Molding apparatus and molding method

Abstract

The invention relates to molding equipment and a molding method. The molding apparatus includes: a first mold; a second mold that is provided inside the first mold and that pressurizes an object to be pressurized; a stripper provided to face the first mold and the second mold and to pressurize an object to be pressurized; a connecting part configured to connect the first mold and the second mold and provided with a compression member; and a punch provided inside the second mold and pressurizing the object to be pressurized, in which the second mold is configured to pressurize the object to be pressurized after the object to be pressurized is pressurized by the first mold and the stripper.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0073670, filed on June 8, 2023, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a molding device and a molding method, and more particularly to a device and a molding method for pressurizing an object to be pressurized. Background Art

[0003] In recent years, due to the depletion of fossil fuels, energy prices have risen, concerns about environmental pollution have increased, and the demand for environmentally friendly alternative energy is becoming an indispensable factor in future life. Therefore, research on various power generation technologies such as solar energy, wind energy, and tidal energy is continuously being conducted, and energy storage devices such as batteries that can more efficiently use the generated electrical energy are also receiving great attention.

[0004] In addition, with the technological development and increased demand for electronic mobile devices and electric vehicles using batteries, the demand for batteries as energy sources is rapidly increasing. Therefore, many studies are being conducted on batteries that can meet various needs.

[0005] Batteries have attracted considerable attention as energy sources for various products, such as mobile devices and electric vehicles. In particular, secondary batteries are an excellent energy source that can replace existing products using fossil fuels. Furthermore, since secondary batteries do not produce byproducts associated with energy use, they are attracting attention as an environmentally friendly energy source.

[0006] Secondary batteries have attracted considerable attention as energy sources for electric vehicles (EVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), which are being developed to address issues such as air pollution caused by existing gasoline and diesel vehicles that use fossil fuels. In other words, secondary batteries are used in the form of battery packs that include multiple battery modules.

[0007] Typically, a pouch-type battery case is manufactured by pressing a pouch film to form a cup portion. When the cup portion is formed, the electrode assembly is housed in the cup portion, and then the side of the cup portion is sealed to manufacture a secondary battery.

[0008] In the prior art, the soft package film is formed by stamping while the soft package is secured by a die and a stripper. The soft package film primarily consists of aluminum. When the soft package film is stamped and formed, the aluminum is stretched at the corners of the punch, resulting in a low aluminum retention rate. Summary of the Invention

[0009] Technical issues

[0010] The present disclosure is made to solve the above-mentioned problems and relates to a molding apparatus and a molding method, in which an object to be pressurized is secondarily pressurized to increase the number of stretched portions and disperse portions where stress is concentrated, thereby preventing cracks and breakage, enabling deeper molding, and improving wrinkles.

[0011] Technical Solution

[0012] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a molding device may include: a first mold; a second mold, which is arranged on the inner side of the first mold and pressurizes the object to be pressurized; a demolding device, which is arranged to face the first mold and the second mold and pressurize the object to be pressurized; a connecting part, which is configured to connect the first mold and the second mold and is provided with a compression member; and a punch, which is arranged on the inner side of the second mold and pressurizes the object to be pressurized.

[0013] The second mold may be configured to pressurize the object to be pressurized after the object to be pressurized is pressurized by the first mold and the demolding device.

[0014] The second mold may include a pressurizing portion configured to pressurize an object to be pressurized; and a supporting portion to which the connecting portion is connected.

[0015] The molding apparatus may further include a driving portion configured to transmit a force for lifting the supporting portion.

[0016] The compression member may be provided between the first mold and the support portion in the connection portion, and the first mold may be moved in the up-down direction by receiving a force from the compression member.

[0017] The compression member may include at least one of a spring and a cylinder.

[0018] The connection part may be provided in plural along the outer circumference on which the first mold is provided.

[0019] The connection portion may further include a column combined with the first mold and the support portion to connect the first mold and the support portion, and the compression member may be provided on the column.

[0020] The first mold may be formed with a hole into which the post is inserted, and the connection portion may further include a bearing configured to prevent damage due to friction between the post and the hole.

