Laminating apparatus and electrode assembly manufacturing method

Abstract

The present invention provides a lamination apparatus (10) comprising: a transport unit that transports an electrode stack (500) in which electrodes (510, 520, 550) and separators (530, 540) are alternately stacked in a vertical direction in a first direction intersecting the vertical direction; and a sealing unit (200) that seals the electrode stack (500) conveyed by the conveying unit, and seals an end portion of the electrode stack (500) in a second direction while moving to one side or the other side in the second direction intersecting the vertical direction and the first direction. Therefore, the quality of the electrode assembly to be manufactured can be significantly improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0158385 filed on November 23, 2022, and the entire contents disclosed in the patent application document are included as part of this specification.

[0002] The present invention relates to a lamination device and a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly, and more particularly, to a lamination device and a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly capable of improving the quality of the manufactured electrode assembly, shortening the manufacturing time, and reducing the manufacturing cost with a simple configuration. Background Art

[0003] Unlike primary batteries, secondary batteries can be recharged and are manufactured to be compact and have a high capacity. Therefore, secondary batteries have been widely studied and developed in recent years. In particular, with the development of technology and the increasing demand for mobile devices, the demand for secondary batteries as an energy source is rapidly increasing.

[0004] Inside a secondary battery, an electrode assembly or a unit cell in which a positive electrode, a separator, and a negative electrode are alternately stacked can be inserted. The separator used here for an electrochemical cell is an intermediate film that isolates the positive electrode and the negative electrode inside the battery while continuously maintaining ionic conductivity to allow the charging and discharging of the battery.

[0005] However, when the battery is exposed to a high-temperature environment due to non-ideal behavior, the separator mechanically shrinks or is damaged due to its melting characteristics at low temperatures. In this case, the positive electrode and the negative electrode may come into contact with each other, resulting in battery ignition. To overcome these problems, a technique for suppressing the shrinkage of the separator and ensuring the stability of the battery is necessary.

[0006] One way to solve this problem is to seal the side portions of multiple separators and attach these side portions to each other. For example, similar to Figure 15 a conventional lamination device, a pressing member 300 can press a first separator 110 and a second separator 120 disposed in the space between negative electrodes 130 toward each other. However, since the electrodes and the separators are alternately stacked, even when using a lamination device, the separators may not be properly sealed. In addition, the lamination device can only seal the portions of the separators located between the electrodes (left and right sides of the electrodes), and cannot seal the two end portions (front and rear) of the separators where the electrode tabs are located. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Technical Problem

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a laminating apparatus and a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly that can significantly improve the quality of the manufactured electrode assembly.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a laminating apparatus and a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly that can improve the quality of the manufactured electrode assembly with a simple configuration, shorten the manufacturing time, and reduce the manufacturing cost.

[0010] The technical problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the above objects. Other objects and advantages of the present invention that are not described can be understood through the following description, and other objects and advantages of the present invention that are not described will be more clearly understood through examples of the present invention. In addition, it is obvious that the objects and advantages of the present invention can be embodied by the means and combinations thereof pointed out in the claims.

[0011] Technical solution

[0012] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a laminating apparatus 10, which includes: a conveying unit; and a sealing unit 200.

[0013] The conveying unit can convey an electrode stack 500 in a first direction intersecting the vertical direction, and the electrode stack 500 is formed by alternately stacking electrodes 510, 520, and 550 and separators 530 and 540 in the vertical direction.

[0014] The sealing unit 200 can seal the electrode stack 500 conveyed by the conveying unit, and seals the end portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction while moving toward one side or the other side intersecting the vertical direction and the first direction, and seals the portion of the end portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction that includes the portion overlapping the end portions of the electrodes 510, 520, and 550 in the second direction in the first direction.

[0015] In one embodiment, the sealing unit 200 can move toward one side or the other side in the second direction and move from the inside to the outside of the electrode stack 500 while sealing the end portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction.

[0016] In one embodiment, the laminating apparatus 10 may further include a laminating unit 100.

[0017] The laminating unit 100 can press and bond the electrode stack 500 conveyed by the conveying unit, and at least partially press and bond the central portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction.

[0018] The sealing unit 200 can seal the electrode stack 500 when the central portion in the second direction is at least partially bonded by the laminating unit 100.

[0019] In one embodiment, the electrodes 510, 520, and 550 may include: a central body 512, 522, and 552; and tabs 514, 524, and 554 protruding from the bodies 512, 522, and 552 toward one side or the other side in the second direction.

[0020] The separators 530 and 540 may include extensions 532 and 542.

[0021] The extensions 532 and 542 may extend further toward one side or the other side in the second direction than the bodies 512, 522, and 552 of the electrodes 510, 520, and 550.

[0022] The extensions 532 and 542 may face or contact the tabs 514, 524, and 554 in the vertical direction.

[0023] The end portion of the electrode stack 500 sealed by the sealing unit 200 in the second direction may include at least some portions of the extensions 532 and 542.

[0024] In one embodiment, the sealing unit 200 may include a pressing unit 210.

[0025] The pressing unit 210 may contact the electrode stack 500.

[0026] The pressing unit 210 may press the electrode stack 500 while moving toward one side or the other side in the second direction.

[0027] The pressing unit 210 may include at least one of an upper pressing unit 212 and a lower pressing unit 214.

[0028] The upper pressing unit 212 may be disposed above the electrode stack 500.

[0029] The upper pressing unit 212 may move toward one side or the other side in the second direction while pressing the electrode stack 500 downward.

[0030] The lower pressing unit 214 may be disposed below the electrode stack 500.

[0031] The lower pressing unit 214 may move toward one side or the other side in the second direction while pressing the electrode stack 500 upward.

[0032] The pressing unit 210, the upper pressing unit 212, and the lower pressing unit 214 may each be a roller.

[0033] In one embodiment, the pressing unit 210 may include the upper pressing unit 212 and the lower pressing unit 214.

[0034] In one embodiment, the electrodes 510, 520, and 550 may include: a central body 512, 522, and 552; and tabs 514, 524, and 554 protruding from the bodies 512, 522, and 552 in a direction intersecting the vertical direction.

[0035] The separators 530 and 540 may include extensions 532 and 542 that extend further in the second direction than the bodies 512, 522, and 552 of the electrodes 510, 520, and 550.

[0036] The end portions of the electrode stack 500 sealed by the sealing unit 200 in the second direction may include at least some portions of the extensions 532 and 542.

[0037] The diameter D of the pressing unit 210 of the sealing unit 200 may be 0.5 times to 5 times the width E of the extensions 532 and 542 in the second direction.

[0038] In one embodiment, the electrodes 510, 520, and 550 may include a plurality of electrode sheets 510a, 520a, and 550a that are arranged side by side in the first direction on the separators 530 and 540 and are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance.

[0039] Each electrode sheet 510a, 520a, and 550a may include: a central body 512, 522, and 552; and tabs 514, 524, and 554 protruding from the bodies 512, 522, and 552 in a direction intersecting the vertical direction.

[0040] The separators 530 and 540 may include extensions 532 and 542 that extend further in the second direction than the bodies 512, 522, and 552 of the electrode sheets 510a, 520a, and 550a.

[0041] The end portions of the electrode stack 500 sealed by the sealing unit 200 in the second direction may include at least some portions of the extensions 532 and 542.

[0042] The sealing unit 200 may include a pressing unit 210.

[0043] The pressing unit 210 may contact the electrode stack 500.

[0044] The pressing unit 210 may press the electrode stack 500 while moving toward one side or the other side in the second direction.

[0045] The length L of the pressing unit 210 in the first direction can be greater than the width W of the main bodies 512, 522, and 552 of each of the electrode sheets 510a, 520a, and 550a in the first direction.

[0046] The pressing unit 210 is arranged to completely overlap in the first direction with the main bodies 512, 522, and 552 of n continuously arranged electrode sheets 510a, 520a, and 550a when the electrode stack 500 is conveyed by the conveying unit (where n is a natural number equal to or greater than 1).

[0047] In one embodiment, the tabs 514, 524, and 554 of the electrode sheets 510a, 520a, and 550a can protrude from the main bodies 512, 522, and 552 of the electrode sheets 510a, 520a, and 550a to one side or the other side in the second direction.

[0048] The extending portions 532 and 542 can extend farther toward one side or the other side in the second direction than the main bodies 512, 522, and 552.

[0049] The extending portions 532 and 542 can face or contact the tabs 514, 524, and 554 in the vertical direction.

[0050] The pressing unit 210 can be a roller.

[0051] The pressing unit 210 can include (n + 1) pressing portions P.

[0052] When sealing one end or the other end of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction, the (n + 1) pressing portions P can be pressed toward the electrode stack 500.

[0053] (n + 1) pressing portions P can be spaced apart from each other in the first direction.

[0054] (n + 1) pressing portions P can be: the two ends of the pressing unit 210 in the first direction; and the (n - 1) portions of the pressing unit 210 in the first direction.

[0055] The (n - 1) portions of the pressing unit 210 in the first direction can at least partially overlap or be adjacent to the (n - 1) sections S between the n electrode sheets 510a, 520a, and 550a in the first direction.

[0056] The tabs 514, 524, and 554 of the n electrode sheets 510a, 520a, and 550a are located between the (n + 1) pressing portions P in the first direction.

[0057] In one embodiment, the sealing unit 200 can include the pressing unit 210.

[0058] The pressing unit 210 can contact the electrode stack 500.

[0059] The pressing unit 210 can press the electrode stack 500 while moving on one side or the other side in the second direction.

[0060] The conveying unit conveys the electrode stack 500 at a per-unit distance U in the first direction.

[0061] The pressing unit 210 can seal the portion of the electrode stack 500 that contacts the pressing unit 210 each time the electrode stack 500 is conveyed a unit distance U.

[0062] The width RW of the above-mentioned portion in the first direction or the length L of the pressing unit 210 in the first direction can be equal to or greater than the unit distance U.

[0063] In one embodiment, the sealing unit 200 can be heated.

[0064] In addition, to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a lamination device 10, which includes: a sealing unit 200.

[0065] The sealing unit 200 can seal the electrode stack 500, which is formed by alternately stacking electrodes 510, 520, and 550 and separators 530 and 540 in the vertical direction.

[0066] The sealing unit 200 can include a first sealing unit 200a and a second sealing unit 200b.

[0067] The first sealing unit 200a can seal one end portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction while moving to one side in the second direction intersecting the vertical direction, and it is the portion of one end portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction that includes the portion overlapping with one end portion of the electrodes 510, 520, and 550 in the second direction in the first direction.

[0068] The second sealing unit 200b can seal the other end portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction while moving to the other side in the second direction, and it is the portion of the other end portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction that includes the portion overlapping with the other end portion of the electrodes 510, 520, and 550 in the second direction in the first direction.

[0069] In addition, to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a manufacturing method S700 of an electrode assembly including a sealing step S720.

[0070] In the sealing step S720, the sealing unit 200 can seal the electrode stack 500 conveyed by the conveying unit, and seal the end portions of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction while moving to one side or the other side in the second direction.

[0071] In one embodiment, in the sealing step S720, the sealing unit 200 can move toward one side or the other side in the second direction, and seal the end portions of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction while moving from the inside to the outside of the electrode stack 500.

[0072] In one embodiment, the laminating device may include a laminating unit 100 or a cutting unit 300.

[0073] The laminating unit 100 can press and bond the electrode stack 500 conveyed by the conveying unit, and at least partially press and bond the central portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction.

[0074] The cutting unit 300 can cut the electrode stack 500.

[0075] The method for manufacturing the electrode assembly may further include a laminating step S710 or a cutting step S730.

[0076] In the laminating step S710, the laminating unit 100 can at least partially press and bond the central portion of the electrode stack 500 conveyed by the conveying unit in the second direction.

[0077] In the cutting step S730, the cutting unit 300 can cut the electrode stack 500.

[0078] The laminating step S710 can be performed before the sealing step S720.

[0079] The cutting step S730 can be performed after the sealing step S720.

[0080] In one embodiment, in the sealing step S720, the upper pressing unit 212 which is a roller can move toward one side or the other side in the second direction while pressing the electrode stack 500 downward, or the lower pressing unit 214 which is a roller can move toward one side or the other side in the second direction while pressing the electrode stack 500 upward.

[0081] In one embodiment, in the sealing step S720, the pressing unit 210 can seal the end portions of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction, and seal the end portions of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction including all sections in the first direction corresponding to the n electrode sheets 510a, 520a, and 550a arranged continuously in the first direction (where n is a natural number equal to or greater than 1).

[0082] In one embodiment, in the sealing step S720, the (n + 1) pressing portions P of the pressing unit 210 may be pressed toward the electrode stack 500.

