Hemming device for cylindrical battery, additionally comprising position measuring device

Abstract

The invention relates to a crimping device for a cylindrical battery, which additionally comprises a position measuring device. The hemming apparatus includes: a hemming knife forming a hemming portion on one side of a cylindrical can; a back-up roller that supports the cylindrical can from the other side of the cylindrical can when the hemming blade is forming a hemming portion on the cylindrical can; a separate hemming unit including an upper cam follower bearing and a lower cam follower bearing which have a bearing structure and are respectively provided at an upper portion and a lower portion; and a cam structure in which one or more of the individual hemming units are arranged in a circle and rotate about a central axis of the circle, in which the hemming apparatus additionally comprises a position measuring device, the position measuring device is used for measuring the position of at least one of the hemming knife, the supporting roller or the upper cam follower bearing and the lower cam follower bearing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a crimping apparatus for cylindrical batteries having a position measurement unit capable of measuring the positions of a crimping blade, a support roller, an upper cam, and a lower cam used when forming a crimped portion on a cylindrical battery, and a method for forming a crimped portion for a cylindrical battery using the crimping apparatus. Background Art

[0002] A lithium secondary battery includes an electrode assembly in which a positive electrode coated with a positive electrode active material, a negative electrode coated with a negative electrode active material, and a separator located between the positive electrode and the negative electrode are stacked, the separator being configured to prevent short circuits and allow lithium ions (Li-ions) to migrate; a battery case configured to receive the electrode assembly; and an electrolyte solution injected into the battery case to allow lithium ions to migrate therethrough.

[0003] Based on the shape of the battery case, lithium secondary batteries are classified into cylindrical batteries having an electrode assembly mounted in a cylindrical metal can, prismatic batteries having an electrode assembly mounted in a prismatic metal can, or pouch-type batteries having an electrode assembly mounted in a pouch-type case made of an aluminum laminate sheet. Cylindrical batteries have the advantages of relatively high capacity and structural safety.

[0004] A cylindrical battery includes a cylindrical can, a wound electrode assembly housed in the can, a cap assembly coupled to the upper portion of the can, a crimping portion configured to allow the cap assembly to be mounted thereon, and a crimping portion configured to seal the cylindrical battery. The cylindrical battery is manufactured by inserting the wound electrode assembly into the can, forming the crimping portion on a portion of the can corresponding to the outer circumference of the upper end of the wound electrode assembly, installing the cap assembly with a gasket, and crimping and shaping the upper end of the can.

[0005] Figure 1 It is a top view of a conventional crimping device.

[0006] Reference Figure 1, the conventional crimping device is a cam structure on which ten individual crimping units 100 are arranged in a circle, and the cam structure rotates the individual crimping units 100 around the circular central axis of the circle (the central axis of the cam structure) 245. Each individual crimping unit 100 receives the cylindrical can in an upright state with the wound electrode assembly received therein from the previous stage. In the previous stage, a device similar to the conventional crimping device in which the individual units rotate around another circular central axis can be used. The two rotating devices can engage with each other in one position, just like gears engage with each other, to transfer the cylindrical batteries completed by each device to the next step. Figure 1 The previous stage is omitted.

[0007] In conventional hemming equipment, each of the ten individual hemming units 100 is located at a specific position, e.g. Figure 1 Position A in the process receives the upright cylindrical can from the previous stage. Subsequently, the individual hemming units 100 rotate clockwise while securing the received cylindrical can, moving the support rollers and hemming blades vertically and horizontally to specific positions. The hemming blades perform the hemming operation, returning the support rollers and hemming blades to their initial positions, and completing the hemming operation. The hemmed cylindrical can is then transferred to the next process (position B), completing one cycle. All ten individual hemming units 100 rotate around the circular central axis 245 to perform the same operation at specific positions.

[0008] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a portion of an upper portion of a conventional hemming device, and Figure 3 is a perspective view showing a part of a lower portion of a conventional hemming apparatus.

[0009] Reference Figures 1 to 3 The two bearings of each of the individual crimping units 100, namely, the upper cam follower bearing (CFB) 110 and the lower cam follower bearing 120, rotate along the outer periphery of the lower cam plate 220 provided on the cylindrical cam support portion 210 and the outer periphery of the upper cam plate 230 provided at the upper portion of the entire crimping apparatus. The upper cam follower bearing 110 is located at the upper portion of the individual crimping unit 100, and the lower cam follower bearing 120 is located at the lower portion of the individual crimping unit 100.

[0010] As the hemming unit 100 continuously rotates via the upper cam follower bearing 110 and the lower cam follower bearing 120, the device in the hemming unit 100 moves upward and downward to perform the hemming operation on the cylindrical can. That is, the rotational movement of the two cam follower bearings 110 and 120 is coupled to the linear movement of the device in the hemming unit 100, and the rotating device is generally referred to as a cam device or cam structure, like a conventional hemming device.