[0021] The first die may be disposed on an outer inner side of the pressurizing portion and pressurize the object to be pressurized, and the punch may be disposed on an inner side of the pressurizing portion and pressurize the object to be pressurized.

[0022] The punch may be fixed not to move in the up-down direction, and the first die and the second die may be movable in the up-down direction.

[0023] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a molding method may include: a first process of fixing an object to be pressurized by a demolding device and a first mold; a second process of raising a second mold connected to the first mold to pressurize the object to be pressurized by the demolding device and a punch; and a third process of further raising the second mold to further pressurize the object to be pressurized by a pressurizing portion and a punch of the second mold, wherein the pressurizing portion may be arranged on the inner side of the first mold, the punch may be arranged on the inner side of the pressurizing portion, and the first mold and the second mold may be connected to each other by a connecting portion provided with a compression member.

[0024] Beneficial effects

[0025] In the molding apparatus and molding method according to the present disclosure, pressurizing the object to be pressurized can be divided into two stages to increase the number of stretched portions appearing in the object to be pressurized, thereby preventing cracks and breakages from occurring after pressurizing the object to be pressurized, increasing the residual rate after pressurization, and preventing wrinkles from occurring in the object to be pressurized. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present disclosure and are used to further understand the technical spirit of the present disclosure as well as the detailed description of the present disclosure, and therefore, the present disclosure should not be construed as being limited to the drawings.

[0027] Figure 1 is a plan view illustrating a first mold and a second mold of a molding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a molding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] Figure 3 It shows Figure 2 2 is a cross-sectional view of a modified example of the connecting portion shown in FIG.

[0030] Figure 4 is a flow chart of a molding method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] Figure 5 1 is a diagram illustrating a first step of a molding method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] Figure 6 1 is a diagram illustrating a second step of a molding method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] Figure 7FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a third step of a molding method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Hereinafter, the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the present disclosure. However, the present disclosure can be implemented in several different forms and is not limited or restricted by the following examples.

[0035] In order to clearly describe the present disclosure, detailed descriptions of parts that are not related to the description or related known technologies that may unnecessarily obscure the main points of the present disclosure have been omitted, and in this specification, reference numerals are added to the components in the various drawings. In this case, the same or similar reference numerals represent the same or similar elements throughout the specification.

[0036] Furthermore, the terms or words used in the specification and claims should not be restrictively interpreted as ordinary meanings or dictionary-based meanings, but should be interpreted as meanings and concepts consistent with the scope of the present disclosure based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concepts of the terms to best describe and interpret his or her invention.

[0037] Molding equipment

[0038] In the following, reference will be made to Figures 1 to 5 The molding apparatus 1 is described in detail.

[0039] Figure 1 is a plan view showing a first mold and a second mold of a molding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a molding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 3 It shows Figure 2 2 is a cross-sectional view of a modified example of the connecting portion shown in FIG.

[0040] Reference Figures 1 to 3 and Figure 5 The molding apparatus 1 according to the present disclosure may include: a first mold 10 , a second mold 20 , a demolder 30 , a connecting portion 40 and a punch 50 .

[0041] The first mold 10 can fix the object A to be pressurized (hereinafter referred to as the pressurized object). The first mold 10 can be arranged along the outermost periphery of the molding device 1. The first mold 10 can face the demolding device 30 to fix the pressurized object A. The first mold 10 can be connected to the second mold 20, which will be described later. The first mold 10 can be connected to the second mold 20 and move in the up and down directions. The first mold 10 can have an upper portion including a flat surface. The edge of the first mold 10 can be curved to prevent stress from concentrating on a specific portion when the pressurized object A is pressurized.

[0042] The second mold 20 may be disposed inside the first mold 10 and pressurize the pressurized object A. The second mold 20 may be moved in the up and down directions by a driving portion 60 , which will be described later. The second mold 20 may be connected to the first mold 10 .

