Electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus and electrode assembly manufacturing method

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electrode assembly manufacturing method and an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus in which a plurality of first electrodes each including a first electrode tab and a plurality of second electrodes each including a second electrode tab are alternately arranged between respective diaphragms each including a folded binder layer. Accordingly, the temperature of the electrodes can be easily adjusted within a specific temperature range, so that a temperature deviation between the electrodes can be reduced, thereby providing an electrode assembly having uniform performance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims the priority benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0157594, filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on November 22, 2022, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus and method. Background Art

[0003] Unlike primary batteries, secondary batteries can be rechargeable and have a small size and high capacity. In recent years, research and development of secondary batteries have been actively conducted. With the development of technology and the increasing demand for mobile devices, the demand for rechargeable batteries as an energy source has rapidly increased.

[0004] According to the shape of the battery case, secondary batteries are classified into button-shaped batteries, cylindrical batteries, square batteries, and pouch-type batteries. In a secondary battery, an electrode assembly installed in the battery case is a power generation element having a structure formed by laminating electrodes and a separator and capable of being charged and discharged.

[0005] Electrode assemblies can be roughly classified into wound core type electrode assemblies, stacked type electrode assemblies, and stacked and folded type electrode assemblies. The wound core type electrode assembly is formed by winding a sheet-shaped positive electrode and a negative electrode coated with an active material (a separator is interposed between the sheet-shaped positive electrode and the negative electrode). The stacked type electrode assembly is formed by sequentially stacking a plurality of positive electrodes and negative electrodes in a state where a separator is interposed between the plurality of positive electrodes and negative electrodes. The stacked and folded type electrode assembly is formed by winding a stacked type unit cell using a long separator.

[0006] In this case, the stacked and folded type electrode assembly is manufactured using a plurality of electrodes in a state where the separator is folded in a Z-shape and positioned between the electrodes.

[0007] In this process, heat and pressure are applied to ensure the bonding force between the electrodes and the separator. However, since a plurality of electrodes are used, there are problems in that it takes a long time to apply heat and pressure to ensure the bonding force between the electrodes and the separator, and the performance of the electrode assembly is not uniform due to the non-uniformity of the temperature between the electrodes. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Technical Problem

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus and an electrode assembly manufacturing method.

[0010] Technical Solution

[0011] Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly. In the electrode assembly, a plurality of first electrodes including first electrode joints and a plurality of second electrodes including second electrode joints are alternately disposed between separators including folded binder layers. The method for manufacturing the electrode assembly includes the following steps: (a) supplying the first electrodes to a stacking table; (b) supplying the second electrodes to the stacking table; (c) supplying the separators to the stacking table; (d) manufacturing a stack by stacking the first electrodes, the separators, and the second electrodes on the stacking table in such a manner that the first electrodes and the second electrodes are alternately disposed between the folded separators; (e) preliminarily welding the first electrode joints and the second electrode joints respectively; (f) heating the first electrodes and the second electrodes respectively by heating the preliminarily welded portions of the first electrode joints and the second electrode joints; and (g) heating and pressing the stack.

[0012] Another embodiment of the present invention provides an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus. The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus manufactures an electrode assembly in which a plurality of first electrodes including first electrode joints and a plurality of second electrodes including second electrode joints are alternately disposed between separators including folded binder layers. The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus includes: a stacking table on which the first electrodes, the separators, and the second electrodes are stacked to manufacture a stack in which the first electrodes and the second electrodes are alternately disposed between the folded separators; a separator supply unit configured to supply the separators to the stacking table; a first electrode supply unit configured to supply the first electrodes to the stacking table; a second electrode supply unit configured to supply the second electrodes to the stacking table; a pressing unit configured to heat and press the stack stacked on the stacking table; a preliminary welding unit configured to preliminarily weld the first electrode joints and the second electrode joints; and a heating unit configured to heat the first electrodes and the second electrodes respectively by heating the preliminarily welded portions of the first electrode joints and the second electrode joints.

[0013] Advantageous Effects

[0014] The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus and method according to embodiments of the present application can reduce the amount of time required to manufacture an electrode assembly.

[0015] The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus and method according to embodiments of the present application can easily adjust the temperature of the electrodes to a specific temperature range and reduce the temperature deviation between the electrodes, thereby providing an electrode assembly having uniform performance. Description of the Drawings

[0016] Figure 1 And Figure 14 is a top plan view exemplarily showing an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2 is a front view showing the concept of an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view exemplarily showing a typical electrode assembly.

[0019] Figure 4 And Figure 5 is a view exemplarily showing a process of applying an electrode assembly manufacturing method or an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 6 is a conceptual diagram showing a pressing process of an electrode assembly manufacturing method or an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 7 (a) is a perspective view showing a first pressing portion 50 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 7 (b) is a perspective view showing a second pressing portion 60 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 8 is a perspective view showing a stacking table of an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 9 is a perspective view showing a first electrode placement table of an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 10 is a perspective view showing a second electrode placement table of an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 11 is a perspective view showing a first suction head of an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 12 is a bottom plan view showing a first suction head of an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 13 is a top plan view showing a holding mechanism and a stacking table of an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] <Description of Reference Numerals>

[0029] 10: Electrode assembly

[0030] 11: First electrode

[0031] 11a: First electrode connector

[0032] 12: Second electrode

[0033] 12a: Second electrode connector

[0034] 14: Diaphragm

[0035] 51: Fixture

[0036] 51a: Main body

[0037] 51b: Fixing part

[0038] 100: Electrode assembly manufacturing equipment

[0039] 110: Laminating table

[0040] 111: Table body

[0041] 112: Laminating table heater

[0042] 120: Diaphragm supply unit

[0043] 121: Diaphragm heating unit

[0044] 122: Diaphragm roller

[0045] 130: First electrode supply unit

[0046] 131: First electrode placement table

[0047] 132: First electrode heater

[0048] 133: First electrode roller

[0049] 134: First cutter

[0050] 135: First conveyor belt

[0051] 136: First electrode supply head

[0052] 140: Second electrode supply unit

[0053] 141: Second electrode placement table

[0054] 142: Second electrode heater

[0055] 143: Second electrode roller

[0056] 144: Second cutter

[0057] 145: Second conveyor belt

[0058] 146: Second electrode supply head

[0059] 150: First electrode stacking part

[0060] 151: First suction head

[0061] 151a: Vacuum inlet

[0062] 151b: Bottom surface

[0063] 152: First head heater

[0064] 153: First moving part

[0065] 160: Second electrode stacking part

[0066] 161: Second suction head

[0067] 162: Second head heater

[0068] 163: Second moving part

[0069] 170: Holding mechanism

[0070] 171: First holding mechanism

[0071] 172: Second holding mechanism

[0072] 180: Pressing part

[0073] 181: First pressing block

[0074] 182: Second pressing block

[0075] 183, 184: Pressing heater

[0076] 190: Preliminary welding part

[0077] 191: Heating part

[0078] 191a: Heating wire probe

[0079] 191b: Heating wire clamp

[0080] S: Stacked part

[0081] A: Thermal imaging camera Detailed implementation mode

[0082] In the following, the present invention will be described in detail so that those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains can easily implement the present invention. However, the present invention can be implemented in various different ways and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0083] Throughout the specification, unless explicitly described to the contrary, the words "comprise" or "include" and variations such as "comprises", "comprising", "includes" or "including" mean further including the said constituent elements without excluding any other constituent elements.

[0084] In the present specification, a "holding mechanism" is used to hold a stacked member laminated on a stacking table so that a first electrode or a second electrode is laminated during the process of manufacturing a stacked member of a first electrode, a separator, and a second electrode, such that the first electrode and the second electrode are alternately disposed between folded separators on the stacking table. The holding mechanism is functionally different from a jig that holds a stacked member during the process of heating and pressing the stacked member.

[0085] In the present specification, the term "preliminary welding" refers to the process of welding an electrode joint and an electrode joint.

[0086] In the present specification, the term "final welding" refers to the process of welding an electrode joint and an electrode lead.

[0087] <Method for manufacturing an electrode assembly>

[0088] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly in which a plurality of first electrodes each including a first electrode joint and a plurality of second electrodes each including a second electrode joint are alternately disposed between separators including folded binder layers. Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly including steps (a) to (g). The main features include steps (e) to (g).

[0089] In an embodiment of the present invention, step (f) of heating the first electrode and the second electrode by heating a preliminary welding portion of the first electrode joint and a preliminary welding portion of the second electrode joint refers to the process of heating the entire electrode by conduction of heat applied to the electrode joint.

[0090] In an embodiment of the present invention, step (e) as the step of preliminarily welding the first electrode joint and the second electrode joint may refer to the step of preliminarily welding the first electrode joint and the second electrode joint included in the stacked member.

[0091] In an embodiment of the present invention, the step of heating the first electrode and the second electrode may refer to the step of heating the first electrode and the second electrode included in the stacked member. In addition, the supplied electrodes may each include an electrode joint.