[0011] The upper and lower cam follower bearings 110 and 120 move to a constant height while in close contact along the upper and lower surfaces of the horizontally disposed lower cam plate 220 and 230, respectively. If the upper and lower surfaces of the lower and upper cam plates 220 and 230 are uneven or have foreign matter attached to them, the upper and lower cam follower bearings 110 and 120 may not rotate while maintaining a constant height. Furthermore, if the bearings of the upper and lower cam follower bearings 110 and 120 are abnormal, the upper and lower cam follower bearings 110 and 120 may not rotate while maintaining a constant height. If, for various reasons, the upper and lower cam follower bearings 110 and 120 do not rotate while maintaining a constant height, the device in the separate crimping unit 100 may also fail to perform normal linear motion due to the cam motion, resulting in defective crimping.

[0012] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the entirety of each individual hemming unit 100 of a conventional hemming apparatus, and Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of each individual hemming unit 100 of a conventional hemming apparatus. Figure 2 and Figure 3 In FIG. 1 , a separate hemming unit 100 is schematically shown and will therefore be referred to Figure 4 and Figure 5 The cross-sectional view of FIG1 is used to describe a separate hemming unit 100. Meanwhile, in order to describe only the parts related to the present invention, Figure 4 and Figure 5 Other devices are omitted.

[0013] The individual curling unit 100 includes a cylindrical battery, a cylindrical can support portion 140 configured to support a substantially unassembled cylindrical can 130 having a wound electrode assembly received therein, a curling knife 150 configured to form a curling portion on an upper portion of the cylindrical can 130, and a support roller 160 symmetrically arranged with respect to the curling knife 150 based on the center of the cylindrical can 130.

[0014] The hemming operation involves forcibly pressing and deforming the side surface of the cylindrical can 130 inward using a circular hemming blade 150. While the lower portion of the cylindrical can 130 is supported by the cylindrical can support 140, the rotating rollers 145 of the cylindrical can support 140 rotate the cylindrical can 130. The hemming blade 150, held at a constant height and depth, forms a hem along the entire side surface of the rotating cylindrical can 130. The depth refers to the length of time the hemming blade 150 is inserted into the side surface of the cylindrical can 130 to perform the hemming operation.

[0015] Although the cylindrical can 130 is rotating, the hemming blade 150 applies force only from one side, which may cause the cylindrical can 130 to deform. The cylindrical can support portion 140 supports only the lower portion of the cylindrical can 130. The cylindrical can guide 170 guides only the upper portion of the cylindrical can 130 and does not substantially secure the cylindrical can with much force. The cylindrical can guide 170 is provided with a suction portion 175, which is configured to suction metal powder generated during the hemming operation and does not securely secure the cylindrical can 130.

[0016] In order to prevent deformation of the cylindrical can 130 that may occur during the hemming operation, the support roller 160 is provided at a position symmetrical to the hemming blade 150 based on the center of the cylindrical can 130. When the hemming blade 150 contacts the cylindrical can 130 to form the hemmed portion, the support roller 160 also contacts the cylindrical can 130 to support the cylindrical can 130.

[0017] As described above, the separate curling unit 100 fixes the received cylindrical can 130 while rotating in the clockwise direction, moves the support roller 150 and the curling knife 160 vertically and horizontally to specific positions, the curling knife 150 performs the curling operation, returns the support roller 160 and the curling knife 150 to their original positions, and transfers the cylindrical can 130 on which the curling operation is completed to the next process, thereby completing one cycle.

[0018] The newly received cylindrical can from the previous stage is fixed to the cylindrical can support portion 140 in an upright position. Since the cylindrical can support portion 140 is coupled to the lower cam follower bearing 120, which rotates at a constant height, the cylindrical can support portion also rotates at a constant height. The rotational motion mentioned here is the rotational motion along the outer periphery of the lower cam plate 220.

[0019] As the hemming unit 100 rotates clockwise, the hemming blade 150 and the support roller 160 move downward while approaching the cylindrical can 130. When the hemming operation is completed, the hemming blade 150 and the support roller 160 move upward while moving away from the cylindrical can 130. In relative coordinates based on the cylindrical can 130, the hemming blade 150 and the support roller 160 move upward and downward along the y-axis while moving along the x-axis to approach or move away from the cylindrical can 130. The cylindrical can guide 170 moves upward and downward along the y-axis.

[0020] Typically, the hemming portion provided on the cylindrical can 130 has a depth of 2 mm to 2.5 mm, and the hemming operation is performed in a very short time. The hemming blade 150 and the support roller 160 are moved along the x-axis and y-axis by the rotational motion of the cam motion in conjunction with the upper cam follower bearing 110. The associated operations of the hemming blade 150, the support roller 160, the cylindrical can support portion 140, and the cylindrical can guide 170 can be modified according to the cam motion, but this can be easily designed and modified by a person of ordinary skill in the art, and its configuration is not an essential part of the present invention, and therefore its detailed description will be omitted.

[0021] In the conventional hemming apparatus, the separate hemming unit 100 has problems for the following reasons.