[0083] In one embodiment, in the sealing step S720, the portion of the electrode stack 500 that is sealed by the pressing unit 210 after the electrode stack 500 has been conveyed a unit distance U by the conveying unit contacts or partially overlaps with the portion of the electrode stack 500 that was sealed by the pressing unit 210 before the electrode stack 500 was conveyed a unit distance U by the conveying unit.

[0084] In one embodiment, the sealing unit 200 may be heated in the sealing step S720.

[0085] In one embodiment, in the sealing step S720, the first sealing unit 200a may seal one end of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction while moving toward one side in the second direction, and the second sealing unit 200b may seal the other end of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction while moving toward the other side in the second direction.

[0086] Advantageous Effects

[0087] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the lamination device 10 may include: a conveying unit that conveys the electrode stack 500 in a first direction intersecting the vertical direction, the electrode stack 500 being formed by alternately stacking electrodes 510, 520, and 550 and separators 530 and 540 in the vertical direction; and a sealing unit 200 that seals the electrode stack 500 conveyed by the conveying unit, and seals the end portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction while moving toward one side or the other side in a second direction intersecting the vertical direction and the first direction.

[0088] Therefore, the end portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction is sealed in the second direction intersecting the conveying direction (first direction) of the electrode stack 500, so that the end portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction can be stably, uniformly, and highly quality sealed, and the bonding strength between the separators 530 and 540 and the electrodes 510, 520, and 550 can be significantly improved. This is because the width of the end portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction that is sealed by the sealing unit 200 in the second direction is smaller than the width in the first direction, making the sealing in the second direction effective. Therefore, the quality of the stacked unit 500a manufactured by the lamination device 10, the quality of the electrode assembly having the stacked stacked units 500a, or the quality of the electrode assembly manufactured by folding the electrode stack 500 sealed by the lamination device 10 can be significantly improved.

[0089] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the sealing unit 200 can move on one side or the other side facing the second direction and move from the inside to the outside of the electrode stack 500 while sealing the end portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction.

[0090] Therefore, the empty space inside the electrode stack 500 can be sealed by pushing the empty space to the outside of the electrode stack 500. In addition, the empty space can be sealed by pushing from the inside of the electrode stack 500, which is thicker when compressed due to the vertical arrangement of the electrodes 510, 520, and 550 and the separators 530 and 540, towards the outside of the electrode stack 500, which is thinner when compressed because only the separators 530 and 540 are arranged. Therefore, the end portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction can be sealed stably, uniformly, and with high quality, and the bonding strength between the separators 530 and 540 and the electrodes 510, 520, and 550 can be significantly improved. Therefore, the quality of the stacked unit 500a manufactured by the lamination device 10, the quality of the electrode assembly having the stacked stacked units 500a, or the quality of the electrode assembly manufactured by folding the electrode stack 500 sealed by the lamination device 10 can be significantly improved.

[0091] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the lamination device may further include a lamination unit 100 that presses and bonds the electrode stack 500 conveyed by the conveying unit, and at least partially presses and bonds the central portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction. The sealing unit 200 can seal the electrode stack 500 when at least partially bonded by the lamination unit 100 at the central portion in the second direction.

[0092] Therefore, since the sealing unit 200 seals the end portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction and at least a part of the central portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction is bonded by the lamination unit 100, the end portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction can be sealed stably, uniformly, and with high quality, and the bonding strength between the separators 530 and 540 and the electrodes 510, 520, and 550 can be improved. Therefore, the quality of the stacked unit 500a manufactured by the lamination device 10, the quality of the electrode assembly having the stacked stacked units 500a, or the quality of the electrode assembly manufactured by folding the electrode stack 500 sealed by the lamination device 10 can be significantly improved.

[0093] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the electrodes 510, 520, and 550 may include: bodies 512, 522, and 552 located at the center; and tabs 514, 524, and 554 protruding from the bodies 512, 522, and 552 toward one side or the other side in the second direction. The separators 530 and 540 may include extension portions 532 and 542 that extend further toward one side or the other side in the second direction than the bodies 512, 522, and 552 of the electrodes 510, 520, and 550, and the extension portions 532 and 542 face or contact the tabs 514, 524, and 554 in the vertical direction. The end portions of the electrode stack 500 sealed by the sealing unit 200 in the second direction may include at least some portions of the extension portions 532 and 542.

[0094] Therefore, the end portions of the electrode stack 500 where the tabs 514, 524, and 554 of the electrodes 510, 520, and 550 are located can be stably, uniformly, and highly quality sealed in the second direction, and the bonding strength between the separators 530 and 540 and the electrodes 510, 520, and 550 can be significantly improved. Accordingly, the quality of the stacked unit 500a manufactured by the laminating device 10, the quality of the electrode assembly having the stacked stacked units 500a, or the quality of the electrode assembly manufactured by folding the electrode stack 500 sealed by the laminating device 10 can be significantly improved.

[0095] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the sealing unit 200 may include a pressing unit 210 that moves toward one side or the other side in the second direction while contacting and pressing the electrode stack 500. The pressing unit 210 may include at least one of the following: an upper pressing unit 212 that is disposed above the electrode stack 500 and moves toward one side or the other side in the second direction while pressing the electrode stack 500 downward; and a lower pressing unit 214 that is disposed at the lower portion of 500 and presses the electrode stack 500 upward while moving toward one side or the other side in the second direction. The pressing unit 210, the upper pressing unit 212, and the lower pressing unit 214 may each be a roller.

[0096] Therefore, since the pressing unit 210 is a roller, when the pressing unit 210 seals the end portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction while moving to one side or the other side in the second direction, the frictional force between the pressing unit 210 and the electrode stack 500 is reduced, so that a large force is not applied to the electrode stack 500 in the second direction. As a result, a separate device for fixing the electrode stack 500 in the second direction is not necessary, or the electrode stack 500 can be quickly and easily fixed in the second direction with a simple device. In addition, since the pressing unit 210 is a roller, the end portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction can be stably, uniformly, quickly and highly sealed, and the bonding strength between the separators 530 and 540 and the electrodes 510, 520 and 550 can be improved. Therefore, with a simple configuration, the quality of the stacking unit 500a, the quality of the electrode assembly having the stacked stacking units 500a, or the quality of the electrode assembly manufactured by folding the electrode stack 500 can be significantly improved, and the manufacturing time can be shortened to reduce the manufacturing cost.

[0097] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the pressing unit 210 may include an upper pressing unit 212 and a lower pressing unit 214.

[0098] Therefore, since the pressing unit 210 (roller) includes two upper and lower rollers, the frictional force between the pressing unit 210 and the electrode stack 500 is further reduced, so that a separate device for fixing the electrode stack 500 in the second direction is unnecessary, or the electrode stack 500 can be quickly and easily fixed in the second direction with a simple device. Additionally, the end portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction can be more stably, uniformly, quickly and highly sealed, and the bonding strength between the separators 530 and 540 and the electrodes 510, 520 and 550 can be improved. Therefore, with a simple configuration, the quality of the stacking unit 500a, the quality of the electrode assembly having the stacked stacking units 500a, or the quality of the electrode assembly manufactured by folding the electrode stack 500 can be significantly improved, and the manufacturing time can be shortened to reduce the manufacturing cost.

[0099] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the electrodes 510, 520, and 550 may include: bodies 512, 522, and 552 located at the center; and tabs 514, 524, and 554 protruding from the bodies 512, 522, and 552 in a direction intersecting the vertical direction. The separators 530 and 540 may include extensions 532 and 542 that extend further in the second direction than the bodies 512, 522, and 552 of the electrodes 510, 520, and 550. An end portion of the electrode stack 500 sealed by the sealing unit 200 in the second direction may include at least some portions of the extensions 532 and 542. The diameter D of the pressing unit 210 of the sealing unit 200 is 0.5 to 5 times the width E of the extensions 532 and 542 in the second direction.

[0100] Therefore, since the diameter D of the pressing unit 210 (roller) is small, the position, moving direction, pressure, temperature, etc. of the pressing unit 210 can be controlled in detail and accurately. Thus, even if the width E of the extensions 532 and 542 in the second direction is small, the end portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction (including at least a part of the extensions 532 and 542) can be sealed stably, uniformly, and with high quality, and the bonding strength between the separators 530 and 540 and the electrodes 510, 520, and 550 can be improved. Therefore, the quality of the stacked unit 500a manufactured by the lamination device 10, the quality of the electrode assembly having the stacked stacked units 500a, or the quality of the electrode assembly manufactured by folding the electrode stack 500 can be significantly improved.

[0101] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the electrodes 510, 520, and 550 may include a plurality of electrode tabs 510a, 520a, and 550a located on the separators 530 and 540, which are arranged side by side in the first direction and spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. Each of the electrode tabs 510a, 520a, and 550a includes: a body 512, 522, and 552 located at the center; and tabs 514, 524, and 554 protruding from the bodies 512, 522, and 552 in a direction intersecting the vertical direction. The separators 530 and 540 may include extensions 532 and 542 that extend further in the second direction than the bodies 512, 522, and 552 of the electrode tabs 510a, 520a, and 550a. An end portion of the electrode stack 500 sealed by the sealing unit 200 in the second direction may include at least some portions of the extensions 532 and 542. The sealing unit 200 may include a pressing unit 210 that moves toward one side or the other side in the second direction while contacting and pressing the electrode stack 500. The length L of the pressing unit 210 in the first direction may be greater than the width W of the bodies 512, 522, and 552 of each of the electrode tabs 510a, 520a, and 550a in the first direction. When the electrode stack 500 is conveyed by the conveying unit, the pressing unit 210 may be arranged to completely overlap the bodies 512, 522, and 552 of n continuously arranged electrode tabs 510a, 520a, and 550a in the first direction (where n is a natural number greater than or equal to 1).

[0102] Therefore, when the electrode stack 500 is conveyed by the conveying unit, as the pressing unit 210 presses the end portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction while moving toward one side or the other side in the second direction, the extensions 532 and 542 located on one side or the other side in the second direction of the n electrode tabs 510a, 520a, and 550a can be simultaneously and evenly sealed, and the bonding strength between the separators 530 and 540 and the electrodes 510, 520, and 550 can be improved. Therefore, with a simple configuration, the quality of the stacking unit 500a, the quality of the electrode assembly having the stacked stacking unit 500a, or the quality of the electrode assembly manufactured by folding the electrode stack 500 can be significantly improved, and the manufacturing time can be shortened to reduce the manufacturing cost.

[0103] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the tabs 514, 524, and 554 of the electrode sheets 510a, 520a, and 550a may protrude from one side or the other side of the main bodies 512, 522, and 552 of the electrode sheets 510a, 520a, and 550a toward the second direction. The extending portions 532 and 542 of the separators 530 and 540 may extend further than the main bodies 512, 522, and 552 of the electrode sheets 510a, 520a, and 550a toward one side or the other side in the second direction, and may be opposed to or in contact with the tabs 514, 524, and 554 of the electrode sheets 510a, 520a, and 550a in the vertical direction. The pressing unit 210 may be a roller and may include (n + 1) pressing portions P spaced apart in the first direction. When sealing one end or the other end of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction, the (n + 1) pressing portions P are pressed toward the electrode stack 500. The (n + 1) pressing portions P are two ends of the pressing unit 210 in the first direction and (n - 1) portions respectively at least partially overlapping or adjacent to the (n - 1) sections S between the pressing unit 210 and the n electrode sheets 510a, 520a, and 550a in the first direction. The tabs 514, 524, and 554 of the n electrode sheets 510a, 520a, and 550a may be located between the (n + 1) pressing portions P in the first direction.

[0104] Therefore, when pressing and sealing the end portion of the stacking unit 500a in the second direction using the pressing unit 210 which is a roller, it is not necessary to press the entire pressing unit 210, but only to press the (n + 1) pressing portions P including the two ends of the pressing unit 210 in the first direction. The pressing unit 210 and the sealing unit 200 can be easily and inexpensively constructed with a simple configuration. Accordingly, the manufacturing cost of the stacking unit 500a can be reduced.

