Secondary battery pressure device and secondary battery pressure method using same

Abstract

Disclosed are a secondary battery pressing apparatus for pressing a secondary battery including a battery case configured to receive an electrode assembly having a pair of electrode leads positioned opposite to each other, and a sealing portion for sealing the pair of electrode leads, and a pressing method using the secondary battery pressing apparatus. A secondary battery pressing device including a sealing portion provided at an edge of the battery case, the secondary battery pressing device including: a pair of pressing plates configured to press one surface and the other surface of the battery case; and a pair of close contact members configured to be in close contact with a corner portion of the battery case by the pair of pressing plates.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0075461, filed on June 11, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] This invention relates to a secondary battery extrusion apparatus and a secondary battery extrusion method using the same apparatus, and more specifically, to a secondary battery extrusion apparatus capable of uniformly extruding the entire secondary battery and a secondary battery extrusion method using the same apparatus. Background Technology

[0003] With the technological advancements and increasing demands of mobile devices, rechargeable and discharging batteries have been adopted as an energy source for various mobile devices. Rechargeable batteries have also attracted attention as an energy source for electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles, which serve as alternatives to existing gasoline and diesel vehicles that use fossil fuels.

[0004] Based on the shape of the battery casing, secondary batteries are classified into cylindrical batteries with electrode assemblies installed in cylindrical metal cans, prismatic batteries with electrode assemblies installed in prismatic metal cans, and pouch batteries with electrode assemblies installed in pouch-shaped casings made of aluminum laminates.

[0005] A typical pouch cell manufacturing process includes inserting electrode assemblies into the receiving space of a battery housing made of laminates, filling the battery housing with an electrolyte solution, sealing the battery housing, and performing an activation process, in which a formation jig configured to compress the battery cells is used.

[0006] Figure 1 This is a concept diagram showing a portion of a conventional pouch-shaped secondary battery compression device. Figure 2 It is a plan view showing a pouch-shaped secondary battery, and Figure 3 This is a side view showing a pouch-shaped secondary battery.

[0007] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the activation process of the secondary battery 10 can be performed by using a compression plate 1 to compress the secondary battery 10 placed between multiple compression plates 1.

[0008] However, when manufacturing the electrodes that constitute the electrode assembly, the electrode material is coated in a slurry state, in which a so-called sliding region of the electrode can be formed, in which the central part of the electrode is flat, while the ends of the electrode become thinner due to the fluidity of the slurry.

[0009] Due to the sliding area, the secondary battery 10 has a thickness deviation between its central portion and the vicinity of the terminal piece portion, thus forming a step, and uneven pressure is applied during the process of using the formation fixture due to this step, making quantitative extrusion impossible.

[0010] (Existing technical literature)

[0011] (Patent Document 1) Korean Patent Application Publication No. 10-2024-0044781 Summary of the Invention

[0012] [Technical Issues]

[0013] The present invention was made in view of the above problems, and the object of the present invention is to provide a secondary battery squeezing device and a secondary battery squeezing method using the secondary battery squeezing device, the secondary battery squeezing device being able to uniformly apply pressure to the central portion and the vicinity of the terminal portion of the pouch secondary battery during the activation process.

[0014] [Technical Solution]

[0015] As a technical means to achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the secondary battery extrusion device according to an embodiment of the present invention is a secondary battery extrusion device for extruding a secondary battery (10), the secondary battery including a battery housing (11) and a sealing portion (S), the battery housing (11) being configured to receive an electrode assembly having a pair of electrode leads (12) positioned opposite to each other; the sealing portion (S) being disposed at the edge of the battery housing (11), the secondary battery extrusion device including a pair of extrusion plates (100) and a pair of close contact members (200), the pair of extrusion plates (100) being configured to extrude one surface and another surface of the battery housing (11), and the pair of close contact members (200) being configured to make close contact with the corner portion (11b) of the battery housing (11) through the pair of extrusion plates (100).

[0016] Furthermore, in the secondary battery extrusion device according to an embodiment of the present invention, each of the close contact members (200) may be made of shape memory alloy.

[0017] Furthermore, in the secondary battery extrusion apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, the shape memory alloy may include Cu, Zn and Al materials.

[0018] Furthermore, the secondary battery compression device according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a frame (300) configured to support each of the close contact members (200).

