Electrode assembly processing apparatus capable of easy removal of fores and electrode assembly processing method using same

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electrode assembly processing apparatus capable of easily removing foreign matter and an electrode assembly processing method using the same, and more particularly, to an electrode assembly processing apparatus capable of easily removing foreign matter and an electrode assembly processing method using the same. The electrode assembly processing apparatus includes: a seating jig on which an electrode assembly to which an electrode lead is connected is seated; a bead processing unit located on an upper side of a bead portion formed on the electrode lead so as to process the bead portion; the pressing and supporting unit is positioned below the welding bead part; and an air injection unit located on each of the upper portion and the lower portion of the electrode assembly so as to inject air toward the bead processing unit.

Description

An electrode assembly processing apparatus capable of easily removing foreign objects and a method for processing electrode assemblies using the same. Technical Field

[0001] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 2024-0114464, filed on August 26, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] This invention relates to an electrode assembly processing apparatus for promoting foreign matter removal and an electrode assembly processing method using the same apparatus, and more specifically to an electrode assembly processing apparatus for promoting foreign matter removal and an electrode assembly processing method using the same apparatus, which can remove foreign matter near the weld portion formed by welding electrode tabs and electrode leads together, thereby improving quality. Background Technology

[0003] With the recent development of alternative energy sources due to air pollution and energy consumption caused by the use of fossil fuels, the demand for secondary batteries capable of storing generated electrical energy has increased.

[0004] Due to the increased use and complexity of mobile devices, as well as the development of electric vehicles, the required capacity of secondary batteries, which serve as energy sources for various electronic devices inevitably used in modern society, has increased. To meet user needs, multiple battery cells are incorporated into small devices, while battery modules comprising multiple battery cells electrically connected to each other, or battery packs comprising multiple battery modules, are used in vehicles and other applications.

[0005] In addition, in the battery cell manufacturing process, electrode tabs protruding from the electrode assembly formed by stacking electrodes and separators are gathered to form electrode tab bundles, and electrode leads are welded to the electrode tab bundles.

[0006] A weld bead with a specific volume is formed at the location where the electrode tab bundle and electrode lead are welded together, and pressure is applied to the weld bead. At this time, foreign objects may be present on the weld bead, and foreign objects may adhere to the electrode assembly, etc. due to the pressure of the weld bead, thereby causing battery cell defects and quality deterioration.

[0007] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a conventional method for reducing the height of the weld bead protruding from the weld joint between the electrode tab and the electrode lead.

[0008] As shown in Figure 1, in a conventional method of reducing weld bead height, a press 40 is used to press the weld bead 30 formed by welding the electrode tab 10 and the electrode lead 20 together to reduce the height of the weld bead.

[0009] Conventional methods for reducing weld height have the following problems: foreign matter generated during the welding of electrode tabs 10 and electrode leads 20, as well as foreign matter generated on weld 30 due to the pressing of press 40, may be introduced in the direction toward the electrode assembly or may be manufactured in the presence of foreign matter, which may lead to defects and quality deterioration.

[0010] (Existing technical documents)

[0011] (Patent Document 1) Korean Patent Application Publication No. 2022-0037051 Summary of the Invention

[0012] Technical issues

[0013] In view of the above problems, the present invention has been made, and the object of the present invention is to provide an electrode assembly processing apparatus and an electrode assembly processing method using the electrode assembly processing apparatus, the electrode assembly processing apparatus being convenient for removing foreign matter and capable of pressing the weld bead portion while removing foreign matter that may be generated before and after pressing.

[0014] Technical solution

[0015] The electrode assembly processing apparatus according to the present invention for achieving the above-mentioned objectives comprises: a placement fixture 100 configured to allow an electrode assembly C having an electrode lead L connected thereto; a weld bead processing unit 200 located above a weld bead portion B formed on the electrode lead L, the weld bead processing unit being configured to process the weld bead portion B; a pressing support unit 300 located below the weld bead portion B; and an air jetting unit 400 located above and below the electrode assembly C, respectively, the air jetting unit being configured to jet air toward the weld bead processing unit 200.

