Battery cell manufacturing device

Abstract

An apparatus for manufacturing a battery according to an embodiment of the present invention may comprise: a transport unit that transports a substrate in one direction; an upper roller and a lower roller positioned on an upper side and a lower side of the transfer unit, respectively, to be in contact with the transfer unit; and a sensing unit that measures a thickness of the substrate passing between the upper roller and the lower roller.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority and benefit to Korean Patent Application No. KR10-2023-0151556, filed on November 6, 2023, and Korean Patent Application No. KR10-2024-0154615, filed on November 4, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] This disclosure relates to a battery cell manufacturing apparatus, and more specifically, to a battery cell manufacturing apparatus capable of accurately measuring the thickness of a substrate while reducing the effects of vibration. Background Technology

[0004] In modern society, the use of mobile devices such as cellular phones, laptops, camcorders, and digital cameras, as well as energy storage systems (ESS), has become routine, accelerating technological development in mobile device-related fields. Furthermore, as a measure to address air pollution caused by existing gasoline vehicles using fossil fuels, rechargeable batteries are being used as power sources for electric vehicles (EVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (P-HEVs). Therefore, the need to develop rechargeable batteries is increasing.

[0005] Currently, commercially available batteries include nickel-cadmium (NiCd), nickel-metal hydride (NiMH), nickel-zinc (NiZn), and lithium-ion batteries. Among these, lithium-ion batteries are becoming the most popular because they are freely rechargeable, have a low self-discharge rate, and high energy density.

[0006] Figure 1 This is a conceptual diagram illustrating a battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to existing technology.

[0007] refer to Figure 1 A conventional battery cell manufacturing apparatus may include confocal sensors 2 and 3 for measuring the thickness of substrate 1. Confocal sensors 2 and 3 are non-contact displacement measurement devices, and their principle is a well-known technology; therefore, a detailed description is omitted.

[0008] The confocal sensors 2 and 3 may include a first confocal sensor 2 and a second confocal sensor 3 positioned facing each other. More specifically, the first confocal sensor 2 is positioned above the second confocal sensor 3, and the first confocal sensor 2 and the second confocal sensor 3 may be positioned facing each other in the vertical direction.

[0009] The first confocal sensor 2 can be positioned on the upper side of the substrate 1, and the second confocal sensor 3 can be positioned on the lower side of the substrate 1. That is, the substrate 1 can be positioned between the first confocal sensor 2 and the second confocal sensor 3.

[0010] The first confocal sensor 2 can measure a distance d1 (hereinafter referred to as the "first distance") to one surface of the substrate 1 (i.e., the upper surface of the substrate 1). The second confocal sensor 3 can measure a distance d2 (hereinafter referred to as the "second distance") to the other surface of the substrate 1 (i.e., the lower surface of the substrate 1). The thickness of the substrate 1 can be calculated based on the first distance d1 and the second distance d2. In other words, since the distance between the first confocal sensor 2 and the second confocal sensor 3 can be preset, the thickness of the substrate 1 can be calculated from the value obtained by subtracting the first distance d1 and the second distance d2 from the distance between the first confocal sensor 2 and the second confocal sensor 3.

[0011] However, a problem with this method is that accurate measurement is difficult due to differences in the reflectivity, absorptivity, etc., of the substrate 1. Furthermore, since the thickness of the substrate 1 is measured during its movement, errors due to vibration may occur. Vibration can occur in the battery cell manufacturing apparatus during the cell manufacturing process (e.g., during the process of cutting the substrate by a cutting unit). Figure 1 As shown, substrate 1 may vibrate at a specific angle (ф) due to vibration. This may cause problems with the reliability of thickness measurements of substrate 1 via confocal sensors 2 and 3. Summary of the Invention

[0012] [Technical Issues]

[0013] Therefore, the purpose of this disclosure is to provide a battery cell manufacturing apparatus that can accurately measure the thickness of a substrate while reducing the effects of vibration.

[0014] However, the technical objectives addressed by the embodiments of this disclosure are not limited to those disclosed above, and can be extended in various ways within the scope of the technical concepts included in this disclosure.

