Laser notching apparatus and rechargeable battery manufacturing system

Abstract

A laser notching apparatus and a rechargeable battery manufacturing system are disclosed. The laser notching apparatus of the present disclosure comprises: a support member for supporting an electrode plate; and a laser irradiation member above the support member and configured to obliquely irradiate laser light to the electrode plate at a set angle to cut the electrode plate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments of this disclosure relate to laser cutting equipment and rechargeable battery manufacturing systems. Background Technology

[0002] Rechargeable batteries can be manufactured in various shapes. Among these shapes, pouch batteries include: an electrode assembly with a separator serving as an insulator between the positive and negative electrode plates; and a thin, flexible pouch in which the electrode assembly is housed. The pouch typically contains the electrode assembly within its internal space.

[0003] Depending on their structure, rechargeable battery electrode assemblies are primarily classified into wound and stacked types. Stacked types offer structural safety and space efficiency, making them suitable for small, medium, and large structures. Stacked rechargeable batteries can stack multiple electrodes and separators.

[0004] In the manufacturing process of this rechargeable battery, a slurry is applied to a substrate. The slurry can be dried using a drying device to produce an active material layer, and a slitting process can be performed using a slitting device to cut the slurry and the substrate.

[0005] The information disclosed in this background section is intended only to enhance the understanding of the background of this disclosure, and therefore may contain information that does not form prior art. Summary of the Invention

[0006] One or more embodiments of this disclosure are intended to provide laser cutting equipment and rechargeable battery manufacturing systems capable of reducing uneven cutting of electrode plates.

[0007] The aspects and features of this disclosure are not limited to those described above, and other aspects and features not mentioned will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description.

[0008] The laser cutting device according to the embodiments may include: a support member for supporting an electrode plate; and a laser irradiation member above the support member and configured to obliquely irradiate the electrode plate with a laser at a set angle to cut the electrode plate.

[0009] The supporting components can be set parallel to the ground, and the laser irradiation components can be set at a set angle relative to the ground.

[0010] The first drive component can be connected to the laser irradiation component and is configured to rotate the laser irradiation component to change the set angle from a first angle to a second angle.

[0011] The laser irradiation component can irradiate the electrode plate with a laser beam, causing the laser to travel obliquely downwards from the outside to the inside of the electrode plate.

[0012] The supporting components can be set at an angle relative to the ground, and the laser irradiation components can be set vertically relative to the ground.

[0013] The laser cutting device may include: a second drive member, connected to a support member, and configured to rotate the support member to change a set angle from a first angle to a second angle.

[0014] The laser irradiation component can be configured to irradiate a laser so that the laser beam travels obliquely downwards from the outside to the inside of the electrode plate.

[0015] The angle can be set in the range of approximately 35 degrees to approximately 55 degrees.

[0016] The rechargeable battery manufacturing system according to the present invention may include: a conveying device for conveying a substrate; a coating device for applying a slurry to the substrate; a drying device for drying the slurry to produce a dried slurry; and a laser cutting device for laser cutting the substrate and the dried slurry.

[0017] According to some implementations, the laser cutting device can obliquely irradiate the electrode plate with a laser, so that the substrate, the first active material layer and the second active material layer can be cut parallel to the vertical direction to conform to the target shape.

[0018] According to some embodiments, the cut surfaces of the electrode plates can be cut in a substantially uniform manner to help reduce the chance of short circuits occurring in the electrode assembly. In some embodiments, this can improve the manufacturing quality of the rechargeable battery. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The accompanying drawings illustrate embodiments of this disclosure and, together with the following detailed description of this disclosure, are used to further illustrate the technical concept of this disclosure, and this disclosure should not be construed as being limited to the contents illustrated in the drawings.

[0020] Figure 1 It is a cross-sectional view showing the process of cutting an object using existing laser cutting equipment.

[0021] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of an electrode plate cut by existing laser cutting equipment.

[0022] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of a rechargeable battery.

[0023] Figure 4 It is used for manufacturing Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the substrate and active material layer of the electrode plate in the electrode assembly of a rechargeable battery.

[0024] Figure 5 This is a side view of a rechargeable battery manufacturing system.