[0019] Furthermore, in the secondary battery extrusion device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the frame (300) may include a first frame (310) and a second frame (320) respectively located on one surface and the other surface of the battery housing (11). The first frame (310) may have a pair of first receiving holes (311) near both ends of its upper frame, the pair of first receiving holes (311) extending a specified length in a centrally open state, and the second frame (320) may have a pair of second receiving holes (321) near both ends of its upper frame, the pair of second receiving holes (321) extending a specified length in a centrally open state.

[0020] Furthermore, in the secondary battery extrusion device according to an embodiment of the present invention, each of the first frame (310) and the second frame (320) can be configured to have a variable length in the overall length direction of the battery housing (11).

[0021] Furthermore, in the secondary battery compression device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the tight contact member (200) may include a first tight contact member (210) and a second tight contact member (220) respectively located on one surface and the other surface of the battery housing (11). The first tight contact member (210) may be configured as a pair, including member 1a (211) and member 1b (212), member 1a (211) having one side received in the first receiving hole (311), member 1b (212) being exposed along the side frame of the first frame (310). The second tight contact member (220) may be configured as a pair, including member 2a (221) and member 2b (222), member 2a (221) having one side received in the second receiving hole (321), member 2b (222) being exposed along the side frame of the second frame (320).

[0022] Furthermore, in the secondary battery extrusion device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the 1b member (212) and the 2b member (222) can be in close contact with the corner portions (11b) on both sides of the battery housing (11) in the direction of protrusion of the electrode lead (12).

[0023] Furthermore, in the secondary battery extrusion device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the pair of extrusion plates (100) may include a first extrusion plate (110) configured to extrude one surface of the battery housing (11) and a second extrusion plate (120) configured to extrude the other surface of the battery housing (11), and each of the first extrusion plate (110) and the second extrusion plate (120) may have a length sufficient to extrude a corresponding one of the 1b member (212) and the 2b member (222).

[0024] Furthermore, in the secondary battery extrusion device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the first frame (310) may be located between one surface of the battery housing (11) and the first extrusion plate (110), and the second frame (320) may be located between the other surface of the battery housing (11) and the second extrusion plate (120).

[0025] Furthermore, in the secondary battery extrusion apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, the pair of extrusion plates (100) may include a first extrusion plate (110) configured to extrude one surface of the battery housing (11) and a second extrusion plate (120) configured to extrude the other surface of the battery housing (11), and each of the first extrusion plate (110) and the second extrusion plate (120) may be made of a metal including aluminum.

[0026] Furthermore, the secondary battery compression method using the secondary battery compression device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: (S1) positioning the secondary battery (10) between the pair of closely contacting members (200), and (S2) moving the pair of compression plates (100) to compress the secondary battery (10).

[0027] Furthermore, the secondary battery extrusion method according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include heating the pair of closely contacting members (200) to a preset first temperature range before step (S1) to perform shape memory processing on the pair of closely contacting members.

[0028] Furthermore, in the secondary battery extrusion method according to an embodiment of the present invention, in step (S2), heating to a second temperature range lower than the first temperature range may be performed.

[0029] [Beneficial Effects]

[0030] It is evident from the above description that the secondary battery extrusion device and the secondary battery extrusion method using the secondary battery extrusion device according to the present invention have the following advantages: a pair of close contact members configured to be in close contact with the corner portion of the battery casing are made of shape memory alloy, such that the close contact members can deform to extrude the corner portion in a shape corresponding to the shape of the corner portion, thereby extruding the flat portion and the corner portion of the secondary battery with uniform pressure.

[0031] Furthermore, the secondary battery extrusion device and the secondary battery extrusion method using the secondary battery extrusion device according to the present invention have the following advantages: the first frame and the second frame are configured to be variable in the overall length direction of the battery casing, so that the first frame and the second frame can be deformed to correspond to the length of the secondary battery, thereby allowing the extrusion of secondary batteries of various sizes. Attached Figure Description

[0032] Figure 1 This is a conceptual diagram showing a portion of a conventional pouch-shaped secondary battery compression device.

[0033] Figure 2 This is a plan view showing a pouch-shaped secondary battery.

[0034] Figure 3 This is a side view showing a pouch-shaped secondary battery.

[0035] Figure 4 This is an exploded perspective view showing the secondary battery compression device according to the present invention.

[0036] Figure 5 This is a perspective view showing the close contact member of the secondary battery compression device according to the present invention.

[0037] Figure 6 This is a perspective view showing the frame of the secondary battery compression device according to the present invention.

[0038] Figure 7 This is a front view showing the frame of the secondary battery extrusion device according to the present invention.