[0015] [Technical Solution]

[0016] According to a particular aspect of this disclosure, a battery cell manufacturing apparatus is provided, the battery cell manufacturing apparatus comprising: a conveying unit for conveying a substrate in one direction; an upper roller and a lower roller positioned above and below the conveying unit, respectively, and in contact with the conveying unit; and a sensing unit for measuring the thickness of the substrate passing between the upper roller and the lower roller.

[0017] The upper roller is capable of moving in a vertical direction perpendicular to the surface of the conveying unit, and the sensing unit can measure the thickness of the substrate based on the amount of movement of the upper roller in the vertical direction that occurs while the substrate passes between the upper roller and the lower roller.

[0018] The sensing unit includes: a sensor housing positioned spaced apart from the upper roller in the vertical direction; and a distance measuring sensor fixed to the sensor housing and measuring the distance from the upper roller, and capable of measuring the thickness of the substrate based on the change in distance from the upper roller measured by the distance measuring sensor.

[0019] The battery cell manufacturing apparatus may further include: a main frame supporting the upper roller and the lower roller; an upper roller frame connected to the main frame and rotatably supporting the upper roller; and a lower roller frame connected to the main frame and rotatably supporting the lower roller.

[0020] The main frame includes a guide groove that extends in the vertical direction to guide the vertical movement of the upper roller, and the upper roller frame may include a guide member inserted into the guide groove.

[0021] The battery cell manufacturing apparatus may further include a pressing unit that presses the upper roller toward the conveying unit.

[0022] The pressing unit further includes: an elastic member disposed inside the sensor housing; and a pressing member passing through the sensor housing and connected to the upper roller frame, wherein the elastic member can press the pressing member toward the conveying unit.

[0023] The pressing unit may further include an adjustment plate, which adjusts the degree to which the elastic member presses the pressing member toward the conveying unit.

[0024] The pressing unit may further include an adjusting member, which is connected to the adjusting plate and controls the vertical movement of the adjusting plate.

[0025] The adjusting member includes a screw portion that passes through the adjusting plate and has threads, and a head connected to the screw portion, and the vertical movement of the adjusting plate can be adjusted by rotating the head.

[0026] The lower roller frame can be fixed in position relative to the conveying unit.

[0027] The upper roller frame may also include an auxiliary roller that contacts the upper roller.

[0028] The upper roller frame extends along the width direction of the conveying unit, and the auxiliary roller can be positioned at the midpoint of the upper roller frame relative to the width direction.

[0029] The rotational speed of the upper roller can be controlled based on the conveying speed of the conveying unit.

[0030] The rotational speed of the upper roller can be controlled so that the surface speed of the upper roller is between 90% and 110% of the conveying speed of the conveying unit.

[0031] The upper roller may include at least one of DLC (diamond-like carbon) coating and HCr (hard chrome plating) coating.

[0032] The substrate can be conveyed along the conveying direction of the conveying unit so as to have a predetermined separation gap with the adjacent substrate, and the upper roller can contact the conveying unit within the separation gap when the upper roller passes between the adjacent substrates.

[0033] The radius of the upper roller can be determined based on the predetermined separation gap.

[0034] The radius of the upper roller can be less than or equal to the radius of the lower roller.

[0035] [Beneficial Effects]

[0036] According to a specific embodiment, the battery cell manufacturing apparatus can reduce the impact of vibration of the transfer unit caused by the battery cell manufacturing process, so that the thickness of the substrate can be accurately measured with minimal impact from vibration, even in vibrating environments.

[0037] In addition, the battery cell manufacturing equipment can obtain substrate thickness measurement data in real time, and the thickness measurement data can be used to detect and manage thickness defects.

[0038] The effects of this disclosure are not limited to those described above, and those skilled in the art will clearly understand from the description of the appended claims any additional effects not described above. Attached Figure Description

[0039] Figure 1 This is a conceptual diagram illustrating a battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to existing technology.

[0040] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of a battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to a specific embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] Figure 3 yes Figure 2The front view of the battery cell manufacturing apparatus shown.

[0042] Figure 4 It is used for explanation Figure 2 The diagram shows the up-and-down movement of the upper roller in the battery cell manufacturing apparatus.