[0092] In this specification, a configuration in which a first electrode and a second electrode are stacked such that the first electrode and the second electrode are alternately disposed between folded separators is referred to as a zigzag stack.

[0093] The present invention is characterized in that a laminate is manufactured by stacking the first electrode, the separator, and the second electrode on a stacking table such that the first electrode and the second electrode are alternately disposed between folded separators, preliminarily welding electrode tabs of the electrodes, and then adjusting the temperature of the electrodes in the laminate by using the preliminary welding portion before cutting the preliminary welding portion. That is, the present invention is characterized in that the electrodes in the laminate are heated by applying heat to the preliminary welding portion.

[0094] Therefore, the method of manufacturing the electrode assembly of the present invention can reduce the amount of time required to manufacture the electrode assembly and can easily adjust the temperature of the electrodes to a specific temperature range. Accordingly, the temperature deviation between the electrodes in the manufactured electrode assembly can be reduced, and an electrode assembly having uniform performance can be provided.

[0095] In addition, the bonding force of the separator including the binder layer can align and fix the positions of the electrodes of the electrode assembly without distorting the positions of the electrodes, which can improve the energy density.

[0096] In an embodiment of the present invention, the separator may include a binder layer. The binder layer may include one or more particulate binder resins and one or more inorganic particles.

[0097] More specifically, in an embodiment of the present invention, the separator may include a porous polymer substrate and an organic / inorganic composite porous coating formed on at least one side surface of the polymer substrate. The organic / inorganic composite porous coating may include one or more particulate binder resins and one or more inorganic particles.

[0098] In an embodiment of the present invention, the inorganic particles included in the organic / inorganic composite porous coating are not particularly limited as long as the inorganic particles are electrochemically stable. That is, the inorganic particles are not particularly limited as long as no oxidation and / or reduction reaction occurs within the operating voltage range of the applied electrochemical element (e.g., 0 to 5 V based on Li / Li + ). In particular, in the case of using inorganic particles having ion transfer ability, the ionic conductivity in the electrochemical element can be increased, which can improve the performance. In addition, in the case of using high dielectric inorganic particles as the inorganic particles, the inorganic particles can contribute to increasing the dissociation of electrolyte salts (e.g., lithium salts) in the liquid electrolyte, thereby improving the ionic conductivity of the electrolyte.

[0099] For the above reasons, the inorganic particles may include high-dielectric inorganic particles having a dielectric constant of 5 or greater or 10 or greater, inorganic particles having lithium ion transfer ability, or a mixture thereof. As non-limiting examples of inorganic particles having a dielectric constant of 5 or greater, BaTiO3, Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 (PZT), Pb 1-x La x Zr 1-y Ti y O3 (PLZT, where 0 < x < 1, 0 < y < 1), Pb(Mg 1 / 3 Nb 2 / 3 )O3 - PbTiO3 (PMN - PT), hafnium dioxide (HfO2), SrTiO3, SnO2, CeO2, MgO, NiO, CaO, ZnO, ZrO2, Y2O3, Al2O3, SiC, TiO2, etc. may be used alone or in combination of two or more types of these materials. In addition, in the case where the above high-dielectric inorganic particles are mixed with inorganic particles having lithium ion transfer ability, the synergistic effect can be doubled.

[0100] Non-limiting examples of inorganic particles having lithium ion transfer ability include lithium phosphate (Li3PO4), lithium titanium phosphate (Li x Ti y (PO4)3, 0 < x < 2, 0 < y < 3), lithium aluminum titanium phosphate (Li x Al y Ti z (PO z )3, 0 < x < 2, 0 < y < 1, 0 < z < 3), (LiAlTiP) x O y -based glass (0 < x < 4, 0 < y < 13) (such as, 14Li2O - 9Al2O3 - 38TiO2 - 39P2O5), lithium lanthanum titanate (LixLayTiO3, 0 < x < 2, 0 < y < 3), lithium germanium thiophosphate (Li x Ge y P z S w , 0 < x < 4, 0 < y < 1, 0 < z < 1, 0 < w < 5) (such as, Li 3.25 Ge 0.25 P 0.75 S4), lithium nitride (Li x N y , 0 < x < 4, 0 < y < 2) (such as, Li3N), P2S5-based glass (Li x Si y S z , 0 < x < 3, 0 < y < 2, 0 < z < 4) (such as, Li3PO4 - Li2S - SiS2), P25 base glass (Li x P y S z , 0 < x < 3, 0 < y < 3, 0 < z < 7) (such as, Li x P y S z ) or a mixture thereof.

[0101] In the organic / inorganic composite porous coating, the content ratio of inorganic particles can be determined in consideration of the thickness, pore diameter, and porosity of the finally manufactured organic / inorganic composite porous coating. Based on the weight ratio, relative to 100 wt.% of the porous coating, the inorganic particles can be included in the range of 70 wt.% to 99 wt.%. When the content of the inorganic particles is less than 70 wt.%, the heat resistance may deteriorate. In contrast, when the content of the inorganic particles is too high, the bonding strength of the porous coating may decrease because the amount of the binder is too small.

[0102] In an embodiment of the present invention, the particulate binder resin may include one or more types of particles selected from the group consisting of fluoropolymer / acrylic polymer particles and hybrid polymer particles of an acrylic polymer. Since the binder resin includes fluoropolymer / acrylic polymer particles or hybrid polymer particles of an acrylic polymer, the bonding strength of the separator can be maintained at a predetermined level or higher before and after impregnation with the electrolyte. This means that the shape stability of the electrode assembly can be improved. Therefore, it is easier to provide an electrode assembly with uniform performance.

[0103] In an embodiment of the present invention, the fluoropolymer may be a homopolymer of vinylidene fluoride, a copolymer of vinylidene fluoride and hexafluoropropylene, or a mixture of two or more thereof. Since the fluoropolymer is insoluble in the electrolyte, even when an acrylic polymer is included at the same time, the hybrid polymer particles are impregnated with the electrolyte, so that the bonding strength can be maintained, which can maintain the shape.

[0104] More specifically, the acrylic polymer constituting the hybrid polymer particles and the acrylic polymer constituting the acrylic polymer particles may each independently include an alkyl (meth)acrylate repeating unit having an alkyl group with 1 to 18 carbon atoms. In a state where the acrylic polymer particles are impregnated with the electrolyte (i.e., in a dry state), the acrylic polymer particles can contribute to maintaining the bonding strength of the separator with respect to the electrode.

[0105] In an embodiment of the present invention, the first electrode may be configured as the positive electrode, and the second electrode may be configured as the negative electrode, but the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto. For example, the first electrode may be configured as the negative electrode, and the second electrode may be configured as the positive electrode. Therefore, in an embodiment of the present invention, the first electrode terminal may be configured as the positive electrode terminal, and the second electrode terminal may be configured as the negative electrode terminal, but not necessarily limited thereto. For example, the first electrode terminal may be configured as the negative electrode terminal, and the second electrode terminal may be configured as the positive electrode terminal.

[0106] In an embodiment of the present invention, the first electrode and the second electrode may respectively include a first electrode terminal and a second electrode terminal, and the first electrode terminal and the second electrode terminal may each be the positive electrode terminal or the negative electrode terminal as described above.

[0107] In an embodiment of the present invention, in step (f), the first electrode and the second electrode may be heated such that the temperatures of the first electrode and the second electrode each satisfy the following Expression 1.

[0108] [Expression 1]

[0109] Tg - 1 < T ≤ Tg + 1

[0110] In Expression 1, Tg represents the glass transition temperature of the binder layer of the separator, and T represents the temperature of the heated first electrode or the heated second electrode.

[0111] When the temperature range is satisfied, the processing speed of the method for manufacturing the electrode assembly of the present invention can be more effectively reduced. Therefore, the manufactured electrode assembly may have a small bonding force deviation, excellent ventilation and performance, and uniform performance.

[0112] In an embodiment of the present invention, step (f) may include the steps of measuring the temperature distribution on the upper surface of the laminate, setting the heating temperature based on the measured temperature distribution, and heating the first electrode and the second electrode. That is, the heating temperature may be set to measure the temperature distribution on the upper surface of the laminate, and the temperature of the electrode may be adjusted to a specific temperature by using the temperature distribution. In this case, the conditions of Expression 1 may be satisfied during the process of adjusting the temperature of the electrode to a specific temperature.

[0113] Therefore, the processing speed of the method for manufacturing the electrode assembly of the present invention can be more effectively reduced. Therefore, the manufactured electrode assembly may have a small bonding force deviation, excellent ventilation and performance, and uniform performance.

[0114] In an embodiment of the present invention, step (f) may be performed by a heating wire probe or a heating wire jig.

[0115] That is, in an embodiment of the present invention, in step (f), heating can be performed as the heating wire probe or the heating wire gripper is respectively connected to the first electrode joint and the second electrode joint.

