Secondary battery sealing device and method for manufacturing secondary battery by using same

Abstract

A sealing device according to one embodiment of the present invention may comprise: a support part provided to support an open side part of a secondary battery including an electrode assembly embedded in a case such that the side part faces upward; and a sealing tool including a vertically extending rotating shaft and a rotating body provided to be rotatable about the rotating shaft, the sealing tool being located on at least one side of the side portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross - Reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10 - 2023 - 0052883, filed in Korea on April 21, 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0004] The present disclosure relates to a secondary battery sealing device and a method for manufacturing a secondary battery using the same. Background Art

[0005] To prevent environmental pollution and develop alternative energy sources due to the depletion of oil resources, research and development on power generation based on environmentally friendly energy are underway. In particular, research on secondary batteries is actively being carried out, and various aspects of secondary batteries such as materials, structures, processes, and stability are being studied.

[0006] To improve the structural stability of secondary batteries, research and development on the structure capable of sealing secondary batteries and the process of sealing secondary batteries are continuously carried out.

[0007] A sealing device may be used in the process of sealing a secondary battery. The sealing device may include a device for pressurizing and heating using a predetermined mold and a pair of sealing tools capable of sealing an area to be sealed.

[0008] According to the prior art, when using a predetermined mold, it may be necessary to replace the predetermined mold according to the type, specifications, and dimensions of the secondary battery, and in the case of large secondary batteries with high capacity, it may be difficult to perform effective sealing using a mold with limited size. Summary of the Invention

[0009] Technical Problem

[0010] The present disclosure aims to solve the problems of the related art, and thus, the present disclosure aims to provide a secondary battery sealing device capable of adaptively and effectively sealing secondary batteries of different sizes and a method for manufacturing a secondary battery using the same.

[0011] Technical Solution

[0012] A sealing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a support unit configured to support an open side portion of a secondary battery such that the open side portion faces upward, wherein in the secondary battery, an electrode assembly is embedded in a case; and a sealing tool including a vertically extending rotating shaft and a rotating body configured to be rotatable about the rotating shaft, and the sealing tool is located on at least one side of the one side portion.

[0013] A manufacturing method for a secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a supporting step of using a support unit to support an open side portion of a secondary battery such that the open side portion faces upward with respect to the ground, wherein in the secondary battery, an electrode assembly is embedded in a case; a moving step of moving the support unit in a predetermined direction to move the secondary battery in the predetermined direction; and a sealing step of using the rotating bodies provided on both sides of the one side portion to seal the one side portion.

[0014] Advantageous Effects

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, secondary batteries of different sizes can be adaptively sealed.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, since there is no need to replace a separate mold during the sealing process, the process efficiency can be improved.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, a uniform sealing quality can be obtained.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the structural stability of the secondary battery can be improved. Description of the Drawings

[0019] Figure 1 is a plan view showing a sealed portion of a secondary battery.

[0020] Figure 2 is a conceptual diagram showing a sealing device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] Figure 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a sealing device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] Figure 4 is a side cross-sectional view showing a rotating body according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0023] Figure 5 is a conceptual diagram showing a sealing device according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] Figure 6It is a conceptual diagram showing a sealing device according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] Figure 7 It is a conceptual diagram showing a sealing device according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] Figure 8 It is a conceptual diagram showing a sealing device according to a sixth embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Embodiments

[0027] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in sufficient detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains can easily implement the present disclosure. However, the present disclosure can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited or restricted by the following embodiments.

[0028] To clearly describe the present disclosure, irrelevant descriptions or detailed descriptions of related known technologies that may unnecessarily obscure the key points of the present disclosure are omitted. When attaching reference numerals to the elements in each figure, the same or similar reference numerals are attached to the same or similar elements throughout the present disclosure.