[0043] Figure 5 This is a diagram illustrating a pressing unit that presses the upper roller toward the conveying unit.

[0044] Figure 6 This is a front view of a battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to other specific embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0045] Figure 7 This is a diagram illustrating the diameter of the upper roller and the separation gap between substrates in a battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to a specific embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0046] Figure 8 It is used to illustrate calculations Figure 7 A diagram showing an example of the diameter of the upper roller. Detailed Implementation

[0047] In the following description, various embodiments of the present disclosure will be detailed to the extent that those skilled in the art can readily practice it. The present disclosure may be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0048] For clarity in describing this disclosure, descriptions of parts unrelated to this disclosure will be omitted, and identical or similar parts will be indicated by the same reference numerals throughout the description.

[0049] Because the dimensions and thicknesses of each component are arbitrarily shown in the accompanying drawings for ease of description, this disclosure is not necessarily limited to the dimensions and thicknesses shown. The drawings depict thicknesses at an enlarged scale to clearly show different layers and regions. Furthermore, the drawings enlarge the thickness of specific layers or regions for ease of description.

[0050] When layers, films, regions, plates, etc., are placed "on" a specific portion, the description includes not only cases where the layers, films, regions, plates, etc., are placed "directly" on the specific portion, but also cases where the layers, films, regions, plates, etc., are placed on the specific portion via another portion. When one part is placed "directly" on another part, this indicates that there is no new component between the two parts. Furthermore, when a component is placed "on" a reference portion, this indicates that the component is present on top of or below the reference portion, and does not necessarily indicate that the component is placed only on top of the reference portion, which is opposite to the direction of gravity.

[0051] Throughout this description, when a particular part “includes” a component, it does not indicate that the particular part excludes other components, but rather that the part may also include other components, unless otherwise defined.

[0052] Throughout this description, the term "in a plan view" refers to an object viewed from above, and the term "in a cross-sectional view" indicates a vertical cross-section of an object viewed from the side.

[0053] Embodiments of this disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0054] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of a battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to a specific embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3 yes Figure 2 The front view of the battery cell manufacturing apparatus shown.

[0055] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 The battery cell manufacturing apparatus 100 includes: a conveying unit 110 that conveys a substrate 10 in one direction; a main frame 120; an upper roller 130 and a lower roller 140 that are positioned on the upper and lower sides of the conveying unit 110, respectively, and in contact with the conveying unit 110; and a sensing unit 150 that measures the thickness of the substrate 10 passing between the upper roller 130 and the lower roller 140.

[0056] The substrate 10 can be, for example, a component associated with a battery cell, such as a cell or an electrode assembly. Specifically, a cell can be formed by cutting separator sheets after a lamination process in which heat and pressure are applied to a stack of electrodes and separator sheets stacked therein. Furthermore, such cell units can be assembled to form an electrode assembly of a predetermined shape. Additionally, the electrode assembly can include a half-cell in which separators are added to one outer surface of a positive or negative electrode, a single cell in which positive / separator / negative electrodes are stacked, and a dual-cell formed from positive / separator / negative / separator / positive or negative / separator / negative electrodes. However, the type of substrate 10 is not limited to those described above. The substrate 10 can be included in specific embodiments of this disclosure, provided it has a configuration that allows passage between the upper roller 130 and the lower roller 140, and for example, it can be an electrode, separator sheet, pouch casing, battery cell, etc., in which an electrode mixture of positive or negative active material, conductive material, and binder is coated on one or both surfaces of the current collector.

[0057] The conveying unit 110 is a unit for conveying the substrate 10 in one direction, and may take the form of, for example, a conveyor. The conveyor is driven by a drive device (not shown), and the substrate 10 can be conveyed according to the movement of the conveyor.

[0058] The main frame 120 is a component for supporting each part of the battery cell manufacturing apparatus 100, including the upper roller 130 and the lower roller 140. The main frame 120 may include side surfaces formed such that both ends of the main frame 120 protrude upwards to support the ends of the upper roller 130 and the lower roller 140. For example, the main frame 120 may have a U-shape. Figure 2 and Figure 3 The main frame 120 shown is shown as a single unit, but is not limited to the shape shown. For example, the main frame 120 may have a shape in which the side surfaces supporting the upper roller 130 and the lower roller 140 are attached to the main frame 120.