[0043] The demolding device 30 can face the first mold 10 and pressurize the pressurized object A. The demolding device 30 can secure the pressurized object A. Specifically, the demolding device 30 can be used to secure the pressurized object A to the first mold 10. The demolding device 30 can face the second mold 20 and pressurize the pressurized object A. The bottom surface of the demolding device 30 can be set to a flat surface. The demolding device 30 can apply a certain amount of pressure to the pressurized object A by receiving a certain amount of pressure from above via a cylinder or the like.

[0044] The connecting portion 40 may include a compression member 41. The connecting portion 40 may be configured to connect the first mold 10 and the second mold 20. The connecting portion 40 may be provided in a plurality along the periphery on which the first mold 10 is provided. The connecting portion 40 may also include a column 42. The column 42 may be illustrated as a cylinder, but is not limited thereto and may have various shapes. The connecting portion 40 may also include a bearing (not shown). The bearing may be provided to prevent friction in the hole where the column 42 and the first mold 10 are coupled to each other.

[0045] The connecting portion 40 can connect the first mold 10 and the second mold 20 so that when the second mold 20 receives an upward force, the force can be transmitted to the first mold 10. A plurality of connecting portions 40 can be provided. The connecting portion 40 can have sufficient rigidity to withstand the force transmitted from the compression member 41. The connecting portion 40 can be combined with the second mold 20 and can be connected to the first mold 10 by being inserted into a hole to be described later.

[0046] The punch 50 can be disposed inside the second die 20 and pressurize the pressurized object A. The punch 50 can be fixed so as not to move in the vertical direction. Since the punch 50 does not move in the vertical direction, the first die 10 and the second die 20 can move in the vertical direction to pressurize the pressurized object A. The pressurized object A can be pressurized to match the shape of the punch 50 and formed into a target shape.

[0047] The punch 50 may have a flat bottom surface and pressurize the object A. Since the object A is pressurized by direct contact with the punch 50 , the edge of the punch 50 may be provided in a curved shape rather than a completely angled shape, thereby preventing cracks or tears from occurring when the object A is pressurized.

[0048] In the molding apparatus 1 according to the present disclosure, the second mold 20 can be configured to pressurize the pressurized object A after the pressurized object A is pressurized by the first mold 10 and the demolding device 30. In addition, when the second mold 20 rises, the first mold 10 can also rise, so that the pressurized object A can be pressurized by the rise of the second mold 20.

[0049] The second mold 20 may include a pressurizing portion 21 and a support portion 22. The pressurizing portion 21 and the support portion 22 may be made of the same material. The pressurizing portion 21 and the support portion 22 may be integral with each other. The support portion 22 may be provided to protrude from the top surface of the pressurizing portion 21.

[0050] The pressurizing portion 21 can pressurize the pressurized object A. The first die 10 can be disposed outside the pressurizing portion 21 and pressurize the pressurized object A. The punch 50 can be disposed inside the pressurizing portion 21 and pressurize the pressurized object A. The pressurizing portion 21 needs to have sufficient rigidity to pressurize the pressurized object A.

[0051] The portion of the pressurizing portion 21 that directly pressurizes the pressurized object A can be curved to disperse the stress applied to the pressurized object A during pressurization. When the compression member 41 is maximally compressed, the pressurizing portion 21 can be configured to have a height sufficient to pressurize the pressurized object A and the first mold 10 together. When the compression member 41 is maximally compressed, the first mold 10 and the pressurizing portion 21 can pressurize the pressurized object A on the same plane, thereby uniformly pressurizing the pressurized object A.

[0052] The support portion 22 may be connected to the connection portion 40. The support portion 22 may receive a force from the driving portion 60, which will be described later. The support portion 22 may be disposed to face the punch 50 and pressurize the object A to be pressed.

[0053] The molding apparatus 1 according to the present disclosure may further include a driving portion 60. The driving portion 60 may be configured to transmit a force that causes the supporting portion 22 to rise.

[0054] The compression member 41 may be provided between the first mold 10 and the support portion 22 in the connecting portion 40. The compression member 41 may include a spring. However, it is not limited thereto, and as Figure 3 As shown, the compression member 41 may include a cylinder. The compression member 41 may be provided on a column 42. The compression member 41 may be compressed and transmit a compression force to the first mold 10, thereby better fixing the pressurized object and pressurizing the pressurized object A.