[0025] Figure 6 This is a side view of a laser cutting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] Figure 7 This is a side view of a laser cutting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] Figure 8 This is a side view of a laser cutting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] Figure 9 This is a side view of a laser cutting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] Figure 10 This is a cross-sectional view of an electrode plate cut by a laser cutting device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0031] 1000: Rechargeable Battery Manufacturing System

[0032] 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D: Laser cutting equipment

[0033] 110: Supporting component; 120: Laser irradiation component

[0034] 130: First driving component; 140: Second driving component

[0035] 210: Conveying device; 300: Coating device

[0036] 400: Drying device; 500: Roller pressing device

[0037] ST: Substrate AM1: First active material layer

[0038] AM2: Second active material layer; M: Slurry Detailed Implementation

[0039] In the following description, embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings. The terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be construed as limited to their general or dictionary meanings, but rather should be interpreted as having meanings and concepts consistent with the technical ideas of the present disclosure, based on the principle that inventors can be their own lexicographers to appropriately define the concepts of terms in order to best describe their disclosure. Therefore, the constructions described in the exemplary embodiments and drawings of this disclosure are merely some of the embodiments and do not represent all technical ideas, aspects, and features of the present disclosure. Consequently, this disclosure should be construed as including all variations, equivalents, and substitutions included within the scope of this disclosure at the time of filing of this application.

[0040] It should be further understood that, when used in this specification, the terms “comprising” and / or “including” specify the presence of the stated features, integrals, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integrals, steps, operations, elements, components and / or groups thereof.

[0041] Additionally, for ease of understanding of this disclosure, the dimensions of some components in the drawings may be exaggerated rather than drawn to scale. Furthermore, the same reference numerals may be assigned to the same components in different embodiments.

[0042] A statement that two objects being compared are “identical” means that they are “substantially identical”.

[0043] Therefore, "substantially identical" can include low deviations, for example, those considered in the art to be no more than 5%. Furthermore, uniformity of parameters in a given region can mean uniformity from an average perspective.

[0044] Although the terms "first" and "second," etc., are used to describe various components, these components are not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another, and unless otherwise specified, a first component can also be a second component.

[0045] Throughout this instruction manual, unless otherwise stated, each component may be singular or plural.

[0046] When any construction is positioned "on top" (or "below") or "above" (or "below") a component, it can mean that any construction is in contact with the top (or bottom) surface of the component, and other constructions may be positioned between the component and any construction positioned on (or below) the component.

[0047] Furthermore, if a component is described as being “on” another component, “connected to” or “linked to” another component, then those components may be directly connected or connected to each other, but it should be understood that other components may be “between” each component, or each component may be “connected” or “linked” to other components.

[0048] As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any one or all combinations of one or more related items. Furthermore, when describing embodiments of this disclosure, the use of “may” refers to “one or more embodiments of this disclosure”.

[0049] Expressions such as "at least one" preceding the list of components modify the entire list of components, but not individual components within the list.

[0050] Unless otherwise specified, when “A and / or B” is mentioned throughout the specification, it means A, B or A and B, and unless otherwise specified, when “C to D” is mentioned, it means above C and below D.

[0051] When phrases such as “at least one of A, B, and C,” “at least one of A, B, or C,” and “at least one of the groups A, B, and C” are used to specify a list of elements A, B, and C, the phrase can refer to any and all suitable combinations. For example, the expression “at least one of A, B, or C” means only A, only B, only C, both A and B, both A and C, both B and C, all A, B, and C, or variations thereof.

[0052] The term “use” can be considered a synonym for the term “utilization”.

[0053] As used herein, terms such as “basically” and “approximately” are used as approximate terms rather than terms of degree and are intended to describe the inherent biases of measurements or calculations that will be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0054] It should be understood that although terms such as "first," "second," "third," etc., may be used to describe various elements, components, regions, layers, and / or portions, such elements, components, regions, layers, and / or portions should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, or portion from another element, component, region, layer, or portion. Therefore, without departing from the scope of the inventive concept, the first element, component, region, layer, or portion discussed herein may be referred to as the second element, component, region, layer, or portion.

[0055] As illustrated in the accompanying drawings, this document may use spatial relative terms such as “under,” “below,” “below,” “below,” “above,” and “above” to describe the relationship of one element or feature as illustrated in the drawings to another (or several other) element or feature. It should be understood that, in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures, spatial relative positions are intended to encompass different orientations of the device during use or operation. For example, if the device in the figures is flipped, an element described as “below,” “below,” or “below” other elements or features would be oriented “above” other elements or features. Therefore, the term “below” can include both above and below orientations.