[0116] In an embodiment of the present invention, the heat generated by the heating wire probe or the heating wire gripper can be transferred to the first electrode and the second electrode through the first electrode joint and the second electrode joint.

[0117] In an embodiment of the present invention, the thickness of the laminate can be 1000 μm or greater and 50000 μm or less. The thickness of the laminate refers to the thickness of the electrode portion of the electrode. The electrode portion refers to the portion of the electrode that is not a part of the electrode joint portion but where the electrode current collector is formed and the electrode current collector is coated with the active material.

[0118] In an embodiment of the present invention, the thickness of the electrode joint portion can be 10 μm or greater and 1000 or less. The electrode joint portion refers to the region corresponding to the electrode joint of the electrode including the electrode joint. The thickness of the electrode joint portion can be determined based on the number of stacked electrodes.

[0119] In an embodiment of the present invention, when the thickness of the laminate is 1000 μm or greater and 3000 μm or less, the step of heating the first electrode and the second electrode by heating the preliminary welding portions of the first electrode joint and the second electrode joint can be performed by the heating wire probe.

[0120] In an embodiment of the present invention, when the thickness of the laminate is 3000 μm or greater and 50000 or less, the step of heating the first electrode and the second electrode by heating the preliminary welding portions of the first electrode joint and the second electrode joint can be performed by the heating wire gripper.

[0121] In an embodiment of the present invention, while heating the first electrode and the second electrode, the laminate is not heated or pressed.

[0122] In another embodiment of the present invention, the laminate can be heated and pressed simultaneously while performing the step of heating the first electrode and the second electrode.

[0123] That is, in an embodiment of the present invention, steps (f) and (g) can be selectively performed in sequence, in reverse order, or simultaneously.

[0124] In addition, in an embodiment of the present invention, the step of heating the first electrode and the second electrode can adjust the temperature to be raised based on the surface temperature of the laminate set before pressing the laminate.

[0125] That is, when the thickness of the stacked member is not relatively thick, the temperature range of the electrodes in the stacked member can be adjusted only by heating the wire probe. However, when the thickness of the stacked member is a predetermined thickness or thicker, a separate device (such as a heating wire jig) may be required.

[0126] In an embodiment of the present invention, the positions where preliminary welding is performed may be positions where the distances from the end of the electrode assembly to the electrode joints are each 20% or more of the thickness of the electrode assembly.

[0127] When the position where preliminary welding is performed is too close to the end of the electrode assembly, the electrode assembly may be damaged. Therefore, it is advantageous to satisfy this range in terms of battery performance.

[0128] In an embodiment of the present application, step (e) may be performed on the stacking table.

[0129] In another embodiment of the present application, step (g) may be performed on the pressing portion. The description of the pressing portion of the electrode assembly manufacturing device can be applied to the description of the pressing portion.

[0130] In an embodiment of the present application, step (g) may include a first heating / pressing step of clamping the stacked member with a jig and heating and pressing the stacked member, and a second heating / pressing step of stopping clamping, heating, and pressing the stacked member with the jig after the first heating / pressing step.

[0131] In an embodiment of the present application, the first heating / pressing step may include: fixing the stacked member by pressing the upper surface of the stacked member using the jig; moving the stacked member fixed by the jig between a pair of pressing blocks including a pressing heater; surface-pressing the fixed stacked member by moving the pair of pressing blocks in a direction in which the pair of pressing blocks face each other along the stacking axis of the stacked member; and heating the fixed stacked member using the pressing heater.

[0132] In an embodiment of the present application, the second heating / pressing step may include: stopping heating and pressing of the stacked member after the first heating / pressing step; spacing the jig apart from the stacked member; moving the stacked member spaced apart from the jig between a pair of pressing blocks including a pressing heater; pressing the stacked member by moving the pair of pressing blocks in a direction in which the pair of pressing blocks face each other along the stacking axis of the stacked member spaced apart from the jig; and heating the stack using the pressing heater.

[0133] In an embodiment of the present application, the pressing blocks used in the first heating / pressing step may have grooves corresponding to the jig.

[0134] In an embodiment of the present application, the jig being spaced apart from the laminate may include stopping the pressing of the upper surface of the laminate by using the jig and spacing the jig apart from the laminate.

[0135] In addition, the movement of the laminate between a pair of pressing blocks including a pressing heater in the heating / pressing step (including the first heating / pressing step and the second heating / pressing step) may include not only moving the laminate but also moving the laminate together with the laminate stage in a state where the laminate is placed on the laminate stage. In this case, the object to be heated and pressed by the pair of pressing blocks and the pressing heater may refer to the laminate and the laminate stage.

[0136] In an embodiment of the present invention, the method may further include cutting a part of the preliminary welding portion after step (g).

[0137] In an embodiment of the present invention, the method may further include performing final welding for connecting the electrode leads to the first electrode joint and the second electrode joint after step (f).

[0138] The heating process using the preliminary welding portion may use a larger area than the heating process using the final welding portion, so as to further facilitate the heating process. Therefore, in order to achieve the effects of the present invention, the heating process needs to be performed before the final heating and pressing process.

[0139] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the preliminary welding and the final welding may each be performed by ultrasonic welding. Ultrasonic welding refers to a technique of welding metal materials by generating ultrasonic vibrations of 10 kHz to 75 kHz and using the frictional heat generated by the ultrasonic vibrations between metal materials. That is, during the final welding, when the ultrasonic welding device applies ultrasonic vibrations in a state where the electrode joint and the electrode lead are in contact with each other, frictional heat is generated from the contact surface between the electrode joint and the electrode lead, and the electrode joint and the electrode lead are welded to each other by the frictional heat. For this purpose, an ultrasonic welding device commonly used in the corresponding field may be used.

[0140] In addition, except for the state where the electrode joints are in contact with each other, the description of the final welding may be applied to the description of the preliminary welding.

[0141] <Electrode assembly manufacturing equipment>

[0142] Embodiments of the present invention provide an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus that manufactures an electrode assembly in which a plurality of first electrodes including first electrode connectors and a plurality of second electrodes including second electrode connectors are alternately disposed between separators including folded binder layers. The apparatus includes: a stacking table on which the first electrodes, the separators, and the second electrodes are stacked to manufacture a stack in which the first electrodes and the second electrodes are alternately disposed between the folded separators; a separator supply unit configured to supply the separators to the stacking table; a first electrode supply unit configured to supply the first electrodes to the stacking table; a second electrode supply unit configured to supply the second electrodes to the stacking table; a pressing unit configured to heat and press the stack stacked on the stacking table; a preliminary welding unit configured to preliminarily weld the first electrode connectors and the second electrode connectors; and a heating unit configured to heat the first electrodes and the second electrodes by heating preliminary welding portions of the first electrode connectors and preliminary welding portions of the second electrode connectors.

[0143] In this specification, the term "unit" refers to an interface that performs a specific function in an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus.

[0144] That is, in this specification, the term "heating unit" refers to an interface that performs a function of adjusting the temperatures of the first electrodes and the second electrodes to a specific range by using the first electrode connectors and the second electrode connectors.

[0145] In embodiments of the present application, the temperatures of the first electrodes and the second electrodes heated by the heating unit may each satisfy the following Expression 1.

[0146] In embodiments of the present application, the apparatus may further include a heating control unit configured to measure a temperature distribution on an upper surface of the stack and set heating temperature conditions before the heating process is performed by the heating unit. That is, in this specification, the term "heating control unit" refers to an interface that performs a function of measuring a temperature distribution on an upper surface of the stack and setting heating temperature conditions before the heating process is performed by the heating unit.

[0147] In embodiments of the present application, the heating unit may be a heating wire probe attached to one surface of the pressing unit or a separate heating wire jig. In this regard, the above description of using the heating wire probe or the separate heating wire jig according to the thickness of the stack may be applied.

[0148] In an embodiment of the present application, the pressing part may include a pair of pressing blocks, and the pair of pressing blocks may perform surface pressing on the stacked members stacked on the table while moving in a direction in which the pair of pressing blocks face each other.

[0149] In this specification, the separator may be supplied in the form of a separator sheet.

[0150] Invention mode

[0151] Hereinafter, an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus and method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail.

[0152] Figure 1 is a top view exemplarily showing an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2 is a front view showing the concept of an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this case, for convenience, from Figure 1 the holding mechanism 170, the preliminary welding part 190, and the heating part 191 shown in Figure 2 are omitted, the pressing part 180 located at the rear side of the top plan view is indicated by a dotted line, and from Figure 2 the Figure 1 separator supply part 120 shown in

[0153] Referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a stacking table 110, a separator supply part 120 configured to supply a separator 14 while heating the separator 14, a first electrode supply part 130 configured to supply a first electrode 11 while heating the first electrode 11, a second electrode supply part 140 configured to supply a second electrode 12 while heating the second electrode 12, a first electrode stacking part 150 configured to stack the first electrode 11 on the stacking table 110, a second electrode stacking part 160 configured to stack the second electrode 12 on the stacking table 110, and a pressing part 180 configured to join the first electrode 11, the separator 14, and the second electrode 12. In addition, an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a holding mechanism 170 configured to fix the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12 stacked on the stacking table 110. In addition, the apparatus further includes a preliminary welding part 190 and a heating part 191, the preliminary welding part 190 being configured to preliminarily weld a first electrode joint and a second electrode joint included in the stacked member, and the heating part 191 being configured to heat the first electrode and the second electrode included in the stacked member by heating the preliminary welding portions of the first electrode joint and the second electrode joint.