[0016] Furthermore, in the electrode assembly processing apparatus according to the present invention, the weld bead processing unit 200 may include: a foreign matter removal portion 210, which is formed to extend a specific length and is configured to remove foreign matter from the vicinity of the weld bead portion B; a weld bead pressing portion 220, which is connected to the foreign matter removal portion 210 and has a weld bead pressing port formed to extend in a vertical direction and is configured to press the weld bead portion B; and a motor portion 230, which is configured to rotate the foreign matter removal portion 210 and the weld bead pressing portion 220 to change their positions.

[0017] Furthermore, in the electrode assembly processing apparatus according to the present invention, the foreign matter removal section 210 may be a rotatable roller brush provided with a plurality of bristles.

[0018] Furthermore, in the electrode assembly processing apparatus according to the present invention, the foreign matter removal section 210 may be an air jetting device configured to jet air.

[0019] Furthermore, the electrode assembly processing apparatus according to the present invention may include an air suction unit 500 positioned spaced apart from the weld bead processing unit 200, the air suction unit being configured to suction air.

[0020] Furthermore, in the electrode assembly processing apparatus according to the present invention, the electrode assembly C can be mounted on the mounting fixture 100 such that a portion of one side of it protrudes.

[0021] Furthermore, in the electrode assembly processing apparatus according to the present invention, the air injection unit 400 may include an upper air injection portion 410 located above one side of the electrode assembly C and a lower air injection portion 420 located below one side of the electrode assembly C. The upper air injection portion 410 may have a first air flow path 411 therein, along which air flows, and the lower air injection portion 420 may have a second air flow path 421 therein, along which air flows.

[0022] Furthermore, in the electrode assembly processing apparatus according to the invention, each of the first air flow path 411 and the second air flow path 421 may have a slit-shaped outlet configured to allow air to be ejected from it.

[0023] Furthermore, in the electrode assembly processing apparatus according to the invention, each of the first air flow path 411 and the second air flow path 421 can be bent at a specific angle in the direction of the sprayed air, such that the air is sprayed toward the weld portion B.

[0024] Furthermore, in the electrode assembly processing apparatus according to the invention, the air suction unit 500 may have an air suction path 510 configured to allow air to be suctioned through it, and the air suction path 510 may be bent at a specific angle such that the inlet configured to allow air to be suctioned through it faces the weld bead portion B.

[0025] Furthermore, in the electrode assembly processing apparatus according to the present invention, the lower portion of the air suction path 510 can be formed to have a shape having a width that gradually decreases from the inlet inward direction.

[0026] Furthermore, the electrode assembly processing method using the electrode assembly processing apparatus according to the present invention includes: a first step of placing an electrode assembly having electrode leads connected thereto on a placement fixture; a second step of spraying air toward the weld bead portion via an air jet unit; a third step of removing foreign matter from the weld bead portion and pressing the weld bead portion via a weld bead processing unit; and a fourth step of transferring the processed electrode assembly.

[0027] Beneficial effects

[0028] It is evident from the above description that the electrode assembly processing apparatus for promoting foreign matter removal according to the present invention and the electrode assembly processing method using the electrode assembly processing apparatus have the following advantages: a weld bead processing unit is provided that includes a foreign matter removal portion capable of removing foreign matter from the weld bead portion, thereby making it easy to remove foreign matter from the weld bead portion.

[0029] Furthermore, the electrode assembly processing apparatus for promoting foreign matter removal according to the present invention and the electrode assembly processing method using the electrode assembly processing apparatus have the following advantages: the air jetting unit jets air in the direction toward the weld bead portion, thereby preventing foreign matter from flowing in the direction toward the electrode assembly and adhering to the electrode assembly.

[0030] Furthermore, the electrode assembly processing apparatus for promoting foreign matter removal according to the present invention and the electrode assembly processing method using the electrode assembly processing apparatus have the following advantages: an air suction unit configured to suction air is provided, thereby making it easier to remove foreign matter from the bead portion. Attached Figure Description

[0031] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a conventional method for reducing the height of the weld bead protruding from the weld joint between the electrode tab and the electrode lead.

[0032] Figure 2 is a perspective view of an electrode assembly processing apparatus according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an electrode assembly processing apparatus according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 4 is a perspective view of an electrode assembly processing apparatus according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an electrode assembly processing apparatus according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 6 is a perspective view of an electrode assembly processing apparatus according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing an electrode assembly processing apparatus according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0038] 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.