[0056] The terminology used herein is intended to describe embodiments of this disclosure and is not intended to limit them.

[0057] Figure 1 It is a cross-sectional view showing the process of cutting an object using existing laser cutting equipment.

[0058] See Figure 1 When a laser is irradiated onto a target object, the upper part of the target object is processed to have an internal width that is wider than the lower part.

[0059] Therefore, in laser cutting processes, the upper part of the substrate material P is heated by the laser irradiated from the laser unit LT to be liquefied and vaporized, and the heat is gradually transferred to the lower part. Accordingly, the upper part of the substrate material P receives more heat than the lower part and is generally wider than the lower part due to the thermal effect.

[0060] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view showing an electrode plate cut by a conventional laser cutting device.

[0061] As explained above, in the laser cutting process, the substrate material P ( Figure 1 The upper part of the ) is processed to be wider than the lower part. Accordingly, such as Figure 2 As shown, when the electrode plate 1, which includes the substrate 2 and active material layers 3 and 4, is laser-processed, the active material layer 3 disposed on the upper surface of the substrate 2 is processed in greater quantities than the relatively less processed active material layer 4 disposed on the lower surface of the substrate 2.

[0062] Correspondingly, the width of the cross-section of the upper and lower parts of the electrode plate may differ, which will not only reduce the manufacturing quality of the rechargeable battery, but also cause short circuits in the electrode assembly.

[0063] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of a rechargeable battery that can be manufactured using a laser cutting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0064] See Figure 3 The rechargeable battery 10 may include an electrode assembly 20 and a housing 50.

[0065] The electrode assembly 20 includes a plurality of electrode plates 30 and a diaphragm 40. In some embodiments, the plurality of electrode plates 30 may include a first electrode plate 30A and a second electrode plate 30B.

[0066] The electrode assembly 20 may be in the form of a wound or stacked structure including a first electrode plate 30A, a second electrode plate 30B and a diaphragm 40.

[0067] For example, the electrode assembly 20 may be stacked, wherein the first electrode plate 30A and the second electrode plate 30B are arranged to be stacked in multiple layers. In some embodiments, the electrode assembly 20 may be a repeatedly wound electrode core type. In this disclosure, examples of electrode assemblies 20 being stacked are given.

[0068] In some embodiments, the manufacturing process of the stacked electrode assembly 20 typically includes a primary stacking process and a secondary stacking process.

[0069] In a single stacking process, a double-sided negative electrode (all negative electrode) and a double-sided positive electrode (all positive electrode) can be stacked. In some embodiments, the double-sided negative electrode (all negative electrode) can be any of the plurality of first electrode plates 30A except for the outermost first electrode plate 30A. In some embodiments, the double-sided positive electrode (all positive electrode) can be a second electrode plate 30B.

[0070] In the secondary stacking process, the cross-sectional negative electrode (half-negative electrode) can be stacked on one or more of the outermost outermost surfaces relative to the stacking direction. In some embodiments, the cross-sectional negative electrode can be the outermost first electrode plate 30A among a plurality of first electrode plates 30A.

[0071] For convenience, Figure 3 The diagram shows an electrode assembly 20 with a negative cross-section stacked on the outermost upper part of the electrode assembly 20, but the negative cross-section can also be stacked on each of the outermost upper and outermost lower parts of the electrode assembly 20.

[0072] In some embodiments, the double-sided negative electrode and the double-sided positive electrode have active material layers applied to both sides of the substrate, and the cross-sectional negative electrode has an active material layer disposed only on one side of the substrate. Detailed descriptions of the double-sided negative electrode, the double-sided positive electrode, and the cross-sectional negative electrode are omitted.

[0073] A separator 40 may be located between the first electrode plate 30A and the second electrode plate 30B. The separator 40 can prevent or reduce short circuits between the first electrode plate 30A and the second electrode plate 30B and can facilitate the movement of lithium ions. In some embodiments, the separator 40 may be made with a relatively larger size than the first electrode plate 30A and the second electrode plate 30B.