[0154] Figure 3FIG. 0 is a cross-sectional view exemplarily showing an electrode assembly manufactured by an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus or an electrode assembly manufacturing method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0155] Referring Figures 1 to 3 , an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention refers to an apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly 10 by laminating a first electrode 11, a separator 14, and a second electrode 12.

[0156] Referring Figure 3 , the electrode assembly 10 may be a power generation element that can be charged or discharged. The electrode assembly 10 may be provided in a form in which the first electrode 11, the separator 14, and the second electrode 12 are alternately laminated and joined. In this case, for example, the electrode assembly 10 may be provided in a form in which the separator 14 is folded in a Z-shape and the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12 are alternately disposed between the folded separators 14. In this case, the separator 14 may surround the outermost periphery of the electrode assembly 10.

[0157] Meanwhile, the first electrode supply unit 130 may further include: a first electrode roller 133 around which the first electrode 11 is wound in a sheet form; a first cutter 134 configured to form the first electrode 11 having a predetermined size by cutting the first electrode 11 at a predetermined interval when the first electrode 11 wound around the first electrode roller 133 in a sheet form is unwound and supplied; a first conveyor belt 135 configured to move the first electrode 11 cut by the first cutter 134; and a first electrode supply head 136 configured to suck the first electrode 11 conveyed by the first conveyor belt 135 by vacuum and place the first electrode 11 on the first electrode placement table 131. In this case, the first cutter 134 may cut the first electrode 11 having a sheet shape such that a first electrode joint protrudes from an end of the first electrode 11.

[0158] The second electrode supply unit 140 may further include: a second electrode roller 143 around which the second electrode 12 is wound in a sheet form; a second cutter 144 configured to form the second electrode 12 having a predetermined size by cutting the second electrode 12 at a predetermined interval when the second electrode 12 wound around the second electrode roller 143 in a sheet form is unwound and supplied; a second conveyor belt 145 configured to move the second electrode 12 cut by the second cutter 144; and a second electrode supply head 146 configured to suck the second electrode 12 conveyed by the second conveyor belt 145 by vacuum and place the second electrode 12 on the second electrode placement table 141. In this case, the second cutter 144 may cut the second electrode 12 having a sheet shape such that a second electrode joint protrudes from an end of the second electrode 12.

[0159] The operation of the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 While the separator 14 wound around the separator roller 122 is supplied while passing through the separator heating unit 121. That is, the separator 14 is heated while passing through the separator heating unit 121, and the heated separator 14 is supplied to the stacking table 110. The separator 14 supplied as described above is stacked on the stacking table 110, and the separator 14 is heated by the heated stacking table 110.

[0160] In addition, when the first electrode 11 is heated and supplied from the first electrode supply unit 130 to the first electrode stacking unit 150, the first electrode stacking unit 150 stacks the first electrode 11 on the upper surface of the separator 14 stacked on the stacking table 110 while heating the first electrode 11.

[0161] In this case, the holding mechanism 170 presses the upper surface of the first electrode 11 to fix the first electrode 11 so that the first electrode 11 does not separate from the stacking table 110.

[0162] Thereafter, when the stacking table 110 rotates in the direction toward the second electrode stacking unit 160, the separator 14 is continuously supplied and covers the upper surface of the first electrode 11.

[0163] In addition, the second electrode stacking unit 160 stacks the second electrode 12, which is heated and supplied from the second electrode supply unit 140, on the portion of the separator 14 covering the upper surface of the first electrode 11. In this case, the second electrode stacking unit 160 continuously heats the second electrode 12 while the second suction head 161 presses and heats the second electrode 12.

[0164] In this case, the holding mechanism 170 pressing the upper surface of the first electrode 11 moves away from the pressing portion and then presses the upper surface of the second electrode 12 to prevent the stack including the second electrode 12 from separating from the stacking table 110.

[0165] Thereafter, the process of stacking the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12 is repeated so that the separator 14 is folded in a zigzag manner, and a stack in which the separator 14 is located between the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12 can be formed.

[0166] In this case, as Figure 4As shown, according to the electrode assembly manufacturing method or electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus of the embodiment of the present invention, in the case where the thickness of the stack is 1000 μm or more and 3000 μm or less (the thickness of the stack is relatively small), the step of heating the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12 included in the stack S by heating the preliminary welding portion of the first electrode tab 11a and the preliminary welding portion of the second electrode tab 12a can be performed by using a heating wire probe 191a attached to the upper pressing block 182 of a pair of pressing blocks 181, 182 constituting the pressing portion 180. Specifically, the stack S includes electrode tabs 11a and 12a corresponding in number to the stacked electrodes, and when the electrode tabs 11a and 12a are preliminarily welded by the preliminary welding portion 190, a single group is formed. Thereafter, the stack S is moved to the pressing portion 180 without cutting the preliminary welding portion, and the heating wire probe 191a can contact and heat the preliminary welding portions of the electrode tabs 11a and 12a of the stack. In this case, the temperature condition for performing the heating process may be set by the thermal imaging camera A. More specifically, the temperature condition may be set based on the surface temperature of the stack S manufactured before the stack S is pressed. In addition, before the stack S is pressed by the pair of pressing blocks 181 and 182, the heating wire probe 191a attached to the upper pressing block 182 is in contact with the stack S in advance.

[0167] In this manual, for convenience, except Figure 4 In addition, the shape of the heater wire probe of the pressing portion is omitted.

[0168] In addition, if Figure 5 As shown, according to the electrode assembly manufacturing method or electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus of the embodiment of the present invention, when the thickness of the laminate is 3000 μm or more and 50 μm or less (the thickness of the laminate is relatively large), the step of heating the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12 included in the laminate S by heating the preliminary welding portion of the first electrode tab 11a and the preliminary welding portion of the second electrode tab 12a can be performed by using a heating wire clamp 191b to perform a heating process. Specifically, the laminate S includes electrode tabs 11a and 12a corresponding in number to the stacked electrodes, and when the electrode tabs 11a and 12a are preliminarily welded by the preliminary welding portion 190, a single group is formed. Thereafter, the laminate S is moved to the pressing portion 180 without cutting the preliminary welding portion, and the heating wire clamp 191b can contact the preliminary welding portions of the electrode tabs 11a and 12a of the laminate and heat the preliminary welding portions. In this case, the temperature condition for performing the heating process can be set by the thermal imaging camera A. More specifically, the temperature condition may be set based on the surface temperature of the laminate S produced before the laminate S is pressed. Figure 4In contrast, when the thickness of the laminate S is large, it is impossible to achieve a structure in which the heating wire probe 191a attached to the upper pressing block 182 comes into contact with the laminate S in advance before the laminate S is pressed by the pair of pressing blocks 181 and 182. Therefore, the heating process can be performed by a separate heating wire jig 191b.

[0169] In this specification, for convenience, except Figure 5 The shape of the heating wire jig is omitted.

[0170] Figure 6 FIG. is a perspective view exemplarily showing a state in which a pressing portion of an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention presses a laminate.

[0171] Referring to Figure 1 、 Figure 2 and Figure 6 The electrode assembly 10 can be manufactured by moving the manufactured laminate S to the pressing portion 180, heating and pressing the laminate S by the pressing portion 180, and bonding the heated first electrode 11, the heated separator 14, and the heated second electrode 12. In this case, the heated first electrode 11, the separator 14, and the second electrode 12 can be thermally bonded while the pressing portion 180 presses the first electrode 11, the separator 14, and the second electrode 12 while applying heat to the first electrode 11, the separator 14, and the second electrode 12.

[0172] The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 100 configured as described above according to an embodiment of the present invention laminates the first electrode 11, the separator 14, and the second electrode 12 while heating the first electrode 11, the separator 14, and the second electrode 12, and bonds the first electrode 11, the separator 14, and the second electrode 12 by pressing and heating the first electrode 11, the separator 14, and the second electrode 12 using the pressing portion 180. Therefore, the electrode assembly 10 can be prevented from unfolding, and the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12 can be prevented from deviating from the stacking positions on the electrode assembly 10.

[0173] More specifically, the pressing portion 180 may include a pair of pressing blocks 181 and 182, and a laminate including the first electrode 11, the separator 14, and the second electrode 12 may be disposed between the pair of pressing blocks 181 and 182. Thereafter, the pair of pressing blocks 181 and 182 may move in a direction in which the pair of pressing blocks 181 and 182 face each other, and the pressing portion 180 may press and heat the laminate, so that the first electrode 11, the separator 14, and the second electrode 12 of the laminate are bonded.

