the diaphragm corresponding to the control length, wherein the predefined reference value is the control length when a target tension is formed in the diaphragm.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein: In the compensation, if the control length changes to a value greater than a predefined reference value, the controller compensates for the positive change in the control length by controlling the movement of the compensator to reduce the tension of the portion of the diaphragm corresponding to the control length, wherein the predefined reference value is the control length when a target tension is formed in the diaphragm.

18. The method according to claim 15, wherein: In the compensation, the controller controls the movement of the compensator in real time according to the change of the control length to actively compensate for the change of the control length.

Images