[0022] 1) The upper cam follower bearing 110 and the lower cam follower bearing 120 must rotate while maintaining a constant height, otherwise the positions of the cylindrical can support portion 140, the hemming knife 150, and the support roller 160 may be changed by the cam motion.

[0023] 2) Even if the cam motion is normally performed, if the positions of the hemming blade 150 and the support roller 160 provided in the separate hemming unit 100 are abnormal, hemming defects may occur.

[0024] The positions of the hemming knife 150 and the support roller 160 are crucial for the normal hemming operation of the cylindrical can 130. The height from the lower portion of the cylindrical can 130 (y-axis position) and the distance from the central axis of the cylindrical can 130 (x-axis) are very important.

[0025] In conventional hemming equipment, the positions of the upper cam follower bearing 110, the lower cam follower bearing 120, the hemming knife 150 and the support roller 160 - which are the most important elements that may cause defective hemming - are not measured individually, but are performed by a mechanical configuration or manually performed by an operator through regular / irregular observation.

[0026] The hemming operation is performed very quickly and therefore the number of cylindrical cans 130 produced is very large. Real-time observation of the most important elements that can cause hemming defects is a very important factor in reducing hemming defects, which is often overlooked.

[0027] In addition, since ten individual hemming units 100 of the same shape operate simultaneously, abnormal operation of any of the individual hemming units may lead to continuous and repeated defects, but it is difficult to determine the specific unit of abnormality in the current configuration. Therefore, many defects occur in the hemming operation in practice.

[0028] Patent Documents 1 to 3, 5, and 6 each disclose a jig for holding cylindrical batteries, a crimping blade for crimping, or a support roller. However, these patent documents do not appear to recognize the problem of defects caused by the positions of the cam follower bearings, crimping blades, and support rollers, and therefore do not disclose sensors for measuring the positions of the cam follower bearings, crimping blades, and support rollers.

[0029] Patent Document 4 relates to a technique for preventing horizontal deviation during hemming, but neither recognizes the problems associated with the x-axis and y-axis positions of the hemming blade nor discloses a configuration for solving the problems.

[0030] Patent Document 7, which relates to a caulking machine for manufacturing a ball joint, discloses a sensor device for detecting the position of a press-fit component pressing a cap, but there seems to be no motivation to apply the sensor device to the curling of cylindrical cans.

[0031] Thus, the prior art literature fails to recognize the problems associated with the positions of the upper cam follower bearing, the lower cam follower bearing, the crimping knife, and the support roller, which are key factors in the crimping apparatus for cylindrical batteries, and lacks a device capable of identifying or measuring them.

[0032] Korean Patent Application Publication No. 2022-0033187 (“Patent Document 1”)

[0033] Japanese Registered Patent Publication No. 4989962 (“Patent Document 2”)

[0034] Korean Registered Patent Publication No. 1050314 (“Patent Document 3”)

[0035] Korean Registered Patent Publication No. 1345340 (“Patent Document 4”)

[0036] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 1997-035693 ("Patent Document 5")

[0037] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-123224 (“Patent Document 6”)

[0038] Korean Utility Model Application Publication No. 2012-0004056 (“Patent Document 7”) Summary of the Invention

[0039] Technical issues

[0040] The present invention is made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a device capable of identifying or measuring the positions of an upper cam follower bearing, a lower cam follower bearing, a crimping knife and a support roller, which are important factors in a crimping device for cylindrical batteries.

[0041] Technical Solution

[0042] In order to achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the present invention provides a curling device for cylindrical batteries, which includes a separate curling unit and a cam structure, wherein the curling unit includes: a curling knife, which is configured to form a curling portion on the side surface of a cylindrical can; a support roller, which is configured to support the cylindrical can on the other side surface of the cylindrical can when the curling knife forms the curling portion on the cylindrical can; and an upper cam follower bearing with a bearing structure and a lower cam follower bearing with a bearing structure, wherein the upper cam follower bearing and the lower cam follower bearing are respectively arranged above and below, on which the separate curling unit is arranged in one or more settings and arranged in a circle, and the cam structure is configured to rotate the separate curling unit around the circular central axis, wherein a position measuring unit is added, which is configured to measure the position of at least one of the curling knife, the support roller, the upper cam follower bearing and the lower cam follower bearing.

[0043] The position measuring unit may include at least one of the following: a first position measuring part, which is configured to measure at least one of a first height from the curling knife to the cylindrical can and a first distance from the curling knife to the cylindrical can; a second position measuring part, which is configured to measure at least one of a second height from the support roller to the cylindrical can and a second distance from the support roller to the cylindrical can; a third position measuring part, which is configured to measure a third height from the upper cam follower bearing to the upper cam plate; and a fourth position measuring part, which is configured to measure a fourth height from the lower cam follower bearing to the lower cam plate.

[0044] The first to fourth position measuring portions may be fixed at specific positions without rotating.