[0029] In addition, it should be understood that the terms or words used in this specification and the appended claims should not be construed as limited to the general meaning and dictionary meaning, but should be understood based on the principle that allows the inventor to appropriately define the terms according to the meanings and concepts corresponding to the technical aspects of the present disclosure for the best interpretation.

[0030] Figure 1 It is a plan view showing a sealing portion of a secondary battery.

[0031] The secondary battery 1 may include an electrode assembly 10. The electrode assembly 10 may be in a form in which a positive electrode and a negative electrode are alternately stacked and a separator is interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode.

[0032] The secondary battery 1 may include an electrode lead 20. The electrode lead 20 may be connected to the electrode assembly 10 and may extend to electrically connect the electrode assembly 10 to the outside. For example, the electrode lead 20 may extend to protrude from the electrode assembly 10 to the outside of a case 30 to be described later.

[0033] The secondary battery 1 may include a case 30. The case 30 may embed the electrode assembly 10 therein. A part of the electrode lead 20 may be located inside the case 30, and another part may protrude to the outside of the case 30.

[0034] The housing 30 can be sealed after the electrode assembly 10 is embedded. For example, the housing 30 can include a side portion 31 and another side portion 32. Based on the electrode assembly 10, the another side portion 32 can be located on the opposite side of the side portion 31.

[0035] One side portion 31 is an open portion and can be the portion for performing sealing. The another side portion 32 can be a non-open portion, but is not limited thereto.

[0036] The secondary battery 1 can have an electrolyte. For example, the electrolyte can also be embedded together with the electrode assembly 10 inside the housing 30.

[0037] The secondary battery 1 can include a sealing portion 40. The sealing portion 40 can be the portion sealed using a sealing device described later. The portion of the secondary battery 1 outside the sealing portion 40 can be removed after the sealing step, but is not limited thereto.

[0038] Figure 2 It is a conceptual diagram showing a sealing device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. The description of the above embodiment can be equivalently or similarly applied to this embodiment.

[0039] The sealing device can include a support unit 100.

[0040] The support unit 100 can be configured to support the open side portion 31 of the secondary battery 1 in which the electrode assembly 10 is embedded, such that the open side portion 31 faces upward. Since the support unit 100 supports the side portion 31, the electrolyte embedded in the secondary battery 1 may not leak.

[0041] The support unit 100 can be a jig configured to be movable in a vertical direction relative to the side portion 31. The end portion of the jig that clamps the side portion 31 and the side portion 31 can be in surface contact. When the jig and the side portion 31 are in surface contact, the support unit 100 can stably support the side portion 31 while preventing damage to the side portion 31.

[0042] The sealing device can include a sealing tool. The sealing tool can be located on at least one side of the side portion 31. The sealing tool can be arranged to press and heat the side portion 31 on both sides of the side portion 31.

[0043] The sealing tool can include a rotating shaft. The rotating shaft can extend vertically. For example, the rotating shaft can extend in a direction perpendicular to the ground by a predetermined length.

[0044] The sealing tool can include a rotating body. The rotating body can be arranged to be rotatable about the rotating shaft.

[0045] In the following, the sealing tool will be described in more detail.

[0046] The sealing tool may include a first sealing tool 110 and a second sealing tool 120.

[0047] The first sealing tool 110 may include a first rotating shaft 111 vertically extending from one side of a side portion 31 and a first rotating body 112 arranged to rotate about the first rotating shaft 111.

[0048] The second sealing tool 120 may include a second rotating shaft 121 vertically extending from the other side of the side portion 31 and a second rotating body 122 arranged to rotate about the second rotating shaft 121.

[0049] The first rotating body 112 and the second rotating body 122 may rotate to seal a side portion 31 along the length direction of a side portion 31. For example, the first rotating body 112 and the second rotating body 122 may seal a side portion 31 by heating and / or pressurizing. The first rotating body 112 and the second rotating body 122 may form a sealing portion 40 by sealing.