[0074] The diaphragm 40 may include a porous polymer membrane or a porous nonwoven fabric. In some embodiments, the porous polymer membrane may consist of a single layer or multiple layers of polyolefin polymers, including ethylene polymers, propylene polymers, ethylene / butene copolymers, ethylene / hexene copolymers, and ethylene / methacrylate copolymers. The porous nonwoven fabric may include high-melting-point glass fibers and polyethylene terephthalate fibers. However, it is not limited thereto, and according to embodiments, the diaphragm may be a high-heat-resistant diaphragm including ceramics (ceramic-coated diaphragms (CCS)).

[0075] In some embodiments, the diaphragm 40 can be cut into unit lengths and placed between the first electrode plate 30A and the second electrode plate 30B, or a strip-shaped single diaphragm 40 can be placed in a zigzag pattern between the first electrode plate 30A and the second electrode plate 30B. In some embodiments, the diaphragm 40 can be mounted by being wound in one direction between the first electrode plate 30A and the second electrode plate 30B.

[0076] In this way, the arrangement of the diaphragm 40 is not limited to a specific form, but in this embodiment, the diaphragm 40 is described as being cut into unit lengths and arranged between the first electrode plate 30A and the second electrode plate 30B.

[0077] The housing 50 can accommodate the electrode assembly 20. The electrode assembly 20 is housed together with the electrolyte in the housing 50.

[0078] In some embodiments, the electrolyte may be a non-aqueous electrolyte. The electrolyte may include lithium salts and organic solvents. The organic solvents may include one or more selected from the group consisting of propylene carbonate (PC), ethylene carbonate (EC), diethyl carbonate (DEC), dimethyl carbonate (DMC), ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC), methyl propyl carbonate (MPC), dipropyl carbonate (DPC), vinylene carbonate (VC), dimethyl sulfoxide, acetonitrile, dimethoxyethane, diethoxyethane, sulfolane, γ-butyrolactone, propylene sulfide, and tetrahydrofuran.

[0079] In some embodiments, the housing 50 can be any of the following: bag-shaped, cylindrical, and prismatic. A bag-shaped housing 50 can be manufactured by bending a plate-shaped outer material to face each other, compressing or stretching a surface, and including recesses on that surface.

[0080] Electrode assembly 20 is housed in a recess (not shown). A sealing portion 50a is provided at the outer periphery of the recess, and the sealing portion 50a seals the electrode assembly 20 when it is housed in the recess by a method such as thermal coalescence.

[0081] In some embodiments, among the multiple electrode plates, the first electrode plate 30A can be a negative electrode and the second electrode plate 30B can be a positive electrode, but the opposite can also be formed. The first electrode plate 30A may include an outwardly extending first substrate terminal piece 31, and the second electrode plate 30B may include an outwardly extending second substrate terminal piece 32.

[0082] The first substrate terminal block 31 can be generated by cutting the current collector layer (not shown) of the first electrode plate 30A using a laser cutting device, and the second substrate terminal block 32 can be generated by cutting the current collector layer (not shown) of the second electrode plate 30B using a laser cutting device.

[0083] The first substrate connector 31 and the second substrate connector 32 can be electrically connected to the outside of the rechargeable battery 10 via the strip terminal 52. In some embodiments, an insulating tape 51 can be attached to the portion of the strip terminal 52 that contacts the housing 50. The insulating tape 51 can prevent the strip terminal 52 and the housing 50 from conducting electricity.

[0084] The rechargeable battery 10 manufactured using the laser cutting device according to the embodiments is not limited to the structure described above, but may include other structures as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0085] Figure 4 It is used to manufacture including Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the substrate and active material layer of the electrode plate in the electrode assembly of a rechargeable battery.

[0086] See Figure 4 In the manufacturing process of the electrode plates included in the electrode assembly, the first active material layer AM1 can be formed by applying slurry M ( Figure 5 It is produced by applying it to a substrate ST and drying it.

[0087] The substrate ST can be a current collector, and the current collector can include known conductive materials that are not within the range of those that would cause a chemical reaction within the rechargeable battery. For example, the current collector can include any of stainless steel, nickel (Ni), aluminum (Al), titanium (Ti), copper (Cu), and alloys thereof, and can be provided in various forms such as films, sheets, or foils.

[0088] Although not shown in the figures, the substrate ST may include a current collection area (not shown) and an uncoated area (not shown).