[0055] The first mold 10 may be configured to move in the up and down directions by receiving a force from the compression member 41. A hole into which the post 42 is inserted may be formed in the first mold 10. A bearing may be provided to prevent damage due to friction between the post 42 and the hole.

[0056] The pressurized object A may be a soft-pack film. The soft-pack film includes: a first resin layer defining a top surface, a second resin layer defining a bottom surface, and a metal layer disposed between the first resin layer and the second resin layer. The pressurized object A may be pressurized and stretched by the molding device 1. The pressurized object A may be an object used to manufacture a shell of a soft-pack battery. Figures 5 to 7 , it can be confirmed that the pressurized object A is pressurized and the portion of the pressurized object A is mainly stretched, and this will be described in detail in the molding method to be described later.

[0057] The molding apparatus 1 according to the present disclosure may include a first mold 10 and a second mold 20, and the first mold 10 and the second mold 20 may be connected by a connection portion 40. The connection portion 40 may include at least one of a spring 411 and a cylinder 412. When the driving portion 60 transmits power to the second mold 20, the second mold 20 rises. When the connection portion 40 includes the spring 411, the spring 411 may be compressed when the second mold 20 rises, and the force generated by the compression force of the spring 411 may be transmitted to the first mold 10.

[0058] There is also an effect of removing wrinkles that occur when the pressed object A is introduced into the punch during the process.

[0059] Molding method

[0060] In the following, reference will be made to Figures 4 to 7 The molding method is described in detail.

[0061] Figure 4 is a flow chart of a molding method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 5 is a diagram showing a first process of a molding method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating a second process of a molding method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 7 FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a third step of a molding method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0062] Hereinafter, a molding method using the above-described molding apparatus 1 will be described as another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0063] Reference Figures 4 to 7According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a molding method may include a first step (R1), a second step (R2), and a third step (R3). The molding method may include the first step (R1), the second step (R2), and the third step (R3), so that the pressurized object A can be pressurized into a desired shape, so that the stretched portion of the pressurized object A is formed deeper than in conventional methods.

[0064] In the first step (R1), the pressurized object A can be secured by the ejector 30 and the first mold 10. The first mold 10 is lifted by receiving a force from the driving unit 60. Here, the ejector 30 facing the first mold 10 can secure the pressurized object A at the top by pressure from a cylinder or the like. The pressurized object A is secured and pressurized.

[0065] In the second step (R2), when the second die 20 connected to the first die 10 rises, the pressurized object A can be pressurized by the ejector 30 and the punch 50. Compared to the first step (R1), in the second step (R2), the second die 20 rises further. Here, when the second die 20 rises, the first die 10 also rises, and the height of the first die 10 becomes higher than the fixed punch 50, so that the pressurized object A is pressurized. Here, the pressurized object A is stretched, forming a first stretched portion A1 and a second stretched portion A2.

[0066] In the second step (R2), the gap between the first die 10 and the punch 50 is formed larger than in the conventional method. Therefore, since the angle of the pressurized object A is smaller, the amount of the pressurized object A introduced into the punch 50 can be increased.

[0067] The first stretched portion A1 is formed at the inner edge of the ejector 30 and the first die 10 facing each other. The second stretched portion A2 is formed at a point where the pressurized object A meets the punch 50.

[0068] In the third process (R3), the second die 20 is further raised, so that the pressurized object A is further pressurized by the pressurizing portion 21 of the second die 20 and the punch 5. Compared with the second process (R2), in the third process (R3), the second die 20 is raised higher, and the first die 10 is also raised through the connecting portion 40 connected to the second die 20. The compression member 41 included in the connecting portion 40 is compressed, so that the pressurized object A is pressurized by the pressurizing portion 21 included in the second die 20. Here, stretching occurs at the inner edge where the demolding device 30 and the pressurizing portion 21 face each other to form the third stretched portion A3. When the pressurized object A is further introduced toward the punch 50, the first stretched portion A1 formed in the second process (R2) is arranged on the inner side of the pressurizing portion 21.