[0050] The distance between the first rotating shaft 111 and the second rotating shaft 121 may be adjustable. The intensity of heating and / or pressurizing may be adjusted by adjusting the distance between the first rotating shaft 111 and the second rotating shaft 121.

[0051] As the distance between the first rotating shaft 111 and the second rotating shaft 121 is adjusted, portions with different sealing strengths may be formed along the length direction of a side portion 31. For example, the sealing strength may increase as the distance between the first rotating shaft 111 and the second rotating shaft 121 decreases, and the sealing strength may decrease as the distance between the first rotating shaft 111 and the second rotating shaft 121 increases. By adjusting the distance between the first rotating shaft 111 and the second rotating shaft 121, the sealing strength along the length direction of a side portion 31 may be adjusted.

[0052] The height of the first rotating body 112 and the height of the second rotating body 122 may be adjustable. For example, the height of the first rotating body 112 and the height of the second rotating body 122 may be adjustable respectively along the first rotating shaft 111 and the second rotating shaft 121. By adjusting the height of the first rotating body 112 and the height of the second rotating body 122, the height of the sealing portion 40 formed on a side portion 31 may be adjusted.

[0053] The sealing device may include a moving unit 101. The moving unit 101 may be configured to move the supporting unit 100 in a predetermined direction. For example, the moving unit 101 may move the supporting unit 100 such that the supporting path along which the supporting unit 100 moves does not interfere with the sealing tools 110, 120.

[0054] When the sealing device is provided with rotating bodies 112, 122 to perform sealing by rotation with one side portion 31 of the secondary battery 1 facing upward, sealing can be adaptively performed on secondary batteries of different sizes without leakage of the electrolyte.

[0055] In addition, since the rotating bodies 112, 122 perform sealing by rotation, it is not necessary to replace a separate mold during the sealing process, thereby improving the process efficiency. Thus, a uniform sealing quality can be obtained.

[0056] If a uniform sealing quality for the secondary battery 1 is obtained, the structural stability of the secondary battery can be improved.

[0057] The sealing device may further include a dragger. For example, the dragger may be configured to move while supporting another side portion 32 disposed on the opposite side of one side portion 31 based on the electrode assembly 10. In other words, for the stable movement of the secondary battery 1, one side portion 31 may be supported by the supporting unit 100, and the other side portion 32 may be supported by the dragger.

[0058] Figure 3 FIG. is a conceptual diagram showing a sealing device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. The description of the above embodiment can be equivalently or similarly applied to this embodiment.

[0059] The sealing device may have a plurality of supporting units. For example, the sealing device may include a first supporting unit 100-1 and a second supporting unit 100-2. The first supporting unit 100-1 and the second supporting unit 100-2 may each be in the form of a jig. In other words, the sealing device may include a plurality of jig-shaped supporting units 100-1, 100-2 along one side portion 31.

[0060] In the above description, two supporting units are illustrated, but this is not particularly limited. When a plurality of supporting units are provided in the sealing device, one side portion 31 of the secondary battery 1 can be more stably supported.

[0061] The secondary battery 1 can be manufactured by a manufacturing method including a sealing step using the above-described sealing device.

[0062] A manufacturing method for a secondary battery may include a supporting step. The supporting step may be the following step: using a supporting unit 100 to support an open side portion 31 of a secondary battery 1 in which an electrode assembly 10 is embedded in a case 30, such that the open side portion 31 faces upward with respect to the ground.

[0063] A manufacturing method for a secondary battery may include a moving step. The moving step may be the following step: moving the supporting unit 100 in a predetermined direction to move the secondary battery 1 in the predetermined direction.

[0064] A manufacturing method for a secondary battery may include a sealing step. The sealing step may be the following step: using rotating bodies 112, 122 provided on both sides of one side portion 31 to seal the one side portion 31.

[0065] The sealing step may include a non-uniform sealing process. The non-uniform sealing process may be the following process: forming portions having different sealing strengths along the length direction of one side portion 31 by adjusting the distance between the rotating bodies 112, 122.