[0039] Furthermore, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the 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, not only can one part be directly connected to another part, but one part can also be indirectly connected to another part via yet another part. Moreover, unless otherwise stated, including an element does not mean excluding other elements, but rather that those elements may be further included.

[0040] In the following description, an electrode assembly processing apparatus for promoting foreign matter removal according to the present invention and an electrode assembly processing method using the same will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0041] Figure 2 is a perspective view of an electrode assembly processing apparatus according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of an electrode assembly processing apparatus according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the electrode assembly processing apparatus according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a mounting fixture 100, a weld bead processing unit 200, a pressing support unit 300, and an air jetting unit 400.

[0043] The mounting fixture 100 can be a worktable with a flat upper surface, on which the electrode assembly C with the weld portion B to be processed is mounted, and there are no particular restrictions, as long as the electrode assembly C can be mounted on the mounting fixture so that the weld portion B can be pressed.

[0044] In this configuration, electrode assembly C can be positioned on the upper surface of the mounting fixture 100 such that a portion of one side protrudes from it, which allows the lower air injection portion 420 of the air injection unit 400 (described later) to be positioned below a portion of one side of electrode assembly C.

[0045] Here, the electrode assembly C can be structured such that the positive and negative electrodes are stacked alternately multiple times while the diaphragm is respectively between the positive and negative electrodes, and the electrode assembly C can have a protruding shape of electrode tabs composed of positive and negative electrode tabs.

[0046] A positive electrode is manufactured by coating a positive electrode mixture, including a positive electrode active material, onto a positive electrode current collector and drying it. The positive electrode mixture may optionally further include a binder, a conductive agent, or a filler, as needed.

[0047] Typically, the positive electrode current collector can have a thickness of 3 to 500 μm. There are no particular limitations on the positive electrode current collector, as long as it exhibits high conductivity and does not cause any chemical changes in the battery in which it is used. For example, the positive electrode current collector can be made of stainless steel, aluminum, nickel, titanium, or sintered carbon. Alternatively, it can be made of aluminum or stainless steel with a surface treated with carbon, nickel, titanium, or silver. Furthermore, the positive electrode current collector can have micron-scale uneven patterns formed on its surface to increase the adhesion of the positive electrode active material, or it can be configured in any of various forms such as a film, sheet, foil, mesh, porous body, foam, or nonwoven fabric.

[0048] Layered compounds (such as lithium cobalt oxide) ) or lithium nickel oxide ( Compounds that are substituted by one or more transition metals; compounds with the chemical formula (where x = 0 to 0.33) represents lithium manganese oxide or such , or Lithium manganese oxide; lithium copper oxide ( ); vanadium oxides, such as , or ; by chemical formula Lithium nickel oxides with nickel sites represented by (where M = Co, Mn, Al, Cu, Fe, Mg, B, or Ga, and x = 0.01 to 0.3); by chemical formula (Where M = Co, Ni, Fe, Cr, Zn, or Ta, and x = 0.01 to 0.1) or chemical formula Lithium-manganese composite oxides (where M = Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, or Zn); wherein the Li portion in the chemical formula is replaced by alkaline earth metal ions. Disulfide compounds; or It can be used as a positive electrode active material; however, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0049] The negative electrode is manufactured by coating a negative electrode mixture, including a negative electrode active material, onto a negative electrode current collector and drying it. The negative electrode mixture may also include components such as conductive agents, binders, or fillers as needed.

[0050] Negative electrode current collectors are typically manufactured to have a thickness of 3 to 500 μm. There are no particular limitations on the negative electrode current collector, as long as it exhibits high conductivity and does not cause any chemical changes in the battery in which it is used. For example, the negative electrode current collector can be made of copper, stainless steel, aluminum, nickel, titanium, or sintered carbon. Alternatively, it can be made of copper, stainless steel, or aluminum-cadmium alloys with a surface treated with carbon, nickel, titanium, or silver. Furthermore, in the same manner as the positive electrode current collector, the negative electrode current collector can have micron-scale uneven patterns formed on its surface to increase the adhesion of the negative electrode active material, or it can be configured in any of various forms such as a film, sheet, foil, mesh, porous body, foam, or nonwoven fabric.