[0105] In addition, since the widths of each of the electrode sheets 510a, 520a, and 550a in the first direction are small, even when the two end portions of the pressing unit 210 in the first direction and the (n - 1) portions of the pressing unit 210, where the (n - 1) portions of the pressing unit 210 at least partially overlap or are adjacent to the (n - 1) sections S in the first direction between the n electrode sheets 510a, 520a, and 550a in the first direction, are pressed, it is possible to stably, uniformly, and with high quality simultaneously seal an end portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction that includes a portion corresponding to the n electrode sheets 510a, 520a, and 550a in the first direction, or it is possible to stably, uniformly, and with high quality simultaneously seal the end portions of the n stacking units 500a in the second direction, and the bonding strength between the separators 530 and 540 and the n electrode sheets 510a, 520a, and 550a can be increased. Therefore, the quality of the stacking unit 500a, the quality of the electrode assembly having the stacked stacking units 500a, or the quality of the electrode assembly manufactured by folding the electrode stack 500 can be improved with a simple configuration, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[0106] In particular, since the tabs 514, 524, and 554 of the n electrode sheets 510a, 520a, and 550a are located between the (n + 1) pressing portions P of the pressing unit 210 in the first direction, the thickness of the end portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction sealed by the portion between the (n + 1) pressing portions P of the pressing unit 210 can be greater than the thickness of the end portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction pressed by the (n + 1) pressing portions P of the pressing unit 210. Therefore, when only the (n + 1) pressing portions P of the pressing unit 210 are pressed, it is possible to more uniformly seal an end portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction that includes a portion corresponding to the n electrode sheets 510a, 520a, and 550a in the first direction, or it is possible to more uniformly seal the end portions of the n stacking units 500a in the second direction, and the bonding strength between the separators 530 and 540 and the n electrode sheets 510a, 520a, and 550a can be increased.

[0107] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the sealing unit 200 may include a pressing unit 210 that contacts and presses the electrode stack 500 while moving toward one side or the other side in the second direction. The conveying unit may convey the electrode stack 500 a unit distance U in the first direction. Each time the electrode stack 500 is conveyed a unit distance U, the pressing unit 210 may seal the portion of the electrode stack 500 that contacts the pressing unit 210. The width RW of the above portion in the first direction or the length L of the pressing unit 210 in the first direction may be equal to or greater than the unit distance U.

[0108] Therefore, the end portions of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction can be sealed by the pressing unit 210 without omission of any part. In particular, when the width RW of the region where the electrode stack 500 contacts the pressing unit 210 in the first direction or the length L of the pressing unit 210 in the first direction is greater than the unit distance U, each time the pressing unit 210 seals the end portions of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction, the sealed region can partially overlap with the region previously sealed by the pressing unit 210. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the end portions of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction from not being sealed due to the position and size errors of the electrodes (sheets), the conveyance distance error of the conveyance unit, and the position error of the pressing unit 210. Therefore, the quality of the stacking unit 500a, the quality of the electrode assembly having the stacked stacking units 500a, or the quality of the electrode assembly manufactured by folding the electrode stack 500 can be improved with a simple configuration.

[0109] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the sealing unit 200 can be heated.

[0110] Therefore, the end portions of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction can be sealed stably, uniformly, and with high quality, and the bonding strength between the separators 530 and 540 and the electrodes 510, 520, and 550 can be improved. Accordingly, the quality of the stacking unit 500a, the quality of the electrode assembly having the stacked stacking units 500a, or the quality of the electrode assembly manufactured by folding the electrode stack 500 can be improved.

[0111] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the lamination device 10 may include: a sealing unit 200 that seals an electrode stack 500 formed by alternately stacking electrodes 510, 520, and 550 and separators 530 and 540 in the vertical direction. The sealing unit 200 may include: a first sealing unit 200a that seals one end portion of the electrode stack 500 in a second direction (the second direction intersects the vertical direction) while moving toward one side in the second direction; and a second sealing unit 200b that seals the other end portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction while moving toward the other side in the second direction.

[0112] Accordingly, since both end portions of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction are sealed in the second direction, both end portions of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction can be sealed stably, uniformly, and with high quality, and the bonding strength between the separators 530 and 540 and the electrodes 510, 520, and 550 can be significantly improved. This is because the width of both end portions of the electrode stack 500 sealed by the sealing unit 200 in the second direction is smaller than the width in the first direction, making the sealing in the second direction effective. Accordingly, the quality of the stacked unit 500a manufactured by the laminating apparatus 10, the quality of the electrode assembly having the stacked stacked units 500a, or the quality of the electrode assembly manufactured by folding the electrode stack 500 sealed by the laminating apparatus 10 can be significantly improved.

[0113] In addition, since both end portions of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction are sealed from the inside to the outside of the stacked unit 500a, the empty space inside the electrode stack 500 can be sealed by pushing the empty space to the outside of the electrode stack 500, and the empty space can be sealed by being pushed from the inside of the electrode stack 500, which is thicker during compression due to the vertical arrangement of the electrodes 510, 520, and 550 and the separators 530 and 540, toward the outside of the electrode stack 500, which is thinner during compression because only the separators 530 and 540 are arranged. Accordingly, both end portions of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction can be sealed stably, uniformly, and with high quality, and the bonding strength between the separators 530 and 540 and the electrodes 510, 520, and 550 can be significantly increased. Accordingly, the quality of the stacked unit 500a manufactured by the laminating apparatus 10, the quality of the electrode assembly having the stacked stacked units 500a, or the quality of the electrode assembly manufactured by folding the electrode stack 500 sealed by the laminating apparatus 10 can be significantly improved.

[0114] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the method S700 of manufacturing an electrode assembly may include a sealing step S720, in which the sealing unit 200 seals the electrode stack 500 conveyed by the conveying unit while moving toward one side or the other side in the second direction and seals the end portions of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction.

[0115] Therefore, the end portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction is sealed in the second direction intersecting the conveying direction (first direction) of the electrode stack 500, so that the end portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction is stably, uniformly and highly quality sealed, and the bonding strength between the separators 530 and 540 and the electrodes 510, 520 and 550 can be significantly improved. This is because the width of the end portion of the electrode stack 500 sealed by the sealing unit 200 in the second direction is smaller than the width in the first direction, making the sealing effective in the second direction. Therefore, the quality of the electrode assembly manufactured by the electrode assembly manufacturing method S700 can be significantly improved.

[0116] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the sealing step S720, the sealing unit 200 can move toward one side or the other side in the second direction, and while moving from the inside to the outside of the electrode stack 500, seals the end portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction.

[0117] Therefore, the empty space inside the electrode stack 500 can be sealed by pushing the empty space to the outside of the electrode stack 500. In addition, the empty space can be sealed by pushing from the inside of the electrode stack 500, which is thicker when compressed due to the vertical arrangement of the electrodes 510, 520 and 550 and the separators 530 and 540, toward the outside of the electrode stack 500, which is thinner when compressed because only the separators 530 and 540 are arranged. As a result, the end portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction can be stably, uniformly and highly quality sealed, and the bonding strength between the separators 530 and 540 and the electrodes 510, 520 and 550 can be significantly improved. Therefore, the quality of the electrode assembly manufactured by the electrode assembly manufacturing method S700 can be significantly improved.

[0118] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the lamination device may include: a lamination unit 100 that presses and bonds the electrode stack 500 conveyed by the conveying unit, and at least partially presses and bonds the central portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction; or a cutting unit 300 that cuts the electrode stack 500. The manufacturing method of the electrode assembly may further include: a lamination step S710, in which the lamination unit 100 at least partially presses and bonds the central portion of the electrode stack 500 conveyed by the conveying unit in the second direction; or a cutting step S730, in which the cutting unit 300 cuts the electrode stack 500. The lamination step S710 may be performed before the sealing step S720. The cutting step S730 may be performed after the sealing step S720.

[0119] Therefore, since the sealing step S720 of sealing the end portions of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction is performed after the lamination step S710 that at least partially combines the central portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction, the end portions of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction can be sealed stably, uniformly, and with high quality, and the bonding strength between the separators 530 and 540 and the electrodes 510, 520, and 550 can be improved. Therefore, the quality of the electrode assembly manufactured by the electrode assembly manufacturing method S700 can be significantly improved.

[0120] In addition, since the sealing step S720 of sealing the end portions of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction is performed before the cutting step S730 of cutting the electrode stack 500, there is no need for equipment for fixing or aligning the electrode stack 500, or the electrode stack 500 can be fixed or aligned quickly and easily using simple equipment. As a result, the end portions of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction can be sealed easily and at low cost.

[0121] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the sealing step S720, the upper pressing unit 212 that is a roller can move toward one side or the other side in the second direction while pressing the electrode stack 500 downward, or the lower pressing unit 214 that is a roller can move toward one side or the other side in the second direction while pressing the electrode stack 500 upward.

[0122] Therefore, since the pressing unit 210 is a roller, when the pressing unit 210 seals the end portions of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction while moving toward one side or the other side in the second direction, the frictional force between the pressing unit 210 and the electrode stack 500 is reduced, so that a large force is not applied to the electrode stack 500 in the second direction. As a result, there is no need for separate equipment for fixing the electrode stack 500 in the second direction, or the electrode stack 500 can be fixed quickly and easily in the second direction using simple equipment. In addition, since the pressing unit 210 is a roller, the end portions of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction can be sealed stably, uniformly, quickly, and with high quality, and the bonding strength between the separators 530 and 540 and the electrodes 510, 520, and 550 can be improved. Therefore, with a simple configuration, the quality of the electrode assembly can be improved, the manufacturing time can be shortened, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[0123] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the sealing step S720, the pressing unit 210 can seal the end portions of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction, and moreover, it is to seal the end portions of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction that include all sections in the first direction corresponding to n electrode sheets 510a, 520a, and 550a arranged continuously in the first direction.

[0124] Therefore, when the electrode stack 500 is conveyed by the conveying unit, as the pressing unit 210 moves to one side or the other side in the second direction while pressing the end portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction, the extensions 532 and 542 located on one side or the other side of the n electrode sheets 510a, 520a, and 550a in the second direction can be uniformly sealed simultaneously, and the bonding strength between the separators 530 and 540 and the n electrode sheets 510a, 520a, and 550a can be improved. Accordingly, the end portion of the stacking unit 500a in the second direction can be sealed uniformly, quickly, and at low cost, and the bonding strength between the separators 530 and 540 and the electrodes 510, 520, and 550 can be improved. Therefore, the quality of the electrode assembly can be improved, the manufacturing time can be shortened, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced with a simple configuration.

[0125] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the sealing step S720, the (n + 1) pressing portions P of the pressing unit 210 may be pressed toward the electrode stack 500.

[0126] Therefore, when pressing and sealing the end portion of the stacking unit 500a in the second direction using the pressing unit 210 in the form of a roller, it is not necessary to press the entire pressing unit 210, but only the total (n + 1) pressing portions P including the two end portions of the pressing unit 210 in the first direction need to be pressed. The pressing unit 210 and the sealing unit 200 can be easily and inexpensively constructed with a simple configuration. Accordingly, the manufacturing cost of the stacking unit 500a can be reduced.

[0127] In addition, since the width of each of the electrode sheets 510a, 520a, and 550a in the first direction is small, even when only the two end portions of the pressing unit 210 in the first direction and the (n - 1) portions of the pressing unit 210 - where the (n - 1) portions of the pressing unit 210 at least partially overlap or are adjacent to the (n - 1) sections S in the first direction between the n electrode sheets 510a, 520a, and 550a in the first direction - are pressed, it is possible to simultaneously and stably, uniformly, and with high quality seal the end portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction including a part corresponding to the n electrode sheets 510a, 520a, and 550a in the first direction, or it is possible to simultaneously and stably, uniformly, and with high quality seal the end portions of the n stacking units 500a in the second direction, and the bonding strength between the separators 530 and 540 and the n electrode sheets 510a, 520a, and 550a can be improved. Therefore, the quality of the electrode assembly can be improved and the manufacturing cost can be reduced with a simple configuration.

[0128] Specifically, since the tabs 514, 524, and 554 of the n electrode plates 510a, 520a, and 550a are located between the (n + 1) pressing portions P of the pressing unit 210 in the first direction, the thickness of the end portion of the electrode stack 500 sealed by the portion between the (n + 1) pressing portions P of the pressing unit 210 in the second direction can be greater than the thickness of the end portion of the electrode stack 500 pressed by the (n + 1) pressing portions P of the pressing unit 210 in the second direction. Therefore, when only the (n + 1) pressing portions P of the pressing unit 210 are pressed, the end portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction including a part corresponding to the n electrode plates 510a, 520a, and 550a in the first direction can be sealed more uniformly, or the end portions of the n stacking units 500a in the second direction can be sealed more uniformly, and the bonding strength between the separators 530 and 540 and the n electrode plates 510a, 520a, and 550a can be improved.

[0129] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the sealing step S720, after the electrode stack 500 is conveyed by the conveying unit for a unit distance U, the portion of the electrode stack 500 sealed by the pressing unit 210 can contact or partially overlap with the portion of the electrode stack 500 sealed by the pressing unit 210 before the electrode stack 500 is conveyed by the conveying unit for the unit distance U.