[0045] Each of the first height and the second height can be a height based on a specific point of the cylindrical tank, each of the first distance and the second distance can be a distance based on the central axis of the cylindrical tank, the third distance can be a distance from the central axis of the bearing of the upper cam follower bearing to the lower surface of the upper cam plate, and the fourth distance can be a distance from the central axis of the bearing of the lower cam follower bearing to the upper surface of the lower cam plate.

[0046] The cam structure may include: a cam supporting portion, which is in the form of a cylinder; a lower cam plate, which is arranged on the cam supporting portion, and the upper surface of the lower cam plate is in the form of a circular or ring-shaped plate; an upper cam plate, which is arranged at the upper part of the cam structure, and the lower surface of the upper cam plate is in the form of a circular or ring-shaped plate; and a central supporting portion, which is arranged in the center of the cam supporting portion, and the central supporting portion is configured to support the upper cam plate.

[0047] The individual curling units can be arranged in a circle along the outer periphery of the upper cam plate and the outer periphery of the lower cam plate so as to rotate around the circular central axis, the upper cam follower bearing of each individual curling unit in the individual curling units can be in close contact with the lower surface of the upper cam plate so as to be able to rotate around the circular central axis along the outer periphery of the upper cam plate, and the lower cam follower bearing of each individual curling unit in the individual curling units can be in close contact with the upper surface of the lower cam plate so as to be able to rotate around the circular central axis along the outer periphery of the lower cam plate.

[0048] When the individual curling units rotate around the circular central axis, the following can be performed at the same specific position: i) the process of receiving the cylindrical can in an upright state from the previous stage; ii) the process of moving the curling knife and the support roller to the position for curling; iii) the process of the curling knife forming the curling portion on the cylindrical can; iv) the process of returning the curling knife and the support roller to the initial position of the curling knife and the support roller; and v) the process of transferring the cylindrical can to the next process after completing the curling operation.

[0049] When the curling blade forms the curled portion on the cylindrical can, the support roller may be located at a position symmetrical to the curling blade based on a central axis of the cylindrical can.

[0050] A cylindrical can supporting portion configured to support a lower portion of the cylindrical can and a cylindrical can guide configured to guide an upper portion of the cylindrical can may be added to a separate hemming unit.

[0051] The first and second position measuring portions may be fixed by independent support portions, the third position measuring portion may be fixed to a side surface of the upper cam plate, and the fourth position measuring portion may be fixed to a side surface of the lower cam plate. In this case, the sensors of the third and fourth position measuring portions may measure the positions of independent measuring blocks coupled to the central axis of the upper and lower cam follower bearings, respectively.

[0052] In addition, the present invention provides a crimping method for cylindrical batteries using a crimping device for cylindrical batteries. Specifically, the crimping method for cylindrical batteries may include: i) receiving a cylindrical can in an upright state from a previous stage; ii) moving a crimping knife and a support roller to a position for crimping; iii) forming a crimped portion on the cylindrical can by the crimping knife; iv) returning the crimping knife and the support roller to their initial positions; and v) transferring the cylindrical can to the next process after the crimping operation is completed. At the same time, for each individual crimping unit, a measurement result of a position measurement unit may be determined to check or monitor defects.

[0053] In addition, the present invention provides a cylindrical can crimped using the crimping apparatus for cylindrical batteries, a cylindrical battery including the cylindrical can, and an electric device and a transport device including the cylindrical battery.

[0054] In addition, the present invention may provide any combination of the above-mentioned solutions.

[0055] Beneficial effects

[0056] The present invention can provide a crimping device for a cylindrical battery, a crimping method for a cylindrical battery using the crimping device, a cylindrical can that is crimped using the crimping device for a cylindrical battery, a cylindrical battery including the cylindrical can, and an electrical device and a transport device including the cylindrical battery, wherein the device includes a separate crimping unit and a cam structure, wherein the separate crimping unit includes a crimping knife configured to form a crimping portion on a side surface of the cylindrical can, and a cam structure configured to form a crimping portion on a side surface of the cylindrical can when the crimping knife forms the crimping portion on the cylindrical can. A support roller supporting the cylindrical can on the other side surface of the cylindrical can, and an upper cam follower bearing with a bearing structure and a lower cam follower bearing with a bearing structure are respectively arranged above and below, on which individual curling units are arranged in one or more and arranged in a circle, and the cam structure is configured to rotate the individual curling units around the circular central axis, wherein a position measuring unit is added, which is configured to measure the position of at least one of the curling knife, the support roller, the upper cam follower bearing and the lower cam follower bearing.

[0057] The present invention is capable of identifying or measuring the positions of an upper cam follower bearing, a lower cam follower bearing, a crimping knife and a support roller, which are important factors in a cylindrical battery crimping apparatus, thereby greatly reducing defects in the crimping operation.

[0058] Furthermore, the individual hemming unit in which the defect occurs can be easily specified and thus also easily remedied.

[0059] The present invention is also effective in improving the quality of cam-type repetitive work and is currently being applied to many processes to improve the efficiency of the processes. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0060] Figure 1 is a top view showing a conventional hemming apparatus.