[0059] The upper roller 130 is located above the conveying unit 110. The upper roller 130 is capable of moving in a vertical direction perpendicular to the surface of the conveying unit 110. Therefore, when no substrate 10 is being conveyed through the conveying unit 110, the upper roller 130 is in contact with the conveying unit 110. If a substrate 10 being conveyed through the conveying unit 110 passes between the upper roller 130 and the lower roller 140, the upper roller is capable of moving in the vertical direction, more specifically, in the upward direction. The specific configuration of the upper roller 130's vertical movement will be described later.

[0060] When the surface speed of the upper roller 130 is different from the conveying speed of the conveying unit 110, friction may occur on the upper surface of the substrate 10 due to the upper roller 130. Such friction may cause the substrate 10 to become misaligned as it passes between the upper roller 130 and the lower roller 140, or may cause damage to the surface of the substrate 10.

[0061] To prevent misalignment and / or surface damage of the substrate 10 as described above, the rotational speed of the upper roller 130 can be controlled based on the conveying speed of the conveying unit 110. For example, the rotational speed of the upper roller 130 can be controlled such that the surface speed of the upper roller 130 is between 90% and 110% of the conveying speed of the conveying unit 110. Preferably, the rotational speed of the upper roller 130 can be controlled such that the surface speed of the upper roller 130 is equal to the conveying speed of the conveying unit 110.

[0062] The upper roller 130 may include at least one of DLC (diamond-like carbon) coating and HCr (hard chrome plating) coating, but is not limited to those mentioned above, and may use any known coating material without restriction, as long as it meets the material requirements of the coating.

[0063] The upper roller 130 of the battery cell manufacturing apparatus 100 comes into contact with the substrate 10 during the battery cell manufacturing process, which may cause metallic foreign objects to be generated due to wear and other reasons. Such metallic foreign objects may cause problems such as low voltage failure of the battery cell, which may lead to battery failure. Therefore, by forming the aforementioned coating on the surface of the upper roller 130, surface wear of the upper roller 130 can be reduced, thereby preventing the possibility of problems caused by metallic foreign objects.

[0064] The lower roller 140 is located below the conveying unit 110. The lower roller 140 is fixed in position relative to the conveying unit 110. Therefore, the lower roller 140 is always in contact with the conveying unit 110 from below.

[0065] The sensing unit 150 is capable of measuring the thickness of the substrate 10 based on the amount of vertical movement of the upper roller 130 that occurs while the substrate 10 passes between the upper roller 130 and the lower roller 140. The sensing unit 150 includes a sensor housing 151 and a distance measuring sensor 152. The sensor housing 151 is positioned vertically spaced from the upper roller 130, and the distance measuring sensor 152 is fixed to the sensor housing 151 and measures the distance between the sensor housing 151 and the upper roller 130.

[0066] The sensor housing 151 is positioned upwards and spaced apart from the upper roller 130, and can be fixed to the main frame 120. Since the sensor housing 151 is fixed to the main frame 120, the distance measuring sensor 152 fixed to the sensor housing 151 can be fixed in position in the vertical direction. The distance measuring sensor 152 can measure the change in distance of the upper roller 130 moving in the vertical direction. Therefore, the thickness of the substrate 10 can be measured based on the change in distance between the upper rollers 130 measured by the distance measuring sensor 152.

[0067] Distance measurement sensor 152 is capable of measuring the distance to upper roller 130 in a non-contact manner. For example, distance measurement sensor 152 can measure the distance by emitting light (e.g., laser or infrared light) from a light source toward upper roller 130. More specifically, distance measurement sensor 152 can emit light toward upper roller frame 131 and measure the distance D from upper roller frame 131. Since upper roller 130 is supported by upper roller frame 131, the distance to upper roller 130 can be converted by the distance D from upper roller frame 131. That is, distance measurement sensor 152 emits light from the light-emitting unit to upper roller frame 131 and receives the reflected light. Distance measurement sensor 152 measures the amount of light received or the amount of voltage change caused by the received light, and therefore is capable of measuring the distance D from upper roller frame 131 in a non-contact manner.