[0130] Therefore, the end portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction can be sealed by the pressing unit 210 without omission. Specifically, when the width RW in the first direction of the region where the electrode stack 500 contacts the pressing unit 210 or the length L of the pressing unit 210 in the first direction is greater than the unit distance U, each time the pressing unit 210 seals the end portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction, the area to be sealed can partially overlap with the region previously sealed by the pressing unit 210. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the end portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction from not being sealed due to the position and size errors of the electrode (plate), the conveying distance error of the conveying unit, and the position error of the pressing unit 210. Therefore, the quality of the electrode assembly can be improved through a simple configuration.

[0131] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the above sealing step S720, the sealing unit 200 can be heated.

[0132] Therefore, the end portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction can be sealed stably, uniformly, and with high quality, and the bonding strength between the separators 530 and 540 and the electrodes 510, 520, and 550 can be improved. Therefore, the quality of the electrode assembly can be improved.

[0133] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the manufacturing method S700 of the electrode assembly may include a sealing step S720, wherein the first sealing unit 200a may seal one end of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction while moving on one side facing the second direction, and the second sealing unit 200b may seal the other end of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction while moving on the other side facing the second direction.

[0134] Therefore, since the two ends of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction are sealed in the second direction, the two ends of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction can be sealed stably, uniformly and with high quality, and the bonding strength between the separators 530 and 540 and the electrodes 510, 520 and 550 can be significantly improved. This is because the width of the two ends of the electrode stack 500 sealed by the sealing unit 200 in the second direction is smaller than the width in the first direction, so sealing in the second direction is effective. Therefore, the quality of the electrode assembly manufactured by the electrode assembly manufacturing method S700 can be significantly improved.

[0135] In addition, since the two ends of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction are sealed from the inside to the outside of the stacking unit 500a, the empty space inside the electrode stack 500 can be sealed by pushing the empty space to the outside of the electrode stack 500, and the empty space can be sealed by being pushed from the inside of the electrode stack 500 to the outside of the electrode stack 500. The inside of the electrode stack 500 is thicker when compressed because the electrodes 510, 520 and 550 and the separators 530 and 540 are arranged vertically, and the outside of the electrode stack 500 is thinner when compressed because only the separators 530 and 540 are arranged. Therefore, the two ends of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction can be sealed stably, uniformly and with high quality, and the bonding strength between the separators 530 and 540 and the electrodes 510, 520 and 550 can be significantly improved. Therefore, the quality of the electrode assembly manufactured by the electrode assembly manufacturing method S700 can be significantly improved.

[0136] In addition to the above beneficial effects, the specific effects of the present invention will be further described while describing the specific details of the present invention. Description of the Drawings

[0137] Figure 1 is a plan view and a side view schematically illustrating a lamination device and an electrode stack according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0138] Figure 2 and Figure 3 is a side view schematically illustrating Figure 1 the lamination device and two types of electrode stacks.

[0139] Figure 4 andFigure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A' of Figure 1 , showing Figure 2 and Figure 3 the lamination device and two types of electrode stacks.

[0140] Figure 6 and Figure 7 are a plan view and a side view showing Figures 1 to 5 the lamination device and another type of electrode stack.

[0141] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A' of Figure 6 .

[0142] Figure 9 Specifically shows the Figures 1 to 8 sealing unit of the lamination device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0143] Figure 10 is a flowchart of a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0144] Figures 11 to 14 Schematically shows an embodiment of an electrode assembly manufactured by the Figure 10 method for manufacturing an electrode assembly.

[0145] Figure 15 is a side view schematically showing a conventional lamination device.

[0146] [Description of Reference Numerals]

[0147] 10: Lamination device

[0148] 100: Lamination unit

[0149] 200: Sealing unit 110: Electrode

[0150] 200a: First sealing unit 200b: Second sealing unit

[0151] 210: Pressing unit 212: Upper pressing unit

[0152] 214: Lower pressing unit P: Pressing portion

[0153] 220: First support member 230: Second support member

[0154] 300: Cutting unit

[0155] 500: Electrode stack 500a: Electrode assembly

[0156] 510: First electrode 510a: Electrode sheet

[0157] 512: Body 514: Tab

[0158] 520: Second Electrode 520a: Electrode Piece

[0159] 522: Body 524: Tab

[0160] 530: First Separator 532: Extension

[0161] 540: Second Separator 542: Extension Detailed Embodiments

[0162] The above objects, features, and advantages will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, so that those skilled in the art will be able to implement the technical concept of the present invention. When determining that the detailed description of the prior art related to the present invention unnecessarily obscures the gist of the present invention, its detailed description will be omitted. Hereinafter, the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to denote the same or similar components.

[0163] Although "first", "second", etc. are used to describe various elements, these elements are of course not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another, and unless otherwise clearly stated, the first element may also be the second element.

[0164] Throughout the specification, unless otherwise stated, each element may be singular or plural.

[0165] Hereinafter, "arranging an element at an upper part (or lower part) of an element" or "arranging an element at a top (or bottom) of an element" not only means "arranging the element in contact with the upper surface (or lower surface)", but also means "arranging the element above the upper surface (or lower surface) in such a way that another element is interposed between the element and the upper surface (or lower surface)".

[0166] In addition, when an element is described as "connected to another element", "coupled to another element", or "in contact with another element", it should be understood that the element may be "directly connected to another element", "directly coupled to another element", or "directly in contact with another element", or the element may be "connected to another element", "coupled to another element", or "in contact with another element" in such a way that yet another element is interposed between the element and the other element or via yet another element.

[0167] Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, singular expressions used herein include plural expressions. Terms such as "consisting of" or "including" used herein should not be construed as necessarily including all of the elements in the description of the specification or all of the steps in the steps, and should be construed as not including some of the elements in the elements or some of the steps in the steps, or including additional elements or steps.

[0168] Figure 1 are a plan view and a side view schematically illustrating a lamination device and an electrode stack according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 and Figure 3 are schematically illustrating Figure 1 a lamination device and side views of two types of electrode stacks. Figure 4 and Figure 5 are cross-sectional views taken along line A-A' of Figure 1 illustrating Figure 2 and Figure 3 a lamination device and two types of electrode stacks. Figure 6 and Figure 7 are illustrating Figures 1 to 5 a lamination device and a plan view and a side view of another type of electrode stack. Figure 8 are along Figure 6 a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A'. Figure 9 is specifically illustrating a schematic diagram of a sealing unit of a lamination device according to an embodiment of the present invention Figures 1 to 8 . Figure 10 is a flowchart of a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figures 11 to 14 is schematically illustrating an embodiment of an electrode assembly manufactured by a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly Figure 10 .

[0169] [Lamination device]

[0170] Referring to Figures 1 to 3 , Figure 6 and Figure 7 , a lamination device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a conveying unit (not shown) and a sealing unit 200. The lamination device 10 may include a lamination unit 100. The lamination device 10 may include a cutting unit 300.

[0171] The lamination device 10 may bond (laminate), seal, and / or cut the electrode stack 500. When the lamination device 10 cuts the electrode stack 500 into stacking units 500a after sealing the electrode stack 500 as shown in the figure, an electrode assembly can be manufactured by stacking the stacking units 500a ( Figures 11 to 14)。On the other hand, when the lamination device 10 does not cut the electrode stack 500 into stacked units 500a after sealing the electrode stack 500, which is different from the figure, the electrode assembly can be manufactured by folding the sealed electrode stack 500.

[0172] Each element will be described below.

[0173] [Electrode stack]

[0174] With further reference to Figure 4 、 Figure 5 and Figure 8 , the electrode stack 500 according to an embodiment of the present invention can be manufactured by alternately stacking at least one electrode 510, 520, and 550 and two or more separators 530 and 540 in the vertical direction.

[0175] Specifically, for example, the electrode stack 500 can be manufactured in the following manner: as Figure 4 shown, stack the first separator 530, the first electrode 510 (e.g., negative electrode), the second separator 540, and the second electrode 520 (e.g., positive electrode) in sequence; as Figure 5 shown, stack the third electrode 550 (e.g., positive electrode), the first separator 530, the first electrode 510 (e.g., negative electrode), the second separator 540, and the second electrode 520 (e.g., positive electrode) in sequence; or as Figure 8 shown, stack the first separator 530, the first electrode 510 (e.g., negative electrode), and the second separator 540 in sequence. Therefore, the unit electrode stack 500a manufactured by cutting the electrode stack 500 by the lamination device 10 can be: a single cell ( Figure 2 and Figure 4 ), where different types of electrodes are located on both sides of the stacking direction (vertical direction); a dual cell ( Figure 3 and Figure 5 ), where the same type of electrodes are located on both sides of the stacking direction (vertical direction); or a half cell ( Figure 7 and Figure 8 ), where one electrode is inserted between two separators.

[0176] However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. As another example, different from Figures 2 to 5 , the number of electrodes and separators alternately stacked in the vertical direction in Figures 2 to 5 can be increased by n (n is a natural number greater than or equal to 1). In addition, different from Figure 5 , one more separator can be stacked on the upper end or the lower end of Figure 5 ( Figure 12 the stacked unit 500a shown).

[0177] In addition, Figures 1 to 8The types (+, -) of the middle electrodes can be interchanged ( Figures 11 to 14 in the stacking unit 500a). Specifically, for example, as Figure 3 and Figure 5 shown, the electrode stack 500 can have a structure in which a positive electrode - separator - negative electrode - separator - positive electrode are stacked in sequence therein, that is, a type A dual battery (stacking unit 500a). Alternatively, different from Figure 3 and Figure 5 , the electrode stack 500 can have a structure in which a negative electrode - separator - positive electrode - separator - negative electrode are stacked in sequence therein, that is, a type C dual battery (stacking unit 500a)( Figure 13 and Figure 14 ).

[0178] In addition, different from that shown in the figure, the types (+, -) of the electrode sheets 510a, 520a, and 550a arranged side by side in the first direction in the electrode stack 500 can be different. Therefore, different from that shown in the figure, when the sealed electrode stack 500 is folded, different types of electrodes may also be opposite in the vertical direction.

[0179] The electrodes 510, 520, and 550 can extend in a first direction (e.g., the front - rear direction) intersecting the vertical direction and in a second direction (e.g., the left - right direction) intersecting the vertical direction and the first direction. The electrodes 510, 520, and 550 can include bodies 512, 522, and 552 and tabs 514, 524, and 554.

[0180] Specifically, for example, the electrodes 510, 520, and 550 can include a plurality of electrode sheets 510a, 520a, and 550a. The plurality of electrode sheets 510a, 520a, and 550a can be arranged side by side on the separators 530 and 540 and are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the first direction. Each of the electrode sheets 510a, 520a, and 550a can include the above - mentioned bodies 512, 522, and 552 and tabs 514, 524, and 554.

[0181] The bodies 512, 522, and 552 can be the central portions of the electrodes 510, 520, and 550 or the electrode sheets 510a, 520a, and 550a.

[0182] The tabs 514, 524, and 554 can protrude from the bodies 512, 522, and 552 of the electrodes 510, 520, and 550 or the electrode sheets 510a, 520a, and 550a in a direction intersecting the vertical direction. For example, the tabs 514, 524, and 554 can protrude from the bodies 512, 522, and 552 of the electrodes 510, 520, and 550, or the electrode sheets 510a, 520a, and 550a toward one side (e.g., the right side) or the other side (e.g., the left side) of the second direction.

[0183] However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. That is, different from that shown in the figure, the electrodes 510, 520, and 550 may be arranged long in the first direction without being cut into a plurality of electrode sheets 510a, 520a, and 550a.

[0184] The separators 530 and 540 may extend in the first direction and the second direction. The separators 530 and 540 may extend longer in the first direction. The separators 530 and 540 may include extending portions 532 and 542.

[0185] The extending portions 532 and 542 may extend further toward one side (e.g., the right side) or the other side (e.g., the left side) in the second direction than the electrodes 510, 520, and 550, or the main bodies 512, 522, and 552 of the electrode sheets 510a, 520a, and 550a ( Figure 4 、 Figure 5 and Figure 8 ). For example, the extending portions 532 and 542 may extend further toward one side or the other side in the second direction than the main body 512 of the first electrode 510 or the electrode sheet 510a of the first electrode 510, or the electrode sheet 510a of the first electrode 510 protrudes further toward one side or the other side in the second direction than the main body 522 of the electrode sheet 520a of the second electrode 520 ( Figure 4 ). The extending portions 532 and 542 may be opposite to or in contact with the tabs 514, 524, and 554 in the vertical direction ( Figure 4 、 Figure 5 and Figure 8 ).

[0186] [Conveying unit]

[0187] A conveying unit (not shown) may convey the electrode stack 500 in a first direction (e.g., the front - rear direction) intersecting the vertical direction. For example, the conveying unit may include a conveyor belt that conveys goods in the first direction, and the electrode stack 500 may be placed on the conveyor belt.