[0174] In addition, the pressing part 180 may further include pressing heaters 183 and 184, which are configured to heat the pair of pressing blocks 181 and 182 so that the pair of pressing blocks 181 and 182 can heat and press the laminate. Therefore, the first electrode 11, the separator 14, and the second electrode 12 in the laminate can be more appropriately thermally bonded and more firmly bonded.

[0175] The horizontal and vertical lengths of the pressing surfaces of each of the pair of pressing blocks 181 and 182 may be longer than the horizontal and vertical lengths of the laminate. In addition, the pair of pressing blocks 181, 182 includes a first pressing block 181 and a second pressing block 182. The first pressing block 181 and the second pressing block 182 may each be provided in the form of a quadrangular block having a rectangular parallelepiped shape.

[0176] In addition, the pressing part may further include a pair of pressing blocks and a pressing heater configured to heat the pressing blocks. The pair of pressing blocks may perform surface pressing on the laminate when moving in a direction in which the pair of pressing blocks face each other, and the pressing heater may heat the laminate.

[0177] In this case, in an embodiment of the present invention, the pair of pressing blocks may include the pressing heater therein.

[0178] In an embodiment of the present application, the pressing part may include a first pressing part and a second pressing part. Specifically, the first pressing part and the second pressing part may be applied to the above-described first heating / pressing step and second heating / pressing step, and the above content may be applied.

[0179] In an embodiment of the present application, the first pressing part may include a pair of first pressing blocks, the pressing surfaces of the pair of first pressing blocks may include grooves corresponding to the jig in shape, and the pressing surfaces are provided as flat surfaces in addition to the grooves. That is, the first pressing part may be applied to the above-described first heating / pressing step.

[0180] In an embodiment of the present application, the second pressing part may include a pair of second pressing blocks, and the pressing surfaces of the pair of second pressing blocks may be provided as flat surfaces. That is, the second pressing part may be applied to the above-described second heating / pressing step.

[0181] Figure 7 (a) is a perspective view showing a first pressing part 50 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 7 (b) is a perspective view showing a second pressing part 60 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0182] Refer to Figure 7(a), the first pressing part 50 can heat and press the stacked member S while the stacked member S is fixed by the jig 51. The first pressing part 50 includes a pair of first pressing blocks 50a and 50b. All the pressing surfaces of the pair of first pressing blocks 50a and 50b can be set as flat surfaces except for the grooves corresponding to the fixing parts 51b of the jig 51.

[0183] The jig 51 can include: a main body 51a which is set to correspond to the length x and height y of the stacked member S or be greater than the length x and height y of the stacked member S; and a plurality of fixing parts 51b which are provided on one surface of the main body 51a and are arranged in a column or plate shape in the direction of the width z of the stacked member S. In this case, the length x of the stacked member S can refer to the longest distance between one end and the other end of the stacked member S. The height y can refer to the distance in the stacking direction of the stacked member S. The width z can refer to the distance across the upper surface of the stacked member S.

[0184] The position of the fixing part 51b can be adjusted in the height direction of the main body 51a. The fixing part 51b can fix the stacked member S by contacting the upper surface and the lower surface of the stacked member S. Thereafter, the pair of first pressing blocks 50a and 50b included in the first pressing part 50 can combine the electrodes and the separator included in the stacked member S by surface-pressing any one or both of the stacked member S and the jig 51 while moving in the direction in which the pair of first pressing blocks 50a and 50b face each other.

[0185] Refer to Figure 7 (b), the second pressing part 60 can finally heat and press the stacked member S mainly heated and pressed by the first pressing part 50. The second pressing part 60 can include a pair of second pressing blocks 60a and 60b, and a pair of pressing blocks 61 and 62 can surface-press the stacked member S while moving in the direction in which the pair of second pressing blocks 60a and 60b face each other. In addition, all the pressing surfaces of the second pressing blocks 60a and 60b included in the second pressing part 60 that contact and press the stacked member S can be set as flat surfaces.

[0186] Refer to Figure 2 and Figure 8 , the first electrode 11, the separator 14 and the second electrode 12 can be stacked on the stacking table 110 such that the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12 are alternately arranged between the folded separators 14.

[0187] In addition, the stacking table 110 can include a table body 111 on which the first electrode 11, the separator 14 and the second electrode 12 are stacked and a stacking table heater 112 configured to heat the stacked stacked member S by heating the table body 111.

[0188] The first electrode 11 may be configured as the positive electrode, and the second electrode 12 may be configured as the negative electrode, but the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto. For example, the first electrode 11 may be configured as the negative electrode, and the second electrode 12 may be configured as the positive electrode.

[0189] Figure 9 FIG. is a perspective view of a first electrode mounting table of an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0190] Referring to Figure 2 and Figure 9 , the first electrode supply unit 130 may supply the first electrode 11 to the first electrode stacking unit 150 while heating the first electrode 11.

[0191] In addition, the first electrode supply unit 130 may include a first electrode mounting table 131 and a first electrode heater 132. Before the first electrode 11 is stacked on the stacking table 110 through the first electrode stacking unit 150, the first electrode 11 is mounted on the first electrode mounting table 131, and the first electrode heater 132 is configured to heat the first electrode 11 by heating the first electrode mounting table 131.

[0192] Meanwhile, the first electrode supply unit 130 may further include: a first electrode roller 133 around which the first electrode 11 is wound in the form of a sheet; a first cutter 134 configured to form the first electrode 11 having a predetermined size by cutting the first electrode 11 at a predetermined interval when the first electrode 11 wound around the first electrode roller 133 in the form of a sheet is unwound and supplied; a first conveyor belt 135 configured to move the first electrode 11 cut by the first cutter 134; and a first electrode supply head 136 configured to vacuum-suck the first electrode 11 conveyed by the first conveyor belt 135 and mount the first electrode 11 on the first electrode mounting table 131. In this case, the first cutter 134 may cut the first electrode 11 in the form of a sheet such that the first electrode joint 11a protrudes from the end of the first electrode 11.

[0193] Figure 10 FIG. is a perspective view of a second electrode mounting table of an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0194] Referring to Figure 2 and Figure 10 , the second electrode supply unit 140 may supply the second electrode 12 to the second electrode stacking unit 160 while heating the second electrode 12.

[0195] In addition, the second electrode supply unit 140 may include a second electrode placement table 141 and a second electrode heater 142. The second electrode 12 is placed on the second electrode placement table 141 before the second electrode 12 is stacked on the stacking table 110 through the second electrode stacking unit 160. The second electrode heater 142 is configured to heat the second electrode 12 by heating the second electrode placement table 141.

[0196] Meanwhile, the second electrode supply unit 140 may further include: a second electrode roller 143 around which the second electrode 12 is wound in the form of a sheet; a second cutter 144 configured to form the second electrode 12 having a predetermined size by cutting the second electrode 12 at a predetermined interval when the second electrode 12 wound around the second electrode roller 143 in the form of a sheet is unwound and supplied; a second conveyor belt 145 configured to convey the second electrode 12 cut by the second cutter 144; and a second electrode supply head 146 configured to vacuum suck the second electrode 12 conveyed by the second conveyor belt 145 and place the second electrode 12 on the second electrode placement table 141. In this case, the second cutter 144 may cut the second electrode 12 in the form of a sheet such that the second electrode joint 12a protrudes from the end of the second electrode 12.

[0197] In an embodiment of the present invention, the first electrode stacking unit may include a first suction head configured to vacuum suck the first electrode placed on the first electrode placement table. The second electrode stacking unit may include a second suction head configured to vacuum suck the second electrode placed on the second electrode placement table.

[0198] Figure 11 is a perspective view of the first suction head of the electrode assembly manufacturing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 12 is a bottom plan view showing the first suction head of the electrode assembly manufacturing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0199] Referring to Figure 1 、 Figure 2 、 Figure 11 and Figure 12 , the first electrode stacking unit 150 may stack the first electrode 11 on the stacking table 110.

[0200] In addition, the first electrode stacking unit 150 may include a first suction head 151 and a first moving unit 153.

[0201] The first suction head 151 can place the first electrode 11 disposed on the first electrode placement table 131 through vacuum suction. In this case, the first suction head 151 has a vacuum inlet 151a formed in the bottom surface 151b, and sucks the first electrode 11 through the vacuum inlet 151a, thereby fixing the first electrode 11 on the bottom surface 151b of the first suction head 151. In this case, the first suction head 151 may have a channel connecting the vacuum inlet 151a and a vacuum suction device (not shown) therein.

[0202] The first moving part 153 can move the first suction head 151 to the stacking table 110, so that the first suction head 151 can stack the first electrode 11 disposed on the first electrode placement table 131 on the stacking table 110.