[0051] The separator prevents short circuits between the negative and positive electrodes and allows only lithium ion migration. An insulating film with high ion permeability and mechanical strength is used as the separator. The pore size of the separator is typically from 0.01 to 10 μm, and the thickness is typically from 5 to 300 μm. The separator is preferably made from any of the following: polyethylene, polypropylene, a polyethylene / polypropylene bilayer, a polyethylene / polypropylene / polypropylene trilayer, a polypropylene / polypropylene / polypropylene trilayer, and organic fiber filter paper; however, the invention is not limited thereto.

[0052] Additionally, each of the negative current collector and the positive current collector includes: a portion to which a slurry mixture comprising active material is coated and an uncoated portion, the uncoated portion being the portion on which no slurry mixture is applied, wherein the uncoated portion is cut to form an electrode tab, or individual conductive components are ultrasonically welded to the uncoated portion to form an electrode tab, and the electrode tabs are aggregated to form a tab bundle.

[0053] Electrode lead L can be soldered to tab bundle, allowing electrode assembly C to be connected to the outside, and forming weld portion B at the point where tab bundle and electrode lead L are soldered.

[0054] The weld processing unit 200 is configured to process weld portion B formed by welding the tab bundle and electrode lead L together, and includes a foreign matter removal portion 210, a weld pressing portion 220, and a motor portion 230.

[0055] The foreign matter removal section 210, configured to remove foreign matter present on the weld bead section B, extends a certain length and is provided with a roller brush at the portion of the foreign matter removal section adjacent to the weld bead section B. The roller brush is rotatable and has a plurality of bristles formed thereon.

[0056] The roller brush of the foreign matter removal section 210 rotates in the direction of foreign matter removal in the opposite direction to the direction in which the electrode assembly C is placed, so as to prevent the introduction of foreign matter in the direction toward the electrode assembly C during the removal of foreign matter.

[0057] In other words, based on Figure 3, the roller brush of the foreign matter removal section 210 rotates counterclockwise to remove foreign matter from the weld section B.

[0058] The weld pressing portion 220, which is configured to apply pressure to the weld portion B so as to press the weld portion, is connected to the foreign matter removal portion 210 and extends a certain length.

[0059] Furthermore, the weld bead pressing portion 220 can be connected and extended in a direction perpendicular to the foreign matter removal portion 210.

[0060] The portion of the weld bead pressing portion 220 facing the weld bead portion B can be flat, thereby allowing for more accurate pressing of the weld bead portion B.

[0061] The motor section 230 is configured to rotate the foreign matter removal section 210 and the weld bead pressing section 220, which are perpendicular to each other, so as to change their positions.

[0062] More specifically, after removing foreign matter from weld bead portion B with foreign matter removal portion 210 positioned above weld bead portion B, motor portion 230 rotates the integrally formed foreign matter removal portion 210 and weld bead pressing portion 220 by 90°, so that weld bead pressing portion 220 is positioned above weld bead portion B.

[0063] Here, the weld processing unit 200 can move vertically to adjust the distance from the weld portion B, and can also move horizontally to align with the weld portion B vertically as needed.

[0064] The pressing support unit 300 is configured to support the weld portion B from below when the weld portion is pressed by the weld pressing portion 220 of the weld processing unit 200, and the upper surface of the pressing support unit 300 can be flat.

[0065] Furthermore, the pressing support unit 300 can be moved to be positioned below the weld bead portion, thereby supporting the portion that is precisely pressed. Therefore, the pressing support unit can move in the directions of up, down, left, right, forward, and backward.

[0066] The air jetting unit 400 is configured to jet air toward the weld bead portion B to remove foreign matter from the weld bead portion B and prevent foreign matter from scattering in the direction toward the electrode assembly C, and the air jetting unit 400 includes an upper air jetting portion 410 and a lower air jetting portion 420.

[0067] The upper air jet section 410 is located above one side of the electrode assembly C, and a first air flow path 411 is provided in the upper air jet section 410, and the air jetted toward the weld section B flows along the first air flow path 411.

[0068] The first airflow path 411 may have a slit-shaped outlet from which air is ejected, and the direction of the ejected air may be bent at a specific angle so that the ejected air is guided to the weld portion B.

[0069] Therefore, the first airflow path 411 may have a structure in which a portion of it is bent at a specific angle in order to guide air in the direction toward the weld portion B.

