Crimping device for cylindrical battery having crimped pressing portion position measuring unit

Abstract

Disclosed is a crimping apparatus for a cylindrical battery having a crimping press portion position measuring unit, and more particularly, disclosed is a crimping apparatus for a cylindrical battery, the crimping apparatus comprising: an upper body including a crimping press portion; and a cam on which the plurality of upper bodies are disposed in a circular shape, the cam being configured to rotate together with the upper bodies, in which the crimping apparatus includes a position measurement sensor configured to measure a height at which the crimping pressing portion is crimped.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority from Korean Patent Application No. 2023-0180135, filed on December 12, 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] The present invention relates to a crimping device for cylindrical batteries having a crimping press portion position measurement unit. More specifically, the present invention relates to a crimping device for cylindrical batteries, the crimping device including a crimping press portion position measurement unit capable of reducing or preventing crimping defects by measuring the position of the crimping press portion during the manufacturing process of cylindrical battery cells. Background Art

[0003] According to the shape of the battery case, secondary batteries are classified into cylindrical batteries having an electrode assembly received in a cylindrical metal can, prismatic batteries having an electrode assembly received in a prismatic metal can, and pouch batteries having an electrode assembly received in a pouch case made of an aluminum laminate sheet.

[0004] Since secondary batteries are used for various purposes and require a large amount of energy, energy density must be improved, and for this purpose, in the case of cylindrical battery cells, the volume of the cylindrical battery cells is reduced by pressing the cans of the cylindrical battery cells to improve energy density.

[0005] Figure 5 is a side view showing a portion of a conventional crimping apparatus for cylindrical batteries, and Figure 6 1 is a front view showing a portion of a conventional crimping apparatus for cylindrical batteries. In particular, in the conventional crimping apparatus for cylindrical batteries, no separate position measuring device configured to measure the position of the crimping pressing portion is provided. Figure 5 and Figure 6 Describe this.

[0006] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the crimping apparatus for cylindrical batteries includes a crimping press portion 110 configured to press cylindrical batteries and a cam plate 230A located above the crimping press portion 110, wherein the crimping press portion 110 includes a roller 115 having a moving roller 115A and a pressing roller 115B.

[0007] In conventional crimping equipment for cylindrical batteries, the crimping press 110 that presses the cylindrical battery simply performs crimping by moving the moving roller 115A and pressing the pressing roller 115B. Since there is no separate device configured to check the position where the crimping is performed, crimping defects may occur due to positional errors of the crimping press 110, and such errors cannot be accurately determined, thereby failing to solve the problem.

[0008] Patent Document 1 discloses an apparatus for manufacturing a cylindrical battery by caulking the outer periphery of an upper end portion of a cylindrical battery case, wherein a member configured to measure the position of a pressed portion when the cylindrical battery case is pressed in a vertical direction is not provided.

[0009] Patent Documents 2 to 4 also do not disclose a configuration corresponding to a measuring member configured to measure the position of the crimp pressing portion.

[0010] In the process of manufacturing cylindrical batteries, the corresponding steps are automatically performed in sequence through a cam-type rotation process, and if a defect occurs in a specific sequence, the defect rate can be greatly reduced by responding to it in advance. During the crimping process, the crimping pressing part moves downward by the pressure applied to it by the pressing roller 115B, thereby performing crimping. Since the cylindrical battery is fixed by the battery cell fixing unit before crimping and is crimped as the crimping pressing part moves downward, it is easy to determine whether the entire crimping process is defective by checking the final downward position of the crimping pressing part. Despite this, the prior art literature simply continues to operate the mechanical manufacturing equipment and does not recognize any measurements or improvements related thereto.

[0011] (Prior art literature)

[0012] U.S. Patent Publication No. 5,772,704 (“Patent Document 1”)

[0013] Korean Utility Model Application Publication No. 2012-0004056 (“Patent Document 2”)

[0014] Korean Utility Model Publication No. 0485904 (“Patent Document 3”)

[0015] Korean Registered Patent Publication No. 1075879 (“Patent Document 4”) Summary of the Invention

[0016] Technical issues

[0017] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a crimping apparatus for cylindrical batteries, the crimping apparatus including a crimping pressing portion position measuring unit capable of reducing or preventing crimping defects at the crimping pressing portion.