[0089] The current collection area may have a first active material layer AM1 coated on at least one surface. The first active material layer AM1 may be applied to the remaining portion except for the edge region adjacent to the current collection area. In some embodiments, the edge region adjacent to the current collection area may be an uncoated area where the first active material layer AM1 is not applied.

[0090] In some embodiments, a first active material layer AM1 is disposed on at least a portion of a surface of the substrate ST, and its ends are formed in multiple stages. The edges of the first active material layer AM1 may be spaced apart from the edges of the substrate ST. A protective film (not shown) may be attached to the boundary between the first active material layer AM1 and the substrate ST.

[0091] The method for depositing the first active material layer AM1 on the substrate ST can be, for example, using a slot coater (e.g., Figure 5The method of coating apparatus 300 is applicable, but not limited to, and various slurry (active substance) coating methods can be used. This can be achieved by a slot coater (e.g., Figure 5 The slurry discharged from the coating apparatus 300 can be dried after being magnetized by the magnetization device. A detailed description of the manufacturing process of this electrode plate will be provided later.

[0092] In some embodiments, the first active material layer AM1 may further include an adhesive (not shown) and a conductive material (not shown).

[0093] An adhesive (not shown) can modulate the adhesion between the substrate ST and the active material, thereby improving mechanical stability. For example, the adhesive can be an organic adhesive or a water-based adhesive, and can be used with a tackifier such as carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). More specifically, the organic adhesive can be any of vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene copolymer (PVDF-co-HFP), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyacrylonitrile (PAN), and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), and the water-based adhesive can be styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), but is not limited thereto.

[0094] Conductive materials (not shown) can improve the conductivity of rechargeable batteries. Conductive materials can include metallic materials. For example, conductive materials can include prior art carbon-based conductive materials. More specifically, conductive materials can include any one of graphite, carbon black, graphene, and carbon nanotubes. Preferably, conductive materials can include carbon nanotubes, but are not limited thereto.

[0095] The rechargeable battery manufacturing system capable of manufacturing the above-described electrode plates will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0096] Figure 5 This is a side view of a rechargeable battery manufacturing system.

[0097] See Figure 5 The rechargeable battery manufacturing system 1000 may include a conveying device 210, a coating device 300, a drying device 400, a rolling device 500, and a laser cutting device 100A.

[0098] The conveying device 210 can convey the substrate ST. The conveying device 210 can convey the substrate ST in the x-axis direction.

[0099] The conveying device 210 may be, for example, a device for conveying the substrate ST in a roll-to-roll manner. The sheet-like substrate ST can be unwound from the unwinder 220. In some embodiments, the substrate ST cut by the laser cutting device 100A can be wound onto the rewinder 230.

[0100] The conveying device 210 may be a pair of rollers positioned at specific locations along the conveying direction of the substrate ST, contacting the upper and lower surfaces of the substrate ST. In some embodiments, metal foil, which can be used as an electrode plate for a rechargeable battery, may contact multiple rollers and be conveyed in one direction. The positions of the rollers for this purpose are not limited to specific locations and may vary depending on the design of the rechargeable battery manufacturing system 1000.

[0101] In some embodiments, the coating apparatus 300 applies slurry M to substrate ST. The coating apparatus 300 may be, for example, a slot coater. Although not specifically shown in the drawings, a slot coater may include a nozzle having one or more discharge orifices.

[0102] A slot coater can apply slurry M to a specific thickness and area. The slot coater receives slurry from a slurry storage unit (not shown). Slurry M can be injected into a nozzle and applied (e.g., uniformly applied) to a substrate ST through an outlet orifice. A detailed description of the slot coater will be omitted.

[0103] The drying apparatus 400 can dry the slurry M to produce a dried slurry M. The drying apparatus 400 may include, for example, one or more heaters. The heaters may be mounted spaced apart from the substrate ST. The heaters convert electrical energy into heat energy to dry the slurry M.

[0104] The drying device 400 can be placed behind the coating device 300 relative to the conveying direction of the substrate ST.

[0105] As the solvent inside the slurry M evaporates while passing through the drying apparatus 400, the slurry M applied to the substrate ST can be transformed into an electrode mixture. The drying apparatus 400 can be any device capable of evaporating the solvent from the slurry M to form the electrode mixture. For example, the drying apparatus 400 can perform drying by heating or spraying hot air.