[0061] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a part of an upper portion of a conventional hemming apparatus.

[0062] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing a part of a lower portion of a conventional hemming apparatus.

[0063] Figure 4 is a sectional view showing the entirety of each individual hemming unit of a conventional hemming apparatus.

[0064] Figure 5 is a sectional view showing a portion of each individual hemming unit of a conventional hemming apparatus.

[0065] Figure 6 is a top view showing a hemming apparatus according to the present invention.

[0066] Figure 7 is a perspective view showing a part of an upper portion of a hemming apparatus according to the present invention.

[0067] Figure 8 is a perspective view showing a portion of a lower portion of a hemming apparatus according to the present invention.

[0068] Figure 9 is a sectional view showing a hemming blade of each individual hemming unit of the hemming apparatus according to the present invention and a horizontal position measuring portion therefor.

[0069] Figure 10 is a sectional view showing a hemming blade of each individual hemming unit of the hemming apparatus according to the present invention and a vertical position measuring portion therefor.

[0070] Figure 11is a sectional view showing a support roller of each individual hemming unit of the hemming apparatus according to the present invention and a position measuring portion therefor.

[0071] Figure 12 is a sectional view showing the entirety of each individual hemming unit of the hemming apparatus according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0072] In this application, it should be understood that the terms "including", "having", "comprising", etc., when used in this specification, specify the existence of the stated features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts or their combinations, but do not exclude the existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts or their combinations.

[0073] It will be understood that when a component is referred to as being “connected to” or “coupled to” another component, it can be directly connected to or coupled to the other component, or intervening components may be present. In contrast, when a component is referred to as being “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another component, there are no intervening components present. Other terms describing the relationship between components, such as “between” and “directly between” or “adjacent to” and “directly adjacent to” should be interpreted in the same manner.

[0074] In addition, unless otherwise defined, all terms used in this specification, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs. It will also be understood that, unless explicitly defined as such herein, terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure, and will not be interpreted as an idealized or overly formal meaning.

[0075] Hereinafter, 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, detailed descriptions of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when such detailed descriptions may obscure the subject matter of the present invention.

[0076] In addition, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to parts that perform similar functions or operations. Throughout the specification, when a part is said to be connected to another part, a part may not only be directly connected to another part, but also be indirectly connected to another part via another part. In addition, the inclusion of a certain element does not mean the exclusion of other elements, but rather means that such elements may also be included unless otherwise mentioned.

[0077] In addition, unless otherwise limited, the description for embodying elements by limitation or addition can be applied to all the inventions and does not limit a specific invention.

[0078] Furthermore, in the description of the present invention and the claims of this application, unless otherwise mentioned, the singular form is intended to include the plural form.

[0079] In addition, in the description of the present 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.

[0080] Additionally, all numerical ranges include the lowest value, the highest value and all intermediate values ​​therebetween unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0081] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The hemming apparatus according to the present invention is the same as or similar to a conventional hemming apparatus except for the addition of a position measuring unit 300, and thus description of duplicate parts will be omitted.

[0082] Figure 6 is a top view showing a hemming device according to the present invention, Figure 7 is a perspective view showing a part of the upper portion of the hemming device according to the present invention, Figure 8 is a perspective view showing a portion of the lower portion of a hemming device according to the present invention, Figure 9 and 10 is a sectional view showing a hemming blade of a separate hemming unit and a position measuring portion therefor in the hemming apparatus according to the present invention, Figure 11 is a sectional view showing a support roller of each individual hemming unit of the hemming apparatus according to the present invention and a position measuring portion therefor, and Figure 12 is a sectional view showing the entirety of each individual hemming unit of the hemming apparatus according to the present invention.

[0083] Reference Figures 6 to 12The present invention provides a crimping device for cylindrical batteries, the crimping device including a separate crimping unit 100 and a cam structure 200. The separate crimping unit 100 includes a crimping knife 150 configured to form a crimping portion on a side surface of a cylindrical can 130, a support roller 160 configured to support the cylindrical can 130 on the other side surface of the cylindrical can 130 when the crimping knife 150 forms the crimping portion on the cylindrical can 130, and upper cams with bearing structures respectively provided above and below. A follower bearing 110 and a lower cam follower bearing 120 having a bearing structure, on which the individual curling units 100 are set in one or more and arranged in a circle, and the cam structure is configured to rotate the individual curling units 100 around a circular central axis 245, wherein a position measuring unit 300 is added, which is configured to measure the position of at least one of the curling knife 150, the support roller 160, the upper cam follower bearing 110 and the lower cam follower bearing 120.

[0084] In addition to the upper cam follower bearing 110 and the lower cam follower bearing 120, each individual hemming unit 100 may include additional bearings 115 and 225 configured to support each individual hemming unit 100. Any device including a sensor configured to measure distance can be used as the position measuring unit 300, and may include a laser sensor or an eddy current sensor. In addition, the position measuring unit may be a sensor using a physical contact. An independent measuring stopper whose position can be detected by the sensor may be attached to an individual measuring position, and the sensor may measure the position of the measuring stopper. In addition, the value measured by the sensor may be digitized and transmitted.