[0068] The distance measuring sensor 152 can be placed on only one side of the upper roller 130 to measure the distance on either side of the upper roller 130; however, as Figure 3 As shown, it is preferably placed on both sides. Therefore, the first distance D1 can be measured by the distance measuring sensor 152 placed on one side of the upper roller 130, and the second distance D2 can be measured by the distance measuring sensor 152 placed on the other side of the upper roller 130. The thickness of the substrate 10 can be calculated by averaging the first distance D1 and the second distance D2.

[0069] According to a specific embodiment of the present disclosure, the battery cell manufacturing apparatus 100 does not directly measure the thickness of the substrate 10, but measures the amount of movement of the upper roller 130 in the vertical direction to change the thickness of the substrate 10, so that no error occurs due to the material of the substrate 10, and the error caused by vibration that occurs when the substrate 10 travels can be reduced.

[0070] Figure 4 It is used for explanation Figure 2 The diagram shows the up-and-down movement of the upper roller in the battery cell manufacturing apparatus.

[0071] refer to Figure 4 The battery cell manufacturing apparatus 100 includes an upper roller frame 131 that rotatably supports an upper roller 130 and a lower roller frame 141 that rotatably supports a lower roller 140. The upper roller frame 131 and the lower roller frame 141 can each be connected to the main frame 120.

[0072] As described above, the upper roller 130 is movable in a vertical direction perpendicular to the surface of the conveying unit 110. The upper roller frame 131 is connected to the main frame 120 to be movable in the vertical direction. For this purpose, the main frame 120 includes a guide groove 121 extending in the vertical direction to guide the vertical movement of the upper roller 130, and the upper roller frame 131 includes a guide member 132 inserted into the guide groove 121. Since the guide member 132 of the upper roller frame 131 is movable in the vertical direction along the space formed by the guide groove 121, the upper roller 130, rotatably supported on the upper roller frame 131, is also movable in the vertical direction.

[0073] The lower roller 140 is fixed in position relative to the conveying unit 110 on the lower side of the conveying unit 110. That is, since the lower roller frame 141 is connected to the main frame 120, the upper and lower positions based on the conveying unit 110 are fixed, so the lower roller 140, which is rotatably supported on the lower roller frame 141, can also be fixed in position relative to the conveying unit 110.

[0074] Since the lower roller 140 is fixed in position while in contact with the conveying unit 110 at its lower side, the lower roller 140 can support the substrate 10 as it passes between the upper roller 130 and the lower roller 140. Simultaneously, the upper roller 130 can press the substrate 10 with its own load. Therefore, when the battery cell manufacturing apparatus 100 measures the thickness of the substrate 10, the impact of vibrations in the conveying unit 110 caused by the battery cell manufacturing process can be reduced. Thus, the battery cell manufacturing apparatus 100 can accurately measure the thickness of the substrate 10 with minimal impact from vibration, even in vibrating environments.

[0075] Figure 5 This is a diagram illustrating a pressing unit that presses the upper roller toward the conveying unit.

[0076] Refer again Figure 3 and Figure 5 The battery cell manufacturing apparatus 100 may include a pressing unit 160 that presses the upper roller 130 toward the conveying unit 110. The pressing unit 160 includes: an elastic member 161 disposed inside the sensor housing 151; a pressing member 162 passing through the sensor housing 151 and connected to the upper roller frame 131; an adjusting plate 163 that adjusts the degree to which the elastic member 161 presses the pressing member 162 toward the conveying unit 110; and an adjusting member 164 connected to the adjusting plate 163 and controlling the vertical movement of the adjusting plate 163.