[0203] In addition, the second electrode stacking part 160 can stack the second electrode 12 on the stacking table 110. In this case, the second electrode stacking part 160 can have the same structure as the first electrode stacking part 150. In this case, the second electrode stacking part 160 can include a second suction head 161 and a second moving part 163.

[0204] The second suction head 161 can place the second electrode 12 disposed on the second electrode placement table 141 through vacuum suction.

[0205] The second moving part 163 can move the second suction head 161 to the stacking table 110, so that the second suction head 161 can stack the second electrode 12 disposed on the second electrode placement table 141 on the stacking table 110.

[0206] Figure 13 It is a top plan view showing a holding mechanism and a stacking table of an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0207] Referring to Figure 2 and Figure 13 , when stacking the first electrode 11 or the second electrode 12 on the stacking table 110, the holding mechanism 170 can hold and fix the first electrode 11 or the second electrode 12 to the stacking table 110.

[0208] In addition, when stacking the first electrode 11 on the stacking table 110, the holding mechanism 170 can press and fix the upper surface of the first electrode 11 stacked on the topmost of the stacking table 110, and when stacking the second electrode 12 on the stacking table 110, press and fix the upper surface of the second electrode 12 stacked on the topmost of the stacking table 110. In addition, the holding mechanism 170 can fix the stacked member by pressing the upper surface of the stacked member including the first electrode 11, the separator 14, and the second electrode 12 stacked on the stacking table 110.

[0209] That is, when forming the laminate such that the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12 are laminated to be positioned between the separators 14, the holding mechanism 170 can hold the laminate by pressing the surface positioned on the uppermost side of the laminate in the direction toward the laminating table 110, thereby preventing the laminate from separating from the laminating table 110.

[0210] Meanwhile, for example, the holding mechanism 170 can include a first holding mechanism 171 and a second holding mechanism 172, and fix two opposite sides of the first electrode 11 or the second electrode 12.

[0211] In addition, an example of performing a zigzag folding process as the laminating table 110 rotates as described above will be described. When the laminating table 110 rotates after the holding mechanism 170 holds the first electrode 11 or the second electrode 12, the separator 14 can be unwound from the separator roller 122 and supplied to the laminating table 110 in proportion to the rotation amount of the laminating table 110.

[0212] Meanwhile, for example, the holding mechanism 170 and the laminating table 110 can be connected or coupled to a rotating device (not shown). In this case, when the holding mechanism 170 holds the first electrode 11 or the second electrode 12, the rotating device can rotate the holding mechanism 170 and the laminating table 110.

[0213] Thereafter, when the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12 are completely laminated between the separators 14, the upper surface and the bottom surface of the laminate can be heated and pressed by the pressing portion.

[0214] The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention may further include a vision device configured to inspect the first electrode or the second electrode. Figure 14 is a front view showing the concept of an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus further including a vision device.

[0215] For convenience, the holding mechanism 170, the preliminary welding portion 190, and the heating portion 191 are omitted from Figure 14 and the pressing portion 180 located at the rear side of the top plan view is indicated by a dashed line. Additionally, for convenience, the first electrode non-contact heater 152 and the second electrode non-contact heater 162 are omitted from Figure 14

[0216] Refer to Figure 14 ​, the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 200 may include: a stacking table 110, a separator supply unit 120 configured to supply a separator 14 to the stacking table 110, a first electrode supply unit 130 configured to supply a first electrode 11 to the stacking table 110, a second electrode supply unit 140 configured to supply a second electrode 12 to the stacking table 110, a first electrode stacking unit 150 configured to stack the first electrode 11 on the stacking table 110, a second electrode stacking unit 160 configured to stack the second electrode 12 on the stacking table 110, a pressing unit 180 configured to bond the first electrode 11, the separator 14, and the second electrode 12, and a holding mechanism 170 configured to fix the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12 when stacking the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12 on the stacking table 110, and further includes a rotation unit R configured to rotate the stacking table 110 and a vision device 290 configured to visually inspect the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12.

[0217] That is to say, Figure 14 the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 200 in [description] is different from the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 100 of the above-described embodiment in that the apparatus 200 further includes a rotation unit R and a vision device 290.

[0218] More specifically, in the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 200 according to another embodiment of the present invention, the vision device 290 may include a first camera 291 and a second camera 292.

[0219] The first camera 291 may capture an image of the first electrode 11 placed on the first electrode placement table 131 of the first electrode supply unit 130. The second camera 292 may capture an image of the second electrode 12 placed on the second electrode placement table 141 of the second electrode supply unit 140.

[0220] The lamination quality of the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12 may be inspected based on the image information captured by the first camera 291 and the second camera 292. In this case, the placement position, size, lamination state, etc. of the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12 may be inspected.

[0221] The rotation unit R may rotate the stacking table 110 in one direction r1 and another direction r2. At this time, the first electrode stacking unit 150 may be disposed on one side of the rotation unit R, and the first electrode stacking unit 150 may be disposed on the other side of the rotation unit R.

[0222] In addition, the rotation unit R may rotate the stacking table 110 toward one side such that the stacking table 110 faces the first suction head 151 when stacking the first electrode 11. The rotation unit R may rotate the stacking table 110 toward the other side such that the stacking table 110 faces the second suction head 161 when stacking the second electrode 12.

[0223] In addition, the rotating unit R can rotate the stacking table 110 alternately in the direction toward the first electrode stacking unit 150 and the direction toward the second electrode stacking unit 160, so that the separator 14 can be folded in a zigzag manner and positioned between the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12.

[0224] Hereinafter, the operation of the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 200 according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0225] Referring to Figure 1 and Figure 14 and , the separator 14 wound around the separator roller 122 is supplied while passing through the separator heating unit 121. That is, the separator 14 is heated while passing through the separator heating unit 121, and the heated separator 14 is supplied to the stacking table 110. The separator 14 supplied as described above is stacked on the stacking table 110, and the separator 14 is heated by the heated stacking table 110.

[0226] In addition, when the first electrode 11 is supplied and placed on the first electrode placement table 131 of the first electrode supply unit 130, the vision device 290 is used to inspect the stacking quality of the first electrode 11. In this case, the first electrode 11 is heated by the first electrode placement table 131 heated by the first electrode heater 132.

[0227] In addition, when the heated first electrode 11 is supplied to the first electrode stacking unit 150, the first electrode stacking unit 150 stacks the first electrode 11 on the upper surface of the separator 14 stacked on the stacking table 110.

[0228] In this case, the holding mechanism 170 presses the upper surface of the first electrode 11 to fix the first electrode 11 so that the first electrode 11 does not separate from the stacking table 110. Thereafter, when the rotating unit R rotates the stacking table 110 in the direction toward the second electrode stacking unit 160, the separator 14 is continuously supplied and covers the upper surface of the first electrode 11.

[0229] Meanwhile, when the second electrode 12 is supplied and placed on the second electrode placement table 141 of the second electrode supply unit 140, the vision device 290 is used to inspect the stacking quality of the second electrode 12. In this case, the second electrode 12 is heated by the second electrode placement table 141 heated by the second electrode heater.

[0230] In addition, when the heated second electrode 12 is supplied to the second electrode stacking unit 160, the second electrode stacking unit 160 stacks the second electrode 12 on the upper surface of the separator 14 stacked on the stacking table 110.

[0231] In this case, the holding mechanism 170 pressing the upper surface of the first electrode 11 moves away from the pressing portion and then presses the upper surface of the second electrode 12, thereby preventing the stack including the second electrode 12 from separating from the stacking table 110.

[0232] Thereafter, the process of stacking the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12 while rotating the stacking table 110 is repeated, such that the separator 14 is folded in a zigzag manner, and a stack in which the separator 14 is positioned between the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12 can be formed.

[0233] In addition, the electrode assembly 10 can be manufactured by moving the stack to the pressing portion 180 and bonding the first electrode 11, the separator 14, and the second electrode 12. When the pressing portion 180 presses the stack while applying heat to the stack, the first electrode 11, the separator 14, and the second electrode 12 are pressed and heated. In this case, the heated first electrode 11, the heated separator 14, and the heated second electrode 12 can be thermally bonded as the pressing portion 180 presses the first electrode 11, the separator 14, and the second electrode 12 while applying heat to the first electrode 11, the separator 14, and the second electrode 12 (see Figure 3 ).

[0234] In addition, even in the case of Figure 14 , the first electrode stacking portion 150 may include a first suction head 151, a first non-contact heater for the electrode 152, and a first moving portion 153, and the second electrode stacking portion 160 may include a second suction head 161, a second non-contact heater for the electrode, and a second moving portion 163 (not shown). The first suction head 151, the first non-contact heater for the electrode 152, the first moving portion 153, the second suction head 161, the second non-contact heater for the electrode, and the second moving portion 163 are configured as described above.

[0235] In other words, it can be said that except that the device 200 further includes a rotating portion R and a vision device 290, Figure 14 the electrode assembly manufacturing device 200 in

[0236] is the same in structure as the electrode assembly manufacturing device 100 according to the above-described embodiment. Figure 14 Examples of the manner in which the stacking table rotates can be shown.