[0018] Technical Solution

[0019] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the crimping device 10 for cylindrical batteries according to the present invention includes an upper body 100 having a crimping pressing part 110, and a cam 200, on which multiple upper bodies 100 are arranged in a circular shape, and the cam is configured to rotate together with the upper body, wherein the crimping device includes a position measurement sensor 300 configured to measure the height of the crimping pressing part 110.

[0020] In the crimping device for cylindrical batteries according to the present invention, the upper body 100 may include a battery cell fixing unit 120 arranged in the upper body 100, and a crimping pressing part 110, the battery cell fixing unit is configured to fix the cylindrical battery cell, and the crimping pressing part 110 is configured to move downward from the top and press the cylindrical battery cell after the cylindrical battery cell is fixed by the battery cell fixing unit 120, so that a crimping part is formed at the cylindrical battery cell.

[0021] In the crimping apparatus for cylindrical batteries according to the present invention, the battery cell fixing unit 120 may include fixing claws 125 configured to fix the curling portion of the cylindrical battery cell.

[0022] In the crimping apparatus for cylindrical batteries according to the present invention, a roller 115 may be provided on the crimping press 110 , and the position measurement sensor 300 may measure the position of the roller 115 .

[0023] In the press-bonding apparatus for cylindrical batteries according to the present invention, the central axis of the roller 115 is added with a measurement reference 117 for position measurement, and the position measurement sensor 300A can measure the height of the measurement reference 117 .

[0024] According to the present invention, the crimping device for cylindrical batteries may include: a cam plate 230, which is located above the cam 200, the height of the cam plate is fixed, and the cam plate is provided with a through hole 231; and a measuring unit 400, which is positioned through the through hole 231, and the position of the measuring unit is measured by a position measurement sensor 300B.

[0025] In the crimping apparatus for cylindrical batteries according to the present invention, the measuring unit 400 may include a close contact portion 410 in close contact with the roller 115, and an extending portion 420, one side of the extending portion 420 being connected to the close contact portion 410 and the other side extending through the through hole 231 to above the cam plate 230.

[0026] In the press-bonding apparatus for cylindrical batteries according to the present invention, the cam plate 230 may be provided at an upper surface thereof with a support shaft 500 configured to support the position measuring sensor 300B.

[0027] In the press-bonding apparatus for cylindrical batteries according to the present invention, the extending portion 420 may be provided at a side surface thereof with a movement guide portion 600 configured to guide movement of the measurement unit 400 .

[0028] In the press-bonding apparatus for cylindrical batteries according to the present invention, the position measurement sensor 300B may be an eddy current sensor.

[0029] In the press-bonding apparatus for cylindrical batteries according to the present invention, the position measurement sensor 300B may measure the distance D from the position measurement sensor 300B to the upper surface of the extension portion 420 .

[0030] The crimping apparatus for cylindrical batteries according to the present invention may include a support portion 700 fixed to a side surface of the extension portion 420 , the support portion being configured to support the extension portion 420 so as to prevent the extension portion from falling below the cam plate 230 .

[0031] Furthermore, the present invention can provide various combinations of the above-mentioned solving means.

[0032] Beneficial effects

[0033] The present invention includes a measuring unit capable of measuring the vertical position of the crimping press portion, thereby reducing or preventing crimping defects in the crimping press portion. Furthermore, defects or abnormalities in each individual upper body can be determined, and based on this, abnormal portions can be easily repaired or replaced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a crimping apparatus for cylindrical batteries according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a crimping apparatus for cylindrical batteries according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 3is a schematic diagram of a battery cell fixing unit according to the present invention.

[0037] Figure 4 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing fixing a cylindrical battery cell using the battery cell fixing unit according to the present invention.

[0038] Figure 5 is a side view showing a portion of a conventional crimping apparatus for cylindrical batteries.

[0039] Figure 6 is a front view showing a portion of a conventional crimping apparatus for cylindrical batteries.