[0188] The conveying unit may convey the electrode stack 500 a unit distance U in the first direction. Here, the unit distance U may be the sum of the widths of n (e.g., 3) stacking units 500a in the first direction.

[0189] Meanwhile, the conveying unit is not an essential element and may be omitted.

[0190] [Laminating unit]

[0191] The lamination unit 100 may press and bond the electrode stack 500 conveyed by the conveying unit. The lamination unit 100 may press and bond at least partially the central portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction. For example, the lamination unit 100 may bond vertically a plurality of electrode sheets 510a, 520a and 550a and the separators 530 and 540.

[0192] In addition, as Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 7 shown, the lamination unit 100 may bond / seal at least partially in the vertical direction portions of the first separator 530 and the second separator 540 in the first direction, which portions correspond to the section in the first direction between a pair of electrode sheets 510a adjacent to each other in the first direction. However, the lamination unit 100 is not limited to this configuration.

[0193] The lamination unit 100 may include rollers ( Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 7 ). The rollers may be heated.

[0194] Meanwhile, the lamination unit 100 is not an essential element and may be omitted.

[0195] [Sealing Unit]

[0196] The sealing unit 200 may seal the electrode stack 500. For example, the sealing unit 200 may seal the electrode stack 500 conveyed by the conveying unit. The sealing unit 200 may seal the end portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction when moving to one side or the other side in a second direction (e.g., the left - right direction) intersecting the vertical direction and the first direction ( Figure 1 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 and Figure 8 ). Specifically, the sealing unit 200 may seal the portion of the end portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction that includes the portion overlapping with one end portion of the electrodes 510, 520 and 550 in the second direction in the first direction when moving to one side or the other side in the second direction.

[0197] Therefore, the end portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction is sealed in the second direction intersecting with the conveying direction (first direction) of the electrode stack 500, so that the end portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction is sealed stably and uniformly with high quality, and the bonding strength between the separators 530 and 540 and the electrodes 510, 520 and 550 can be significantly improved. This is because the width of the end portion of the electrode stack 500 sealed by the sealing unit 200 in the second direction is smaller than the width in the first direction, so that the sealing in the second direction is effective. Therefore, the quality of the stacking unit 500a manufactured by the laminating device 10, the quality of the electrode assembly having the stacked stacking unit 500a, or the quality of the electrode assembly manufactured by folding the electrode stack 500 sealed by the laminating device 10 can be significantly improved.

[0198] Specifically, for example, in the end portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction, the separators 530 and 540 that extend farther in the second direction than the bodies 512, 522 and 552 of the electrodes 510, 520 and 550 can be stably and uniformly combined and sealed in the vertical direction, and the separators 530 and 540 can be stably and uniformly combined to the end portions of the electrodes 510, 520 and 550 in the second direction.

[0199] The sealing unit 200 may move in the vertical direction to seal the electrode stack 500 while pressing it in the vertical direction ( Figures 2 to 5 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 ).

[0200] The sealing unit 200 may seal an end portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction while moving toward one side or the other side of the second direction and moving from the inside to the outside of the electrode stack 500 .

[0201] Therefore, the empty space inside the electrode stack 500 can be sealed by pushing the empty space to the outside of the electrode stack 500. In addition, the empty space can be sealed by pushing from the inside of the electrode stack 500, which is thicker due to the vertical arrangement of the electrodes 510, 520 and 550 and the separators 530 and 540, toward the outside of the electrode stack 500, which is thinner due to the arrangement of only the separators 530 and 540 when compressed. As a result, the end portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction can be sealed stably, uniformly and with high quality, and the bonding strength between the separators 530 and 540 and the electrodes 510, 520 and 550 can be significantly improved. Therefore, the quality of the stacking unit 500a manufactured by the laminating device 10, the quality of the electrode assembly having the stacked stacking unit 500a, or the quality of the electrode assembly manufactured by folding the electrode stack 500 sealed by the laminating device 10 can be significantly improved.

[0202] The sealing unit 200 can seal the electrode stack 500 when at least a central portion in the second direction is at least partially bonded by the lamination unit 100.

[0203] Therefore, since the sealing unit 200 seals the end portions of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction, and at least a part of the central portion in the second direction of the electrode stack 500 is bonded by the lamination unit 100, the end portions of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction can be stably, uniformly, and with high quality sealed, and the bonding strength between the separators 530 and 540 and the electrodes 510, 520, and 550 can be increased. Therefore, the quality of the stacked unit 500a manufactured by the lamination device 10, the quality of the electrode assembly having the stacked stacked units 500a, or the quality of the electrode assembly manufactured by folding the electrode stack 500 sealed by the lamination device 10 can be significantly improved.

[0204] As described above, when the tabs 514, 524, and 554 of the electrodes 510, 520, and 550 protrude from the main bodies 512, 522, and 552 toward one side or the other side in the second direction, and the extending portions 532 and 542 of the separators 530 and 540 extend farther toward one side or the other side in the second direction than the main bodies 512, 522, and 552 of the electrodes 510, 520, and 550 and face or contact the tabs 514, 524, and 554 in the vertical direction, the end portions of the electrode stack 500 sealed by the sealing unit 200 in the second direction may include at least some portions of the extending portions 532 and 542.

[0205] Therefore, the end portions of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction where the tabs 514, 524, and 554 of the electrodes 510, 520, and 550 are located can be stably, uniformly, and with high quality sealed, and the bonding strength between the separators 530 and 540 and the electrodes 510, 520, and 550 can be significantly increased. Therefore, the quality of the stacked unit 500a manufactured by the lamination device 10, the quality of the electrode assembly having the stacked stacked units 500a, or the quality of the electrode assembly manufactured by folding the electrode stack 500 sealed by the lamination device 10 can be significantly improved.

[0206] The sealing unit 200 may include a pressing unit 210.

[0207] The pressing unit 210 can contact the electrode stack 500. The pressing unit 210 can move toward one side or the other side in the second direction while pressing the electrode stack 500.

[0208] The pressing unit 210 may include at least one of an upper pressing unit 212 and a lower pressing unit 214 ( Figures 2 to 5 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 ).

[0209] The upper pressing unit 212 may be disposed above the electrode stack 500 and move toward one side or the other side in the second direction while pressing the electrode stack 500 downward.

[0210] The lower pressing unit 214 may be disposed at a lower portion of the electrode stack 500 and move toward one side or the other side in the second direction while pressing the electrode stack 500 upward.

[0211] The pressing unit 210, the upper pressing unit 212, and the lower pressing unit 214 may be rollers.

[0212] Therefore, since the pressing unit 210 is a roller, when the pressing unit 210 seals the end portion in the second direction of the electrode stack 500 while moving toward one side or the other side in the second direction, the frictional force between the pressing unit 210 and the electrode stack 500 is reduced, so that a large force is not applied to the electrode stack 500 in the second direction. Therefore, a separate device for fixing the electrode stack 500 in the second direction is not required, or the electrode stack 500 can be quickly and easily fixed in the second direction by a simple device. In addition, since the pressing unit 210 is a roller, the end portion in the second direction of the electrode stack 500 can be sealed stably, uniformly, quickly, and with high quality, and the bonding strength between the separators 530 and 540 and the electrodes 510, 520, and 550 can be improved. Therefore, the quality of the stacking unit 500a, the quality of the electrode assembly having the stacked stacking units 500a, or the quality of the electrode assembly manufactured by folding the electrode stack 500 can be significantly improved by a simple configuration, and the manufacturing time can be shortened to reduce the manufacturing cost.

[0213] The pressing unit 210 may include the upper pressing unit 212 and the lower pressing unit 214.

[0214] Therefore, since the pressing unit 210 (roller) includes two rollers in the upper part and the lower part, the frictional force between the pressing unit 210 and the electrode stack 500 is further reduced, so that a separate device for fixing the electrode stack 500 in the second direction is not required, or the electrode stack 500 can be quickly and easily fixed in the second direction by a simple device. In addition, the end portion in the second direction of the electrode stack 500 can be sealed more stably, uniformly, quickly, and with high quality, and the bonding strength between the separators 530 and 540 and the electrodes 510, 520, and 550 can be improved. Therefore, the quality of the stacking unit 500a, the quality of the electrode assembly having the stacked stacking units 500a, or the quality of the electrode assembly manufactured by folding the electrode stack 500 can be significantly improved by a simple configuration, and the manufacturing time can be shortened to reduce the manufacturing cost.

[0215] As described above, when the tabs 514, 524, and 554 of the electrodes 510, 520, and 550 can protrude from the bodies 512, 522, and 552 in a direction intersecting the vertical direction, the extensions 532 and 542 of the separators 530 and 540 can extend further in the second direction than the bodies 512, 522, and 552 of the electrodes 510, 520, and 550, and the end portion of the electrode stack 500 sealed by the sealing unit 200 in the second direction can include at least a part of the extensions 532 and 542, the diameter D of the pressing unit 210 can be 0.5 times to 5 times the width E in the second direction of the extensions 532 and 542 ( Figure 3 ).

[0216] Therefore, since the diameter D of the pressing unit 210 (roller) is small, the position, moving direction, pressing force, temperature, etc. of the pressing unit 210 can be controlled in detail and precisely, so that even when the width E in the second direction of the extensions 532 and 542 is small, the end portion of the electrode stack 500 including at least a part of the extensions 532 and 542 can be sealed stably, uniformly, and with high quality in the second direction, and the bonding strength between the separators 530 and 540 and the electrodes 510, 520, and 550 can be improved. Therefore, the quality of the stacked unit 500a manufactured by the lamination device 10, the quality of the electrode assembly having the stacked stacked units 500a, or the quality of the electrode assembly manufactured by folding the electrode stack 500 can be significantly improved.

[0217] The length L of the pressing unit 210 in the first direction can be greater than the width W in the first direction of the bodies 512, 522, and 552 of each of the electrode sheets 510a, 520a, and 550a. In addition, the pressing unit 210 can be arranged to completely overlap the bodies 512, 522, and 552 of n continuously arranged electrode sheets 510a, 520a, and 550a (where n can be a natural number equal to or greater than 1, for example, n = 3) in the first direction when the electrode stack 500 is conveyed by the conveying unit ( Figure 1 and Figure 2 ).

[0218] Here, as described above, the tabs 514, 524, and 554 of each of the electrode sheets 510a, 520a, and 550a can protrude from the bodies 512, 522, and 552 in a direction intersecting the vertical direction, the extensions 532 and 542 of the separators 530 and 540 can extend further in the second direction than the bodies 512, 522, and 552 of the electrode sheets 510a, 520a, and 550a, and the end portion of the electrode stack 500 sealed by the sealing unit 200 in the second direction can include at least some parts of the extensions 532 and 542.

[0219] Therefore, when the electrode stack 500 is conveyed by the conveying unit, the extensions 532 and 542 located on one side or the other side of the second direction of the n electrode sheets 510a, 520a, and 550a can be uniformly sealed simultaneously when the pressing unit 210 moves toward one side or the other side of the second direction while pressing the end portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction, and the bonding strength between the separators 530 and 540 and the n electrode sheets 510a, 520a, and 550a can be improved. As a result, the end portion of the stacking unit 500a in the second direction can be sealed uniformly, quickly, and at low cost, and the bonding strength between the separators 530 and 540 and the electrodes 510, 520, and 550 can be improved. Therefore, the quality of the stacking unit 500a, the quality of the electrode assembly having the stacked stacking unit 500a, or the quality of the electrode assembly manufactured by folding the electrode stack 500 can be significantly improved with a simple configuration, and the manufacturing time can be shortened to reduce the manufacturing cost.

[0220] When the pressing unit 210 is a roller, the pressing unit 210 may include (n + 1) pressing portions P (e.g., 4 pressing portions P).

[0221] When sealing one end or the other end of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction, the (n + 1) pressing portions P may press toward the electrode stack 500. The (n + 1) pressing portions P may be spaced apart from each other in the first direction.

[0222] (n + 1) pressing portions P may be two end portions of the pressing unit 210 in the first direction and (n - 1) portions of the pressing unit 210 in the first direction that at least partially overlap or are adjacent to the (n - 1) sections S between the n electrode sheets 510a, 520a, and 550a in the first direction, respectively.

[0223] The tabs 514, 524, and 554 of the n electrode sheets 510a, 520a, and 550a may be located between the (n + 1) pressing portions P in the first direction.

[0224] Here, as described above, the tabs 514, 524, and 554 of the electrode sheets 510a, 520a, and 550a protrude from the bodies 512, 522, and 552 toward one side or the other side of the second direction, and the extensions 532 and 542 of the separators 530 and 540 extend farther toward one side or the other side of the second direction than the bodies 512, 522, and 552 of the electrode sheets 510a, 520a, and 550a and face or contact the tabs 514, 524, and 554 in the vertical direction.