[0085] The position measuring unit 300 may include: a first position measuring part 310, which is configured to measure a first height 315 from the curling knife 150 to the cylindrical can 130 and a first distance 317 from the curling knife 150 to the cylindrical can 130; a second position measuring part 320, which is configured to measure a second height 325 from the support roller 160 to the cylindrical can 130 and a second distance 327 from the support roller 160 to the cylindrical can 130; a third position measuring part 330, which is configured to measure a third height from the upper cam follower bearing 110 to the upper cam plate 230; and a fourth position measuring part 340, which is configured to measure a fourth height from the lower cam follower bearing 120 to the lower cam plate 220.

[0086] Specifically, each of the first height 315 and the second height 325 is a height based on a specific point of the cylindrical tank 130, each of the first distance 317 and the second distance 327 is a distance based on the center axis of the cylindrical tank 130, the third height is the distance from the central axis of the bearing of the upper cam follower bearing 110 to the lower surface of the upper cam plate 230, and the fourth height is the distance from the central axis of the bearing of the lower cam follower bearing 120 to the upper surface of the lower cam plate 220.

[0087] During the hemming operation, a hemming portion is formed on the entire side surface of the cylindrical can 130 in a rotating state by the hemming blade 150 maintained at a constant height and depth. The physical dimensions of the hemming blade 150 are the same in all individual hemming units 100, wherein the first distance 317 determines the depth, which is the length of the hemming blade 150 inserted into the side surface of the cylindrical can 130 for the hemming operation, and the first height 317 determines the height of the hemming portion to be formed on the cylindrical can 130.

[0088] The first height 315, the first distance 317, the second height 325 and the second distance 327 are essentially distances measured based on the independent support parts 312 and 333, but the position of the cylindrical tank support part 140 relative to the individual curling unit 100 is fixed, and therefore it is possible to convert to a distance based on the cylindrical tank 130 based on this.

[0089] The first to fourth position measuring parts 310 to 340 are fixed at specific positions and do not rotate even during the hemming operation. Figure 6 The first position measuring portion 310 is located at 6 o'clock based on the position of the individual crimping unit 100 in the crimping apparatus for cylindrical batteries, and the second position measuring portion 320 is located at 3 o'clock. The first and second position measuring portions 310 and 320 are fixed by independent support portions 312 and 333.

[0090] The first and second position measurement sections 310 and 320 are installed at the locations where the hemming blade 150 and support roller 160 are moved to perform hemming. These locations are essentially the positions after and before hemming is performed, but the positions of the hemming blade 150 and support roller 160 remain unchanged relative to the locations where hemming is performed, thereby achieving the desired measurement results. With this in mind, it will be understood that the positions of the first and second position measurement sections 310 and 320 are not limited to the current locations and can be located anywhere, as long as the positions of the hemming blade 150 and support roller 160 remain the same as the locations where hemming is performed.

[0091] Each of the first position measurement portion 310 and the second position measurement portion 320 includes a horizontal sensor 318 configured to measure a horizontal (x-axis) distance and a vertical sensor 316 configured to measure a vertical (y-axis) distance. Figure 9 The vertical sensor 316 is an eddy current sensor, and Figure 10 and Figure 11 The horizontal sensor 318 and the vertical sensor 316 are both laser sensors. Specifically, Figure 9 The eddy current sensor measures the position of the lower surface of the hemming knife 150, and Figure 10 The level sensor 318 measures the position of the rotation axis of the hemming knife 150 . Figure 11 The vertical sensor 316 measures the position of the lower surface of the support roller 150, and Figure 11 The level sensor 318 measures the position of the individual measuring stops. However, relative values ​​can be measured and thus the position relative to the cylindrical tank 130 can be determined therefrom.

[0092] The sensors of the third position measuring portion 330 and the fourth position measuring portion 340 are eddy current sensors. The types of the sensors of the first position measuring portion 310 to the fourth position measuring portion 340 are not limited, and any other sensors configured to measure distance or position may be used.

[0093] Reference Figure 7 and Figure 8 , third position measuring portion 330 is fixed to a side surface of upper cam plate 230, and fourth position measuring portion 340 is fixed to a side surface of lower cam plate 220. The sensor of third position measuring portion 330 and the sensor of fourth position measuring portion 340 measure the positions of independent measuring stops 335 and 345 respectively coupled to the central axis of the bearing of upper cam follower bearing 110 and the central axis of the bearing of lower cam follower bearing 120.

[0094] The cam structure 200 includes: a cam supporting portion 210, which is in the form of a cylinder; a lower cam plate 220, which is arranged on the cam supporting portion 210, and the upper surface of the lower cam plate is in the form of a circular or ring-shaped plate; an upper cam plate 230, which is arranged at the upper portion of the cam structure 200, and the lower surface of the upper cam plate is in the form of a circular or ring-shaped plate; and a central supporting portion 240, which is arranged at the center of the cam supporting portion 210, and the central supporting portion is configured to support the upper cam plate 230.