[0066] The sealing step may include the following process: performing sealing by selectively transferring heat and pressure to the rotating bodies 112, 122. For example, a sealing portion 40 may be formed by transferring heat and pressure to only some of the rotating bodies 112, 122.

[0067] Figure 4 It is a side cross-sectional view showing a rotating body according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. The description of the above embodiments may be equally or similarly applied to this embodiment. Figure 4 (a) to Figure 4 (e) may illustrate side cross-sectional views of the rotating bodies 112, 122. The direction of the rotation axis may be formed in Figure 4 (a) to Figure 4 (e) in the vertical direction of the rotating bodies 112, 122.

[0068] Referring to Figure 4 (a) to Figure 4 (c), the outer peripheral surfaces of the rotating bodies 112, 122 may be formed to be flat with respect to the direction of the rotation axis. For example, when the rotating bodies 112, 122 press one side portion 31, the flat surfaces (pressing surfaces) may face each other.

[0069] Referring to Figure 4 (b), the outer peripheral surfaces of the rotating bodies 112, 122 may include circular portions having rounded edges. For example, the circular portions of the rotating bodies 112, 122 may be formed at the edges of the pressing surfaces.

[0070] Reference Figure 4 (c), the outer peripheral surfaces of the rotating bodies 112, 122 may include inclined portions inclined with respect to the direction of the rotation axis.

[0071] Reference Figure 4 (d), the entire outer peripheral surfaces of the rotating bodies 112, 122 may be formed to be inclined.

[0072] Reference Figure 4 (e), the upper ends of the outer peripheral surfaces of the rotating bodies 112, 122 may be formed to be flat, and the remaining portions may be formed to be inclined.

[0073] The pressing surfaces of the outer peripheral surfaces of the rotating bodies 112, 122 described above are exemplary, but are not limited to the above-described embodiments.

[0074] When one side portion 31 is pressed by the flat pressing surface, the pressed area of the one side portion 31 can be effectively pressed with a predetermined pressing strength.

[0075] When one side portion 31 is pressed by the pressing surface including an inclined shape, the sealing strength of a specific area can be increased, and upward movement of internal materials (such as electrolytes) or foreign matters during sealing can be prevented.

[0076] When the pressing surface includes a circular shape, damage to the surface of the one side portion 31 can be prevented.

[0077] The pressing surfaces of the outer peripheral surfaces of the rotating bodies 112, 122 can be implemented in various ways according to the sealing strength, sealing area, and characteristics of the secondary battery 1.

[0078] Figure 5 is a conceptual diagram showing a sealing device according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. The description of the above embodiments can be equivalently or similarly applied to this embodiment.

[0079] The first rotating body 112a and the second rotating body 122a may be in the form of cylinders having different heights. For example, the first rotating body 112a may be in the form of a cylinder having a first height h1. The second rotating body 122a may be in the form of a cylinder having a second height h2 smaller than the first height h1.

[0080] The height of the second rotating body 122a may be adjustable. For example, the height of the second rotating body 122a may be adjusted along the second rotation axis 121a, thereby changing the position of the second rotating body 122a facing the first rotating body 112a. In this case, the formation position of the sealing portion 40 can be adjusted.

[0081] By adjusting the separation distance L1 between the first rotating body 112a and the second rotating body 122a, the sealing strength of the sealing portion 40 can also be adjusted.

[0082] Figure 6 FIG. is a conceptual diagram showing a sealing device according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. The descriptions of the above embodiments can be equivalently or similarly applied to this embodiment.

[0083] The second rotating body 122b may include a plurality of rotating units. For example, the second rotating body 122b may include a plurality of rotating units 122-1b, 122-2b provided along the second rotation axis 121b. The plurality of rotating units may include an upper rotating unit 122-1b and a lower rotating unit 122-2b.