[0225] Therefore, when pressing and sealing the end portion in the second direction of the stacking unit 500a by using the pressing unit 210 serving as a roller, it is not necessary to press the entire pressing unit 210, but only (n + 1) pressing portions P including two end portions of the pressing unit 210 in the first direction need to be pressed. The pressing unit 210 and the sealing unit 200 can be easily constructed at low cost with a simple configuration. Therefore, the manufacturing cost of the stacking unit 500a can be reduced.

[0226] In addition, since the widths of the respective electrode sheets 510a, 520a, and 550a in the first direction are small, even when only two end portions of the pressing unit 210 in the first direction and (n - 1) portions of the pressing unit 210, where the (n - 1) portions of the pressing unit 210 at least partially overlap or are adjacent to (n - 1) sections S in the first direction between the n electrode sheets 510a, 520a, and 550a in the first direction, are pressed, the end portions of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction including portions corresponding to the n electrode sheets 510a, 520a, and 550a in the first direction or the end portions of the n stacking units 500a in the second direction can be stably, uniformly, and highly-quality sealed at the same time, and the bonding strength between the separators 530 and 540 and the n electrode sheets 510a, 520a, and 550a can be improved. As a result, with a simple configuration, the quality of the stacking unit 500a, the quality of the electrode assembly having the stacked stacking units 500a, or the quality of the electrode assembly manufactured by folding the electrode stack 500 can be improved, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[0227] In particular, since the tabs 514, 524, and 554 of the n electrode sheets 510a, 520a, and 550a are positioned between the (n + 1) pressing portions P of the pressing unit 210 in the first direction, the thickness of the end portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction sealed by the portion between the (n + 1) pressing portions P of the pressing unit 210 can be greater than the thickness of the end portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction pressed by the (n + 1) pressing portions P of the pressing unit 210. Therefore, when only the (n + 1) pressing portions P of the pressing unit 210 are pressed, the end portions of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction including portions corresponding to the n electrode sheets 510a, 520a, and 550a in the first direction or the end portions of the n stacking units 500a in the second direction can be more uniformly sealed, and the bonding strength between the separators 530 and 540 and the n electrode sheets 510a, 520a, and 550a can be further improved.

[0228] In this regard, with further reference to Figure 9, according to an embodiment, the sealing unit 200 may include a pressing unit 210, a first support member 220, and a second support member 230.

[0229] The pressing unit 210 may be a roller as described above.

[0230] The first support member 220 may be a rotating shaft of the pressing unit 210 that supports the pressing unit 210 serving as a roller. The first support member 220 may vertically press two of the (n + 1) (e.g., 4) pressing portions P that are the two end portions of the pressing unit 210 in the first direction.

[0231] The second support member 230 may be a roller that contacts the pressing unit 210. The number of the second support members 230 may be set to (n - 1) (e.g., 2). The (n - 1) second support members 230 may vertically press at least a part of the (n - 1) sections S between the n electrode sheets 510a, 520a, and 550a among the above (n + 1) (e.g., 4) pressing portions P ( Figures 1 to 3 , Figure 6 and Figure 7 ) that overlap or are adjacent to at least a part of the (n - 1) portions.

[0232] Therefore, the above (n + 1) pressing portions P can be provided in the pressing unit 210 with a simple configuration and at low cost.

[0233] Meanwhile, as described above, when the conveying unit conveys the electrode stack 500 in the first direction by a unit distance U, each time the electrode stack 500 is conveyed by the unit distance U, the pressing unit 210 can seal the portion of the electrode stack 500 that contacts the pressing unit 210. The width RW of the above portion in the first direction or the length L of the pressing unit 210 in the first direction may be equal to or greater than the unit distance U ( Figures 1 to 3 , Figure 6 and Figure 7 ).

[0234] Therefore, the end portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction can be sealed by the pressing unit 210 without any omitted portions. In particular, when the width RW in the first direction of the region of the electrode stack 500 in contact with the pressing unit 210 or the length L in the first direction of the pressing unit 210 is greater than the unit distance U, each time the pressing unit 210 seals the end portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction, the region to be sealed can partially overlap with the region previously sealed by the pressing unit 210. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the end portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction from not being sealed due to errors in the position and size of the electrode (sheet), errors in the conveying distance of the conveying unit, and errors in the position of the pressing unit 210. As a result, the quality of the stacking unit 500a, the quality of the electrode assembly having the stacked stacking units 500a, or the quality of the electrode assembly manufactured by folding the electrode stack 500 can be improved with a simple configuration.

[0235] The sealing unit 200 can be heated. For example, a heating wire can be embedded in the pressing unit 210, or the pressing unit 210 can be heated by heating the supports (220 and 230, Figure 4 ) that support the pressing unit 210 while being in contact with the pressing unit 210.

[0236] Therefore, the end portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction can be sealed stably, uniformly, and with high quality, and the bonding strength between the separators 530 and 540 and the electrodes 510, 520, and 550 can be improved. As a result, the quality of the stacking unit 500a, the quality of the electrode assembly having the stacked stacking units 500a, or the quality of the electrode assembly manufactured by folding the electrode stack 500 can be improved.

[0237] Meanwhile, the sealing unit 200 can include a first sealing unit 200a and a second sealing unit 200b.

[0238] The first sealing unit 200a can seal one end portion (e.g., the right end portion) of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction while moving toward one side (e.g., the right side) in the second direction. Specifically, the first sealing unit 200a can seal a portion of one end portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction that includes a portion overlapping with one end portion of the electrodes 510, 520, and 550 in the second direction in the first direction while moving toward one side in the second direction.

[0239] The second sealing unit 200b can seal the other end portion (e.g., the left end portion) of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction while moving to the other side (e.g., the left side) in the second direction. Specifically, the second sealing unit 200b can seal a portion of the other end portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction that includes a portion overlapping with the other end portions of the electrodes 510, 520, and 550 in the second direction in the first direction.

[0240] Therefore, since the two end portions of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction are sealed in the second direction, the two end portions of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction can be sealed stably, uniformly, and with high quality, and the bonding strength between the separators 530 and 540 and the electrodes 510, 520, and 550 can be significantly improved. This is because the width of the two end portions of the electrode stack 500 sealed by the sealing unit 200 in the second direction is smaller than the width in the first direction, making the sealing effective in the second direction. Therefore, the quality of the stacked unit 500a manufactured by the lamination device 10, the quality of the electrode assembly having the stacked stacked units 500a, or the quality of the electrode assembly manufactured by folding the electrode stack 500 sealed by the lamination device 10 can be significantly improved.

[0241] Specifically, for example, at the two end portions of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction, the separators 530 and 540 extending further toward both sides in the second direction than the main bodies 512, 522, and 552 of the electrodes 510, 520, and 550 can be stably and uniformly bonded and sealed in the vertical direction, and the separators 530 and 540 can be stably and uniformly bonded to the two end portions of the electrodes 510, 520, and 550 in the second direction.

[0242] In addition, since the two end portions of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction are sealed from the inside to the outside of the stacked unit 500a, the empty space inside the electrode stack 500 can be sealed by pushing the empty space to the outside of the electrode stack 500, and the empty space can be sealed by pushing from the inside of the electrode stack 500, which is thicker due to the vertical arrangement of the electrodes 510, 520, and 550 and the separators 530 and 540 during compression, toward the outside of the electrode stack 500, which is thinner because only the separators 530 and 540 are arranged during compression. As a result, the two end portions of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction can be sealed stably, uniformly, and with high quality, and the bonding strength between the separators 530 and 540 and the electrodes 510, 520, and 550 can be significantly improved. Therefore, the quality of the stacked unit 500a manufactured by the lamination device 10, the quality of the electrode assembly having the stacked stacked units 500a, or the quality of the electrode assembly manufactured by folding the electrode stack 500 sealed by the lamination device 10 can be significantly improved.

[0243] [Cutting unit]

[0244] The cutting unit 300 can cut the electrode stack 500, and the electrode stack 500 has an end portion in the second direction sealed by the sealing unit 200. For example, the cutting unit 300 can cut the electrode stack 500 into dimensional units such as the stacked unit 500a as shown. Specifically, the cutting unit 300 can cut the area between the electrode sheets 510a, 520a, and 550a of the electrode stack 500. For example, the cutting unit 300 can perform cutting along the cutting line C extending in the second direction ( Figures 1 to 3 , Figure 6 and Figure 7 ). Thus, the stacked unit 500a can be manufactured.

[0245] Conversely, different from that shown in the drawings, the cutting unit 300 can cut the electrode stack 500 into dimensional units of a plurality of stacked units 500a, which will be described later.

[0246] Meanwhile, the cutting unit 300 is not an essential element and can be omitted.

[0247] [Method for manufacturing an electrode assembly]

[0248] Referring to Figure 10 , the method S700 for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a lamination step S710, a sealing step S720, a cutting step S730, and a stacking step S740. The lamination step S710 and / or the cutting step S730 can be omitted.

[0249] [Lamination step]

[0250] In the lamination step S710, the lamination unit 100 can at least partially press and bond the central portion in the second direction of the electrode stack 500 conveyed by the conveying unit. For example, the lamination unit 100 can vertically bond a plurality of electrode sheets 510a, 520a, and 550a with the separators 530 and 540.

[0251] In addition, as shown in Figure 2 , the lamination unit 100 can at least partially bond / seal the portions of the first separator 530 and the second separator 540 in the first direction in the vertical direction, and this portion corresponds to the section in the first direction between a pair of electrode sheets 510a adjacent to each other in the first direction. However, the lamination unit 100 is not limited to such a configuration.

[0252] [Sealing step]

[0253] In the sealing step S720, the sealing unit 200 can seal the electrode stack 500 conveyed by the conveying unit, and seal the end portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction while moving to one side or the other side in the second direction.

[0254] Therefore, the end portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction is sealed in the second direction intersecting the conveying direction (first direction) of the electrode stack 500, so that the end portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction is stably, uniformly and highly-quality sealed, and the bonding strength between the separators 530 and 540 and the electrodes 510, 520 and 550 can be significantly improved. This is because the width of the end portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction sealed by the sealing unit 200 in the second direction is smaller than the width in the first direction, making the sealing in the second direction effective. Therefore, the quality of the electrode assembly manufactured by the electrode assembly manufacturing method S700 can be significantly improved.

[0255] Specifically, for example, in the end portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction, the separators 530 and 540 extending further in the second direction than the main bodies 512, 522 and 552 of the electrodes 510, 520 and 550 can be stably and uniformly bonded and sealed in the vertical direction, and the separators 530 and 540 can be stably and uniformly bonded to the end portions of the electrodes 510, 520 and 550 in the second direction.

[0256] In addition, the sealing unit 200 can move to one side or the other side in the second direction, and seal the end portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction while moving from the inside to the outside of the electrode stack 500.

[0257] Therefore, the empty space inside the electrode stack 500 can be sealed by pushing the empty space to the outside of the electrode stack 500. In addition, the empty space can be sealed by pushing from the inside of the electrode stack 500, which is thicker due to the vertical arrangement of the electrodes 510, 520 and 550 and the separators 530 and 540 during compression, to the outside of the electrode stack 500, which is thinner because only the separators 530 and 540 are arranged during compression. As a result, the end portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction can be stably, uniformly and highly-quality sealed, and the bonding strength between the separators 530 and 540 and the electrodes 510, 520 and 550 can be significantly improved. Therefore, the quality of the electrode assembly manufactured by the electrode assembly manufacturing method S700 can be significantly improved.

[0258] In addition, the upper pressing unit 212 as a roller can move to one side or the other side in the second direction while pressing down the electrode stack 500, or the lower pressing unit 214 as a roller can move to one side or the other side in the second direction while pressing up the electrode stack 500.

[0259] Therefore, since the pressing unit 210 is a roller, when the pressing unit 210 seals the end portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction while moving to one side or the other side in the second direction, the frictional force between the pressing unit 210 and the electrode stack 500 is reduced, so that a large force is not applied to the electrode stack 500 in the second direction. Therefore, a separate device for fixing the electrode stack 500 in the second direction is not required, or the electrode stack 500 can be quickly and easily fixed in the second direction by a simple device. In addition, since the pressing unit 210 is a roller, the end portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction can be sealed stably, uniformly, quickly and with high quality, and the bonding strength between the separators 530 and 540 and the electrodes 510, 520 and 550 can be improved. Therefore, the quality of the electrode assembly can be improved, the manufacturing time can be shortened, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced with a simple configuration.

[0260] In addition, the pressing unit 210 can seal the end portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction, and is to seal the end portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction including all sections in the first direction corresponding to the n electrode sheets 510a, 520a and 550a continuously arranged in the first direction.