[0039] Figure 8 This is a front view showing the state in which the closely contacting members are fastened to the frame of the secondary battery compression device according to the invention.

[0040] Figure 9 This is a side view showing the state in which the closely contacting members are fastened to the frame of the secondary battery compression device according to the invention.

[0041] Figure 10 This is a front view showing a modified frame of the secondary battery compression device according to the present invention.

[0042] Figure 11 This is a view showing the state of the secondary battery compression device according to the invention located on one side and the other side of the secondary battery when viewed from above.

[0043] Figure 12 This is a view showing the extrusion plate extruding the frame and the close-contact member in the secondary battery extrusion device according to the invention when viewed from above.

[0044] Figure 13 This is a view showing the state in which the close contact member of the secondary battery compression device according to the present invention is in close contact with the corner portion of the battery casing of the secondary battery when viewed from above.

[0045] Figure 14 This is a view showing the state in which the close contact member of the secondary battery compression device according to the invention is compressed and deformed at the corner portion of the battery casing when viewed from above.

[0046] Figure 15 It is along Figure 4 The cross-sectional view taken by line II shows that, when viewed from above, the close-contact member of the secondary battery compression device according to the invention is compressed and deformed at the corner portion of the battery casing. Detailed Implementation

[0047] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, enabling those skilled in the art to readily implement these preferred embodiments. However, in describing the operational principles of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, detailed descriptions of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted where such descriptions might obscure the subject matter of the invention.

[0048] Furthermore, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the accompanying drawings to refer to parts that perform similar functions or operations. Where a part is referred to as "connected to another part" throughout the specification, this means not only that the one part can be directly connected to the other part, but also that the one part can be indirectly connected to the other part via the other part. Moreover, including a predetermined element does not mean excluding other elements, but rather that other elements may be further included, unless otherwise specified.

[0049] The secondary battery extrusion apparatus according to the present invention and the extrusion method using the secondary battery extrusion apparatus will be described below.

[0050] First, refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3The secondary battery 10 can be a pouch-shaped secondary battery, which includes a battery housing 11 and a sealing portion S disposed at the edge of the battery housing 11. The battery housing 11 is configured to receive an electrode assembly (not shown) having a pair of electrode leads 12 positioned opposite to each other. In this case, the battery housing 11 may include a first pouch-shaped portion (not shown) configured to receive the electrode assembly and a second pouch-shaped portion (not shown) configured to capture gas.

[0051] The pair of electrode leads 12 may include a positive lead and a negative lead.

[0052] Meanwhile, the battery casing 11 is made of a laminate including an outer cover layer, a metal layer and an inner cover layer.

[0053] The inner cover layer is in direct contact with the electrode assembly, therefore it must exhibit high insulation properties and high electrolytic resistance. Furthermore, the inner cover layer must exhibit high sealing performance to hermetically isolate the battery casing from the outside; that is, the thermally bonded seal between the inner layers must exhibit excellent thermal bonding strength.

[0054] The inner cover layer may be made of a material selected from polyolefin-based resins (such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene acrylic or polybutene), polyurethane resin and polyimide resin, which exhibits excellent chemical resistance and high sealing performance; however, the invention is not limited thereto, and polypropylene exhibiting excellent mechanical properties (such as tensile strength, stiffness, surface hardness and impact resistance) and excellent chemical resistance is most preferred.

[0055] The metal layer adjacent to the inner cover layer corresponds to a barrier layer configured to prevent moisture or various gases from penetrating into the battery from the outside. Lightweight and easily formed aluminum films are preferred materials for the metal layer.

[0056] An outer cover layer is disposed on another surface of the metal layer, and the outer cover layer may be made of a heat-resistant polymer that exhibits excellent tensile strength, resistance to moisture penetration, and resistance to air permeability, thereby giving the outer cover layer high heat and chemical resistance while protecting the electrode assembly. As an example, the outer cover layer may be made of nylon or polyethylene terephthalate; however, the invention is not limited thereto.

[0057] Meanwhile, the electrode assembly received in the battery casing 11 can be: a jelly roll type electrode assembly, configured to have a structure in which an elongated negative electrode and an elongated positive electrode are wound together with spacers inserted therebetween; a stacked electrode assembly, comprising unit cells, each unit cell being configured to have a structure in which a rectangular positive electrode and a rectangular negative electrode are stacked together with spacers inserted therebetween; a stacked and folded electrode assembly, configured to have a structure in which a unit cell is wound using a long separation membrane; or a laminated and stacked electrode assembly, configured to have a structure in which unit cells are stacked and then attached to each other with spacers inserted therebetween; however, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0058] The positive electrode includes a positive current collector and positive active material applied to each of the upper and lower surfaces of the positive current collector. The positive active material can be mixed with conductive agents and binders, and fillers can be further added if necessary.