[0069] The pressurizing portion 21 may be provided inside the first mold 10, and the punch 50 may be provided inside the pressurizing portion 21. The first mold 10 and the second mold 20 may be connected by a connecting portion 40 provided with a compression member 41.

[0070] In the molding method according to the present disclosure, the first mold 10 and the second mold 20 can be set to perform the first process (R1), the second process (R2), and the third process (R3). The second mold 20 can be provided so as to increase the distance between the first mold 10 and the punch 50 at the height at which the first mold 10 and the ejector contact each other as described above.

[0071] Therefore, since the angle at which the pressurized object A is stretched becomes smaller compared to conventional methods, the amount of pressurized object A introduced into the punch increases. Furthermore, the pressurized object A can be primarily pressurized by the first die 10 and the punch to form the first stretched portion A1 and the second stretched portion A2, and the pressurized object A can be secondarily pressurized to form the third stretched portion A3. This increases the number of stretched portions compared to conventional methods, thereby increasing the amount of pressurized object A introduced into the punch 50 and increasing the areas where stress concentrates. This effect results in a deeper molding effect for the pressurized object A, that is, molding the pressurized object A deeper than its original shape.

[0072] In addition, since the portion where stress concentrates is increased, there is an effect of reducing the possibility of the pressurized object A being damaged or cracked due to pressurization.

[0073] [Explanation of Reference Numerals]

[0074] 1: Molding equipment

[0075] 10: First mold

[0076] 20: Second mold

[0077] 21: Pressurization part

[0078] 22: Support

[0079] 30: Demolder

[0080] 40: Connection

[0081] 41: Compression member

[0082] 411: Spring

[0083] 412: Cylinder

[0084] 42: column

[0085] 50: Punch

Claims

1. A molding device comprising: First mold; a second mold, the second mold being disposed inside the first mold and pressurizing the object to be pressurized; a demoulder, the demoulder being arranged to face the first mold and the second mold and pressurize the object to be pressurized; a connecting portion configured to connect the first mold and the second mold and provided with a compression member; and a punch, which is arranged inside the second die and pressurizes the object to be pressurized, The second mold is configured to pressurize the object to be pressurized after the object to be pressurized is pressurized by the first mold and the demoulder.

2. The molding device according to claim 1, wherein: The second mold comprises: a pressurizing portion configured to pressurize the object to be pressurized; and The supporting portion is connected to the connecting portion. 3 . The molding apparatus according to claim 2 , further comprising a driving portion configured to transmit a force for lifting the supporting portion.

4. The molding apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: The compression member is provided between the first mold and the support portion in the connection portion, and The first mold moves in an up-down direction by receiving a force from the compression member.

5. The molding apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: The compression member includes at least one of a spring and a cylinder.

6. The molding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The connection portion is provided in plurality along the outer circumference on which the first mold is provided.

7. The molding apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: The connecting portion further includes a column, the column being combined with the first mold and the support portion to connect the first mold and the support portion, and The compression member is disposed on the column.

8. The molding apparatus according to claim 7, wherein: The first mold is formed with a hole for the column to be inserted, and The connection also includes a bearing configured to prevent damage due to friction between the post and the bore.

9. The molding apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: The first mold is arranged outside the pressurizing portion and pressurizes the object to be pressurized, and The punch is provided inside the pressurizing portion and pressurizes the object to be pressurized.

10. The molding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The punch is fixed so as not to move in the up and down directions, and The first mold and the second mold move in an up-down direction.

11. A molding method comprising: In the first step, the object to be pressurized is fixed by the demoulding device and the first mold; In the second step, the second mold connected to the first mold is raised to pressurize the object to be pressurized through the demoulding device and the punch; as well as In the third step, the second die is further raised to further pressurize the object to be pressurized through the pressurizing portion of the second die and the punch. Wherein, the pressurizing part is arranged on the inner side of the first mold, The punch is provided inside the pressurizing portion, and The first mold and the second mold are connected to each other through a connection portion provided with a compression member.

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