[0077] The elastic member 161 is disposed inside the sensor housing 151 and provides a pressing force for pressing the upper roller 130 toward the conveying unit 110. For example, the elastic member 161 may be a spring member. However, the type of elastic member 161 is not limited to the above types, and any member capable of providing pressing force to the upper roller 130 may be modified or changed in various ways depending on the environment in which this disclosure is implemented. The pressing force of the elastic member 161 may be generated by elastic force. That is, when the elastic member 161 is compressed, the elastic member 161 can press the upper roller 130 toward the conveying unit 110 using the elastic energy stored in the elastic member 161. Since the upper roller 130 is pressed toward the conveying unit 110, the upper roller 130 can press the substrate 10 by the pressing force of the elastic member 161 and its own load. Therefore, when the battery cell manufacturing apparatus 100 measures the thickness of the substrate 10, the impact of vibrations in the conveying unit 110 caused by the battery cell manufacturing process can be further reduced.

[0078] The pressing member 162 is a member that transmits the elastic force of the elastic member 161 to the upper roller 130. The pressing member 162 can pass through the sensor housing 151 and be connected to the upper roller frame 131. The elastic member 161, which is placed inside the sensor housing 151, can press the pressing member 162 toward the conveying unit 110. One end of the pressing member 162 can be connected to the elastic member 161, and the other end of the pressing member 162 can be connected to the upper roller frame 131. Thus, the pressing force of the elastic member 161 can be transmitted to the upper roller frame 131 through the pressing member 162, and then to the upper roller 130 supported by the upper roller frame 131.

[0079] Meanwhile, the position of the elastic member 161 is not limited to the positions described above. The elastic member 161 can be positioned where the upper roller 130 can be pressed towards the conveying unit 110. For example, although Figure 3 Although not shown, the elastic member 161 can be placed in a space separately formed in the main frame 120 (e.g., a space further formed in the guide groove 121) to press the upper roller frame 131 toward the conveying unit 110.

[0080] Adjusting plate 163 is a component that supports elastic member 161. Adjusting plate 163 can adjust the degree to which elastic member 161 presses against pressing member 162 towards conveying unit 110. Adjusting plate 163 can move in the vertical direction, and the degree to which elastic member 161 is pre-compressed can be adjusted according to the position of adjusting plate 163. For example, when adjusting plate 163 moves downward, elastic member 161 is compressed, and the force of elastic member 161 pressing against pressing member 162 can increase. Therefore, the degree to which pressing member 162 presses against upper roller frame 131 increases. Conversely, when adjusting plate 163 moves upward, elastic member 161 can be stretched, and the force of elastic member 161 pressing against pressing member 162 can decrease. Therefore, the degree to which pressing member 162 presses against upper roller frame 131 decreases.

[0081] The adjusting member 164 may include a screw portion 164b passing through the adjusting plate 163 and having threads formed thereon, and a head 164a connected to the screw portion 164b. The adjusting plate 163 may engage with the threads of the screw portion 164b. The vertical movement of the adjusting plate 163 can be adjusted by rotating the head 164a. Specifically, the screw portion 164b rotates together with the rotation of the head 164a, and the adjusting plate 163 can move vertically by rotating the screw portion 164b. For example, when the head 164a rotates clockwise, the adjusting plate 163 can move upward, and when the head 164a rotates counterclockwise, the adjusting plate 163 can move downward.

[0082] As described above, the vertical position of the adjusting plate 163 is adjusted by the adjusting member 164 of the pressing unit 160, and the degree (force) of the upper roller 130 pressing the substrate 10 can be determined according to the position of the adjusting plate 163. For example, the substrate 10 passing between the upper roller 130 and the lower roller 140 of the battery cell manufacturing apparatus 100 according to a specific embodiment of the present disclosure can be an elastomer (e.g., the elastic modulus of the substrate 10 is between about 1 GPa and about 2 GPa). The upper roller 130 can press the substrate 10 in proportion to the loading amount of the substrate 10 and the elastic modulus according to the type of the substrate 10, and the pressing degree of the upper roller 130 can be adjusted by the pressing unit 160.

[0083] Figure 6 This is a front view of a battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to other specific embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0084] Reference Figure 6 The upper roller frame 131 may include an auxiliary roller 133 that contacts the upper roller 130. The upper roller frame 131 extends along the width direction of the conveying unit 110, and the auxiliary roller 133 may be positioned at the midpoint of the length direction of the upper roller frame 131.