[0084] The first rotating body 112b may be in the form of a cylinder having a first height h1. The upper rotating unit 122-1b may have a height of h21, and the lower rotating unit 122-2b may have a height of h22.

[0085] The sum of the height h21 of the upper rotating unit 122-1b and the height h22 of the lower rotating unit 122-2b may be less than the first height h1. However, it is not limited thereto.

[0086] When the sum of the height h21 of the upper rotating unit 122-1b and the height h22 of the lower rotating unit 122-2b is less than the first height h1, the plurality of rotating units 122-1b, 122-2b may move within the range of the first height h1 of the first rotating body 112b along the second rotation axis 121b. In this case, the degree of freedom for the formation range of the sealing portion 40 can be increased.

[0087] The sealing portion 40 can be formed by applying heat and pressure to only some of the plurality of rotating units 122-1b, 122-2b. In this case, the degree of freedom for the formation range of the sealing portion 40 can be increased.

[0088] There is no particular limitation on the number of the plurality of rotating units.

[0089] Figure 7 FIG. is a conceptual diagram showing a sealing device according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. The descriptions of the above embodiments can be equivalently or similarly applied to this embodiment.

[0090] The first rotating body 112c may include a plurality of rotating units. For example, the first rotating body 112c may include a first rotating unit 112-1c and a second rotating unit 112-2c along the first rotation axis 111c.

[0091] The second rotating body 122c may include a plurality of rotating units. For example, the second rotating body 122c may include a third rotating unit 122-1c and a fourth rotating unit 122-2c along the second rotation axis 121c.

[0092] Heat and pressure may be transferred to some of the plurality of rotating units. For example, heat and pressure may be selectively transferred to some of the first rotating unit 112-1c, the second rotating unit 112-2c, the third rotating unit 122-1c, and the fourth rotating unit 122-2c to form a sealing portion 40c.

[0093] Some of the rotating units to which heat and pressure are not transferred may be used to support a side portion 31c. For example, some of the rotating units to which heat and pressure are not transferred may be used as transfer rollers.

[0094] Figure 8 It is a conceptual diagram showing a sealing device according to a sixth embodiment of the present disclosure. The description of the above embodiments can be equivalently or similarly applied to this embodiment.

[0095] The support unit 100d may include an adsorber. For example, the support unit 100d may include adsorbers that adsorb on both sides of a side portion 31d. The adsorbers may adsorb on both sides of a side portion 31d to support a side portion 31d.

[0096] When the support unit 100d moves during the process of supporting a side portion 31d, the support unit 100d, the first rotation axis 111d, the first rotating body 112d, the second rotation axis 121d, and the second rotating body 122d do not interfere with each other on the path.

[0097] When the support unit 100d includes an adsorber, the support unit 100d may have the effect of stably supporting a side portion 31d.

[0098] The present disclosure has been described above with respect to a limited number of embodiments and drawings, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains can implement the present disclosure in different forms within the scope of the technical aspects of the present disclosure and the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0099] List of reference numerals