[0095] The individual curling units 100 are arranged in a circle along the outer periphery of the upper cam plate 230 and the outer periphery of the lower cam plate 220 so as to rotate around the circular central axis 245, and the upper cam follower bearing 110 of each individual curling unit in the individual curling units 100 is in close contact with the lower surface of the upper cam plate 230 so as to be able to rotate around the circular central axis 245 along the outer periphery of the upper cam plate 230, and the lower cam follower bearing 120 of each individual curling unit in the individual curling units 100 is in close contact with the upper surface of the lower cam plate 220 so as to be able to rotate around the circular central axis 245 along the outer periphery of the lower cam plate 220.

[0096] The individual crimping units 100 arranged in a circle rotate around the circular central axis 245 due to the rotational movement of the upper cam follower bearing 110 and the lower cam follower bearing 120 of each of the individual crimping units 100. A separate coupling shaft (not shown) protruding substantially from the central support portion 240 is coupled to the individual crimping units 100 to generate the rotational movement.

[0097] When the individual curling unit 100 rotates around the circular central axis 245, the following can be performed at the same specific position: i) the process of receiving the cylindrical can in an upright state from the previous stage, ii) the process of moving the curling knife 150 and the support roller 160 to the position for curling, iii) the process of the curling knife 150 forming a curling portion on the cylindrical can 130, iv) the process of returning the curling knife 150 and the support roller 160 to their initial positions, and v) the process of transferring the cylindrical can 130 on which the curling operation is completed to the next process.

[0098] When the curling blade 150 forms a curling portion on the cylindrical can 130 , the support roller 160 may be located at a position symmetrical to the curling blade 150 based on the central axis of the cylindrical can 130 .

[0099] Since the hemming blade 150 is required to press the side surface of the cylindrical can 130 against the inside of the cylindrical can in order to deform the side surface of the cylindrical can, the hemming blade is made of a metal having a higher strength than the cylindrical can 130, while the support roller 150 is configured to support the cylindrical can 130, and therefore the support roller is preferably made of a metal having a lower strength than the cylindrical can 130. In the case where the cylindrical can is made of nickel-plated steel, the support roller is preferably made of brass, which has a lower strength than nickel-plated steel.

[0100] A cylindrical can supporting portion 140 configured to support a lower portion of the cylindrical can 130 and a cylindrical can guide 170 configured to guide an upper portion of the cylindrical can 130 may be added to each of the individual hemming units 100 .

[0101] The cylindrical can support portion 140 includes a rotating roller 145 configured to rotate the cylindrical can 130 while supporting the lower portion of the cylindrical can 130. The cylindrical can support portion 140 is coupled to and moves with the lower cam follower bearing 120. The cylindrical can guide 170 is provided with a suction portion 175 configured to suction metal powder generated during the hemming operation.

[0102] The present invention also provides a method for crimping cylindrical batteries using a crimping apparatus for cylindrical batteries 130. Specifically, the crimping method for cylindrical batteries 130 includes: i) receiving a cylindrical can in an upright state from a previous stage; ii) moving a crimping blade 150 and a support roller 160 to a position for crimping; iii) forming a crimped portion on the cylindrical can 130 by the crimping blade 150; iv) returning the crimping blade 150 and the support roller 160 to their initial positions; and v) transferring the cylindrical can 130, after the crimping operation has been completed, to the next process. Simultaneously, for each individual crimping unit 100, a measurement result of the position measurement unit 130 can be determined to detect or monitor defects.

[0103] Those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains will appreciate that various applications and modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention based on the above description.

[0104] Description of Reference Signs

[0105] 100: Separate hemming unit

[0106] 110: Upper cam follower bearing

[0107] 115, 125: Additional bearings

[0108] 120: Lower cam follower bearing

[0109] 130: Cylindrical tank

[0110] 140: Cylindrical tank support part

[0111] 145: Rotating roller

[0112] 150: Curling knife

[0113] 160: Support roller

[0114] 170: Cylindrical tank guide

[0115] 175: Suction part

[0116] 200: Cam structure (210 to 245)

[0117] 210: Cam support part

[0118] 220: Lower cam plate

[0119] 230: Upper cam plate

[0120] 240: Central support part

[0121] 245: Circular central axis (central axis of cam structure)

[0122] 300: Position measurement unit (310, 320, 330, 340)