[0040] Figure 7 is a side view of a position measurement unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Figure 8 is a side view showing a crimping apparatus for cylindrical batteries according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 9 is a front view of a crimping apparatus for cylindrical batteries according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] Figure 10 is a side view showing a state in which a measuring unit is moved downward by a predetermined distance in the crimping apparatus for cylindrical batteries according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Figure 11 is a side view showing a state in which a measuring unit is moved upward by a predetermined distance in the crimping apparatus for cylindrical batteries according to the second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] Now, the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that the preferred embodiments of the present invention can be easily implemented by those skilled in the art. However, when describing the operating principles of the preferred embodiments of the present invention in detail, when the detailed description of known functions and configurations contained herein may obscure the subject matter of the present invention, the detailed description of these known functions and configurations will be omitted.

[0046] Throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals will be used to refer to parts that perform similar functions or operations. Throughout the specification, when a part is said to be connected to another part, this part may not only be directly connected to the other part, but also be indirectly connected to the other part via other parts. In addition, unless otherwise mentioned, the inclusion of a particular element does not mean the exclusion of other elements, but rather means that such elements may also be included.

[0047] Unless otherwise specifically limited, the description for embodying elements by limitation or addition can be applied to all inventions and does not limit the specific invention.

[0048] Throughout the description of the invention and the claims of this application, unless otherwise mentioned, singular forms are intended to include plural forms.

[0049] In the description of the invention and the claims of this application, unless otherwise stated, "or" includes "and". Therefore, "including A or B" means three cases, namely, the case including A, the case including B, and the case including A and B.

[0050] Hereinafter, a crimping apparatus for cylindrical batteries having a crimping press portion position measuring unit according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0051] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a crimping apparatus for cylindrical batteries according to a first embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a battery cell fixing unit according to the present invention, Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing a cylindrical battery cell being fixed using a battery cell fixing unit according to the present invention, and Figure 7 is a side view of a position measurement unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] Now refer to Figure 1 、 Figure 3 、 Figure 4 and Figure 7 , the crimping apparatus 10 for cylindrical batteries according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes an upper body 100 , a cam 200 , and a position measurement sensor 300A.

[0053] The upper body 100 is configured to fix the cylindrical batteries C and then crimp the cylindrical batteries, and includes a crimping press portion 110 and a battery cell fixing unit 120 .

[0054] The crimping press 110 is configured to press the cylindrical battery C to form a crimped portion. The electrode assembly is received in the cylindrical battery, the top cap assembly is attached to the top of the cylindrical battery, and the crimping is performed with the addition of a gasket. The crimping press 110 may be a pressing member having a piston structure, and a roller 115 may be provided on the crimping press 110.

[0055] The roller 115 includes a moving roller 115A connected to the cam 200 and a pressing roller 115B configured to press the crimp pressing portion 110 , wherein the moving roller 115A and the pressing roller 115B are configured to have the same central axis.

[0056] A measurement reference 117, which can be used as a reference for position measurement, is added to one side of the central axis of roller 115. Measurement reference 117 can have a structure in which the portion to be measured is flat in the horizontal direction, which facilitates position measurement and improves accuracy. Measurement reference 117 can be added to upper body 100 provided on cam 200.

[0057] The battery cell fixing unit 120 is configured to fix the cylindrical battery before pressing the cylindrical battery, and includes a fixing claw 125, such as Figure 3 and Figure 4 shown.

[0058] The fixing claws 125 come into direct, close contact with the cylindrical battery cells to secure them before they are pressed. The fixing claws 125 have protrusions formed to be inserted into the curled edges of the cylindrical battery cells. When the fixing claws 125 move toward the cylindrical battery cells, the protrusions are inserted into the curled edges to secure the cylindrical battery cells.

[0059] The cylindrical battery C is fixed by the battery cell fixing portion 120 and pressed by the crimping pressing portion 110 , thereby forming a crimping portion at the cylindrical battery.

[0060] The cylindrical battery C includes an electrode assembly, a cap assembly, and a cylindrical battery case configured to receive the electrode assembly and the cap assembly.

[0061] The electrode assembly is a wound type electrode assembly configured to have a structure in which a long sheet type positive electrode and a long sheet type negative electrode are wound with a separator interposed therebetween.