[0261] Therefore, when the electrode stack 500 is conveyed by the conveying unit, the extensions 532 and 542 located on one side or the other side in the second direction of the n electrode sheets 510a, 520a and 550a can be uniformly sealed simultaneously when the pressing unit 210 moves to one side or the other side in the second direction while pressing the end portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction, and the bonding strength between the separators 530 and 540 and the n electrode sheets 510a, 520a and 550a can be improved. As a result, the end portion of the stacking unit 500a in the second direction can be sealed uniformly, quickly and at low cost, and the bonding strength between the separators 530 and 540 and the electrodes 510, 520 and 550 can be improved. Therefore, the quality of the electrode assembly can be improved, the manufacturing time can be shortened, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced with a simple configuration.

[0262] In addition, the (n + 1) pressing portions P of the pressing unit 210 can press toward the electrode stack 500.

[0263] Therefore, when pressing and sealing the end portion in the second direction of the stacking unit 500a by using the pressing unit 210 as a roller, it is not necessary to press the entire pressing unit 210, but only (n + 1) pressing portions P including the two end portions of the pressing unit 210 in the first direction need to be pressed. The pressing unit 210 and the sealing unit 200 can be easily constructed at low cost with a simple configuration. Therefore, the manufacturing cost of the stacking unit 500a can be reduced.

[0264] In addition, since the widths of the respective electrode sheets 510a, 520a, and 550a in the first direction are small, even when only pressing the two end portions of the pressing unit 210 in the first direction and (n - 1) portions of the pressing unit 210, where the (n - 1) portions of the pressing unit 210 at least partially overlap or are adjacent to the (n - 1) sections S in the first direction between the n electrode sheets 510a, 520a, and 550a in the first direction, it is possible to stably, uniformly, and highly-quality seal the end portions of the portion including the portions corresponding to the n electrode sheets 510a, 520a, and 550a in the first direction in the second direction of the electrode stack 500 or the end portions of the n stacking units 500a in the second direction at the same time, and the bonding strength between the separators 530 and 540 and the n electrode sheets 510a, 520a, and 550a can be increased. As a result, with a simple configuration, the quality of the electrode assembly can be improved, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[0265] In particular, since the tabs 514, 524, and 554 of the n electrode sheets 510a, 520a, and 550a are positioned between the (n + 1) pressing portions P of the pressing unit 210 in the first direction, the thickness of the end portion in the second direction of the electrode stack 500 sealed by the portion between the (n + 1) pressing portions P of the pressing unit 210 can be greater than the thickness of the end portion in the second direction of the electrode stack 500 pressed by the (n + 1) pressing portions P of the pressing unit 210. Therefore, when only the (n + 1) pressing portions P of the pressing unit 210 are pressed, it is possible to more uniformly seal the end portions of the portion including the portions corresponding to the n electrode sheets 510a, 520a, and 550a in the first direction in the second direction of the electrode stack 500 or the end portions of the n stacking units 500a in the second direction, and the bonding strength between the separators 530 and 540 and the n electrode sheets 510a, 520a, and 550a can be further increased.

[0266] In addition, the portion of the electrode stack 500 sealed by the pressing unit 210 after the electrode stack 500 is conveyed a unit distance U by the conveying unit may contact or partially overlap with the portion of the electrode stack 500 sealed by the pressing unit 210 before the electrode stack 500 can be conveyed a unit distance U by the conveying unit.

[0267] Therefore, the end portions of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction can be sealed by the pressing unit 210 without any omitted portions. In particular, when the width RW in the first direction of the region of the electrode stack 500 that contacts the pressing unit 210 or the length L in the first direction of the pressing unit 210 is greater than the unit distance U, each time the pressing unit 210 seals the end portions of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction, the region to be sealed can partially overlap with the region previously sealed by the pressing unit 210. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the end portions of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction from not being sealed due to errors in the position and size of the electrodes (sheets), errors in the conveying distance of the conveying unit, and position errors of the pressing unit 210. As a result, the quality of the electrode assembly can be improved with a simple configuration.

[0268] In addition, the sealing unit 200 can be heated.

[0269] Therefore, the end portions of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction can be sealed stably, uniformly, and with high quality, and the bonding strength between the separators 530 and 540 and the electrodes 510, 520, and 550 can be improved. Therefore, the quality of the electrode assembly can be improved.

[0270] In addition, the first sealing unit 200a can seal one end portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction while moving toward one side in the second direction, and the second sealing unit 200b can seal the other end portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction while moving toward the other side in the second direction.

[0271] Therefore, since the two end portions of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction are sealed in the second direction, the two end portions of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction can be sealed stably, uniformly, and with high quality, and the bonding strength between the separators 530 and 540 and the electrodes 510, 520, and 550 can be significantly improved. This is because the width in the second direction of the two end portions of the electrode stack 500 sealed by the sealing unit 200 is smaller than the width in the first direction, making the sealing in the second direction effective. Therefore, the quality of the electrode assembly manufactured by the electrode assembly manufacturing method S700 can be significantly improved.

[0272] Specifically, for example, at the two end portions of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction, the separators 530 and 540 that extend further toward both sides in the second direction than the main bodies 512, 522, and 552 of the electrodes 510, 520, and 550 can be stably and uniformly bonded and sealed in the vertical direction, and the separators 530 and 540 can be stably and uniformly bonded to the two end portions of the electrodes 510, 520, and 550 in the second direction.

[0273] In addition, since both ends of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction are sealed from the inside to the outside of the stacking unit 500a, the empty space inside the electrode stack 500 can be sealed by pushing the empty space to the outside of the electrode stack 500, and the empty space can be sealed by pushing from the inside of the electrode stack 500, which is thicker during compression due to the vertical arrangement of the electrodes 510, 520, and 550 and the separators 530 and 540, towards the outside of the electrode stack 500, which is thinner during compression because only the separators 530 and 540 are arranged. As a result, the two ends of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction can be sealed stably, uniformly, and with high quality, and the bonding strength between the separators 530 and 540 and the electrodes 510, 520, and 550 can be significantly improved. Therefore, the quality of the electrode assembly manufactured by the electrode assembly manufacturing method S700 can be significantly improved.

[0274] Meanwhile, the lamination step S710 can be performed before the sealing step S720.

[0275] Therefore, since the sealing step S720 for sealing the end portions of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction is performed after the lamination step S710 for at least partially bonding the central portion of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction, the end portions of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction can be sealed stably, uniformly, and with high quality, and the bonding strength between the separators 530 and 540 and the electrodes 510, 520, and 550 can be improved. Therefore, the quality of the electrode assembly manufactured by the electrode assembly manufacturing method S700 can be significantly improved.

[0276] [Cutting Step]

[0277] In the cutting step S730, the cutting unit 300 can cut the electrode stack 500. As shown, the cutting unit 300 can cut the electrode stack 500 into size units of the stacking unit 500a as shown to manufacture a plurality of stacking units 500a. Contrary to the drawings, the cutting unit 300 can also cut the electrode stack 500 into size units of a plurality of stacking units 500a.

[0278] The cutting step S730 can be performed after the sealing step S720.

[0279] In addition, since the sealing step S720 for sealing the end portions of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction is performed before the cutting step S730 for cutting the electrode stack 500, during the sealing step S720, no equipment for fixing or aligning the electrode stack 500 is required, or the electrode stack 500 can be fixed or aligned quickly and easily using simple equipment. As a result, the end portions of the electrode stack 500 in the second direction can be sealed easily and at low cost.

[0280] [Stacking or folding step]

[0281] In the stacking or folding step S740, the electrode assembly can be manufactured by stacking and / or folding the stacking unit 500a or folding the electrode stack 500 itself having a predetermined size (length).

[0282] First, the case of manufacturing the electrode assembly by stacking and / or folding the stacking unit 500a will be described.

[0283] When the electrode stack 500 is cut into the size units of the stacking unit 500a in the cutting step S730 to manufacture a plurality of stacking units 500a, the plurality of stacking units 500a can be stacked and / or folded in the stacking or folding step S740 to manufacture the electrode assembly. Regarding this, reference will be made to Figures 11 to 14 for illustration.

[0284] As Figure 11 shown, in the stacking or folding step S740, a plurality (e.g., 4) of single cells ( Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 4 the stacking unit 500a in) and one half cell ( Figures 6 to 8 the stacking unit 500a in) can be stacked sequentially from the bottom to the top to manufacture the electrode assembly.

[0285] In addition, as Figure 12 shown, the single cells (stacking unit 500a) manufactured by the lamination device 10 can be manufactured by stacking one or more electrodes and separators more than the single cells (stacking unit 500a) shown in Figure 2 , Figure 4 and Figure 11 shown, and in the stacking or folding step S740, a plurality of such single cells (stacking unit 500a) and one half cell ( Figures 6 to 8 the stacking unit 500a of) can be stacked sequentially from the bottom to the top to manufacture the electrode assembly.

[0286] The stacking unit 500a manufactured by the lamination device 10 as described above can be used in methods such as Figure 11 and Figure 12 shown in lamination and stacking (L&S) or advanced lamination and stacking. Here, the number of electrodes and separators of the stacking unit 500a manufactured by the lamination device 10 can vary.

[0287] As Figure 13 shown, in the stacking or folding step S740, a plurality (e.g., 4) of dual cells ( Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 5The stacked unit 500a) is placed on a long separator SP, and then the separator SP can be wound (folded) in one direction to stack the dual cells, thereby manufacturing an electrode assembly.

[0288] As described above, the stacked unit 500a manufactured by the lamination device 10 can be used in methods such as Figure 13 the stacking and folding (S&F) shown in. Here, the number of electrodes and separators of the stacked unit 500a manufactured by the lamination device 10 can vary.

[0289] As Figure 14 shown in, in the stacking or folding step S740, a plurality (e.g., 4) of dual cells ( Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 5 the stacked unit 500a) are inserted between a long separator SP folded in a zigzag shape to stack the dual cells, thereby manufacturing an electrode assembly.

[0290] The stacked unit 500a manufactured by the lamination device 10 as described above can be used in methods such as Figure 14 the zigzag stacking or advanced zigzag stacking (AZS) shown in. Here, the number of electrodes and separators of the stacked unit 500a manufactured by the lamination device 10 can vary.

[0291] Next, the case of manufacturing an electrode assembly by folding an electrode stack 500 of a predetermined size (length) will be described.

[0292] In the above cutting step S730, when the electrode stack 500 is cut into size units of a plurality of stacked units 500a or when the cutting step S730 is omitted without cutting, the electrode stack 500 can be folded, for example, using the zigzag method or the winding method, to manufacture an electrode assembly in which a plurality of electrodes 510, 520, 530 of the electrode stack 500 are vertically stacked. That is, the stacked unit 500a sealed by the lamination device 10 can also be used to manufacture an electrode assembly by folding the stacked unit 500a.

[0293] Here, in order to ensure that the separator is placed between all the stacked electrodes when the electrode stack 500 is folded, additional separators can be stacked, for example, on the upper end of the electrode stack 500 in Figure 4 or on the upper and lower ends of the electrode stack 500 in Figure 5 . In addition, in order to ensure that different types of electrodes face each other vertically when the electrode stack 500 is folded, different from the drawings, the electrode types of the electrode sheets 510a, 520a, and 550a arranged side by side in the first direction can be different.

[0294] It should be understood that the described embodiments are illustrative in all respects and not restrictive, and the scope of the present invention will be indicated by the appended claims rather than the detailed description. And all changes and modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the appended claims and equivalent concepts should be construed as being included within the scope of the present invention.

[0295] Although the present invention has been described with reference to the exemplary drawings, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and drawings disclosed in this application document, and those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. In addition, although the operating effects of the configuration according to the present invention are not explicitly described when describing the embodiments of the present invention, it should be understood that predictable effects will also be recognized through the configuration.

Claims

1. A lamination device, comprising: a conveying unit configured to convey an electrode stack (500) in a first direction intersecting a vertical direction, the electrode stack (500) being formed by alternately stacking electrodes (510, 520, 550) and separators (530, 540) in the vertical direction; and a sealing unit (200) configured to seal the electrode stack (500) conveyed by the conveying unit, and to seal an end portion of the electrode stack (500) in the second direction while moving toward one side or the other side in a second direction intersecting the vertical direction and the first direction, and to seal a portion of the end portion of the electrode stack (500) in the second direction that includes a portion overlapping an end portion of the electrodes (510, 520, 550) in the second direction in the first direction.

2. The lamination device according to claim 1, wherein, The sealing unit (200) seals the end portion of the electrode stack (500) in the second direction while moving toward one side or the other side in the second direction and moving from the inside to the outside of the electrode stack (500).

3. The lamination device according to one of claims 1 and 2, comprising a lamination unit (100) configured to press and bond the electrode stack (500) conveyed by the conveying unit, and to at least partially press and bond a central portion of the electrode stack (500) in the second direction. Among them, When the central portion of the electrode stack (500) in the second direction is at least partially bonded by the lamination unit (100), the sealing unit (200) seals the electrode stack (500).