[0059] The negative electrode includes a negative electrode current collector and a negative electrode active material applied to each of the upper and lower surfaces of the negative electrode current collector. The negative electrode active material may be further mixed with a conductive agent and a binder, and the negative electrode current collector may be coated with the mixture.

[0060] The separator prevents short circuits between the negative and positive electrodes and allows only lithium ion migration. Preferably, the separator is made of any one of polyethylene, polypropylene, a bilayer of polyethylene / polypropylene, a trilayer of polyethylene / polypropylene / polypropylene, a trilayer of polypropylene / polypropylene / polypropylene, and organic fiber filter paper; however, the invention is not limited thereto.

[0061] Meanwhile, when manufacturing the electrodes that constitute the electrode assembly, the electrode material is coated in a slurry state, in which a so-called sliding region of the electrode can be formed. In this sliding region, the central part of the electrode is flat, while the edge of the electrode becomes thinner due to the fluidity of the slurry.

[0062] Therefore, the battery housing 11 in which the electrode assembly is housed may be provided with a flat portion 11a and a corner portion 11b, the flat portion 11a corresponding to the central portion of the electrode which is flatly coated with slurry, and the corner portion 11b forming a sliding area corresponding to the electrode.

[0063] Figure 4 This is an exploded perspective view showing the secondary battery compression device according to the present invention, and Figure 5 This is a perspective view showing the close contact member of the secondary battery compression device according to the present invention.

[0064] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a secondary battery extrusion device for extruding a secondary battery 10 having the above-described configuration may include a pair of extrusion plates 100, a pair of closely contacting members 200, and a pair of frames 300.

[0065] The pair of extrusion plates 100 can be configured such that the secondary battery 10 is located in the vertical direction ( Figure 4 The battery casing 11 is pressed between one surface and the other surface in the state of (12 o'clock to 6 o'clock direction).

[0066] In this case, the pair of extrusion plates 100 may include a first extrusion plate 110 and a second extrusion plate 120, wherein the first extrusion plate 110 is configured to extrude one surface of the battery housing 11. Figure 4 (at the 10 o'clock position), the second extrusion plate 120 is configured to extrude another surface of the battery housing 11 (in the 10 o'clock position). Figure 4 (4 o'clock position). The first extrusion plate 110 and the second extrusion plate 120 can be configured to contact each other when the secondary battery 10 is inserted therebetween.

[0067] Furthermore, each of the first extrusion plate 110 and the second extrusion plate 120 may be made of a material having sufficient stiffness to compress a corresponding one of the surfaces of the battery casing 11. More specifically, each of the first extrusion plate 110 and the second extrusion plate 120 may be made of a metal such as aluminum.

[0068] The pair of tight contact members 200 can be configured to make tight contact with the corner portion 11b of the battery housing 11 via the pair of compression plates 100. The pair of tight contact members 200 may include a first tight contact member 210 and a second tight contact member 220 located on one surface and the other surface of the battery housing 11, respectively.

[0069] More specifically, the first tight contact member 210 is configured to be in tight contact with a corner portion 11b of a surface of the battery housing 11 via the first extrusion plate 110, and a pair of first tight contact members 210 may be configured to correspond to a pair of corner portions 11b, which are positioned to correspond to the edges from which a pair of electrode leads 12 protrude.

[0070] The second tight contact member 220 is configured to make tight contact with a corner portion 11b of another surface of the battery housing 11 via the second extrusion plate 120, and a pair of second tight contact members 220 may be configured to correspond to a pair of corner portions 11b, which are positioned to correspond to the edges from which a pair of electrode leads 12 protrude.

[0071] The tight contact member 200 can be made of shape memory alloy. For example, the pair of tight contact members 200 can be in close contact with the corner portion 11b located on one surface and the other surface of the battery housing 11 by the pair of extrusion plates 100, and can be deformed into a shape corresponding to the shape of the corner portion 11b by the extrusion force applied by the extrusion plates 100, thereby applying a uniform extrusion force to the corner portion 11b.