[0062] The positive electrode includes a positive electrode collector, and a positive electrode active material applied to each of an upper surface and a lower surface of the positive electrode collector.

[0063] Typically, the thickness of the positive electrode collector can be 3μm to 500μm. There is no particular limitation on the positive electrode collector, as long as the positive electrode collector exhibits high conductivity and does not cause any chemical changes in the battery. For example, the positive electrode collector can be made of stainless steel, aluminum, nickel, titanium or sintered carbon. Alternatively, the positive electrode collector can be made of aluminum or stainless steel whose surface is treated with carbon, nickel, titanium or silver. In addition, the positive electrode collector can be formed with a micron-sized uneven pattern on its surface to improve the adhesion of the positive electrode active material, or the positive electrode collector can be constructed in various forms such as any of a film, a sheet, a foil, a mesh, a porous body, a foam or a non-woven fabric.

[0064] As the positive electrode active material, the following can be used: a layered compound such as lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2) or lithium nickel oxide (LiNiO2), or a compound substituted with one or more transition metals; a compound having the chemical formula Li 1+x Mn 2-x Lithium manganese oxide represented by O4 (wherein x=0 to 0.33), or lithium manganese oxide such as LiMnO3, LiMn2O3 or LiMnO2; lithium copper oxide (Li2CuO2); vanadium oxide such as LiV3O8, V2O5 or Cu2V2O7; 1-x M x Ni-type lithium nickel oxide represented by O2 (wherein M = Co, Mn, Al, Cu, Fe, Mg, B or Ga, and x = 0.01 to 0.3); represented by the chemical formula LiMn 2-x M x Lithium manganese composite oxides represented by the formula LiMnO2 (wherein M=Co, Ni, Fe, Cr, Zn or Ta, and x=0.01 to 0.1) or LiMnO8 (wherein M=Fe, Co, Ni, Cu or Zn); LiMnO4, wherein a portion of the Li in the formula is replaced by an alkaline earth metal ion; disulfides; Fe(MoO4)3 or LiNi x Mn 2-x O4(0.01≤x≤0.6).

[0065] Meanwhile, the positive electrode active material may be mixed with a conductive agent and a binder, and a filler may be further added as needed.

[0066] The conductive agent is generally added in an amount of 1 wt % to 50 wt % based on the total weight of the mixture including the positive electrode active material. The conductive agent is not particularly limited as long as the conductive agent exhibits high conductivity and does not cause any chemical changes in the battery. For example, the following can be used as the conductive agent: graphite, such as natural graphite or artificial graphite; carbon black, such as carbon black, acetylene black, Ketjen black, channel black, furnace black, lamp black or thermal black; conductive fibers, such as carbon fibers or metal fibers; metal powders, such as carbon fluoride powder, aluminum powder or nickel powder; conductive whiskers, such as zinc oxide or potassium titanate; conductive metal oxides, such as titanium oxide; or conductive materials, such as polyphenylene derivatives.

[0067] The binder is a component that helps to bind the positive electrode active material to the conductive agent and to the current collector. The binder is usually added in an amount of 1wt% to 50wt% based on the total weight of the mixture including the positive electrode active material. As examples of binders, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyvinyl alcohol, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), starch, hydroxypropyl cellulose, regenerated cellulose, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, tetrafluoroethylene, polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer (EPDM), sulfonated EPDM, styrene-butadiene rubber, fluororubber, and various copolymers can be used.

[0068] Meanwhile, a positive electrode tab connected to an uncoated portion of the positive electrode and extending upward by a predetermined length is electrically connected to the cap assembly.

[0069] The negative electrode includes a negative electrode current collector, and a negative electrode active material applied to each of an upper surface and a lower surface of the negative electrode current collector.

[0070] The negative electrode current collector is typically manufactured to have a thickness of 3 μm to 500 μm. There are no particular limitations on the negative electrode current collector, as long as it exhibits high conductivity and does not cause any chemical changes in the battery. For example, the negative electrode current collector can be made of copper, stainless steel, aluminum, nickel, titanium, or sintered carbon. Alternatively, the negative electrode current collector can be made of copper or stainless steel with a surface treated with carbon, nickel, titanium, or silver, or made of an aluminum-cadmium alloy.