[0123] 310: First position measurement part

[0124] 312, 322: Independent support parts

[0125] 315: First height

[0126] 316: Vertical sensor

[0127] 317: First Distance

[0128] 318: Level sensor

[0129] 320: Second position measurement part

[0130] 325: Second Height

[0131] 327: Second Distance

[0132] 330: Third position measurement part

[0133] 335, 345: Measuring block

[0134] 340: Fourth position measurement part

Claims

1. A crimping device for cylindrical batteries, comprising: A separate crimping unit, comprising: a curling knife configured to form a curling portion on a side surface of the cylindrical can; a support roller configured to support the cylindrical can on the other side surface of the cylindrical can when the curling blade forms the curled portion on the cylindrical can; and an upper cam follower bearing having a bearing structure and a lower cam follower bearing having a bearing structure, the upper cam follower bearing and the lower cam follower bearing being disposed above and below, respectively; and A cam structure on which the individual crimping units are provided in one or more and arranged in a circle, the cam structure being configured to rotate the individual crimping units around a circular central axis, wherein A position measurement unit is added, the position measurement unit being configured to measure a position of at least one of the hemming knife, the support roller, the upper cam follower bearing, and the lower cam follower bearing.

2. The crimping device for cylindrical batteries according to claim 1, wherein: The position measurement unit includes at least one of the following: a first position measuring portion configured to measure at least one of a first height from the hemming knife to the cylindrical can and a first distance from the hemming knife to the cylindrical can; a second position measuring portion configured to measure at least one of a second height from the support roller to the cylindrical can and a second distance from the support roller to the cylindrical can; a third position measuring portion configured to measure a third distance from the upper cam follower bearing to the upper cam plate; as well as A fourth position measuring portion is configured to measure a fourth distance from the lower cam follower bearing to the lower cam plate.

3. The crimping device for cylindrical batteries according to claim 2, wherein: The first to fourth position measuring portions are fixed at specific positions so as not to rotate.

4. The crimping device for cylindrical batteries according to claim 2, wherein: Each of the first height and the second height is based on a height of a specific point of the cylindrical tank, Each of the first distance and the second distance is a distance based on the central axis of the cylindrical tank, The third distance is the distance from the central axis of the bearing of the upper cam follower bearing to the lower surface of the upper cam plate, and The fourth distance is a distance from a central axis of a bearing of the lower cam follower bearing to an upper surface of the lower cam plate.

5. The crimping device for cylindrical batteries according to claim 2, wherein: The cam structure comprises: a cam support portion, said cam support portion being in the form of a cylinder; a lower cam plate, the lower cam plate being provided on the cam support portion, the upper surface of the lower cam plate being in the form of a circular or ring-shaped plate; an upper cam plate provided at an upper portion of the cam structure, a lower surface of the upper cam plate being in the form of a circular or ring-shaped plate; and A central supporting portion is provided at the center of the cam supporting portion, the central supporting portion being configured to support the upper cam plate.

6. The crimping device for cylindrical batteries according to claim 5, wherein: The individual crimping units are arranged in a circle along the outer periphery of the upper cam plate and the outer periphery of the lower cam plate so as to rotate about the circular central axis, The upper cam follower bearing of each of the individual crimping units is in close contact with the lower surface of the upper cam plate so as to be rotatable about the circular central axis along the outer periphery of the upper cam plate, and The lower cam follower bearing of each of the individual crimping units is in close contact with the upper surface of the lower cam plate so as to be rotatable about the circular central axis along the outer periphery of the lower cam plate.

7. The crimping device for cylindrical batteries according to claim 1, wherein: As the individual hemming units rotate about the circular central axis, at the same specific position: i) The process of receiving cylindrical cans in an upright state from the previous stage; ii) a process of moving the hemming knife and the support roller to a position for hemming; iii) a process in which the curling knife forms a curled portion on the cylindrical can; iv) returning the hemming knife and the support roller to their initial positions; as well as v) A process of transferring the cylindrical can to a subsequent process after completing the crimping operation.

8. The crimping device for cylindrical batteries according to claim 1, wherein: When the curling blade forms the curled portion on the cylindrical can, the support roller is located at a position symmetrical to the curling blade based on a central axis of the cylindrical can.

9. The crimping device for cylindrical batteries according to claim 1, wherein: a cylindrical tank supporting portion configured to support a lower portion of the cylindrical tank; and A cylindrical tank guide configured to guide the upper portion of the cylindrical tank is added to the separate hemming unit.

10. The crimping device for cylindrical batteries according to claim 5, wherein: The first position measuring portion and the second position measuring portion are fixed by independent supporting portions, The third position measuring portion is fixed to a side surface of the upper cam plate, and The fourth position measuring portion is fixed to a side surface of the lower cam plate.

11. The crimping device for cylindrical batteries according to claim 10, wherein: The sensor of the third position measuring portion and the sensor of the fourth position measuring portion measure positions of independent measuring stops coupled to central shafts of bearings of the upper cam follower bearing and the lower cam follower bearing, respectively. 12 . A crimping method for a cylindrical battery using the crimping apparatus for a cylindrical battery according to claim 1 .

13. The curling method for cylindrical batteries according to claim 12, wherein: For the individual hemming units, the measurement results of the position measurement unit are determined to check for defects. 14 . A cylindrical battery curled using the curling apparatus for cylindrical batteries according to claim 1 .

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