[0072] Furthermore, each of the pair of closely contacting members 200 is preferably made of a shape memory alloy with high thermal conductivity. As an example, each of the pair of closely contacting members 200 may be made of a shape memory alloy comprising Cu, Zn, and Al materials, which has a higher thermal conductivity than titanium alloys. The pair of closely contacting members 200 are in close contact with the corner portion 11b, deform into a shape corresponding to the shape of the corner portion 11b, and then rapidly return to their original shape when heated to a specified temperature.

[0073] In this configuration, the first tight-contact member 210 may include: a member 211 connected to the first frame 310, which will be described later; and a member 212 configured to make tight contact with a corner portion 11b of a surface of the battery housing 11. Here, the member 212 may extend in the overall width direction of the battery housing 11 to make tight contact with the corner portion 11b of a surface of the battery housing 11.

[0074] Furthermore, the second tight contact member 220 may include: a 2a member 221 connected to the second frame 320, which will be described later; and a 2b member 222 configured to make tight contact with a corner portion 11b located at a pair of edges on another surface of the battery housing 11 from which the electrode lead 12 protrudes. Here, the 2b member 222 may extend in the overall width direction of the battery housing 11 to make tight contact with the corner portion 11b on the other surface of the battery housing 11.

[0075] The first tight contact member 210 and the second tight contact member 220 can be configured such that member 1a 211 and member 2a 221 extend in the overall length direction of the battery housing 11, and member 1b 212 and member 2b 222 extend in the overall width direction of the battery housing 11.

[0076] For example, component 212 (1b) and component 222 (2b) can be formed as cuboids extending in the total width direction of the corner portion 11b of the battery casing 11, such as... Figure 5As shown in (a), or as another example, it can be formed into a shape that wraps around a portion of the corner portion 11b, and can be easily deformed into a shape corresponding to the shape of the rounded corner portion 11b, such as Figure 5 As shown in (b).

[0077] Figure 6 This is a perspective view showing the frame of the secondary battery compression device according to the present invention, and Figure 7 This is a front view showing the frame of the secondary battery compression device according to the present invention. Furthermore, Figure 8 This is a front view showing the state in which the closely contacting members are fastened to the frame of the secondary battery compression device according to the invention, and Figure 9 This is a side view showing the state in which the closely contacting members are fastened to the frame of the secondary battery compression device according to the invention.

[0078] refer to Figures 4 to 9 The frame 300 is configured to support the close contact member 200 and may include a first frame 310 and a second frame 320, the first frame 310 and the second frame 320 being configured to support the first close contact member 210 and the second close contact member 220 respectively located on one surface and the other surface of the battery housing 11.

[0079] First, the first frame 310 is configured to support the first close contact member 210, and a pair of first receiving holes 311 may be provided near both ends of its upper frame, the pair of first receiving holes 311 extending a specified length in a centrally open state. For example, the upper frame may be configured such that its central portion protrudes, and the first receiving holes 311 may be formed in both ends of the protruding central portion. The first receiving holes 311 may extend to a depth in which the member 211 can be received.

[0080] In this configuration, member 1a 211 of the first tight contact member 210 can be received in the first receiving hole 311, thereby allowing the first frame 310 to be coupled to the first tight contact member 210, and member 1b 212 of the first tight contact member 210 can be exposed along the side frame of the first frame 310.

[0081] Additionally, the first receiving hole 311 can be formed at a location where the 1b member 212 can make close contact with the corner portion 11b of a surface of the battery housing 11. That is, the protruding central portion of the first frame 310 can have a length corresponding to the total length of the flat portion 11a of the battery housing 11, and when the 1a member 211 of the first close contact member 210 is received in the first receiving hole 311, the 1b member 212 can be located at the corner portion 11b of the battery housing 11.

[0082] The first frame 310 is located between one surface of the battery housing 11 and the first extrusion plate 110, and its center may be open, allowing the first extrusion plate 110 to pass through the open center.

[0083] For example, when the first pressing plate 110 presses against one surface of the battery casing 11, the first pressing plate 110 can pass through the opening center of the first frame 310 and press against a pair of first close contact members 210 partially received in the first receiving hole 311 of the first frame 310. In this case, preferably, the first pressing plate 110 has a length of 1b member 212 sufficient to press against the pair of first close contact members 210.

[0084] Additionally, the second frame 320 is configured to support the second close contact member 220, and may have a pair of second receiving holes 321 near both ends of its upper frame, the pair of second receiving holes extending a specified length in a centrally open state. For example, the upper frame may be configured such that its central portion partially protrudes, and the second receiving holes 321 may be formed in both ends of the protruding central portion. The second receiving holes 321 may extend to a depth in which the 2a member 221 can be received.