[0070] In addition, the lower air jet section 420 is located below one side of the electrode assembly C, and a second air flow path 421 is provided in the lower air jet section 420, and the air jetted toward the weld section B flows along the second air flow path 421.

[0071] The second airflow path 421 may have a slit-shaped outlet from which air is ejected, and the direction of the ejected air may be bent at a specific angle so that the ejected air is guided to the weld portion B.

[0072] Therefore, the second airflow path 421 may have a structure in which a portion of it is bent at a specific angle in order to guide air in the direction toward the weld portion B.

[0073] Figure 4 is a perspective view of an electrode assembly processing apparatus according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of an electrode assembly processing apparatus according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0074] Referring to Figures 4 and 5, except for the foreign matter removal portion 210 of the weld bead processing unit 200, the electrode assembly processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention is the same as the electrode assembly processing apparatus according to the first embodiment described with reference to Figures 2 and 3, and therefore the description of the same configuration will be omitted.

[0075] In the electrode assembly processing apparatus according to the second embodiment, the foreign matter removal section 210 of the weld processing unit 200 is an air jetting device capable of jetting air, wherein the foreign matter removal section extends a certain length and is provided therein with an air flow path along which air can flow.

[0076] In other words, the foreign matter removal section 210 according to the second embodiment is configured to remove foreign matter by jetting air, thereby removing foreign matter without contacting the weld bead section B.

[0077] FIG6 is a perspective view showing an electrode assembly processing apparatus according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG7 is a cross-sectional view showing an electrode assembly processing apparatus according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0078] Referring to Figures 6 and 7, except that an air suction unit 500 is further provided, the electrode assembly processing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention is the same as the electrode assembly processing apparatus according to the first embodiment described with reference to Figures 2 and 3, and therefore the description of the same configuration will be omitted.

[0079] In the electrode assembly processing apparatus according to the third embodiment, the air suction unit 500 is provided at a position spaced apart from the weld processing unit 200.

[0080] The air suction unit 500 is configured to remove foreign matter scattered near the weld bead portion B by the foreign matter removal section 210 and the air jet unit 400 by suction, and an air suction path 510 is provided in the air suction unit 500.

[0081] Furthermore, the air suction unit 500 is configured such that the inlet is bent at a specific angle to face the weld portion B, and the inlet is configured to allow air to be drawn through it.

[0082] Therefore, the lower portion of the air suction path 510 is bent at a specific angle to face the weld portion B.

[0083] In addition, the lower part of the air suction path 510 is formed with a shape that gradually decreases in width from the inlet inward, thereby making it easier to remove foreign objects by suction.

[0084] The air extraction unit 500 removes foreign objects from weld section B and the vicinity of weld section B, thus preventing foreign objects from falling back onto the worktable.

[0085] An electrode assembly processing method using an electrode assembly processing apparatus according to the present invention includes: a first step of placing an electrode assembly having electrode leads connected thereto on a placement fixture; a second step of spraying air toward a weld bead portion via an air jetting unit; a third step of removing foreign matter from the weld bead portion and pressing the weld bead portion via a weld bead processing unit; and a fourth step of conveying the processed electrode assembly.

[0086] First, the first step of placing the electrode assembly connected to the electrode leads on the mounting fixture is to place the electrode assembly with the electrode leads connected to it on the mounting fixture such that its part protrudes.

[0087] Here, the air injection units are located above and below the portion of the electrode assembly that protrudes from the mounting fixture.

[0088] The second step of spraying air toward the weld bead using an air jetting unit is to spray air toward the weld bead using an upper air jetting unit and a lower air jetting unit located above and below one side of the electrode assembly, respectively.

[0089] At this point, foreign objects can be removed from the weld bead and the vicinity of the weld bead by the air jet unit, and foreign objects can be prevented from scattering in the direction toward the electrode assembly.

[0090] The third step is to remove foreign objects from the weld bead portion and press the weld bead portion by the weld bead processing unit. This step involves removing foreign objects from the weld bead portion and the vicinity of the weld bead portion by the foreign object removal part of the weld bead processing unit and pressing the weld bead portion by the weld bead pressing part of the weld bead processing unit.

[0091] At this time, the foreign object is removed by the foreign object removal part, and the foreign object removal part and the weld bead pressing part are rotated 90° by the motor part, so that the weld bead pressing part is above the weld bead part and presses the weld bead part.