[0237] In an embodiment of the present invention, the length of the long side of the electrode assembly may be 500 mm or greater. The length of the long side of the electrode assembly refers to the length in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the separator is supplied during the manufacture of the electrode assembly.

[0238] In an embodiment of the present invention, for example, the thickness of the negative electrode current collector is a thickness of 3 μm to 500 μm. The negative electrode current collector is not particularly limited as long as the negative electrode current collector exhibits electrical conductivity without causing any chemical change in the battery. For example, the negative electrode current collector may be made of copper, stainless steel, aluminum, nickel, titanium, or sintered carbon, or made of copper or stainless steel having a surface treated with carbon, nickel, titanium, or silver. Alternatively, the negative electrode current collector may be made of an aluminum-cadmium alloy. In addition, the negative electrode current collector may have a microscale uneven pattern formed on its surface, thereby increasing the binding force of the negative electrode active material in the same manner as the positive electrode current collector described below. The negative electrode current collector may be configured in any of various forms (such as a film, sheet, foil, net, porous body, foam body, and nonwoven fabric body).

[0239] As the negative electrode active material, for example, carbon (such as non-graphitized carbon or graphite-based carbon) can be used; metal composite oxides, such as Li x Fe2O3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1), Li x WO2 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1), Sn x Me 1-x Me’ y O z (Me: Mn, Fe, Pb, Ge; Me’: Al, B, P, Si, Group 1, 2, and 3 elements in the periodic table, halogen; 0 < x ≤ 1; 1 ≤ y ≤ 3; 1 ≤ z ≤ 8); lithium metal; lithium alloy; silicon-based alloy; tin-based alloy; metal oxides (such as, SnO, SnO2, PbO, PbO2, Pb2O3, Pb3O4, Sb2O3, Sb2O4, Sb2O5, GeO, GeO2, Bi2O3, Bi2O4, or Bi2O5); conductive polymers (such as polyacetylene); or Li-Co-Ni-based materials.

[0240] In an embodiment of the present invention, the lower layer region may include natural graphite as the negative electrode active material, and the upper layer region may include artificial graphite as the negative electrode active material.

[0241] In an embodiment of the present invention, the lower layer region and the upper layer region may also independently include a silicon-based compound as the negative electrode active material.

[0242] In an embodiment of the present invention, the silicon-based compound may include one or both of SiOx (0 ≤ x ≤ 2) and SiC.

[0243] In an embodiment of the present invention, the silicon-based compound may include one or more of SiOx (x = 0), SiOx (0 ≤ x ≤ 2), and SiC.

[0244] In an embodiment of the present invention, based on 100 parts by weight of the silicon-based compound, the silicon-based compound may include 70 parts by weight or more, or 80 parts by weight or more of SiOx (x = 0). That is, the negative electrode of the present invention is characterized by a high-purity silicon (Si) content.

[0245] In an embodiment of the present invention, a negative electrode can be manufactured by coating a lower layer slurry including a lower layer negative electrode active material onto a current collector and drying the lower layer slurry, and then forming an upper layer region by coating an upper layer slurry including an upper layer negative electrode active material onto the lower layer region and drying the upper layer slurry.

[0246] That is, an embodiment of the present invention can provide a method for manufacturing a negative electrode, the method including: preparing a lower layer slurry including a lower layer negative electrode active material and an upper layer slurry including an upper layer negative electrode active material; coating one surface of a negative electrode current collector with the lower layer slurry and simultaneously or with a predetermined time difference coating the lower layer slurry with the upper layer slurry; and forming an active material layer by simultaneously drying the coated lower layer slurry and the coated upper layer slurry.

[0247] In this case, there may be a mixing region (intermixing region), where different types of active materials are mixed at a portion where the lower layer region and the upper layer region of the negative electrode are in contact with each other. This is because, if the lower layer slurry containing the lower layer negative electrode active material and the upper layer slurry containing the upper layer negative electrode active material are continuously coated onto the current collector simultaneously or with a very short time difference and then simultaneously dried to form an active material layer, a predetermined mixing section occurs at the interface where the lower layer slurry and the upper layer slurry come into contact with each other before drying, and then the mixing section becomes a layer form of the mixing region while drying.

[0248] In an embodiment of the present invention, in the active material layer of the negative electrode, the weight ratio (or the ratio of the loading amount per unit area) of the upper layer region to the lower layer region may be 20:80 to 50:50, specifically 25:75 to 50:50.

[0249] The thickness of each of the lower layer region and the upper layer region in the active material layer of the negative electrode according to the present invention may not exactly match the thickness of the coated lower layer slurry and the thickness of the coated upper layer slurry. However, as a result of a drying or selective rolling process, the ratio of the thickness of each of the lower layer region and the upper layer region in the finally obtained active material layer of the negative electrode according to the present invention may match the ratio of the thickness of the coated lower layer slurry to the thickness of the coated upper layer slurry.

[0250] In an embodiment of the present invention, in the step of coating one surface of the negative electrode current collector with the lower layer slurry and simultaneously or with a predetermined time difference coating the lower layer slurry with the upper layer slurry, the predetermined time difference may be 0.6 seconds or less, 0.02 seconds to 0.6 seconds, 0.02 seconds to 0.06 seconds, or 0.02 seconds to 0.03 seconds. Most specifically, the time difference may be 0 seconds, that is, the coating processes may be performed simultaneously. That is, due to the coating equipment, a time difference is generated during the process of coating the lower layer slurry and the upper layer slurry. Therefore, it is more preferable to coat the lower layer slurry and the upper layer slurry simultaneously. In this case, a device such as a dual slot die may be used for the method of coating the lower layer slurry and the upper layer slurry.

[0251] In an embodiment of the present invention, the step of forming the active material layer by simultaneously drying the coated lower layer slurry and the coated upper layer slurry may include the step of simultaneously drying the coated lower layer slurry and the coated upper layer slurry, and the step of rolling the active material layer after the step of simultaneously drying the coated lower layer slurry and the coated upper layer slurry. In this case, the step of rolling the active material layer may be performed by a method of roll pressing commonly used in the art, and is performed at a pressure of 1 MPa to 20 MPa and a temperature of 15 °C to 30 °C. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0252] In this case, the step of forming the active material layer by simultaneously drying the coated lower layer slurry and the coated upper layer slurry may be performed by using a device combining a hot air drying device and an infrared drying device, and this step may be implemented by a method commonly used in the art.

[0253] In an embodiment of the present invention, the weight percentage of the first binder polymer in the solid content of the lower layer slurry may be equal to or greater than the weight percentage of the second binder polymer in the solid content of the upper layer slurry.

[0254] Specifically, in an embodiment of the present invention, the weight percentage of the first binder polymer in the solid content of the lower layer slurry may be 1.0 to 4.2 times, 1.5 to 3.6 times, or 1.5 to 3 times the weight percentage of the second binder polymer in the solid content of the upper layer slurry.

[0255] In this case, when the ratio of the weight percentage of the first binder in the coated lower layer slurry to the weight percentage of the second binder in the coated upper layer slurry satisfies the above range, the binder in the lower layer region is not too small to cause separation of the electrode layer, and since the binder in the upper layer region is not too large, the resistance of the upper layer region of the electrode can be reduced, which may be advantageous for fast charging performance.

[0256] In an embodiment of the present invention, in the solid content of the lower layer slurry, the weight percentage of the first binder polymer may be 2 wt.% to 30 wt.% or 5 wt.% to 20 wt.%, and the proportion (weight percentage) of the second binder polymer in the solid content of the upper layer slurry may be 0.5 wt.% to 20 wt.%, 1 wt.% to 15 wt.%, 1 wt.% to 10 wt.%, or 2 wt.% to 5 wt.%.

[0257] In an embodiment of the present invention, the total ratio (weight percentage) of the first binder polymer and the second binder polymer in the solid content of the lower layer slurry and the upper layer slurry may be 2 wt.% to 0 wt.% or 5 wt.% to 15 wt.%.

[0258] In this specification, the first binder polymer and the second binder polymer only represent the binder polymer included in the lower layer slurry and the binder polymer included in the upper layer slurry, but do not imply a specific order.

[0259] In an embodiment of the present invention, the binder polymer refers to a component that helps to connect the electrode active material particles and the conductive material and connect the electrode current collector. For example, 1 wt.% to 50 wt.% of the binder polymer is added based on the total weight of the mixture including the electrode active material. Examples of the binder polymer may include any one binder polymer selected from the group consisting of the following or a mixture of two or more types of polymers selected from the group consisting of: polyvinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene (PVdF), polyvinylidene fluoride-co-trichloroethylene, polymethyl methacrylate, polybutyl acrylate, polyacrylonitrile, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinyl acetate, polyethylene-co-vinyl acetate, polyethylene oxide, polyarylate, cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate butyrate, cellulose acetate propionate, cyanoethylated amylose, cyanoethylated polyvinyl alcohol, cyanoethylated cellulose, cyanoethylated sucrose, amylose, and carboxymethyl cellulose. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0260] In an embodiment of the present invention, the negative electrode can be manufactured by coating the negative electrode active material particles on the negative electrode current collector and drying the negative electrode active material particles. If necessary, the negative electrode may further include components such as a conductive material, a binder, and a solvent.