[0100] 1: Secondary battery

[0101] 10, 10c, 10d: Electrode assembly

[0102] 20, 20c, 20d: Electrode lead

[0103] 30, 30c, 30d: Housing

[0104] 31, 31c, 31d: A side part

[0105] 32, 32c, 32d: Another side part

[0106] 40, 40c, 40d: Sealing part

[0107] 100, 100d: Support unit

[0108] 100-1: First support unit

[0109] 100-2: Second support unit

[0110] 101: Moving unit

[0111] 110, 110a, 110b: First sealing tool

[0112] 111, 111a, 111b, 111c, 111d: First rotating shaft

[0113] 112, 112a, 112b, 112c, 112d: First rotating body

[0114] 112-1c: First rotating unit

[0115] 112-2c: Second rotating unit

[0116] 120, 120a, 120b: Second sealing tool

[0117] 121, 121a, 121b, 121c, 121d: Second rotating shaft

[0118] 122, 122a, 122b, 122c, 122d: Second rotating body

[0119] 122-1b: Upper rotating unit

[0120] 122-2b: Lower rotating unit

[0121] 122-1c: Third rotating unit

[0122] 122-2c: Fourth rotating unit

Claims

1. A sealing device, comprising: a supporting unit configured to support an opened one side portion of a secondary battery in which an electrode assembly is embedded in a case so that the opened one side portion faces upward; and A sealing tool includes a vertically extending rotation shaft and a rotating body configured to be rotatable around the rotation shaft, and the sealing tool is located on at least one side of the one side portion.

2. The sealing device according to claim 1, in, The sealing tool comprises: a first sealing tool provided with a first rotating shaft extending vertically at one side of the one side portion and a first rotating body configured to rotate around the first rotating shaft; and A second sealing tool is provided with a second rotating shaft extending vertically at the other side of the one side portion and a second rotating body configured to rotate around the second rotating shaft.

3. The sealing device according to claim 2, in, The first rotating body and the second rotating body rotate to seal the one side portion along a length direction of the one side portion.

4. The sealing device according to claim 2, in, The distance between the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis is adjusted so that portions having different sealing strengths are formed along a length direction of the one side portion.

5. The sealing device according to claim 1, in, An outer peripheral surface of the rotating body is formed flat with respect to a direction of the rotating axis.

6. The sealing device according to claim 5, in, The outer peripheral surface of the rotating body includes a circular portion having a rounded edge.

7. The sealing device according to claim 5, in, The outer peripheral surface of the rotating body includes an inclined portion inclined with respect to a direction of the rotating axis.

8. The sealing device according to claim 2, in, The height of the first rotating body and the height of the second rotating body are adjustable.

9. The sealing device according to claim 2, in, The first rotating body and the second rotating body are in the form of cylinders having different heights.

10. The sealing device according to claim 9, in, The first rotating body is in the form of a cylinder having a first height, and The second rotating body is in the form of a cylinder having a second height smaller than the first height, and includes a plurality of rotating units disposed along the second rotating axis.

11. The sealing device according to claim 10, in, Heat and pressure are transferred to some of the plurality of rotating units.

12. The sealing device according to claim 1, in, The supporting unit is a jig configured to be movable in a vertical direction relative to the one side portion.

13. The sealing device according to claim 12, in, A plurality of the clamps are provided along the one side portion.

14. The sealing device according to claim 12, in, An end portion of the clamp that clamps the one side portion is in surface contact with the one side portion.

15. The sealing device according to claim 1, in, The supporting unit includes a sucker sucked on both sides of the one side portion to support the one side portion.

16. The sealing device according to claim 1, further comprising: A moving unit is configured to move the supporting unit in a predetermined direction.

17. The sealing device according to claim 16, in, A supporting path in which the supporting unit is moved by the moving unit is formed so as not to interfere with the sealing tool.

18. The sealing device according to claim 1, further comprising: A dragger is configured to move while supporting another side portion provided on the opposite side of the one side portion based on the electrode assembly.

19. A method for manufacturing a secondary battery, the method comprising: a supporting step of supporting an opened one side portion of a secondary battery using a supporting unit so that the opened one side portion faces upward with respect to the ground, wherein the electrode assembly is embedded in a case; a moving step of moving the supporting unit in a predetermined direction to move the secondary battery in the predetermined direction; and A sealing step of sealing the one side portion using rotating bodies provided at both sides of the one side portion.

20. The manufacturing method for a secondary battery according to claim 19, in, The sealing step includes a non-uniform sealing process in which portions having different sealing strengths along a length direction of the one side portion are formed by adjusting a distance between the rotating bodies.

21. The manufacturing method for a secondary battery according to claim 19, in, The sealing step includes a process of sealing by selectively transferring heat and pressure to the rotating body.

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