[0092] In addition, any foreign matter that may be generated when pressing the weld bead is blown away in the opposite direction to the direction in which the electrode assembly is located and is removed by the air jet unit operated in the second step.

[0093] The fourth step of transferring the processed electrode assembly is to transfer the electrode assembly with weld portions processed by the weld processing unit to the next step for manufacturing the battery cell (such as the step of housing the electrode assembly in the cell housing).

[0094] At this point, the electrode assembly can be transferred via a robotic arm, gripping unit, or conveyor belt, and there are no particular restrictions on the method of transferring the electrode assembly, as long as it can be transferred to the next step for manufacturing battery cells.

[0095] Those skilled in the art will understand that, based on the above description, various applications and modifications are possible within the scope of this invention.

[0096] (Description of reference symbols)

[0097] 100: Installation clamps

[0098] 200: Welding Processing Unit

[0099] 210: Foreign Object Removal Section

[0100] 220: Weld bead pressing section

[0101] 230: Motor section

[0102] 300: Press Support Unit

[0103] 400: Air injection unit

[0104] 410: Upper air injection section

[0105] 411: First airflow path

[0106] 420: Lower air injection section

[0107] 421: Second airflow path

[0108] 500: Air extraction unit

[0109] 510: Air Suction Path

[0110] L: Electrode lead

[0111] C: Electrode assembly

[0112] B: Weld section

Claims

1. An electrode assembly processing apparatus, the electrode assembly processing apparatus comprising: A mounting fixture configured to allow an electrode assembly having electrode leads connected thereto; A weld bead processing unit is located above a weld bead portion formed on the electrode lead, and the weld bead processing unit is configured to process the weld bead portion; The pressing support unit is located below the weld bead portion; And an air jetting unit, which is located above and below the electrode assembly, respectively, and is configured to jet air toward the weld bead processing unit.

2. The electrode assembly processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The weld bead processing unit includes: a foreign matter removal section formed to extend a specific length and configured to remove foreign matter from the vicinity of the weld bead portion; a weld bead pressing section connected to the foreign matter removal section and formed to extend in a vertical direction and configured to press the weld bead portion; and a motor section configured to rotate the foreign matter removal section and the weld bead pressing section to change their positions.

3. The electrode assembly processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, The foreign matter removal section is a rotatable roller brush with multiple bristles.

4. The electrode assembly processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, The foreign matter removal section is an air jetting device configured to spray air.

5. The electrode assembly processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the electrode assembly processing apparatus includes an air suction unit, the air suction unit being positioned separately from the weld bead processing unit, and the air suction unit being configured to suction air.

6. The electrode assembly processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, The electrode assembly is mounted on the mounting fixture such that a portion of one side of the electrode assembly protrudes.

7. The electrode assembly processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, The air injection unit includes an upper air injection section and a lower air injection section. The upper air injection section is located above one side of the electrode assembly, and the lower air injection section is located below the same side of the electrode assembly. A first air flow path is provided in the upper air injection section, and air flows along the first air flow path. A second air flow path is provided in the lower air injection section, and air flows along the second air flow path.

8. The electrode assembly processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein, Each of the first airflow path and the second airflow path has a slit-shaped outlet configured to allow air to be ejected from the slit-shaped outlet.

9. The electrode assembly processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein, Each of the first airflow path and the second airflow path is bent at a specific angle in the direction of the sprayed air, such that the air is sprayed toward the weld bead portion.

10. The electrode assembly processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein, The air suction unit has an air suction path configured to allow air to be drawn through it, and the air suction path is curved at a specific angle such that the inlet faces the weld bead portion, and the inlet is configured to allow air to be drawn through the inlet.

11. The electrode assembly processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein, The lower portion of the air suction path is shaped to have a width that gradually decreases inward from the inlet.

12. A method for processing an electrode assembly, the method using the electrode assembly processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, the method comprising: The first step is to place the electrode assembly on the placement fixture, the electrode assembly having electrode leads connected thereto; The second step involves spraying air toward the weld bead portion using the air jetting unit. The third step involves removing foreign matter from the weld bead portion and pressing the weld bead portion using the weld bead processing unit. And the fourth step is to transfer the processed electrode assembly.

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