[0085] As described above, when measuring the thickness of the substrate 10, the upper roller 130 is pressed towards the conveying unit 110. Therefore, bending may occur in the upper roller 130. When bending occurs in the upper roller 130, an error due to bending may occur between the actual thickness and the measured thickness of the substrate 10.

[0086] Since the auxiliary roller 133 contacts the upper roller 130 in the upward direction, the auxiliary roller 133 can prevent the upper roller 130 from bending by counteracting the force applied by the substrate 10.

[0087] Meanwhile, the number and arrangement of the auxiliary rollers 133 are not limited to those described above. For example, the auxiliary rollers 133 can be formed in multiple quantities, and the multiple auxiliary rollers 133 can be placed at regular intervals between each other.

[0088] Figure 7 This is a diagram illustrating the diameter of the upper roller and the separation gap between substrates in a battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to a specific embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 8 It is used to illustrate calculations Figure 7 A diagram showing an example of the diameter of the upper roller.

[0089] Reference Figure 7 and Figure 8The substrate 10 can be conveyed along the conveying direction of the conveying unit 110 so that there is a predetermined separation gap g between adjacent substrates 10. At this time, when the roller passes between adjacent substrates 10, the upper roller 130 can contact the conveying unit 110 within the separation gap g. That is, the thickness h of each substrate 10 in the battery cell manufacturing apparatus 100 can be obtained by the difference between the distance in the state of contacting the conveying unit 110 and the distance in the state of contacting the substrate 10 (i.e., the amount of vertical movement of the upper roller 130 when the substrate 10 passes between the upper roller 130 and the lower roller 140).

[0090] The radius of the upper roller 130, which allows the upper roller 130 to contact the conveying unit 110 within the aforementioned separation gap g, can be determined based on the separation gap g between adjacent substrates.

[0091] Figure 8 The diagrams shown simplify the shapes of the upper roller 130 and the substrate 10 to illustrate examples for calculating the maximum radius (r) of the upper roller 130. Specifically, right-angled triangles, isosceles triangles, and sector diagrams are schematic representations of the portions of the upper roller 130 that contact the substrate 10 and the conveying unit 110, respectively. The height h of the right-angled triangle corresponds to the thickness of the substrate 10, and the length g / 2 of the base corresponds to half of the separation gap g between the substrates 10. In the isosceles triangle, two sides of equal length correspond to the maximum radius r of the upper roller 130.

[0092] First, calculate the angle θ in the right triangle using the following mathematical formula 1.

[0093] [Mathematical Formula 1]

[0094] Next, since the height h of the right triangle can usually be very small compared to the separation gap g, the length a1 of the hypotenuse of the right triangle and the length a2 of the arc of the sector can be approximately equal. At this point, the maximum radius r of the upper roller 130 is calculated using the following mathematical formula 2.

[0095] [Mathematical Formula 2]

[0096] Therefore, when the values ​​of the thickness h of the substrate 10 and the separation gap g between the substrate 10 are obtained, the maximum radius r of the upper roller 130 can be calculated using mathematical formulas 1 and 2. Since the maximum radius r of the upper roller 130 is calculated based on the above calculations, the radius of the upper roller 130 can be less than or equal to the maximum radius r calculated from the given values ​​of the thickness h of the substrate 10 and the separation gap g between the substrate 10.

[0097] For ease of explanation, the above calculation formula is calculated by approximating the length a2 of the sector arc of the upper roller 130 as the hypotenuse a1 of a right triangle. However, the method for calculating the maximum radius r of the upper roller 130 is not limited to the above method, and a more accurate value for the maximum radius r of the upper roller 130 can be determined by various methods other than the above calculation method.

[0098] As the separation gap g of the substrate 10 becomes smaller, the maximum radius r of the upper roller 130 becomes smaller. On the other hand, since the lower roller 140 rotates according to the conveying speed of the conveying unit 110, the radius of the lower roller 140 does not need to be small. Therefore, the radius of the upper roller 130 can be less than or equal to the radius of the lower roller 140.