[0071] In addition, the negative electrode current collector may have a micron-level uneven pattern formed on its surface to improve adhesion of the negative electrode active material, or may be configured in any of various forms such as a film, sheet, foil, mesh, porous body, foam body, or non-woven fabric body.

[0072] As the negative electrode active material, for example, the following can be used: carbon such as non-graphitizable carbon or graphite-based carbon; metal composite oxides such as Li x Fe2O3(0≤x≤1), Li x WO2(0≤x≤1), Sn x Me 1-x Me' y O z(Me: Mn, Fe, Pb, Ge; Me': Al, B, P, Si, Group 1 elements, Group 2 elements, Group 3 elements, halogens in the periodic table; 0 < x ≤ 1; 1 ≤ y ≤ 3; 1 ≤ z ≤ 8); lithium metal; lithium alloy; silicon-based alloy; tin-based alloy; metal oxides such as SnO, SnO2, PbO, PbO2, Pb2O3, Pb3O4, Sb2O3, Sb2O4, Sb2O5, GeO, GeO2, Bi2O3, Bi2O4 or Bi2O5; conductive polymers such as polyacetylene; Li-Co-Ni-based materials or silicon-based materials such as Si, SiO, SiO2 or mixtures thereof; however, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0073] Of course, the negative electrode active material can also be mixed with a conductive agent and a binder, and the negative electrode current collector can be coated with the mixture.

[0074] The conductive agent is a component configured to further improve the conductivity of the negative electrode active material, and the following can be used in a certain proportion: carbon black such as acetylene black, Ketjen black, channel black, furnace black, lamp black or thermal crack carbon black; conductive fibers such as carbon fibers or metal fibers; metal powders such as carbon fluoride powder, aluminum powder or nickel powder; conductive whiskers such as zinc oxide or potassium titanate; conductive metal oxides such as titanium oxide; or conductive materials such as polyphenylene derivatives.

[0075] The binder is a component that helps the binding between the negative electrode active material and the conductive agent and the binding with the current collector, and can include at least one selected from the group consisting of: styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber, acrylic rubber, butyl rubber, fluororubber, polyvinyl alcohol, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), starch, hydroxypropyl cellulose, regenerated cellulose, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyacrylic acid (PAA), polyethylene glycol (PEG), polyacrylonitrile (PAN), and polyacrylamide (PAM).

[0076] At the same time, the negative electrode tab that is connected to the uncoated part of the negative electrode and extends downward for a predetermined length is electrically connected to the cylindrical battery case, more specifically to the bottom surface.

[0077] The separator prevents short circuits between the positive electrode and the negative electrode and only allows the migration of lithium ions. Preferably, the separator is made of any one selected from the following: polyethylene, polypropylene, a bilayer of polyethylene / polypropylene, a trilayer of polyethylene / polypropylene / polyethylene, a trilayer of polypropylene / polyethylene / polypropylene, and organic fiber filter paper; however, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0078] An insulating member may be positioned on each of the top and the bottom of the electrode assembly received in the cylindrical battery case, and serves to insulate between the electrode assembly and the cap assembly and between the electrode assembly and the cylindrical battery case.

[0079] The cap assembly is positioned on top of the electrode assembly, is electrically connected to the positive electrode tab of the electrode assembly, and is coupled to the open upper end portion of the cylindrical battery case to seal the electrode assembly received in the cylindrical battery case.

[0080] Specifically, in the cap assembly, a current interruption member, a current interruption gasket, a safety vent, a PTC element, and a top cover are stacked in order from the bottom, and the crimping gasket is located at outer edges of the current interruption member and the top cover.

[0081] A current interruption member, also known as a current interruption device (CID), is located on top of the electrode assembly, and a positive electrode tab is connected to the lower surface of the current interruption member at a predetermined position. Although the current interruption member is shown as flat in the figure, the central portion of the current interruption member may bulge upward.

[0082] A safety vent, formed to protrude downward in the center and having one or more notches, is located on top of the current interruption member. The safety vent interrupts current and exhausts gas when pressure in the cylindrical battery case increases, and is arranged so that one surface of the safety vent contacts the PTC element and an edge surface of the safety vent contacts the crimping pad.