[0106] The roller press 500 can pressurize the slurry M, making the thickness of the slurry M substantially uniform. That is, the roller press 500 can roll the first dry active material layer (AM1, see...). Figure 4 This allows the electrode mixture to have appropriate porosity and electrode density.

[0107] The rolling device 500 is not limited in terms of device or structure, as long as it is in the form of being able to roll the electrode mixture.

[0108] For example, the rolling device 500 may include a pair of rolling rollers 510 and 520, which are arranged opposite to each other with the substrate ST between them and are configured such that the spacing between them is adjustable.

[0109] The laser cutting equipment 100A can use laser cutting substrate ST and dried paste M. In the manufacturing process of electrode plates for existing electrode assemblies, uncoated areas are cut to produce substrate terminals 31, 32. Figure 3 ).

[0110] Methods for cutting uncoated areas can include physical methods using cutting blades and methods using lasers.

[0111] The laser cutting apparatus 100A according to this disclosure can irradiate an electrode plate with a laser to cut the electrode plate into a target shape. During the electrode plate cutting process, only the substrate ST can be cut, or the substrate ST and the dried slurry M can be cut together.

[0112] The laser cutting device 100A according to the embodiment will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0113] Figure 6 This is a side view of a laser cutting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0114] See Figure 6 According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the laser cutting device 100A may include a support member 110 and a laser irradiation member 120.

[0115] The electrode plate can be disposed on the support member 110. In this regard, the support member 100 can support the electrode plate. In some embodiments, the electrode plate may include the substrate ST as described above and the active material layers AM1 and AM2. However, the electrode plate is not necessarily limited to having active material layers AM1 and AM2 on both sides of the substrate ST, and may have active material layer AM1 only on one surface of the substrate ST.

[0116] The aforementioned roller pressing device 500 ( Figure 5 The rolled electrode plates can be conveyed to the conveying device 210. Figure 5 ), and passes through the support member 110 in a state of being spaced apart from or in close contact with the support member 110.

[0117] In some embodiments, the laser irradiation member 120 is disposed above or above the support member 110, and irradiates the electrode plate obliquely at a set angle or a predetermined angle R to cut the electrode plate. In some embodiments, the laser irradiation member 120 may irradiate the laser L such that the laser L is inclined or obliquely downward from the outside to the inside of the electrode plate (e.g., at an angle).

[0118] In some implementations, the set or predetermined angle R can be in the range of approximately 35 degrees to approximately 55 degrees. If the set or predetermined angle R exceeds 55 degrees or is less than 35 degrees, it may be difficult to cut the electrode plate into the target shape. For example, if the set or predetermined angle R is 90 degrees as in the prior art, the first active material layer AM1 on the upper surface of the substrate ST can be removed more than the second active material layer AM2. Conversely, if the set or predetermined angle R is small (e.g., less than 35 degrees), the lower part of the electrode plate and the second active material layer AM2 may be damaged by the laser L (e.g., over-damaged).

[0119] In some embodiments, in the laser cutting device 100A according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the support member 110 may be arranged parallel to the ground (y-axis direction). In some embodiments, the laser irradiation member 120 may be arranged relative to the ground at a set or predetermined angle R. Accordingly, the laser L irradiated from the laser irradiation member 120 may irradiate the electrode plate at a set or predetermined angle R.

[0120] Figure 7 This is a side view of a laser cutting device 100B according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0121] See Figure 7 According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the laser cutting device 100B may include a first driving member 130.

[0122] In some embodiments, the first drive member 130 rotates the laser irradiation member 120 to change, set, or reset a predetermined angle R. For example, during a process of cutting an electrode plate, the first drive member 130 may rotate the laser irradiation member 120 to change the set or predetermined angle R from a first angle to a second angle different from the first angle. The laser irradiation member 120 may be rotatably coupled to the first drive member 130.

[0123] For example, one end of the laser irradiation member 120 may be rotatably connected to the first drive member 130. In some embodiments, although not shown in the figures, the middle portion of the laser irradiation member 120 may be rotatably connected to the first drive member 130.