[0099] Although the invention has been described in detail above with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that the scope of this disclosure is not limited thereto, and various modifications and improvements may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0100] [Description of reference numerals in the attached figures]

[0101] 10: Substrate

[0102] 100: Battery cell manufacturing equipment

[0103] 110: Transmission Unit

[0104] 120: Main Frame

[0105] 121: Guide groove

[0106] 130: Upper roller

[0107] 131: Upper roller frame

[0108] 132: Guiding Component

[0109] 133: Auxiliary roller

[0110] 140: Lower roller

[0111] 141: Lower roller frame

[0112] 150: Sensing Unit

[0113] 151: Sensor housing

[0114] 152: Distance Measurement Sensor

[0115] 160: Pressing unit

[0116] 161: Elastic Component

[0117] 162: Pressing component

[0118] 163: Adjustment plate

[0119] 164: Adjustment component

[0120] 164a: Head

[0121] 164b: Screw section

Claims

1. A battery cell manufacturing apparatus, comprising: A transmission unit that transmits a substrate in one direction; An upper roller and a lower roller are positioned on the upper and lower sides respectively relative to the conveying unit and are in contact with the conveying unit; and A sensing unit that measures the thickness of the substrate passing between the upper roller and the lower roller.

2. The battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The upper roller is capable of moving in a vertical direction perpendicular to the surface of the conveying unit, and The sensing unit measures the thickness of the substrate based on the amount of movement of the upper roller in the vertical direction that occurs while the substrate passes between the upper roller and the lower roller.

3. The battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: The sensing unit includes: Sensor housing, the sensor housing being positioned to be spaced apart from the upper roller in the vertical direction; and A distance measuring sensor is fixed to the sensor housing and measures the distance from the upper roller. The thickness of the substrate is measured based on the change in distance from the upper roller as measured by the distance measurement sensor.

4. The battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3 further includes: The main frame supports the upper roller and the lower roller; An upper roller frame is connected to the main frame and rotatably supports the upper roller; as well as A lower roller frame is connected to the main frame and rotatably supports the lower roller.

5. The battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein: The main frame includes a guide groove that extends in the vertical direction to guide the vertical movement of the upper roller. The upper roller frame includes a guide member inserted into the guide groove.

6. The battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to claim 5, It also includes a pressing unit that presses the upper roller toward the conveying unit.

7. The battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein: The pressing unit includes: An elastic member, wherein the elastic member is disposed inside the sensor housing; and A pressing member, which passes through the sensor housing and is connected to the upper roller frame, and The elastic member presses the pressing member toward the conveying unit.

8. The battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to claim 7, in, The pressing unit further includes an adjustment plate, which adjusts the degree to which the elastic member presses the pressing member toward the conveying unit.

9. The battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein: The pressing unit also includes an adjusting member, which is connected to the adjusting plate and controls the vertical movement of the adjusting plate.

10. The battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein: The adjusting component includes: A screw portion, which passes through the adjusting plate and is threaded; and The head, which is connected to the screw portion, and The vertical movement of the adjustment plate is adjusted by rotating the head.

11. The battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to claim 5, in, The lower roller frame is fixed in position relative to the conveying unit.

12. The battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to claim 4, in, The upper roller frame also includes an auxiliary roller that contacts the upper roller.

13. The battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein: The upper roller frame extends along the width direction of the conveying unit, and The auxiliary roller is positioned at the midpoint of the upper roller frame relative to the width direction.

14. The battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, in, The rotational speed of the upper roller is controlled based on the conveying speed of the conveying unit.

15. The battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to claim 14, in, The rotational speed of the upper roller is controlled such that the surface speed of the upper roller is between 90% and 110% of the conveying speed of the conveying unit.

16. The battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, in, The upper roller includes at least one of DLC (diamond-like carbon) coating and HCr (hard chrome plating) coating.

17. The battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, in, The substrate is conveyed along the conveying direction of the conveying unit so as to have a predetermined separation gap with the adjacent substrate, and As the upper roller passes between adjacent substrates, it contacts the conveying unit within the separation gap.

18. The battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to claim 17, in, The radius of the upper roller is determined based on the predetermined separation gap.

19. The battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to claim 18, in, The radius of the upper roller is less than or equal to the radius of the lower roller.

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