[0083] The current interrupt gasket is positioned such that the current interrupt member and the safety vent remain electrically isolated from each other except for downwardly protruding portions of the current interrupt member and the safety vent.

[0084] The top cover located at the uppermost side seals the upper open end of the cylindrical battery case and forms a positive terminal, and one or more vent holes are formed in the top cover, so that when exhaust gas is generated in the cylindrical battery case, the exhaust gas can be released to the outside to prevent explosion.

[0085] Generally, a crimping process and a hemming process are performed on a cylindrical battery to fix the cap assembly.

[0086] The crimping gasket is provided on the edges, i.e., the outer peripheral surfaces, of the current interruption member, the safety vent, the PTC element and the top cover 250 to prevent these parts from being deformed or broken during the crimping process and the crimping process and to improve the tightness of the current interruption member and the top cover.

[0087] Here, the material of the compression gasket is not particularly limited as long as the material has predetermined elasticity and durability, and the material of the compression gasket may be, for example, polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), or perfluoroalkoxy (PFA).

[0088] The cylindrical battery case receives the electrode assembly and the cap assembly, and the negative electrode tab extends downward and is connected to the bottom of the cylindrical battery case so that the bottom of the cylindrical battery case can serve as a negative electrode.

[0089] As described above, a crimping portion configured to seal the cover assembly while being wound around the outer surface of the cover assembly is provided at the upper end portion of the cylindrical battery case, and an inwardly recessed curling portion is provided below the crimping portion to firmly fix the electrode assembly and the cover assembly while protecting the electrode assembly and the cover assembly from external impacts.

[0090] The cam 200 is donut-shaped, is rotatably driven, and rotates the upper body 100 connected thereto via the moving roller 115A to move the upper body 100 to a position where a manufacturing process step is performed.

[0091] The manufacturing process performed by the upper body 100 moving to each position according to the rotation of the cam 200 can be a process of receiving a cylindrical battery, a process of fixing the cylindrical battery, a process of crimping the cylindrical battery to form a crimping portion, and a process of removing the cylindrical battery with the crimping portion formed thereon.

[0092] The cam 200 is located on top of a cam support portion 210 , a central support portion 220 in the form of a column is provided at the center of the cam support portion 210 , and a cam plate 230A in the form of a disk is provided on the upper surface of the central support portion 220 .

[0093] The central support portion 220 may be provided with a separate support rail (not shown) configured to allow the upper body 100 to move while being spaced apart from the central support portion 220 by a predetermined distance in a circumferential direction thereof in a vertical state.

[0094] A position measurement sensor 300A is provided at the lower end portion of the cam plate 230A to measure the vertical position of the crimping pressing portion 110 so as to determine whether there is an abnormality in the crimping pressing portion 110. Specifically, a measurement reference piece 117 for position measurement is added to the central axis of the roller 115, and the position measurement sensor 300A measures the height of the measurement reference piece 117.

[0095] The position measuring sensor 300A may be an eddy current sensor configured to measure the distance between objects using eddy currents, or a laser sensor configured to measure the distance by irradiating laser light, and the position measuring sensor 300A is not particularly limited as long as it can measure the vertical position of the crimping pressing portion 110 .

[0096] After the crimping portion is formed, the position measuring sensor 300A measures the height of the crimping press portion 110 to determine whether the cylindrical battery C formed with the crimping portion has a defect.

[0097] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a crimping apparatus for cylindrical batteries according to a second embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a battery cell fixing unit according to the present invention, Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing a cylindrical battery cell being fixed using a battery cell fixing unit according to the present invention, Figure 8 is a side view showing a crimping apparatus for cylindrical batteries according to a second embodiment of the present invention, Figure 9 is a front view of a crimping apparatus for cylindrical batteries according to a second embodiment of the present invention, Figure 10 is a side view showing a state in which a measuring unit is moved downward by a predetermined distance in a crimping apparatus for cylindrical batteries according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 11 is a side view showing a state in which a measuring unit is moved upward by a predetermined distance in the crimping apparatus for cylindrical batteries according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0098] Will refer to Figure 1 、 Figure 3 、 Figure 4 ,as well as Figures 8 to 11 A crimping apparatus for cylindrical batteries according to a second embodiment of the present invention includes an upper body 100 , a cam 200 , a position measurement sensor 300B, a measurement unit 400 , a support shaft 500 , a movement guide portion 600 , and a support portion 700 .