[0124] The first drive member 130 may be, for example, a stepper motor. A stepper motor may include a stator and a rotor with gear-like protrusions (small teeth), such that current flowing through the stator coils gradually rotates the stator at an angle (e.g., a constant angle). The first drive member 130 may rotate the laser irradiation member 120 by a selected angle. However, the first drive member 130 is not necessarily limited to a stepper motor.

[0125] Depending on the cutting quality of the electrode plate, according to Figure 7The laser cutting device 100B of the embodiment can reset the laser irradiation angle (e.g., during processing operations).

[0126] Figure 8 This is a side view of a laser cutting device 100C according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0127] according to Figure 8 In one embodiment, the support member 110 can be positioned at an angle relative to the ground. In some embodiments, the laser irradiation member 120 can be positioned vertically (z-axis direction) relative to the ground. Accordingly, the laser light irradiated from the laser irradiation member 120 can irradiate the electrode plate at a set or predetermined angle R.

[0128] Figure 9 This is a side view of a laser cutting device 100D according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0129] See Figure 9 According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the laser cutting device 100D may include a second driving member 140.

[0130] The second drive member 140 can rotate the support member 110 to change a set or predetermined angle R. One side of the support member 110 can be rotatably connected to the second drive member 140.

[0131] For example, the middle portion of the support member 110 may be rotatably connected to the second drive member 140. In some embodiments, although not shown in the drawings, one end of the support member 110 may be rotatably connected to the second drive member 140.

[0132] The second drive member 140 can be, for example, a stepper motor. The second drive member 140 can rotate the support member 110 by a selected angle. However, the second drive member 140 is not limited to a stepper motor.

[0133] Depending on the cutting quality of the electrode plate, according to Figure 9 The laser cutting device 100D of the embodiment can reset the laser irradiation angle during the processing operation.

[0134] Figure 10 This is a cross-sectional view of an electrode plate cut by a laser cutting device according to an embodiment.

[0135] See Figure 10 As described above, the laser is obliquely irradiated onto the electrode plate at an angle, and the substrate ST, the first active material layer AM1, and the second active material layer AM2 can be cut on the electrode plate in a direction parallel to the vertical direction (z-axis direction) to conform to or correspond to the target shape.

[0136] The laser cutting devices 100A, 100B, 100C, and 100D according to this disclosure can reduce or prevent short circuits in electrode assemblies by cutting (e.g., uniformly cutting) the cut surface of the electrode plate. Furthermore, the manufacturing quality of rechargeable batteries can be improved.

[0137] The accompanying drawings and detailed description of this disclosure mentioned above are merely illustrative and intended to describe this disclosure, and are not intended to be restrictive or limit the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the claims. Therefore, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and other equivalent exemplary embodiments can be made therefrom. Accordingly, the true technical scope of this disclosure must be determined by the technical features of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A laser cutting device, comprising: Supporting components, used to support the electrode plates; as well as A laser irradiation component is located above the support component and is configured to irradiate the electrode plate obliquely at a set angle to cut the electrode plate.

2. The laser cutting device according to claim 1, wherein: The supporting member is arranged parallel to the ground, and The laser irradiation component is positioned relative to the ground at the set angle.

3. The laser cutting device according to claim 2, further comprising: A first driving member is connected to the laser irradiation member and configured to rotate the laser irradiation member to change the set angle from a first angle to a second angle.

4. The laser cutting device according to claim 2, wherein: The laser irradiation component is configured to irradiate the laser such that the laser beam travels obliquely downwards from the outside to the inside of the electrode plate.

5. The laser cutting device according to claim 1, wherein: The supporting member is set at an angle relative to the ground, and The laser irradiation component is positioned vertically relative to the ground.

6. The laser cutting device according to claim 5, further comprising: A second drive member is connected to the support member and configured to rotate the support member to change the set angle from a first angle to a second angle.

7. The laser cutting device according to claim 5, wherein: The laser irradiation component is configured to irradiate the laser such that the laser beam travels obliquely downwards from the outside to the inside of the electrode plate.

8. The laser cutting device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: The set angle is in the range of 35 degrees to 55 degrees.

9. A rechargeable battery manufacturing system, comprising: A conveying device for conveying substrates; A coating apparatus for applying a slurry to the substrate; A drying apparatus for drying the slurry to produce a dry slurry; as well as A laser cutting device for cutting the substrate and the dried slurry using a laser. The laser cutting device is the laser cutting device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

Images