[0085] In this configuration, member 221 of the second tight contact member 220 can be received in the second receiving hole 321, thereby allowing the second frame 320 to be coupled to the second tight contact member 220, and member 222 of the second tight contact member 220 can be exposed along the side frame of the second frame 320.

[0086] Additionally, the second receiving hole 321 can be formed at a location where the 2b member 222 can make close contact with the corner portion 11b of another surface of the battery housing 11. That is, the protruding central portion of the second frame 320 can have a length corresponding to the total length of the flat portion 11a of the battery housing 11, and when the 2a member 221 of the second close contact member 220 is received in the second receiving hole 321, the 2b member 222 can be located at the corner portion 11b of the battery housing 11.

[0087] The second frame 320 is located between another surface of the battery housing 11 and the second extrusion plate 120, and its center may be open, allowing the second extrusion plate 120 to pass through the open center.

[0088] For example, when the second extrusion plate 120 extrudes another surface of the battery casing 11, the second extrusion plate 120 can pass through the opening center of the second frame 320 and extrude a pair of second close contact members 220 that are partially received in the second receiving hole 321 of the second frame 320. In this case, preferably, the second extrusion plate 120 has a length of 2b member 222 sufficient to extrude the pair of second close contact members 220.

[0089] Figure 10 This is a front view showing a modified frame of the secondary battery compression device according to the present invention.

[0090] Except for the configuration of the first frame 310 and the second frame 320, this is the same as the embodiment of the secondary battery extrusion device according to the present invention described above. Each of the first frame 310 and the second frame 320 can be configured to have a variable length in the overall length direction of the battery housing 11.

[0091] First, the first frame 310 may be further provided with a first insertion member 312 and a first insertion recess 313, which are formed at positions that do not interfere with the first receiving holes 311 formed at both ends of the upper frame.

[0092] For example, a first insertion member 312 and a first insertion recess 313 may be formed in the central portion of the upper frame. More specifically, the first insertion member 312 may protrude at one end and extend to one side, and may have a size and shape capable of being inserted into the first insertion recess 313. Furthermore, the first insertion recess 313 may be formed as a recess having a length corresponding to the extension length of the first insertion member 312.

[0093] The first insertion member 312 and the first insertion recess 313 can engage or be male-female connected so that they can move linearly relative to each other. Thus, the first insertion member 312 can reciprocate in the extending direction of the first insertion recess 313, and this reciprocating movement can change the length of the first frame 310 in the overall length direction to correspond to the total length of the battery housing 11.

[0094] In this case, the first insertion member 312 and the first insertion recess 313 can be formed such that there is no gap between the connection space where the first insertion member and the first insertion recess engage with each other, so that the first insertion member 312 can reciprocate in the extension direction of the first insertion recess 313 only when a specified force or higher is applied.

[0095] The first insertion member 312 and the first insertion recess 313 can be formed equivalently at the lower frame of the first frame 310.

[0096] In addition, the second frame 320 may be further provided with a second insertion member 322 and a second insertion recess 323, which are formed at positions that do not interfere with the second receiving holes 321 formed at both ends of the upper frame.

[0097] For example, a second insertion member 322 and a second insertion recess 323 may be formed in the central portion of the upper frame. More specifically, the second insertion member 322 may protrude at one end and extend to one side, and may have a size and shape capable of being inserted into the second insertion recess 323. Furthermore, the second insertion recess 323 may be formed as a recess having a length corresponding to the extension length of the second insertion member 322.

[0098] The second insertion member 322 and the second insertion recess 323 can engage with each other or be male-female connected so that they can move linearly relative to each other. Therefore, the second insertion member 322 can reciprocate in the extending direction of the second insertion recess 323, and this reciprocating movement can change the length of the second frame 320 in the overall length direction to correspond to the total length of the battery housing 11.

[0099] In this case, the second insertion member 322 and the second insertion recess 323 can be formed such that there is no gap between the connecting space where the second insertion member and the second insertion recess engage with each other, so that the second insertion member 322 can reciprocate in the extending direction of the second insertion recess 323 only when a specified force or a higher force is applied.

[0100] The second insertion member 322 and the second insertion recess 323 can be equivalently formed at the lower frame of the second frame 320.

[0101] When extruding multiple battery housings 11 with different total lengths, it is very useful to use a frame with a variable length in the total length direction of the battery housing 11 as described above.