[0099] The upper body 100 and cam 200 are identical to those of the cylindrical battery crimping device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and therefore, descriptions of the identical features will be omitted. In the cylindrical battery crimping device according to the second embodiment, the measurement reference 117 is not provided, and the position of the position measurement sensor 300B is different. Unlike the cam plate 230A of the cylindrical battery crimping device according to the first embodiment, the cam plate 230 has a separate through-hole 231 and further includes a measurement unit 400, a support shaft 500, a movement guide portion 600, and a support portion 700.

[0100] The cam plate 230 is in the form of a disk located on top of the central support portion 220 , and a through hole 231 in which the measuring unit 400 is positioned is formed in the cam plate.

[0101] like Figure 8 The position measurement sensor 300B positioned as shown can measure the position of the crimping press portion 110 by measuring the distance D from the position measurement sensor 300B to the upper surface of the extension portion 420. After the crimping portion is formed, the position measurement sensor 300B measures the height of the crimping press portion 110 to determine whether the cylindrical battery C formed with the crimping portion is defective.

[0102] The measuring unit 400 includes a close contact portion 410 in close contact with the roller 115 , and an extending portion 420 connected to the close contact portion 410 at one side and extending above the cam plate 230 through the through hole 231 of the cam plate 230 at the other side.

[0103] The close contact portion 410 can move up and down according to the position of the roller 115 and be in close contact with the roller 115, and the edge of the lower surface of the close contact portion 410 is gently rounded, thereby preventing the close contact portion from colliding with the roller 115 and breaking when the close contact portion is in close contact with the roller 115 moving in the horizontal direction.

[0104] The central portion of the close contact portion 410 excluding the edges is horizontally flat, thereby preventing the position of the roller 115 from being erroneous depending on the portion of the roller 115 making contact with the close contact portion when the close contact portion is in close contact with the roller 115 .

[0105] In the case where the close contact portion 410 needs to be inserted into the through hole 231, the size of the through hole 231, specifically the cross-sectional area of the through hole is formed to be larger than the cross-sectional area of the close contact portion 410, and in the case where the close contact portion 410 does not need to be inserted into the through hole 231, the cross-sectional area of the through hole 231 does not need to be formed to be larger than the cross-sectional area of the close contact portion 410.

[0106] As an example, the cross-sectional area of the through hole 231 may be formed smaller than that of the close contact portion 410 to prevent the close contact portion 410 from moving upward more than necessary and protruding above the cam plate 230 through the through hole 231 .

[0107] The extending portion 420 extends above the cam plate 230 through the through hole 231 of the cam plate 230 , and the position of the extending portion is measured by the position measuring sensor 300B located above the cam plate 230 to be spaced apart from the cam plate 230 .

[0108] A cutout portion having a predetermined area is formed in a side surface of a central portion of the extension portion 420 .

[0109] The support shaft 500 is configured to allow the position measurement sensor 300B to be located above the cam plate 230 to be spaced apart from the cam plate 230, wherein one side of the support shaft is connected to the cam plate 230 and extends in a vertical direction, and the other side of the support shaft is connected to the position measurement sensor 300B to fix the position measurement sensor 300B.

[0110] The movement guide portion 600 is a member positioned on a side surface of the extending portion 420 above the cam plate 230 to guide movement of the extending portion 420 in a vertical direction.

[0111] The movement guide portion 600 may be formed in the shape of a cylindrical rod and connected to the extension portion 420 so that the extension portion 420 moves along the rod, or may be formed in the shape of a rail and connected to the extension portion 420 so that the extension portion 420 moves along the rail.

[0112] One side of the support portion 700 can be positioned to be fixed to the upper surface of the cam plate 230 and the other side can extend in the horizontal direction, and a portion of the extended other side of the support portion 700 can be positioned to be inserted into a cutout portion formed in the side surface of the extension portion 420.