[0261] In addition, in an embodiment of the present invention, within the scope described above, the negative electrode active material for the negative electrode can be used without limitation as long as the negative electrode active material is a well-known active material in the art. In addition, within the scope described above, the methods well-known in the art can be used without limitation as the method for manufacturing the negative electrode.

[0262] In an embodiment of the present invention, the positive electrode may include a positive electrode current collector; and a positive electrode active material layer disposed on at least one surface of the positive electrode current collector and including a positive electrode active material, a binder polymer, and a conductive material.

[0263] In an embodiment of the present invention, for example, the thickness of the positive electrode current collector is from 3 μm to 500 μm. The positive electrode current collector is not particularly limited as long as it has electrical conductivity and does not cause a chemical change in the battery. For example, the positive electrode current collector may be made of stainless steel, aluminum, nickel, titanium, sintered carbon, or aluminum, or made of stainless steel having a surface treated with carbon, nickel, titanium, silver, etc. Further, the electrode current collector may have a microscale uneven pattern formed on its surface to increase the binding force of the positive electrode active material. The electrode current collector may be configured in any of various forms such as a film, sheet, foil, net, porous body, foam body, and nonwoven fabric body.

[0264] In an embodiment of the present invention, the positive electrode active material may include a lithium intercalation material selected from the following: layered compounds such as lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2), lithium nickel oxide (LiNiO2), or a compound substituted with one or more transition metals; lithium manganese oxide (LiMnO2) such as the chemical formula Li 1+x Mn 2-x O4 (where x is from 0 to 0.33), LiMnO3, LiMn2O3, LiMnO2; lithium copper oxide (Li2CuO2); vanadium oxides such as LiV3O8, LiFe3O4, V2O5, Cu2V2O7; lithium nickel oxide represented by the chemical formula LiNi 1-x M x O2 (where M = Co, Mn, Al, Cu, Fe, Mg, B, or Ga, and x = 0.01 to 0.3); lithium manganese composite oxide represented by the chemical formula LiMn 2-x M x O2 (where M = Co, Ni, Fe, Cr, Zn, or Ta, and x = 0.01 to 0.1) or Li2Mn3MO8 (where M = Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, or Zn); LiMn2O4, in which a part of lithium is substituted with an alkaline earth metal ion; disulfide compounds; Fe2(MoO4)3; or a composite oxide formed by a combination thereof, as a main component. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0265] In an embodiment of the present invention, based on the total weight of the mixture including the positive electrode active material, 1 wt.% to 50 wt.% of a conductive material is added. The conductive material is not particularly limited as long as it has high conductivity and does not cause chemical changes in the battery. For example, conductive materials selected from graphite, such as natural graphite and artificial graphite; carbon black, such as carbon black, acetylene black, Ketjen black, channel black, furnace black, lamp black, and thermal carbon black; conductive fibers, such as carbon fibers and metal fibers; metal powders, such as carbon fluoride, aluminum, and nickel powders; conductive whiskers, such as zinc oxide and potassium titanate; conductive oxides, such as titanium oxide; polyphenylene derivatives, etc. can be used as the conductive material.

[0266] In an embodiment of the present invention, the positive electrode can be manufactured by applying positive electrode active material particles onto a positive electrode current collector and drying the positive electrode active material particles. If necessary, the positive electrode may further include components such as a conductive material, a binder, and a solvent.

[0267] In addition, in the present invention, the positive electrode active material used for manufacturing the positive electrode can be used without limitation as long as it is an active material well-known in the art. In addition, methods well-known in the art can be used without limitation as the method for manufacturing the positive electrode.

[0268] In an embodiment of the present invention, non-limiting examples of the solvent for manufacturing the negative electrode (i.e., the electrode) include acetone, tetrahydrofuran, dichloromethane, chloroform, dimethylformamide, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), cyclohexane, water, or a mixture thereof. These solvents provide an appropriate viscosity level such that a slurry coating can be formed on the surface of the electrode current collector at a desired level.

[0269] In an embodiment of the present invention, the separator may include a porous polymer substrate and an organic / inorganic composite porous coating formed on at least one side surface of the polymer substrate. The organic / inorganic composite porous coating may include a particulate binder resin and inorganic particles.

[0270] Typical materials used in the art can be used as the materials for the separator.

[0271] In addition, the description related to the configuration of the electrode assembly manufacturing equipment and the manufacturing equipment according to the present invention can also be applied to the manufacturing method according to the present invention and the electrode assembly manufactured by the manufacturing method according to the present invention.

[0272] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing an electrode assembly, in which, in the electrode assembly, a plurality of first electrodes including first electrode joints and a plurality of second electrodes including second electrode joints are alternately disposed between diaphragms including folded binder layers, the method for manufacturing the electrode assembly comprising the following steps: (a) Supplying the first electrodes to a stacking table; (b) Supplying the second electrodes to the stacking table; (c) Supplying the diaphragms to the stacking table; (d) Manufacturing a stacked member by stacking the first electrodes, the diaphragms, and the second electrodes on the stacking table in such a manner that the first electrodes and the second electrodes are alternately disposed between the folded diaphragms; (e) Preliminarily welding the first electrode joints and the second electrode joints respectively; (f) Heating the first electrodes and the second electrodes respectively by heating the preliminarily welded portions of the first electrode joints and the preliminarily welded portions of the second electrode joints; and (g) Heating and pressing the stacked member.

2. The method for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to claim 1, wherein, In step (f), the first electrodes and the second electrodes are heated such that the temperatures of the first electrodes and the second electrodes respectively satisfy the following Expression 1: [Expression 1] Tg - 1 < T ≤ Tg + 1 In Expression 1, Tg represents the glass transition temperature of the binder layer of the diaphragm, and T represents the temperature of the heated first electrode or the heated second electrode.

3. The method for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to claim 1, wherein, Step (f) includes: Measuring the temperature distribution on the upper surface of the stacked member; Setting the heating temperature based on the measured temperature distribution; and Heating the first electrodes and the second electrodes respectively.

4. The method for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to claim 1, wherein, In step (f), the first electrode joints and the second electrode joints are heated by connecting a heating wire probe or a heating wire jig to the first electrode joints and the second electrode joints respectively.

5. The method for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to claim 1, the method for manufacturing the electrode assembly further comprising the following step: After step (g), cutting a part of the preliminarily welded portion of the first electrode joints and a part of the preliminarily welded portion of the second electrode joints.

6. The method for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to claim 1, wherein, Performing step (e) on the stacking table.

7. The method for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to claim 1, the method for manufacturing the electrode assembly further comprising the following step: After step (f), performing final welding for connecting electrode leads to each of the first electrode joints and the second electrode joints.

8. The method for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to claim 1, wherein, Step (f) and step (g) are selectively performed in a sequential order, a reverse order, or simultaneously.

9. The method for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to claim 4, wherein, The heat generated from the heating wire probe or the heating wire jig is transferred to the first electrodes and the second electrodes through the first electrode joints and the second electrode joints.

10. An electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus, the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus manufacturing an electrode assembly in which a plurality of first electrodes including first electrode joints and a plurality of second electrodes including second electrode joints are alternately disposed between diaphragms including folded binder layers, the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus comprising: Stacking table, on which the first electrode, the separator and the second electrode are stacked to manufacture a stacked body in which the first electrode and the second electrode are alternately disposed between the folded separators; Separator supply unit configured to supply the separator to the stacking table; First electrode supply unit configured to supply the first electrode to the stacking table; Second electrode supply unit configured to supply the second electrode to the stacking table; Pressing unit configured to heat and press the stacked body stacked on the stacking table; Preliminary welding unit configured to preliminarily weld the first electrode joint and the second electrode joint; And Heating unit configured to heat the first electrode and the second electrode by heating the preliminary welding portions of the first electrode joint and the second electrode joint, respectively.

11. The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein, The temperatures of the first electrode and the second electrode heated by the heating unit respectively satisfy the following Expression 1: [Expression 1] Tg - 1 < T ≤ Tg + 1 In Expression 1, Tg represents the glass transition temperature of the binder layer of the separator, and T represents the temperature of the heated first electrode or the heated second electrode.

12. The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus further comprises: Heating control unit configured to measure the temperature distribution of the upper surface of the stacked body and set heating temperature conditions before the heating process is performed by the heating unit.

13. The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein, The heating unit is a heating wire probe or a separate heating wire jig attached to one surface of the pressing unit.

14. The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein, The pressing unit is composed of a pair of pressing blocks, and the pair of pressing blocks move in a direction facing each other and perform surface pressing on the stacked body stacked on the stacking table.

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