[0102] Figure 11 This is a view showing the state of the secondary battery compression device according to the invention located on one side and the other side of the secondary battery when viewed from above, and Figure 12 This is a view showing the extrusion plate pressing against the frame and the tightly contacting member in the secondary battery extrusion device according to the invention, as viewed from above. Furthermore, Figure 13 This is a view showing the state in which the close-contact member of the secondary battery compression device according to the present invention is in close contact with the corner portion of the secondary battery casing when viewed from above. Figure 14 This is a view showing the state in which the tightly contacting member of the secondary battery compression device according to the invention is compressed and deformed at the corner portion of the battery casing when viewed from above. Furthermore, Figure 15 It is along Figure 4 The cross-sectional view taken by line II shows that, when viewed from above, the close-contact member of the secondary battery compression device according to the invention is compressed and deformed at the corner portion of the battery casing.

[0103] Reference Figures 4 to 9 and Figures 11 to 15 The secondary battery compression method using the secondary battery compression device according to the present invention includes the following steps: (S1) positioning the secondary battery 10 between the pair of closely contacting members 200; and (S2) moving the pair of compression plates 100 to compress the secondary battery 10.

[0104] Furthermore, the method may further include heating the pair of closely contacting members 200 to a preset first temperature range (such as 90°C to 110°C) to perform shape memory processing on the pair of closely contacting members 200 prior to step (S1).

[0105] Furthermore, in step (S2), the secondary battery 10 can be squeezed while heating the pair of close-contact members 200 to a second temperature range (such as 50°C to 80°C), which is lower than the first temperature range for shape memory processing of the pair of close-contact members 200.

[0106] Furthermore, in step (S2), the pair of extrusion plates 100 move toward the secondary battery 10, and the pair of close contact members 200 and the pair of frames 300 can also move in response to the movement of the pair of extrusion plates 100.

[0107] Furthermore, in step (S2), the first extrusion plate 110 moves to the other side ( Figure 12 (at the 6 o'clock position) so as to press one surface of the battery casing 11 ( Figure 11 (at the 12 o'clock position). At this time, the first pressing plate 110 can also press the first close contact member 210, and can move to the other side together with the first close contact member 210 and the first frame 310.

[0108] Furthermore, in step (S2), the first extrusion plate 110 can extrude pressure on one surface of the battery casing 11. Figure 14 (at the 12 o'clock position), and simultaneously press one surface of the first close contact member 210 ( Figure 14 (at the 12 o'clock position), so that the first tight contact member 210 can press the corner portion 11b of one surface of the battery casing 11.

[0109] At this time, since the first tight contact member 210 is deformed into a shape corresponding to the shape of the corner portion 11b of one surface of the battery housing 11, a uniform compressive force can be applied to the corner portion 11b.

[0110] Furthermore, in step (S2), the second extrusion plate 120 moves to one side ( Figure 12 (at the 12 o'clock position) so as to squeeze another surface of the battery casing 11 ( Figure 11 (at the 6 o'clock position). At this time, the second pressing plate 120 can also press the second close contact member 220, and can move to one side together with the second close contact member 220 and the second frame 320.

[0111] Furthermore, in step (S2), the second pressing plate 120 can press another surface of the battery casing 11. Figure 14 (at the 6 o'clock position), and simultaneously press against another surface of the second close contact member 220 ( Figure 14 (at the 6 o'clock position), so that the second tight contact member 220 can press the corner portion 11b of another surface of the battery casing 11.

[0112] At this time, since the second tight contact member 220 is deformed into a shape corresponding to the shape of the corner portion 11b of the other surface of the battery housing 11, a uniform compressive force can be applied to the corner portion 11b.

[0113] After step (S2), i.e. after the activation process, in order to squeeze out a new secondary battery, the first tight contact member 210 and the second tight contact member 220 can be heated to a first temperature range to restore the shape of the first tight contact member 210 and the second tight contact member 220 to their original shape.

[0114] use Figure 10 The extrusion method of the secondary battery extrusion device according to the present invention is the same as the above-described secondary battery extrusion method.

[0115] However, the extrusion method may further include a step of changing the lengths of the first frame 310 and the second frame 320 to correspond to the total length of the battery casing 11 before step (S2).

[0116] Although the specific details of the invention have been described in detail, those skilled in the art will understand that the detailed description only discloses preferred embodiments of the invention and therefore does not limit the scope of the invention. Consequently, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes and modifications are possible without departing from the category and technical concept of the invention, and it will be apparent that such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the appended claims.