[0113] Since a portion of the support portion 700 is inserted into the cutout portion formed in the side of the extending portion 420 , the extending portion 420 may be prevented from falling below the cam plate 230 .

[0114] The position measuring sensor 300B is provided at a side surface thereof with a separate stopper 520 fixed to the support shaft 500 , thereby preventing the position measuring sensor 300B from directly contacting the upper surface of the extending portion 420 .

[0115] Although the specific details of the present invention have been described in detail, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the detailed description thereof only discloses the preferred embodiments of the present invention and therefore does not limit the scope of the present invention. Therefore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications are possible without departing from the scope and technical concept of the present invention, and it will be apparent that such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the appended claims.

[0116] (Description of Reference Signs)

[0117] 10: Crimping equipment

[0118] 100: Upper body

[0119] 110: Crimping and pressing part

[0120] 115: Roller

[0121] 115A: Moving roller

[0122] 115B: Pressing roller

[0123] 117: Measurement reference

[0124] 120: Battery cell fixing unit

[0125] 125: Fixed claw

[0126] 200: Cam

[0127] 210: Cam support part

[0128] 220: Central support part

[0129] 230, 230A: Cam plate

[0130] 231: Through hole

[0131] 300, 300A, 300B: Position measurement sensors

[0132] 400: Measurement unit

[0133] 410: Close contact part

[0134] 420: Extension

[0135] 500: Support shaft

[0136] 520: Stopper

[0137] 600: Mobile guide part

[0138] 700: Supporting part

[0139] C: Cylindrical battery cell

[0140] D: Distance from the position measurement sensor to the upper surface of the extension

Claims

1. A crimping device for cylindrical batteries, comprising: an upper body, the upper body including a crimping pressing portion; as well as A cam, a plurality of the upper bodies are arranged in a circular shape on the cam, and the cam is configured to rotate together with the upper body, wherein The crimping apparatus includes a position measuring sensor configured to measure a height of the crimping press portion.

2. The crimping device according to claim 1, wherein The upper body comprises: a battery cell fixing unit disposed in the upper body, the battery cell fixing unit being configured to fix a cylindrical battery cell; and A crimping pressing portion is configured to move downward from above and press the cylindrical battery cell after the cylindrical battery cell is fixed by the battery cell fixing unit so that a crimping portion is formed at the cylindrical battery cell.

3. The crimping device according to claim 2, wherein: The battery cell fixing unit includes fixing claws configured to fix a curled portion of the cylindrical battery cell.

4. The crimping device according to claim 1, wherein A roller is provided on the crimping pressing portion, and The position measurement sensor measures the position of the roller.

5. The crimping device according to claim 4, wherein The center axis of the roller is added with a measurement reference for position measurement, and The position measurement sensor measures the height of the measurement reference member.

6. The crimping device according to claim 4, comprising: a cam plate, the cam plate being located above the cam, the height of the cam plate being fixed, and the cam plate being provided with a through hole; as well as A measuring unit is positioned by passing through the through hole, and a position of the measuring unit is measured by the position measuring sensor.

7. The crimping apparatus according to claim 6, wherein: The measuring unit comprises: a close contact portion that is in close contact with the roller; and An extending portion, one side of which is connected to the close contact portion and the other side of which extends above the cam plate through the through hole.

8. The crimping apparatus according to claim 6, wherein The cam plate is provided at an upper surface of the cam plate with a support shaft configured to support the position measuring sensor.

9. The crimping apparatus according to claim 7, wherein: The extending portion is provided at a side surface of the extending portion with a movement guide portion configured to guide movement of the measuring unit.

10. The crimping apparatus according to claim 6, wherein The position measuring sensor is an eddy current sensor.

11. The crimping apparatus according to claim 7, wherein The position measurement sensor measures a distance from the position measurement sensor to an upper surface of the extending portion. 12 . The crimping apparatus according to claim 10 , comprising a support portion fixed to a side surface of the extending portion, the support portion being configured to support the extending portion so as to prevent the extending portion from falling below the cam plate.

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