4. The lamination device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The electrodes (510, 520, 550) include: a body (512, 522, 552) located at the center; and tabs (514, 524, 554) protruding from the body (512, 522, 552) toward one side or the other side in the second direction. The separators (530, 540) include extensions (532, 542) that extend further toward one side or the other side in the second direction than the bodies (512, 522, 552) of the electrodes (510, 520, 550), the extensions (532, 542) facing or contacting the tabs (514, 524, 554) in the vertical direction, and the end portion of the electrode stack (500) in the second direction sealed by the sealing unit (200) includes at least some portions of the extensions (532, 542).

5. The laminating device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The sealing unit (200) includes a pressing unit (210) that moves toward one side or the other side in the second direction while contacting and pressing the electrode stack (500). The pressing unit (210) includes at least one of the following: an upper pressing unit (212) that is disposed above the electrode stack (500) and moves toward one side or the other side in the second direction while pressing the electrode stack (500) downward; and a lower pressing unit (214) that is disposed below the electrode stack (500) and moves toward one side or the other side in the second direction while pressing the electrode stack (500) upward, and the pressing unit (210), the upper pressing unit (212), and the lower pressing unit (214) are each a roller.

6. The laminating device according to claim 5, wherein, The pressing unit (210) includes the upper pressing unit (212) and the lower pressing unit (214).

7. The lamination device according to one of claims 5 and 6, wherein, The electrodes (510, 520, 550) include: a body (512, 522, 552) located at the center; and tabs (514, 524, 554) that protrude from the body (512, 522, 552) in a direction intersecting the vertical direction, The separators (530, 540) include extension portions (532, 542) that extend farther in the second direction than the bodies (512, 522, 552) of the electrodes (510, 520, 550), an end portion of the electrode stack (500) in the second direction sealed by the sealing unit (200) includes at least some portions of the extension portions (532, 542), and a diameter (D) of the pressing unit (210) of the sealing unit (200) is 0.5 times to 5 times a width (E) of the extension portions (532, 542) in the second direction.

8. The lamination device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, The electrodes (510, 520, 550) include a plurality of electrode sheets (510a, 520a, 550a) that are each arranged side by side in the first direction on the separators (530, 540) and spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. Each electrode sheet (510a, 520a, 550a) includes: a body (512, 522, 552) located at the center; and tabs (514, 524, 554) that protrude from the body (512, 522, 552) in a direction intersecting the vertical direction, The separators (530, 540) include extension portions (532, 542) that extend farther in the second direction than the bodies (512, 522, 552) of the electrode sheets (510a, 520a, 550a), an end portion of the electrode stack (500) in the second direction sealed by the sealing unit (200) includes at least some portions of the extension portions (532, 542), The sealing unit (200) includes a pressing unit (210) that moves toward one side or the other side in the second direction while contacting and pressing the electrode stack (500). The length (L) of the pressing unit (210) in the first direction is greater than the width (W) of the body (512, 522, 552) of each electrode sheet (510a, 520a, 550a) in the first direction, and the pressing unit (210) is arranged to completely overlap the bodies (512, 522, 552) of n electrode sheets (510a, 520a, 550a) arranged continuously in the first direction when the electrode stack (500) is conveyed by the conveying unit (where n is a natural number equal to or greater than 1).

9. The lamination device according to claim 8, wherein, The tabs (514, 524, 554) of the electrode sheets (510a, 520a, 550a) protrude from the bodies (512, 522, 552) of the electrode sheets (510a, 520a, 550a) toward one side or the other side in the second direction, the extensions (532, 542) of the separators (530, 540) extend further toward one side or the other side in the second direction than the bodies (512, 522, 552) of the electrode sheets (510a, 520a, 550a), and the extensions (532, 542) face or contact the tabs (514, 524, 554) of the electrode sheets (510a, 520a, 550a) in the vertical direction, The pressing unit (210) is a roller and includes n + 1 pressing portions (P) spaced apart in the first direction. When sealing one end or the other end of the electrode stack (500) in the second direction, the n + 1 pressing portions (P) are pressed against the electrode stack (500). The n + 1 pressing portions (P) are two ends of the pressing unit (210) in the first direction and n - 1 portions of the pressing unit (210) in the first direction. The n - 1 portions respectively at least partially overlap or are adjacent to n - 1 sections (S) between n electrode sheets (510a, 520a, 550a) in the first direction, and the tabs (514, 524, 554) of the n electrode sheets (510a, 520a, 550a) are located between the n + 1 pressing portions (P) in the first direction.

10. The lamination device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, The sealing unit (200) includes a pressing unit (210) that moves toward one side or the other side in the second direction while contacting and pressing the electrode stack (500). The conveying unit conveys the electrode stack (500) in the first direction at a per-unit distance (U). The pressing unit (210) seals the portion of the electrode stack (500) that contacts the pressing unit (210) each time the electrode stack (500) is conveyed a unit distance (U), and The width (RW) of the portion in the first direction or the length (L) of the pressing unit (210) in the first direction is equal to or greater than the unit distance (U).

11. The lamination device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein, The sealing unit (200) is heated.

12. A lamination device, comprising: A sealing unit (200) that seals an electrode stack (500) formed by alternately stacking electrodes (510, 520, 550) and separators (530, 540) in a vertical direction. Wherein, the sealing unit (200) includes: a first sealing unit (200a) that seals an end portion of the electrode stack (500) in the second direction while moving toward one side in a second direction intersecting the vertical direction, and seals a portion of the end portion of the electrode stack (500) in the second direction that includes a portion overlapping with an end of the electrodes (510, 520, 550) in the second direction in the first direction; and a second sealing unit (200b) that seals the other end portion of the electrode stack (500) in the second direction while moving toward the other side in the second direction, and seals a portion of the other end portion of the electrode stack (500) in the second direction that includes a portion overlapping with the other end of the electrodes (510, 520, 550) in the second direction in the first direction.

13. A manufacturing method of an electrode assembly using the lamination device according to claim 1, the manufacturing method comprising: A sealing step (S720) in which the sealing unit (200) seals the electrode stack (500) conveyed by the conveying unit, and seals an end portion of the electrode stack (500) in the second direction while moving toward one side or the other side in the second direction.

14. The manufacturing method according to claim 13, wherein, In the sealing step (S720), the sealing unit (200) moves toward one side or the other side in the second direction, and seals an end portion of the electrode stack (500) in the second direction while moving from the inside to the outside of the electrode stack (500).

15. The manufacturing method according to one of claims 13 and 14, wherein, The lamination device includes: a lamination unit (100) that presses and bonds the electrode stack (500) conveyed by the conveying unit, and at least partially presses and bonds a central portion of the electrode stack (500) in the second direction; or a cutting unit (300) that cuts the electrode stack (500), and The method further includes: A lamination step (S710) in which the lamination unit (100) at least partially presses and bonds a central portion of the electrode stack (500) conveyed by the conveying unit in the second direction; or Cutting step (S730), in which the cutting unit (300) cuts the electrode stack (500), wherein the lamination step (S710) is performed before the sealing step (S720), and the cutting step (S730) is performed after the sealing step (S720).

16. The manufacturing method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein, The sealing unit (200) includes a pressing unit (210) that moves toward one side or the other side in the second direction while contacting and pressing the electrode stack (500). The pressing unit (210) includes at least one of the following: an upper pressing unit (212) that is disposed above the electrode stack (500) and moves toward one side or the other side in the second direction while pressing the electrode stack (500) downward; and a lower pressing unit (214) that is disposed below the electrode stack (500) and moves toward one side or the other side in the second direction while pressing the electrode stack (500) upward. The pressing unit (210), the upper pressing unit (212), and the lower pressing unit (214) are rollers, and in the sealing step (S720), the upper pressing unit (212) that is a roller moves toward one side or the other side in the second direction while pressing the electrode stack (500) downward, or the lower pressing unit (214) that is a roller moves toward one side or the other side in the second direction while pressing the electrode stack (500) upward.

17. The manufacturing method according to any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein, The electrodes (510, 520, 550) include a plurality of electrode plates (510a, 520a, 550a) that are arranged side by side in the first direction on the separators (530, 540) and are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. Each electrode plate (510a, 520a, 550a) includes: a body (512, 522, 552) located at the center; and tabs (514, 524, 554) that protrude from the body (512, 522, 552) in a direction intersecting the vertical direction. The separators (530, 540) include extension portions (532, 542) that extend farther in the second direction than the bodies (512, 522, 552) of the electrode plates (510a, 520a, 550a). The end portions of the electrode stack (500) in the second direction sealed by the sealing unit (200) include at least some portions of the extension portions (532, 542). The sealing unit (200) includes a pressing unit (210) that moves toward one side or the other side in the second direction while contacting and pressing the electrode stack (500). The length (L) of the pressing unit (210) in the first direction is greater than the width (W) of the main bodies (512, 522, 552) of the electrode sheets (510a, 520a, 550a) in the first direction, and the pressing unit (210) is arranged to completely overlap the main bodies (512, 522, 552) of n electrode sheets (510a, 520a, 550a) arranged continuously in the first direction when the electrode stack (500) is conveyed by the conveying unit (where n is a natural number equal to or greater than 1), and in the sealing step (S720), the pressing unit (210) seals the end portions of the electrode stack (500) in the second direction, and specifically seals the end portions of the electrode stack (500) in the second direction including all sections in the first direction corresponding to the n electrode sheets (510a, 520a, 550a) arranged continuously in the first direction.

18. The manufacturing method according to claim 17, wherein, The tabs (514, 524, 554) of the electrode sheets (510a, 520a, 550a) protrude from the main bodies (512, 522, 552) of the electrode sheets (510a, 520a, 550a) toward one side or the other side in the second direction, the extending portions (532, 542) of the separators (530, 540) extend farther toward one side or the other side in the second direction than the main bodies (512, 522, 552) of the electrode sheets (510a, 520a, 550a), and the extending portions (532, 542) face or contact the tabs (514, 524, 554) of the electrode sheets (510a, 520a, 550a) in the vertical direction, the pressing unit (210) is a roller and includes n + 1 pressing portions (P) spaced apart in the first direction. When sealing one end or the other end of the electrode stack (500) in the second direction, the n + 1 pressing portions (P) are pressed against the electrode stack (500). The n + 1 pressing portions (P) are the two end portions of the pressing unit (210) in the first direction and n - 1 portions of the pressing unit (210) in the first direction. The n - 1 portions respectively at least partially overlap or are adjacent to the n - 1 sections (S) between the n electrode sheets (510a, 520a, 550a) in the first direction, the tabs (514, 524, 554) of the n electrode sheets (510a, 520a, 550a) are located between the n + 1 pressing portions (P) in the first direction, and in the sealing step (S720), the n + 1 pressing portions (P) of the pressing unit (210) are pressed against the electrode stack (500).

19. The manufacturing method according to any one of claims 13 to 18, wherein, The sealing unit (200) includes a pressing unit (210) that moves toward one side or the other side in the second direction while contacting and pressing the electrode stack (500), The conveying unit conveys the electrode stack (500) in the first direction by a unit distance (U). The pressing unit (210) seals a portion of the electrode stack (500) that contacts the pressing unit (210) each time the electrode stack (500) is conveyed by the unit distance (U). The width (RW) of the portion in the first direction or the length (L) of the pressing unit (210) in the first direction is equal to or greater than the unit distance (U), and In the sealing step (S720), a portion of the electrode stack (500) that is sealed by the pressing unit (210) after the electrode stack (500) is conveyed by the unit distance (U) by the conveying unit contacts or partially overlaps a portion of the electrode stack (500) that was sealed by the pressing unit (210) before the electrode stack (500) was conveyed by the unit distance (U) by the conveying unit.

20. The manufacturing method according to any one of claims 13 to 19, wherein, The sealing unit (200) includes: a first sealing unit (200a) that seals one end portion of the electrode stack (500) in the second direction while moving toward one side intersecting the vertical direction, and is a portion that seals a portion of one end portion of the electrode stack (500) in the second direction that includes a portion overlapping one end portion of the electrodes (510, 520, 550) in the first direction; and a second sealing unit (200b) that seals the other end portion of the electrode stack (500) in the second direction while moving toward the other side of the second direction, and is a portion that seals a portion of the other end portion of the electrode stack (500) in the second direction that includes a portion overlapping the other end portion of the electrodes (510, 520, 550) in the first direction, and In the sealing step (S720), the first sealing unit (200a) seals one end of the electrode stack (500) in the second direction while moving toward one side of the second direction, and the second sealing unit (200b) seals the other end of the electrode stack (500) in the second direction while moving toward the other side of the second direction.

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