[0117] (Explanation of reference numerals in the attached diagram)

[0118] 10: Secondary batteries

[0119] 11: Battery casing

[0120] 11a: Flat section; 11b: Corner section

[0121] 12: Electrode leads

[0122] 100: Extruded plate

[0123] 110: First extrusion plate

[0124] 120: Second extrusion plate

[0125] 200: Close contact component

[0126] 210: First close contact member

[0127] 211: 1a component 212: 1b component

[0128] 220: Second close contact member

[0129] 221: 2a component 222: 2b component

[0130] 300: Framework

[0131] 310: First Framework

[0132] 311: First receiving hole

[0133] 312: First Insertion Component

[0134] 313: First insertion recess

[0135] 320: Second Frame

[0136] 321: Second receiving hole

[0137] 322: Second Insertion Component

[0138] 323: Second insertion recess

Claims

1. A secondary battery extrusion apparatus for extruding a secondary battery, the secondary battery comprising a battery housing and a sealing portion, the battery housing being configured to receive an electrode assembly having a pair of electrode leads positioned opposite each other, the sealing portion being disposed at an edge of the battery housing, the secondary battery extrusion apparatus comprising: A pair of extrusion plates, the pair of extrusion plates being configured to extrude one surface and another surface of the battery housing; as well as A pair of close-contact members configured to make close contact with a corner portion of the battery casing via the pair of compression plates.

2. The secondary battery extrusion device according to claim 1, wherein, Each of the close contact components is made of shape memory alloy.

3. The secondary battery extrusion device according to claim 2, wherein, The shape memory alloy includes Cu, Zn, and Al materials.

4. The secondary battery extrusion device of claim 2, further comprising a frame configured to support each of the close contact members.

5. The secondary battery extrusion device according to claim 4, wherein, The frame includes a first frame and a second frame located at one surface and the other surface of the battery housing, respectively. The first frame has a pair of first receiving holes near both ends of its upper frame, and the pair of first receiving holes extend a specified length when their center is open. The second frame has a pair of second receiving holes near both ends of its upper frame, the pair of second receiving holes extending a specified length when they are open at the center.

6. The secondary battery extrusion device according to claim 5, wherein, Each of the first frame and the second frame is configured to have a variable length along the overall length of the battery housing.

7. The secondary battery extrusion device according to claim 5, wherein, The tight contact member includes a first tight contact member and a second tight contact member located at one surface and the other surface of the battery housing, respectively. The first close-contact members are configured as a pair, including member 1a and member 1b, member 1a having one side received in the first receiving hole, and member 1b exposed along the side frame of the first frame. The second close contact member is provided as a pair, including member 2a and member 2b, member 2a having one side received in the second receiving hole, and member 2b exposed along the side frame of the second frame.

8. The secondary battery extrusion device according to claim 7, wherein, The 1b component and the 2b component are in close contact with the corner portions on both sides of the battery casing facing the direction in which the electrode leads protrude.

9. The secondary battery extrusion device according to claim 2, wherein, The pair of extrusion plates includes a first extrusion plate configured to extrude one surface of the battery housing and a second extrusion plate configured to extrude the other surface of the battery housing, and Each of the first extrusion plate and the second extrusion plate has a length sufficient to extrude a corresponding one of the 1b and 2b components.

10. The secondary battery extrusion device according to claim 9, wherein, The first frame is located between one surface of the battery housing and the first extrusion plate, and The second frame is located between the other surface of the battery housing and the second extrusion plate.

11. The secondary battery extrusion device according to claim 2, wherein, The pair of extrusion plates includes a first extrusion plate configured to extrude one surface of the battery housing and a second extrusion plate configured to extrude the other surface of the battery housing, and Each of the first extrusion plate and the second extrusion plate is made of a metal including aluminum.

12. A method for extruding a secondary battery using the secondary battery extrusion apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, the method comprising: Step (S1) Positions the secondary battery between the pair of closely contacting members; as well as Step (S2) Move the pair of extrusion plates to extrude the secondary battery.

13. The secondary battery extrusion method according to claim 12 further includes heating the pair of closely contacting members to a preset first temperature range before step (S1) to perform shape memory processing on the pair of closely contacting members.

14. The secondary battery extrusion method according to claim 12, wherein, In step (S2), heating is performed in a second temperature range that is lower than the first temperature range.

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